A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Jan. 28

January 28, 2015

Comments by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that Iran and P5+1 see eye to eye on termination of sanctions made front-page headlines on Wednesday. Reformist dailies focused on the letter of grievance former Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi has released following Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s decision to distance himself from his deputy. And principlist papers underlined the call by three die-hard principlist MPs for adherence to the rules in the trial of the son of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Afarinesh: “We have reached a deal with P5+1 over termination of all sanctions,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Arman-e Emrooz: The Russian ambassador to Tehran has said a visa waiver between the two countries is likely to come into effect shortly.

Asrar: The presidential office has issued a statement urging MPs not to build on unsubstantiated allegations when they question executive officials.

Ebtekar has used the headline “The Great Escape of a Draftee” to refer to the failure of Mehrdad Pouladi, a footballer who played for the national team in the AFC Asian Cup in Australia, to return home to serve his military duty.

Ebtekar: “I became a victim of your obstinacy and your measures to bring shame upon others,” said Mohammad Reza Rahimi, vice-president under Ahmadinejad, in a letter released in response to a statement by the former president in which he disavowed the actions of Rahimi, who is convicted of corruption and sentenced to more than five years in prison.

Ebtekar: Air pollution in the southwestern cities of Ahvaz and Abadan is 15 times more than the permitted level.

Emtiaz: Some 71 percent of the country’s population lives in cities.

Etemad: “If Pouladi [a national soccer team player who has yet to serve his military duty] fails to return home voluntarily, we’ll have him arrested through Interpol,” said an official with the Conscription Organization.

Etemad: “Criticize as much as you want, I won’t fire back. I have kept silent for 10 months not to harm national interests, or the nuclear talks for that matter,” said Foreign Minister Zarif in comments aimed at his critics in parliament.

Ettela’at: A book on 5,000 years of engineering in Iran has been launched at Tehran University. A movie on the same theme was screened at the launch of the book.

Ettela’at: “Criticism leveled at the government is not well-intentioned,” complained the vice-president for parliamentary affairs.

Hemayat: Some 10,000 prisoners are to wear electronic shackles.

Hemayat: Some 200 MPs have voted for a motion that requires the government to scrap the Geneva Deal in case new sanctions are imposed on Iran.

Hosban: “Interior Ministry officials should not adopt a stance for or against a certain political party,” said the Interior Ministry spokesman.

Jomhouri Islami: The education minister has been yellow-carded for a second time by MPs. That puts the education chief on the verge of impeachment.

Jomhouri Islami: There is division in the ranks of Republicans on Capitol Hill over continued nuclear talks with Iran.

Kayhan: “Twenty members of the Jaish al-Adl terrorist group have been arrested,” the spokesman of the Interior Ministry said.

Mardomsalari: “Two MPs and a senior executive manager who served under Ahmadinejad have been found guilty of administrative offenses,” said the chairman of a panel addressing administrative corruption.

Qods: Officials should do something to help street children, up to 70 percent of whom are addicted to drugs and 40 percent are HIV-positive.

Resalat: Those who favor a clampdown on corruption have called for the corruption case involving Mehdi Hashemi [a son of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani] to be seriously followed.

Shahrvand: A deputy foreign minister has said that following the martyrdom of General Allahdadi [during an Israeli helicopter gunship attack on Syrian soil] Iran warned the US about Israeli actions.

Sharq: The International Volleyball Federation has said Iran can host the FIVB Volleyball World League if it allowed female spectators into sporting arenas.

Tafahom: Foreign exchange offices which have failed to comply with regulations are being shut down.

Oppressive governments main reason for spiritual vacuum: Judiciary chief

Emad Askarieh

January 27, 2015

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Sadegh Amoli Larijani has criticized defamation of religion and called the recent French cartoons an insult to over 1.5 billion Muslims around the world.

Ayatollah Amoli Larijani made the remarks at a meeting with the Patriarch of Armenian Catholic Church Nerses Bedros in Tehran.

Amoli Larijani described spiritual vacuum as the main problem in the world, and said “The reasons and causes of self-alienation and distance from spirituality and monotheistic religions abound in the modern world, and religious figures have a duty to introduce the truth of anti-oppressive nature of monotheistic religions to the public.”

He called on the religious scholars to take a stance against the violence of hegemonic leaders and Western governments against oppressed people, especially Muslims.

