ISIS on Alert in Mosul for Possible Attack by Iraqi Forces

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July 9, 2016

According to a report by Alsumaria News, as covered by ISNA, a source in Mosul revealed details about ISIS putting its militants on alert. Here is IFP’s translation.

A source from inside the city of Mosul, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that ISIS has put its members on full alert.

“It came after a group of unknown individuals, spontaneously, hoisted Iraq’s flag in a market named Ba’ab al-Toub which is located in downtown Mosul.”

The manoeuvre was unprecedented in the past two years of occupation, the source said, adding, “ISIS immediately removed the flags and arrested a few vendors over the incident. No one knows where they took the detainees.”

A few days ago, a video footage was released on social media showing solidarity of Mosul residents with the victims of Karrada blasts.

ISIS had claimed responsibility for detonating explosives in Baghdad’s Shiite neighbourhood of Karrada, which killed hundreds of innocent people.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on July 9

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 9, 2016

Newspapers on Saturday covered the remarks by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in two separate speeches. The Leader addressed a large group of Iranian people in Eid al-Fitr prayers on Wednesday, and also met Iranian officials and people as well as ambassadors of Islamic countries after the prayers. In his first speech, the Leader underlined the need for confronting the issue of huge salaries and prosecution of those who received such illegitimate payments, and in the second speech, Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the issue of Palestine.

The death of acclaimed filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami and the possible medical errors that might have caused his death was also covered by newspapers, which were closed for three days on Eid al-Fitr holidays.

The US Congress’ ban on sale of planes to Iran and President Barack Obama’s vow to veto the plan was also a top story today. The reactions in Iran were also covered.

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

Abrar:

1- Iran’s Missile Tests Are Not Consistent with Spirit of JCPOA: UN’s Ban

2- Iran Is Trying to Achieve Sensitive Nuclear Equipment: German Intelligence Office

3- Trump Won’t Tear Apart Nuclear Deal with Iran: Advisor

Abrar-e Eqtesadi:

1- The Netherlands Becomes Iran’s Oil Customer

2- US Imports from Iran Amounts to $27m

3- Iran and Indonesia to Sign Oil MoU

4- Iran Reaches Power Plant Agreements with Spain and Germany

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Astronomical Salaries Not Limited to Government: First VP

2- Fire in Iran’s Petchem Heart: Rumours of Sabotage Dismissed

3- Delay in Flight of New Boeing Planes to Iran

4- Reactions to Corruption: From Ahmadinejad’s Threats to Rouhani’s Apology

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- A Report on Visits of Imam Khomeini’s Grandson to Pakistan and Sri Lanka: Seyyed Hassan’s Opinion about Ties with US

2- Last Red Carpet for Kiarostami: Body of Globally-Acclaimed Filmmaker Arrives in Tehran

3- Obama Vows to Veto US Congress’ Ban on Boeing Deal with Iran

Ebtekar:

1- Passengers of Traffic Jam: 3-Day Holidays Bring Horrible Traffic to Iranian Roads

2- West Dominated by Women’s Power: A Woman to Become Next British PM

3- Our View of Americans Depends on Their Behaviour: Imam Khomeini’s Grandson

Etemad:

1- Everyone, without Any Exceptions! Etemad’s Report on Letters by President Rouhani and First VP Jahangiri on Unconventional Salaries

2- How Did You Spend Your Holidays? In Traffic Jam!

3- Battle with Fire Mountain: Iran’s Biggest Wildfire in Recent Years

Ettela’at:

1- Global Hegemony Wants to Open Up Space for Zionist Regime [Israel] by Fanning Flames of War in Middle East: Leader

2- Imam Khomeini’s Grandson Regrets Decrease of Attention to Issue of Zionist Regime in Muslim World

3- $10bn Increase in Iran’s Non-Oil Exports Expected for This Year: First VP

Haft-e Sobh:

1- 3 Days of Fire and Accident: Wildfire in Mahshahr Petchem Complex, Rumours of Bombing in Chitgar [park in Tehran], Death of 6 American Officers in Texas, Deadly Bombings in Baghdad and Samarra

