Eleven companies or individuals from China, North Korea or the United Arab Emirates were sanctioned for technology transfers that could boost Tehran’s ballistic missile program, the State Department said in a statement quoted by Reuters.
Nineteen entities or individuals were sanctioned for other violations under the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act, it said. They have allegedly transferred or acquired ‘sensitive technology’ that could contribute to development of weapons of mass destruction.
The United Nations Human Rights Council extended the mandate of the special rapporteur on Iran for the seventh consecutive year despite the lack of endorsement by the majority of member states and through mere reliance on the vote of a “certain political bloc” and its few allies in the region who are clearly violators of human rights at regional and international levels, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Friday.
The Human Rights Council on Friday decided to extend the mandate of the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran for a further period of one year in a resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran, adopted by a vote of 22 in favor, 12 against and 13 abstentions.
Qassemi said such a “confrontational policy and destructive and failed approach” is pursued through the “exertion of pressure on other countries to support these selective and spiteful resolutions by taking advantage of various political and economic levers” and will regrettably undermine the credibility of the UN human rights mechanisms.
It would also discredit countries that seek to tarnish the image of independent countries, including Iran, which refuses to follow the neocolonialist policies of certain Western states, he added.
Such countries also want to cover up their human rights violations, crimes against humanity and brutal killings in the region and across the world, he emphasized.
“In the eyes of the Islamic Republic of Iran and most of the Human Rights Council’s member countries which did not support this resolution at various levels, this resolution lacks necessity, legal validity and professional support,” the Iranian spokesperson said.
He added that a human rights rapporteur with such meager support and justification cannot be expected to carry out their mission while observing the principles of independence, fairness and impartiality.
Qassemi said Iran has always proved in deeds and words its “resolve and interest [to engage in] dialog and constructive and purposeful cooperation” focused on the genuine promotion of human rights through legitimate international human rights mechanism.
He stressed the importance of monitoring human rights issues in all countries through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism which is based on universality and equality as well as abstention from discriminatory, selective, political and double-standard policies.
The Iranian spokesman emphasized that the Islamic Republic attaches importance to promoting this mechanism, which he described as the closest international structure to justice in reviewing human rights issues in all countries.
Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Rouhani will leave Tehran for Moscow on Monday to hold talks with Putin and other senior officials of the country, Iranian president’s deputy chief of staff for communications and information, Parviz Esmaeili, said on Friday.
He added that the sides would discuss leading bilateral, regional and international issues.
He noted that Iranian and Russian officials would sign agreements to bolster cooperation in legal and judicial sectors, roads and urban development, technology and communications, energy and sports.
Esmaeili said Iranian entrepreneurs and tradespeople would also hold negotiations with their Russian counterparts and sign deals to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ private sectors.
Pointing to prominent positions of Iran and Russia in the region and the world, the official said the continuation and development of mutual relations, the ways to promote regional stability and security and the fight against terrorism would be among the main topics on the agenda of the talks.
Rouhani and Putin have held eight meetings over the past four years. Tehran and Moscow enjoy strategic relations with senior delegations of the two countries regularly exchanging visits.
The two presidents have also held several phone conversations and discussed the avenues for the continuation of bilateral cooperation on the crisis in Syria and the fight against international terrorism.
Russia has been carrying out an aerial campaign against militants in Syria, including formerly in Aleppo, on a request from the Syrian government. Iran, too, has been offering Damascus advisory military help.
The Sheikh-Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan’s Naqsh-e-Jahan Square
Two tourists are seen in the picture standing in Ali-Qapu Palace and looking at the Imam Mosque. The Sheikh-Lotfollah Mosque is across form them.
Iran has turned into one of the world’s top three tourist hubs in recent years, and is a serious rival to countries such as Egypt and Turkey in the Middle East and other countries around the world.
Scenic beauty, historical monuments, Iranian food, handicrafts and Iranians’ hospitality are among the attractions which draw tourists to Iran. What you are going to read below is a compilation of tourists’ accounts of their trips to Iran, as reported in a Farsi report by Sarzamin-e Man (literally My Land) magazine:
Why Travel to Iran?
Angela Corrias, a tourist, travelled to Iran in 2014. She writes for the website chasingtheunexpected.com. Angela mentions 10 reasons for her trip to Iran. According to her, if one is travelling to Iran to buy spices or visit its architecture, he or she may give it a second thought as they could buy spices in India or visit historical monuments in Rome as well. But, as she writes, only in Iran can you experience them all together: A mixture of ancient history, tasty food, colourful spices and mud-brick village houses. She urges travellers to book their plane tickets to Iran as soon as possible and not miss the opportunity to experience the wonderful journey. She describes Iran as a country with the hottest deserts in the world, snowfall-prone mountain slopes, towering skyscrapers in the capital, a wildlife refuge for the Iranian cheetah, pristine shores and mountains which are home to goats.
