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Iran Bans Any Gathering in Front of British Embassy

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According to a Farsi report by IRNA, an anonymous group recently posted invitations in social media, asking people to attend a protest gathering in front on British embassy in Tehran on Monday.

However, Ali-Asghar Nasserbakht, the deputy governor of Tehran, announced that no licence has been issued for holding any gathering in front of foreign embassies, including the British embassy, in Tehran.

“No request for holding any gathering in front of British embassy has been submitted to the governor’s office yet,” he noted.

Therefore, he added, holding any gathering in front of embassies, including that of Britain, is a violation of law, and protesters will be prosecuted.

“Security bodies, including the Law Enforcement, will legally prevent any illegal gathering in front of embassies,” Nasserbakht went on to say.

The calls for protest rallies against Britain came after the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei harshly criticized British officials, particularly Prime Minister Theresa May, for their recent anti-Iran allegations.

“In recent days, the Britons have labeled – in the most shameful manner – the oppressed and dear Iran as a threat to the region but everybody knows that contrary to such allegations, this is the British (officials) who have been always the source and root cause of threat, corruption, danger and misery,” the Leader noted on Saturday.

The Leader made the remarks after British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Thursday summoned the Iranian and Russian ambassadors to convey his ‘profound concern’ over Tehran and Moscow’s roles in the ‘suffering’ of Aleppo’s residents.

Johnson alleged that Iran and Russia had failed to uphold “humanitarian law” by not helping aid get to Aleppo when it was under siege, Tasnim reported.

In the meantime, British Prime Minister May has also said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russia and Iran “bear responsibility for the tragedy in Aleppo.”

Iran’s Salehi, IAEA’s Amano Discuss Nuclear Propulsion Programs

Salehi- Amano

Heading a delegation, top UN nuclear official Yukiya Amano arrived in Tehran on Sunday morning for a series of high-profile meetings for talks on the process of implementing 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), which came into force in January.

Speaking to reporters after a joint press conference with Amano, Ali Akbar Salehi said his talks with the Japanese official have revolved around Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s order for reaction to the US violation of the JCPOA, after the US Congress passed a bill extending Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for ten more years.

Following the US measure, President Rouhani ordered the AEOI to develop Iran’s peaceful nuclear program within the framework of the international regulations by designing and manufacturing nuclear propulsion systems in the maritime domain and in cooperation with the Iranian scientific and research centers.

Salehi told reporters that he has discussed the aspects of the presidential order with Amano, as well as Iran’s commitments within the framework of the IAEA’s regulations and the Additional Protocol.

Asked about the purity of uranium fuel for the nuclear propulsion systems, Salehi said it is not an easy subject that could be decided immediately, saying his organization will have three months to study the plan.

Enrichment of uranium to run those systems may vary from a purity of 5 percent to 90 percent, depending on its type, the purpose and the time available, he explained, stressing that all such activities will be carried out in conformity with the Safeguard Agreements.

The Iranian nuclear chief also denied that Amano has passed on a message from the US.

He then insisted that the IAEA should remain an impartial and independent body without coming under the influence of any party.

In a statement released on Friday, the IAEA said Amano’s visit to Tehran “is part of regular high-level contacts between the agency and Iran.”

It is Amano’s second trip to Iran in 2016. He once visited Tehran in January, days after the JCPOA took effect.

The IAEA is responsible for monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities as per the nuclear deal and should also help the country develop its nuclear energy program.

Islamic Regulations Protect Civilians, Women and Children

international conference-islam

The second International Conference on Islam and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) was recently held in Ghadir Conference Hall in central Iranian city of Qom.

More than 20 countries participated in this conference, during which the main humanitarian principles Islam has in common with International human rights were discussed.

According to a Farsi report by Shahrvand Newspaper, this conference, organized by the Centre of Comparative Studies of Islam and IHL, Iranian Red Crescent Society and International Committee of the Red Cross In Iran, was an opportunity to discuss civilian rights- especially for the disabled-, refugees’ issues, and healthcare facilities for patients and corpses during the war, and also to present the humanitarian legacy of different religions.

“Islam has a comprehensive view on humanitarian rights,” noted Abdolhossien Mo’ezzi, the representative of Iran’s Leader in Red Crescent Society.