2- World’s Biggest Marketing Company in Iran

3- Deal with Boeing Pending Obama’s Decision: Republicans Ban Plane Deal with Iran

4- Iran’s Health Minister Urges Investigations into Possible Medical Error on Kiarostami’s Case

Iran:

1- First VP Briefs President on Measures of “Special Committee” against Unconventional Salaries

2- Strange Case of Traffic Jam in Roads Connecting Tehran to Northern Iran: 2.8m Trips in 2 Days Caused Troubles for Tourists

3- Tony Blair’s Late Confession: I Take Full Responsibility for Iraq War

4- $500m of Industrial Investment Registered after JCPOA: Minister

5- Iranian and World Cinema in Grief of Kiarostami

Jame Jam:

1- Leader Underlines Need for Returning People’s Properties [the astronomical salaries paid to certain executives] to National Treasury: People’s Trust in the Establishment Would Decrease If the Issue Isn’t Pursued Enough

2- Iranians Throw Away $8bn of Food Each Year

Javan:

1- Palestine Is Muslim World’s Main Issue: Leader

2- Iran’s Foreign Ministry Admits USA’s Insufficient Efforts for JCPOA Implementation

3- Poet of Iranian Cinema Experiences Taste of Death

4- US Police’s Clash with Black People in Dallas

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Leader Calls for Punishment of Those Who Broke the Law [on huge salary payments]

2- Issue of Unconventional Salaries Is a National One and Shouldn’t Be Used for [Partisan] Political Fights

3- Necessity for Formation of United Front against Takfiri [extremist] Terrorists [Editorial]

Kayhan:

1- Those Who Received Astronomical Salaries Don’t Deserve to Serve as Officials: Leader

2- Al Saud Asks for Ansarullah’s Help to Get Out of Yemen’s Deadlock

3- Lack of Enough Monitoring Was Main Reason behind Illegitimate Salaries: Experts

Khorasan:

1- Dismissal of Executives Will Continue: Government

2- We Had a Role in Creation of ISIS: Blair

3- ISIS Fails to Destroy Shrine of Shiite Imam’s Son in Iraq

Resalat:

1- US Main Source of War and Terrorism in Middle East: Leader

2- Illegitimate Salaries Result of Aristocracy: Ayatollah Khamenei

3- USA’s New Violation of JCPOA Commitments in First Anniversary of Nuclear Deal

4- Rangers Permitted to Use Gun to Defend Themselves: Ebtekar

Shahrvand:

1- Secret behind Death of Renowned Iranian Director: Did Medical Error Kill Kiarostami?

2- Civil War in the US: Snipers Kill 5 Police Officers after 2 Black Americans Were Killed by the Police

3- Iran Has Not Meddled in Issue of Bahrain and Won’t Do So: Leader

Shargh:

1- Enemies Trying to Abuse Issue of [huge] Salaries as Leverage to Attack the Establishment: Leader

2- Issue of Medical Errors after Kiarostami’s Death: Wall of Mistrust Grows Up between Doctors and Patients

3- Change of 3 Senior Military Commanders

Sobh-e Now:

1- Fire of Mismanagement in Bandar Mahshahr

2- Defending National Interests in North of Indian Ocean: Major General Bagheri

3- Homeland Can’t Be Ignored: Kiarostami in Unpublished Interview

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- UN’s Ban, the Globally Disgraced Official, Talks against Iran’s Missiles

2- Armed Protests of the Black in Texas: Dallas Becomes the US Capital of Fear

3- Triple Blasts in Saudi Arabia: Will Hajj Become Unsafe?

Rouhani Thanks Crew Involved in Containing Petrochemical Complex Fire

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 9, 2016

Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh delivered President Rouhani’s deep gratitude to commanders of fire department operations, oil companies, and courageous and selfless fire-fighters involved in containing the fire that broke out on Wednesday and continued to burn for three days at Bou Ali Sina, a large petrochemical complex in Bandar Imam Khomeini, south-west of the country.