Shiraz and its legendary Persepolis, a must-see destination for tourists visiting Iran. The picture shows a tourist watching a famous statue.
Iran is Safe to Travel to
According to Corrias, the first reason why tourists visit Iran is that it is a safe country. She writes the pre-requisite to tourism is safety. She believes Iran is one of the best destinations for female tourists travelling alone. She also says there are more educated women in Iran than in Mediterranean and North African countries.
“If you ask why you should travel to Iran the first chance you get, I would say you’d better go to Iran before large crowds of tourists flock to the country. Iran was the destination of many tourists in 2014, and according to tourism officials, the country is turning into one of the most popular tourist spots in the world. In a few years’ time, the country will be brimming with tourists. Another reason for travelling to Iran is its ancient history. Add to it the Iranian architecture and handicrafts. Each city, region or village in Iran has its own handicrafts. When you return home from Iran, you can take with you a load of interesting souvenirs.”
Iran’s Culinary Delights
The Iranian cuisine alone can be a motivation for travellers to visit Iran. Jennifer Clinique, another tourist, came to Iran to get familiar with the Iranian cuisine. Later, she wrote a book about Iranian foods. She began her tour with the city of Yazd and then tried different kinds of food in different Iranian cities. She also got familiar with the ingredients and instructions to cook different kinds of food. She says Iranian foods are not as well-known as Chinese, Indian and Italian ones, but they are extraordinary and extremely delicious foods. What makes the Iranian cuisine unique are tasty herbs and vegetables, aromatic spices such as saffron and cinnamon, and fresh or dried fruit like the pomegranate and dried apricots, according to her.
She recommends tourists try gourmet Iranian food while staying in the country, foods such as kebab, different types of stew, kofta and broth as well as different kinds of dessert, drinks and sweet.
Shiraz and its legendary Persepolis, a must-see destination for tourists visiting Iran. The picture shows a tourist watching a famous statue.
Hospitable Hosts
According to Corrias, another key reason behind tourists’ enthusiasm to visit Iran is the hospitality of Iranians. She says local residents and local tour guides welcome you with open arms and take you on a tour of picturesque spots.
Historical Monuments
A CNN journalist who travelled to Iran says among other factors which draw visitors to Iran is the country’s cuisine, ancient history, architecture and art. According to the journalist, Iran is one of the most ancient countries in the world which has been home to different ethnic groups since 4,000 years ago, and is one of the first countries where urbanism took shape. The journalist says those who haven’t travelled to Iran long to see the Persepolis.
According to CNN, these are the top five tourist attractions in Iran: The historical Bekhradi house in Isfahan, the Soltaniyeh Dome in Zanjan, the Laleh-Kandowan Hotel carved into rock, the Toghrol Tower, and the Naderi café where drinking a cup of coffee can bring back memories of Old Tehran. The café was the rendezvous for Iranian authors and intellectuals for several decades. Of course, the beauties of Iran are not limited to its major cities. Many tourists speak of the scenic beauty and attractions of small towns as well.
The unrivalled Soltaniyeh Dome. The brick structure is decorated with turquoise-coloured tiles. It is one of the biggest domes in the world. The dome of the Florence Church was modelled after the Soltaniyeh Dome during the Middle Ages.
Adventurism in the Capital
The CNN correspondent believes even touring the congested streets of Tehran on a motorcycle, or smoking the hubble-bubble, is among the most fantastic experiences that one can have in Iran. The journalist has experienced riding pillion in Tehran and describes it as very exciting as motorcyclists go through narrow alleys very fast, which gives one an adrenaline rush.
Fatemeh Zolqadr, a senior female member of the Iranian Parliament, invited all competent women in the country to run for the upcoming local elections in May.
“We all believe that our cities and villages are like our homes. Women are clearly more than men aware of what is going on at home,” Zolqadr said, according to a Farsi report by ICANA.
Therefore, she added, women are required to have a stronger presence in the local elections so as to organize our cities and villages.
“This way, the thoughts and capabilities of women can also be used in the governance of cities and villages,” Zolqadr added.
The total number of seats in the city and village councils of Iran was declared by Iran’s interior minister to be nearly 200,000.
Alireza Razm-Hosseini, the governor general of Iran’s southern province of Kerman, told the domestic media that the project – which involved digging a tunnel – was being implemented by Khatam-ul-Anbia Construction Headquarters (KACH) since December 2015.
Razm-Hosseini emphasized that that the government of President Hassan Rouhani had allocated the required funds for the project – already described as the biggest water transfer project in the Middle East.
He told a meeting held to evaluate the progress of the project – in which Iran’s First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri was also present – that addressing the water crisis in Kerman was a key concern of the government, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.
Razm-Hosseini said that water would be desalinated at an entry point in Iran’s shores before being transferred inland.
