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French FM Starts Tense Talks in Tehran amid Public Protests

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The top French diplomat was greeted by a group of protesters as his flight touched down at Tehran’s Mehrabad airport mid-night Sunday.

The protesters carried placards which read “Iran is not Libya,” in an apparent reference to France’s role in NATO’s bombing of the African country and the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi.

Ahead of his visit, Le Drian said Iran should address “concerns” over its ballistic missile program or risk new sanctions.

“There are ballistic programs of missiles that can reach several thousand kilometers which are not compatible with UN Security Council resolutions and exceed the sole need of defending Iran’s borders,” he told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper. “If not tackled head-on, this country risks new sanctions.”

Le Drian is to hold meetings with President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has said that it is expecting “frank” negotiations.

“We certainly have to have absolutely frank talks with the French foreign minister regarding the JCPOA,” ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

President Donald Trump has set a May 12 ultimatum for the European signatories to change the agreement. Otherwise, the US will withdraw from the deal.

In an interview published Monday, Zarif criticized the European Union for pursuing an extremist policy with Tehran in order to keep Washington in the agreement.

“In order to keep the United States in the Iran nuclear deal, European countries are suffering from extremism and this will ultimately undermine Europe’s policy,” he told Tehran-based Etemad daily.

Zarif stressed that Iran cannot be pushed around and warned that “any action to satisfy the party that has most violated the nuclear agreement is useless.”

“At present, two groups have violated the nuclear deal: the United States and Europe. The Americans because of Washington’s policy and the Europeans because of the US policy,” he said.

“The Europeans, because of the policy of the US could not meet their commitments, especially in the banking sector. Therefore these two groups are not in a position to set conditions for the country that has fully implemented its commitments,” the minister added.

Britain, France and Germany are reportedly working with US officials to draw up a strategy to “improve” the Iran nuclear deal in return for Trump keeping the pact alive.

Iranian officials have stressed that the country will not accept any change to the deal. Iran’s armed forces spokesman said Saturday there could be no talks on the country’s missile program without the West’s destruction of its own nuclear weapons and long-range missiles first.

“The condition for negotiations on Iran’s missiles is the destruction of America’s and Europe’s nuclear weapons and long-range missiles,” Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri told the official IRNA news agency.

Another outstanding issue is Iran’s role in the Middle East and the West’s wish to pressure Islamic Republic into stopping its support for the Syrian government.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday asked Rouhani to put pressure on the Syrian government to end its operations against terrorist-held eastern Ghouta region on Damascus suburbs.

France also expects Iran to make a “constructive contribution” to solving crises in the Middle East, a French presidency statement said.

In their phone conversation, the two presidents agreed to work together in the coming days with the United Nations, Syria and other countries involved, to improve the situation for civilians and make a ceasefire effective, it added.

One key common area between Iran and the European countries is their determination to keep the nuclear agreement alive.

During his stay, Le Drian is also expected to discuss bilateral ties.

In 2017, France was Iran’s second biggest trade partner in the European Union. According to the French Treasury, Iran’s trade exchanges with France stood at €3.8 billion last year.

Since the lifting of the sanctions in January 2016, French automakers have piled into Iran’s resurgent market, helping turn around a period of slipping sales which occurred when they left the country in 2012.

Also, France’s oil and gas company Total has signed an agreement worth $4.8 billion for the development of South Pars Phase 11.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on November 18

Several newspapers today covered the remarks made by the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with a group of elite students of Sharif University of Technology on the country’s scientific achievements and the future prospects.

The top story was the visit of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to Tehran and his threatening comments about Tehran’s missile program and regional role ahead of the trip.

The remarks made by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani about his opponents, particularly his use of the word “feeble-minded” to refer to those who undermine the government’s achievements, also received great coverage today.