In separate letters, Zanganeh also delivered President Rouhani’s message of appreciation for the constructive role of the governor of Khuzestan, the crisis staff, and other organizations in the province such as the Municipality, the Red Crescent Society, and Ports and Maritime Organization that made tremendous efforts in containing the fire, Mehr reported.

The inferno went out in the wee hours of Saturday, after 57 hours of constant fire-fighting efforts failed to extinguish the huge blaze at a main tank filled with combustible fluid, Naphta. The incident caused no fatalities.

After several rounds of futile attempt to put out the fire at the blazing tank, officials decided to discharge its content and let the remaining material burn itself out, Tasnim reported.

Zanganeh arrived at the site of the incident on Thursday night to assess the situation in person. He returned to Tehran this morning after the fire was successfully extinguished. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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“The plant will start over regular activities within the next few weeks,” Zanganeh announced on Saturday morning, adding, “However, returning to normal conditions for paraxylene tower will require a longer period of time.”

Zanganeh has already ruled out the possibility of any acts of sabotage or arson attack, saying the fire was a result of a technical failure.

“Some individuals have said that the incident was the result of sabotage. Certainly, this is not true. It has had technical reasons,” Zanganeh was quoted as saying by Shana.

In case of any negligence, it will be announced after thorough investigations, he stressed.

“Unfortunately, some neighbouring countries are happy with the incident, and this is so regrettable that a Muslim country becomes happy to see its Muslim brothers suffering accidents,” he noted, as reported by Entekhab.

Iran Rejects Merkel’s ‘Unconstructive’ Remarks about Its Missile Program

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 9, 2016

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly announced that the country’s missile program is purely defensive and they [ballistic missiles] are by no means designed to carry nuclear warheads,” Qassemi said in a statement released on Saturday, July 9.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, once again, declares that based on its defence doctrines and national security calculations, will continue its missile program in full force and such remarks will leave no effect on the country’s legitimate missile program,” the spokesman added, as reported by Tasnim.

His remarks came after German Chancellor Angel Merkel claimed on Thursday, July 7, that Iran “continued unabated to develop its rocket program in conflict with the relevant provisions of the UN Security Council.”

Addressing the Bundestag, Merkel added that NATO’s anti-missile system targets Iran’s rocket program and was “developed purely for defence.”

Germany’s intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, also claimed in its annual report released on Thursday that Iranian efforts to “procure technology, especially in the nuclear area, had continued at a high level” in 2015.

Later on Friday, July 8, German Foreign Ministry Spokesman Martin Schaefer reacted on the annual report and asserted, “There are forces within Iran…they may be trying, one way or another, to undermine or torpedo the nuclear deal and the normalization of relations between us and Iran. We are watching this closely.”

16 Iranian Teacher Associations to Hold General Assemblies

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IFP Editorial Staff

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July 9, 2016

In an interview with IRNA, as Translated by IFP, Mohammad Amin Rezazadeh, the secretary of Article 10 Commission of Parties’ Law, announced that 16 ITTAs were permitted to hold General Assemblies.

“For many years, these ITTAs were awaiting to receive permission until July 4 when the Article 10 Commission permitted them to hold General Assembly and amend the Articles of Association in accordance with Parties and Associations Law [PAL],” IRNA quoted the secretary as saying.

Rezazadeh, who is also the General Director of Politics at the Ministry of Interior, further named these 16 ITTAs individually, “Iranian Teachers Trade Associations of Tehran, Ilam, East Azarbaijan, Independent ITTA of Tehran, Lorestan, Isfahan, Fars, Golestan, Zanjan, Alborz, Gilan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Bushehr, Mazandaran, Khorasan Razavi, and North Khorasan provinces.”

Iran’s Petchem Complex to Resume Operation Within Weeks: Minister

By

IFP Media Wire

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July 9, 2016

Bijan Zangeneh told reporters early on Saturday that the complex will return to normal condition in two or three weeks, though it will take longer for its paraxylene tower to be repaired and start over regular activities.