“Due to their influence in the world, Christian leaders are expected to take appropriate positions when and where aggression happens against innocent people,” Amoli Larijani underlined.

The top judge also called for greater engagement of religious scholars and thinkers of the West with the Islamic scholars to bring religions closer together and boost spiritual trends in the world, stressing that ruthless and aggressive governments keep people away from each other and strengthen their tendency toward materialism and enhance their distance from spirituality.

Larijani said divisive actions like insulting religions is decried and the recent cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo was a clear violation of over 1.5 billion Muslims’ rights.

The Patriarch of Armenian Catholic Church Nerses Bedros, while acknowledging the issues raised by Ayatollah Larijani, said that spirituality has declined, especially in Western countries due to the expansion of materialism in the world.

Iran’s foreign relations are developing: Minister

Emad Askarieh

January 27, 2015

Iran has cultural agreements with many countries with some as old as half a century, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati said in a meeting with Portuguese Foreign Minister Rui Machete in Tehran Tuesday.

At the meeting in which the two ministers signed a cultural agreement, Jannati said, ‘There is a solid base for expansion of bilateral relations and the two countries can have extensive cultural exchanges in the next couple of years.’

Jannati referred to 500-year-old bilateral relations between Iran and Portugal, calling for closer Tehran-Lisbon relations.

Referring to Iran Cultural Week held in Lisbon, Jannati said Iran presented various artworks among other things in music, cinema, at the event and ‘we hope to see Portuguese artists in Iran soon’.

Jannati also said Iran is ready to expand bilateral relations in different fields such as exchanging academic delegations, holding cultural exhibitions, and exploiting the two countries’ cultural potential.

He invited Portuguese film makers to participate in Fajr Film Festival which is held in Tehran annually in February.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese foreign minister called for the implementation of the cultural agreement, saying bilateral relations go back to the 16^th century.

Machete expressed hope that the two countries would be able to present their art works to each other.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Jan. 27

Emad Askarieh

January 27, 2015

A meeting between the Supreme Leader and the visiting secretary general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine during which Ayatollah Khamenei said, “We will stay firm until the realization of the Palestinian cause,” dominated the front pages of Iranian papers on Tuesday. The lingering aftermath of the Iranian foreign minister’s stroll with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva and the liberation of the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani from the clutches of IS terrorists also appeared on the cover of the dailies.

Abrar: Universities of Tehran and Lisbon have signed a cooperation memorandum of understanding.

Afarinesh: President Rouhani has underlined regional security and intelligence cooperation to counter terrorist groups.

Afkar: “The outrageous crimes terrorist groups such as Boko Haram commit put a blight on human conscience,” said President Rouhani as he received the credentials of the new Kenyan ambassador to Tehran.

Afkar: Moscow is concerned about the security of Israel. The Russian foreign minister has said that conclusion of Iran’s nuclear case should not endanger Israel.

Aftab-e Yazd: The nuclear ping-pong of principlists carries on. Saeed Jalili [a former top nuclear negotiator under President Ahmadinejad] has denied reports that he was admonished [by the Supreme Leader] for his performance at nuclear talks in Istanbul, Turkey.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Nuclear talks should produce results as soon as possible,” said President Rouhani at a meeting with the visiting Portuguese foreign minister.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Criticism by some MPs of Foreign Minister Zarif [for his failure to call off his Paris visit and for his promenade with the US secretary of state in Geneva] is based on no solid ground,” said Principlist parliament deputy Ali Motahari.

Asia: The Portuguese foreign minister and 120 businessmen accompanying him have held talks with Iranian businesspeople.

Asia: Iran’s economy is on course to post eight percent growth.

Asr-e Eghtesad: Inflation is expected to slip below 16 percent by the end of the year, a senior economic official told a conference on electronic banking.

Asr-e Iranian: “The occupation of Palestinian territories lies at the center of regional problems,” said President Rouhani in a meeting with the new Jordanian ambassador to Tehran to receive his credentials.

Asrar: Why didn’t anyone take notice of the stroll [former nuclear negotiator Saeed] Jalili took with American diplomat William Burns?

Asrar: “Sanctions will be lifted in the near future,” said the Iranian economy minister.

Asrar: “In the absence of lame excuses, a nuclear deal is within reach,” said the Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

Asrar: “Those who have been involved in corruption will find no safe haven,” said the Iranian attorney general.

