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Trump’s Madman Strategy No Longer Effective: Iran’s Shamkhani

shamkhani

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Shamkhani said Donald Trump’s statements on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) lack international legitimacy.

In a meeting with the Syrian Parliament Speaker Hammouda Youssef Sabbagh in Tehran, Shamkhani underlined that Trump’s statement are aimed at fomenting Iranophobia and depriving Iran of the economic benefits of the JCPOA, a Farsi report by Mizan News Agency said on Monday.

“Adopting the madman strategy to coerce the international community into doing what we want is ineffective and the ruling officials in the US have isolated the country in the world by their repeated mistakes,” he noted during the meeting.

The Iranian official pointed out the Islamic Republic’s power, initiative and prudence to thwart the plot hatched by the strategic Western-Hebrew-Arabic alliance to destabilize the region have led “the enemy to resort to irrational measures against Iran.”

Shamkhani also referred to the great achievements of victories of the Syrian army against the terrorists and said the Syrian nation will decide about its future through their strong will.

The Iranian official called on the Muslim world to get united in fight against their joint enemies like the US and the Zionist regime and said the enemies’ first priority is to inflict blow on the security and economic progress of the Islamic states and sow the seeds of discord among them.

For his part, the Syrian speaker expressed his country’s appreciation for the Islamic Republic of Iran’s humanitarian aid to the Syrian nation.

He also denounced the US’ “illegal and aggressive” presence in Syria saying that Washington is supporting the terrorist groups.

“Syria will turn into a new swamp for the US army,” he concluded.

Iran’s Precipitation Rate Hits Record Low in 50 Years

Iran’s Deputy Energy Minister, Rahim Meidani, says this year’s drought is unprecedented in the past 50 years.

Noting that there has been no good rainfall in the current Iranian calendar year, he said the situation in provinces located in arid and semi-arid areas such as Markazi, Qom, Semnan, Tehran, Alborz, and Isfahan provinces is way different than winters of few years ago.

This Iranian official also noted that in provinces where good rainfall was expected, like Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Lorestan, Hamadan and Kurdistan, the precipitation rate declined dramatically.

“Precipitation was only normal in Ardabil and Golestan provinces,” he added, a Farsi report by Tasnim said.

Meidani also mentioned that if this continues, the ministry will have problems in the field of power generation from hydroelectric power plants at the summer peak.

According to Iran’s meteorological organization Iran has experienced a 56-percent decrease in average precipitation over the period from September 23 to December 25 compared to the same period in the long run.

Moreover, nearly 96 percent of Iran’s total area is suffering from different levels of prolonged drought.

Iran Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Baghdad

Bahram Qassemi

In a statement, Qassemi censured the attacks and expressed sympathy with the Iraqi government and people, especially the families and relatives of the victims of the terrible terrorist incident.

He once again reiterated Iran’s strong support for the resolute and constant struggle of the Iraqi government and people against terrorism, which according to him, is rooted in extremist thoughts of foreign-backed Takfiri-terrorist groups.

At least 35 people were killed by a double suicide bombing in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad according to authorities, although the death toll is expected to rise.

Scores of other people are said to have suffered wounds as a result of the explosion.

The interior ministry said that two men detonated suicide vests in Tayaran Square, following a similar attack in the city two days earlier which killed five at a checkpoint.

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 18

All newspapers today dedicated their front pages to the tragic incident that happened for Iranian oil tanker Sanchi, which caught fire and sank in Eastern China waters. All 32 crew members have died, according to officials.

Another top story today was the remarks made by Iranian Judiciary Spokesman Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei about the legal cases of brothers of President Hassan Rouhani and First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri.

Several papers also highlighted the report given by incumbent mayor of Tehran, Mohammad Ali Najagi, about the corruption and offences of his predecessor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who served as the mayor of Tehran for 12 years.

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

 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- China Did Not Even Show Mercy to Iranian Turtles!

