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JCPOA Proves Washington Is Not Trustworthy: Politician

Hamidreza Asefi

In an interview with Tasnim, as translated by IFP, Iran’s former foreign ministry spokesman, Hamidreza Asefi, described Tehran’s decision about JCPOA as a necessity for the Islamic Republic to deal with the crippling effects of sanctions.

He touched upon the strategy of ‘heroic flexibility’ laid out by Leader of the Islamic Revolution and said, “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was a serious measure taken by Iran to vindicate itself and have the imposed limitations lifted.”

Asefi described JCPOA as a win-win deal and added, “I have always said that if the parties fulfil their obligations under JCPOA, the imposed sanctions and limitations on the country will be lifted, and if not, it will at least help prove Iran’s innocence.”

“Despite all the murmurings of discontent and problems ahead of JCPOA, I believe the deal is positive,” Asefi said.

“The experience Iran acquired from JCPOA is like a painting that depicts the US government’s attitude. They have not changed the nature of their approach towards Iran under any circumstances,” he noted.

He went on to say that the United States has not fulfilled any of the obligations under JCPOA so far, and this proves that they are unworthy.

“Not only was the nuclear deal unable to ameliorate the US policies towards Iran, but also confirmed the fact that the US is hypocritical. This is a treasured experience, which indicates the US approach towards Iran never changes”.

“We should seriously refrain from exerting pressure on the intelligentsia and government members inside the country; We should rather join forces to put high pressure on the US government to abide by its JCPOA obligations.”

Israeli Company Hacks ISIS Telegram Group, Reveals Attack Plans

isis flag

Israeli cyber intelligence company Intsights hacked the Telegram messenger group which militants of the ISIS terrorist group have used for communication and thus revealed their plans for multiple attacks, local media reported Friday.

According to Haaretz newspaper, a Herzliya-based intelligence company discovered the ISIS plans to attack the US air bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, as well as attacks which already took place such as the one in the Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray church in France.

The media added that the company did not disclose any details on how they managed to hack the Telegram group, as reported by Sputnik and covered by IRNA.

In July, France fell victim to two terror attacks, responsibility for which has been claimed by the ISIS terrorist group, outlawed in many countries worldwide.

On July 14, a truck rammed into a large crowd celebrating the Bastille Day in Nice, killing at least 84 people.

On July 26, two armed men took five people hostage at a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, Normandy, killing a priest. ISIS took responsibility for the Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray church attack.

 

Note: IRNA has covered the story using the different title “A Wolf Attacks another Wolf”.

Opening Ceremony of Rio 2016 Olympics

Rio 2016 Olympics

The 2016 Summer Games was kicked off with the opening ceremony in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro on Friday night. 63 Iranian athletes compete in 14 fields in Rio Olympics.

 

 

Valuable Species of Blind Fish Found in Newly-Discovered Cave

Valuable Species of Blind Fish

The Department of Environment’s office in Khuzestan Province recently received a report on the discovery of a cave in Behbahan. The office chief accompanied by the chairman of the city’s Cultural Heritage office visited the area a few days ago.

Here is IFP’s translation of a report by Iran Environment and Wildlife Watch:

Valuable Species of Blind FishA team from Khuzestan’s Centre for Genetic Studies of Caves and Fossils conducted thorough research on the fish living in the cave and found that these fish actually do not have functional eyes. They are completely blind, with no trace of external eyes.

Since these fish live in the heart of darkness, underground waters and depth of caves, they are called blind fish.

This species is considered one of Iran’s rare genetic resources because, except for the district of Popi in Iran’s western city of Lorestan, they have not been found in any other part of the country.

The Department of Environment has taken serious measures for the management of the cave and protecting its rare blind fish.

Iran Slams West for Meddling in Execution of Terrorists

Bahram Ghasemi

Instead of adopting double standards on the issue of terrorism, the West has to show serious resolve in bringing together the global community’s “will and efforts to eradicate Takfiri terrorism, including the Daesh terrorist group,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Friday night.

