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Iran Outranks Israel in Scientific Output

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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According to Scimago Journal and Country Rank (SJR), the Islamic Republic of Iran has managed to achieve the sixth rank in Asia in terms of scientific output despite international pressure and sanctions.

Iran has surpassed the Israeli regime in the ranking which used to hold a top rank in scientific output over the past two decades due to the generous support it received from the US, the UK, and France, a report by the Persian-language Fars News Agency said.

From 1996 to 2016, by publishing 388,672 scientific articles which were cited 6,960,963 times, the Islamic Republic achieved a relatively high rank (22) in the SJR. This comes as Israel ranked 25th with 320,716 scientific articles and 297,964 citations.

Earlier, the Israeli daily Haaretz had admitted that Iran has turned into a scientific superpower. “Today, Iran has far surpassed Israel in science due to hard efforts made by the Iranian government and scientists.”

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 articles produced by Iranian scientists in a number of areas including biology, physics, chemistry, economy and business management are far more cited compared with those of Israeli scientists.

Back in 1996, Iran had only 960 scientific articles but the number reached 41,000 over the past two decades.

The progress is made while Iran is under pressure by certain powers in the world and the region.

Scimago Journal Rank (SJR indicator) is a measure of scientific influence of scholarly journals that accounts for both the number of citations received by a journal and the importance or prestige of the journals where such citations come from.

A journal’s SJR is a numeric value indicating the average number of weighted citations received during a selected year per document published in that journal during the previous three years. Higher SJR values are meant to indicate greater journal prestige.

Flamingos Return to Shrinking Lake Urmia

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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As Urmia Lake has been suffering from dryness over the past few years, migratory birds preferred to go to the surrounding rivers and temporary ponds to access more water, but these days witnesses have seen these beautiful birds are returning to the lake as the weather is getting more pleasant.

Flamingos are basically non-migratory birds, but because of changes in the climate and water levels in their habitats, one cannot say their colonies are always permanent.

Lake Urmia has been depleted drastically due to a variety of factors, including the construction of a causeway as well as several dams that have choked off water from the mountains on either side of the lake. The Iranian government is after recovering the lake through water management and environmental restoration.

Earlier, Deputy Head of Iran’s Department of Environment Masoud Baqerzadeh Karimi had announced that the water level of the dying Lake Urmia in north-western Iran has elevated by four centimetres compared with the previous year, adding that currently two-fifth of Lake Urmia’s surface area is covered with water.

A report compiled by the UN Development Plan (UNDP) says human factors, particularly building numerous dams over the rivers flowing into the lake, have further complicated the fate of the largest inland body of water in Iran. However many others maintain that that illegal water wells have played a pivotal role in shrinking Lake Urmia.

What follows are ISNA’s photos of Lake Urmia and the flamingos that are returning to their natural habitat:

Slovakian Musician Praises Iranian Music as Lovely, Attractive

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The inauguration ceremony on April 22 was attended by Slovakian Deputy Culture Minister Konrad Rigo and a number of Iranian and Slovakian cultural officials. Slovakia’s Ambassador to Tehran Lubomir Golian, Head of Culture Ministry’s Music Department Ali Torabi, and Director of Niavaran Art Development Centre Abbas Sajjadi were among the attendants.

Mucha Quartet, a music band founded in 2003 in Bratislava, has regular concerts at various music festivals and cultural events in Slovakia and abroad. In August 2013 they were awarded the Prize of the Mayor of Piešťany for the promotion of Slovak music. They were granted the title Young Artist within the Tatra banka Foundation Art Award for Music in 2016.

What follows is the full text of an interview with the band leader Juraj Tomka conducted by the Persian-language Honar Online:

Q: Mr Tomka, please tell us more about the activities of Mucha Quartet.

A: Mucha Quartet was established in 2003 at the Conservatory in Bratislava, and it belongs to the prominent chamber ensembles in Slovakia. The first teacher of the quartet was Stanislav Mucha, the father of the [band’s] cellist Pavol Mucha.

