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Saudi Women Granted Right to Drive but Still Denied Individual Identity

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Saudi Women Granted Right to Drive

Just two days after the Saudi Arabian King unveiled his latest reforms, women rights activists received threatening calls. They were urged to content themselves with the right to drive, which was recently granted to women, and not to ask for further rights.

Reports say demands for Bugatti Veyron in Saudi Arabia have increased dramatically over the past few days but some women in the country say discriminatory policies against them are too deep to be overcome with rights like driving.

In an interview with Time, a Latin-Arab girl and women rights activist in Saudi Arabia, Yasamin Baqer, said after several decades of conservatism, the Saudi king has now decided to grant women the right to drive but the main changes have not yet been made in the conditions of women.

“The change which I expect is more fundamental than the right to drive. We want the Saudi women be granted equal rights with men and have their individual identities,” she noted.

In Saudi Arabia, women are called after their husbands or eldest sons’ names. Their identity is limited to being a man’s sister, mother or wife. They are part of men’s privacy. Even calling a woman by her first name in public sphere is still a taboo in Saudi Arabia.

Women rights activists say social media has contributed to their cause to defend women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. On social media, men and women can have their own voices and establish dialogue with each other. A large percentage of women in Saudi Arabia are under 30. They hope to gain further social rights including the right to have a job in the future.

Over the past years, various online campaigns have been mounted to further open the social space for women in Arab states. One of these campaigns was #mymothersnameis launched in Egypt.

But it seems women in Saudi Arabia have still a long way to go to achieve equal rights in society.

“We want to take further steps so that women can have their own individual identity,” Baqer said.

‘US Raising Anti-Iran Accusations to Cover Up Own Crimes’

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iranian lawmaker Mohammad Ali Pourmokhtar said trafficking of women and children in various countries is a lucrative business for the United States.

In reaction to adding Iran to the list of the countries that refuse to fight against human trafficking, the member of Iranian Parliament’s Judicial and Legal Commission said the Islamic Republic believes human trafficking must absolutely be banned, and Tehran adheres to it in practice.

“Unfortunately, some of the neighbouring countries have been involved in trafficking and have created social and economic problems for us,” he said in a Farsi interview with ICANA.

Pourmokhtar also noted that despite its strenuous efforts into human trafficking, Iran has been one of the victims of this crime. Many Iranian police forces and border guards have fallen victim to the fight against human trafficking.

“The United States cannot claim it is fighting against human trafficking or terrorism, because it trains the terrorists itself. So with these accusations, they want to put more pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said the lawmaker.

“The International Monetary Fund or any other international organization will not pay attention to the United States’ request to restrict Iran because such biased reports are to put pressure on the Islamic Republic and these institutions do not pay attention to them.”

The White House said last week it had ordered that Iran, Venezuela and four African nations be added to a US list of countries accused of failing to crack down on human trafficking.

In addition, President Donald Trump’s administration instructed the US executive director of the International Monetary Fund and other multilateral development banks to vote against extending loans or other funds to North Korea, Russia and Iran for fiscal year 2018.

Iran’s Information Security Achievements to Be Presented at GITEX 2017

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Mr Zare’Mr Zare’, the Managing Director of the Iranian information security company Dezhafzar, has explained about the company’s activities over the past decade and its participation in the upcoming GITEX 2017 in Dubai:

Dezhafzar Net Company was established in collaboration with a group of young elites who were interested in domestic production and entrepreneurship. They also had a ten-year professional experience in software development and production. Although the founders of this company had good experience in various areas of software development such as office automation, medical engineering and information security, they launched the company with a focus on information security.

The good knowledge that has been acquired over the years from the well-known companies in the field of security and also from their customers led to the creation of the Aryadezh firewall as the first and most important product of the company.

Being aware of the real needs of the customers as well as familiarity with the foreign products has led to the production of a software that, in addition to efficiency, also addresses national security concerns.

The company started its activity on February 15, 2016 in the form of a joint stock one in the field of ICT and computer software.

The company’s products and services are as follows:

  • Rhine Network Rectifier System
  • Aryadezh Integrated Management System
  • Authentication Kiosk
  • Audio Authentication System

In order to pave the ground to export its products, at the suggestion of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Dezhafzar Company is going to participate in GITEX 2017 for the first time.

Our rivals are mostly American products that are sold very well in the whole world, especially in Europe, but due to lower research costs in this field and much lower prices, we expect a good market for our products.

