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

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- Human Rights
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Home Blog Page 4017

President Rouhani slams US-led coalition against ISIL

September 18, 2014

Rouhani made the remarks in an exclusive interview with NBC News in Tehran on Wednesday, saying the coalition members include those who provided the ISIL with weapons and training.

President Rouhani reiterated that Iran will not allow terrorists to occupy the Iraqi capital Baghdad or the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, calling it a “red line” for the Islamic Republic.

“We will not allow Baghdad… or the religious sites such as Karbala or Najaf to be occupied by the terrorists,” he said.

Rouhani also said Iran will provide Iraq with any support Baghdad asks for to fight the terror group.

The Iranian president went on to say that any airstrikes against the Takfiris must be conducted with permission from the government and people of that country.

Rouhani also slammed the ISIL for atrocities it commits in Iraq and Syria, saying, “The killing and beheading of innocent people is in fact a matter of shame for them and it’s a matter of concern and sorrow for all the human and all the mankind.”

The Takfiri terrorists currently control parts of Syria and Iraq. They have threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Izadi Kurds and others, as they continue their atrocities in Iraq.

Senior Iraqi officials have blamed Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and some Persian Gulf Arab states for the growing terrorism in their country.

The terrorist group has links with Saudi intelligence and is believed to be indirectly supported by the Israeli regime.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Sept. 18

Emad Askarieh

September 18, 2014

Iranian Newspapers headlines — Iranian Newspapers Headlines

On Thursday several Iranian newspapers led on nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 which open in New York later today. Confirmation by the government spokesman of the news that President Rouhani will attend the upcoming UN General Assembly also drew a lot of front-page attention. Comments by former President Mohammad Khatami that IS does not represent Islam were also highlighted by several reformist dailies on their front pages.

Abrar: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday underlined Iran’s important role in the region and said he looked forward to meeting with President Rouhani.

Afarinesh: The secretary of the Supreme National Security Council said, “Iran has turned down a Danish demand that Tehran be part of a Western-led coalition against IS militants.”

Afarinesh: A 16^th national Congress on Cardiovascular Diseases has closed in Tehran. In the event the services of veteran specialists in the field were praised.

Afkar: Iranian novelist Ahmad Bigdeli, who did not stop putting pen to paper until his final days, has passed away.

Aftab-e Yazd: “ISIL does not represent the Islamic civilization,” former President Mohammad Khatami said.

Aftab-e Yazd: The wrangling between the government and Ansar Hezbollah who are bent on hitting the streets as of next week to enforce morality laws rages on. The government spokesman said Wednesday “Violent tactics are bound to prompt some to show more disregard for the [Islamic] dress code…. Any disregard for women is unacceptable to the government…. It is Islam that pays a price for such measures, not Ansar Hezbollah…. Government does not approve of any measure which does not have the go-ahead of appropriate authorities.” Mohammad Bagher Nobakht’s comments came after the executive headquarters of the hard-line group said Ansar does not need permission to do what it is bent on doing. Meanwhile, a parliament deputy warned the grouping not to make the national atmosphere tense.

Arman-e Emrooz: “We’re ready for talks to strike a deal,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said ahead of talks with P5+1 in New York.

Asrar: “There has been no halt in construction of Arak reactor,” a senior project manager said.

Asrar: “Iranian tea growers are in a bad condition,” the head of the State Tea Organization said.

Asrar: “Terrorism lies in wait outside the borders of countries,” President Rouhani tells the Azeri minister of economy and industry.

Ebtekar: Recent recollections by the Chairman of the Expediency Council of a meeting that dated back to before the victory of the Islamic Revolution have stirred up a controversy. In his comments, Hashemi took a jab at a person, he did not name, for his failure to support the revolutionary struggle against the Shah. Now Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi and one of his students say those comments are not true.

Ebtekar: The government spokesman has put an end to speculations that the president might opt not to attend the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York. “Details of the president’s trip to New York will be released shortly.”