  • Massacre of Environment in Hoor al-Azim Wetland

2- Iran’s Expediency Council to Decide about Religious Minorities’ Membership in City Councils

3- End of Hope: Iran Once Again in Grief after Sanchi Oil Tanker Sank

  • China Helped Tanker Sink: Expert

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Iran Leader Offers Condolences over Heartbreaking Oil Tanker Tragedy

2- Analyst: Iran Nuclear Deal Caused Rift between US, Europe

3- Iran Releases 440 People Detained after Recent Unrest

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Ebtekar:

1- Seamen Go to Heaven: Iran Leader Offers Sympathy over Oil Tanker Tragedy

2- Electoral Competition between Two PMs

  • Abadi or Maliki: Which One Will Win Iraqi Parliament

3- Parliament to Probe into Detention Centres

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Etemad:

1- Worrying Operation: UN Says Number of Civilian Deaths Increased in Idlib

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Ettela’at:

1- Tragic End of Sanchi: Iranian Seafarers Die in Chinese Waters

2- UNICEF: 5,000 Yemeni Kids Killed in Saudi Airstrikes

3- Rouhani: Humanities Grow in Free Societies

4- Larijani: Political Skirmishes Spoil People’s Trust

5- Araqchi: Europe Considers Iran Nuclear Deal as Guarantee for Its Security

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Iran:

1- Iran on Fire: Sanchi Sinks, 32 Sailors Dead

2- Rouhani: We Must Respect Conflict of Opinion

3- Tehran Mayor Najafi Discloses Offences of Predecessor Qalibaf

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Javan:

1- Rouhani: Results of JCPOA to Last until Doomsday

2- Tehran City Council: Mr Mayor! Be Fair!

3- Judiciary Spokesman Urges Gov’t to Provide People with Cheap Internet Access

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Steel Products on Top of List of Iran’s Non-Oil Exports

2- National Day of Mourning Observed for Seamen

3- Anti-Zionist Demonstrations in New Delhi in Protest at Bibi’s India Visit

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Kayhan:

1- Don’t Beat around the Bush! Tackle Unemployment, Marriage, House Problems

2- New York Times’ Must-Read Report on Trump

  • US President Is Stupid, If Not Crazy

3- Mr President! What’s Name of Murderers Who Set Fire on Quran, Iran Flag?

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Khorasan:

1- Ambiguity in Cutting Cash Subsidies of 33 Million Iranians

2- Return of Abdullah Gul: Will Turkey’s Political Arena Change?

3- Rouhani’s Explicit Criticism of Tehran Friday Prayers Leader; Sediqi’s Reaction

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Tejarat:

1- Judiciary Spokesman Gives Details about Legal Cases of Brothers of Rouhani, Jahangiri

2- World Bank Predicts 4% Economic Growth Rate for Iran

3- Continued Implementation of Rail Deals Even after US Withdrawal from JCPOA

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers


 

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- Judiciary Spokesman: Rouhani’s Brother Has More than One Case

2- Rouhani’s Gov’t Pretends to Be Advocate of Criticism While It Keeps Suing Critics!

3- We’re Shipwrecked: Iranian Oil Tanker Fully Sinks in Eastern China after 8 Days of Burning

4- 202 MPs Write to Larijani, Rouhani, Amoli Larijani: Focus on People’s Basic Problems

5- Telegram Has Not Made Any Pledges Despite ICT Minister’s Conditions for Unblocking

Oil Tanker Tragedy Makes Headlines in Iranian Papers

“Relations between Nations Source of Sustainable Development”

Speaking at the First Conference of Asian Cultural Dialogue in Tehran, Salehi expressed hope that the achievements of this event and its multiple committees would enhance the common understanding of issues to produce valuable results for the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation among Asian societies.

According to a Farsi report by the Fars News Agency, the Iranian minister added that historical experience in international relations shows that, whenever relations between nations are organized in a cultural context, it will be a stable and peaceful source of development.