He expressed his gratitude to firefighting teams for their efforts to extinguish the blaze at the petrochemical complex, describing the cooling of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), benzene and petroleum naphtha tanks as the most important part of the battle to contain the fire.

He added that personnel from Bu Ali Sina Petrochemical Complex, Shahid Tondgooian Petrochemical Company, Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex, the National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC), Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), as well as Khuzestan provincial governor’s office were in action to keep the temperature and pressure at the tanks low.

Iranian firefighters are seen fighting a raging fire at Bu Ali Sina Petrochemical Complex in the country’s southwestern province of Khuzestan on July 8, 2016. ©SHANA

Zangeneh further noted that foaming and cooling operations are currently underway in Bu Ali Sina Petrochemical Complex to prevent recurrence of the conflagration.

Firefighters managed to fully contain the blaze at the complex in the early hours of Saturday, almost three days after it erupted due to an explosion in one of its key towers.

It is still not clear what exactly caused the incident, but Zangeneh has ruled out sabotage and said the fire erupted due to technical issues.

There have also been conflicting reports on the number of casualties. Some reports initially said several people had been killed in the incident while others said there had been no casualties.

Mahshahr Special Economic Zone is a key industrial zone on the southern shores of Khuzestan, where a chain of petrochemical plants is situated.

Iran Urges UN’s Unbiased Report on US Failure to Meet JCPOA Undertakings

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IFP Media Wire

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July 9, 2016

The Iranian official expressed the hope on Friday that a report that Reuters has attributed to Bank Ki-moon would not be authentic.

Reuters claimed on Thursday it has seen a confidential report by the UN chief, saying Iran’s ballistic missile launches “are not consistent with the constructive spirit” of a nuclear deal between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

“I call upon Iran to refrain from conducting such ballistic missile launches since they have the potential to increase tensions in the region,” Reuters’ story quoted Ban as saying in his first bi-annual report to the 15-member Security Council on the implementation of remaining sanctions and restrictions.

The Security Council will reportedly discuss Ban’s report on July 18.

Iran has already made it clear that test of missiles is an issue relating to defense of its territorial integrity and that none of its missiles are designed to carry nuclear weapons.

In reply, the official at Iran’s Foreign Ministry pointed to the fact that the UN officials were not part of the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the six countries and are accordingly uniformed about the history of the agreements.

The official further called on Ban to avoid the interpretations that are inconsistent with the text of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and disclose political pressures imposed (on Ban) by one or a number of the UNSC member states.

The official also asked the UN authorities to act within the limits of their position and make a “fair and realistic” report on Washington’s failure to honor its commitments under the JCPOA, which has been acknowledged by the whole countries that have begun to resume trade ties with Iran after the nuclear deal.

While the JCPOA came into force in January, some Iranian officials complain about the US failure to fully implement the accord.

Back 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.

Iran: Washington Responsible for Fulfillment of JCPOA Undertakings

By

IFP Media Wire

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July 9, 2016

“What is important to the Islamic Republic of Iran is the opposite party’s commitment to its obligations, and we have nothing to do with the US domestic issues,” Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said in a statement on Friday.

The statement came after the Republican-weighted US House of Representatives on Thursday voted by voice to pass two amendments to a financial services spending bill aimed at barring Chicago-based Boeing from selling commercial passenger aircraft to Tehran.

Qassemi criticized the US lawmakers’ measures, saying Washington is duty-bound to put right all measures that are inconsistent with last year’s nuclear agreement, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

He said sensitivities and inter-party blackmailing in the US on the verge of the country’s presidential election are understandable, but the irreversible outcomes of such differences among US parties and the lack of commitment to JCPOA obligations would backfire on themselves.

Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) reached the landmark nuclear agreement on July 14, 2015. The deal ended international economic sanctions against Tehran, allowing airline manufacturers to re-enter the market.

Head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) Ali Abedzadeh said in June that Tehran and US aerospace giant Boeing have reached a deal for the purchase of 100 aircraft in a bid to upgrade the country’s aging fleet.