Etemad: “President Rouhani will travel to New York, but there are no plans for a meeting between him and President Obama,” the Iranian government spokesman said.

Ettela’at: “The president and his cabinet urge the public to consume less water.”

Farhikhtegan: “Islamic Azad University has suffered almost $250 million in losses as a result of stalled projects under the previous management,” Mohsen Hashemi said.

Iran’s lose to Germany in three sets at FIVB World Championships

Emad Askarieh

September 18, 2014

Iran’s loss to Germany in straight sets (15-25, 21-25, 19-25) at the FIVB Men’s World Championships in Poland on Wednesday made it difficult for the Iranian national volleyball team to make it to the semifinals of the event.

Germany had earlier lost in straight sets to France. In order to have a chance to advance, Iran will have to secure a 3-0 triumph over France when they line up against each other in the final clash of round three later on Thursday.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Sept. 17

Emad Askarieh

September 17, 2014

Several Iranian newspapers on Wednesday highlighted the comments of the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Major Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari who said the government of President Rouhani has the support of the revolutionary guards. The arrival of Iranian nuclear negotiators in New York for talks with P5+1 also was on the front pages of a few Persian-language dailies.

Abrar: British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has urged Iran to cooperate with an international coalition formed to fight ISIL terrorists in Iraq.

Abrar: Kuwait says it will not mediate to bring Iran on board in the fight against ISIL.

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: “Population of Iran goes beyond 77.7 million.”

Aftab-e Yazd put a large image of Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani whispering cordially with Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, on its front page. It was captioned “Important warnings by the grandson and close follower of Imam”. On page six of the same daily the two are reported to have taken a swipe at radicals. The daily quotes Hassan Khomeini as saying that independence and peaceful coexistence with the rest of the world were the pillars of Imam Khomeini’s line of thinking. “Peaceful coexistence does not mean that we have to let go of our independence. Similarly, preserving independence does not mean that we have to take on the world.”

Aftab-e Yazd: Hamid Baghaei [the former secretary of the Supreme Free Zones Council under Ahmadinejad] rented out the property of the council to himself, said Vice President Akbar Torkan. His comments came as a complaint by Rouhani’s government against the previous administration is under examination by the judiciary. The government alleges that one year on, public property and cars used by some officials of Ahmadinejad’s government have not been handed back.

Aftab-e Yazd quoted Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati as saying that the number of banned newspapers and publications has fallen.

Arman-e Emrooz quoted Iranian politician and journalist Amir Mohebbian as saying, “Principlists are grappling with a political leadership crisis.”

Ebtekar:Following warnings by Interior Ministry officials that Ansar Hezbollah need official permission to enforce morality laws, the secretary of the group tones down his rhetoric and says, “The responsibility to enforce the law falls on officials who, God willing, will be more active in fulfilling their responsibility.” Abdolmajid Mohtasham went on to say, “We are focused on dishing out verbal advice.”

Ebtekar: “Iran has an advisory rather than military role in Iraq,” said the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

Ebtekar: “The government has the backing of the leader. Establishing cordial relations with the clergy is one of the fundamental measures of the government,” said Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi, a former judiciary chief who now heads the Association of Qom Seminary Scholars.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: “The Exports Guarantee Fund of Iran now has an additional $1 billion to promote exports,” said Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: “The interior minister has required provincial governors to set up special headquarters to crack down on land-grab.”

Ettela’at: “Support for the government is part of IRGC policy,” the commander of the revolutionary guards said.

Financial Tribune: “Major tax breaks for foreign companies.”

Hambastegi: “Honesty is instrumental in the success of the nuclear talks,” said the chairman of the State Expediency Council.

Hemayat: A 50-page-long response pinpointing the legal problems of a recent report by the UN chief on human rights in Iran has been sent to the United Nations.

Hemayat quoted the police chief as saying, “The good management of the Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani has pushed down crime rates in recent years.”