Despite the fact that American products are selling well in the Iranian market, we have been able to win part of this market in Iran.

At GITEX, we are looking for new markets and new customers, especially in the Middle East.

In the current situation, we do not expect a good future for ICT, unless the entrepreneurs in the field of IT would consolidate their positions to such extent that they could stop the brain drain in this area.

 

British MPs to Visit Tehran in 3 Weeks

By
IFP Media Wire
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UK Debt to Iran Has Nothing to Do with Release of Jailed Criminals: Defence Ministry

Speaking to Tasnim, Head of Iran-UK Parliamentary Friendship Group Alireza Rahimi said arrangements for the trip are being discussed with the British side.

The visit would take place within the next three weeks, he added.

In comments in early September, Rahimi had announced that another delegation from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office is also going to visit Iran.

In January 2014, a British parliamentary delegation, led by former foreign secretary Jack Straw, visited Iran as part of efforts to improve Tehran-London relations.

Iran-Britain ties soured in 2011. On November 27, 2011, a large majority of Iranian lawmakers voted to downgrade diplomatic ties with Britain, following Britain’s decision to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran.

Later, angry Iranian students stormed the British embassy in Tehran and pulled down the European country’s flag.

Following the incident, Britain withdrew its diplomatic staff from Tehran on November 30 and asked Iran’s diplomatic delegation in London to leave within 48 hours.

The two countries made diplomatic efforts afterwards to amend ties.

In August 2015, the British embassy in Iran reopened after a 4-year closure. Britain’s then foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, attended a ceremony in Tehran to mark the reopening on August 23. It was the first visit by a British foreign secretary to Iran since 2003.

Simultaneously, Iran’s embassy in London also reopened.

The thaw in Tehran-London relations came after finalization of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

Iran, France Ink Deal on Sheep-Breeding

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran, France Ink Deal on Sheep-Breeding

The memorandum of undersranfing to supply 13,000 sheep were signed between Kowsar Agricultural Investment Company on behalf of Iran and France’s sheep breeders’ society.

Accordding to a Farsi report by Tasnim, this cooperation document was signed at the governorate headquarters of the city of Clermont-Ferrand. The ceremony was held in presence of the two countries’ ministers of agriculture.

Based on this MoU, France’s sheep breeders’ society would transfer its knowledge of sheep breeding, and sale of livestock to the Kowsar Agricultural Company’s farms in Kermanshah and Mazandaran provinces of Iran.

One of the officials from the Iranian side said the comprehensive livestock breeding program of Iran consists of four stages: the joint breeding of sheep in Iran, the establishment of a centre to control breeding, the production of genetic material including sperm, and the production of embryo and male genome.

The official added that with the measures taken, the pace of development of industrial livestock breeding would be increased.

Iran Starts Export of Nano-Equipment to S. Korea, China

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Nano-Equipment

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a nanotechnology exhibition in Tehran, Sattari declared that the Islamic Republic has started exporting nano-equipment to some modern countries such as China and South Korea, which are pioneers in this industry.

He said Iran’s nano-exports are mostly related to industry and laboratory sectors, describing the start of exports as a very pleasing event for the country.

Sattari referred to the nanotechnology exhibition held annually in Tehran and said it has always been coupled with innovation.

“Currently, more than 300 companies are active in the field of nanotechnology,” he went on to say, according to a Farsi report by IRNA.

He said last year, the sales of nano-products by Iranian companies exceeded Rls. 8800 bn, which, as he added, is a record. He also expressed hope the trend will gain momentum this year.

The top official also said investors have welcomed putting their money into the field of nanotechnology as it has considerable profit for them.

Sattari noted the nanotechnology field in Iran covers a range of activities and products from the student level to production and exports.

“This planning was the reason behind Iran securing the fourth spot in the world in terms of presenting scientific articles, and this is a great honour.”

The official says many companies active in this field belong to top contestants in previous years’ competitions and Olympiads, who have been able to commercialize their ideas.

“In order to develop and commercialize nano-products, we need to devise an ecosystem to further encourage the private sector to step in.”

The Nanotechnology Development Commission is holding a festival and exhibit on nanotechnology in keeping with the objectives of a national strategic plan aimed at developing nanotechnology and in a bid to introduce the latest achievements in this field.

The 10th Nanotechnology Festival which runs from October 6-9, 2017, in Tehran brought together 160 institutions operating in the field. They include students’ associations, scientific institutions, universities, research centres and companies offering relevant services.