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

 

19 Dey:

  • Rouhani: Opponents of Gov’t Targeting People’s Hope
  • Iran Leader: Scientific Progress Meaningless without Commitment

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Abrar:

  • Foreign Ministry: No Barrier to Iran-Europe Consultations
  • IRGC: 21 ISIS Terrorists Killed or Captured after Entering Iran
  • Netanyahu: Iran Most Important Issue of My Talks with Trump

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Aftab-e Yazd:

  • Reformists Urge Fight against Corruption Even If It Targets Themselves
  • Germany Champion of World Exports
  • House of Polish Deputy Ambassador Robbed in Tehran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Arman-e Emrooz:

  • Le Drian to Host Zarif in Tehran in Opening Ceremony of Louvre Exhibition

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Besharat-e Now:

  • MP: Arrest of Girls Who Came to Watch Tehran Derby Was Illegal

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Ebtekar:

  • Major Changes in White House
  • 37 Dismissals, Resignations, Continued Tension during Trump’s One-Year Term

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Etemad:

  • Iran Leader: Scientific Progress per se Doesn’t Make the Country Prosperous
  • Europe to Become Regretful: Zarif in Exclusive Interview
  • Parliament to Impeach Ministers of Labour, Roads

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Ettela’at:

  • Rouhani: Opposition to Gov’t Fight against National Interests
  • Trump: US Invasion of Iraq Was Attack on Beehive
  • HRW: Bin Salman’s So-Called Reforms Not Consistent with His Suppression

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Hemayat:

  • Paris Once Again Plays Role of Bad Cop!
  • French FM Threatens to Impose Sanctions over Iran’s Missile Program

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Iran:

  • ICT Minister: We Must Revise Our Media Policies
  • Rouhani to Macron: We’re Ready to Hold Talks on Issues of Mutual Interest
  • Iranian Runner Who Made History: I’ll Run until Claiming World Title

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Javan:

  • Iranian Goods Have No Role in $18-Billion Market of Nowruz

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Jomhouri Eslami:

  • French President Tells Rouhani Paris Not after Renegotiation of JCPOA
  • US Move to Weaken Iran Nuclear Deal Not Rational: Former UK Envoy to UN

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Kayhan:

  • Trump: Term of Presidency in US Must Be Permanent
  • French FM Insults Iranian People before Visiting Tehran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Khorasan:

  • One-Fifth of Eastern Ghouta Cleaned

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Mardom Salari:

  • Foreign Ministry Elaborates on Iran-EU Talks over Yemen

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Resalat:

  • Cleric: I’d Warned You Must Count Your Fingers after Shaking Hands with Americans!

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Rooyesh-e Mellat:

  • Trump Starts EU-US Commercial War
  • Zarif: Americans Have Prevented Europeans from Fulfilling Their Commitments

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Sazandegi:

  • Mission of France’s Obama
  • French FM to Meet with Iran President in Tehran, Deliver Macron’s Message

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Shargh:

  • Rouhani Criticises Those Who Seek to Increase Inflation Rate
  • Feeble-Minded Opponents!

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

 

Sobh-e Now:

  • Iran Leader Urges Elite Students of Sharif University to Work Hard in Science
  • France’s Unachievable Dreams in Tehran: What Le Drian Thinks about

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on March 5

Iran Blasts French FM’s Threatening Remarks

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Bahram Qassemi on Sunday referred to the top French diplomat’s comments on the threshold of his trip to Iran, saying, “Long gone are the days of sanctions and threats.”

In an interview with the Persian-language Fars News Agency, Qassemi said Iran will tell the French official that Paris’ concerns about Iran’s Middle East policies are “illusory” and “wrong.”

“They should look for [the sources of] their worries on the region in the excessive demands and policies of aggression and in the capitals of some other countries in the region and beyond,” said Qassemi.

He also reacted to claims and unfounded comments made on some occasions by French officials against Iran and its role in the region.

“French authorities should pay attention more carefully to the complicated issues of West Asia and Iran as well as the existing realities and whatever has been going on recently in the region,” the spokesman underlined.

He said French officials should know that there are ill-wishers who wouldn’t like Tehran and Paris to have a balanced relationship.

Qassemi also noted that France is well aware of Iran’s stabilizing role in the Middle East region.

