Here are Tasnim’s photos of the stationary exhibition which was kicked off on September 5 and will be open to visitors until September 22:
Iranian, Turkish Top Officers Discuss Kurdistan Referendum
In their Thursday talks, Chairman of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri and his Turkish counterpart General Hulusi Akar said a possible plebiscite on Kurdistan’s independence will affect regional peace, security and stability and will have negative and dangerous repercussions for the whole region.
They called for coordination among Iraq’s neighbouring countries to oppose the referendum and prevent the implementation of any secessionist plan which could bring political, social and security problems for the regional countries.
The two commanders also condemned the Myanmar government’s inhuman and brutal treatment of Rohingya Muslims there. They stressed that Islamic countries and international circles, especially the UN, should adopt serious measures to stop further massacre and displacement of Muslims in Myanmar and prevent violence against them.
They also underlined the need to immediately dispatch humanitarian aid to the oppressed Muslims in Myanmar and hoped for further consultations between the Iranian and Turkish armed forces in that regard.
Iran Condemns Deadly Terrorist Attacks in Iraq
In a Thursday statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi condemned today’s terrorist blasts in southern Iraq, and offered condolences to the Iraqi government and people as well as the families of the victims.
He also expressed sympathy with the families of a number of Iranians who were killed or injured in the terror attacks.
“Relevant authorities, including Iran’s embassy in Baghdad, are studying the details of the incident and establishing the identities of the innocent people martyred or wounded in the act of terror.”
Iraqi security and medical sources say more than 50 people, including three Iranians, have lost their lives in twin gun and car bomb attacks striking the country’s southern province of Dhi Qar.
Abdel Hussein al-Jabri, deputy health chief for Dhi Qar province was quoted by AFP as saying that at 52 people lost their lives in the attacks, which left 91 others wounded.
One of the attacks occurred close to a restaurant near the city of Nasiriyah, the capital city of Dhi Qar province, situated about 370 kilometers (225 miles) southeast of the capital, Baghdad, on Thursday afternoon.
Local officials say the death toll could rise due to the critical condition of some of the wounded.
ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attacks.
“US Ban on Plane Sales to Iran Runs Counter to JCPOA”
Senior Iranian official Ali-Akbar Velayati says Washington’s recent ban on sales of aircraft to Iran is another example of the United States’ breach of promises and runs counter to the Iran nuclear deal.
“[Washington’s] blocking sale of planes to Iran is another reason why we shouldn’t rely on the US and its allies. The Islamic Republic of Iran doesn’t need American aircraft to achieve its objectives.”
“During all the years since the [1979] Islamic Revolution, the West has never been kind to Iranian people, so what they did was not unexpected,” said Velayati, an advisor to Leader of the Islaimc Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
He once again said that Iran does not need American aircraft, and that it can meet its needs both locally and internationally without needing Washington’s help.
“So, we won’t get worried if they use pressure. We don’t regard such moves as pressure; rather, it’s just the Americans’ illusion, and they will get nowhere,” he said.
“The United States’ move is a violation of the Iran nuclear deal. America’s nouveau riche president or Congress adopt a new measure on Iran every day, which shows we shouldn’t rely on the US, and we don’t need them after all,” Velayati said.
The US House of Representatives has voted in favour of new measures that block sales of commercial aircraft to Iran, ignoring some lawmakers’ warnings that the hostile move would undermine the 2015 nuclear agreement between Tehran and the six world powers.
Iranian, Russian, Turkish Diplomats Discuss Syria Crisis in Astana
Jaberi Ansari on Thursday held negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Special Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev within the framework of bilateral and specialized consultations of the 6th International Conference on Syria.
During the meeting, which was held one day after the meeting of Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his accompanying delegation with the Russian President Putin, Jaberi Ansari and Lavrentiev discussed the latest developments in the Astana Process.
They also exchanged views on de-escalation zones as well as the latest status of documents prepared at the expert meetings.
The Iranian diplomat also met Syria’s permanent representative to the United Nations Bashar al-Jaafari, who is the head of the country’s mission to Astana Process.
During the meeting, which was held in the presence of the two countries’ delegations, the parties discussed the latest developments in Astana Syria Talks, the documents being negotiated, and the de-escalation zones in Idlib particularly.
Jaberi Ansari later held talks with Sedat Onal, the head of Turkey’s mission to Astana Talks on Syria.
During the meeting, which was held in the presence of the two countries’ delegations, the two senior diplomats exchanged views on the latest developments in Astana Process and the documents being negotiated at the 6th International Conference on Syria.
The 6th International Conference on Syria started at the expert level on Wednesday in Kazakhstan’s capital.
