A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 18

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September 18, 2016

Newspapers on Sunday covered the Parliament’s approval of the IPC, a new model of oil contracts proposed by the Oil Ministry, and published reactions to the move.

A related top story was the conditional approval of Financial Action Task Force [FATF] deal by the Supreme National Security Council.

The remarks by Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Chief Ali Akbar Salehi about the West’s failure to fulfil its JCPOA commitments also received great coverage.

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

Abrar:

1- West Has Failed to Fulfil Its Commitments: AEOI Chief

2- Rouhani: We Welcome Expansion of Economic Cooperation with Caracas

3- FATF Implementation Hinges on SNSC’s Decision: MP

4- ISIS’ Information Minister Killed in Syria

5- EU Has Called for IAEA’s Access to Information about Iranian Centrifuges

Abrar-e Eqtesadi:

1- World Aviation Industry Leaders to Come to Iran Once Again

2- Iran Sells 1m Barrels of Oil to Austria

3- Barriers to Iran-Russia Trade Ties Still in Place

4- New Banking Talks between Iran and Netherlands

5- Iran’s Conditions for Buying Airbus Planes

6- Iran’s Oil Exports to India Break Records of Past 15 Years

Afkar:

1- 90% of Iranian Labourers Don’t Have Job Security

2- NAM Can Play Influential Role in Today’s World

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Fortunate Fate of FATF and IPC [Iran Petroleum Contracts]: Two Projects by Opponents of Gov’t Fail Simultaneously

2- Only 3 Signatures on a Letter by Some MPs to Urge President to Remove His Brother Hossein Fereydoun from His Office [no one but the three MPs has supported the plan]

3- 9 Million Jobs Can Be Created in Iran Thanks to JCPOA

4- People Were Present, Sports Minister Was Absent! Absence of Goudarzi and His Deputies When People Welcomed Paralympic Medallists at Airport

5- Crazy Move by a Soldier: Shootout in a Youth Detention Centre in Yasuj Leaves 4 Dead

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- British Parliament Invites Iranian Academic Sadegh Zibakalam for an Address; Zibakalam: It’s an Honour for Me that an Iranian Professor Is Invited

2- Carnage in Juvenile Detention Centre: A Soldier in Yasuj Opened Fire on 5 Other Soldiers and Then Committed Suicide

3- Women Not Allowed in Cafeterias [which serve hookah]

4- Asghar Farhadi’s ‘The Salesman’ Selected as Iran’s Official Submission to Academy Awards: After Success in Cannes, It’s Now Time for Los Angeles

Asrar:

1- Iran Has Received No Message from US: Foreign Ministry Spokesman

2- Iran Hands Over NAM Presidency to Venezuela

3- Austria Added to Iran’s Oil Customers

4- Rouhani Is Best Candidate Even for Moderate Conservatives: Expert

5- FATF Shouldn’t Be Used as a Pretext to Attack Government: MP

6- Government Spokesman: Rouhani’s Administration Defends Production of Genetically Modified Products

Ebtekar:

1- Leader Pardons or Commutes Prison Terms of 582 Convicts

2- Victory of Technology over Slogan: New Model of Oil Contracts Approved by Parliament, Communicated to Government for Implementation

3- $5bn Earned by Foreign Airlines [out of Iran’s market]

Emtiaz:

1- Police Starts Countering Underground Dubbing Studios

2- Iran’s Petrol Production to Be Increased to 67 Million Litres

3- 13% Increase in Deadly Car Accidents in Third Week of Shahrivar [Iranian month]

Ettela’at:

1- Interventionist Powers Have No Choice But to Surrender to Nations: Rouhani

2- Moscow: In Spite of West’s Claims, Assad’s Popularity Is on the Rise

Haft-e Sobh:

1- Disaster in Yasuj: Deadly Attack of a Soldier on His Comrades in Youth Detention Centre

2- Champion, Gentle, and Lonely: People Appreciate Their Champions, But Where Are the Officials?

Hemayat:

1- Special Move by Judiciary to Decrease Number of Prisoners

2- SNSC’s Conditions for Iran’s Accession to FATF

3- US Congress to Increase Financial Aid to Israel

Iran:

1- New Era in Oil Industry through Foreign Investment: New Model of Oil Contracts Finalized

2- Dialogue Is Best Solution to Regional and Global Conflicts: Rouhani

Jame Jam:

1- JCPOA Proved US Untrustworthy: Latest Reactions to US Violation of Its Commitments

2- Rouhani: One Shouldn’t Pin Hopes on Major World Powers

Javan:

1- IRGC Won’t Remain Silent If It Sees Iran’s Revolution Is Being Handed Over to Aliens: Top Officer

2- Danger of Enemy Plots’ Influence Felt More than Ever: IRGC Commander

3- They’ve Exempted Britain’s Shell from Paying $250m in Damage

4- Former MP Tavakoli to Shamkhani: Oil Contracts Will Endanger Iran’s Sovereignty

5- Government Spokesman’s Mocking Reaction to a Fatwa by Senior Clerics about Genetically Modified Products; Nobakht: Some People Once Even Used to Consider Speaker as a Satanic Instrument!

6- We Won’t Provide the West with Information beyond JCPOA: AEOI Official

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Iran’s Defence of World’s Right-Seeking Movements Totally Based on Accepted Humanitarian Values: Rouhani

2- Al Saud Will Collapse and West Won’t Support Them: Advisor to Former Saudi King

Kayhan:

1- Collin Powel’s Remarks, New Evidence Showing Necessity for Enhancement of Military Capabilities

2- Rallies in Aleppo against UN’s Aid to Terrorists

3- Transfer of Technology Not Possible with New Oil Contracts

4- Al Saud, White House, and Buckingham Palace All Come from Same Family: Saeid Jalili

5- Common Dangers Posed by JCPOA and FATF

Khorasan:

1- 5,000 Theses Bought from Iran’s Market Each Year: Science Magazine’s Report on Sale of Science in Iran

2- All Iranian Forests Will Be Destroyed in 30 Years If Current Trend Continues

Rah-e Mardom:

1- Enemy’s Silent Attack to Spoil Children’s Religious Beliefs: Anti-Cultural Products for Most Cultural Groups

2- Enemies’ Fear of a Legend Called ‘Iranian Living Martyr’, General Qassem Soleimani

Resalat:

1- US Failed in Ceasefire Test: Washington Aims to Save Terrorists

2- General Salami: Enemy Is Withdrawing from Muslim World

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- West Really Didn’t Fulfil Its Commitments: Salehi

2- Iran’s Independence Shouldn’t Be Questioned: Major General Baqeri

3- Saudis’ Policy Is Stupid: Powel

Iranian Cyclist Golbarnezhad Dies after Rio Paralympic Road Race Crash

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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September 18, 2016

Bahman Golbarnezhad, from Shiraz, was treated at the scene of the accident before being taken to a local hospital. Iran’s NPC later announced he had died. He was 48.

The road races began at Pontal and included the Grumari circuit incorporated in the Rio Olympics road races.

The Vista Chinesa circuit – which included a treacherous descent where Annemiek van Vleuten of the Netherlands crashed into the curb, sustaining heavy concussion during the Olympics in August – was not part of the Paralympic course, The Guardian reported.

Golbarnezhad was 14th in the time-trial on Wednesday and also competed at the London 2012 Paralympics. He was Iran’s sole cyclist at the Rio Games.

Iran’s NPC said in a statement, “Regretfully, The Islamic Republic of Iran’s NPC announces that Mr. Bahman Golbarnezhad, passed away because of his accident during the competition.”

The athlete’s family in Iran were informed and the Iranian team was brought together in the athletes’ village and told of the sad news.

Sir Philip Carven, the International Paralympic Committee president, said, “The Paralympic family is united in grief at this horrendous tragedy which casts a shadow over what have been great Paralympic Games here in Rio.”

Carlos Nuzman, president of Rio 2016, said, “This is very sad news for sport and for the Paralympic movement. Our hearts and prayers are with Bahman’s family, his team-mates and all the people of Iran.”

An investigation into the accident has been launched.

Golbarnezhad Had Once Lost His Leg, and Now Loses His Life, for Iran

Born in 1968 in Iran’s southwestern city of Abadan, Golbarnezhad lost one of his legs during the Iraqi imposed war in 1988, according to a report by IRNA, as translated by IFP.

He first started weight-lifting and during his career, he won 13 gold and one silver medals in world competitions.