He encouraged us to form a band and practice with together. Then, we studied in Vienna and Madrid. In addition, we participated in several international competitions and won prizes. Furthermore, we have had performances in many countries like Canada, China, South Korea, and major festivals in Prague, Bratislava, Vienna, France, etc.

Q: What style of music does the Mucha Quartet work on, and have the works been published by your band?

A: So far, we have released three albums. They include a folkloric one with a vocal, and an album by the famous Czech composer Antonín Dvořák. We mostly work on classical music and play the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Béla Bartók, etc. However, sometimes we play jazz and folk, and even rarely pop music. In addition, our band has the experience of making film scores.

Q: What are the features of folk music in Slovakia?

A: In our country, folk music is often played with violin and there are many singers in the field. We also have a musical instrument similar to the Iranian Santur that is not common in classical music, but is used extensively in folk music. I did not have much activity in folkloric music because when I started playing the violin, my instructor believed playing folk music would waste my classical music talent. But now, at an older age, I’m learning it, and I think it’s better to play folk music since childhood because classical music is rooted in folklores.

Q: Are you familiar with Iranian music?

A: I listened to Iranian music during this trip and it was not that much familiar to me. Your music seems strange and at the same time very attractive and lovely.

Macron’s Talks with Trump; Attempt to Support Iran Deal or Mere Show?

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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One of these visits, which, according to some experts, is the most important one in recent weeks or months, is that of French President Emmanuel Macron who tried to persuade his US counterpart to remain in the deal. What follows are highlights of a Farsi piece by Tasnim News Agency on the visit and its repercussions:

Western media during the past weeks directed special attention at Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the United States and his meeting with Donald Trump. The New York Times, in an exaggerated report, said that maintaining the JCPOA depends on the agreement between the French president and Donald Trump.  Meanwhile, some other US and European media outlets assessed the visit as the most important one to determine what would finally happen to Iran nuclear accord.

However, Western media were well aware of the fact that the meetings between the presidents of the two countries have been in process since a long time ago, and Macron had already been aware of Tramp’s stance on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

In another word, the joint game by the US and France regarding the deal has been launched since a while ago, and Macron’s visit to the United States was merely a pre-determined show by Washington and Paris to perform a new political and military operation against Iran.

The reality is that Macron and Trump are in the final stage of the completion of the puzzle whose plan has long been drawn up. Their plan is to “permanently disarm” and “limit Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities” simultaneously.

Assuming the games played by the United States and Europe as separate ones at this critical time is the biggest strategic and computational error in dealing with recent developments. It should be taken into consideration that Washington and the European troika are seeking a “common goal” to complete a “predetermined process.”

The only thing that can overcome this common game and prevent the completion of such a dangerous process is Iran’s emphasis on refusing to renegotiate the JCPOA, and not accepting the slightest change in the nuclear deal, as well as stressing that Tehran will not remain in the deal if Washington leaves it.

In the course of the nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1, the main task of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was to help the US in putting pressure on Iran. He repeatedly played the role of the bad cop during the nuclear talks in order to complete the joint picture envisaged by US Secretary of State John Kerry and other foreign ministers of the western countries. In the course of nuclear talks with Iran, the French had become a catalyst and an accelerating factor to help Washington achieve its goals.

Although François Hollande and Fabius are not in office anymore, Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Yves Le Drian are playing the same destructive role regarding Iran. While Macron prefers to wear a smile, along with the United States he plays a dangerous game that should not be underestimated.

If US Leaves JCPOA, There Will Be No Deal Left: Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Hamid Baeidinejad, who was also a member of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team during the talks that led to the 2015 nuclear deal, made the comments in an interview with CNN’s Amanpour.

“If and when the United States pulls out of the agreement, that would mean there is no deal left because one of the key signatories to the agreement has breached provisions of the agreement,” said the top diplomat.