US Problem with Iran Not Nuclear Program but Regional Influence: Hezbollah Chief

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah

In a Sunday address to an event marking the martyrdom of two Hezbollah commanders in Syria, Nasrallah said the US and Israel lie about Iran’s nuclear program.

Washington and Tel Aviv’s main problem with Iran is not the country’s nuclear program but its growing influential role in the region, he said, according to a Farsi report by IRNA.

Nasrallah referred to the failure of the US and Saudi Arabia’s projects for the region and added their plots in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon have been foiled. “Signs of their failure are also seen in Yemen.”

He stressed that Iran has thwarted the projects of the US and Saudi Arabia in the region.

“Iran is the main element behind the failure of the US and Saudi Arabia’s projects in the region. That’s why they are raising the issue of Iran’s nuclear program but their main problem is not Iran’s program because Iran has never sought and will never seek to produce nuclear bombs,” he added.

The Hezbollah chief also said the resistance movement has the honour of playing a role in thwarting the US and Saudi Arabia’s regional plots.

He stressed that the Americans are seeking retaliation against those who thwarted their projects in the region.

ISIS Must Not Be Abandoned to Its Fate

Nasrallah went on saying that the fight against ISIS should go ahead until final victory “because the ISIS’ survival is a threat to Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.”

He warned that ISIS seeks to redeploy its forces in West Al-Qalamoun and Arsal Heights as part its larger plan to return to Lebanon.

About two months ago, the resistance movement along with the Lebanese army managed to retake eastern regions of Lebanon from ISIS militants.

The secretary general of Hezbollah also criticized the US for its stance towards ISIS and said the Americans have delayed the eradication of ISIS in the region through acts of sabotage.

“We should not abandon ISIS to its fate because the terrorist group is a cancer which must be eradicated otherwise it will engulf the whole region” he noted.

He stressed that US warplanes prevent resistance forces from advancing towards ISIS hideouts in Syria and added eradication of ISIS in Syria is not on the US agenda.

Hezbollah Not to Change Stances under US Sanctions

He also referred to the US sanctions against the movement and said some people were worried that the US sanctions may put economic pressure on Lebanon. “But the sanctions are not new to Lebanese people.”

He stressed the new sanctions will not change Hezbollah’s anti-US stance.

“Those who are ready to sacrifice their lives in defence of their cause will not sit back against financial sanctions,” he added.

He also thanked Lebanese officials for their efforts to protect the country’s economy against the sanctions.

 

Peace Achievable Only if US Stops Interference

Nasrallah referred to the latest statements by Saudi Minister of State for Gulf Affairs, Thamer al-Sabhan, who called for building a coalition against Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and said with such statements Saudi officials confess that Hezbollah has turned into a regional power.

He stressed peace and security will be restored to the region only if the US and Saudi Arabia stop meddling in the regional affairs and supporting terrorist groups.

“Today Saudi Arabia has imposed a war on Yemen and dispatched forces to Bahrain blocking any dialogue,” he said.

He called Saudi Arabia and the Zionist regime “threats” to regional peace and security and added there are substantiated documents proving the destabilizing role of Saudi Arabia in the region.

Hezbollah chief also called the movement one of the main pillars of real security for the region and added today the movement has become stronger. “We will sit back neither against US sanctions nor against Israel’s threats and Saudis’ horror- mongering.”

Iranian MPs Have Mixed Feelings about Relying on EU

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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US Seeking to Sow Discord between Iran, Europe: Official

Some members of Iran’s Parliament have expressed different opinions on the country’s collaboration with the European Union after the US declares its new Iran strategy.

In this regard, Morteza Saffari, a member of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, believes that the nuclear deal has challenged Washington’s authority to take action against Iran so the new plan of Tillerson and the Congress is to form a coalition against Tehran.

He argued that US is struggling to put forward issues like human rights, terrorism, and the country’s missile program to take actions against Iran. Saffari also called for taking special measures to counter the new US anti-Iran plan, and suggested that the Islamic Republic should do its best to see the European countries next to itself.

Jalal Mirza’ee, an MP close to the government and a member of the Parliament’s reformists’ fraction, also proposes a similar approach. He believes that as the United States seeks to have the European states next to itself to take hostile policies against Iran on non-nuclear issues, the Iranian foreign ministry must struggle to moderate Europe’s positions and protect Iran’s rights using diplomacy and soft power.