According to Iran’s NPC, the country’s flag will be flown at half-mast on Sunday, September 18, and the participants of the closing ceremony will remain silent for one minute in memory of the Iranian athlete.

Iranian President Urges Strong Unity among Independent States

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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September 18, 2016

On the sidelines of the 17th NAM summit on Margarita Island, Venezuela, Rouhani sat down for talks with Bolivian President Evo Morales on Saturday to discuss the enhancement of Tehran-Sucre ties in different areas.

“There is no limit to the expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tehran and Bolivia. The strengthening of such ties will be in line with the interests of both nations,” Rouhani said.

He further emphasized the need for all independent nations to stand united in efforts to pursue their common objectives, saying the Islamic Republic welcomes closer relations with Latin American states, especially Bolivia.

The Iranian chief executive expressed Tehran’s readiness to help speed up Bolivia’s economic development plans, calling for increased mutual investment and business cooperation, particularly in the banking sector.

Morales, in turn, hailed Iran’s successful economic projects in Bolivia, saying Sucre wants an even more active participation of Iranian firms in the country.

During his stay, Rouhani also met with Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa on Margarita Island, where the two senior officials emphasized the need for enhanced bilateral ties in all spheres.

Rouhani said Iran and Ecuador have taken common positions on different issues of regional and international significance, adding that such commonalities necessitate closer relations between the two nations in various fields.

The lifting of anti-Tehran sanctions as part of last July’s deal on the Iranian nuclear issue could serve as a good opportunity for Tehran and Quito to strengthen their relations.

“We are fully prepared to offer our experience and capabilities in the fields of science, technology and energy to our friend Ecuador,” said Rouhani, adding, “In order to create dynamism in relations between the two countries, especially in private sectors, the expansion of banking ties is of great significance.”

Correa, for his part, said his country is determined to further bolster bilateral ties with the Islamic Republic, saying the opportunity created by the removal of anti-Iran bans must be seized to that effect.

‘Iran-India Ties Benefit Region’

In a separate meeting, Rouhani exchanged views with Indian Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on the promotion of Tehran-New Delhi economic cooperation.

The Iranian president said the enhancement of bilateral relations will be in the interests of both nations as well as the entire region, which is suffering from extremism and terror threats.

The Indian official also hailed “lasting” relations between the two sides, describing a recent visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Iran as a new chapter in Tehran-New Delhi ties.

Another meeting also took place between the Iranian chief executive and Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra.

Rouhani said the Iranian and Algerian nations have stood together during hard times, and must now work to broaden their economic relations after the lifting of nuclear-related embargoes against the Islamic Republic.

Lamamra also delivered a message from Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to Rouhani.

The top diplomat said Iran-Algeria ties have been based on independence, adding that Algiers is resolved to further promote brotherly relations with Tehran.

On Saturday, the Iranian president addressed the opening ceremony of the NAM summit. He officially submitted the body’s rotating presidency for three years to his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro and expressed Iran’s support for him.

The NAM meeting brought together heads of state and delegates from all the 120 member countries to discuss key regional and international issues.

NAM, an international organization with 120 member states and 21 observer countries, represents nearly two-thirds of the UN members. It is regarded as not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.

Iran Picks Asghar Farhadi’s ‘The Salesman’ for 2017 Academy Awards

By

IFP Media Wire

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September 18, 2016

A board comprising nine Iranian directors and producers chose Farhadi’s drama on Saturday to represent Iran in next year’s Oscars.

After comprehensive deliberations and further discussions on the five shortlisted films, a strong majority of the board chose The Salesman (titled Foroushandeh in Persian) to compete in Best Foreign Language film in 2017 Oscars, the spokesman for the board, Amir Esfandiari said.

He expressed hope the movie would well represent Iran’s high cinematic capacities in the prestigious world competition.

The Salesman, which premiered in Iran on August 31, won two prizes in the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Lead protagonist Shahab Hosseini won a Palme d’Or for best actor and Farhadi scooped the best screenplay award during the 69th edition of the festival.

The movie is a taut moral drama about a married couple who are acting in Death of a Salesman, a play by Arthur Miller.

In 2012, Farhadi’s A Separation won Iran’s first Oscar for best foreign film.

Iran Rejects Saudi Claim on Yemen Arms Transfer

By

IFP Media Wire

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September 18, 2016

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), in a statement released on Saturday, categorically rejected the claim made in a September 14 letter by Saudi Arabia to the UN Security Council concerning the alleged transfer of weapons to the Yemeni Houthi Ansarullah fighters and the violation of UN Resolution 2216 by Iran.

“Unsubstantiated claims can be seen in Saudi Arabia’s letter, claims that no impartial body has ever been able to prove,” the Iranian mission’s statement read.

“This is while Saudi Arabia has for over a year and a half been involved in a full-scale, unequal war — which is devoid of logic — against the people of Yemen and has perpetrated undeniable crimes against the country’s defenseless civilians, children and women,” the statement read.

“Saudi Arabia, which, while destroying Yemen’s infrastructure, has no compunction about attacking hospitals and schools, is accusing Iran of breaching international resolutions while it (Riyadh) has violated international rules and civilian rights on numerous occasions based on documented reports,” the statement further read.

The Iranian UN mission said it was surprising that Saudi Arabia was complaining to the Security Council about the use of weapons in Yemen while it has itself spent tens of billions of dollars on the purchase of munitions to be used against the people of Yemen.

It said Iran does not believe there is a military solution to the Yemeni crisis and “has always demanded an end to hostilities and disagreements [there] through dialog and recourse to lawful and peaceful mechanisms.”

Saudi Arabia has been pounding Yemen since March 2015, with the UN putting the death toll in the war at about 10,000. The offensive was launched to reinstate Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a Saudi ally who has resigned as Yemen’s president.

A recent survey by a group of academics and human rights activists revealed that Saudi Arabia targeted 3,158 non-military sites in Yemen between March 2015 and the end of August this year.

The findings, published by The Guardian on Friday, further revealed that there were 942 air raids on residential areas, 114 on markets, 34 on mosques, 147 on school buildings, 26 on universities and 378 on transport sites during the mentioned period.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Jamie McGoldrick said last month that the death toll from the Saudi military aggression could rise even further as some areas had no medical facilities, and that people were often buried without any official record being made.

Saddam Hussein Revealed Phobia of Iran at the Gallows

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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September 17, 2016

It is interesting yet appalling to know that the former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s final words before his execution in December 30, 2006, were about a secret fear of Iran.

According to a report by Al Alam News Network, as translated by IFP, Mowaffak al-Rubaie, Iraq’s former National Security Adviser, said in an interview with Iraq’s Asia TV that Saddam was suffering from an illusion of Iranophobia.

Al-Rubaie, who was accompanying Saddam from the investigation and interrogation stages up until his final moments before execution, noted that, “When they handed over Saddam to me and I was taking him to the judge so that he would hear his charges, I heard Saddam reciting these words over and over again: down with Iran…down with the Magi Iranians.

“When Saddam was asked about why he prevented the progress of Iraq with war and bloodshed, he said he wanted it [Iraq’s progress], but Iran did not let that happen!”

According to al-Rubaie, Saddam had a fear even of Iran’s name inasmuch as he would blame Iran even if two fish had a fight in an aquarium. He believed that Iranians are the descendants of the magi and fire worshipers.

“Since he knew the execution ceremony was being videotaped and probably broadcasted after his death, he was repeatedly cursing Iran,” he stressed.

He said Saddam was a skilful actor as life was like a play in the theatre for him.

“Even in the final moments of his life, Saddam pretended to be brave so much so that when he entered the execution room, the moment he clapped eyes on the noose, turned to the doctor and said, ‘This is for a man!’”

Leader Pardons over 500 Iranian Prisoners

By

IFP Media Wire

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September 17, 2016

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

The pardon was granted at the request of the country’s Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani on the occasion of great Muslim festivals of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Ghadeer.

The Eid al-Adha is one of Islam’s holiest festivals celebrated annually around the world and an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries.

Eid al-Ghadeer is also a festive day observed by Shiite Muslims on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar to commemorate the appointment of Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) by the Prophet Mohammad (PUBH) as his immediate successor.

Article 110 of the Constitution grants the Supreme Leader the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of convicts upon a recommendation from the head of the Judiciary.

The clemency, however, does not apply to certain types of convicts, including those who have been sentenced for their role in armed struggle against the country, armed or organized drug trafficking, armed robbery, arms smuggling, abduction, bribery and embezzlement.

