149 Tonnes of Natural Uranium Imported to Iran: Official

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February 6, 2017

“Simultaneously with the execution of the JCPOA and over the last year we have imported around 210 tons of uranium into the country,” the Fars News Agency quoted Ali Akbar Salehi as saying on Sunday.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council — the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China — plus Germany started implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on January 16, 2016.

Salehi noted that the shipment would bring the amount of “yellow cake” imported after the landmark nuclear deal to 359 tons, which increases Iran’s stockpile by 60 percent.

Under the agreement, Iran accepted to put limitations on its program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.

In accordance to the JCPOA, Iran can sell its enriched uranium material — called UF6 — and buy natural uranium or yellow cake in return.

Iran’s purchasing of natural uranium is monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Nordstrom to Stop Selling Ivanka Trump-Branded Clothing and Shoes

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 6, 2017

Nordstrom’s decision to drop Ivanka’s products followed a weeks-long boycott campaign, organized by an anti-Trump activist group called “Grab Your Wallet.” The group demanded the department-store giant cease doing business with the president or his family.

In a statement, the Nordstrom representative said that Ivanka Trump products were being dropped because of poor sales.

However, Ivanka Trump brand disputed Nordstrom’s claim that it dropped the brand’s products from its stores “based on performance.”

“Nordstrom ordered both apparel and shoes for the spring, and followed through with the orders on the apparel,” a spokesperson for Ivanka Trump’s brand said, adding, “They cancelled the shoe order, kept the apparel order and moved the apparel from online into stores. It’s there.”

Trump’s Visa Ban Once Again Puts Iran in ‘Axis of Evil’

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 6, 2017

Here is the full text of a Farsi article by Kobra Asoopar in Iranian daily newspaper Javan about the way opponents of Trump are taking advantage of his executive order to ban the citizens of seven majority-Muslim states from entering the US:

Trump wants to make good on his campaign promises only days after he took office. Getting tough on migrants was part of his high-profile campaign pledges, and has now materialized after Trump issued an executive order imposing visa bans on the nationals of seven countries. The order turned into a binding document after the president signed it, and triggered chaos in the airports of many countries, including the US itself.

Iranians traveling via airports in such countries as Turkey, Qatar, and the like were not allowed to get on board US-bound flights. Iranians who reside in the United States but have left the country for whatever reason could not return to the US.

On the surface, these problems constitute the whole story, but the main issue is something else, which we will discuss below.

These days, through media outlets and social networks, folks in Iran passionately follow and share news pertaining to American people’s opposition to Trump’s executive order; this is an obvious mistake. This is the second point we will discuss in this article.

Iran once again dubbed axis of evil!

Getting a US visa is not the most important concern for Iranian people. Back in October 2013, one of the Iranian reformist newspapers carried a headline suggesting President Hassan Rouhani had ordered the establishment of a direct air route between Iran and the United States. The headline was so irrelevant that it would have the audience privy to Iran-US ties laugh hysterically.

Now, fast-forward to today, focusing too much on the problems created for Iranians travelling to the US can divert our attention from the main issue.

If the problem were only the travel restrictions imposed on Iranian artists, sportsmen or expatriates living in the US, the issue might be settled through lobbying and the visa ban might be lifted for certain individuals. However, the main issue is something else. Even if Trump annuls his executive order right now, that issue will remain unresolved.

The main issue is the picture painted of Iran around the world by Trump’s executive order which puts the country alongside war-battered nations such as Somalia, Sudan, Libya, etc. US officials must know well that Iran has not sent terrorists to that country, must know well that Iran is not a war-torn and disorderly country, must know well that Iranian expats in the US will do the White House no harm, if no good. Then why have they put Iran on the list of countries which might pose a danger to the US?

The Iranophobia Ploy

There is a political game known as “Iranophobia” which has been around for years. It seeks to create the impression around the world that Iran is on a par with those battle-scarred nations. Moreover, Iranophobia does not draw a line between Iranian Muslims and Salafi and Takfiri Muslims and terrorists. The point is Iran has been dubbed an axis of evil and terrorism in the eleventh administration (led by President Hassan Rouhani) like it was in the seventh and eighth administrations (led by then President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami).

Terrorists in Saudi Arabia and parts of Syria and Iraq are sponsored by the US government. And even if the issue of visa ban on Iranians travelling to the US is settled today, the image they have created of Iran is here to stay. Former US President George W. Bush painted an “axis of evil” picture of Iran, which remained. Likewise, Trump is creating the impression that Iran is a dangerous and disorganized country which breeds terrorists. If we do not counter attempts aimed at painting such a picture of Iran, that image will remain in memories. In 2001, Iran was grouped together with North Korea and Iraq as an “axis of evil,” and now in 2017, is mentioned along Somalia, Libya, Sudan and other countries which might pose a threat to the US.

