Iran Supports Yemen Talks in Kuwait: Deputy FM

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April 19, 2016

On Monday, Amir Abdollahian announced that Iran supports the beginning of political dialogue among Yemenis, and the possible achievement of a political agreement.

“It is expected that the efforts made by the UN Syria Envoy Staffan de Mistura for the political resolution of (Yemen’s) crisis lead to a favourable result for the Yemeni people,” he noted, according to a report by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) News Agency.

The Iranian diplomat also hailed the resistance of Yemenis to foreign aggression and terrorist operations, noting that the Yemeni nation proved that the only solution to the ongoing crisis is national dialogue and freedom from foreign interference.

Head of Iran’s Human Rights Council Responds to Mogherini’s Statements

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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April 19, 2016

Mizan News – The Head of Iran’s Human Rights Council reacted to Mogherini’s statements on the continuation of human rights sanctions in Isamic Republic of Iran.

As reported by Mizan News, and quoted by the Human Rights Council Information Centre, Dr. Mohammad Javad Larijani emphasized that the Human Rights Council supports Iran’s Foreign Minister regarding Iran’s readiness for human rights negotiations with the European Union. He said, “We support our Foreign Minister, but planning and enforcing sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran’s individuals and organizations under the excuse of human rights contraventions is a shameful and unjustifiable action.”

He said that Islamic Republic of Iran will consider such actions as political enmity, “The majority of EU members have expanded economic and military relations in our region without the least consideration of the norms of human rights. Even worse is that these countries spend millions of dollars equipping or creating dangerous terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Al-Nusra and Ahrar al-sham, all met with absolute silence from the EU. They are the main reasons behind tragedies in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Africa – they should be ashamed to think of them.”

He then posed this question: “Doesn’t the EU count these [tragedies] as contraventions of human rights? Don’t they find it necessary to take action in this regard? Unfortunately, applying double standards – along with obvious human rights infractions in the West including racism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia – all of this depletes the value of Western human rights claims.”

Concluding his remarks, Larijani said, “Iran and Europe’s human rights negotiations should work to expose these double standards, and to show that the Islamic Republic of Iran is the greatest democracy of the region.”

Iran, France to Launch Aviation Training Schemes

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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April 19, 2016

Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Tuesday, on the sideline of a forum to discuss cooperation opportunities with visiting French aviation officials, Abedzadeh said Iran has to modernize its airports and training programs, and for this it has sought assistance from France as aviation standards and training courses are the same all over the world.

According to the deputy transport minister, Iran has also agreed to cooperate with the French aviation industries to modernize and upgrade its airport and aviation services.

Meantime, Head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization Ali Abedzadeh said the agreement between Iran and Airbus on purchasing 118 planes from the French manufacturer will take some time to materialize.

Abedzadeh made the remarks after a meeting with visiting French Transport Minister Alain Vidalies in Tehran on Monday.

“It is still too early to talk about any specific time and place. This is a time-consuming process. However, a number of Chinese and European firms have said they are willing to finance the deal,” he added.

French transport minister Vidalies, however, said earlier in the day that the two sides will finalize the agreement within a week.

Vidalies made the announcement in Tehran on Monday after Air France resumed flights to Tehran Sunday night as part of larger French and European efforts to rebuild trade ties long frozen by sanctions.

The direct flight from Paris to Tehran was the first since 2008. Minister Vidalies and a business leaders’ delegation were on board flight AF 378 that took off from Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport.

Vidalies said banking issues still remain, yet both the Iranian and French sides are determined to push through the purchase deals and after-sales services.

According to the official, Iran and France will also cooperate in the aviation industry, training courses, infrastructure projects, flying schools, and small businesses.

He said most of the projects will be financed and insured by French companies, adding that 10 percent of the equipment on Airbus are American-made, which requires trade permissions from the US government.

He however once again maintained that despite taking some time, the Airbus deals could be finalized soon.

In relevant remarks, Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhundi said last week that Iran and Airbus will soon finalize an agreement on purchasing 118 planes from the French manufacturer.

Akhundi denied media reports that there will be a major delay in implementing the contract.

The agreement on buying 118 Airbus planes was inked during President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to Paris France on January 2016.

Sareh Bayat Crowned Best Actress at Tiburon Film Festival

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Fatemeh Askarieh

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April 19, 2016

Bayat portrays Fariba, a woman with a troubled past who starts a new life by marrying her beloved – but finding that leaving the shadow of her dark past is not as easy as it seemed. In order to earn her freedom she has to fight against patriarchal society.

Oblivion Season has so far participated in and won many trophies from different international film festivals including: US Buffalo Film Festival, Chicago Asian Films Festival, Montréal International Film Festival, Rahway International Film Festival, Afghanistan International Women’s Film Festival and Brasov International Film Festival (BRIFF), to name only a few.

