Tehran International Book Fair

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May 8, 2016

IFP: The Tehran International Book Fair is well underway in its new home at Shahr-e Aftab (Sun City) south of the capital, Tehran. Visitors have been flocking there both to see the books and the venue itself. Many dignitaries, including the President, the Mayor of Tehran, and several ministers, have also been in attendance and addressed the crowds.

Here is a selection of photos from the event so far, sourced from Mehr. The exhibition continues until 14 May.

To see photos of the newly opened, purpose-built exhibition site, Shahr-e Aftab, click here.

Warsaw Seeking Nuclear Cooperation with Iran

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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May 8, 2016

Behrouz Kamalvandi, Spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), met with Poland’s visiting Deputy Energy Minister Michał Kurtyka in Tehran, on Saturday May 7.

During the meeting, the Polish side presented the invitation of Prime Minister Beata Szydło to the AEOI Head Ali Akbar Salehi to visit Poland, and expressed his country’s readiness to develop cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization in scientific-research fields, nuclear safety, medical applications of nuclear energy, radiopharmaceuticals, as well as cooperation in the field of accelerators.

Kamalvandi also noted the proximity of the two countries’ historical positions, their capacities and opportunities for cooperation, and welcomed the signing of MoUs between the two countries to expand their cooperation.

The Polish Ambassador to Tehran Julius Jacek Gojlo accompanied Kurtyka at the meeting with Iranian officials.

Ayatollah Khamenei Reads English Journals without Farsi Translation: Politician

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 8, 2016

In a recent address to a group of Iranian teachers, the Leader warned against the influence and domination of Western culture through the teaching of English language. After the remarks, certain media and political figures tried to misinterpret Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments as an opposition to the instruction of English.

In his analytical speech, the Leader referred to the means through which “aliens” can threaten the country’s independence using language. Ayatollah Khamenei pointed to more vulnerable contexts like the kindergartens, and warned against the instruction of English in such places. However, the Leader immediately emphasized he does not mean the instruction should be stopped as of tomorrow.

Certain figures and media, however, either failed to understand or twisted these remarks to make a political point from them, even while knowing that the Leader himself is fluent in English.

24 Online News has quoted an interview by Fars News Agency with Saffar Harandi, the former culture minister and a current member of Iran’s Expediency Council, in which he talks about the Leader’s familiarity with English.

Here are excerpts from the interview, as translated by IFP:

“I once heard from the manager of an educational cultural institute who said, ‘Ayatollah Khamenei and a number of other clerics attended [English] language classes; the person who taught [English] language to them said he [the Leader] was a great learner. The professor told me it was so interesting for him to see that he [the Leader] was learning so well at the age of 40.’”

“I know the Leader has been focusing on these issues in recent years, and reads English texts and foreign journals himself… I don’t know if I’m allowed to declare such information or not … He is definitely fluent in Arabic, but I know he currently reads foreign journals and articles in English without obtaining a translation,” Saffar Harandi said.

167 Members-Elect Join Reformists’ “Faction of Hope”: MP

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IFP Editorial Staff

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May 8, 2016

Tabesh, who is a nephew of the reformist leader and ex-President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, noted that, out of the 167 MPs, almost all of them have signed a covenant [to remain loyal to the faction].

Tabesh represented the city of Ardakan, the birthplace of Khatami, in the ninth parliament, and has been re-elected as the city’s representative. Ardakan is the second major city of Yazd Province in southern Iran.

‘30m Cubic Meters of Iranian Gas Is Wasted Each Day’

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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May 8, 2016

Under-Deputy Oil Minister Mohsen Khojasteh Mehr told a gathering in Tehran on May 7 that the country loses at least 28 million cubic meters of natural gas flowing alongside extracted crude from the oilfields.

The official, who was addressing Iran’s first International Flaring Conference in Tehran, told the participants that the country needed to upgrade its flaring technology so as to prevent some 3.5 billion dollars from going to waste each year.

He said on top of the financial cost, the existing trend will cause further damage to environment, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Khojasteh Mehr urged the private sector to play a more pronounced role and help safeguard Iranian hydrocarbon resources.

A study in 2012 showed Iran ranked third, after Russia and Iraq, in the global flaring of natural gas. It showed nearly 3.5% of the world’s natural gas supply was wastefully burned or ‘flared’ at oil and gas fields in the period.

Flaring is common in oil and gas fields because producers deem it faster and cheaper to burn natural gas than to capture and ‘sweeten’ it for use.