Don’t get infatuated with Americans’ opposition to Trump!

Photos of Muslims saying prayers at a US airport despite objection by the police are being shared on social media networks. Images of popular protests in American airports, streets and universities against Trump’s executive order are going viral as well. With these photos, shall we begin to wonder what human-loving people Americans are, or how extensive their opposition to Trump’s decisions is? The reality is those opposing Trump’s orders are in the minority, no matter how many they are. American people are the ones who voted for Trump and made him president despite his irrational and racist policies on immigrants, particularly Muslims. PR-wise and politically speaking, it may seem the right thing to make a distinction between governments and nations, but it should not serve as a base for decision-making. Trump has not come from Mars; American people have elected him.

On the one hand, Americans tend to advocate freedom of expression and opinion, from Sunnis saying prayers at an American airport to choosing one’s sex partner to homosexuality. Therefore, one cannot get surprised at their support for Muslims praying at an airport. Even if a bunch of gays had been confronted by police, again American people would have defended them against police opposition.

US under Trump is the other side of US under Obama

Another important point to be taken into account by Iranians is that it seems that opposition to Washington’s visa ban on Iranians has turned into a pretext for Americans to settle old scores with the US establishment. American people seem to be using this opposition to make their presence felt and lash out at Trump. They just want to oppose Trump, no matter what he does. In fact, they are not on Iran’s side, but simply want to express their opposition to Trump. We shouldn’t welcome Americans’ using Iran as an excuse to settle their own political scores!

Opponents of Trump are those who preferred Democrat Hillary Clinton to be elected to the White House. They want to create the impression that during the rule of Barack Obama, also a Democrat, the US favoured engagement with the world and was a lenient and wise country while the US under Trump is violent and unwise. But this is far from reality. The very same opponents of Trump were the supporters of Obama whose policies gave rise to ISIS. Tough sanctions against Iran, plans to promote Iranophobia and Islamophobia, a visa ban on those who had travelled to Iran, etc, are the legacy of Obama’s presidency. The US has not changed and we should not be impressed by Americans’ opposition to Trump. Even if Clinton were elected president, as Trump’s opponents desired, still tougher sanctions would be slapped on Iran, but they would be soft enough to hit Iran hard without Iranians noticing where the blow came from!

The US under Trump is the same America that Barack Obama and Bill Clinton built; it is only a little more brazen and more vociferous. We shouldn’t fall for the mask worn by opponents of Trump. That is why Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei openly announced that neither of the two US parties (Republicans and Democrats) is competent enough to express their views about Iran.

“Neither the party which is in power in the US today, nor the rival party which ruled the country in the previous administration, are morally competent, because both parties have committed numerous crimes.”

The Leader said the biggest sin committed by the party supporting the current US administration is the “creation of dangerous terrorist networks.”

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed, “The current US administration ostensibly takes a swipe at a terrorist group, but spares another terrorist group, which means politics is dominating ethics.”

The previous US administration is also to blame for the crimes and atrocities committed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Millions of innocent people were killed in those countries; even thousands of Iraqi scientists were identified by the criminal Blackwater group and killed. So, neither political party in the US takes precedence over the other as far as moral principles are concerned. These are the administrations which are in power in the United States, and it is wrong to believe we can reach understanding and common ground through dialog.

Iran Ready to Work with EU in Fight against Terror: President

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 6, 2017

In a Sunday meeting with the new Portuguese ambassador to Tehran, President Rouhani warned that terrorism threatens all countries across the world.

“The campaigns against terrorism and extremism as well as the threats [they pose] to the world, require collective cooperation among countries and Iran is ready to expand its cooperation with the European Union in this regard,” Rouhani pointed out.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he stressed the importance of improving the Islamic Republic’s cooperation with European Union member countries, including Portugal.

“There is no obstacle to further strengthening and developing Tehran-Lisbon relations,” Rouhani said.

He added that Iran and Portugal have great potential to bolster cooperation not only in political and economic fields but also in the cultural, scientific, technological and academic sectors, Press TV reported.

Iran’s chief executive urged Portugal to enhance its cooperation with the Islamic Republic in banking and insurance sectors by making use of opportunities created after the landmark nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), between Tehran and the P5+1 group of countries in July 2015.