“I believe French statesmen know that the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the most important and most serious countries standing at the forefront of the war on terrorism, especially the ISIS terrorist group, over the recent years, and has made relentless and serious efforts in fighting terrorism and helping boost stability and security and safeguard the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of all regional countries,” he noted.

Qassemi also pointed to the meddlesome remarks by the foreign minister and other officials of France about Iran’s missile defence program.

“Iran has a very clear position on remarks occasionally made by some French officials or published on media,” he noted.

The spokesman said Iran needs to be able to defend itself against aggressors.

He said Iran’s policy in the defence sector is based on deterrence and defence and only serves to secure the country’s territorial integrity, independence and freedom.

“This policy and the missile issue are not against the regulations and resolutions of the UN Security Council,” he noted.

Qassemi reiterated that Iran will not seek anybody’s permission when it comes to its missile and defence policies and will press ahead with its policies in the missile and defence sectors.

“CTBT Has No Monitoring Activities, Equipment in Iran”

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

In a statement on Monday, Bahram Qassemi said the claims raised in Al-Monitor’s recent report are distorted, and the information it has provided on Iran is untrue and false.

“Iran has signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), but has not ratified it,” he said.

Therefore, said Qassemi, no site is up and running and no monitoring equipment is operating in Iran based on the CTBT.

“No information is being delivered to the treaty’s secretariat, either, and the secretariat of the CTBT has no monitoring activities in Iran,” he said.

Qassemi’s remarks came in reaction to a recent report by Al-Monitor which claimed the Donald Trump administration is allowing high-tech US exports to Iran that could boost international oversight of the 2015 nuclear deal.

“US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan signed a waiver that allows a Maryland-based company to export broadband networks, satellite dishes and wireless equipment to Iran for stations that monitor nuclear explosions in real time,” the report added.

Al-Monitor says the monitoring equipment was requested by the CTBT, which oversees a global ban on nuclear test explosions.

It also claimed that the CTBT “officials have set up three sites in Iran to transmit explosion data back to Vienna, giving US and other policymakers a live, independent channel to watch the Islamic Republic’s nuclear activity.”

Iranian Diplomat, Syrian President Meet in Damascus

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

During the Sunday meeting, which took place within the framework of ongoing consultations between Iran and Syria in Damascus, Assad and Jaberi Ansari conferred on several issues.

The two sides discussed the latest developments in the political dialogues and the necessity of ongoing stage of the international peace talks, with an emphasis on the exclusive right of the Syrians to decide on the future of their country, without any external pressure or foreign intervention.

Jaberi Ansari and his accompanying delegation also held negotiations with Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem.

The Sunday afternoon meeting was held in the course of Jaberi Ansari’s meetings with high-ranking Syrian officials.

In this meeting, which was also attended by Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, the two sides discussed the latest developments of the Syrian peace process talks and the agenda of the upcoming joint meeting of the top negotiators of Iran, Russia and Turkey in Geneva.

The Iranian diplomat, who is the Islamic Republic’s top negotiator at Syria Peace Talks, is visiting Syria at the head of a diplomatic delegation.

Jaberi Ansari arrived in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Sunday morning. As part of diplomatic efforts to end the Syria crisis, the Iranian diplomat regularly meets with Syrian officials, UN Special Envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura, and Alexander Lavrentiev, the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Special Representative for Syria.

Jaberi Ansari’s ongoing visit to Damascus comes a few days after a Syrian delegation led by the country’s Minister of Awqaf Mohammad Abdul-Sattar al-Sayyed visited Tehran and met with the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Iran Ready to Work with France in Resolving Regional Woes, Rouhani Tells Macron

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

In a Sunday phone conversation with his French counterpart Emanuel Macron, President Rouhani said the Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to establish a strong relation with France based on the historical and friendly ties between the Iranian and French nations.

“Iran is completely ready to strengthen its relations with France in all economic, cultural and political fields,” he said.

President Rouhani then referred to the upcoming visit of his French counterpart to Iran and said “we welcome the visit and maintain that Tehran-Paris cooperation can play a role in resolving bilateral, regional and international problems.”

