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Home Blog Page 4484

CIA Agent Visits Iran on Infiltration Project: EC Secretary

Emad Askarieh

March 1, 2016

A CIA agent has visited Iran back in the Iranian month of Khordad (May 22-June 21), Rezaei, who is a former commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), disclosed in an address to a defense conference in Tehran.

During the visit, the Iranian official added, the CIA agent has visited all Iranian universities.

The agent has been tasked with making inroads into the country, Rezaei noted, vowing to reveal a lot of relevant documents from the American spy.

This agent was the first one who visited the USSR when the doors in the Soviet Union were opened to foreigners, and now after the recent nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers (known as JCPOA), he is visiting Iran, Rezaei stated.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Rezaei pointed to enemy plots during the recent elections held on Friday across Iran, saying that the enemy waged a soft war against Iran.

The enemy used its cyber warfare to change people’s minds through a calculated plot, the EC secretary added, alluding to a recent move by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) encouraging the Iranians not to vote for certain candidates running for the Assembly of Experts.

Countrywide Assembly of Experts elections and the parliamentary polls were held in Iran simultaneously on February 26.

Almost 34 million (almost 62%) of some 55 million eligible voters cast their ballots at around 53,000 polling stations across the country.

4,844 and 161 candidates have been running for the parliament and the Assembly of Experts, respectively.

Iran Inks 3 MoUs with Foreign Carmakers

February 29, 2016

The agreements were inked on Monday on the sidelines of the 3rd Iran Automotive Industry International Conference underway in the Iranian capital.

The conference opened in Tehran on February 29 and will go on until March 1.

The first accord was signed between Iran’s Mammut Systems Organization and Scania AB, which is a major Swedish automotive industry manufacturer.

Additionally, Iranian Auto Parts Manufacturers Association (IAPMA) inked the second deal with Turkey’s Automotive Industry Association (OSD).

IAPMA also signed the third pact with the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA).

There has been a new wave of interest in ties with Iran after the country and six world powers on July 14, 2015 reached a conclusion over the text of a comprehensive deal on Tehran’s nuclear program and implemented the agreement on January 16.

The nuclear deal between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) terminated all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran.

Iranian Spokesman: Riyadh is playing a blame game, ignores realities

Emad Askarieh

February 29, 2016

Speaking in a weekly press conference, he added that certain foreign states’ interference in Beirut has complicated the situation in the country and election of a president.

Hossein Jaberi-Ansari voiced hope for national reconciliation in Lebanon, adding that Tehran would continue helping facilitation of national reconciliation in the country through its channels.

Speaking about Riyadh accusations about Iran’s role in unrests and explosions in Saudi Arabia, he said that Saudi Arabia feels that the regional developments are against it in general and it is playing a blame game to ignore the reality.

Saudi Arabia has been supporting terrorist groups for decades and it is now seeing the consequences, Jaberi-Ansari added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he referred to Riyadh’s refusal to issue visa for Iranian diplomats to attend OIC meeting in Jeddah and said such actions are contrary to obligations of the host country.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has raised its objection to relevant authorities regarding Saudi Arabia’s illegal move in refusing to issue visa for members of Iran’s delegation who wanted to attend a meeting of senior officials with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Saudi city of Jeddah, the spokesman added.

“Any decision made in Jeddah without the participation of Iran’s political delegation would be invalid,” he noted.

In the OIC meeting in Saudi Arabia, the draft documents and resolutions are planned to be prepared for the upcoming OIC Leaders Summit due to be held in Turkey’s Istanbul.

Referring to certain regional players ‘Plan B’ proposal, two days after implementation of ceasefire in Syria, he said that this proposal questions the seriousness of certain sides of Syrian talks.

The spokesman voiced hope that all sides of talks support the political resolution of Syria crisis in practice.

Iran unveils five new pieces of defense equipment

Emad Askarieh

February 29, 2016

The defense achievements, unveiled in Tehran on Monday, comprised the Pars Cam detector device, an explosives and drugs detector device, anti-shock and explosion-proof polymer covers, a new generation of NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) suits, and a production line for Obidoxime Chloride, a medicine for countering chemical agents.

During the ceremony, Iran’s Minister of Defense Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan hailed the country’s recent defense achievements.

“In spite of the sanctions against [Iran’s] defense sector, the armed forces have foiled enemies’ intentions and objectives by attaining self-sufficiency and producing new achievements, and will do the same in the future,” Dehqan said.