During the meeting, the Portuguese envoy Joao Corte Real submitted his credentials to President Rouhani, and expressed his country’s firm determination to enhance ties with Iran in all fields.

He added that the JCPOA created great opportunities for Portugal and many other countries to strengthen cooperation with Iran, urging Tehran and Lisbon to use such opportunities.

President Rouhani Calls for Promotion of Ties with Brazil and Kyrgyzstan

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 6, 2017

According to a report by IFP, Rouhani on Sunday separately met the new ambassadors of Brazil and Kyrgyzstan to Iran, and received their credentials.

During these meetings, the Iranian president underlined Tehran’s resolve to enhance its cooperation with these countries, particularly in economic sector.

Closer Banking Ties with Brazil

In his meeting with new Brazilian Ambassador to Iran Rodrigo de Azeredo Santos, Rouhani stressed the need for Tehran and Brasilia to facilitate banking relations in a bid to boost trade exchanges between the two sides.

“Iran attaches significance to its cooperation with Brazil, as a big country with a considerable economy in South America, and is willing to promote the level of cooperation,” he said.

The president further highlighted the importance of efforts to facilitate banking relations between the two countries and expressed the hope that the ties would gain serious momentum in various fields, economy in particular.

The Brazilian diplomat, for his part, emphasized that his government considers Iran as a reliable partner and is seeking to establish strategic economic ties with the Islamic Republic.

Enhanced Cooperation of Iran’s Private Sector with Kyrgyzstan

During the meeting with Kyrgyzstan’s new ambassador to Tehran Avazbek Abdurazakov, Rouhani highlighted the ample grounds for cooperation between the private sectors of Iran and Kyrgyzstan.

“Iranian companies are ready to expand cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in the fields of road construction, energy, technical and engineering services, medicine, and pharmacy,” President Rouhani said, as reported by Tasnim.

The president also stressed that enhanced economic and political relations between Tehran and Bishkek will serve not only the interests of the two nations, but also those of the region.

The new envoy, for his part, said Kyrgyzstan is pursuing plans for closer ties with Iran.

Kyrgyzstan welcomes stronger presence of Iranian companies in the country, Abdurazakov underlined, hoping that facilitation of consular issues as well as direct flights between the two countries would accelerate bilateral economic cooperation.

Certain Regional Countries Worried about Terrorists, Not Syrian People: Iranian Official

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 5, 2017

Speaking in a meeting with Russia’s special envoy on Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, in Tehran on Sunday, Shamkhani said some regional countries have expressed concern over the political initiatives of Iran, Russia and Turkey in Syria and do not have any sympathy for people in war-ravaged countries, but are worried that the terrorist groups they have been supporting have been losing ground and are on the decline.

“Undoubtedly, if these countries [that support terrorists] do not change their conduct, they will not be able to play a constructive role in the political process for determining the future of the region,” the SNSC secretary pointed out, according to a report by Press TV.

He further noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to seeking a political solution to solve the nearly six-year crisis in Syria.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran remains committed to pursuing a political solution to put an end to the Syria crisis and believes that a military solution will work only in dealing with groups that refrain from laying down their weapons,” he said.

He added that the Syria conflict cannot be resolved through political approaches as long as terrorist groups, including ISIS and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, an affiliate of al-Qaeda formerly known as al-Nusra Front, are operating in the Arab state and supported by certain regional countries.

Iran, Russia, Syria to Continue Anti-Terror Campaign

The Russian envoy, for his part, said his country would continue its cooperation with Iran and Syria in the fight against terrorists and the groups refusing to commit to a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

Lavrentiev added that political negotiations among Iran, Russia, and Syria would have no effect on their battle against terrorist groups.

He reaffirmed Moscow’s support for Tehran’s constructive role in the campaign for the establishment of peace in Syria.

The Russian diplomat assessed the successful Syrian peace talks held in the Kazakh capital of Astana as a considerable achievement helping the continuation of Iran-Russia-Turkey political initiatives.

Last month, Astana hosted the latest round of Syria peace talks sponsored by Iran, Russia and Turkey.

The two-day intra-Syrian talks between Damascus and opposition groups concluded on January 24, with Tehran, Moscow and Ankara agreeing on the establishment of a trilateral mechanism to support the ceasefire in Syria.

The three countries also played intermediary roles at the talks, where the United Nations envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, was also present.

MP Calls for Revision of Iran’s Contraband Laws

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 5, 2017

Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs Ali Tayyebnia recently noted that more than 70% of goods smuggled to Iran have unofficial origins.