Ebtekar: The vice-president for parliamentary affairs has dismissed as libelous allegations that a member of President Rouhani’s Cabinet holds dual citizenship.

Ebtekar: IS has been kicked out of the Syrian town of Kobani near the border with Turkey.

Emtiaz: The picturesque northern Iranian town of Masouleh is one step closer to being registered as a world heritage site.

Emtiaz: “Star of the Persian Gulf Refinery needs some 650 million euros in investment,” said the Iranian oil minister.

Esfahan-e Emrooz: President Rouhani will visit Isfahan next week.

Etemad: “Is the walk Foreign Minister Zarif took with the US secretary of state in Geneva the only outstanding problem of the country!? Why didn’t anyone fault the former top negotiator [Saeed Jalili] for taking a similar stroll? The prospect of a nuclear deal sends shockwaves through the ranks of some groups. Criticism aimed at Zarif is not well-intentioned. Efforts to hammer the nuclear negotiating team are simply meant to settle a political score,” said Vice-President for Parliamentary Affairs Majid Ansari in reaction to a petition by 21 MPs to summon Zarif to parliament for explanation about his conduct.

Etemad: “We have not backed down in the face of pressures. The Tales reflect social realities; it does not seek to paint a negative image of society,” said the minister of culture and Islamic guidance.

Ettela’at: A second Iranian well dug in the Caspian Sea has hit oil.

Ettela’at: Top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Sistani has praised Iraqi volunteer forces for their contribution to the liberation of Diyala Province.

Ettela’at: “Iran’s economic growth will hit 3 percent this year,” said the governor of the Central Bank.

Ghanoon: “The nuclear case and the house arrest [of Messrs. Karroubi and Mousavi] won’t be settled through holding a referendum,” said Mohammad Reza Bahonar, a vice-speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Hambastegi: “The West and Europe should win the trust of Iranians,” said Foreign Minister Zarif.

Hemayat: A number of MPs have called on the Foreign Ministry to summon the Germany ambassador to Tehran for “meddling in Iran’s internal affairs”. The appeal came after a top German MP called for an end to the house arrest of Mousavi and Karroubi [presidential hopefuls who disputed the results of the 2009 elections and sparked widespread unrest].

Hemayat: At a meeting with the Archbishop of the Armenian Church Nerses Bedros XIX, Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani said that the attitude of Western leaders to world nations is completely unjust.

Jomhouri Islami: “The preferential deal with Turkey is the brainchild of the previous government!,” said the deputy industry minister.

Jomhouri Islami: “Criticism of Zarif is rooted in ossified mentality and narrow-mindedness,” said principlist MP Ali Motahari.

Kaenat: “The 11^th government has stopped the distribution of cancer-causing gasoline,” said the director of the Environment Protection Organization.

Kayhan: “The youth will definitely witness the realization of the Palestinian cause,” said the Supreme Leader at a meeting with the secretary general of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

Resalat: “The initiative of the Supreme Leader [sending a message to European and North American youth] was a perfect reaction to Islamophobia,” said Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, [a former judiciary chief].

Shahrvand: The Iranian national football team has returned home to a hero’s welcome despite being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup.

Terrorist groups have nothing to do with Islam: Iran president

Emad Askarieh

January 27, 2015

“Unfortunately, many terrorist groups are operating in the name of religion and Islam, but their ideology and conduct bear no affinity to Islam,” Rouhani said on Monday.

The Iranian president made the remarks in a meeting with new Kenyan Ambassador to Iran Ruqyah Ahmad Sabu in Tehran, where the Kenyan official submitted her credentials to the president.

Rouhani said the heinous crimes committed at the hands of terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, have drawn global condemnation from people all across the globe.

Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” control vast swathes of Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State and a number of areas in neighboring Adamawa and Yobe states.

The notorious terrorists group says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government. The terrorist group has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in various parts of Nigeria since the beginning of its operations in 2009, which have claimed lives of thousands of people.

The Iranian president further described Kenya as an important and influential country in East Africa, calling for the further enhancement of all-out ties between Tehran and Nairobi.

The Kenyan official, for her part, expressed her country’s willingness to expand relations with the Islamic republic in tourism and development sectors.

US interventionist policies

Also on Monday, in a meeting with new North Korean ambassador to Tehran Kang Sam-hyon, President Rouhani condemned the US meddlesome and bullying policies in the region.

