Iran, Russia Call for Closer Defence Ties

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August 30, 2017

In their meeting held in Russia on Tuesday, they discussed “conditions and prospects of military and technical cooperation development as well as issues of security in the Middle East”, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

“The sides noted that it was a very timely meeting, and agreed that activation of contacts between the military departments had a special meaning,” the statement read, adding, “According to them, the negotiations will promote further Russian-Iranian cooperation in wide range of issues.”

“The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere. The sides confirmed their interest in further development of multilateral cooperation,” the Russian defense ministry statement went on to say.

In a telephone conversation earlier this month, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin called for the expansion of the ties between Tehran and Moscow in all fields.

In the conversation, President Rouhani said enhancement of strategic relations with the neighbors, particularly with Russia, constitutes a principled policy of Iran.

This Year’s Hajj Litmus Test for Bilateral Ties with Saudis: Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 30, 2017

Speaking in a Tuesday live interview with Iran’s state TV, President Hassan Rouhani said the presence of Iranian pilgrims in this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia is a good way to test the kingdom’s conduct.

“If they (Saudis) behave within the framework of international and religious norms, I think better conditions will be created for us to settle the problems,” he noted.

Rouhani stressed that Iran favours friendly ties with all of its neighbours, attributing the tense relations with a few neighbours to the problems created by Saudi Arabia.

He then called on Saudi Arabia to stop interfering in Yemen and supporting the terrorist groups, saying in that case the tensions between Tehran and Riyadh could be resolved, Tasnim reported.

Iran-IAEA Ties Unaffected by US Pressure

Rouhani further referred to the recent visit of US President Donald Trump’s envoy Nikki Haley to Vienna to put the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under pressure, and said what shapes the relations between Iran and the IAEA is the regulations, not the US and its pressures.

It is unlikely that the IAEA would give in to the US pressure, he noted, saying all reports by the UN nuclear watchdog have verified Iran’s close cooperation with the agency and compliance with 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).

President Rouhani also highlighted the US inability to unite the international community against Iran, saying, “The US has now the worst conditions, conversely, Iran has the best situation.”

Riyadh Sets Condition for Normalization of Ties with Tel Aviv: Report

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 30, 2017

US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is also the so-called peace envoy for the Middle East, has conveyed to Tel Aviv Saudi Arabia’s proposal on the resumption of peace talks between Israel and Palestine.

According to Moav Vardi, a political analyst with Israel’s Channel 10, the proposal conditions the normalization of Riyadh-Tel Aviv ties on the resumption of negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

“Riyadh officials told Kushner that they remain committed to the normalization of relations with Israel, and will allow commercial flights to resume between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and Israeli businessmen to receive Saudi visas,” said the analyst.

“Netanyahu didn’t accept the Saudis’ proposal, and didn’t promise to restart the peace talks,” Vardi added, according to a Farsi report by Al-Alam.

The political commentator said Netanyahu opposed a demand by Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s advisor on Israel affairs, that he offer his viewpoints on issues pertaining to the peace talks and the establishment of an unarmed Palestinian state.

The security delegation that travelled to Washington last week told the US government that Israel considers head of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas as “irrelevant” to issue of peace negotiations as Palestinian officials themselves have differences over the peace talks, said Vardi.

“The US gets help from Saudi Arabia to resume peace negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel,” the Israeli analyst noted.

He said what has made the problem more complicated is that the Trump administration has no plans for the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict because the problems he is facing do not allow him to pressure Israel to resume peace talks.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 30, 2017

The top story in most newspapers today was the second report by the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission on the implementation of the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers. In this report, the lawmakers stressed that anti-Iran banking restrictions have not been fully removed despite what stipulated in the nuclear deal.

Meanwhile, another top story was Europe’s expression of its all-out support for the nuclear deal. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Ambassador to Tehran Nicholas Hopton were among those whose pro-JCPOA remarks were widely covered today.

The remarks made by President Hassan Rouhani in his Tuesday night’s live TV interview with the state TV also received great coverage.

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

Abrar:

1- Details of Hezbollah’s Deal with ISIS to Receive Body of Iranian Martyr

2- Qatar: We’re Ready to Hold Talks with Boycotting Countries

3- Hamas President in Gaza: Iran Is Our Biggest Supporter Today

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - abrar

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Rouhani: You Can’t Guide People Using Force; You Should Encourage Them

2- Oil Minister: I Don’t Know Why Pakistan Not Serious in Gas Pipeline Project

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - aftab

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Gov’t Spokesman: Talks to Begin on Issue of Opposition Leaders’ House Arrest

2- Promises and Questions: Rouhani Talks to People in Live TV Interview

It’s Upon People to Choose Heaven or Hell
I’ll Keep My Promises

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - arman

Emtiaz:

1- Sale of Stationary with Obscene Images Prohibited: Official

2- Domestic Violence against Women, Children Very Widespread

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - emtiaz

Etemad:

1- Mogherini Repeats Her Warning to Trump: I Once Again Repeat JCPOA Is Int’l Deal

2- Analyst: Improvement of Ties with Tehran to Send Direct Signal to Riyadh

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - emtiaz

Ettela’at:

1- Rouhani’s Economic Deputy: Gov’t Priority Is Economic Growth without Inflation

2- Flags of Syria, Lebanon’s Hezbollah Raised in Qalamoun after Defeat of Terrorists

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - etelaat

Iran:

1- Rouhani in Live Interview: Ending Unemployment First Priority of Cabinet

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - iran

Javan:

1- Creating Jobs for Young People, Ending Unemployment, People’s Top Demands: Rouhani

2- Import of Shoe Wax, Gardening Shovel, Chinese Pumice in Year of Production, Employment!

Import of Legitimate, Legal Goods Is Free: Official

3- Parliament’s Report on JCPOA: Almost No Banking Restriction Lifted!

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 = javan

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Europe’s Integrated Stance in Support for JCPOA

British Ambassador to Tehran: London Fully Committed to Nuclear Deal
French President: Paris Support Iran Deal, Because There’s No Alternative

2- Official: $7 Billion worth of Foreign Investment Attracted in Industry, Mine, Trade after JCPOA

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - jomhori

Kayhan:

1- Parliament after 7-Month Delay: Sanctions Lifted Only on Paper

2- Former US Envoy to Syria: Victory of Assad, Iran Are Realities We Should Get Used to

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - kayhan

Payam-e Zaman:

1- Iran Parliament: US Has No Choice but to Fulfil Its Commitments

2- Inspecting Iran’s Military Sites against Spirit, Text of Nuclear Deal

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - zaman

Resalat:

1- Parliamentary Report on JCPOA Implementation: Banking Problems Still in Place

2- We Won’t Accept University Professors Making Anti-Revolution Remarks

3- Industry Minister: People’s Purchasing Power Decreased to 16 Years Ago

4- Nasrallah: Fight against Terror Continuation of Fight against Israel

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - resalat

Shargh:

1- Rouhani: Women to Have 30% Share in Government’s Managerial Posts

2- Amir-Abdollahian: We Can’t Say Imam Musa al-Sadr Is Dead

3- 22 Baluch Women Elected as Heads of Village Councils

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 30 - shargh

‘US Dream of Inspecting Iran’s Military Sites Never to Come True’

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IFP Media Wire

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August 29, 2017

The Americans will not see their dream of visiting Iran’s military facilities under the pretext of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or any other excuse come true, Velayati told reporters in Tehran on Tuesday.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as the axis of the anti-Israeli Resistance Front, will never allow foreigners to inspect its military sites, he added.

Last week, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said Washington wants inspection of Iranian military and non-military sites to determine its compliance with the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

Some senior US officials also said in late July that the Trump administration is pushing for inspections of Iranian military sites in a bid to test the strength of the JCPOA.

Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, US, Britain, France, and Germany) on July 14, 2015, reached a conclusion over the text of the JCPOA.

The accord took effect in January 2016 and was supposed to terminate all nuclear-related sanctions against Iran all at once, but its implementation has been hampered mainly due to US policies.