He added that the Iranian Defense Ministry is working on the design and development of “advanced and sophisticated defensive equipment” as an “important mission.”

In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and reached self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured other nations, especially regional neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is merely based on deterrence.

Iran ends vote counting in crucial twin elections

Emad Askarieh

February 29, 2016

“The turnout in Tehran was around 50 percent and some 62 percent across the country which is a good turnout under the current circumstances,” Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli told reporters on Monday.

He added that the two elections were held in a calm atmosphere with regulations in all electoral processes fully observed.

The Iranian minister noted that the Guardian Council will soon start work to confirm the election results.

Rahmani Fazli said the run-off parliamentary elections will be held for some constituencies likely in the late Iranian calendar month of Farvardin (March-April) with the coordination of the Guardian Council.

Based on the final count, all the 30 parliamentary seats related to Tehran constituency have been won by reformist and pro-government figures with former vice president Mohammad Reza Aref leading the capital city’s parliamentary list followed by Ali Motahhari, Soheila Jelodarzadeh, Alireza Mahjoub and Elias Hazrati, all reformist figures.

The Principlists camp has made major gains in other parts the country.

Meanwhile, with 4,500,894 votes counted, the final results of the Assembly of Experts elections in Tehran Province released by the Interior Ministry show that Chairman of the Expediency Council and former president, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and Mohammad Aqa Emami are leading the votes.

President Hassan Rouhani; current member of the Assembly of Experts, Mohsen Qomi; and Tehran’s interim Friday Prayers leader Mohammad Ali Movahhedi; and former attorney-general and former intelligence minister, Qorbanali Dorri-Najafabadi; stand in the third to sixth places.

Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi, and secretary of the Guardian Council Ahmad Jannati respectively stand 10th and 16th.

At least 33 million out of the 55 million eligible voters took part in Iran’s 5th Assembly of Experts and 10th parliamentary elections on Friday.

As many as 4,844 candidates, including about 500 women, were competing for a place in the 290-seat parliament. A total of 159 candidates ran for the 88-member Assembly of Experts. Members of the Assembly serve eight-year terms while MPs are elected every four years.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Feb 29

IFP Editorial Staff

February 29, 2016

The Iranian nation made February 26 an outstanding day in the history of parliamentary elections, registering a turnout of at least 65%. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani joined the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as well as many other top Iranian officials, in extending their gratitude to the nation for their attendance at the twin elections which determined the composition of the Iranian Parliament and the Assembly of Experts for at least the next 4 years.

Most Iranian papers displayed lists of the winners in the big cities. This included Tehran, the capital, which was swept by reformist candidates who will make their way to the 10th Parliament.

Apart from the election results, the visit of a high-profile Swiss delegation to Tehran – the epicenter of election campaigning – was the other piece of news which grabbed the most headlines on Monday, February 29.

Here are the top headlines.

Abrar:

1. President to nation: Your votes have created a whole new atmosphere

2. UN voices fears on N. Korea-Russia extradition pact

3. Hundreds of hostages freed from grips of Boko Haram in Nigeria; 100 militia forces killed

4. Large Russian opposition gathering on anniversary of Nemtsov’s murder

5. Bloomberg: Investors upbeat about moderates’ crucial win in Iran elections

6. Larijani: Iran’s primary policy is seeking peace in the region

7. Mogherini voices EU interests in deepening ties with Iran

Asrar:

1. Iran on the launch-pad: Salehi

2. FM Zarif: No one in the world takes Adel al-Jubeir seriously

3. List of Hope wins landslide victory [in parliamentary election]

4. Potential dumping of Chinese cars into Iranian market

5. Iran: No plans for resuming Umrah

Iran suspended all Umrah pilgrimage travel to Saudi Arabia after tensions soared between the two Muslim states in January.

Ebtekar:

1. Two terrorist plots foiled prior to Election Day: Intelligence minister

2. Lists succeed in elections

Ettela’at:

1. Iran unveils 8 newly-discovered elements

2. 160 ISIS terrorists killed in major Iraqi army attack on Ramadi

3. Latest updates about election results

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani leads the Assembly of Experts candidates, while reformist leader Mohammad Reza Aref has won the largest number of votes in the parliamentary election.

