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

Iran News
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Business
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- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human Rights
- Incidents
- Lifestyle
- Sport
- Women
Culture
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Home Blog Page 4363

No Difference between US Democrats, Republicans: Iran’s Velayati

IFP Media Wire

August 6, 2016

Head of the Strategic Research Center of Iran's Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati

“There is no deference between Republicans and Democrats in adopting stances against our country,” Velayati said in an interview with Lebanon’s Arabic-language al-Mayadeen news channel.

“As we have witnessed that Democrats are creating problems on the (nuclear) deal with Iran,” he added, referring to the July 2015 nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and other world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

However, Iran’s hands are not “tied up” and there is other options if the US renege on the JCPOA (undertakings), added Velayati, who is also an international adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

He went on to say that Iran will definitely act on its national interests regarding the agreement.

While the JCPOA, a 159-page nuclear agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) came into force in January, some Iranian officials complain about the US failure to fully implement the accord.

Earlier in March, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said Americans have yet to fulfill what they were supposed to do as per the nuclear deal.

Iran still has problems in its banking transactions or in restoring its frozen assets, because Western countries and those involved in such processes are afraid of Americans, the Leader said at the time, criticizing the US for its moves to prevent Iran from taking advantage of the sanctions removal.

Easy Mobile Numbers worth Thousands of Dollars

IFP Editorial Staff

August 6, 2016

According to a report by Entekhab, as translated by IFP, sellers of the easy to remember numbers say that unlike what many people think, cinema actors and artists are not the real consumers of such numbers. It is actually the football players who are willing to pay as much as $75,000 on a fancy mobile number.

Entekhab quoted a SIM card broker as saying, “Since a few years ago when the sales of easy numbers boomed in the country, the profiteers and opportunists abandoned other markets and started off dealing fancy numbers. This has led to a hike in prices.”

He went on to say that “four years ago, I had an easy to remember number that was worth around $17,000; I sold it for around $18,000 to the executive manager of a trading company. That mobile number is now worth around $148,000.”

Rio Devoid of the Spirit of Olympics

IFP Editorial Staff

August 5, 2016

Tasnim’s correspondent has reported unpleasant facts about Rio, the host of 2016 Olympics. Here is IFP’s translation of the report:

The opening ceremony of Rio 2016 Olympics is due on Friday, August 5, in Rio de Janeiro; however, it seems that the people of Brazil cannot care less. But why?

They may have jobs but hardly can they make ends meet. They may ask themselves what good can come from these games when the 2014 FIFA World Cup did not improve their living conditions. Will there be any difference between the Rio of tomorrow and the Rio of today?

Watch Your Watches

You are still up in the air when the same words of advice are offered by the flight attendants: “Rio de Janeiro is unsafe. Thieves are rife in the city; therefore, don’t even wear watches.”

Upon our arrival, a sense of fear rushed through us; however, the good news was that we were all together; not alone.

Streets are full of cars that are inching forward. Fortunately, just like Tehran’s Bus Rapid Transit system, there was an especial line allocated to the buses in a bid to get rid of the heavy traffic jam.

No Sign of Enthusiasm for Olympics

No Olympics fever, no enthusiasm, not a dash of zest, nothing. It throws you into doubts that if this city is hosting the Olympics 2016. Not only are people on the streets totally indifferent to the events, but also the authorities have not made the least efforts to create a visually appealing Rio. It seems the people and the government have more important issues to take care of.

Mounted Police, Ostensible Security Measures

A few miles away from where the reporters are supposed to stay, policemen patrolling on horsebacks catch your attention. This is often seen in many cities such as London; however, the mind-boggling paradox is that you never can figure out the role of these mounted police forces while security measures are not seen of any kind throughout the city.

Astronomical Prices and Roaming Vendors

Prices are mind-blowing in Brazil. In Iran, you can buy a bottle of water for less than $0.15, while it will cost you around $1 in Rio. Shouts of street vendors are among the projecting features of the city; however, they may suddenly make a run in unison which shows legal actions against them is universal and not limited to Tehran.