The United States has the greatest number of flares, but Russia leads the world in the total volume of flared natural gas. In 2012, the 143 billion cubic meters of gas flared globally led to the emission of more than 350m tons of carbon dioxide, around 10% of the annual emissions of European Union member states, according to Nature.com.

The World Bank aims to end routine gas flaring at oil production sites around the world by 2030.

Iran exports handmade carpets to US worth $9.4 million

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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May 8, 2016

Majid Abbasi told IRNA that with nuclear-related sanctions having been lifted, the path had now been cleared for carpet exports.

Due to the high quality and fame of Iranian carpets in the U.S. market, the Iran National Carpet Center is to hold an exhibition in the United States to present Iranian carpets.

He added that foreign reporters in Iran will be touring Fars in the first half of current Iranian year, to investigate the province’s potential in this field.

Security Essential for Domestic Affairs: Leader

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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May 8, 2016

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with commanders and senior officials of the Iranian Police Force in Tehran on Sunday.

“If poverty does not exist in a society but security does not exist either, life will turn sour,” the Leader said.

In the absence of security, important affairs of the country, including education, business, diplomacy, and management of the country would not be possible, he added.

He stressed that security is one of the main foundations for “practical steps and action” which is essential to the Implementation of the Economy of Resistance.

Addressing the Iranian nation in his annual message on the occasion of the Persian New Year on March 20, Ayatollah Khamenei chose the rubric “Economy of Resistance: Practical Steps and Action” as the motto of the year.

Ayatollah Khamenei lauded recent efforts made by the Iranian police to establish security in various fields, warning however, that further steps should be taken in this regard.

The Leader also advised the Iranian police to pay serious attention to establishment of moral security in the society, including by cracking down on miscreants, drug traffickers, and those people who do not show respect for social norms.

Tehran and Muscat Close Ranks to Tackle Oil Price Slump

By

Emad Askarieh

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May 8, 2016

Speaking following a meeting with Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh in Tehran, al-Rumhi described relations between Iran and Oman as good, saying his visit to Tehran was chiefly aimed at discussing problems that are hindering the implementation of a gas pipeline project for the export of Iranian gas to Oman.

“We discussed the pathways towards the implementation of this project during the meeting,” he said.

The Omani official further said investment in Jask port oil terminal is an opportunity for both states.

“One clear result of the falling oil prices is that the revenues of producing countries have fallen by at least 50%; Iran and Oman will cooperate to solve this matter,” al-Rumhi said.

The two ministers met on Friday May 6 on the sidelines of the 21st Iran International Exhibition of Oil, Gas, Refining and Petrochemicals.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on May 8

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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May 8, 2016

Almost all newspapers on Sunday covered the Saturday meetings of the newly elected MPs. Both reformists and conservatives held separate meetings with their fellow parliamentarians, while President Hassan Rouhani and incumbent Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani both hosted the MPs separately.

The recent conflicts in Syria’s Aleppo, in which several Iranian advisors were killed, also received great coverage by Iranian newspapers.

Abrar:

1- UN Warns against Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation in Iraq

2- 10 Al Qaeda Elements Killed in Recent US Strikes in Yemen

3- JCPOA Was a Historical Necessity for Iran’s Special Situation: Zarif

4- Putin-Medvedev, Iranian Style: Iran’s Football President to Continue Work as Vice-President

Abrar-e Eqtesadi:

1- Target for Liquidity Growth: Deputy Central Bank Governor

2- Russia’s Customs Office Gives 25% Discount on Iranian Goods

3- Iran Starts Oil Exports to Italy

4- New Oil Contracts to Be Revised Within a Week

5- US Joins Importers of Iran’s Dates

6- Tajikistan to Buy Iranian Jet Fuel

7- Managers of Russia’s Gazprom En Route to Iran

8- Koreans Eyeing Iranian State Projects

Afkar:

1- If Iran Violates Nuclear Deal, Saudi Arabia Will Become Nuclear Power: Member of Al Saud Family

2- Koreans to Produce Steel in Iran’s Chabahar Port

Aftab-e Yazd:

1- Many Anti-Iran Sanctions Still in Place on Pretext of Tehran’s Support for Hezbollah

2- Reformists and Moderates to Have Parliamentary Majority with 158 Members

3- Surgeons Society Official: Kickbacks Received by Doctors Are Their Right!

