Iranian Spokesman: France among Countries Complicating Syria Crisis

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September 29, 2016

“Unfortunately, (recent) statements by the French foreign minister, who should be well informed of developments in the region and the world, are unrealistic and far from expected,” Bahram Qassemi said on Wednesday.

He made the remarks in response to Ayrault, who claimed on Sunday that Iran and Russia would become “accomplices in war crimes” if they continued to prolong the war in Syria.

“Everyone is aware that France, itself, is among those countries that brought about the current crisis in Syria and complicated the deteriorating situation in the country by adopting wrong policies,” the Iranian spokesman stated.

Iran’s “spiritual influence” in the region is directed at efforts to fight against the terrorists with whose crimes some Western countries, like France, are fully familiar, Qassemi said.

Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with various terrorist groups, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), currently controlling parts of it.

According to a report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country’s pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.

In the meantime, Iran has remained a close ally of Syria and supports its legitimate government in the face of foreign-backed militancy.

Tehran insists that the Syrian nation is the only side that has the right to shape the future of its own country, rejecting foreign intervention with the use of force.

FAO Enters into Partnership with UNHCR to Help Afghan Refugees in Iran

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IFP Media Wire

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September 28, 2016

At a ceremony in Tehran on Wednesday, the UNHCR’s Representative in Iran Sivanka Dhanapala announced FAO’s membership in SSAR (Strategy Solutions for Afghan Refugees ), a training program which outlines the need for increased voluntary repatriation and enhanced resettlement of the refugees.

“These trainings would, over time, enhance refugees’ financial, human and social capital and will better prepare them to find a sustainable durable solution, either in their own country or elsewhere” FAO Representative to Iran Serge Nakouzi said during the event.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is contributing significantly to support a large community of Afghan refugees hosted in the country offering them with various livelihoods opportunities, recognizing the need to empower them to earn a decent living and to positively contribute to the society during their stay in Iran.

Considering the peaceful coexistence of Afghan refugees and Iranians in the host community, FAO is working on another project called “School Gardens for Better Nutrition in Iran for Afghan Refugees” that sees schools as golden opportunities for children of both the host community and the refugee community, to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for them to develop into healthy, self-reliant and productive members of society.

Russian Campaign Saved Syria from ‘Becoming Part of New Ottoman Empire’

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IFP Editorial Staff

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September 28, 2016

“The Russian campaign in Syria has strengthened country’s positions in the world affairs. I believe, this was the end of the uni-polar world. We can talk about multi-polar world now,” Muslim said, as reported by Sputnik and covered by ISNA.

He added that Moscow’s aerial campaign had also changed Washington’s perception of terrorists, pushing the United States to change its stance with regard to several militant groups in the region.

According to the PYD co-chairman, Russia’s support of Syria prevented the Middle Eastern nation “from being cut into pieces and becoming a part of a new Ottoman Empire.”

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting a number of opposition factions and extremist groups.

In September 2015, Russia started its counter-terrorist aerial campaign against ISIS extremists, outlawed in Russia, as well as other affiliated radicals, in Syria at Assad’s request.

In mid-March, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to start the withdrawal of most of Russia’s military contingent from Syria after accomplishing its objective, while leaving a minor residual force.

Asian Rock Climbing Competitions in Tehran

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IFP Media Wire

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September 28, 2016

Asian rock climbing competitions kicked off on Wednesday in Tehran with participants from Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia and Singapore in attendance.

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Iran Raps Iraq Terrorist Attacks

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Fatemeh Askarieh

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September 28, 2016

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi offered condolences to the Iraqi government and nation and families of victims of the deadly terrorist attacks.

He also attributed the killing of innocent people in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and other parts of the world to the international community’s muted response and the policy of turning a blind eye to the root causes of terrorism and violence.

The spokesman further reminded all regional and international players of the international duty to fight against terrorism seriously and genuinely.

Since early 2014, Iraq has been facing a growing militancy by the Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorist group and its allied militants, who have taken over areas in the country’s west and north.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on September 28

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IFP Editorial Staff

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September 28, 2016

Newspapers on Wednesday covered the US presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Almost all newspapers dedicated part of their front pages to the debate, covering different points mentioned in the session, particularly their talks about Iran and the nuclear deal.

A letter by ex-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei also received great coverage. Ahmadinejad in his letter announced that he will do as Ayatollah Khamenei advised him to and will not run for the next year’s presidential elections.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) summit in Algeria and the remarks made by Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh about the oil freeze plan was also a top story today.

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

Abrar:

1- US Spokesman: We Don’t Comment about Iran’s Domestic Policies

2- MP: Ahmadinejad Is Convicted in Court of Audit for $3.4bn Corruption Case

3- Moscow: S-300 Delivery to Be Completed by End of 2016

4- Indian FM: Pakistan Should Stop Dreaming about Kashmir

Abrar-e Eqtesadi:

1- Italy Outpaced Other European Countries in Making Investment in Iran

2- New Phase of Iran-Taiwan Trade Ties Kicked Off

3- Oil Minister: Iran’s Oil Production Not to Be Restricted; OPEC Oil Price Decreases

Afarinesh:

1- Larijani: Government Has Corrected All Deficiencies of Oil Contracts

2- Talks with US in Fishery

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Kuwait Gov’t Files Lawsuit against a Newspaper for Insulting Iran

2- Insistence on Opposition to FATF: Economy Minister Says FATF Deal Had Been Finalized in 2009

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Hillary and Trump’s Contest over JCPOA: Iran Will Become a Major Power, Trump Says

2- Ahmadinejad’s Letter to Leader: I Have No Plan for Elections

Asrar:

1- Advisor to Leader: Saudi Arabia’s Mistake Will Lead to Annihilation of Wahhabism and Al Saud

2- Oil Minister: Some Have Disabled OPEC

3- Bahrain FM: Manama Seeks to Have Better Ties with Tehran

4- Possibility of ISIS’ Chemical Attack on Europe

5- Tentative Diplomacy Worked: Canada Appreciates Iran for Releasing a Prisoner

Donya-ye Eqtesad:

1- World Market Votes for Hillary

2- Trump’s Attack on JCPOA and Clinton’s Defence

Ebtekar:

1- Iran, the Focal Point of First US Presidential Debate

Etemad:

1- The Lawyer Won the Debate: Democrats’ Candidate Was Well-Prepared, but GOP Candidate Fought by Improvisation

2- Major General Baqeri: We Pursue Our Defensive Missions beyond Our Borders

3- Oil Minister in Algiers Meeting: Don’t Use Oil as a Weapon

Ettela’at:

1- Economy Minister: Preventing Money Laundry Is the Way to Fight Corruption

2- French FM: West’s Support for Terrorism in Syria Is Wrong

3- Nigerian Shiites’ Ultimatum to Government for Release of Sheikh Zakzaky

Haft-e Sobh:

1- Trump-Hillary: The Show Begins; First US Presidential Debate Was Held as Hillary Was Chosen as Winner Only in CNN Poll

2- Revolution of Architectures in Tehran: The Guardian’s Report on How Tehran Looks Like in 2016

Hamshahri:

1- Clinton, the Winner of First 90 Minutes

Iran:

1- Heavy Shadow of Nuclear Deal on First Presidential Debate between Democrats and Republicans: 100m Watched the Most-Viewed Debate in US History

Jame Jam:

1- Beyond the First Debate of Clinton and Trump: Image of US without Any Retouch

2- Iran to Deploy Child Police: Specialization Policy in Judiciary

Javan:

1- Anti-Iran Competition in US Presidential Debate: US Candidates Mentioned Iran’s Name for 19 Times in First Presidential Debate

2- Shamkhani: We Need More Agreements over FATF; Larijani: Commitment to FATF Should Only Be within Iran’s Law; Economy Minister: Cooperation with FATF Would Never Cause Domestic Sanction

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Rouhani: All Ethnic Groups and Followers of All Religions Should Be Able to Play a Role in Future of Syria

2- Oil Minister: Iran Won’t Freeze Its Oil Output at Current Level

3- Sponsors of Terrorism Worried about Syrian Army’s Progress in Aleppo

4- US: We Don’t Support Nusra Front, But Our Allies May Do So!

5- Nasrallah: Field Developments to Decide Syrian’s Fate

Kayhan:

1- Iranophobia Competition between Clinton and Trump in First Presidential Debate

2- Al Saud’s Latest Crime: Massacre of 10 Members of a Yemeni Family

3- MP: Part of the Rice Imported to Iran Is Genetically-Modified

4- Nasrallah: In Syria, the War Front Says the Last Word, Not a Political Solution

Khorasan:

1- Polls Smile at Trump: Many Polls Show that Trump Has Won Presidential Debate

Resalat:

1- Israel Is Our Target; We Don’t Need Missile with Longer Ranges: General

2- Bahonar: Conservatives’ Support for Rouhani in 2017 Elections Not on Agenda

3- Nasrallah: We Repelled the Threat in Syria

Setareh Sobh:

1- Focus on Economy, Taxation, and Foreign Policy: Most-Viewed Presidential Debate in Past 36 Years

2- Hillary: I’m Satisfied with Iran Nuclear Deal, If Trump Doesn’t Want It, He Should Propose Alternative Solution

3- Trump: US Has Signed Worst Deal with Iran, Iran Will Become a Major Power after Nuclear Deal

Shargh:

1- Rouhani: Change in Borders Is Not to Interest of the Middle East

2- Larijani’s Reaction to FATF Opponents: It’s Good to Have Diplomatic Wisdom!

3- Hillary Wins the Debate 1-1: Why Iran Became Central Point in Presidential Debate

Vaghaye Ettefaghieh:

1- Hillary Seems to Be Staying in Competition, Trump Approaching the End

2- Ahmadinejad Confirms He Won’t Run for Presidential Elections; an Escape for Immunity from Prosecution; He Doesn’t Want to Be Finished

3- A Report on Deepest Human Darkness: Stop War against Children

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- Hillary: We Shut Down Iran’s Nuclear Program

2- Iran’s Central Bank Governor in Austria: US Not Acting Transparently

3- Leader’s Military Advisor: It’s Way out of Saudi Arabia’s League to Threaten Iran

Armed Forces Must Stand Ready against Enemy Threats: Leader

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IFP Media Wire

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September 28, 2016

Ayatollah Khamenei was speaking during a graduation ceremony for Army cadets on Wednesday.

“Today, the Iranian nation faces a vast enemy front due to its dedication to Islam, independence and lofty values,” said the Leader, adding that “the Armed Forces should always be prepared to play their part should the need arise.”

Ayatollah Khamenei further highlighted the sacrifices made by Iranian soldiers during the eight-year war imposed by the former Iraqi regime on the Islamic Republic during the 1980s.

The eight-year Iraqi offensive, the Leader added, was in fact “an international and all-out war waged by the world’s major powers, along with their global and regional followers, against the [country’s] frontiers, the identity, the Islamic establishment as well as the Iranian nation’s [1979 Islamic] Revolution.”

Ayatollah Khamenei said Iranians, however, managed to counter all the big powers through reliance on their faith and resistance.

The ceremony culminated Iran’s Sacred Defense Week, which marked the 36th anniversary of the Iraq war.

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Iran’s Zarif Makes Unannounced Visit to Ankara

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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September 28, 2016

Zarif stopped in Ankara on Wednesday morning on his way back to Tehran from New York, where he attended the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The top Iranian held closed-door talks with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu during the visit.

According to IRNA, the talks were focused on the expansion of Iran-Turkey relations as well as the developments in the region.

AFP quoted an unnamed Turkish diplomatic source as saying that the conflict in Syria was among the topics on the agenda of Zarif-Cavusoglu discussions.