4. Economic Minister: We have left the economic crisis behind

Etemad:

1. Reformist electoral list wins landslide victory in Tehran; all 30 candidates on the list elected

2. Leader thanks nation for massive election turnout

3. Two terrorist plots foiled during election campaigns

Afkar:

1. Iran offers facilities to Iranian students in the UK

2. Iran receiving many offers for nuclear co-operation: Salehi

3. EU greenlights enhanced ties with Iran

Emtiaz:

1. Swiss petrol in Iranian gas tanks

2. Organized smuggling of forbidden fruits to Iran

Iran:

1. Moderate bandwagon rolling towards both assemblies

2. Leader: Iranian nation shows the world religious democracy, presenting a powerful image

Jomhouri Islami:

1. Iran receives first batch of blocked Siemens equipment

2. 10th parliament: independent, moderate

3. Rafsanjani to Swiss president: If EU fails to combat terrorism, its flames will burn them too

4. Parliamentary speaker: Transition of power welcome in Iran

Javan:

1. Principalists: 55%, Reformists: 29%

Hosban:

1. NIOC seeking diverse methods of attracting investment

2. Feb 26 – Day of no bloody accidents in Iran

Hemayat:

1. Ayatollah Larijani leads Mazandaran candidates in the Assembly of Experts election

2. Iranian nation passes election test

3. Impressive reduction in voting fraud in parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections

Khorasan:

1. Leader praises “informed, resolute” nation

2. FM: Americans must act more seriously in removing psychological hurdles of sanctions

Rah-e Mardom:

1. Report: Role of Iranian ladies in economy and society

2. Pakistan resolved to buy Iranian gas

Resalat:

1. Cameron’s big 21^st Century gamble

2. Bibi: Riyadh and Tel Aviv are allies

3. Iran intelligence radar has no blind spots: Minister

4. Principalists do not divide nation’s votes to bad, good votes: MP

Roozan:

1. Blue Tehran: Not even one Principalist winner among Tehran’s parliamentary election winners

Rooyesh Mellat:

1. Minister: We have no option but to produce and supply items

2. Syrian truce not fully implemented: Erdogan

Shahrvand:

1. Result of a memorable election

2. President: I stand honoured by the nation

Saheb Ghalam:

1. First container ship leaves Iran for Europe

2. Reconsidering the construction of 119 dams

Kayhan:

1. US negotiator was ordered to assassinate Castro

CIA publishes new details about plots in Cuba.

2. Foreigners in talks about selling goods to Iran: Minister

Asia:

1. Iran, S. Korea ink MoU worth €5bn

2. Tehran opens automotive exhibition

3. Iranian billionaire buys 50% of Everton stock

Arman-e Emrouz:

1. Leader: Future parliament will have heavy responsibilities

2. Reformists win big on both lists

Abrar Eqtesadi:

1. Brits to join oilfield development in Iran

2. Iranian and Swiss firms agree on oil, gasoil-for-gasoline barter plan

3. Alarm triggered by Chinese cars in Iranian market

Iran says no place for China carmakers if local content not raised

Fatemeh Askarieh

February 29, 2016

Mohsen Salehi-Niya, a deputy industry minister, has been quoted by the media as saying that the Chinese car manufacturers will have to leave Iran if they fail to increase the share of local content in their production plans in the country.

“By considering the recent standards that have been devised, the Chinese should speed up their activities to increase the share of local content in their car production projects in Iran,” Salehi-Niya said.

“Otherwise, they will be crossed out from the Iranian auto market in the next [calendar] year,” he added.

Iran’s media reported last July that a surge in the enthusiasm of European automakers to get a foothold in the Iranian auto market was pushing Chinese brands to leave.

Reports quoted officials from China’s leading automaker Chery Automobile Co. as saying that the company’s share of the Iranian market had decreased over the past year.

They said Chery was previously warmly welcomed in Iran, but that there had been a decline in the interest of Iranians toward the company’s products with the removal of anti-Iran economic sanctions already in sight.

Nevertheless, the exit of Chinese car manufacturers had been expected before with the arrival of global auto majors in a post-sanctions era.

“Some Chinese car producers whose products are low quality will eventually have to bid farewell to the Iranian market,” said Shahram Azadi, an economist and a university professor in Tehran.

“The screw will grown even tighter on Chinese producers if European car manage to provide products to the Iranian market that will be cheaper but would have a better quality,” Azadi added.

Several top European auto brands have already started serious talks to operate in the Iranian auto market. They include Renault and Peugeot from France as well as Volkswagen from Germany.