However, some other members of the parliament believe that the Europeans are not reliable partners either.

Ezatollah Yousefian Molla, a senior MP, is among the lawmakers who believe the European countries are not reliable partners. He refers to the contradictory positions of the French president as one of the reasons for distrust in Europe. He has told ICANA that “if the United States withdraws from the nuclear deal, we should not trust the European countries, because Emmanuel Macron initially confirmed the agreement, but after having a phone conversation with Trump, raised the question if the Islamic Republic of Iran could get to a nuclear bomb after 15 years. This as Iran has repeatedly stated that it is not seeking to build a nuclear bomb. Under these circumstances, we must accept that the European Union is not trustable and rather relies on the United States. Even during Obama administration the Europeans did not invest in Iran.”

This Iranian MP further added that Washington’s several breaches of the deal and the lack of any effective measure by other negotiating parties has caused some of the policy-makers and legislators of the Islamic Republic to see the experience as a reason for not working with the United States and also not trusting Europe.

Ahmad Alirezabeigi, a member of the Parliament’s conservatives’ fraction and a critic of the government in a Farsi interview with ICANA, recalled Iran’s nuclear deal with three European countries in 2003 saying that the Europeans failed to comply with their obligations mentioned in the Sa’dabad statement.

“These events were foreseeable and Rouhani’s experience of Sa’dabad negotiations was repeated again,” he noted.

“At the moment, it’s not time to blame each other because it will harm the national unity of the country. But at least, we need to learn lessons from what has happened and just rely on our own domestic capacities,” Alirezabeigi added.

 

Tomb of Amir-Kabir’s Daughter; Mysterious Attraction in Central Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Tomb of Amir-Kabir’s Daughter; Mysterious Attraction in Central Iran11

The tomb of the daughter of former Iranian Prime Minister Amir-Kabir, who made great contribution to Iran’s development in Qajar era, is located in one of the rooms of Imamzadeh Ahmad.

It is described as mysterious mainly due to the conflicting information given to visitors by the people who have no information about history. This place is also known as Naser al-Din Shah’s resort, although some believe it was not.

Here are Tasnim’s photos of this tomb:

Iran Providing Education for All Afghan Refugee Children

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Providing Education for All Afghan Refugee Children

Iran has, for years, been hosting over 3 million Afghan immigrants despite the West’s sanctions, and tries to improve the living conditions of these war-stricken refugees.

The E’temad daily newspaper has, in a Farsi report published a few days ago, reviewed the situation of Afghan refugee children’s education in Iran. The report presents the outcome of the measures adopted following an order by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei to provide education for all Afghan children in Iran, even illegal immigrants. The following is a summary of the report.

The morning shift is over. Iranian girls are leaving school from the main gate. At the same time, Afghan girls enter the schoolyard from another door. These are afternoon-shift students. They go to a state-run girls’ school in Kan neighbourhood, Tehran.

This year, too, the school is hosting Afghan kids. The school used to admit only those with residence permits. But it is the third year now that children without passports and residence permits also have the opportunity to sit in class.

The increase in the number of Afghan students was so much that now, almost all Afghan children have been separated from Iranian students and the afternoon shift entirely belongs to them.

Opposite the school, there is another school. It is a high school hosting Afghan students. In that school, Iranian and Afghan students sit next to each other in class. Two mothers are waiting for the children at the gate. They say Afghan children are clever students. They say they have no problem to see Afghan children sit next to their kids. One of the mothers is a member of the school’s Parents and Guardians’ Association, and another daughter of hers is a student in the school on the other side of the street.

“My kids have Afghan friends. They happen to be more polite than my kids. They are much better than Iranian kids in terms of scores and discipline. They go to school with difficulty and study hard,” says the mother.

The report also mentioned some of the problems that Iranians have due to the presence of Afghan refugees.

“This year, the afternoon-shift classes became full and we had to send seven of the Afghan kids to the morning shift,” says a vice-principal of the school. However, she says, the Iranian students got upset and said Afghan students were not supposed to attend morning classes.

Since the Leader issued an order obliging public schools to admit Afghan students, regardless of whether or not they have residence permits, the school has become very busy.

“I want to teach Afghans how to read and write [when I grow up], so that many of Taliban and ISIS members will come to realize they shouldn’t cause destruction in cities,” says one of the students during the break.

Part of Afghanistan’s future is taking shape amid wishes and plans of the girls attending afternoon-shift classes in this school.

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