Netanyahu Appreciates British PM’s “Warm Welcome”!

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February 8, 2017

According to a report by IFP, before his formal meeting with May, the Israeli PM had to wait for a 20 seconds as the door to the official residence of the British Prime Minister, the 10 Downing Street, was not opened.

Netanyahu was clicked clasping his hands behind his back and rocking on the balls of his feet, as he waited for Theresa May to come out.

10 Downing Street cannot be opened from the outside but only from the inside. From behind the door, a policeman keeps watch over an array of CCTV cameras that show the whole street outside, for security purposes.

In reaction to the humiliating move by London, Netanyahu said in a post in his Twitter account, “UK PM Theresay May — Thank you for your warm welcome. It reflects the strength of the partnership between Israel and Britain!”

His use of exclamation mark clearly shows how much he was disturbed by May’s move, which does not have a good meaning in diplomatic formalities.

Free Legal Advice in Tehran Subway

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 8, 2017

Hamidreza Batou, the Iranian Judiciary’s general director for legal and juridical culture affairs, declared that legal advisors offer free services in Tehran subway during the Ten Days of Fajr, the days when people celebrate the anniversary of the victory of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution from January 31 to February 9.

“80 lawyers give people free legal advice in 15 subway stations and 22 cultural centres of Tehran,” he said. “They are available every day until February 9 from 14 pm to 17 pm,” he said, according to a Farsi report by Fars News.

Mentioning that this plan is being carried out for the second year, Batou noted, “The counsellors will also give free advice during the February 10 rallies.”

He also announced that the “each mosque, a lawyer” plan is to be implemented soon to raise awareness about legal matters.

Iran’s Agriculture Sector More Appealing than Turkey’s: Foreign Financiers

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 7, 2017

Iran and Turkey are among the lucrative investment options always available to foreign companies seeking partners in the Middle East.

In the past few years, the latter had overtaken the former in terms of absorbing foreign funds due to a host of reasons, including greater political and economic stability as well as absence of international sanctions.

At present, however, there appears to be a shift in the direction of foreign funds towards Iran with a large number of investors targeting the country’s agriculture sector.

A number of reasons account for this growing interest in the Iranian market, including the removal of Western sanctions on Tehran, signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with the P5+1, latest developments and crises in Turkey as well as the Iranian market becoming more open and welcoming to foreigners.

In a Farsi report, Jame Jam news website has sought the opinion of a number of foreign investors about the advantages of Iran’s market and the reasons why the country’s agriculture sector is currently a more suitable place for investment, compared to that of Turkey.

The report said while the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran has reduced the tariff for the import of a number of Turkish products, many foreign investors maintain that, given the present disorders in the country, Iran is a more attractive destination.

500 Million Customers in Iran and Neighbouring States

Commenting on the investment advantages of Iran, a Finnish producer of gardening equipment, who has recently visited Iran, said Iran offers almost everything that international companies and capital owners have always yearned for and sought in their worldwide search for lucrative investment targets: Favourable condition and economic stability.

He stressed, “We have been observing Iran’s market for the past two years and have analysed those investment advantages of the country that is related to our economic activities. We have, finally, come to this conclusion that the country’s agriculture sector currently offers a golden investment opportunity.”

The Finnish producer maintained that economic and political stability coupled with heightened security are among the acceptable advantages Iran offers to foreign funders.

“Iran’s special benefits in addition to the highly susceptible markets located in the proximity of the country as well as the opportunity it provides foreign companies with for sending their products to other regional states are all extremely attractive for foreign investors. According to our research studies, there is a 500-million strong market in Iran’s proximity which can be used optimally.”

Greater Investment Advantages

Expounding on Iran’s investment opportunities, a Canadian investor, said the country is presented by international media as an unsuitable investment target and closed market, adding, whereas, the truth about the country is in sharp contrast with the [West’s] propaganda.

“That is why foreign companies are faced with a much different world, from what they had been presented with, once they arrive in the country.

“We have been present in Iran’s market for the past seven years and precisely know about the country’s investment needs and advantages. Iran provides foreign financiers with a host of opportunities, particularly in its agriculture sector, which can benefit both the country [itself] and the whole region,” he added.

He said Iran is currently among the most attractive investment targets among the regional states, for it is extremely stable and secure and offers a large number of natural as well as economic advantages.

“Compared to that of Turkey, Iran’s agro sector offers a larger number of special advantages to foreign investors, as in addition to its more suitable climate, it has greater expertise in the field of agriculture. Among the country’s best investment options are production of pistachio, saffron and pomegranate.”

Enormous Potentials

Elaborating on the same issue, an Indian financier said Iran and Turkey have more or less the same climate in their agricultural regions.

“We have carried out comprehensive and detailed studies on both regions, and have concluded that in Turkey, only Antalya and Izmir enjoy suitable potentials for investment and have witnessed a turnover of $400 million. Whereas, Iran has an investment capacity almost 10 times larger than that of Turkey.”

He stressed that geography-wise, Iran comprises 31 provinces, of which 20 are highly suitable for agro sector investment.