Rouhani cited fight against terrorism as one of the main areas of Iran’s interest to establish cooperation with France and said “war against terror and protecting people across the world particularly in the Middle East against terrorist attacks is among the main fields which Iran is ready to launch cooperation with its friends.”

The Iranian president then said Yemen is suffering from drought, chronic and infectious diseases in addition to the relentless airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and added “Iran expects the EU, especially France, to step into the fray and help the innocent people of Yemen.”

He noted that today Yemen is the scene of war crimes and noted those countries providing the Saudi-led coalition with modern weapons should be held accountable for the catastrophe there.

President Rouhani also called for preserving peace and stability of Lebanon and expressed hope all Lebanese parties play their role in holding a fair election through close cooperation.

He then expressed Iran’s complete readiness to establish multi-lateral cooperation with other countries to provide Syrian people with humanitarian aid.

Rouhani further underlined that negotiation between Iran and the EU doesn’t cover the Iran nuclear deal.

“At this juncture, the EU should hold the US fully committed to the JCPOA. We remain committed to the nuclear deal as far as other sides continue to do so,” he added.

Rouhani once again called on all sides to remain committed to the JCPOA and thanked France for its positive stance towards the nuclear deal.

He also referred to some media reports on efforts to hold a new round of talks for a ‘successor deal’ to the JCPOA and said “seven countries sat for talks, signed a deal and had the UN Security Council to approve it in 2015. So far, Iran has completely fulfilled its commitments under the JCPOA but unfortunately the US always seeks to hamper its implementation.”

 

France to Preserve JCPOA: Macron

For his part, French president expressed his country’s interest in strengthening the bond of friendship with Iran and said Paris would do whatever in its power to preserve the JCPOA.

“We have explicitly announced the necessity of preserving the nuclear deal with Iran. I’ve always underlined this fact that we are not after new rounds of talks on the JCPOA. We are interested in holding talks with Iran over other issues,” he said.

President Macron then said Iran and France shoulder a heavy responsibility towards the regional developments and added cooperation between the two sides is necessary when it comes to resolving some regional issues like Syria and Lebanon crises.

The French president also voiced his country’s interest in pressing ahead with a plan to restore peace and stability to Syria and called for Iran’s partnership.

He also expressed hope to hold talks with Iranian officials as soon as possible.

During the talks the presidents of Iran and France called for strengthening of bilateral ties, vowing to focus their efforts at serving the two sides’ interests.

They also urged an immediate peace in Syria and expressed their preparedness to devise a multi-lateral plan to this end.

The two presidents also tasked their foreign ministers with preparing a draft plan to pave the way for sending humanitarian aid to the people of Syria as the first step of restoring peace to the war-torn country.

Iran FM Says His Meeting with Kerry Not Confidential

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Zarif-Kerry
Zarif-Kerry

Zarif on Sunday stressed that his meeting with Kerry in Munich was not held behind the closed doors, adding, “Most of our meetings are not confidential and we usually hold talks with elites from different countries on the sidelines of international events.”

According Farsi report by Tasnim News Agency, he then underlined that for the time being there is no negotiation between Iran and the US.

Elaborating on his meeting with Kerry, he said “during the talks, we mainly talked about Trump’s plan for the JCPOA and exchanged views on appropriate policies to isolate him at the international arena.”

“Zarif-Kerry Meeting in Munich Part of Routine Diplomacy”

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Zarif usually holds talks on the sidelines of international events with figures and elites from across the world including non-governmental elites from the US attending the events.

In a Farsi interview with IRNA, the spokesman added the meetings are held within the active and comprehensive diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to meet its national interests.

“Such meetings are part of larger policies and plans to take the most advantages of the available opportunities to elaborate on the policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran at an international level and establish deeper cooperation with the world to further meet our national interests,” he said.

The spokesman added during the last month Munich Security Conference, the Iranian foreign minister held talks with Kerry and Ernest Moniz, former US Secretary of Energy who are critical of the policies of the Trump administration.

Qassemi also pointed out that during his stay in Munich, the Iranian minister held talks with former officials, elites and political figures of several other countries and exchanged views with them.

The spokesman then added today, taking advantages of all available capacities and opportunities and applying the art of public diplomacy to voice Iran’s wise and logical stances is a huge, complicated, enormous and effective task.

Chitgar Lake; Popular Recreational Site in Western Tehran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Also known as the Lake of the Martyrs of the Persian Gulf, the complex has a total area of around 250 hectares; 130 hectares across the lake and 120 hectares on its coastal zone and resorts.

About 80% of the body of water comes from Kan Creek, and the remaining 20% comes from central areas and surface runoffs of the district.

In 1968, within the first master plan of the city of Tehran, it was planned to construct a lake in western Tehran. But due to technical and budgetary constraints, the construction of the lake remained dormant for many years.

From 2003 to 2010, some detailed studies were accomplished and the uncertainties of the plan were reviewed. Eventually, the construction of the lake area began in September 2010.

The lakeshore landscape becomes very fascinating at the sunset and nights. Here are some photos of the Chitgar lake retrieved from Tehran Picture Agency:

IRGC General Slams French FM’s Visit to Tehran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
General Ahmad Vahidi

Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, President of the Supreme National Defence University of Iran, asked in a ceremony in Tehran that what is the purpose of the visit of Le Drian to Tehran in a situation that last week France in collaboration with the US and Britain tried to pass an anti-Iran resolution on the issue of sending missiles to Yemen?

“It was an anti-Iran resolution on pretext of Tehran’s support for the oppressed people of Yemen who have been under the heavy bombardments of Saudi Arabia during the past three years with the weapons that the Western countries have provided for the Saudis,” added the Iranian general.

The IRGC General also noted that not only will Iran not surrender to the policies of the global arrogance, but it will not allow the western countries to discuss its missile program.

“What has happened that the western countries, who have the blood of our youths on their hands, allow themselves to make decisions for Iran and the region?” pointed out Vahidi.

As announced by Iran’s foreign ministry, Le Drian and the high-level delegation accompanying him will arrive in Tehran on March 4 to hold talks with FM Zarif and other senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

A UK-drafted resolution aimed at pressurizing Iran over alleged weapons supplies to Yemeni fighters failed at the UN Security Council.

The resolution gained 11 favourable votes at the 15-member Security Council but was halted by Russia’s veto. France was among the countries supporting the resolution and voted in favour of it.

“US-Saudi Nuclear Talks Aimed at Pushing Back on Iran”

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
US-Saudi Nuclear Talks Aimed at Pushing Back on Iran

Iranian political analyst Mehdi Motahharnia maintains that “big powers tend to take measures to boost or weaken power of regional players to prevent one country from taking the upper hand.”

“According to this rule, the US is trying to maintain the balance of power between Iran and Saudi Arabia”, Motahharnia told the Persian-language news agency ILNA.

US Energy Secretary Rick Perry led an interagency US delegation to nuclear talks with the Saudis in London on Friday.

A nuclear accord between Riyadh and Washington would allow US corporations to export their nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia, AP reported.

Ties between the kingdom and Washington have strengthened since Donald Trump assumed office early last year.

Asked if concerns among the US officials over the possible danger of a nuclear Saudi Arabia for their close ally Israel could become a deal-breaker, Motahharnia said he believes Israel will not prevent such a contract.

“Israel sees Riyadh an ally in the fight against Tehran. So it will remain silent in the face of the nuclearizing of Saudi Arabia and will probably seek to draw concessions from Riyadh,” he said.

However, the expert said Tel Aviv and Washington will probably seek a limit to the development of the Saudi nuclear program.

The US-Saudi talks come despite the US has been a staunch opponent of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, for years pushing for international sanctions on Iran over unproven allegations that Tehran seeks nukes.

The 2015 nuclear accord, which saw Iran agreeing to confidence-building curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of sanctions, finally settled the long-running dispute between Iran and the US.

However, Trump has been calling for renegotiation of the nuclear pact, vowing he will pull the US out of the pact otherwise.

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