“We always condemn illegal sanctions and we should resist pressures and hegemony through cooperation,” Rouhani said, adding, that US sanctions against North Korea have merely affected the people of the country.

The Korean official, for his part, said the Iranian government and nation have achieved to thwart the US conspiracies and defend their right to use peaceful nuclear energy program.

Israel root of region woes

In a separate meeting with new Jordanian ambassador to Tehran Abdullah Sulaiman Abdullah Abu Romman on Monday, president Rouhani described the Israeli regime’s occupation of Palestine as the root cause of problems in the Middle East.

“Today, the world public opinion not only refuses to tolerate the Zionist regime’s oppression and aggression but also condemns them,” said Rouhani.

Rouhani voiced Iran’s support for the stability and security in the Middle East, adding that the Islamic Republic seeks the resolution of the Palestine issue and return of Palestinians to their homes.

The Iranian president further stated that Tehran is willing to expand friendly ties with Amman in different economic, cultural and political spheres, calling for bilateral consultations on regional and international issues.

The Jordanian official, for his turn, said his country considers the Islamic Republic as an influential country in the region and called for the enhancement of ties with Tehran in various domains.

Rouhani says Iran, Portugal could link Europe, Middle East

Emad Askarieh

January 27, 2015

President Hassan Rouhani said Iran and Portugal could build a bridge between the Middle East and Europe.

In a meeting with Portugal’s Foreign Minister Rui Machete, he pointed to the long-standing ties between the two countries and said that ranking officials from both countries have been exchanging visits during the past year.

The president said the visit of the Portuguese foreign minister is a staging area for the two countries to start more active cooperation in the international arena.

The Iranian president stressed that the world should focus on settling such major problems like violence and terrorism which are afflicting not only the Middle East, but the whole world, including Europe.

Referring to Iran’s nuclear talks with P5+1, the president said the Iranian nation is determined to safeguard its nuclear technology it has developed for peaceful purposes.

He said the remaining differences between parties involved in nuclear talks are neither legal nor technical but political and require firm determination to be settled.

President Rouhani went on to say that Iran’s nuclear activities have been under the constant supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency within the framework of international regulations.

He stressed the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities and underscored that pressures on Iran are quite baseless.

He said pressures and sanctions would harm all parties engaged in the talks.

He said Iran is determined to speedily settle the nuclear case to focus on the development of the country.

The Portuguese foreign minister voiced interest in expanding relations with Iran and said time is ripe for both countries to transform their ties.

He said he believed Tehran and Lisbon could cooperate not only in issues of mutual interest but act as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East.

As for Iran’s nuclear negotiations, he said his country was well aware of the positive consequences of any agreement between the negotiating parties.

Iran resolved to support Palestinian cause: Supreme Leader

Emad Askarieh

January 27, 2015

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei underlined Iran’s determination to continue support for the Palestinian cause until its materialization.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will remain resolved (in its support) until the day that the cause of Palestine is materialized,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with Head of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC) Ahmed Jibril in Tehran on Monday, adding that youths will definitely see such a day.

The Leader reiterated that the issue of Palestine is among top issues of the entire Islamic world.

Imam Khamenei further lauded services and efforts made by Jibril in line with the fulfillment of the Palestinian cause.

The Leader then called on Jibril, as a person who plays a central role in the Palestinian issue, to maintain his spirit of resistance until the final victory.

For his part, Jibril noted that Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution has turned the country into an influential player on the international scene, and praised the Leader’s key role in the Islamic Republic’s current progress.

He also thanked Iran’s firm and principled stance on restoring the Palestinian nation’s rights.

Top cleric describes protection of public property as duty of Iraqi army

Emad Askarieh

January 26, 2015

According to hawzahnews.com, Hadi al-Ameri, who heads Iraq’s Badr Organization and is widely known as Iraq’s General Soleimani, has ordered his men to do their best to ensure public security and protect their property.

In a statement, Al-Ameri, the head of the military wing of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, said he has received a letter from Ayatollah Sistani in which the top Shiite cleric has thanked all military and volunteer forces who are fighting IS. Ayatollah Sistani has also described respect for rights of the public and protection of their property as religious and moral duty of all those who are fighting the terrorists.

