Ceasefire Plan Not to Stop War on Terrorism: Syrian Deputy FM

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February 24, 2016

In an interview with the Lebanese al-Mayadeen television channel, Mikdad described Damascus’s acceptance of the ceasefire plan as a carefully calculated move, adding the decision was made after extensive consultations with Russian friends.

The US and Russia reached a draft deal on Monday, detailing a ceasefire to start in war-torn Syria on Saturday.

The senior Syrian official further stressed that the truce initiative does not mean that the battle against Takfiri groups will ever stop, adding more victories are ahead.

Mikdad also referred to forthcoming Syrian parliamentary election and said the poll has nothing to do with the ongoing political negotiations.

On Monday, Syrian President Bashar Assad called for the parliamentary elections to be held on April 13.

Syria has been entangled in civil war since March 2011, with Takfiri terrorist groups like Daesh (ISIL) controlling parts of it, mostly in the east.

In the past five years, more than 260,000 people have died in Syria – overwhelmingly civilians – and around 4 million Syrians are now refugees in other countries. Around 8 million others have been displaced internally.

Elections Guarantee Islamic Republic: Iran’s President

By

Emad Askarieh

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February 24, 2016

“The poll is a guarantee of the survival and might of the Islamic Establishment,” President Rouhani said at a Tuesday session of the High Council of Cultural Revolution in Tehran.

One of the reasons that the Islamic Republic presses ahead vigorously despite all plots and woes is the strong support it receives from the nation, in the form of votes, he explained.

Earlier this month, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei also noted that massive presence of people in the upcoming elections will secure the country against hostile schemes.

Iran is going to hold the Assembly of Experts and the parliamentary elections simultaneously on February 26.

Around 6,300 candidates, including some 600 women and dozens of Iranians from the religious minorities, are running for the parliament. There are 290 seats in the Iranian parliament up for grabs.

Hundreds of candidates are also running for the 88-member Assembly of Experts, a high-ranking body that elects leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Members of the assembly are directly elected to office by people for an eight-year term. It holds biannual meetings to appoint a new chairman.

Around 500 journalists working for the news media of 29 countries are also expected to cover the polls.

According to Iran’s interior minister, some 129,000 ballot boxes will be available in 53,000 stations all over the country for the Friday elections.

Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Eskandar Momeni has also announced that 250,000 forces have been mobilized to ensure security of the elections.

Leader: Large voter turnout to challenge enemy

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Golrokh Askarieh

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February 24, 2016

He made the remarks in a meeting with thousands of people from the city of Najafabad at the Imam Khomeini Mosque downtown Tehran on Wednesday morning.

When enemy witness the fact that, 37 years of pressures, oppressive sanctions and hostile propaganda have not prevented people to pledge their allegiance to the Islamic system, grandeur of revolution will shiver down its spine, Ayatollah Khamenei said.

He added that the election time in Iran is the time of national mobilization in which nation stands against enemy and challenges it.

Najafabad is located in central Iranian province of Isfahan. The meeting was held on the verge of Majlis and Assembly of Experts elections slated for February 26.

Britain Resumes Issuance of Visa in Iran: Spokesman

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Golrokh Askarieh

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February 24, 2016

“According to an announcement by the British administration, and in line with the implementation of previous agreements between the two countries, the visa section of British embassy in Iran will resume its operation on Wednesday,” he noted on Tuesday night.

On Tuesday, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond announced in a post in his Twitter account that “UK Visas and Immigration today resumed visa service in Iran, as promised 6 months after reopening Embassy.”

In an announcement on the British administration’s website, it is said that “You can apply for a UK visa in Iran, at the UK Visas and Immigration Visa Application Center (VAC) in Tehran.”

Earlier in February, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his British counterpart Hammond held a meeting in London, during which the two sides declared the visa sections of the two countries’ embassies will be reopened later this month.

After the 1.5-hour-long talks held on Friday morning, the two diplomats told reporters that visa issuance will be resumed within the next weeks, probably in late February.

Iran-Britain ties soured in 2011. On November 27, 2011, a large majority of Iranian lawmakers voted to downgrade diplomatic ties with Britain, following Britain’s decision to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran.

Later, angry Iranian students stormed the British embassy in Tehran and pulled down the European country’s flag.

Following the incident, Britain withdrew its diplomatic staff from Tehran on November 30 and asked Iran’s diplomatic delegation in London to leave within 48 hours.

The two countries made diplomatic efforts afterwards to amend ties. In August 2015, the British embassy in Iran reopened after a 4-year closure.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Hammond attended a ceremony in Tehran to mark the reopening on August 23. It was the first visit by a British foreign secretary to Iran since 2003.