In reaction to his comments, Mohammad-Esmaeil Saeidi, an Iranian lawmaker, said official sources definitely collaborate in smuggling these goods.

“20 to 27 billion dollars of smuggled goods arrive in Iran every year, and such a large amount is impossible to have only unofficial origins.”

“How much goods can those living near the borders and contraband carriers smuggle,” he asked, saying the Economy Minister’s remarks are not logical.

“This is not the reality,” he noted, according to a Farsi report by ICANA.

“While smuggling has caused extensive damages to Iranian production and economy, no serious measure is taken to stop it: some groups formulate plans to smuggle the goods into Iran in cooperation with official sources.”

“Some systematic problems and a lack of careful supervision over the official sources makes them able to easily smuggle large amounts of goods into the country.”

He then emphasized the need to remove the deficiencies, seriously penalize the professionals who plan the massive smugglings, and revise the penal laws so that the Iranian economy isn’t damaged by this issue anymore.

That said, the banking system must be more controlled in order to clarify the source of huge sums of money put into some bank accounts.

“The current laws and penalties are not deterrent. A detailed, effective mechanism should be set up to stop such actions and the resulted illegal incomes.”

Zionist Lobby behind Washington’s Plot to Attack Iran: MP

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 5, 2017

According to a Farsi report by ICANA, Jalil Rahimi Jahan-Abadi, an Iranian parliamentarian, says the US Congress’ plan to authorize US President Donald Trump to carry out a military attack on Iran has been devised by the Zionist lobby.

Commenting on the plan giving Trump full authority to launch a military invasion of Iran in case of perceiving the country’s nuclear energy program as a threat to his country, he noted that the Zionist lobby is behind this plot which is aimed at spreading and promoting Iranophobia across the world.

Referring to the fact that currently governments view nuclear weapons as a deterrent factor, Rahimi said the US is still being criticized by the international community for the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki — on August 6 and 9, 1945, respectively — and is answering questions in this regard.

“The country has accumulated enough wisdom not to obey the Zionist regime’s decision against Iran imprudently. In addition, the international law, public opinion and the US structural condition do not permit the Trump administration to go ahead with this plan.”

He said the US Congress knows very well that in case Trump has absolute authority to declare war on a country or take military actions without specific congressional authorization, he will certainly, in some cases, lose his control and make irrational decisions.

Rahimi concluded that even the US Congress would not favour such a decision lest the Zionist regime should take full control of the country.

US Puts Chinese Firm on Sanctions List for Selling Fire Hydrants to Iran!

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 5, 2017

US on Friday imposed sanctions on 25 individuals and entities. Those affected under the sanctions cannot access the US financial system or deal with US companies and are subject to secondary sanctions, meaning foreign companies and individuals are prohibited from dealing with them or risk being blacklisted by the United States.

The list includes two Chinese companies and three Chinese people, only one of whom the US Treasury Department explicitly said was a Chinese citizen.

Richard Yue, who is on the list, told Reuters he was also Chinese and that he thought the decision was unfair. His bank account had been frozen, meaning he couldn’t work, he said.

“I export to lots of countries, and Iran is a customer too. That’s totally normal,” Yue said.

“How is this fair? Why should others pay attention to what Americans say? What’s wrong with my daily use goods?”

Yue added he did not know what he would do, or whether he would try and seek help from the Chinese government.

He did not elaborate on what products his company exported to Iran. But the company’s website shows it is involved in trading everything from furnaces to treadmills and false eyelashes.

The business-to-business website of other Chinese company on the list show imports of fire hydrants and inner tubes for motorcycle tyres.

An export manager at the company told Reuters they made “normal” exports to Iran, though he would not say of what.

“There’s nothing we can do. Let them put us on the sanctions list,” he added, according to a report covered by Fars News Agency in Persian.

The official Xinhua news agency, in a commentary on Sunday, said while the new sanctions would have a limited effect on Iran, they opened a new chapter in the stand-off between Washington and Tehran.

Opening Ceremony of OIC Youth Capital Held in Iran’s Shiraz

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IFP Editorial Staff

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February 5, 2017

During the ceremony held on Saturday, the upcoming events of Shiraz-OIC Youth Capital, along with Putrajaya (Malaysia), was presented to distinguished guests and youth Representatives of OIC Member States.

The ceremony started with presentation of “Key to Shiraz” to youth and concluded with the signing of the roadmap of the Shiraz – OIC Youth Capital between Shiraz Authorities and ICYF-DC.

Here are IRNA’s photos of the ceremony, which was attended by Iran’s Minister of Youth Massoud Soltanifar and Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi:

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