On Sunday [January 25] Al-Ameri reported that IS terrorists have been lodged out of Diyala and a mop-up operation is underway in the province.

In conclusion, he said the Salah ad Din Province and Kirkuk will be the next battlegrounds in the fight against the terrorist group.

In other news, Qasim al-Araji, the head of the parliamentary Badr bloc, said that Al-Mansuriyain Diyala has been purged of IS fighters.

It seems that Iraq is preparing for a grand, fateful battle in Mosul to force IS terrorists from their northern stronghold. In the battle which is likely to get underway shortly, the Iraqi army will lead the charge against IS militants in Mosul and other forces, including the volunteers, will fought on other battlefields.

Individual actions have no place in the world

Emad Askarieh

January 26, 2015

Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has said that a brand name is a national capital which can leave its mark on the lifestyle of other nations.

In a message to the first International Brand Strategy Conference on Sunday, the top councilor said that the time is at a premium and the world cannot wait to see people take individual actions to reach a bigger goal. The following is a partial translation of what else Rafsanjani said in his message to the international get-together as reported by Arman-e Emrooz daily on January 26:

[…]

It is praiseworthy that state and private organizations, universities and different trade guilds have joined forces, and work together to achieve a common goal.

[…]

Reliance on a resistance-based economy is a must at this critical situation in which the country is going through tough times. The country needs promising collective measures on all fronts to boost production, maximize productivity, and cut dependence on raw material and oil sales.

[…]

Business branding, which is an asset, does not simply help industrialists and service institutes register higher sales and more sustainable production; rather, it is a national capital which can enhance a nation’s credibility and extend its influence on the lifestyle of other nations. In today’s world the dignity of the Islamic Iran has been intertwined with the quality of products it makes at home or sends abroad.

[…]

Iran’s reliable brands and quality products can better promote its culture of compassion, compatibility and productivity in the world at a time when drums of Islamophobia and Iranophobia are being banged.

With that being the case, the mission of those involved in business activities is to hoist the flag of artistry, fairness and excellence of Iranian industrialists in the farthest reaches of the world. They also have an undertaking to help the country’s industries and businesses grow in keeping with Iran’s 2025 Outlook Plan.

[…]

Interaction and cooperation at a global level is what is needed at the current juncture. If Iran seeks to compete with the world’s big industries and trade systems, individual actions or overlapping measures should become a thing of the past. The country needs to mobilize what it has to get the job done, Jihad-style.

[…]

Brand activists should draw inspiration from valuable religious teachings, upgrade their knowledge and competence, and tap into world experience to gain a [solid customer] base in all industries.

[…]

To ride out the current stormy times and to play a historical role in the world order, Iran has to resolutely try to ensure that the reliable brands it has find their way into domestic, regional and global markets.

[…]

Iranian game Search for Happiness designed for the deaf

Emad Askarieh

January 26, 2015

Iranian computer game ‘Search for Happiness’, tailored for the hard of hearing, will be released by March.

The game is designed to educate its audience on informative and moral concepts and will come on Iran’s market by March 21.

Search for Happiness is a completely domestically-made video game by Pars Age of Games Company.

The social theme of the game with two endings addresses a variety of moral principles, educating the gamers among other things on the grave consequences of greed, probable problems of emigration, the concept of happiness and gratitude to God for His blessings.

One of the main features of the game is its ability to communicate with the deaf audience.

Every design used in the game including 47 locations and 58 characters has been developed through digital painting.

The game also enjoys traditional Iranian music for its soundtrack, namely tar, setar and the infusion of these two instruments in Dastgah-e Sur and dastgah Abuata recorded for approximately 3 hours.

Dastgah is a musical modal system in traditional Persian art music. Persian art music consists of twelve principal musical modal systems or dastgahs; a dastgah is a melody type on the basis of which a performer produces extemporized pieces.

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IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Jan. 28

Oppressive governments main reason for spiritual vacuum: Judiciary chief

Iran’s foreign relations are developing: Minister

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Jan. 27

Terrorist groups have nothing to do with Islam: Iran president

US interventionist policies

Israel root of region woes

Rouhani says Iran, Portugal could link Europe, Middle East

Iran resolved to support Palestinian cause: Supreme Leader

Top cleric describes protection of public property as duty of Iraqi army

Individual actions have no place in the world

Iranian game Search for Happiness designed for the deaf

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