“Unfortunately, despite the recommendations of all Abrahamic religions to respect humanitarian laws, there are peoples and groups in the Middle East and other parts of worlds who call themselves Muslim, Christian or Jewish, but trample on human rights.”

“Now that women, children and civilians are killed in large numbers in Yemen, Iraq, Palestine and Syria, we should explore the causes and conditions of such a paradoxical behaviour as an important topic to be brought up in conferences like this,” Mo’ezzi added, emphasizing that such actions in the name of Islam will lead to nothing but Islamophobia.

He went on to say that as poverty has always been a main motive for violent behaviour, illegal groups seize the opportunity to attract and organize poor people in order to achieve their anti-human goals.

“By supporting NGOs and public charities, we can give donations and mobilize volunteers for reducing deprivation and boosting the hope in low social classes,” Mo’ezzi noted.

international conference-islam

Rationalism, Spirituality, and Justice Can Shield All Religions from Extremism

Ali-Asghar Ahmadi, the Secretory-General of Iranian Red Crescent Society, also said, “Religious values come from an idealistic system, and include religious beliefs. The components of this value system are very similar in different religions. Commitment to this shared system, as well as to three common criteria among religions, namely rationality, spirituality and justice, shield any religion from extremism.”

“The painful events of recent years in the world, especially in the Middle East, alarmed the world’s religious leaders, and reminded them about their responsibility to maintain peace and to invite their followers to mutual respect and tolerance towards the followers of other religions. Along with political leaders, religious leaders are able to reduce these so-called religious wars to a high extent by committing people to mutual acceptance of other religions,” he added.

Ahmadi pointed to the huge increase of armed conflicts during the past half-century and the fade-out of boundaries between military and civilian targets.

“The intentional or unintentional misunderstanding of religion has led to the killing of civilians, capture of women and children, killing of soldiers and troopers in cruel ways, environmental destruction and harassment of followers of other religions. It is necessary to notify people of this danger,” he explained.

Ahmadi emphasized that there have been several international conventions and documents to protect soldiers, civilians and other people who are affected by armed conflicts. The conventions of Geneva, The Hague and other treaties intend to establish humanitarian principles to be imparted during the war. This type of laws doesn’t prevent the war, but can console the people involved in conflict.

“Abrahamic religions approve of these laws. Islam in particular has regulations based on justice, kindness and human rights to be applied during the war. Islamic laws protect civilians, women, children, the elderly and even the corpses, and forbid disrespect for them.”

Several related workshops were held during the second International Conference on Islam and International Humanitarian Law, including respect for international humanitarian laws, the causes of today’s conflicts, and the study of environmental challenges. 10 books in the field of Islam and IHL were also unveiled.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18

Newspapers on Sunday covered the remarks made by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with Iranian officials and guests of Muslim Unity Conference.

They also highlighted President Hassan Rouhani’s criticism of certain Arab countries for being worried about terrorists in Syria.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s letter to EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini over the US violation of nuclear deal (JCPOA) was also a top story.

Iranian Health and Transport ministers’ harsh criticism of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Organization also received great coverage.

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

 

19 Dey:

1- Parliament Speaker: Those Who Are Worried Have Not Read the Text of Nuclear Deal

2- Imam Khomeini’s Grandson: We Should Shed Tears of Blood for Lack of Unity among Muslims

3- Social Ills in Iran Are Very Worrying: Head of Parliament’s Research Centre in Qom

4- Transport Minister: It Is against National Interests to Spoil People’s Trust in Gov’t

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Abrar:

1- Iranian Officials and Guests of Muslim Unity Conference Meet with Iran’s Leader

2- Nuclear Chief: We Should Have Taken the Writing of JCPOA Text More Seriously

3- IAEA Chief Amano to Visit Iran

4- Environment Chief: 12 Out of 14 Wetlands in Iran’s Fars Province Have Dried Up

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Abrar-e Eqtesadi:

1- US Treasury Gives 180-Day Deadline for Settlement of Transactions with Iran in Case of JCPOA Annulment

2- Japan Joins Countries Investing in Iran’s Mines

3- Iranian Businessmen Invited to Participate in Nigerian Market

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Iran’s Leader: Britain Has Always Been a Source of Threat, Corruption, and Misery for Western Asia

2- Vice-President for Parliamentary Affairs: Rouhani’s Victory Is Certain; Rouhani Won’t Give in to Political Pressures

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


Amin:

1- $77m Allocated to Reviving Lake Urmia in Northwest Iran

2- Iran’s First Airbus Arrives in the Country

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Iran’s Leader: Enemy Pursues Policy of ‘Divide and Rule’

2- Kerry: Extension of ISA Has No Impact on JCPOA

3- In a Letter to Mogherini, Zarif Urges P5+1 to Hold Session on JCPOA

4- President: Iran’s 6-Month Economic Growth from March to September Was 7.4%

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Asr-e Rasaneh:

1- Iran to Take Part in International Tourism Fair in Spain (Fitur) in 2017

2- 2 Iranian Oil Cargos in Britain Released

3- Trade Minister: Russia’s Lukoil in Talks with Iran for Swap of Crude Oil

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Asrar:

1- President: Some Islamic Governments Are Worried about Fate of Terrorists

2- Kuwait Chosen as Representative of Arabs for Talks with Iran Given the change of Balance in Region

3- Iran, Russia, and Turkey to Hold a Meeting on Syria in Moscow

4- 8 British and German Teams Want to Hire Iranian Striker Sardar Azmoun

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Besharat-e Now:

1- President: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Ruled with Prudence, Not with Sword

2- Nuclear Chief: We Have Good Days in Int’l Arena

3- Vice-Speaker of Iran’s Parliament Motahari: There Are Equal Rights for Men and Women in Islam

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Emtiaz:

1- Power Minister Declares Plan to Import Electric Cars to Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Etemad:

1- Iran’s Leader: British Version of Shiism and American Version of Sunnism Are Two Blades of One Pair of Scissors

2- Letter of Complaint against IRIB: Transport Minister Wrote Explicit Letter and Health Minister Made Critical Remarks to Accuse IRIB of Targeted Attacks against Government

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


Ettela’at:

1- Leader: Cooperation and Moving over Differences Are the Solution to Problems of Muslim World

2- President Rouhani: Enemies Seek to Destroy Opportunities in Muslim Societies

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Farhikhtegan:

1- Leader Warns All Islamic Sects against Rift and Division

2- Rouhani: Violence by Any Ethnic Group or Religion Is against Islam

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Iran:

1- Ayatollah Khamenei: Unity among Muslim Society [Ummah] Will Foil the Plot to Consign Issue of Palestine to Oblivion

2- Asghar Farhadi’s ‘The Salesman’ Gets Closer to Oscar: Iran’s Submission and Eight Other Films Shortlisted for Best Foreign Language Film in Academy Awards

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


Javan:

1- Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Chief: Americans Have Breached Many of Their Commitments in JCPOA

2- Arab and Western Media Kill Themselves for Aleppo Terrorists

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


Jomhouri Eslami:

1- President: Regional Crises Are Plots against Unity and Greatness of Muslims

2- US Committed to Remove Items from ISA

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


Kayhan:

1- New Achievement of JCPOA Unveiled: US Government Fines Italian Bank for Bypassing Iran Sanctions

2- Yemen’s Ansarullah to Saudis: You Won’t Defeat Resistance Front Even If You Spend All Your Dollars

3- Trump Threatened to Scrap Nuclear Deal, But Obama Really Did It!

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Khorasan:

1- After Zarif’s Letter to Mogherini, EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Explicitly Warns Trump against Revising JCPOA

2- Evacuation of Terrorists from Aleppo Resumes Once Again

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Payam-e Zaman:

1- Rouhani: We Have No Plan to Save Muslim World but to Converge

2- Minute-by-Minute Increase in Iran’s Unemployment

3- Larijani: Economic Growth Is Iran’s Top Priority

4- Iran Will Become Petrol Exporter Next Year

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Resalat:

1- Ayatollah Emami Kashani: Aleppo Victory Showed that Resistance Is the Solution to Palestine Issue

2- Al-Aqsa Mosque Preacher: Transfer of US Embassy to Quds Means Declaration of War

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Rooyesh-e Mellat:

1- Based on Official Statistics, Average Age of Starting Drug Use Is 21, and It Is Decreasing

2- Russia to Veto West’s Anti-Syria Draft Resolution

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Saheb Qalam:

1- Rouhani: Some Islamic Governments Seem to Be Worried about Iraq and Syria’s Victories over Murderer Terrorists!

2- Iranian Weightlifter’s Bronze Medal in Olympic Officially Turns Silver [after Russian athlete’s doping]

3- Germany Signs Power MoU with Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18


 

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- Rouhani: Some Are Worried about Health Conditions of Terrorists!

2- We Have Lost Syria War: Britain’s Former Security Official

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 18

Iran, Russia Defense Ministers Urge Firm Fight against Terrorism in Syria

syria

In a telephone conversation on Saturday, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu discussed the latest developments in Syria, particularly after the liberation of Aleppo.

The two ministers emphasized that the Syrian town of Fua’a and the village of Kefraya, which are besieged by the terrorists, must be liberated at the earliest.

Dehqan and Shoigu also called for a firm and all-out battle against Takfiri terrorists in Syria until the full establishment of security in the war-stricken country.

The Iranian and Russian defense ministers underlined the need for constant consultations on the fight against Takfiri terrorists.

Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, was fully liberated this week, less than a month after the Syrian army started to drive foreign-backed militants out of their stronghold in the eastern side of the strategic city.

Russian Defense Ministry’s Center for Reconciliation in Syria said in a statement on Friday that the Syrian military had wrested full control of eastern Aleppo, scoring a major victory against terrorists in the strategic northwestern city.

It further noted that more than 9,500 people, including over 4,500 militants and 337 wounded, had been taken out of eastern Aleppo.

In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani congratulated his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad on the liberation of Aleppo, saying the Islamic Republic feels duty-bound to support the “flag-bearers” of the fight against terrorism.

Rouhani said Aleppo’s liberation was an important step towards Syria’s ultimate victory over terrorism in the Arab country.

Tehran and Moscow support the elected Syrian government and have been assisting Damascus in its fight against terrorism.

Russia has been carrying out airstrikes on positions of Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria since late September 2015, while Iran has been providing military advisory assistance to the Arab country.

Meanwhile, a new deal has been reached between the Syrian government and the militants in the city of Aleppo to resume the evacuation of civilians and the remaining armed groups from the east of the city, after the original pact came to a halt.

The original deal was suspended after militants prevented residents from leaving the two militant-besieged villages of Fua’a and Kefraya despite an agreement reached the day before.

Iran-Russia-Turkey Meeting on Syria Advanced to Tuesday

IRAN-TURKEY-RUSSIA

According to a report by IFP, the meeting had been scheduled for December 27 based on Iran’s initiative, but it was advanced to Tuesday, December 20, during the Saturday talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

The two sides further conferred on the latest developments in Syria, particularly the situation in the hotspot Aleppo province, and agreed to reschedule the trilateral meeting to an earlier date due to the recent developments, Mehr reported.

Also on Friday, Zarif and his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, in their latest out of several telephone conversations in recent days, mulled over safe exit of civilians from Aleppo as well as the ceasefire which came into force on Wednesday evening.

Release of Prisoner Who Got Married While He Was on Death Row

Prisoner- Got Married

Prisoner- Got Married“The $46,000 blood money this prisoner had to pay was paid by a benefactor, so he will be released soon after the legal formalities,” announced Mohammad Mardani, the head of Rajaeishahr Prison, according to a Farsi report by 598.ir website.

The prisoner, named “Amir-Mehrdad”, has been in Rajaeishahr Prison since 2009, convicted of killing his nephew during a family quarrel.

The victim’s family had demanded death penalty for the convict; however, recently Amir-Mehrdad got married in prison, and this convinced the victim’s relatives to forgive him if he could pay them the blood money.
IFP has earlier published the story of the educated girl who married Amir-Mehrdad even though she knew he would be executed.

Iran Urges JCPOA Joint Commission Meeting on Lack of US Commitment

Iran FM

In a letter to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, who is also the coordinator of the JCPOA joint commission, Zarif called on her to convene a session of the commission to address a recent US congressional bill extending Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for another ten years.

Highlighting the reciprocal undertakings of the parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the multilateral nature of the agreement, Zarif stressed that Iran has lived up to its commitments to the deal over the past year and a half, adding, “Maintaining the integrity and consistency of the JCPOA and its survival requires” full implementation of the deal by all parties.

The top Iranian diplomat also asked Mogherini to inform the whole parties to the JCPOA about recurring breach of the deal by the US, make preparations for a JCPOA joint commission meeting, and convene a taskforce in the commission working exclusively on the sanctions.

The letter came after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on the Foreign Ministry and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) to initiate processes to react to the US government’s violation of the JCPOA, a nuclear agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) that took effect in January.

Earlier in December, the US Senate voted 99-0 to extend the ISA for another decade. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives nearly unanimously in November. The renewal of ISA took effect on December 15 with a procedural protest from President Barack Obama, who decided to let the legislation become law without his signature.

President Hassan Rouhani had already warned that implementation of ISA will constitute a “clear and flagrant violation of the JCPOA” and draw a “very harsh reaction” from Tehran.

Iran Concerned about Netanyahu’s Recent Visit to Azerbaijan

Netanyahu

According to a Farsi report by Asr-e Iran, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israeli regime, had a 7-hour stay in Baku, Azerbaijan, to meet Ilham Aliyev, the Azeri president, and to participate in a Jewish ceremony on Tuesday, December 14.

The Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post wrote before Netanyahu’s departure that the trip had been planned as part of his one-day visit to Kazakhstan.

During this meeting, Netanyahu and Aliyev signed several memorandums of understanding. Their previous encounter was in January, during the annual meeting of World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

Tip of the Iceberg: We Can Only See 10% of the Relationship

Azerbaijan and Israel have developed close relations in the past years, cooperating in military-security and strategic areas, as well as commercial and economic fields. Israel is a main purchaser of Azerbaijan’s oil, buying about one-quarter of oil exported by the latter; and a major supplier of weapons and technologies to Azerbaijan’s military.

In 2009, WikiLeaks described the relationship between Baku and Tel Aviv as an “iceberg” of which only 10% is visible. Their ties were actually much more developed than it seemed.

Iran’s Concerns about Closeness of Israel and Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is one of the two Shiite countries neighbouring Iran, even though it is not ruled by a religious government. Baku has founded its policies upon secularism. This difference is a source of conflict between the two governments: Azerbaijani officials once claimed that Iran supported Islamist groups in this country.

Furthermore, Iran has been warning Baku of its progressive relationship with Tel Aviv. There were reports and speculations about Israel’s use of Azerbaijan military bases for spying on Iran, even attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Netanyahu’s recent visit to Azerbaijan was one of his rare diplomatic trips to neighbouring countries of Iran.

On Saturday, Azerbaijani Defence Industry Minister Yavar Jamalov announced that the country has signed an agreement on procurement of the Israeli Iron Dome air defence system.

The Iron Dome, developed by the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems LTD, is an air defence system made to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from distances up to 70 km (43 miles).

IAEA head to visit Iran on weekend over JCPOA implementation

Yukiya Amano

In a statement released on Friday, the IAEA said Yukiya Amano’s Sunday visit to Tehran “is part of regular high-level contacts between the agency and Iran.”

“In Tehran, the director general will discuss Iran’s implementation of its nuclear-related commitments” under the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog added.

The trip comes as the IAEA has repeatedly confirmed Iran’s full commitment to the nuclear accord.

The US, however, has not held up its side of the bargain and recently renewed sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

On December 1, the US Senate voted 99-0 to extend the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) for a decade after it cleared the House of Representatives 419-1 in late November. On December 15, US President Barack Obama declined to sign the bill, but let it become law anyway.

Tehran and the P5+1 group of world powers, namely Russia, China, France, Britain, and the US plus Germany hammered out the nuclear accord in July 2015.

It went into effect in January and resolved a long-running dispute over Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

The deal stipulates that nuclear-related sanctions against Iran be terminated and no such sanctions be imposed as long as Iran meets its commitments, including certain limits to its nuclear program.