Referring to the influence of culture and cultural elements on economic development, Salehi stated that due to the direct link between culture and development, the development process may not survive without paying attention to the cultural elements.

“Asia’s sustainable development also requires the creation of an optimal environment of intercultural interaction across the continent based on the concept of cultural diversity,” noted Salehi.

He also mentioned that “today, we are witnessing the prevalence of extremist and violent thoughts in different parts of the world due to the lack of dialogue and cultural interaction, especially among elites.”

“Unfortunately, the conflicts, extremism, and violence are mostly seen in the regions that have been the cradle of culture and dialogue.”

Salehi further pointed out that the main dialogues between the countries are to find common solutions to global challenges.

“Although the cultural differences between countries play a crucial role in the countries’ decisions, the benefits of global cultural commonality must not be overlooked as such a thing mounts the challenges of the countries.”

The Iranian minister added that “we are proud that the Iranian-Islamic culture and civilization, along with other great Asian civilizations, has been the source of dialogue, peace, friendship and engagement with other nations throughout the history, and raised figures like Saadi, Hafez, Rudaki, Rumi, Ferdowsi, Gandhi, Nehru, and Iqbal, who shine in the realm of poetry and literature as well as peace and friendship.”

“Based on this, all cultural interactions and cooperation, especially between the elites and thinkers of Iran and Asia, is welcomed and we consider it a constructive movement in the path to advance Asian culture and civilization,” he concluded.

Italian Paper Hails Yazd as Shining Pearl of Iran

Italian Paper Hails Yazd as Shining Pearl of Iran

In the report, La Stampa elaborates on the unique features of Yazd saying the city is shining like a pearl in the region.

“Yazd is the 22nd historic and cultural site in Iran registered as a world heritage by the UNESCO on July 9, 2017. Since then, the city has turned into a national pride for all Iranians. The historic structure of the city is a collection of religious architecture on a vast land,” La Stampa was quoted as saying in a Farsi report by IRNA.

The daily went on to say with a history of over three thousand years, Yazd is one of the most ancient cities in the world; which used to be a commercial hub in the past. It was also a major city along the Silk Road.

“With its interconnected narrow alleys, ochre-coloured houses and cyan-tiled mosques, the old section of the city shines like a small jewel,” it added.

Yazd’s Grand Mosque with two 48-metre minarets dominates the whole city. The mosque has valuable tiles used in the wall decorations. The city also enjoys a large number of aqueducts.

Aqueduct is a bridge to convey water over an obstacle, such as a ravine or valley. Even today, aqueducts account for 75 percent of Yazd’s water.

Yazd is one of the most important cities of the world; and is widely viewed as a centre of Iranian architecture. Due to its dry weather, the city has one of the largest networks of aqueduct in the world.

Yazd has also accommodated a large number of ancient buildings with wind-catchers which protect the residents against the scorching hot of summer. The wind-catchers represent a top example of Iranian architecture.

The city is also equipped with special buildings working as refrigerator. Some of these buildings are still in use. Yazd is also home to a number of Zoroastrian temples which date back to years before the birth of Christ.

Iran Signs $2 Billion Rail Deal with India

Iran Congratulates India on Republic Day

The agreement was inked Friday in India’s capital New Delhi in the presence of Abbas Akhoundi, Iran’s minister of roads and urban development, and his Indian counterpart Nitin Gadkari, the report said, according to Xinhua news agency.

The deal included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth 600 million dollars that will enable Iran to purchase locomotives and freight cars from India.

Akhoundi said the project will be fully implemented within three years.

For his part, Gadkari said the new trains will help transport passengers and freight in Iran.

“They will also be used in the Chabahar-Zahedan railroad to accelerate development of the Chabahar Port in line with India’s goal to connect to Central Asia and ultimately Europe through this Iranian port,” he said.

Iran and India, two major members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), have increased efforts in recent years to establish closer trade ties.

India is one of the major customers of Iran’s crude oil.