Back in January, Iran had also signed a major deal worth $27 billion with aviation giant Airbus to purchase 118 planes from the company. The deal with Airbus was sealed during a state visit to Paris by Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.

Iran has a fleet of 250 aircraft, of which 90 are grounded due to the economy or missing parts, Managing Director of Iran Air Farhad Parvaresh said recently.

Of that total, 80 percent will need to be renewed in the next decade, he said, adding that growth could add even more jets to Iran’s shopping list.

This Year’s Hajj to Be a Dangerous Journey, Pakistani Senator Warns

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 9, 2016

According to a report by IRNA, as translated by IFP, Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, a member of Pakistan’s Foreign Affairs Commission, described the recent terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia as a clear example of an idiom that says, “Your sins will find you out.”

He further strongly warned against this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, adding, “Saudi Arabia’s all-out support for the terrorist outfits and groups is the main backbone of terrorism.”

In his interview with IRNA, the Pakistani politician said, “There is no doubt that terrorist attacks will increase in Saudi Arabia. Saudi kings, despite their hypocritical claims and ostensible measures such as forming a coalition to fight terrorism, have not been immune to the detrimental effects of their moves.”

“Given the recent terrorist operation near Prophet Muhammad’s shrine and Medina while there are only two months left to the commencement of Hajj season, one can safely assume that this year’s hajj pilgrimage will face a looming danger,” he added.

Mashhadi voiced concern over the pilgrims’ safety and said, “Forces from the United Nations and Islamic countries should come to help incompetent Saudis organize Hajj pilgrimage.”

“It is no secret that if the arms supply and financial assistance to terrorist groups operating in the Middle East are not cut, we should be expecting an increase of terrorist operations in other countries,” he added.

Terrorism knows no boundaries and adheres to no principle, he noted, adding, “After raiding Syria, Iraq and Yemen, terrorists are now launching attacks against countries whose leaders would have never thought their petrodollars would harm their own people.”

Mashhadi blamed the “illegitimate Zionist regime” [Israel] and Saudi Arabia for sowing the seeds of terrorism across the world.

Concerns have been rising among pilgrims after the terrorist attacks recently launched in the cities of Medina and Jeddah only two months before this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

Kiarostami Gave New Life to Experimental Cinema

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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July 9, 2016

Kiarostami died on July 4 at the age of 76. His death was a great shock to art lovers and cinema professionals in Iran and many other parts of the world. Many people, including Tabesh, have since released messages on his demise. While offering its condolences over the acclaimed director’s death, IFP publishes Tabesh’s message as follows:

“I extend my heartfelt sorrow on the death of the brilliant figure of Iranian cinema and the world, Abbas Kiarostami, to the Iranian people, filmmakers, and the entire art loving community.

Abbas Kiarostami is a leading figure in the art of cinema. His approach is humanistic and ethical.

He has created innovative, modern and magnificent work. Kiarostami brought a new genre to the Iranian cinema and as a consequence made the Iranian cinema famous in the artistic circles all around the globe. Kiarostami gave a new life to experimental movies and paved the way for an entire generation of experimental and new wave filmmakers and for the empiricists in the seventh art.

My condolences to his family, may our prayers bring comfort and peace to them.

May his soul rest in peace.”

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

ISIS on Alert in Mosul for Possible Attack by Iraqi Forces

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on July 9

Rouhani Thanks Crew Involved in Containing Petrochemical Complex Fire

Iran Rejects Merkel’s ‘Unconstructive’ Remarks about Its Missile Program

16 Iranian Teacher Associations to Hold General Assemblies

Iran’s Petchem Complex to Resume Operation Within Weeks: Minister

Iran Urges UN’s Unbiased Report on US Failure to Meet JCPOA Undertakings

Iran: Washington Responsible for Fulfillment of JCPOA Undertakings

This Year’s Hajj to Be a Dangerous Journey, Pakistani Senator Warns

Kiarostami Gave New Life to Experimental Cinema

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