It continued on Thursday, at a high level, with the participation of heads of negotiating delegations of the three guarantor states of the Astana Process (the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey), delegations of the observer states, and the representatives of the Syrian government and -opposition groups.
Iran Sympathizes with Malaysia over Deadly Fire
In his Thursday statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi offered sympathy to the Malaysian nation and government and the bereaved families of the victims over the early morning blaze at Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah School in Kuala Lumpur.
At least 23 students and two teacher were killed after the blaze broke out early on Thursday at a religious school in Kuala Lumpur – the deadliest fire in decades in Malaysia.
The fire at Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah – a “tahfiz” boarding school where students learn to memorise the Quran – was reported at 5:40am (21:40 GMT Wednesday), according to a statement from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department.
Seven people were taken to a nearby hospital for injuries, while 11 others were rescued.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and the blaze was out within an hour, but not before it wreaked terrible devastation – pictures in local media showed ash-covered, fire-blackened beds.
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Amar Singh told reporters the boys who died were aged 13-17, and they probably suffocated due to smoke inhalation. The dormitory had only one entrance, leaving many of the victims trapped inside, he said.
Iranian Province Attracts $36m in Foreign Investment
Reza Hosseini, the province’s General Manager for Economy and Finance, says as part of a large development plan to attract foreign investment, the officials in East Azarbaijan have managed to attract $36m in foreign investment during the first half of the current Iranian calendar (which started in March).
“The investments have been made mainly in car manufacturing, gold exploration projects, yarn and ADF productions,” he noted, according to a Farsi report by the Kayhan newspaper.
The official went on saying that the Economy and Finance Administration of East Azarbaijan made 120 investment surveys in the province including infrastructural and knowledge-based projects and agricultural and coal fields.
“The marketing process for provincial plans has been organized by Iran’s Foreign Ministry in cooperation with joint commercial councils and chambers of commerce. Then the plans have been offered to domestic and foreign investors,” he noted.
Hosseini added the local officials are in contact with over 70 domestic investors. “On the other hand, at least nine foreign delegations from Indonesia, Turkey, Germany and Poland have submitted their requests to invest in the province,” he noted.
Hosseini also said legal procedures are underway to issue certificate for an investment of at least $54 million to establish three small power plants with a capacity of producing 49mw electricity in the province.
“Meanwhile, arrangements are made to establish a wind and solar farm with an investment of $45m.”
A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 14
All newspapers today covered the remarks made by the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with members of the Expediency Discernment Council.
A meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi also received great coverage.
Another top story today was a war of words between Qatar and other Arab countries over Iran during a recent Arab League summit in Cairo.
The above issues, as well as many more, are highlighted in the following headlines and top stories:
Abrar:
1- China’s All-Out Support for Myanmar Government’s ‘Muslim Killing’
2- Moscow: We Don’t Recognise Nuclear North Korea
3- Zarif: No IAEA Inspection Can Be Used as Pretext to Access Iran’s Classified Information
4- Mogherini: Iran, North Korea Totally Different from Each Other
5- UNICEF: 380,000 Yemeni Kids Suffering from Severe Malnutrition
Afkar:
1- Arabs’ War of Words over Iran
- Qatari Official: Iran Has Proved to Be Honourable
2- US Volleyball Defeated by Iran’s Power
Aftab-e Yazd:
1- Results of a Promise: No Female Minister Appointed
2- Aref Criticises Certain Reformists for Trying to Give up Reformist Identity
Arman-e Emrooz:
1- Iran Leader: Expediency Council Should Think, Act in Revolutionary Manner
2- IRGC General: ISIS Element Arrested in Western Tehran
3- Rouhani: Society Should Be Secure, Not in Security Conditions
Ebtekar:
1- Women and Difficult Path to Taking Managerial Posts
2- Era of Prosperity of Iranian Diplomacy
Etemad:
1- Top Reformist MP Aref Keeping Silent to Maintain Solidarity
2- Meeting in Summer Residence: Zarif-Putin Talks Focused on JCPOA, Syria, Trump
Ettela’at:
1- Iran Leader: All Bodies Should Act within General Policies of Establishment
2- European Parliament Condemns Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia
3- Iran Exporting Steel to 3 Continents
Haft-e Sobh:
1- Forex Market No Longer Profitable
Iran:
1- Putin, Zarif Stress JCPOA Not Renegotiable
Jame Jam:
1- Iran Leader Urges Expediency Council to Remain Revolutionary
2- Iran’s Masuleh Village to Be Globally Registered
3- Islamic Governments Can Destroy Myanmar’s Economy
Javan:
1- Storm of Iran’s Volleyball Hits US
2- US Increases Pressure on Europe to Add Articles to Nuclear Deal
Jomhouri Eslami:
1- Europe Opposed to New US Strategy towards Nuclear Deal
2- Arab League Voices Opposition to Iraqi Kurdistan’s Independence
3- Central Bank Governor: Investment in Buying Dollar Not Economical
Kayhan:
1- Qatari Diplomat: I Swear Iran Is an Honourable Country
2- Protest Rallies against Macron’s Policies in 180 French Cities
Khorasan:
1- Barzani Gambling with Netanyahu’s Cards
2- Leader: Discerning Expediency Should Be Based on Long-Term Prospects
3- Zarif, Putin Hold Talks in Sochi
Mardom Salari:
1- EU Says No to US Policies
Shargh:
1- Rouhani to Governors: Pay Attention to What We Promised during Campaign
2- Result of Zarif’s One-Day Visit to Sochi: Nuclear Deal Not Renegotiable
Vatan-e Emrooz:
1- Riyadh Publicly Threaten to Overthrow Doha’s Government
Iran Gives 5 European States Ultimatum over Plane Purchase Contracts
Deputy Road Minister for International Affairs, Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan, said the European states must remain committed to their deals with Iran.
Under the contract signed between Iran and Airbus, the latter is required to prepare the ground for normal and safe flights in Iran; otherwise it has to announce an alternative company to fulfill the commitments, he noted in a Farsi interview with ISNA.
He went on saying the five European states of the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain are involved in the deal signed between Iran and Airbus.
“Each of these states has a share in the Iranian market. So, any violation of the deal will inflict an economic blow on them. We first finalised our deal with Boeing to put the European states under pressure to take entering Iran’s market more seriously,” he said.
The Iranian official said at present there is a serious competition between the US and these European states to take more shares in the Iranian market. “We are taking advantage of this competition,” he noted.
On the ultimatum set for the European states, he said “about one and a half months ago, I summoned the ambassadors of the 5 European states in Tehran and officially warned them about Iran’s decision to revise the deal if they wouldn’t take their commitments seriously. “
Fakhrieh Kashan said he has urged them to put pressure on the US to issue the required certificates to sell airplanes and their parts to Iran.
“Over the past few months, some countries like South Korea, Italy, Denmark and India have expressed their readiness to sign official agreements with Iran in this field,” he said, adding the European states know it well that they will lose an opportunity if they don’t take their commitments seriously.
The deputy minister also said there are some reports saying Iranian companies are seeking to take the most advantages of the current conditions to finalise deals with non-European companies.
He also dismissed as baseless any report saying that despite his claims, the US President, Donald Trump, is not in a position to nullify the deal between Iran and Boeing.
“Any decision to nullify the deal stands in stark contradiction to Trump’s own campaign promises to create jobs for the Americans,” he said, according to a Farsi report by the Shargh daily newspaper.
He also added that Iran has encouraged Boeing to follow up its legal right with the US administration to pave the way for its own presence in Iran. “Boeing can sign new deals with Iranian airliners including Aseman and Qeshm Air to expand its presence in Iran,” he noted.
Iran, Russia Having Best Relations Ever: Envoy
Iran’s ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanai has, in an interview with Persia Digest, elaborated on the latest developments in Tehran-Moscow relations. The highlights of the interview follow.
Iran and Russia are having their best relations ever at this point in time. This comes on the back of a proper understanding of the dangerous and complex situation in West Asia, a proper assessment of Iran’s growing power and influence, and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategic farsightedness.
The two countries are not only going through a brilliant era of trade, industrial and military relations, but are working together in the fight against terrorism in Iraq and Syria.
With Iranian President Hassan Rouhani taking office, Tehran-Moscow cooperation entered a new phase. The presidents of both countries have met 9 times in three and a half years, and held phone conversations several times. The political will of both countries’ leaders and the common ground they have on regional and international developments have brought the two sides closer together. Iran and Russia are two powerful neighbours in a region beset by numerous challenges, and cooperation between the two sides to ensure stability and peace will bring about synergy between the two countries.
Iran and Russia have common interests and threats. The need for stability in Afghanistan and Central Asia and the Caucasus makes Tehran and Moscow forge closer cooperation. Iran and Russia have set “fighting terrorism” as their common goal. Now, Syria has turned into a symbol of Tehran-Russia cooperation in the fight against terrorism. Iran and Russia have common interests or face common threats in different domains.
Another point is that Iran does not see its ties with Russia as a substitute to fill the void of relations with the West. We are not supposed to regard relations with a neighbor as a replacement for relations with other countries. Iran-Russia relations are taking shape based on the interests of both nations, and these relations will expand proportionate to the common ground between the two sides in terms of bilateral, regional and international approaches.
