Blasphemous cartoons insult all divine prophets: Iranian official

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January 26, 2015

Ali Younesi, a special assistant to the president for ethnic and religious minorities, said Iran’s religious and cultural teachings stress respect for all divine religions, adding that the Islamic Republic is committed to supporting the rights of all religious minorities.

In a meeting with the Archbishop of the Armenian Church Nerses Bedros XIX in Tehran on Sunday, Younesi said Iranian Armenians are part of the old history of the country and all Iranian ethnic groups have lived together peacefully throughout history.

He thanked the Pope Francis for his firm position on the abusive cartoons in the French magazine, saying it was not only an insult to Islam but to all divine prophets.

Stressing that all such sacrileges are masterminded by Zionists, Younesi said, ‘Certain sophisticated and secret activities are pushing the world toward atheism and insecurity. While the Middle East needs security, the Zionists are creating insecurity, hatred, and enmity in different ways.’

Referring to President Rouhani’s proposal at the United Nations to make a world without extremism and violence, he said the Islamic Republic is fighting against terrorist groups.

The Archbishop of the Armenian Church, for his part, expressed pleasure over his trip to Iran and meeting with high-ranking officials and minority members of parliament, saying it is obvious that the minorities in Iran are living in peace and have no problem thanks to government efforts to uphold their rights.

Referring to the insulting cartoon in the French magazine, the archbishop said freedom of speech does not let anyone insult other religions.

Culture minister stresses enforcement of Iran-Italy cultural MoU

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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January 26, 2015

Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati in a meeting with the Italian ambassador to Tehran has called for promotion of cultural ties between Tehran and Rome. What comes next is the translation of a report Ettela’at daily published on the meeting on January 26:

A report posted on the official website of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance Sunday said that in a meeting with the Italian diplomat, Ali Jannati stressed the implementation of cultural and arts deals between the two countries. “The draft of a memorandum of understanding has been handed to Italian officials. Now we are waiting for them to sign it,” Jannati said.

He went on to say, “The presence of centers which focus on Iran and Eastern studies in Italy shows the two nations have much in common when it comes to culture and rich ancient civilization. The approach of both nations to each other’s history and culture is positive.”

Hailing as constructive the role that Italy has played in the reconstruction of Bam, [a citadel city in southern Iran struck by a devastating earthquake in 2003], he added, “During the Iran visit of the Italian culture minister last year, a number of constructive meetings on closer cultural cooperation between the two countries were held. Iran has had long-running, close relations with Italy in different areas. Archeological excavations, especially in the city of Isfahan by a team of Italian experts, are an example of such ties.”

He added, “The willingness of the two countries to ink agreements in different fields including culture, politics and economy reflects their interest in establishing closer bilateral relations.”

Italian Ambassadorto Iran Mauro Conciatori, for his part, said, “Aside from the centuries-old culture and civilization, Iran has a geographically strategic position which can be used as a bridge among nations. Participation in Venice Biennial provides Iran with a perfect opportunity to end the unfair views some members of the international community have toward Iran. Such presence can spell an end to biased prejudgments.”

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Jan. 26

By

Emad Askarieh

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January 26, 2015

The top story of most Iranian newspapers on Monday was former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disavowal of the actions of his deputy Mohammad Reza Rahimi, who has been found guilty of corruption and sentenced to jail. Exchanges between Mahmoud Bahmani, a former governor of the Central Bank, and the presidential office over alleged violations of monetary rules and regulations by former and current governments and eruption of deadly clashes on the anniversary of the Egyptian revolution dominated the front pages of the Iranian dailies.

Afkar: “IS is neither Islamic nor a state,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Arman-e Emrooz: [Following the conviction of former first vice-president] Mahmoud Ahmadinejad opted for justification rather than an apology. “The case involving Mohammad Reza Rahimi has nothing to do with my government,” a statement by the former president said.

Arman-e Emrooz: Up to $3 billion in debts owed by Babak Zanjani [who stands accused of massive corruption and is expected to take the dock soon] has yet to return to government coffers.

Arman-e Emrooz:Saeed Mortazavi, a former judge and Tehran prosecutor who has been disbarred for five years, has called for an open trial.

Asr-e Eghtesad: In a bid to shore up the economy parliament has voted for a bill to cut customs red tape.

