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Cooperation with Saudi Arabia to Put Erdoğan in Trouble: Iranian MP

erdogan-in-saudi
masood-goudarzi
Masood Goudarzi

“While, unfortunately, Turkey is suffering from domestic and international problems, instead of resolving the issue of war in Syria and cooperating with the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council in some aspects, Ankara is projecting its problems on others,” commented Masood Goudarzi, a member of Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.

“We have always sought brotherhood with Turkey. Iran did all in its power to support Ankara during 2016 Turkish coup d’état attempt,” he noted, according to a Farsi report by ICANA,

However, he added, Iran has serious disagreements with Turkey on the Syrian war.

“By playing in the ground of the GCC and going along with Saudi Arabia’s conspiracies, Erdoğan will find himself in a difficult situation in the future.”

“Iran’s security depends on Turkey’s security; so Tehran will collaborate with Ankara to solve their economic problems. But Saudi Arabia’s Ottoman-like conspiracies pose a threat to mutual measures,” he went on to say.

Supervisory Board Approves Measures against US Anti-Iran Bill

Iran President Hassan Rouhani

Members of the committee, headed by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, took part in a Wednesday session, during which they described as unjustified the US behavior regarding its commitments under the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

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.

First adopted in 1996 to punish investments in Iran over its nuclear program, the ISA now needs US President Barack Obama’s approval to be turned into law.

Referring to the US Senate vote, the committee members said that the sanctions bill was in blatant violation of the JCPOA.

They also studied retaliatory measures and approved them in case of possible future violations, stressing that the Islamic Republic would closely monitor the US government’s moves and react proportionately.

The committee is expected to hold another meeting next week.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Gholam-Ali Khoshrou submitted an official letter of complaint to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Khoshrou wrote that Washington, as a party to the JCPOA, has pledged to neither ratify nor prolong any nuclear-related bans against Tehran.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia – plus Germany started to implement the JCPOA on January 16.

Under the deal, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related bans imposed against Tehran.

​Shell Deal with Iran Seen as Message to US

Iran NIOC and Shell

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between Shell and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the Dutch/British company was tasked with studying the development of South Azadegan and Yadavaran oil fields as well as Kish gas field.

Shell could accordingly win separate deals over the development of the fields upon NIOC’s approval of the results of its studies and once it succeeds in subsequent project negotiations.

South Azadegan was discovered in 2001 and was described at the time as the world’s biggest oil find in decades.  It has recoverable reserves of about 2 billion barrels.  Located in a former theater of Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), South Azadegan is believed to be connected with Iraq’s supergiant Majnoon oil field which has recoverable reserves of 13 billion barrels which was also being developed by Shell and is now producing 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil for Iraq.

Yadavaran – which was once described as the crown jewel of Iran’s oil projects – has recoverable reserves of 3 billion barrels.

South Azadegan and Yadavaran are located in Iran’s southwestern oil-rich province of Khouzestan and already have an early production of 40,000 bpd and 85,000 bpd, respectively.  Both are expected to boost Iran’s oil production capacity by above 600,000 bpd significantly once fully developed within the next three years.

Kish gas field is located in the Persian Gulf island of Kish and is considered as the country’s second biggest gas field after South Pars.  With a reservoir of 70 trillion cubic feet, Iran plans to use Kish output to feed a pipeline to Oman where a section of the supplies will be turned into liquefied natural gas (LNG) for exports to international markets.

Hans Nijkamp, the head of the department for Iran affairs at Royal Dutch Shell, told reporters that the NIOC over South Azadegan, Yadavaran and Kish projects marked a new chapter in relations between Shell and Iran.

Nijkamp also praised what he described as “Iran’s exceptional performance” to keep its oil sector afloat in face of multiple years of sanctions.

The global oil market was eager to see Iran’s return, he emphasized, adding that Iran’s progress specifically over the production of natural gas is praiseworthy.

Nijkamp further said Shell was determined to enter into a long-term cooperation with Iran, stressing that this could have significant positive impacts for both sides.

The MoU that the NIOC signed with Shell came on the hills of several similar agreements signed with other international energy giants including Total, Schlumberger and DNO. The surge in awards of energy deals to companies is already seen in Tehran as a result of the success of President Hassan Rouhani to lift sanctions against Iran through the implementation of a nuclear agreement with the so-called P5+1 – the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany.

Iran’s Persian-language newspaper Taadol hailed the MoU with Shell as what could safeguard the Iran-P5+1 nuclear agreement – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).  This was a reference to concerns that US President-elect Donald Trump would materialize his campaign threats against the JCPOA.

Other newspapers viewed the MoU with Shell as a response by Britain to a recent move by US lawmakers to extend Iran Sanctions Act by another 10 years – what has already drawn the anger of the Islamic Republic as a violation of the JCPOA.

If the Europeans were to be deterred by US anti-Iran moves like the sanctions act or Trump threats, they would not have come forward to sign contracts, the media quoted NIOC chief Ali Kardor as saying.

Another Persian-language newspaper Iran highlighted the remarks by Britain’s ambassador to Iran Nicholas Hopton that London and its European allies still acknowledged the JCPOA.  Hopton emphasized that Britain would strongly support the JCPOA as well the expansion of trade relations with Iran.  He added that he had attended the ceremony to sign the MoU between the NIOC and Shell to indicate London’s support for the expansion of relations with Tehran and also send a message to the Netherlands – another major shareholder of Shell – to support trade relations with Tehran.

Iran Seeks to Host 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup

Iran and Brazil futsal

Soltanifar on Thursday said that the ministry will support the country’s football federation to host the event.

The 2020 tournament will be the ninth edition of futsal’s premier competition, which has so far been played on four of the six confederations, since beginning life in the Netherlands back in 1989.

Egypt, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, Croatia, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates and the United States expressed interest, but eventually did not bid.

Iran, Japan, Lithuania and Costa Rica, who are bidding to stage the prestigious event, have not hosted the event before.

The host will be appointed in December 2016.

Iran Dismisses British PM’s Ill-Advised, Divisive Remarks

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Wednesday hit back at May for her anti-Iran comments in a recent summit of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) in Bahrain.

May said at the summit that Britain would contribute to counteracting what she called “aggressive regional actions” from Iran, and unveiled plans for a four-billion-dollar military investment in the region for the next 10 years.

In response, the Iranian spokesman emphasized that states whose own irresponsible interference has spread insecurity, violence and extremism are in no position to accuse others of interfering in the Middle East affairs.

Slamming London’s “futile and unconstructive” policy of resorting to divisive measures to return to the region, Qassemi said the British premier, whose country’s interests have been at stake following evolution in ties with the EU, has made the anti-Iran comments at a PGCC meeting just to appease some Arab leaders.

These stances seem to be part of British attempts to clinch new deals with the Persian Gulf Arab states to sell them arms, which will eventually aggravate the crises and war crimes against people in Yemen, Syria, Bahrain, Iraq and other regional Muslim nations, he added.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8

Almost all newspapers covered the decision by Iran’s cabinet to change the country’s currency from rial to toman.

The imminent liberation of Syria’s Aleppo was also a top story in many newspapers today.

The appointment of Brigadier General Gholam-Hossein Gheibparvar as the new head of Iran’s Basij [Voluntary Forces] Organization also received great coverage.

Newspapers also covered the meeting of Iranian Committee in Charge of Monitoring Implementation of Nuclear Deal, whose members convened to made decisions in reaction to the US violation of JCPOA.

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

 

Abrar:

1- Toman, the New Official Currency of Iran

2- 84 MPs Urge Transport Minister to Explain about Recent Train Collision

3- Obama in Meeting with Trump Underlined Maintaining Nuclear Deal with Iran: Kerry

4- MP: Lake Urmia Can Never Be Revived with These Regulations and Budgets

5- Science Minister: Mixed [Boys and Girls Together] Camping Banned in Iranian Universities

6- British PM: London’s Cooperation with Persian Gulf Arab States to Counter Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Brigadier General Gheibparvar Appointed as Head of Basij [Voluntary Forces] Organization

2- Iran and Britain Sign Meaningful Oil Deal in Spite of US Senate’s Pressure

3- Germany Resolved to Promote Economic Cooperation with Iran

4- Russians Interested in Qalibaf’s Presidency? Expert Says Putin Wants a President for Iran Who Is Less Interested in West

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s Gift to Iran’s Singing Master Mohammad Reza Shajarian

2- Reciprocation of JCPOA Violation on Rouhani’s Agenda

3- Iran and Shell Sign Oil Dea

4- Solidarity Has Become a Dream for Conservatives: Expert

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Asrar:

1- Zarif’s Asian Diplomacy to Strengthen JCPOA: Tokyo Supports Full Implementation of Nuclear Deal

2- Freedom of Speech Means Freedom of Opposition: Outspoken MP Motahari

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Ebtekar:

1- Dropping a Zero from Iran’s National Currency: What Are Consequences of Switching to Toman for Economy?

2- Victory in Diplomatic War: Today Is Anniversary of the Day Iraq Was Introduced as Aggressor in Its War with Iran

3- Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s Gift to Master Shajarian: Two Rings for Shajarian and His Wife with Signets Made of Imam Hussein’s Gravestone

4- Nature Can No Longer Tolerate Imprudence: Iran’s Environment Dept. Chief

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Etemad:

1- Goodbye to Rial after 87 Years

2- The Train Didn’t Come Back, Dad Didn’t Return; Interview with Wife of Train Attendant Missing after Semnan Train Crash: My Daughter Says Why Dad Leave the Train and Come Home?

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Ettela’at:

1- Iran’s Official Objection to UN over US Congress’ Bill

2- Aleppo on Verge of Liberation; Terrorists Smashed

3- Earthquake in Indonesia Claims Lives of 100 People

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Haft-e Sobh:

1- Reinforcement of National Spirit! Government Finally Approves the Bill to Change Iran’s Currency; Bill Should Be Ratified by Parliament

2- Three Forgotten Principles: Citizens’ Rights of House, Education, and Health Which Are Clearly Mentioned in Iran’s Constitution

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Hemayat:

1- US Military Interference in Middle East Should Stop: Trump

2- Prosecutor-General Warns of Increase in Social Ills through Cyberspace

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Iran:

1- Iran Signs 3 Oil MoUs with Britain’s Shell

2- British Ambassador to Tehran: Britain and London’s European Partners Acknowledge JCPOA

3- Abadan Refinery Construction Kicked Off with China’s $3bn Investment

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Jame Jam:

1- Experts’ Reaction to Government Bill to Swap Iran’s Currency from Rial to Toman

2- Meeting Tehran, Protest in New York: Committee in Charge of Monitoring JCPOA Implementation Underlines Close Inspection of US Administration’s Measures

3- Details of Decrease in Women’s Working Hours

4- Liberation of Aleppo Will Foil Plot to Disintegrate Syria: Foreign Ministry Advisor

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Javan:

1- Gheibparvar Appointed as Basij Commander, Naqdi as Lieutenant Commander of IRGC in Cultural and Social Affairs

2- Counteracting JCPOA Violation behind Close Doors! 2.5-Hour Meeting Not Successful in Taking a Decision to Counteract Violation of the Nuclear Deal Passed in 20 Minutes!

3- Iran Reports Violation of Nuclear Deal to UN

4- Resistance Front Ready for Celebration of Aleppo Liberation

5- Arab Dance of ‘the Country Expelled from Europe’ in Southern Iran: Britain Looking for Return through Window of Bahrain

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- New Round of Foreign Companies’ Economic Cooperation with Iran in Spite of US Sanctions

2- Negotiations for Manufacturing 4 Models of BMW in Iran

3- 207 MPs Praise Government’s Oil Diplomacy

4- Terrorists Surrender to Be Saved from Nusra Front’s Execution

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Ka’enat:

1- Philanthropy in Practice: A Report on Philanthropic Moves in Deprived Areas

2- Don’t Buy Dollar, It Will Get Cheaper

3- Beginning of Monetary Reform in Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Kayhan:

1- The Old Fox [Britain] Threatens Iran, Oil Ministry Offers Gift to Shell!

2- Zionists Take Down Netanyahu’s Statue Hours after Installation

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Khorasan:

1- Aleppo on Verge of Full Liberation

2- And Suddenly a Bill on National Currency Unit

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Mardom Salari:

1- Iran and Europe Show Off Their Power by Signing $12 Billion Oil Deal

2- Shell Tasked with Studying 3 Iranian Oil and Gas Fields

3- Babak Zanjani’s Death Sentence Can Be Reduced If He Returns the $2.5 Billion [Iranian oil ministry’s money]

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Resalat:

1- Putting an End to Poverty and Unemployment Is Not Less Valuable than Liberation of Khorramshahr [during Iran-Iraq war]

2- Epic Victory of Resistance Front in Aleppo

3- It’s Not Possible to Talk to US Unless Language of Power Is Used: Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Rooyesh-e Mellat:

1- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Rejects Saudi Arabia’s Baseless Claims over Disbanding an Espionage Network

2- Former UN Secretary-General: Genocide in Myanmar Is a Very Serious Accusation

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Shahrvand:

1- Rial’s Retirement

2- Peace IS Best Choice for Humanity: Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Shargh:

1- Change in Management of Basij Force: Gheibparvar Replaces Naqdi with Leader’s Order

2- British PM Joins Arabs in Opposing Iran

3- Shell and Iran Join Hands

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8


 

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- Turning Point in Battle of Levant

2- Time: Trump Is the President of the Divided States

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on December 8

Germany Urges Israel Not to Legalize Construction in Palestinian Lands

Iran Urges Int'l Support for Palestine Liberation on ‘Nakba Day'

According to a report by IFP, in an unusually strong language, Germany urged Israel to scrap the bill that legalizes the construction of residential buildings in private Palestinian lands, especially in the occupied West Bank.

A German foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday the government was “extremely concerned” about the development.

“Such a bill violates international law,” he said.

Iran’s Leader Appoints New Commander of IRGC’s Basij Force

Iran’s Leader Okays Allocation of €1 Billion to Fight COVID-19

According to IFP’s report, in a decree, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei appointed Brigadier General Gholam-Hossein Gheibparvar as the new head of “Basij Organization and Lieutenant Commander of IRGC in Basij Affairs”.

The Leader urged General Gheibparvar to focus his efforts on increased participation of Iranian people, particularly the young generation, in the Basij Organization.

Gheibparvar
General Gheibparvar

Ayatollah Khamenei also called for measures to promote Basij Organization in the fields required by the Islamic Revolution, including science, culture, defence, and providing service.

General Gheibparvar was also urged to establish think-tanks and centres to observe the enemy’s activities and to prevent its infiltration, the Leader’s official website reported.

According to the decree, Basij Organization is also expected to enhance its cooperation with different bodies and its coordination with relevant authorities.

The Leader also appreciated the “effective” efforts made by former head of Basij Organization, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, who has been appointed as Lieutenant Commander of IRGC in Cultural Affairs.

Bishop Helps Release of 226 Christian Women from ISIS’ Captivity

According to a report covered by ISNA, the Assyrian Christians were seized from the Khabur River valley in northern Syria, among the last holdouts of a minority that had been chased across the Mideast for generations.

On Feb. 23, 2015, ISIS fighters attacked 35 Christian towns simultaneously, sweeping up scores of people.

It took more than a year, and videotaped killings of three captives, before all the rest were freed.

Paying ransoms is illegal in the United States and most of the West, and the idea of giving money to the ISIS group is morally fraught, even for those who saw no alternative.

“You look at it from the moral side and I get it. If we give them money we’re just feeding into it, and they’re going to kill using that money,” said Aneki Nissan, who helped raise funds in Canada. But “to us, we’re such a small minority that we have to help each other.”

The Khabur families trace their heritage to the earliest days of Christianity. To this day, they speak a dialect of Aramaic, believed to be the native language of Jesus.

How much was ultimately paid remains a mystery. The bishop, the only person with a full accounting, declined to speak to The Associated Press.

Pakistani Plane Crashes with 47 Passengers on Board

Pakistan Plane Crash
A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane arrives at the Benazir International airport in Islamabad, Pakistan, December 2, 2015. (REUTERS)

According to a report by IFP, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Flight PK661 crashed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the civil aviation authority said.

An earlier airline statement said the ATR-42 turboprop aircraft had lost contact en route from Chitral.

“A plane has crashed and locals told us that it is on fire,” Saeed Wazir, a senior local police official, told AFP.

“Police and rescue officials are on the way but have not yet reached on site.”

The plane came down near the town of Havelian in Abbottabad district in the province.