Iran, Chile Discuss Expansion of Reciprocal Ties

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 29, 2017

Iran, Chile Discuss Expansion of Reciprocal Ties

The Chilean senator, who is in Tehran heading a high-ranking delegation, conferred with Zarif on ways of boosting bilateral relations between Iran and Chile.
During the Tuesday meeting in Tehran, Girardi said his trip to the Iranian capital is aimed at cementing bilateral ties, particularly in the field of science and technology.
He said Iran and Chile are important countries in their respective geographical areas. He also described as inefficient the policies adopted by certain world powers vis-à-vis Iran.
The Iranian top diplomat, in turn, said a host of areas exist for mutual cooperation between Tehran and Santiago, and added the trip to Iran by a Chilean parliamentary delegation could be a good start.
Zarif also called for enhancement of reciprocal ties on different fronts, particularly culture, tourism, science and technology. He said free trade between Iran and Chile is an example of good relations between the two sides.

DM Vows to Further Boost Iran’s Missile Capabilities

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IFP Media Wire

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August 29, 2017

Iran’s DM Vows Firm Response to Enemy’s Moves

Speaking on a live TV program on Monday, Hatami said Iran’s current missile might was good and was “one of the main components of deterrence.”

As Iran made efforts to strengthen its defensive power, he said, enemies would try to surpass that power, “but we would carefully monitor them and would strengthen ourselves accordingly.”

The defense minister further said that the most important principle of Iran’s military doctrine was “comprehensive defense through active deterrence.”

“We will boost [our] defensive power so much that no one would dare violate Iran,” Brigadier General Hatami said.

He also announced that all the S-300 surface-to-air missile defense systems that Iran had purchased from Russia had been installed and were covering sensitive sites.

The domestically-built Bavar-373 air defense system would soon be used alongside the S-300, he added.

Semnan to Host Iranian Folk Music Festival

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IFP Editorial Staff

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August 29, 2017

Semnan to Host Iranian Folk Musical Festival1

The first edition of the festival, which is due to be held on September 1 and 2, will host various musical bands from various provinces of Golestan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Khorasan Razavi, Northern Khorasan, and Semnan.
According to a Farsi report by ILNA, the secretary of the East of Iran Folk Music Festival, Rouhollah Kalami, said the eastern Iranian music pieces are deeply rooted in the culture and civilization of Iran.
“Semnan province is a main juncture connecting eastern and western Iranian ethnic groups together, so the region is home to different languages and dialects,” he said.
“The music and languages of the region is culturally rich and various,” he went on to say.
He further noted that the festival is aimed at unveiling the untapped capacities of the region. “In the coming years, we will do our best to turn the festival into an international event,” he noted.
Various workshops will be held on the sidelines of the two-day festival.
“Holding cultural and artistic festivals like this is a big step in paving the way for recognizing the tourist capacities of the host province (Semnan) leading to the cultural as well as economic blossom of the region,” he concluded.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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August 29, 2017

The top story in all newspapers today was the remarks made by the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with a group of seminary students in Tehran.

The demise of former Iranian foreign minister Ebrahim Yazdi also received great coverage. In particular, President Hassan Rouhani’s message of condolences was widely covered in today’s papers.

The ongoing crisis in the US, particularly the state of Texas which is grappling with the Harvey hurricane, was also a top story today.

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

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Iran Leader: Stabilizing Revolutionary Norms, Creating Islamic Society Needs Struggle

2- Patient Politician, Former Iran FM, Ebrahim Yazdi Dies at 86

3- 80 Percent of Iran Won’t Have Water in 20 Years: Environment Chief

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - aftab

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Iran Leader: Long Way to Go until Formation of Islamic Management Organisation

2- Tehran Prosecutor General: Judiciary Ready to Try Sedition (Opposition) Leaders

3- Return of Mayor to Cabinet

Tehran City Councillor: We’re Pursuing Tehran Mayor’s Attendance in Cabinet Sessions

عناوين صحف ايران، الثلاثاء 29 اغسطس/آب 2017 - ارمان

Donya-ye Eqtesad:

1- Iranian Entrepreneur to Take Helm of Uber

2- Project to Build Dams against Nuclear Deal Kicked Off

White House Exerting Pressure

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - donyaye egtesad

Ebtekar:

1- Harvey Hurricane, New Crisis in US

2- Which One Should Be Saved: Water or Agriculture?

