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Iranians Share Their Happiness with Retiring Futsal Legend Falcão

September 22, 2016

The Brazilian futsal player Falcão retired after breaking the all-time goal-scoring record during the ongoing FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 in Columbia; however, the last match of his life brought tears to his eyes as they were surprisingly defeated by Iran.

Iran’s national futsal team booked their spot in the quarterfinals of the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia. They beat Brazil 3-2 on penalties in an action packed match that will sure be remembered for a long time.

The Asian powerhouse showed a flawless performance on Wednesday and worked hard to overcome the 5-time world champions in the round of 16 of the tournament. On Thursday, Falcão managed to put the Brazilians ahead after 8 minutes.

Then he doubled the lead for his side some 4 minutes later, making it 2-0. But, Iran team soon found their rhythm and pulled one back, through Tayyebi.

Brazil restored their 2 goal advantage after half-time and made things harder for Iran. But, the Iranians didn’t give up and went on to add 2 goals to tie the match at 3-apiece through Kazemi and Hassanzadeh, Press TV reported.

That forced the match into extra time. Both sides scored a goal each in additional time. They locked the game again at 4-4, sending the match into penalty shootout. That’s where Iran took their chances better to win the match 3-2 and progress into the last 8.

According to the FIFA’s official Instagram account, “Iran could have run off to their locker room to celebrate with each other but they stopped to celebrate a legend of the game.”

There was a touching moment to follow, as Iran paid their tribute to the retiring Falcão, celebrating his career and lifting him before the crowd.

“That would describe all that Falcão has done for the game of futsal as he broke the all-time goal-scoring record during FIFA Futsal 2016. But it’s also a suitable descriptor for what Iran did moments after they stunned the futsal world and defeated five-time champions Brazil. Iran could have run off to their locker room to celebrate with each other but they stopped to celebrate a legend of the game.”

“We were happy that we had won the game, but we were also disappointed to see Falcão crying and to say goodbye to the game in that fashion,” Iran’s Ali Hassan Zadeh said on bringing Falcão’s career to an end.

“So everybody decided spontaneously to share the happiness with Falcão and it shows the true spirit of Iranian sport and athletes, as we wanted to share that moment with the loser of the game as winners.”

Iran Ready to Cooperate with Europe against Terrorism: President

IFP Media Wire

September 22, 2016

“The violent and merciless terrorists who have rendered our region insecure can make other parts of the world insecure as well,” Rouhani said in a meeting in New York with his French counterpart Francois Hollande on Wednesday.

The Islamic Iran, as one of the main victims of terrorism, has responded positively to regional governments’ demands for cooperation in the battle against the phenomenon, he stated.

The president added that Iran is ready for more cooperation with Europe, especially France, in the battle against terrorism and extremism and in settlement of regional issues.

He further referred to the developments in Syria and said the crisis in the Arab country should be resolved solely through political means.

The Iranian chief executive also referred to fighting terrorism, sustainable ceasefire, return of refugees, and delivery of humanitarian aid as the major priorities in Syria.

Hollande, for his part, stressed the need for swift measures against terrorism and said Paris is willing to cooperate with Tehran in this regard given the Islamic Republic’s effective role in the region.

President Rouhani is in New York to attend the 71st annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The 71st session of the General Assembly is facing serious issues, including violence, terrorism, refugee crisis, climate change and nuclear proliferation.

Among the important topics on the agenda is Syria’s five-year foreign-backed militancy, which has so far claimed the lives of at least 400,000 people.

The worst refugee crisis in 70 years is also among the challenges that the UN members hope to tackle.

Ahmadinejad Won’t Run for Presidential Elections Next Year

IFP Editorial Staff

September 21, 2016

According to a report by Alef, as translated by IFP, Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini, the former minister of culture in Ahmadinejad’s cabinet, believes that the ex-president will not run for presidency in next year’s elections.

He has yet to announce his candidacy for 2017 Presidential elections and his recent speeches and lectures are not considered as part of a campaign, he said.

“Ahmadinejad has rejected the rumours [about his campaigns for elections] and said that he is just explaining the discourse of Revolution, Imam Khomeini, and the Leadership after consultations with Ayatollah [Seyyed Ali] Khamenei,” Hosseini said.

“Apparently, Mr. Ahmadinejad has conferred with the country’s high-ranking officials on his candidacy, and they have deemed it [his candidacy] to be against the country’s interests as we are in special conditions. Ahmadinejad’s presence would make domestic and foreign elements united and expose the Islamic Establishment to serious damage as the conflicts and differences would rise and the country would become polarized [if he becomes president].”

Therefore, he added, it is wise to prevent such an adverse event from happening.

“Mr. Ahmadinejad would basically prefer national interests to individual and partisan ones, and would not let the creation of a new sedition because of him,” he noted, adding that such sedition would cause crisis not only in Iran but also in regional resistance movements.

“Mr. Ahmadinejad is thus prepared to accept this wise advice and will consider the fact that one should not just be a president and there are other ways to serve the nation and Revolution as well.”

Hosseini compared Ahmadinejad’s possible withdrawal from presidential elections with General Qassem Soleimani’s “epic statement” which “ended the rumours of his candidacy in the presidential votes”.

Now we should wait and see whether Ahmadinejad will do what his advisers say and what he has been reportedly advised to do or not.

Iraqi Forces Retake Haditha Island from ISIS

IFP Editorial Staff

September 21, 2016

Iraqi Army-Musol — Iraqi Forces Make Fresh Progress in Fight against ISIS, Arrive at Gate of Mosul

“Our forces have liberated the island, 160 kilometres west of the Anbar province,” Major General Qassim al-Mohammadi told Anadolu Agency.

The move came one day after Iraqi forces launched a military offensive to liberate the northern Shirqat district and two other areas in the western Anbar province from ISIS.

“Our forces and allied tribal fighters are now moving to liberate al-Baghdadi Island from ISIS group,” al-Mohammadi said.

According to the military commander, Iraqi forces have defused scores of explosive devices and destroyed rocket launchers in Haditha Island.

According to regional media reports, as covered by Fars, clearing the island from ISIS extremists “will diminish the danger posed by the extremist group on Haditha city and al-Baghdadi district,” he said.

Iraq’s security situation has deteriorated markedly since mid-2014, when ISIS captured Mosul — the country’s second largest city — along with vast swathes of territory in the country’s northern and western regions.

In recent months, the Iraqi army — backed by US-led coalition airstrikes and local allies on the ground — has since managed to retake much territory. Nevertheless, the extremist group remains in firm control of several parts of the country, including Mosul.

Iraqi officials have repeatedly vowed to recapture Mosul by the end of the year.

Iran Displays Latest Military Achievements in Nationwide Parades (+Photos)

IFP Editorial Staff

September 21, 2016

Iranian Armed Forces held massive military parades across the country on Wednesday morning to commemorate the Sacred Defence Week, which marks the onset of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran 36 years ago.

The country’s latest military equipment and capabilities including the S-300 missile defence system were also put in display during the parades.

Here are Iranian media’s photos of the ceremonies:

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