Iran Daily: “European firms vie for Iranian gas project.”

Javan: Carlos Queiroz, the Portuguese head coach of Iran’s national soccer team, has renewed his contract to remain at the helm of the Iranian squad. “Don’t ask me to make any promises,” he said after signing the deal.

Jomhouri Islami: James Baker, a former US secretary of state, has admitted that the First Persian Gulf War set the stage for the emergence of ISIL.

Kar va Kargar: “Imposition of further sanctions at a time when nuclear talks are underway is not justifiable,” said Chairman of the State Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Kayhan: “Yemeni revolutionaries set up five military camps around Sana’a.”

Mardomsalari: Iranian officials have arrested 27 Afghan nationals who used the IDs of deceased Iranians to get cash subsidies.

Nasl-e Farda: “Chinese President Xi Jinping is to pay a visit to Iran” after President Rouhani invited him for a state visit.

Nasl-e Farda: “The most controversial episode of the TV sport program “90”” was the heading of a report that covered comments by former coach of Iran’s national football team Ali Daei. During the popular program, which is said to be the most-watched TV show in Iran, Daei said he was sacked as the national team’s coach on the direct orders of former President Ahmadinejad.

Quds: “Twelve new aircraft are to be added to the Iranian fleet,” said the minister of roads and urbanization.

Roozan: Former Interior Minister Abdolvahed Mousavi-Lari has said Former President Mohammad Khatami is likely to visit the Supreme Leader.

Roozan: “The suffering inflicted on the country during the eight years Ahmadinejad was in office was far more than that of the 8-year Iran-Iraq war,” said Parviz Kazemi, a former minister of welfare and social security under Ahmadinejad.

Shahrvand: Up to 100 hectares of protected land on the Iranian island of Ashooradeh in the Caspian Sea has gone up in flames.

Sharq: “Portrayal of problems on the big screen does not amount to spreading poison,” said Rakhshan Bani-Etemad after her movie “Tales”, which scooped the best award for screenplay at the Venice Film Festival, came under fire at home for what some alleged was a shot at painting a negative picture of the Iranian establishment.

Final N-deal needs tough work, hard decisions: Zarif

Emad Askarieh

September 17, 2014

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says any final agreement between the Islamic Republic and the P5+1 over Tehran’s nuclear energy program requires hard decisions.

Zarif on Wednesday expressed optimism over the clinching of a final nuclear deal with the six world powers, but stressed that it would require a lot of work and a lot of hard discussions.

“It’s going to be a very tough discussion because we have tough decisions that everybody needs to make in order to move this process forward,” he told Press TV correspondent ahead of the start of the next round of talks over Iran’s civilian nuclear work.

He, however, said that a final deal was possible if there was genuine will to reach an agreement.

“We believe it is possible. We believe that provided that everyone wants to reach a solution, that everybody wants to stick to the agreement that we had in Geneva in November of last year we can, in fact, reach an agreement but it’s going to require a lot of work, a lot of hard decisions,” he said.

Zarif said that Iran has planned bilateral meetings with various members of the P5+1 group. He said that the meetings will take place before Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives in New York next week to attend the UN General Assembly meeting.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, Russia, China, France and Britain – plus Germany have been discussing ways to iron out their differences and start drafting a final deal that would end the West’s dispute with Iran over the country’s nuclear energy program.

Last November, Tehran and the six countries signed an interim deal in Geneva, which took effect on January 20 and expired six months later. In July, Iran and the six countries agreed to extend negotiations until November 24 this year after they failed to reach common ground on a number of key issues.

Meager share of medical tourism in overall tourism profits

IFP Editorial Staff

September 17, 2014

The Iranian Health Ministry said Monday it has worked out a plan to promote medical tourism which is also known as health tourism. Under the plan hospitals which wish to admit foreign tourists have six months to set up a special ward for foreigners who visit the country to obtain treatment.