This is the third round of talks between the Iranian and Turkish foreign ministers over the past two months.

Zarif also met the Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım during his short stay in Ankara.

ISNA reported that the two countries have reached two important deals in this visit. It is said that Tehran and Ankara have made deals on sending humanitarian aid to Syria as well as the cessation of conflicts in the war-torn country.

Iran and Turkey have differences over the crisis in Syria, but the two sides have been working to maintain close relations and stress the need for joint efforts to uproot terrorism.

Later in the day, Zarif will also meet with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, the premier’s office said, Press TV reported.

In mid-August, Cavusoglu made a surprise visit to Tehran, after Zarif held talks in the Turkish capital the same month.

Zarif became the first high-ranking diplomat to visit Turkey after an abortive military coup there in mid-July.

The Islamic Republic voiced support for its neighbor in the face of the failed coup, becoming the first country to condemn the attempt against the Ankara government.

Iran Enjoyed Fruits of Rouhani’s Policies at Recent UNGA Meetings

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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September 28, 2016

“Iran’s active diplomacy and the policy of constructive cooperation are based on the expansion of relations with all those who want to have good and friendly ties with Iran,” he noted, according to a report by IRNA, as translated by IFP.

As regards the achievements of President Rouhani’s trip to New York, Nahavandian said, “The president held 24 official meetings on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the UNGA summits: 9 meetings held with the heads of countries and major economic figures, 11 meetings with non-European officials and three meetings with the neighbours of Iran, namely Pakistan, Turkey and Iraq.”

Economic Recovery Is Government’s Top Priority

Elsewhere in his remarks, he referred to the country’s economic conditions as the main policy of the government, and said, “Iran’s economy has been most successful in dealing with the challenging oil slump during the recent years. This challenge created many problems in oil-producing countries, including the rising inflation; however, we experienced inflation drop and rising economy in Iran.”

The top politician further referred to Iran’s objection to the USA’s stonewalling in the implementation of the nuclear deal known as JCPOA, and added, “We objected to the US delay and procrastination in the JCOPA implementation. According to the text of JCPOA, relations should be normalized with Iran after the termination of nuclear sanctions. The USA’s unilateral sanctions are still in place and that is unacceptable to Iran.

Europeans Are on Iran’s Side in Implementing JCPOA

“We have officially protested against the US sabotage in the implementation of JCPOAs. The issue has been discussed in the meetings at the levels of minister and deputy minister. They finally decided to submit an official objection to the US. Iran issued its complaint once the Europeans were consistent with Iran as well.”

He went on to say that one of the achievements of JCPOA is that Europeans are also protesting at the Americans’ lack of cooperation and doubles-standard policies.

“They are questioning the US unilateral and non-nuclear sanctions.”

As regards the recent positive stance of EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini towards JCPOA, Nahavandian said: The European Union foreign policy chief has made clear in her speech that Iran should receive tangible economic gains, while the Europeans also possess the same position, so all discourse is directed at the Americans. Right now, EU has no sanctions against Iran while prior to the JCPOA, EU stood beside the US and even imposed unilaterally numerous sanctions against Iran. The great success of JCPOA is not only some of the UN Security Council resolutions were cancelled at once but also the EU sanctions were lifted.

Iran Opposed to US Policies in Middle East

With regard to the US policies in the region, he emphasized, “Our reactions correspond to the actions. One of our objections to the US is its wrong and catastrophic policies in our region. In the past 40 years, Iran has always held appropriate stances, while the US stance and policies have been wrong and problematic. From the beginning, Iran has not sought sectarian policies but logical and peaceful ones.”

Iran’s Official Complaint against Washington

Nahavandian further referred to the US seizure of $2bn of Iranian assets, and added, “President Rouhani explicitly talked about the issue in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. We will seriously pursue our International complaint.”

He went on to say that Iran has employed experienced lawyers to pursue the case in the international and political bodies.

“Our top priority is to take advantage of the new conditions provided after the JCPOA,” he added.