Ugly Appearance of the Host to Olympics

Near the city’s media centre, the stench of sewerage draws your attention towards the ugly sewage pipes that are laid bare. This attests to the fact that municipality officials, just like other authorities, attach no importance to the Olympics.

Putin Renews Vow to Give Iran $2.5bn of Loans

IFP Media Wire

August 5, 2016

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin says the loans will be meant to help Iran develop two key energy-related projects.

“Russia intends to grant two state loans to Iran to the amount of €2.2 billion [$2.5 billion] to finance the construction of a thermal power plant near the city of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf coast and the electrification of the Garmsar–Ince Burun railway section in the north-east of the country,” Putin has been quoted as telling AZERTAC news agency in a report that was also covered by Sputnik news agency.

The Russian president, who will meet his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani in Baku on 8 August, emphasized that the loans will be granted as large-scale joint projects in the oil and gas sphere.

He also added that several other plans are being devised to develop cooperation between the two countries over aerospace and electric power industries.

Kremlin has announced that Putin will meet Rouhani – as well as Azeri President Ilham Aliyev – to discuss regional issues as well as cooperation between the three countries over energy and transportation.

Iran’s Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian in February announced the signing of a contract with Russia for the construction of a thermal power plant with the capacity of 1,400 megawatts in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province.

The project will be the first of a package of four thermal plant projects that Russia is expected to develop in Hormozgan. The two countries had previously been discussing the development of two more power plants in Tabriz, in northwestern Iran, and two others in Tabas, northeastern Iran. The costs for construction of the projects are estimated to stand at above $10 billion.

Iran and Russia had also last November signed another agreement worth €1.2 billion to electrify a train line, linking north-central Iran to the northeastern border with Turkmenistan.

The agreement – that was signed between Russian Railways and the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI) – envisaged the construction of power stations and overhead power lines along the Garmsar-Sari-Gorgan-Ince Burun route in Iran.

International Students and Empty Chairs of Iranian Universities

IFP Editorial Staff

August 4, 2016

According to a report by IRNA, as translated by IFP, the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, declared an unprecedented record of 250-300 empty chairs in the country’s universities.

The figure has raised serious concerns over the quality of higher education in Iran, and of course the future of educational attainment in the country.

According to official statistics, 109,860 students have taken the Iranian university entrance exam this year, which indicates a significant decline compared to the previous years.

Officials with the Ministry, unlike some educational experts, have described the empty chairs as treasured potentials to attract more students from foreign countries.

They argue that these students bring money into the country, and can also be highly beneficial as the scientific and cultural ambassadors of an Islamic Iran throughout the world.

Iranian universities have high ranks in many scientific indices and this can help them have a say in all scientific fields.

After the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, there are hopes that more international students sit on the empty chairs of Iranian universities.

A small number of foreign students from Afghanistan, China, Syria, and Iraq will not bring much good to the international rankings of Iran’s universities.

Hossein Salar Amoli, head of the Centre for International Scientific Cooperation of the Ministry of Science, told IRNA about the country’s upside potential to achieve top rankings in attracting international students.

“The government, the Parliament and the state-run organizations are all required to help design a comprehensive roadmap if we want to make the best use of this opportunity.”

Amoli drew attention to the possible negative impacts of an unplanned and unprepared method of attracting international students, and said, “Officials should make far-sighted plans about the future of the country’s higher education and tread on the path prudently.”

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on August 4

IFP Editorial Staff

August 4, 2016

Thursday newspapers mainly focused on a rare suggestion by Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani to start human rights talks with Europe under certain conditions.

The remarks made by President Hassan Rouhani in his live televised interview on Tuesday night also remained a top story today.

Papers also covered the claim by Wall Street Journal about the USA’s payment of $400m to Iran in exchange for the release of its prisoners.

An Islamic human rights prize was also given to Sheikh Issa Qassim, the prominent Bahraini cleric, in a ceremony held in Tehran.