He further described Kerman as one of the most arid provinces of Iran with an average rainfall of only about 129 millimeters per year and an annual water shortage level of 800 million cubic meters.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the official said that Kerman mostly used water from underground resources for irrigation – what he said already was a serious threat to the province’s environment.
Razm-Hosseini said the depletion of underground water resources had already led to the evacuation of many villages.
He added that the government had devised serious plans to prevent further depletion of underground water resources by encouraging growing agricultural products that consume less water such as saffron and barberry. Razm-Hosseini also emphasized that irrigation methods of wheat and corn farms in Kerman had also been renovated to increase efficiency.
Iran’s Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian had earlier announced that Iran is in a critical situation in terms of its water resources.
To the same effect, Iran’s Energy Ministry – which is in charge of regulating the water sector – had earlier warned that above 500 cities of the country are struggling with the shortage of drinking water.
Officials blame Iran’s water crisis on the changing climate and frequent droughts. However, they have also warned that reckless consumption is already deteriorating the situation.
A fascinating photo of all Iranian MPs, recently posted on the Telegram channel of the Iranian Parliament’s news agency, seeks to convey a number of implicit messages, such as the central role played by women in the Majlis’ current term, as it shows a purposeful and intelligent arrangement of the portraits of the parliamentarians.
According to a report by IFP, the photo shows the portraits of all MPs currently serving in the Iranian Parliament arranged in 17 columns and 17 rows. Interestingly, 17 women have won the Iranian Parliament’s seats in the present term, a figure equal to the number of the portraits in each column and row and the divisor of the total number.
In addition, female MPs’ row is positioned almost at the centre of the picture, from top to bottom, which can be perceived as an effort to show the central role they play in the Iranian Parliament.
Although the number of female MPs in the 10th term of the Parliament is still quite low, in proportion to that of male lawmakers, one shall hardly fail to notice their significant role.
The 10th Parliament, which is responsible to oversee the performance of the government, has the highest number of women in its line-up compared to its former terms after the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Although these female parliamentarians mostly have reformist inclinations, conservative members of the Parliament, regardless of the gender-related issues, still maintain a decisive role in the Majlis despite the increased number of MPs from the other party in the present term compared to previous stints. The contest for the parliamentary seats in Iran was last held in late February 2016, and a run-off election in May will show if more women can enter the Parliament.
In the match held at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Mehdi Taremi scored the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute after receiving a long ball from Karim Ansarifard.
The result extends Iran’s lead in Group A to four points with 14 from its six games to date. Qatar sits bottom of the group with four points.
Earlier in the day, South Korea lost to China 1-0 and Syria edged past Uzbekistan 1-0.
Iran football team will host China on March 28 in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium and it seems a victory over Marcello Lippi’s men will guarantee a spot for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“Let’s celebrate Spring’s renewal by renewing hope for children in Syria & Yemen. Let’s all join the WAVE: World Against Violence & Extremism,” Zarif said in a video message posted on his official Twitter account on Wednesday.
He added, “Our common threat today is the growing menace of violent extremism and outright barbarism. Iran was the first to rise to the challenge and propose to make confronting this threat a global priority…”.
Stressing that Iran has long been in the forefront in the fight against extremism, Zarif said, “To deal with this new challenge, new approaches are badly needed”.
Over the past six years, Syria has been fighting foreign-sponsored militancy. UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimated in August that more than 400,000 people had been killed in the Syrian crisis until then. The UN has stopped its official casualty count in Syria, citing its inability to verify the figures it receives from various sources.
Also, since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and some of its Arab allies have been launching deadly airstrikes against the Houthi Ansarullah movement in an attempt to restore power to the fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh. At least 11,000 Yemenis, including women and children, have lost their lives in the deadly military campaign.
In a statement released on Thursday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi deplored such terrorist attacks as “inhumane” and offered his deep condolences to the British people as well as the bereaved families of victims.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a leading country at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, believes that as long as ineffective and inefficient anti-terror coalitions operate at international and regional levels and western countries adopt double-standard policies to combat this spiteful and inhumane phenomenon, no country can consider itself immune from terrorism and terrorists,” he said.
The Iranian spokesman stressed that “terrorism knows no borders and geography” and that to “dry up the roots” of this evil phenomenon, the supply of arms and funds by certain countries to the terrorists must be cut off.
On Wednesday, five people were killed and about 40 injured in London after a car plowed into pedestrians and an attacker stabbed a policeman close to Britain’s parliament.
The dead, in what police called a “marauding terrorist attack,” included the assailant and the policeman he stabbed. The other three victims were among those hit by the car as it sped across Westminster Bridge before crashing into railings just outside parliament.
British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the attack as “sick and depraved”.
“The location of this attack was no accident,” she said in a statement outside her 10 Downing Street office late in the evening.