Simultaneously, Iran’s embassy in London also reopened.

MPs’ Bravery and Freedom Will Help Safeguard Iran’s Nature and Biological Diversity

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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February 24, 2016

The Head of the Environmental Protection Organization listed Iran’s environmental problems with reference to the upcoming Parliamentary Elections, asking the people to help her enact the policies laid out by the Supreme Leader by electing a parliament who cares about nature. Voting at the ballot box was a right that had been formalized by the Revolution and the Constitution, she said. She emphasized, “If people don’t participate in their own destiny, and aren’t self-determining, they deprive themselves and their families of an opportunity.”

As reported by the Farsi-language news and analysis site Entekhab (a summary here translated by IFP), Masoumeh Ebtekar talked about the environmental expectations about the 10^th Parliament. She said, “We are expecting that, with a broad turnout of people, and the activity and effort which will be made, wise and knowledgeable MPs will be elected, ones with high legal and scientific abilities, and good understanding. This will mean that we can benefit from a 10^th Parliament that has a suitable understanding and knowledge of the general global, regional and national environmental conditions. Also, they must know about our special national situation, including problems such as water issues and the severe decreases in groundwater levels.”

The Head of the Environmental Protection Organization continued, “We hope to have MPs in the 10^th Parliament who consider environmental matters just as much as other issues. We don’t want any one-dimensional MPs. We expect that, if an economic issue is under discussion, we should make economic decisions that do not adversely affect Iran’s fragile climate.”

Ebtekar went on to say that “An MP must consider social issues, and must realize just how much the environment can affect social matters, and also how much the people can help with environmental issues, if given appropriate space and freedom in the procedures of lawmaking and government supervision.”

“The MP must be aware that there are over 35m people influenced by metropolitan pollution. Solving this issue is very important for reducing treatment costs and increasing life expectancy. We need to plan well for this, and Parliament can play a decisive role. In addition to this, it is important to maintain national biological diversity in this challenging climate, and protect Iran’s plants and biology. Working with Parliament, we must not allow endangered species to become extinct.”

She pointed out that Iran has fragile ecosystems, such as ponds, natural Hyrcanian forests, and oak forests. She explained, “Unfortunately, deforestation and smuggling from these forests are continuing, and our pastures are also facing difficulties. We’ve been talking about balancing and livestock and pastures for years, but still haven’t achieved a good situation.”

She also mentioned, “Bravery is important for an MP, because an MP who represents a single party or group may face problems when trying to stand up for the people’s rights, since some of those rights, especially environmental ones, might conflict with their party’s economic policies. If the MP isn’t brave enough or free enough, they won’t be able to stand up for the people’s rights on certain issues, for example, if they have to make a decision about building a road through a forest.”

The Head of the Environmental Protection Organization reminded us, “Desertification and dust storms are still happening. We hope that the 10^th Parliament cares about these matters, as well as the rivers, seas and coasts. These are our national resources, and we cannot be indifferent towards them, lacking a proper plan. Fortunately, we have the Supreme Leader’s policies. We hope that the 10^th Parliament will consider these, and help the country in facing all these dangers.”

Boosting Islamic Activities Needed to Counter Takfiris: Leader

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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February 24, 2016

Fighting against the Takfiris’ attempts to incite sedition among nations requires strengthening Islamic activities, the Leader said Tuesday evening in a meeting in Tehran with the Republic of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that promotion of Islamic teachings and observing religious rites will encourage public support for efforts against threats.

The Leader further referred to the religious commonalities between the two nations of Iran and Azerbaijan, saying that the Islamic Republic views the two peoples’ bonds in the framework of fraternity.

Imam Khamenei said that Iran attaches great significance to the political stability, security, peace and welfare of the Azeri people.

The Leader also stressed the need for the development of economic exchanges and cooperation in different fields between the two countries.

Aliyev, for his part, highlighted the amicable ties between Iran and Azerbaijan and said the two countries share views on international issues.

“Iran plays a major role in upholding peace and security in the world,” he said, adding, “We consider Iran’s security as our own.”

The Azeri president also said threats against the two countries originate from the same sources, adding that during his trip, the two sides agreed to cooperate against terrorism.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani was also present at the meeting.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, the Azeri leader arrived in Tehran earlier on Tuesday.

The two countries signed 11 cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during the visit.

Iran and Azerbaijan have accelerated efforts in recent years to forge closer partnership in various fields, from fighting against terrorism to the exchange of electricity or gas deals.

Meanwhile, a lasting nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers that terminated sanctions on Iran has also paved the way for Tehran-Baku interaction to thrive.

Known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear accord came into force on January 16.

Elections Guarantee Islamic Republic: Iran’s President

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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February 24, 2016