Iranian Parliament Endorses New Oil Contract Model

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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September 17, 2016

The new formula, which has drawn criticism from some politicians and experts, was reviewed by a parliamentary panel but not voted by lawmakers, the Ministry of Petroleum’s Shana news agency reported on Saturday.

“After examining the new contract model, the Parliament board on the conformity of government bills with laws declared it not in contradiction with the upstream rules,” Shana quoted MP Asadollah Qareh-Khani as saying.

Parliament speaker Ali Larijani, however, communicated the advice of critics and those familiar with the matter about the contract to the government, said the lawmaker who is also the spokesman of parliament’s energy commission.

The new oil contract model has been modified several times to satisfy those who say it has serious flaws.

“The government, in its third draft, took into account the concerns of the critics and sympathizers of the establishment; and the board on conformity declared the new oil contract in compliance with upstream rules,” Qareh-Khani said.

The new Iran Petroleum Contract (IPC), described as a hybrid model, will replace the buy-back contract. It is being touted as a risk service contract which includes integrated exploration, development and production.

Iran has been working on the IPC for the past two years in order to lure investment to its oil and gas sector. Officials have said the duration of the contract is for 20 years. It includes the fee per barrel that is paid as profit to the companies.

Deputy Petroleum Minister Ali Kardor said in remarks published on Saturday that some $10 billion of oil and gas contracts have been prepared for signing before the end of the current Iranian year on March 20, 2017.

Three oil and gas fields will be tendered for development soon, said the official who is the managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), without naming them.

Kardor recently said the first tender since the lifting of sanctions on Iran will take place between Oct. 14 and Oct. 21, with South Azadegan being the priority for development.

Critics of the new contract are worried about giving foreign companies a stake in the fields, saying such a move could amount to the country’s oil concessions to the UK under the 1901 D’Arcy Agreement which Iranians believe squandered their national wealth.

Enemy Seeks to Alter Lifestyle in Iran: IRGC Commander

By

IFP Media Wire

-

September 17, 2016

In an address to a meeting of IRGC commanders and officials on Saturday, General Salami said the enemy has plans to change the Iranian lifestyle by replacing the Islamic values with Western ones.

He also pointed to the enemy’s plans to close in on Iran and restrain the influence of the Islamic Revolution.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has also on many occasions urged vigilance in the face of enemy ploys to gain a political and cultural foothold in Iran.

Earlier this month, Ayatollah Khamenei issued a 16-article decree providing general policies and measures that Iranian organizations should take to strengthen family relations in Iran and ward off the Western lifestyle.

Iran Condemns Terrorist Attack on Pakistan Mosque

By

IFP Media Wire

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September 17, 2016

“It is high time that all regional countries summon their resolve to firmly fight the root causes and covert and overt origins of this ominous phenomenon through vigilance, cooperation and interaction and rid the world of this plight of the century,” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Saturday.

He expressed sympathy with the Pakistani government and nation over the heartfelt incident and offered his condolences to the bereaved families of the victims.

On Friday, at least 25 people were killed and 30 more wounded in a bomb attack in a Pakistani mosque in the village of Payee Khan, in the troubled Mohmand region of the lawless Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) bordering Afghanistan.

A group of pro-Taliban militants, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ur-Ahrar (TTP-JA), claimed responsibility for the blast.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif denounced the blast and said the “attacks by terrorists cannot shatter the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country.”

Thousands of people have been killed over the past decade as a result of the surge in violence in Pakistan.

In the deadliest terrorist attack in Pakistan, pro-Taliban elements killed over 150 people, most of them children, in an armed assault on a school in the northwestern city of Peshawar in December 2014.

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 18

Iranian Cyclist Golbarnezhad Dies after Rio Paralympic Road Race Crash

Iranian President Urges Strong Unity among Independent States

Iran Picks Asghar Farhadi’s ‘The Salesman’ for 2017 Academy Awards

Iran Rejects Saudi Claim on Yemen Arms Transfer

Saddam Hussein Revealed Phobia of Iran at the Gallows

Leader Pardons over 500 Iranian Prisoners

Iranian Parliament Endorses New Oil Contract Model

Enemy Seeks to Alter Lifestyle in Iran: IRGC Commander

Iran Condemns Terrorist Attack on Pakistan Mosque

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