Asr-e Iranian: Some 20 MPs have released a statement that criticizes Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for failing to call off his Paris visit [following the publication by a French weekly of cartoons insulting the Prophet Muhammad] and for taking a walk on the streets of Geneva with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Asrar: “The danger posed by reactionaries is far greater than that of the enemies of Islam,” said Ayatollah Mousavi Bojnurdi, a member of the Combatant Clergy Association.

Ettela’at: More than 200 MPs have thrown their weight behind the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps and appreciated the efforts of its commander [Major General Ghasem Soleimani] for the role he has played in the fight against ISIL.

Ettela’at: “The road to security and stability goes through cooperation,” said President Hassan Rouhani at a meeting with the visiting Georgian parliament speaker.

Hambastegi: “I hope Saudi officials act realistically and set the stage for cooperation on all fronts,” said the Iranian FM in a news conference with his Croatian counterpart.

Hambastegi: “We will stick to our rights,” vowed the Iranian president.

Hemayat: “Those who hold dual citizenship cannot take charge of key state positions,” said the minister of justice.

Hemayat: Members of Parliament’s Judicial Committee have praised the Judiciary for not backing off in the corruption case involving a former government official [Mohammad Reza Rahimi, vice-president under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad].

Iran: “The entire world will benefit from conclusion of a nuclear deal,” said President Rouhani at separate meetings with Croatian and Georgian officials.

Iran Daily: Iran gas condensates exports fetch over $8 billion.

Jamejam: In a televised debate Sadegh Kharrazi, a former Iranian ambassador to Paris, and Alireza Zakani, a principlist MP, have evaluated the performance of the current and former Iranian nuclear negotiators.

Kaenat: “The West should make up its mind [in nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1],” said Foreign Minister Zarif.

Kayhan has taken a swipe at the visiting vice-president of the German Bundestag for “meddling in Iran’s internal affairs” by calling for an end to the house arrest of “seditionist leaders” [presidential hopefuls who doubted the results of the 2009 elections and caused widespread unrest].

Kayhan: “Claims that [the West] respects nations are not compatible with disrespect to their faith,” President Rouhani told the Georgian parliament speaker.

Mardomsalari: In a letter to the French ambassador to Tehran, Iran Press House has denounced the insulting behavior of Charlie Hebdo as being incompatible with human logic and instinct.

Mardomsalari: The Asian Football Confederation has dismissed Iran’s dope complaint against an Iraqi player in the AFC Asian Cup 2015.

Payam-e Zaman: “Nuclear talks are a test of P5+1 honesty,” said the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

Shahrvand: The number of Iranians who suffer stroke each year stands at 160,000.

Siasat-e Rooz: The number of protesters killed in clashes that erupted on the anniversary of Egypt’s revolution is now in double digits.

Iran’s top security official holds West responsible for potential failure of talks

By

Emad Askarieh

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January 26, 2015

The six world powers should account for any trouble or failure of the nuclear talks, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani warned after the US congress threatened to impose a new set of sanctions on Tehran.

“Iran’s nuclear negotiations with P5+1 serve as a test of these countries’ honesty to see how committed they are to the path of negotiations and removal of all illegal and cruel sanctions,” Shamkhani said in a meeting with Georgian Parliament Speaker Davit Usupashvili in Tehran on Sunday.

He stressed that Iran has shown goodwill in the negotiations, “and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports endorse this fact”.

“But we will show proper reaction and take due action appropriate to the attitude and performance shown by the opposite side,” Rear Admiral Shamkhani underlined.

“The responsibility for any problem in the talks and adoption of approaches whose fruitlessness has already been proved (in similar cases) in the past rests with the opposite side,” Shamkhani underlined.

Democracy not to be achieved by financing terrorism: Larijani

By

Emad Askarieh

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January 26, 2015

Iran’s parliament Speaker Ali Larijani criticized world powers’ double-standard policies in the region and their support for terrorism.

“One cannot establish democracy in a country through providing financial, arms and intelligence support to terrorists,” Larijani said Sunday in a meeting in Tehran with Vice-President of the German Bundestag Claudia Roth.

He was referring to Western support for terrorist militants fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. The civil war was waged by terrorists backed by Western powers and some of their regional allies, especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Larijani also underlined the importance of political, economic and parliamentary relations between Iran and Germany and said consultations between the two countries on major regional and international issues could lead to the expansion of bilateral ties.

Roth, for her part, called for more interactions between Iranian and German parliaments.

The German official further stressed the need for an end to the war and bloodshed in Syria as soon as possible, and said talks with powerful regional countries like Iran can help end the Syrian crisis.

Dialog must solve regional problems: Rouhani

By

Emad Askarieh

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January 26, 2015

“The way to establish peace and stability is that all [countries] should respect each other’s geographical borders and in case of any problem, they should settle it through dialog,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Georgian Parliament Speaker David Usupashvili in Tehran on Sunday.

He called for the expansion of Iran-Georgia ties and said Tehran and Tbilisi must make use of their utmost capacities to improve cooperation.

The Iranian president said the two countries should boost economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, adding that Iran can export its gas to Europe through Georgia while the North-South corridor can link Georgia’s ports to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Rouhani also expressed Iran’s readiness to bolster cooperation with Georgia in scientific, cultural and parliamentary fields.

Urging respect for different religions, cultures and thoughts, Iranian president said, “We should all counter extremism, violence and terrorism hand in hand.”

Enhanced ties with Iran

The Georgian parliament speaker pointed to the growing Tehran-Tbilisi relations during the recent years and expressed his country’s determination to further bolster cooperation with Iran in various fields.

Usupashvili said Iran has close ties with regional countries and can play a positive role in establishing peace and stability in the South Caucasus region.

I hate referring to Daesh as Islamic State

By

Emad Askarieh

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January 26, 2015

I hate calling Daesh an Islamic State, because it is neither Islamic, nor a government, said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday.

Speaking in Davos in a Geopolitical Outlook Panel Discussion at the World Economic Forum, attended by the German defense minister, the South Koran foreign minister, the Vietnamese foreign minister and the executive director of the German firm Henkel, Zarif made the comment in response to a question: What measures are necessary to block the path of the Islamic State of Syria and the Levant (ISIL).

‘Our problem in the region is extremism which has roots in occupation, suppression, and deprivation from natural rights. We need to encounter it, whether we like it or not, as this is a serious crisis in the region,’ said the Iranian foreign minister.

As for the word “Daesh”, he said that in Arabic and Persian languages that word is used to name them, but in the West the Islamic State is used, which he said he does not like.

Zarif then discussed the ways to encounter ISIL and said that efforts to fund the terrorist group should be stopped, adding that the terrorists are used as an instrument in geostrategic games only to exert hegemony in the region.

Multidimensional, solid anti-Daesh strategy needed

The Iranian top diplomat went on to say that some think they can make use of Daesh as an instrument in a short-term tactical game and as a tool against certain governments, adding this mindset does not help.

Acting against ISIS cannot be limited to air raids, he said, adding that a multidimensional, solid strategy against Daesh is needed to uproot the terror group.

2015 challenge: Threat of Cold War era

Zarif said that the world is facing two major security challenges – a return to the Cold War era and the geopolitical competitions of that era.

‘Extremism and the ways to encounter it is one of our major challenges as we see extremism in the Middle East and in Europe. What is to be done? Extremism cannot be encountered by ignoring it, as it is a very perilous threat,’ he said.

The Iranian foreign minister also expressed deep concern about the European sacrilege of religious values, especially Islam, adding it has become a commonplace practice and will lead to escalation of extremism and will deprive many people of their rights.

The West must win Iran trust in nuclear talks

By

Emad Askarieh

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January 26, 2015

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday that the Western and European states must gain the confidence of the Iranian nation in the nuclear talks.

Zarif made the remarks in a meeting with his Croatian counterpart Vesna Pusić who is currently in Tehran to exchange views with senior Iranian officials on issues of mutual interest.

Referring to recent developments in France, the Iranian foreign minister regretted that Muslims beliefs are easily insulted in Europe.

He stressed that the boundaries between freedom of expression and insulting sanctities of other religions should not be blurred.

As for Tehran-Zagreb relations, Zarif welcomed promotion of bilateral cooperation in all political, economic, cultural, tourism and sports fields.

He said that private sectors of the two countries enjoy enormous potential for making joint investments.

For her part, the Croatian top diplomat voiced Zagreb’s readiness to expand cooperation with Tehran.

Referring to Iran’s nuclear talks with 5+1, Pusic expressed hope that the negotiations would lead to a comprehensive agreement.

She stressed that Croatia, in line with the European countries and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, supports nuclear talks with Iran and opposes imposing further sanctions against the country.

Iran calls for expansion of Saudi ties, felicitates new King Salman

By

Emad Askarieh

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January 25, 2015

Iran has called for the expansion of relations between Tehran and Riyadh as Saudi Arabia’s new King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ascends to the throne.

President Hassan Rouhani expressed hope for the matter in a letter issued on Saturday, congratulating King Salman on his succession to the throne.

“I hope that in the time lying ahead, with regard to the religious and historical bonds between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the relations between the two countries expand in all areas of mutual interest,” the Iranian president stated in the letter.

He further wished King Salman success in his new post, and the Saudi nation and government prosperity.

King Abdullah died on January 23 at the age of 90 after weeks of being hospitalized with a lung infection. He had suffered frequent periods of ill health in recent years.

[…]

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Jan. 25

By

Emad Askarieh

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January 25, 2015

A warning to the US Congress by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that the Iranian parliament would retaliate in case Capitol Hill imposed new sanctions on Tehran dominated the front pages of Iranian dailies on Sunday. Threats by a deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps against Israel for its killing of an Iranian general in Syria and the aftermath of the Saudi king’s passing appeared on the covers of the newspapers too.

Aftab-e Yazd: The countdown is on for the imprisonment of Mohammad Reza Rahimi, a former first vice-president [whose corruption verdict has been upheld by the Supreme Court].

Arman-e Emrooz: Qeshm Airlines has been handed over to the Oil Ministry as part of the debts Babak Zanjani [a billionaire charged with massive corruption] owed to the government.

Asr-e Rasaneh: Between March 21, 2014 and January 20, 2015, non-oil exports brought in some $43 billion.

Asrar: “Iran’s environment is teetering on the brink,” said Director of the Environment Protection OrganizationMasoumeh Ebtekar.

Asrar: “Iran’s parliament won’t leave fresh American sanctions unanswered,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned the US Congress.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: “We will be able to build on resistance-based economy to run the country on a budget of $40 billion,” said the head of the Management and Planning Organization.

Emtiaz: Iran’s trade deficit stands at $1 billion.

Emtiaz: Natural gas production on Kish Island will get underway as of next year [starting on March 21, 2015].

Etemad: President Rouhani has extended congratulations to the new Saudi King on his accession to the throne.

Ettela’at: Iraq’s Diyala Province, which had been overrun by IS terrorists, has been relieved.

Ettela’at: Services of Gholam Hossein Amirkhani, the father of Iran’s contemporary calligraphy, have been appreciated in a ceremony.

Hambastegi: “Iran will respond to any move by the US Congress by a huge leap in nuclear technology,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

Javan: “We will arm the West Bank; the Zionist regime of Israel is in for an extraordinary act of retaliation,” said the deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

Jamejam: Importing cars that have no warranty has been banned.

Jomhouri Islami has quoted Foreign Minister Zarif as saying, “We will clinch a deal [with P5+1] pretty soon.”

Jomhouri Islami: A new chapter has opened in cooperation between Iran’s Mobarakeh Steel Company and Oman.

Kayhan: Fearing retaliation, the Zionist regime has called on Russia to convey a message to Lebanese Hezbollah, saying that Tel Aviv does not seek heightened tensions.

Kayhan International: Iraqi PM hails Iran’s aid to fight ISIL.

Khorasan: Seven provinces across the country have been blanketed by snow.

Mardomsalari: “We are not planning to block WhatsApp and Line,” said the minister of communications and information technology.

Shahrvand: “Iran’s borders are still open to contraband goods,” said the minister of Industries, Mines and Trade.

Sharq: “Those who call for the house arrest [of Mousavi and Karroubi, two candidates who doubted the results of the 2009 presidential elections and sparked widespread unrest] to be lifted must be slapped in the mouth,” said Ahmad Jannati, the secretary of the Guardian Council.

Tehran Times: Iran largest steel producer in Middle East: WSA (World Steel Association).

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

Blasphemous cartoons insult all divine prophets: Iranian official

Culture minister stresses enforcement of Iran-Italy cultural MoU

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Jan. 26

Iran’s top security official holds West responsible for potential failure of talks

Democracy not to be achieved by financing terrorism: Larijani

Dialog must solve regional problems: Rouhani

I hate referring to Daesh as Islamic State

The West must win Iran trust in nuclear talks

Iran calls for expansion of Saudi ties, felicitates new King Salman

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Jan. 25

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