Arman-e Emrooz:

1- “Joint Prudence”, Codename of Rouhani’s Ceremony for Newly-Elected MPs

2- Rouhani: I’m Very Hopeful about the Next Parliament

3- 13 Iranian Fighters Killed in Syria: Attacks Underway in Spite of Ceasefire

4- Victims of Acid-Throwing to Receive Free Plastic Surgery

Emtiaz:

1- Newly-Purchased Passenger Planes to Be Delivered in Autumn: Minister

2- Iranians Rank Fourth in Nose Jobs

3- Iran’s Petchem Products Up by $4bn

4- Culture Minister Responds to Sale of Opposition Humourist’s Book in Tehran Fair

Ettela’at:

1- Rouhani Invites Regional Countries to Expand Multilateral Ties

2- Sudden Changes in Saudi Arabia’s Ruling System on King Salman’s Orders

3- Oil Minister: Iran to Become Gasoline Exporter by Next Year

Ghanoon:

1- Aleppo Becomes a Karbala: Sons of Iran Captured by Terrorists

2- Demonstration of National Moderation [in Member Elects’ Meetings]

Iran:

1- JCPOA is an Opportunity for Building the Country: Zarif

2- Resolution of Iran’s Problems Hinges on “Joint Prudence” of Parliament and Gov’t: Rouhani

3- First Muslim Mayor Elected in Europe: London’s Key Goes to Sadiq Khan

Jam-e Jam:

1- Cabinet Reshuffle: Mohammed bin Salman’s White Coup in Saudi Arabia

2- 490 Violations of Ceasefire Prove Aleppo’s Innocence

3- Unfair Distribution of Facilities between Cities and Villages Leading to Increased Rural Poverty

Javan:

1- US 25-Year Plan to Control Iran’s Regional Influence

2- Newly-Elected MP from North-Western City of Maragheh Dies in Car Accident

3- American Camisado on Aleppo Ceasefire: Terrorists Seize Khan Touman in Violation of Truce

Jomhouri Eslami:

1- Elected MPs Start Consultations for Choosing Parliament Speaker

2- Human Rights Watch Protests at Sale of US-Made Cluster Bombs to Saudi Arabia

3- Saudi Arabian Cabinet Earthquake

4- New Phase of Iran’s Cooperation with Major Int’l Energy Companies

5- Iran’s UN Envoy: US Violating International Laws

Keyhan:

1- Gov’t Poised to Pasteurize Parliament [Note: Iran’s presidential office is located in Pasteur Square in Tehran, and the name is sometimes used to refer to the administration]

2- Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah Assures Ayatollah Khamenei of Resistance’s Victory over Enemies

3- 181 MPs Support Larijani’s Presidency in Next Parliament

Khorasan:

1- 13 Iranian Advisors Killed in Khan Touman, South of Aleppo

2- Economy Minister Vows to Investigate Astronomical Salaries of Insurance Managers

Resalat:

1- We Should Counter Dangerous Policy of Saudi Rulers: Zarif

2- People Are Not Feeling Fall in Inflation: Economic Figure

Roozan:

1- Oil Exports Up 100% since JCPOA

2- Coexistence [of Aref and Larijani] on Line of Moderation

Sayeh:

1- Expansion and Reinforcement of Tehran-Ashgabat Ties Necessary: Rouhani

2- Bread Price Increases Once Again

Sepid:

1- 40 People Die in Car Accidents in Tehran Every Day: Tehranis Rank First in Number of Urban Deaths

2- 250,000 People Fall Victim to Medical Errors Each Year

Sharq:

1- Rebirth: 156 Members-Elect Attend Meeting of Reformist Faction

2- Leader Constantly Prays for Your Victory: Adviser to Syria’s Assad

Vatan-e Emrooz:

1- There Is “Hope”, But Not That Much: 181 Members-Elect Show Support for Conservatives

2- People Not Feeling Inflation Rate Drop in Their Lives: What’s the Real Rate?

3- Cheap War of Rhetoric in US Presidential Elections

4- Germany Sets Preconditions for Expansion of Trade with Iran: Even Angela Wants a Ransom

Jow Kandan’s Pristine Woodlands

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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May 8, 2016

IFP: Jow Kandan is a beautiful region in the central district of Talesh County, Gilan Province. Gilan is in the north of Iran, bordering the Caspian Sea to the north, and the Alborz mountain range to the south. Its geography gives it a humid subtropical climate, and its abundant rainfall (the highest level in the country) means that its forests and woodlands are lush and verdant all year round.

Pictures courtesy of Mehr.