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

Abrar:

1- US Has Paid $400m to Iran for Releasing American Prisoners: WSJ Claims

2- Rouhani’s Message to Critics: I’m Not Angry

3- Venezuela’s New Interior Minister Is Accused of Drug Crimes in US

4- Tehran’s Beggars to Be Confronted as of Saturday

Afkar:

1- Syrian Army Repels Jaish al-Fatah’s Attack in Southern Aleppo

2- Issue of Cancer Is Serious: Health Minister

Aftab-e Yazd

1- Tours to Turkey Still in Place in Spite of Government’s Ban

2- Illusion of Rouhani’s Disqualification [some opponents are predicting that the Guardian Council would disqualify President Hassan Rouhani from running for next year’s presidential elections]

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- Judiciary Chief Calls for Human Rights Talks with Europe

2- Rouhani Gripped with Disloyal Friends: Politician

3- 22,000 Children Die in Iran Each Year

4- Doctors Brainwashed to Encourage Parents to Feed Their Children with Powdered Milk

Ebtekar:

1- Mahmoud Abbas Playing in Favour of Saudi Arabia and Zionist Regime [Israel]

2- Iran’s Constitutional Revolution Becomes 110 Years Old

3- Decline of Economy Stopped [Editorial on the fact that the economic growth was minus 6% when Rouhani was sworn in]

Emtiaz:

1- Adverse Conditions of Only Iranian Island in Caspian Sea

2- We Have No Choice But to Abandon Telegram: Censorship Official

Etemad:

1- Unprecedented Plan by Judiciary Chief: Human Rights Negotiations with Europe

2- Ayatollah Amoli Larijani: Main Condition for the Talks Is Its Bilateral Nature; Iran Should Not Be the Only Side to Be Questioned: It Should Be Bilateral

Ettela’at:

1- Government Resolved to Increase Transparency and Fight Corruption and Smuggling: President in Live Televised Interview

2- Islamic Human Rights Prize Given to Sheikh Qassim

3- Ayatollah Sistani’s Donation to Sunni Displaced People of Iraq’s Salahuddin

4- Trilateral Meeting to Be Held Next Week between Rouhani, Putin, and Aliyev in Baku

5- Tax Evasion in Iran Stands at $8.7bn

Hemayat:

1- Judiciary Chief: We’re Ready for Human Rights Negotiations with Europe in Equal Conditions

2- Obama Admits Growth of ISIS in Libya as a Result of US Policies

Iran:

1- Heat in Khuzestan: People Take Shelters in Their Homes, Business Are Closed

2- Rio, a Host Grappling with Protests and Chaos: 31st Olympics Dealing with Zika, Terrorism, Political Protests, and Critics

Javan:

1- Rouhani’s Remarks about US Disloyalty Are Welcomed

2- Details of Crimes Committed by Takfiri [Extremist] Terrorist Group Tawhid and Jihad

3- Dried Milk Producers Giving Bribes to Doctors

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Sheikh Qassim Wins Islamic Human Rights Prize

2- Successful Installation of B-18 Platform on South Pars Gas Field by Iranian Experts

3- Rouhani: In Spite of US Violation of Its Commitments, Good Atmosphere Is Created for Iran’s Economy

Kayhan:

1- People’s Questions Not Answered in President’s Live Televised Interview

2- Families of Saudi Soldiers Call for Return of Their Children from Yemen War

3- Ayatollah al-Sistani Helps 8,000 Sunni Displaced Residents of Salahuddin Province

4- New York Times Worried about Mobilization of Iranian Elites in Protest at JCPOA

5- Famous Islam Expert in Interview with Kayhan: All Terrorist Groups Are Somehow Serving US Interests

Khorasan:

1- Buying a President: A Report on Electoral Expenditures of US Presidential Candidates

Resalat:

1- US Didn’t Fulfil Its Commitments: Rouhani

2- What UN Secretary-General Will Do: Resignation or Power?