The Chinese made their forays after the Europeans pulled out of Iran in the wake of intensified sanctions in 2011. They began with supplying semi-heavy and heavy trucks and passenger vehicles.

Chery was the first Chinese carmaker to set foot on Iran. Presently, eight Chinese automakers are supplying or assembling 27 models of cars which ply Iranian roads. However, the poor quality of their products is frequently blamed in Iran for road casualties.

Iran needs ‘no permission’ to develop missile program: Zarif

Fatemeh Askarieh

February 29, 2016

“We have announced that we will not ask permission from anyone to [strengthen] our defense and missile capability,” Zarif said in an interview with Iranian Students’ News Agency, ISNA, on Sunday.

The top Iranian diplomat went on to say that the country’s missile program does not breach the July nuclear agreement struck between Tehran and six world powers and that the deal does not ban Iran from boosting its defense capabilities.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia – plus Germany finalized the text of the accord known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the Austrian capital Vienna on July 14.

Based on the JCPOA, Iran agreed to restrict its nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the lifting of all economic and financial sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Zarif said that Iran’s missile program will continue apace and will be provided with all necessary materials and equipment.

He further dismissed as “unacceptable” claims by US officials that the Islamic Republic’s missile tests are in breach of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, saying none of the Iranian missiles have been designed to carry “nuclear warheads.”

On October 11, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) successfully test-fired its first guided ballistic missile dubbed Emad. Washington slammed the test, claiming the projectile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

In January, the US Treasury Department said in a statement that it had imposed new sanctions on several individuals and firms over Iran’s ballistic missile program, claiming that the program “poses a significant threat to regional and global security.”

The statement said five Iranian citizens and a network of companies based in the United Arab Emirates and China were added to a US blacklist.

Iran successfully test-fires its domestically-built Emad ballistic missile on October 11, 2015.

Iranian officials say none of the country’s missiles, including ballistic ones, have been “designed to carry nuclear warheads,” and thus their production and test are not in contravention of Resolution 2231.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly said that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence and Iran’s military power poses no threat to other countries.

‘US should abandon sanction mentality’

Touching upon Iran’s relations with the United States, Zarif told ISNA that the US should abandon its “mentality of sanctions.”

“We are still waiting to see whether the US is serious in its commitments” concerning the lifting of sanctions, he noted.

Zarif further criticized Washington’s “wrong” policies in the Middle East region. “US policies even harm their own interests in the region since they have caused unrest and created Daesh [terrorist group],” he noted.

Zarif said that Iranian officials have reached no agreement with US officials on regional issues, saying Tehran would take a decision on extending talks with the US should Americans “correct their policies.”

Terrorist Cell Smashed in Western Iran

Fatemeh Askarieh

February 29, 2016

“A terrorist cell crossed the border in the western district of Sumar this (Sunday) morning… and fortunately they were trapped with the vigilance of military and security forces,” Zolfaqari told reporters in the Interior Ministry’s Election Headquarters in Tehran on Sunday.

The security official added that two of the terrorists were killed in the operation and several weapons were seized from them.

He further emphasized that the group had come to Iran to carry out terrorist operations and that investigation is underway to recognize their identity.

Earlier on Sunday, Iran’s Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alawi said his forces had defused two terrorist plots before the Friday elections with a couple of people arrested and ammunition confiscated.

The minister said the counter-terrorism operations were held in southeast and northwest of the country.

One of the operations occurred on February 8, when a terrorist element was identified and arrested at a southeastern border area, he explained.

According to Alawi, in another operation, the intelligence forces detected and monitored a terrorist group that had plans to enter into the country from the northwestern borders.

The 4-strong team was busted on February 24, namely two days before the elections, he noted.

The terrorists had 6 suicide vests, 9 electronic fuses, some RDX explosive powder, as well as 4 British-made timer sensors, he added.

The minister then assured the nation that there is nothing out of the Intelligence Ministry’s radar screen, and that the terrorist groups will not take the time to make any move.

Countrywide parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections were held in Iran on Friday.

Some 55 million Iranians were eligible to cast their ballots at around 53,000 polling stations across the country.

Municipal greenhouse nurseries to prepare 130k flowers

Fatemeh Askarieh

February 29, 2016

Municipal greenhouse nurseries in northeastern provincial capital city of Bojnord will prepare 130,000 flowers for Iran’s New Year’s Day ceremonies for the public.

The following images have been released by Mehr News Agency: