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US Seeking to Strengthen Terror Groups by No-Fly Zone over Syria: Iranian Commander

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Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Sunday, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi pointed to recent requests by some US officials to enforce a no-fly zone over war-hit Syria, saying that Washington is seeking to strategically control the Arab country.

The Americans are against Syrian airplanes’ bomb of the terrorists’ positions, he said, adding that they are attempting to strengthen the militant groups through enforcing a no-fly zone.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and some Pentagon generals have demanded that Russia adhere to what would essentially be a one-sided no-fly zone under conditions in which US warplanes would continue carrying out airstrikes.

It come after a week-long truce, brokered by the US and Russia, collapsed on Wednesday.

The Syrian truce, which came into effect on September 12, did not apply to the terrorist groups of Daesh and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, the group formerly known as al-Nusra Front that changed its name in July.

Under the pretext of the fight against the terrorists, the US-led coalition launched airstrikes against Syrian troops on September 17 and killed over 90 soldiers and injured 100 others. Russia said the attacks were performed by two F-16 fighter jets and two A-10 support aircraft.

The Syrian General Command called the bombing a “serious and blatant aggression” against Syrian forces, and said it was “conclusive evidence” that the US and its allies support Daesh militants.

Saudis Sees Legitimacy Tied to US Support: Iran FM

Mohammad Javad Zarif

Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remarks in a Saturday meeting with US-based Iranians in New York, where the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly is underway.

“The attitude maintained by some regional rulers like the Saudis is so that they risk life and limb not to lose US support and keep lobbying them [the Americans] as they consider all their legitimacy and existence to be tied to US backing,” he said.

The likes of the monarchy rely on foreigners, instead of their own people, to ensure their own safety, he said. “That is what separates them from us.”

Iranians have, however, refused to bow to pressure and threats, said the Iranian minister.

“Iranian people are our security,” said Zarif, stressing that sanctions “cannot separate Iranians from their causes and beliefs.”

He further said the Islamic Republic has now returned to positive economic growth as it managed to turn to its advantage the same sanctions that caused fluctuations in global oil prices.

The economic progress came about, “while we are yet to witness [all] the positive consequences of the JCPOA due to the United States’ addiction to sanctions,” he concluded.

Zarif was using an acronym for the 2015 deal on the Iranian nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Actions, under which Tehran agreed to roll back certain aspects of its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of its nuclear-sanctions.

Some international banks, however, still shy away from financing trade deals and processing transactions with Iran fearing US penalties.

Iran Seriously Countering Football Betting Websites

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In an interview with Mizan, as translated by IFP, Hamisi referred to the activities of football games betting sites and noted that Iran’s Cyber Police (known as FATA) and intelligence services have offered help for identification of these sites.

“We have been monitoring their activities for more than a year and a half and arrested a large number of these people last year with the help of the Islamic Republic’s Law Enforcement.”

He regretted that most betting activities inside the country are being directed from East Asian countries mainly.

“We have made contacts with FIFA and Interpol to put an end to these activities,” Hamisi stressed.

The Iranian state TV has been recently holding TV contests where people are asked to guess the results of football matches and text them to win prizes if they were correct.

Asked about such contests and their relation to betting activities, Hamisi replied, “We have queried IRIB authorities about the issue and they said that the contests are all about guessing and are different from betting activities.”

In response to a question about the possible effect of betting agencies on football match results, he noted, “There is no hard evidence to support such claim; however, we are still looking into it.”

Nomads in Northeastern Iran Start New School Year

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Here are Mizan’s photos of these small tribal schools:

 

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25

Iran Newspaper front pages

The majority of newspapers covered the remarks made by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the US Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

They also covered President Hassan Rouhani’s remarks, both during his US visit and the ceremony to open the new Iranian school year.

Ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the controversies over his candidacy in next year’s presidential elections also remained a top story in many papers.

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

 

Abrar:

1- Mosul Operation to Begin in a Few Weeks

2- Kerry: Finalization of JCPOA Was Considered by Everyone to Be Unlikely

3- UNICEF: 2m Syrians in Aleppo Deprived of Drinking Water

4- AP: Shaky Foundation of JCPOA

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Abrar-e Eqtesadi:

1- New Plan for Increase of Iran’s Oil Output in Persian Gulf

2- Pakistan Approves Plan to Increase Power Imports from Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Afarinesh:

1- 125mcm of Treated Wastewater Transferred Each Year from Tabriz to Lake Urmia

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- President: School Should Not Be a Place for Superstitions and Violence

2- VP: 3.2m Kids in Iran Are Deprived of Education

3- End of Ahmadinejad, Beginning of Jalili: After the Former Was Discouraged from Running for Presidential Elections, the Latter Has Increased His Activities for Next Year’s Votes

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Zarif’s Untold Stories in the US Council on Foreign Relations: Angels Don’t Give Money and Arms to ISIS and Nusra Front; We Have No Romantic Relationship with US

2- US State Dept. Spokesperson: We Hope for Normalization of Ties with Iran

3- Army Air Defence Base Warns: US Spy Once again Trapped in Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Asrar:

1- Iran on Verge of Economic Prosperity: Parliament’s Research Centre Predicts

2- Zarif in US Council on Foreign Relations: We Don’t Like Seditious Moves with US

3- Iran Rejects Saudis’ Oil Offer

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Ebtekar:

1- Shamkhani: We Won’t Accept Any Nuclear Restriction Except for [those mentioned in] Leader’s Fatwa

2- Zarif: I Had a Role in Release of Dual Nationals from Iran Prisons

3- New York Times: US Citizens to Visit Iran with Boeing

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Etemad:

1- Zarif: We’ve Not Promised People to Bring Them Sun and Moon after JCPOA

2- Obama’s Veto in Favour of Saudi Arabia

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Ettela’at:

1- Obama Apologizes to Assad Because of US Airstrike on Syrian Troops

2- Zarif: US Is Discouraging Europeans from Doing Business with Iran

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Hamshahri:

1- Cars, the Main Culprits behind Air Pollution: 85% of Air Pollution Caused by Car Traffic

2- Zarif: Distrust of US Increased after JCPOA

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Iran:

1- Senior Conservative Bahonar: Ahmadinejad Was Banned from Running for Presidency for Some Reasons

2- Zarif’s Warnings to US: No Deal in Our Region Can Be Made Based on Removal of Other Side

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Javan:

1-Zarif: US Has Practically Done Nothing beyond Signing the JCPOA Paper

2- North of Aleppo Seized by Resistance Fighters

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- A Number of MPs in Reference to Rouhani’s UNGA Address: President Strongly Conveyed the Message of Peace and Interaction to World Nations

2- Saudi Base Hit by Yemeni Missiles

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Kayhan:

1- Industry Minister: National Development Fund Belongs to Iran, But Gives Facilities to Foreingers

2- Yemen’s Ansarullah: UN Is the Murderer of Int’l Laws and Accomplice of Saudi Arabia

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Resalat:

1- Leader’s Representative in IRGC: Iran’s Influence in the World Is Not Tolerable for US

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Shargh:

1- Rouhani in Interview with NBC: Weakening the JCPOA Means Political Failure

2- Leader’s Representative in IRGC: Next Year’s Presidential Elections Will Be Sensitive and Complicated

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Vaghaye Ettefaghieh:

1- Zarif: US Should Check Its Weapons Inventory

2- New KGB, a Giant that Would Even Swallow Putin: Russian President Looking for a Super Security Service

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25


 

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- FATF Chief’s Official Letter to Iran’s Economy Minister: We Appreciate Iran’s Commitment to Regulations

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 25

Iran to Develop Long-Range Ballistic Missiles to Hit Maritime Targets: DM

General Dehghan

“Today, our long-range missiles can target enemy targets with an accuracy of less than 10 meters,” the defense minister said during an open session of the parliament on Sunday morning.

“In future, with the grace of God, we will develop our ground-to-ground ballistic missiles so that they can hit maritime targets in large distances,” Dehqan stated.

He went on to say that currently cruise missiles fired into the sea off the country’s coasts or those fired from vessels can also successfully hit all maritime targets.

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great headways in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in the arms sphere.

Back in January, the Iranian Navy test-fired coast-to-sea and sea-to-sea cruise missiles named “Noor” (Light) with a range of 150 km during a massive naval drill in southeastern coasts of Makran, east of Strait of Hormuz.

In August, Brigadier General Dehqan underscored that there are no limits to improvement of the quality and range of homegrown missiles.

“Our missiles have the highest destructive power and enjoy high accuracy, durability and reliable tactical status, and we face no limits on the range, accuracy and quality of the products,” the senior general said on August 19.

Iran Seizes Late Winner against Paraguay at Futsal World Cup Quarterfinal

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Ahmad Esmaeilpour and Mahdi Javid scored two goals each for Iran and Francisco Martinez, Juan Salas and Rene Villalba were on target for Paraguay.

The Iranian national futsal team shocked five-time champion Brazil in a penalty shootout in the round of 16.

The Iranians will now go up against Russia in the semi-final.

The 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup tourney, the eighth edition of the tournament, opened in several Colombian cities on Sept. 10 and will run until Oct. 1.

On Sunday, Argentina will square off against Egypt in Medellin and Azerbaijan will play Portugal in Cali.

 

Iran’s First Online Census Gets into High Gear

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Ashkan Shabbak, head of the supervisory committee on the census, told IRNA news agency on Sunday that he expected 35% of Iranians to fill out online version of the survey. Those who do not use the Internet will be surveyed in October.

The official underlined the importance of public cooperation in supplying proper data, saying it would provide state planners with better feedback for future policies.

“National census results are the basis of planning in the country. Proper information can help improve the formulation of economic, social and cultural programs,” Shabbak said.

The survey, conducted every five years, provides a snapshot of the living conditions of some 80 million Iranians, detailing their education, income, family background, marital status and so on.

 

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According to the World Bank, the Iranian economy is headed for a 4.4% growth rate in 2016. The dynamism created by a nuclear agreement, putting differences over Iran’s nuclear program to rest, has led to an economic recovery.

Iran’s current account balance is projected to turn into a surplus in 2017, primarily driven by rising oil exports.

However, there was no immediate word on the security of the data being collected. In July, media reports said Iran’s second largest mobile operator, Irancell, had lost the personal information of 20 million customers in a data leak.

The incident was the biggest known data breach in Iran’s cyber-history. Iran’s cyber-police later announced that they had arrested a 19 year-old computer student for disseminating the data.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Mahmoud Vaezi said one of the Irancell operators shared its customer’s database with an organization and one employee of that organization leaked the information.

Meanwhile, Tasnim news agency said the survey website was facing “disruption” due to heavy traffic. It put the problem down to officials’ failures to properly project users’ response.

Instagram’s Photo of the Day: Mother and Child Swimming in Lake Urmia

Urmia

A photo of an Iranian mother and her child swimming in Lake Urmia in northwestern Iran was selected by Instagram as its photo of the day.

The photo was taken by the Iranian photographer Majid Saeedi.

“An Iranian woman with her daughter, both wearing Islamic Hijab, playing in the remnants of Lake Urmia in northwest of Iran; the Lake is one of the world’s largest salt lakes,” Saeedi said in his description of the photo.

“The red colour of the water is because of Halophile bacteria, which produce pink-red pigments in very salty waters,” he went on to say, as reported by ISNA and translated by IFP.

 

urmiaSaeedi was born in 1974 in Tehran. He started photography career when he was 16. He was 18 years old when he went to Iran-Iraq border for photography.

His photography project ‘Life in War’, which is focused on the lives of Afghan people after the country’s war, has won several prizes in different events.

Syrian Parliament Speaker to Visit Tehran

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According to Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Syrian first female parliament speaker, Hadiyeh Khalaf Abbas, will soon visit Iran at the official invitation of her Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani.

He went on to say that during the visit, Khalaf Abbas will confer with Larijani on the latest parliamentary and political relations between Tehran and Damascus.

In a historic move for the war-torn country, Hadiyeh al-Abbas was chosen as the first female parliament speaker in Syria in June.

The female politician, 58, holds a Ph.D. in agricultural engineering from Aleppo University. She previously served as a member of parliament from 2003 to 2007. Prior to that, she served as part of the governing body of the regional branch of the ruling Arab Baath Socialist Party from 1988 to 1998.