Qassemi’s comments came after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein criticized Tehran for the execution of 20 terrorists, calling it “injustice.” European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini also expressed her concern over the executions.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always had a resolute policy stance with regard to the fight against terrorism and foreign-backed terrorist groups in the region,” he said, adding, “Iran is a victim of terrorism, and will spare no effort to ensure the security of its people.”

The Iranian Intelligence Ministry on Wednesday confirmed that the convicts, belonging to a terrorist cell, were executed after being sentenced to death for carrying out terrorist attacks in western Iran.

“Based on the information received from the country’s judicial sources, the executed terrorists were found guilty of several charges, including attempting to establish a Takfiri terrorist group, armed assaults inside the country, killing civilians and assassinating some Sunni Muslim clerics, supplying various types of fire arms, making explosives and planting bombs in different parts of some cities,” Qassemi added.  

The Iranian forces have recently engaged in clashes with terror groups, thwarting their terrorist activities on the border and within the country, arresting several of them and confiscating large amounts of explosives and bomb-making materials.

On July 7, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps killed two outlaws affiliated with counter-revolutionary groups in the province of Kordestan.

In the same month, Iran’s Intelligence Ministry said it had foiled a major Takfiri-Wahhabi plot to carry out bomb attacks in the capital, Tehran, and other provinces and arrested many suspects.

Increase in Water Price May Help Iran Overcome Drought

Water-Glass

Here is IFP’s translation of a report by KhabarOnline:

Water is as important as the lives of all living creatures on earth. It comprises 70% of the earth, 3% of which is sweet water.

If the water is wasted, it will gradually lead to the end of the 3%. Once it is fully consumed, all living creatures including human beings might face horrible repercussions.

Middle East is one of the regions where the future of human life might be threatened sooner.

The increase in water price is one of the methods to lower the water consumption level. World Resources Institute recently found that the shortage of water in the Middle East would lead to security and economic crises in the region by 2040. 14 Middle Eastern countries are among the first 33 countries in water crisis ranking.

Iran is the 13th country in the list. Recently, Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian warned that the survival of the country’s civilization is in danger. He pointed to the considerable decrease in the country’s renewable water resources from 130 billion cubic metres to 116bcm, and warned that the figure will decline more in the future.

“Based on global standards, if 40% of renewable water resources in an area is used, that area is in a sustainable situation; however, if the use of such resources increases to more than 40%, the area is in critical conditions. Currently, more than 86% of Iran’s renewable water resources are being used,” he said.

Chitchian referred to the water price as one of the reasons for high water consumption.

“The water price in different sectors is not appropriate enough to decrease the consumption of renewable water resources. The low cost of water in different sectors like the drinking water, industry, and agriculture has reverse effect on the decrease of water consumption,” the Iranian minister noted.

Water Price in Iran Compared with Other Countries

An average 4-member Iranian family pays less than $2 a month for the water it uses. This figure varies from $55 to $326 for an average American family.

In Britain, it depends on the place where the citizens live. However, the monthly bill is $42 for British families.

After Denmark, Germany has the highest fee for water consumption. The water use per capita in Germany has decreased by 18% since 1990 because of the high prices.

Denmark has the most expensive water in Europe. Danish people pay $7.8 for every cubic metre of water they use.

In the United Arab Emirates, which receives $1.6 for every cubic metre, people are fined if their daily water consumption exceeds 700 litres.

Abandoned Telephone Booth Changed into Aquarium

Abandoned Telephone in Iran

According to a report by Young Journalists Club (YJC), as translated by IFP, the municipality of Rasht has built a big aquarium out of an old booth to embellish Golsar Street in the city. The move has appealed the attention of foreign media outlets.

These yellow-coloured public telephone booths are gradually being forgotten, and such moves can bring them into attention once again.

Rasht is the capital city of Gilan Province located in the north of Iran. It is the largest city on Iran’s Caspian Sea coast with a population of 639,951.

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

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

Mobile in hands

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

Rio2016

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.