He underlined that Iran is prepared for all possible scenarios regarding the Iran nuclear deal also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The ambassador also elaborated on the options Iran will consider if Washington withdraws from the JCPOA.

“The first option would be to refer to the mechanism for the settlement of disputes envisaged in the JCPOA,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Iranian diplomat noted, Tehran will not necessarily use this option.

“Another option would be for us to leave the deal in reaction to the US move. This option is very real and realistic. This is the option we are making plans on, and our president has ordered different organisations and authorities in Tehran to be ready for such an event,” the Iranian ambassador to the UK added.

Spokesman for the Iranian Government Mohammad-Baqer Nobakht also weighed in on the issue on Wednesday. He said Trump, who has little political understanding, is likely to withdraw from the JCPOA.

He said a “different move” has being going on in Iran over the past five years in order to break the economic embargo.

“In order to break this economic blockade, we entered a series of economic discussions named the JCPOA. All of us have a share of this path, and no one in the government can step aside,” he said.

“Some may step aside due to some problems they have faced, but not only will I not step aside, I will keep defending the path we have chosen … to the end,” Nobakht noted.

He said Iran should prepare itself for the post-JCPOA situation.

“We have also made budgetary plans for different situations as needed,” the top official noted.

Trump has been a vociferous critic of the Iran nuclear deal which was signed between Tehran and six world powers in 2015. He has called the JCPOA the “worst deal ever” and even threatened to tear it up.

The Iranian official’s comments come ahead of a May 12 deadline for Trump to decide whether or not to extend waivers of economic sanctions on Iran.

In January, he did extend those waivers, but said the European signatories should fix “the terrible flaws” of the accord by May 12 or he will refuse to do that again.

White House principal deputy press secretary Raj Shah said Monday that Trump is “prepared to potentially withdraw” from the Iran deal if changes to the agreement are not made.

Earlier this month, Trump brought two anti-Iran hawks into his cabinet, fueling speculation that he could be preparing to withdraw the US from the deal.

Ex-CIA chief Mike Pompeo replaced Rex Tillerson as secretary of state, while John Bolton was picked as Trump’s national security adviser. Both figures have been critical of the Iran deal, which was inked under Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama, with Bolton once calling it “the worst act of appeasement in American history.”

However, a bipartisan group of over 100 US national security veterans recently called on Trump to honor the Iran nuclear deal.

In a statement, the so-called National Coalition to Prevent an Iranian Nuclear Weapon reminded Trump that findings by United Nations inspectors show that the pact is working. The experts also highlighted the importance of maintaining close ties with European allies, which all support the nuclear deal.

Tehran Hosts Street Performances on World Theatre Day

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The performances were part of a week of celebrations organized by Iran Theatre Forum.

The opening ceremony consisted of a series of short artistic performances, including poetry reading, musical play and Persian style folk dance moves.

The performances will be running until May 4.

What follows are Mehr News Agency’s photos of the plays:

 

5.2 Magnitude Quake Injures Scores in Western Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran’s health officials say 84 people have been admitted to hospitals. One of the injured is reportedly in a critical condition.

The Wednesday morning earthquake damaged the urban and rural infrastructure of Dana County and the city of Sisakht.

The power outages and disruptions caused by the quake were resolved by the efforts of the power distribution operational groups in the cities of Sisaket, and Yasuj in Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad province.

Officials say assessment teams have been deployed to the quake-stricken areas of the province.

The magnitude 5.2 earthquake rattled southwestern Iran in the early hours of Wednesday, the National Earthquake Information Centre said.

It hit around 160 km northwest of the city of Shiraz at 8:38 local time at the depth of 8 kilometres.

State media footage showed cracks in the walls of buildings in Sisakht which has a population of about 10,000.

Iran is prone to near-daily earthquakes as it sits on major fault lines.

Last November, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit villages and towns in Iran’s western Kermanshah province along the mountainous border with Iraq, killing at least 620 people and injuring thousands of others.

In 2003 as well, a magnitude 6.6 quake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people.

Iran Denies Cooperation with Morocco’s Polisario Front

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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In a Wednesday statement, Bahram Qassemi dismissed as untrue and false remarks attributed to Morocco’s foreign minister that Iranian diplomats have been cooperating with Polisario Front.

“As mentioned in recent days and during contacts by the officials of both countries, and as Iranian officials dismissed the claim as utterly groundless and untrue, we do deem it necessary to emphasise, loud and clear, once again that one of the most important and fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy regarding relations with other governments and countries is full respect for their right to sovereignty and security as well as non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs,” the spokesman said.

Qassemi’s reaction came in response to Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita’s accusation that Iran and the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, are training and arming Polisario militants via the Iranian embassy in Algeria. Hezbollah has rejected any such involvement as well.

Morocco has severed diplomatic ties with Tehran over its alleged support for the Polisario Front.

The front is a Western Sahara independence movement. Morocco has claimed Western Sahara since Spain left in 1975. But Polisario fought a guerrilla war for independence for the Sahrawi people until a UN-backed ceasefire took hold in 1991.

Iran Denounces France Police Attack on IRIB Crew

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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“From the very beginning of the incident, the Islamic Republic’s embassy in Paris has been seriously monitoring the health status of the IRIB team, and we hope that they will be recovered soon,” added Qassemi.

He also condemned the French police’s move that led to this unpleasant incident, adding that police should provide security for citizens and guarantee the professional activities of journalists and the press.

“We consider such incidents unacceptable, and expect the French authorities to cooperate with Iran’s embassy staff in dealing with the perpetrators of this incident and look into the status of the Iranian state radio and TV team.”

Two Iranian media crew covering anti-government protests in Paris were heavily injured by the Frrench police and taken to hospital on Tuesday.

Shahsavar Hosseini, the correspondent of the Iranian state radio and TV in the French capital, passed out after inhaling tear gas during demonstrations.

A cameraman of the Iranian TV crew was also wounded after being hit in the head by a rubber bullet and rushed to hospital. He is reportedly in a coma now.

The Iranian media crew were covering the demonstrations by anti-government protesters in Paris when the two were wounded as police clashed with protesters.

Jeddah Wrestling Charade: Bin Salman’s Fantasy of Defeating Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The Persian-language Tasnim News Agency has, in an analytical piece, weighed in on the ludicrous shows that Saudi Arabia has recently staged against Iran. The highlights of the article follow.

Around five months ago, Saudi Arabia released an animation depicting war against Iran through the eyes of Riyadh. In that imaginary and “all-out” war, all of Iran’s infrastructure is destroyed in operations commanded by Mohammed bin Salman who enters Tehran shortly. The animation was held up to ridicule by many, even Saudi citizens.

Recently, Riyadh staged a “wrestling” scenario to once again display Bin Salman’s victory in another show.

According to Saudi sources, some $10 million was paid out of Saudi people’s pockets for a five-minute performance by the wrestlers picked by bin Salman. The two Iranian wrestlers were humiliated by their Saudi counterparts after raising the flag of the Islamic Republic.

In reaction to the phony wrestling match in Jeddah, a Saudi activist wrote on Twitter that while Saudi soldiers are fighting on the southern borders, bin Salman arranges parties and shows filled with debauchery.

The activist’s reaction was in response to the Jeddah wrestling event held by the Al Saud regime. More than 60,000 spectators, including women, watched the event held at Jeddah’s al-Jawhara stadium.

Surprising enough, a few wrestlers carrying the Iranian flag went into the ring, triggering a brouhaha in Saudi Arabia and drawing the attention of activists on social media networks.

That a few wrestlers were present at the event with the Iranian flag was another targeted scenario staged by the Al Saud regime against Iran under which the wrestlers were planned to lose to Saudi wrestlers.

Some users also lashed out at Saudi Arabia for using the Iranian flag at the event, describing the show as Saudi officials’ fantasy.

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