The Tiburon International Film Festival (TIFF) is an annual event which seeks to provide a greater understanding of the world and its many cultures through the artistic medium of film, and through top-quality films from around the world. TIFF wishes to increase tolerance between people of all backgrounds.

Its goal is one of cultural enrichment and heightened cultural awareness, and to create a platform for independent filmmakers to express their talent and vision from any nation. TIFF strongly believes in its motto: “Understanding the World through Film”.

The award for best actor went to János Kulka from Hungary for his role in Demimonde, by director Attila Szász.

Demimonde also won the award for best film at the festival, which is dedicated to screening independent features and short films from around the world.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 19

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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April 19, 2016

Abrar:

1- Brazilian House of Representatives approves bill to censure President

2- Jordan recalls its ambassador from Tehran

3- Aref: Discussion about Parliament Speaker role better left until after 2^nd round elections

4- Zarif and Kerry meeting today in New York

5- Mogherini: New chapter opened in relations with Iran

Asrar:

1- Ayatollah Hashemi: We should help government with economic growth

2- Iran’s new diplomacy in East and West: Larijani in Moscow, Zarif in New York

3- Baeidinejad : Governor of Central Bank (Mr. Seif) talks in US were in line with JCPOA

4- Zanganeh reacts strongly to Saudi oil policy

Arman Emrouz

1- Seyyed Hassan Khomeini condoles family ofAfghan girl “Setayesh”:

“Tyranny and injustice is irrelevant to nationality or religion.”

2- Delvapasan Group (the Concerned) welcomes Seif’s JCPOA comments

Ebtekar:

1- Zarif visits US to advance JCPOA

2- Saudi Arabia continues uncompromising Hajj policy

Etela’at:

1- Book fairs, film and theatre festivals to be given to private sector, says Minister of Culture

2- Syria protests strongly to UN Security Council over Israel’s Golan sovereignty claim

3- Cool weather and floods cause IRR20bn to Iranian agriculture

4- Commemoration ceremony in honour of renowned Quran researcher Manizhe Gorji, and opening of a specialized library for women

Etemad:

1- Invisible eyes on the streets

– 7,000 invisible morality police

2- Air France passengers and huge contracts

– French Transportation Minister arrives with first Air France airliner to Tehran in 8 years: “We will stick to our commitments.”

Afkar:

1- Judiciary Chief: US report is baseless

Emtiaz:

1- French musicians to play in Iranian historic sites

2- Zangeneh: Saudi hallucination – output freeze for Iran like new oil sanctions

3- Iranian banking network connection to US denied

– American company Payment Wall says Iranian banking network is now connected to that of the US, but Iranian Central Bank officials deny the claim

Iran:

1- Mogherini calls her Tehran visit constructive, says Europe wants to be Iran’s number one economic partner

2- First Air France flight to Tehran after 8 years:

– Air France Manager: We will increase our weekly flights to Tehran from 3 to 7

Payam Zaman:

1- Fifth Symposium of world neurologists in Iran

2- Minister of Labour: 600,000 new jobs in this Iranian year

3- Ban on export of Iranian liquid gas is lifted

JameJam:

1- Green light to US-made cars

– Import license for US-made cars is not compatible with Resistance Economy

Jomhuri Eslami:

1- Minister of Roads & Transportation: Iran and France to cooperate on rail, air and sea transportation

2- Yemeni Peace talks postponed due to Saudi ceasefire violations

3- Spokesman of Syrian opposition groups resigned, threatened to leave Geneva

Syrian peace talks experiences new twist

4- Israel purchasing land in Kurdish regions of Turkey

Javan:

1- Zarif: We didn’t negotiate for 30 months for an empty document

– Strong criticism by Iranian Foreign Minister before departing to Washington for talks with Kerry

Hosban:

1- Head of Judiciary thanks President Rouhani for his Organization of Islamic Cooperation stance

2- Doha meeting failure means oil market instability until mid-2017

Hemayat:

1- Zarif Spiegel interview: Global banks refusing to cooperate with Iran because of US intimidation

2- Head of Judiciary: Baseless report by US State Department shows that Iranian Judiciary is Impenetrable

3- General Vahidi: Quds Forces prevented downfall of Erbil

4-Tehran Prosecutor : Urgent legal proceedings about crime in Varmin [the murder of an Afghan girl]

Khorasan :

1- Zarif’s threat on eve of Kerry meeting: JCPOA survival depends on Iranians feeling concrete results

Resalat:

1- Mohammad Javad Larijani: Sanctions in connection with Human Rights violation is a brazen claim

2- Mohsen Rezaei: Saudis behavior is nearing edge of madness

3- French Transportation Minister: Problems still hindering banking transactions with Iran

4- Largest Metro station in Capital open in Shahr-e Aftab (Sun City)

Royesh Mellat:

1- Minister of Culture: Saudis causing problems over Hajj affairs

2- Energy Minister: Iran’s severe drought ending this year

3- Iranians: Champion soft drink consumers

– Average consumption of soft drinks in Iran is twice that of world average

Shargh:

1- 7,000 invisible morality police deployed on the street

Sharvand:

1- 15m children do not go to school: A report on children in warzones

2- Flood destroyed assets of 140,000 farmers in various parts of the country

Keyhan:

1- “Almost Nothing”: Achievement of JCPOA

2- Bus Explosion in occupied Quds leaves 20 injured

3- Hezbollah: Even if you issue thousands of statements, we will keep fighting Israel

Vaghaye Etefaghye:

1- Climate change of JCPOA

– Zarif in New York on two missions [signing the UN Paris climate change agreement, and also changing the climate of the nuclear deal]

Jahane Eghtesad:

1- Iranian Banking Network connected to Japanese, Chinese and Iraqi Banking Networks

This year, 5-8 new passenger planes to be delivered to Iran

120 French Musicians to Play at Iran’s Historical Sites

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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April 19, 2016

The conductor said, “The show which is going this orchestra will perform is very important for me, since it is aimed at being a project of friendship between the two countries.”

Pejman Memarzadeh continued, “I grew up in France and I live there. The French government has given me many facilities to organize an orchestra there. The players who will perform in the Alliance Française orchestra are all professionals. One of them is also a player in Berlin’s Philharmonic Orchestra.”

He told ISNA why he had never been to Iran in all these years, only choosing this moment for this concert, saying, “Everyone has their own issues, but I was never disconnected from Iran. I am attached to this country and I always think about my homeland. I, however, came to the conclusion that during Mr. Rouhani’s government, and with the steps taken by Mr. Zarif, Iran has regained its former place in the international arena, so I thought it would be a good time to present this image of Iran to the world.”

MP: Religious Rules Apply if Women Attend Sports Stadia

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Golrokh Askarieh

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April 19, 2016

Motahhari, a member of the Majlis Cultural Committee, also said if women are going to attend sports stadiums, religious rules should still be observed, Fararu reported on Monday.

For instance, women should enter sport complexes from separate entrances, and their seats should not be very near men’s, the MP explained.

Referring to women’s attendance at volleyball matches in the past, he said there was no particular problem in this regard, and only that religious rules should be taken into account.

The Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs are preparing a bylaw for the presence of women in sporting events, Motahhari said.

Although the vice president for women and family affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi has great efforts for women’s entry into sporting arenas, women were not allowed to watch the 2015 FIVB Volleyball World League in Tehran.

US company seeks Iranian petrochemical products

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Golrokh Askarieh

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April 19, 2016

Mas’oud Jebraili, head of Abadan’s Petrochemical Co. in southern Iran, has told the official IRNA news agency that the US firm in question has conducted some negotiations with his company through its European branch to buy Iranian petrochemical products.

Jebraili said the US company, whose name he did not disclose over ongoing talks, has requested to purchase PVC products.

He said a number of Italian, Spanish, German and Indian companies have already laid down requests to import products from Abadan’s Petrochemical Co.

The Iranian petrochemical firm says it registered a maximum annual production of 59,800 tons of PVC in 2005.

Iran’s petrochemical production is expected to hit 70 million tons worth $27 billion at current prices in the current Iranian calendar year (started March 20), officials at the National Petrochemical Company (NPC) have said.

The country seeks to more than double this capacity in the next decade, which requires between $7 billion to $10 billion of annual investment.

Officials said Iran’s petrochemical manufacturers were turning to the Europeans for finance, ditching Chinese investors because they were charging high commissions and fees.

Iran Seeks Market Stability: Zangeneh

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Golrokh Askarieh

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April 19, 2016

During a live radio interview, Zangeneh said certain oil-producing countries opposed lifting of sanctions on Iran right from the beginning and for this reason they tried to keep oil prices as low as possible in a push to bother Iran’s economy.

“Currently, the oil market is glutted by more than 2 mbd which reduce the prices dramatically,” said the official.

“Iran has never had a role in the market’s instability,” he said reacting to claims by rival crude oil producers that Tehran is the causing volatility in the global crude oil market.

By joining the oil freeze plan, Iran would implicitly accede to the sanctions after years of hard work and resistance for having them lifted, he added, saying, “If Iran kept its crude oil output at January levels, it would mean the sanctions were never lifted and exports would need to stay at the time the country was targeted by international restrictions.”

Zangeneh said that the Doha meeting is a beginning for cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC crude oil producers and would hopefully lead to market stability, saying, “As before, Iran will attempt to play its part in bringing stability back to the crude oil market,”

Jajim Weaving in Namhil Village, Northwestern Iran

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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April 19, 2016

Jajim Weaving in Namhil Village, Northwestern Iran

Jajim is a famous handicrafts in different regions of Iran, including Khalkhal region in the country’s northwest. Women of Namhil village weave his type of rug since a long time.