The Indian investor said his company’s trade balance with Iran stands at $300 million, adding, given its advantages and potentials, Iran’s domestic market is rapidly expanding.

“I expect that the figure multiplies in the near future. Iranian market’s expertise and capabilities are the main factors tempting foreign producers of agricultural inputs to start joint production and expand cooperation.”

Iran’s Missile Test Not a Breach of UNSC Resolution

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 7, 2017

Over the past few days, the US has been trying to increase pressure on Iran by complaining that the Islamic Republic’s recent missile tests have violated the UNSC Resolution 2231. But is that really the case?

This is while, a careful look at the UNSC Resolution indicates that Iran has definitely not breached any of the resolution’s terms and conditions.

According to a Farsi report by Tabnak news website, the US complaint about Iran’s recent missile test mainly arises from Washington’s concern that whether the missile was capable of carrying nuclear warhead or not.

While Iran’s answer to this concern is definitely “no”, the response given by the White House officials [and of course Israel] is “maybe”.

Iranian Defence Minister confirmed on February 1 that the country had test-fired a new ballistic missile, but also made it clear that the missile test-launches do not pose a threat to any country in the region and are solely conducted to bolster Iran’s defence capabilities and protect its regional allies.

Apparently, US President Donald Trump is looking for an excuse to adopt a hostile and violent approach towards Iran by using a distorted interpretation of the UNSC Resolution.

It is crystal clear that the US is absolutely indifferent to the fact that Iran’s missile program and ballistic missile tests are, in no way, related to the July 2015 nuclear accord, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed between Iran and P5+1.

The commotion and tumult caused by the Trump administration over Iran’s missile program only pertains to a distorted interpretation of the UNSC Resolution 2231 which was approved by Iran and the sextet on July 20, 2015, and then signed by them. It is clearly stipulated in the resolution that, as per its content, the UN restrictions imposed earlier on Iran will be lifted entirely and all the previous resolutions will be rejected.

What Trump is using as a pretext to exert pressure on Iran, is, nevertheless, related to a sentence of the resolution prohibiting Iran from carrying out any activity in relation to ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warhead, particularly testing missiles equipped with ballistic technology.

This sentence [of the resolution] is, however, not available on the UN’s official website, but stipulated in the page 99 of the 104-page official document of the Resolution 2231, in the appendix section.

Of the utmost importance is that the agreement, by no means, prohibits Iran from developing conventional weapons or carrying out missile tests. The resolution only requires Iran to refrain from developing and designing missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons. It has not even clearly and precisely banned Iran from developing or designing such technologies.

The phrase “Call Upon” has been precisely and carefully selected to be used in the resolution, as none of the signatories to the JCPOA consented to clearly ban such activities by Iran. In addition, under the terms and conditions of the resolution, there is no explicit and clear instruction for punishing Iran in case of its failure to comply with the conditions.

All nuclear inspectors and experts acknowledge that Iran has never had nuclear weapons and does not plan to build one. Perhaps, as always practiced by the US Congress radicals, the Trump administration is striving to find an excuse to provoke and express hostility towards Iran.

Even the most optimistic observers would agree that Trump’s new round of sanctions against Iran would fail to prove effective. Similar restrictions [by Washington against Tehran] have always been in place. Even the former US president, Barack Obama, had imposed such embargoes against the country. Iran does not view US new restrictions as a harsh punishment.

Iran Strongly Denounces Israeli Bill to Build New Settlements

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IFP Media Wire

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February 7, 2017

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Tuesday slammed the Tel Aviv regime’s settlement activities as a “serious obstacle to security and stability” in the region, saying such policies violate Palestine’s right to decide its fate under the international law.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran once again calls on the international community to take practical and immediate steps in support of the Palestinians’ legitimate demands and… in rejection of the Zionist regime’s expansionist policies,” he added.

Qassemi said such Israeli policies, which run counter to the UN resolutions, would only aggravate the situation and add to instability in the region.

His comments came after the so-called “Regularization Law” passed the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in a 60-52 vote on Monday.

Many of the housing units are located in outposts, the term for small, unsanctioned communities that have sprung up in the West Bank over the last 20 years. Unlike settlements, they are not recognized or authorized by Israel even though many are close to existing settlements.

The vote follows Israel’s announcement last week that it plans to build a new settlement in the West Bank, despite a UN Security Council resolution in December condemning Israeli settlement construction.

They Are Saudis, Let Them in! (Cartoon)

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 7, 2017

According to a report by IFP, the new work by Sean Delonas, the well-known American cartoonist, about Trump visa ban for seven countries has been widely welcomed by media outlets and social media users.

The cartoon shows a US Customs and Border Protection officer who prevents a Saudi family with bombs and arms from passing through, while his colleagues reminds him that the US law is okay with Saudis and only prohibits the entrance of seven countries’ citizens: Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq and Libya.

Delonas has used smart symbols in depicting “The Saudi family”: the father looks like a Wahhabi with coarse facial features who is carrying explosive devices. Behind him, we see the mother with an explosive belt and a pink knitted hat as the symbol of anti-Trump women’s movement.

The couple’s baby is in the mother’s arms, wearing a T-shirt with the ISIS flag image. Finally the senior child is pictured as a symbol of such terrorist groups as Al-Qaeda, which have been supported by Saudi Arabia and its allies for years.

Finally, there is no answer to the questions raised by Delonas, as well as the American and international public opinion, though: while pretending to fight against terrorism, why does Washington not only refuse to sever its ties with the main known state-sponsors of terrorism, but also show willingness to extend its economic relations with them?

Iran Ready to Respond to Any Violation of Nuclear Deal

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 7, 2017

The implementation of the JCPOA has entered its second year at a time when concerns have emerged sooner than expected over Donald Trump taking power as the US president and his executive order banning the nationals of seven countries from travelling to America as well as the extension of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) and imposition of sanctions on several Iranian and Iran-linked companies.

In a Farsi interview with ISNA, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi expressed his views on whether or not the latest developments would affect the implementation of the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Here are excerpts from his remarks in the interview:

The financial institutions of some countries, especially the US, are not contributing to the implementation of the JCPOA, nor are they doing enough to remove obstacles on the way of confidence-building. Under the JCPOA, the US and other countries have undertaken to implement the deal in good faith. But Washington has proven time and again that it is not doing so.

Iran prepared for every eventuality, whether or not JCPOA implemented

If the new US administration or any other government does not live up to its commitments, Iran knows what to do. Of course, Tehran would like to see the JCPOA implemented well and successfully, and is not seeking to dismantle the deal. Nevertheless, Iran has envisioned plans in case the implementation of the nuclear deal is jeopardized.

Iran has deterrent potentialities and capabilities

If the nuclear deal is breached one way or another, Iran will show appropriate reaction and the JCPOA Implementation Monitoring Committee will make decisions accordingly. You may rest assured that the other parties to the JCPOA (P5+1 group) are well familiar with our capabilities and potential, and will not violate the agreement if they are wise enough.

Major European banks and certain countries not ready yet

Iran is working with many small and medium-sized banks from different countries. The Central Bank of Iran has accounts in many countries and very good relations have been established. But there are a few problems. Some major European banks as well as certain other countries are not yet prepared to work with Iran. Not that there are no relations, but the point is when it comes to practical steps, they act cautiously due to different reasons, namely fear of being subjected to US financial penalties, inconsistency between the international financial system and that of Iran, especially the regulations which have come into force over the past ten years.

No request, so far, to buy dual-purpose materials

So far, we have received no request to purchase dual-purpose goods which can have military applications as well. Orders placed for goods could be affected by problems in Iran-P5+1 ties, or in relations between Tehran and one of P5+1 members. The reason is members of the working group tasked with buying the commodities might oppose the purchase. But provisions have been envisioned in the JCPOA to handle such issues as well.

JCPOA benefited US, other P5+1 members as well as Iran

President Hassan Rouhani said recently that the JCPOA was the result of negotiations in which both sides had a feeling that a mutual agreement would serve the interests of both sides. Otherwise, no deal would have been reached. By this, the president meant the US and other P5+1 members as well as Iran benefited from the JCPOA.

Conservative Journalist Regrets that Trump Won’t Scrap Nuclear Deal!

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 7, 2017

In a Farsi interview with Fars News on Tuesday, Shariatmadari, the editor-in-chief of conservative newspaper Kayhan, said US President Donald Trump didn’t know what concessions the nuclear deal has given to the US and had thus promised during his campaign to rip apart the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

However, he added, now Trump has come to his senses and realized his predecessors have tricked Tehran into signing the deal.

“Therefore, not only is he no longer going to scrap the deal, but also has voiced his all-out support for it,” he added.

Such behaviours are typical of Trump, Shariatmadari said.

“Yesterday, Michael Pregent, a senior expert at Hudson Institute and a member of Trump’s campaign team, noted that Trump was not able to distinguish between Iraq’s Sulaimaniya and Iranian General Qassem Soleimani!” he said.

The Iranian journalist had earlier reacted to Trump’s pre-election remarks about JCPOA that “scrapping the nuclear deal is the best thing this insane man can do. It will bring lots of blessings for Iran.”

Renowned Iranian Artist Holds Painting Workshop for Child Labourers

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 7, 2017

Derambakhsh, who has received several international awards, held the workshop for child labourers in cooperation with Abbas Mashhadizadeh, an Iranian sculptor, in Goftegoo [Dialogue] Park in southern Tehran.

According to a report by IFP, Derambakhsh said in a post in his Telegram channel that he “had a beautiful and amazing cooperation with labour angels.”

Here are photos of the workshop:

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Desert Tourism Gathering in Loot, Southeastern Iran

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 7, 2017

These days, desert tourists from around the world have gathered to travel around Dasht-e-Loot, one of the world’s driest and hottest deserts located in southeastern provinces of Iran.

Here you can see Tasnim’s photos of this event:

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