3- Before Lifting the Sanctions, US Is Sending the Bill: Analyst

Shargh:

1- Iranian Constitution: Heroes in Iran’s Anti-Tyranny Movement

2- Hassan Abbasi Arrested after Army Filed a Lawsuit in Military Court

Vaghaye Ettefaghieh:

1- Saudi Arabia’s Decline to Begin on August 28, 2018

2- Ambitious Plans and Severe Economic Crisis to Destroy Riyadh

3- Yalasarat Weekly [whose licence was revoked by the government because of insulting Iranian artists] Is Once Again Published and Released

4- Foreign Ministry Spokesman Rejects as “Sheer Lies” the Claims about Iran’s Sending Arms to Yemen

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Seriously Pursuing Mina Tragedy Case: Spokesman

IFP Media Wire

August 4, 2016

The Iranian Foreign Ministry is in charge of handling the Mina tragedy case via political and legal procedures, and is doing its utmost to restore the rights of families of the victims, Qassemi said on Wednesday, when asked about reports that 120 families of victims of the disaster have sent a letter to the Foreign Ministry.

He said all Iranian diplomatic missions are working hard to defend the rights of those who were injured or lost their loved ones in the Mina crush.

Not only have the Iranian diplomatic representatives put forward the case in many international circles and organizations, but the country is also in consultation with renowned local and foreign jurists to officially hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the tragic incident, he added.

More than 460 Iranians were among the thousands of pilgrims who died on September 24, 2015, in the crush in Mina, near Mecca, during the Hajj pilgrimage.

The incident marked the worst ever tragedy during Hajj.

Saudi authorities have come under fire for their inability to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who converge on Mecca every year.

Iran Dismisses Allegation of Arms Delivery to Yemen

IFP Media Wire

August 4, 2016

Bahram Qassemi dismissed the accusation as an “outright lie”, stressing that Iran’s principled policy is pursuing regional stability and security.

He also recommended British officials to respect the will of people in the region and refrain from escalatory moves instead of distorting the truth and misusing regional conflicts.

Qassemi further criticized foreign countries’ military presence in the region, which he said has caused instability and led to the growth of extremism and terrorism.

“The regional countries are able to deal with crises and unrests by resorting to dialogue, closer interaction and pursuing the policies of good neighborliness, mutual respect and (respect for) sovereignty of countries, without the meddling of other trans-regional countries,” he added.

Iran’s Tourism Income Amounts to $1m an Hour

IFP Editorial Staff

August 3, 2016

“Since the beginning of new Persian calendar year [started on March 20], Iran has earned $2.85bn from the arrival of foreign tourists,” Valiollah Afkhami, the head of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), announced on Wednesday, August 3.

According to a report by ISNA, as translated by IFP, the country is planning to increase the income to more than $4bn in the near future.

The figure shows that the country has made $23m a day, and nearly $1m an hour within the past four months, he went on to say.

Earlier, the Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) Massoud Soltanifarhad announced that Iran has formulated plans to increase revenue from the tourism industry within the next ten years to an amount equal to the income generated by oil sales

In an interview with the Tasnim, Soltanifar said according to the plans, Iran’s income from attracting tourists will amount to the oil incomes in 2025.

Referring to a 12-14 percent rise in the number of foreign visitors to Iran over the past two years, he expected that the country will be hosting 20 million tourists in 2025.

With a large number of attractive natural and historical sites, Iran is one of the most touristic countries in the world.

More foreign tourists are starting to arrive in Iran after a lasting nuclear deal between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) came into force and nuclear-related anti-Iran sanctions were terminated.

Back in February 2016, the then Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari announced a decision that will enable the citizens of all but nine countries to obtain Iran’s visa on arrival at the country’s airports.

Japan’s Investment in 3 Major Projects in Iran’s Underdeveloped Province

IFP Editorial Staff

August 3, 2016

According to a report by IRNA, as translated by IFP, Ali Owsat Hashemi, the Governor-General of the province, announced that the three projects include the construction of an international airport, the development of Chabahar Port, and the construction of Chabahar-Sarakhs railway.

“Japan is going to make a $10bn investment in these six major projects,” he went on to say.

The province is the largest in Iran, with an area of 181,785 square kilometres and a population of 2.5 million.

The province today is the most underdeveloped, desolate, and poorest of Iran’s provinces. The Iranian government has been trying to reverse this situation by implementing new plans such as developing the Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone.

Japan’s investment can be a major step to accelerate the province’s development.