Iran Will Never Allow IAEA to Inspect Military Sites: Spokesman

Behrouz Kamalvandi made the remarks on Sunday, in response to US threats over scraping Iran’s nuclear deal or inspection of the sites by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“No one in Iran will permit the IAEA access to military sites, such access is not part of the nuclear deal, the additional protocol or its safeguard agreement,” Kamalvandi (seen below) stressed.

The AEOI spokesman went on to note that no nuclear activities are being carried out in his country’s military sites, while reiterating Tehran’s stance that the country’s defensive capabilities are non-negotiable.

He also noted that Iran is in complete compliance with the IAEA, a fact which has on multiple occasions been confirmed by the agency.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump extended waivers of economic sanctions on Iran for another 120 days but said he was doing so “for the last time.”

Trump said he wanted Congress to pass a bill requiring “timely, sufficient, and immediate inspections” at all sites by inspectors of IAEA, and the indefinite extension of limits on Iran’s uranium enrichment and other nuclear activities.

Following Trump’s announcement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced that the country will commit to no obligation beyond those it has already agreed to under the international nuclear deal.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China – plus Germany signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016.

Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.

Iran Leader Expresses Sympathy over Oil Tanker Tragedy

Ayatollah Khamenei: ‘Housekeeping Involves Bringing Up Cosmos’ Most Majestic Product’

In his Sunday message, the Leader expressed his “sincere condolences to the bereaved families and relatives of the sailors who died after their oil tanker [Sanchi] caught fire and sank.”

Ayatollah Khamenei described the incident as a bitter, heart-wrenching, truly catastrophic and saddening one, and besought God Almighty “to bring consolation and peace upon their sorrowful hearts.”

“Those loved ones lost their lives in the line of duty and while serving their country, and this is a great honour which may alleviate the burden of this grief and console the hearts of those affected,” the Leader added.

“I ask God Almighty for mercy and blessing [upon the souls] of them (the victims) and fortitude and reward for their survivors,” he noted.

The Leader’s message came as the country will observe a day of national mourning on Monday, according to a decision by President Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet.

Iranian oil tanker Sanchi caught fire last Saturday night after it collided with the CF Crystal, a Hong Kong-registered bulk freighter carrying wheat from the US, about 160 nautical miles east of the Yangtze estuary.

Despite efforts by rescue teams during the past week, only three bodies were recovered from the ship, and the fate of the remaining sailors remained unclear. Those efforts were hampered because of the scale of the fire and heat.

The vessel finally fully sank on Sunday, January 14, and all hopes for finding the missing people faded.

Available evidence indicates that all crew members died soon after it collided with another vessel and a powerful blast ensued.

Mohammad Rastad, a spokesman for the Special Task Force established over the incident, said on Saturday that there was no hope to find the crew members alive.

Thirty two crew members were on board, comprising 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis.

Saudi Arabia Restricts Entry of Lonely Women

In a meeting between the representatives of Saudi Interior Ministry and members of the country’s Tourism and National Heritage Commission, the participants developed a draft law which limits the visit of women tourists to the country.

According to the draft law, women under 25 have to be accompanied by a family member if they want to visit the kingdom, a Farsi report by ISNA said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, women above 25 need to be a member of a tour recognized by the tourism agencies.

To bring a lonely female tourist to Saudi Arabia, foreign tourism agencies must earlier receive the required certificates from their own countries.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabian National Tourism Agency as well as other tourism agencies working in the country need to receive the required certificates from the Tourism and National Heritage Commission to bring women tourists to the kingdom.

According to the new law, all tourist visas will be issued only after the date, duration and residence of the tours are finalized. The tourists should also respect all the laws and traditions of Saudi Arabia.

If a tourist is lost in Saudi Arabia for more than 24 hours, the tour guide has to report the missing to the officials, the draft law said.

Meanwhile, the law added that if a tourism agency decides to cancel a tour with at least 100 tourists after their visas are issued, the Saudi government will nullify the agency’s work permit.