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - ebtekar

Ettela’at:

1- Leader: Young Generation Strongly Needs New Words, Ideas

2- First VP: We Shouldn’t Prevent Development of IT on Pretext of Social Ills

3- 800 ISIS Terrorists Killed in Russia’s Heavy Attack on East Syria

4- We Should Use Term ‘Gender Equality’: VP for Women Affairs

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - etelaat

Iran:

1- Wind of Boom in Housing Market: 23% Increase in Deals after 3 Years

2- Farewell to Well-Known Politician

Rouhani: History to Remember Dr Yazdi’s Efforts

3- US Secretary of State Tillerson Renounces Trump

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - iran

Javan:

1- Iran Leader: If Enemy Not Angry with Us, You Should Doubt Your Usefulness

2- Obama’s Deputy: American Nation Should Stand against Trump

3- Ebrahim Yazdi Dies

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - javan

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Opponents, Supporters of Trump Clash with Each Other in Berkley

2- Tillerson: Trump Talking on Behalf of Himself

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - jomhori

Kayhan:

1- Iran Leader: Struggle Needed to Protect Revolution

2- Iran Nuclear Chief: JCPOA Was God’s Mercy; Trump’s Words for Domestic Use!

3- Lebanese Analyst: Hezbollah, Syria’s Victories in Defeating ISIS Thanks to Iran, Its Leader

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - kayhan

Kelid:

1- Tehran Mayor’s Decree Signed by Interior Minister Overnight

Najafi Starts Work in Tehran Municipality

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - kelid

Khorasan:

1- One-Month Deadline for Prohibition of 800 Goods

2- Texas under Water

3- Gov’t Ready to Unblock All Social Media

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - khorasan

Mardom Salari:

1- Rouhani: Iran’s History Will Remember Dr Ebrahim Yazdi

2- UN Special Envoy in Iran

3- Harvey Catastrophe in Texas

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - mardomsalari

Shahrvand:

1- Impact of Nuclear Deal on Global Humanitarian Relations

2- Long Way to Go until Formation of Islamic Society: Iran Leader

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - shahrvand

Shargh:

1- We Should Be Doubtful about Ourselves If Enemies Not Angry with US: Leader

2- We Won’t Stop Fighting Corruption: First VP

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - shargh

Tejarat:

1- Central Bank Governor: Banks to Have Strong Presence in Supporting Production

2- Global Criticism of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 29 - tejarat

Iraq Still Alive: Thousands Celebrate Opening of Baghdad Mall

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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August 29, 2017

After years of war and violence, which is still claiming people’s lives in different parts of Iraq, the Arab nation used the opening ceremony of Baghdad Mall on Monday night to show that life still goes on in the streets of the Iraqi capital.

The Iraqi General Traffic Directorate on Monday closed all roads and streets surrounding the Baghdad Mall as of 3 pm in a move to control the traffic congestion expected to be caused by the attendance of thousands of people in the opening ceremony of Baghdad Mall later in the day.

Years of war, sectarian conflict and insurgencies, as well as a financial and trade embargo in the 1990s and ongoing corruption, had set back development in Baghdad, causing considerable damage.
Now, nearly two months after victory was declared against ISIS in Iraq’s second city, Mosul, and as Iraqi forces draw closer to completely defeating the group in the country’s north, it looks like the historic city may have much brighter days ahead.
Over the weekend the Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, officially opened the new “Baghdad Mall”.

The huge mall includes various shops, a five-star hotel with 33 floors, which is managed by a global hotel company, and a specialized surgery hospital managed by a global medical services company.

According to the Baghdad Investment Authority (BIC), it is one of the strategic projects carried out in the heart of the capital, in terms of geographical location and size and quality of work in it.

The total area of the project is over 24,000 square metres, to include shops of the world’s finest originals and a chain of restaurants of the finest brands.

The mall also includes a ten-storey car park. It is managed by a solid security company equipped with the latest equipment to check the wheels and provide full protection to the pioneers of this huge project, according to the BIC.

The construction project took three years to be completed.

Here are photos of the ceremony attended by thousands of Iraqi people, particularly the younger generation:

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