Among other things, the plan requires hospitals to register the type of services they offer and the fees they charge, and have translators to facilitate communication with foreign tourists. The plan which is partly designed to gather more information about the kinds of treatment which are in more demand calls on medical facilities to develop a website to catalog the services they offer and the price of each service.

In an analysis column in Arman-e Emrooz daily on Tuesday (September 16), University Professor and Tourism Expert Nasser Pazouki said that tourism is the second most profitable industry in the world and that according to the Bank World investment in healthcare is the third largest across the globe.

In other words, when these two are paired, they create a perfect environment for ideal investment. In each country between 60 and 70 percent of all hospital beds are occupied by locals who seek treatment. That means the remainder can be used to admit foreign patients.

In traveling overseas, medical tourists seek swift, quality treatment as well as tourism services during recuperation. That means top-quality medical services which are rarely found in Iran’s neighbors, competitive prices as compared with neighboring countries, and unique tourist attractions, particularly ancient sites, give Iran an edge in this field over other countries in the region. […]

Thanks to its geostrategic position in the Middle East, Iran has great health tourism potential. In addition to securing the flow of foreign currency into the country, when tapped, such potential can pave the way for employment of Iranian doctors overseas and set the stage for exports of medical equipment. […]

Under the 20-Year Outlook, Iran has to become the tourism hub in the region. […] According to global figures, medical tourism produced as much as $100 billion in revenues in 2012. The Islamic countries’ share of that figure has been no more than $3 billion. Iran’s share has been a meager $350 million which is nothing considering the country’s huge tourism and medical potential.

In light of the fact that each medical tourist brings in 300 percent as much money as a regular tourist does, Iranian media should shift into overdrive and play an important role in transforming the country’s tourism, securing the flow of local and foreign capital into the sector, creating sustainable jobs and promoting healthcare.

My father is bracing for upcoming legislative elections: Mohsen Rafsanjani

Emad Askarieh

September 17, 2014

On Tuesday Kayhan, a daily which is widely known for its opposition to reforms and anyone reformist, highlighted what it said were contradictory remarks by Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and his son about the former’s plans for upcoming elections for parliament. The following is an excerpt of the report:

Hashemi Rafsanjani said earlier [this week] that he had no plans to lead a ticket in upcoming elections. Only a few days on, his eldest son said that his father is forming a united front with [former President Mohammad] Khatami and [his deputy Mohammad Reza] Aref.

Mohsen Hashemi has released a photo of his father flanked by Khatami and Aref on his Facebook page. It is captioned: “Messrs Hashemi, Khatami, and Aref plan to build on the successful experience of the presidential elections in 2013 and form a united front to make another epic in the legislative elections.”

It should be noted that Seyyed Hassan Rasouli, a member of the board of Iranian Hope Foundation, has confirmed the news. According to Jahan News, statements by Hashemi’s eldest son that his father is to cooperate with Mohammad Khatami and Aref in parliamentary elections should be examined more carefully because Khatami has yet to disavow the sedition of 2009 which saw an uprising against the choice of the people and the Constitution.

It also comes against the backdrop of comments by Mohammad Khatami that he has no plans to return to power. […]

In conclusion, IFP would like to add that a report on the front page of Arman-e Emrooz, a reformist daily, on September 16 quoted Hossein Marashi, a very prominent reformist figure, as saying that an alliance between Khatami and Rafsanjani to lead a ticket in upcoming elections sounds “more of a joke.” And Farhikhtegan daily quoted Mohsen Hashemi as saying, “I have no Facebook account to begin with.”

Honesty prerequisite to success of nuclear talks: Rafsanjani

Emad Askarieh

September 17, 2014

Chairman of Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Tuesday that honesty is the main criterion for success of nuclear talks between Iran and G5+1.

Iran’s alleged access to nuclear arms is nothing more than a pretext for global powers to obstruct nuclear talks, he said.

Rafsanjani made the remarks in a meeting with Slovak Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak in Tehran.

On talks between Iran and G5+1, he said in the new series of talks Iran has become suspicious of the other party’s good intention because it believes that the dispute should be resolved through negotiations and toughening economic sanctions at this juncture has no justification.

Iran has proved both in deeds and words that it is seeking peaceful use of indigenized nuclear technology and during the eight-year sacred defense the country practically indicated that it is opposed to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Rafsanjani said.

He said that other parties to the nuclear talks have failed to keep their promises on lifting economic sanctions while expecting Iran to yield to their demands.

Iran has repeatedly declared that proliferation of nuclear weapons is forbidden based on Islamic and humanitarian principles but the country reserves the right to protect its nuclear rights and will not give up even one iota of its rights.

Regarding regional and global developments, Rafsanjani said it will be logical for Europe to revise its policies in dealing with Iran considering the country’s geo-political situation, its rich natural resources and its might to fight terrorists.

The big powers’ immature measures to invade some regional countries and their financial and military support for terrorist groups should be blamed for spread of terrorism, he said.

The West and the US in particular supported the Taliban in Afghanistan and ISIL in Syria, he said, adding that they have categorized terrorists into good and bad groups and try to deal with them based on their interests and policies.
The Zionist regime is the symbol of state terrorism in the world, Rafsanjani said, adding that when they back the Zionists’ crimes and atrocities against the people in Gaza, no doubt that world public opinion would cast doubt on their claims and this will make situation more complicated.

Presence of Iranian dissident groups in the parliaments or various centers of Western states is a good sign of these countries’ double standard policies as well as the confusion of big powers, he said.

Iran is the victim of terrorism and therefore it is ready to take part in any campaign against this evil phenomenon, Rafsanjani said, adding that Iran expects the global powers to harmonize their deeds and words in dealing with such issues.

The Slovak foreign minister, for his part, briefed Rafsanjani on the current economic status of the European Union and said his country has been affected by EU economic problems.

Slovakia is ready to broaden economic, political, cultural and social relations with Iran, he said.

“Peaceful use of nuclear energy is among legitimate rights of all nations and we are happy to witness that Iran has chosen the path of negotiations to resolve the country’s nuclear issue,” he said.

Expressing concern about the issue of terrorism, he said to deal with this menace it is necessary to form an international coalition and since Iran has invaluable experiences and necessary facilities in this regard, the presence of the country in such a coalition can be very effective.

The best way to resolve Iran’s nuclear issue is to prevent it from being politicized and instead focus on technical issues, he said.

Most famous Iranian folkloric ensemble to stage charity concerts

Emad Askarieh

September 17, 2014

Holding charity concerts for patients or for those in need is partly rooted in Iranian culture. In the past, ceremonies would be held at the traditional equivalent of modern-day gyms where wealthy people and athletes would raise money for people in need.

There are many families who are grappling with hard-to-treat diseases. Although they may not be classified as poor, they cannot afford the high costs of treatment. Organization of such concerts can help families handle their problems more easily.

A Tuesday edition of Iran newspaper reported that the Kamkars [a Kurdish family of seven brothers and a sister and the leading musical ensemble in Iran] are to stage benefit concerts for MS and cancer patients in two cities.

Ardavan Kamkar, one of the seven male members of the group, said the band will first travel to Sanandaj, their home town in western Iran, to stage a concert for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. “Then we’ll have a European tour which will take us to France, Belgium and Sweden for concerts.”

“Upon return from those three countries,” he said, “we’ll stage a concert in Tehran. The proceeds of that concert will go to Mahak, a society that supports children with cancer.”

Iranian nomads get together for an annual festival

Emad Askarieh

September 17, 2014

Chadegan – a city in Western Isfahan Province – has recently played host to the 4th Iranian Nomad Festival. The event brought together 23 teams from across the nation to compete with each other in sporting and cultural events. The colorful photos below speak more: