‘The company will pipe the Iranian gas to Iraq in the near future through the pipeline networks set up for the purpose,’ said Mohammad Ali Emam on Sunday.
Iraq has always been interested in importing natural gas from Iran. But, completion of the propject to lay gas pipeline to Iraq has so far been delayed due to the insecurities caused by terrorist groups like Daesh, also known as ISIS.
It is expected that Iraq become a major gas importer from Iran outpacing even the major Iranian gas customer, Turkey.
The pipeline networks will carry Iran’s natural gas directly to Baghdad and it will be mainly used for generating electricity to meet Iraq’s critical power shortage.
Pumping gas to the Iraqi capital at the preliminary stage will get started with a daily volume of four million cubic meters and it could boost to 35 million cubic feet a day in the next phases.
Iran-Iraq gas pipeline ready for use: Official
Iran’s Rouhani urges firm, collective anti-terror bids
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is concerned about instability [caused by terrorists] in some countries from North Africa to a number of countries in the Middle East,” Rouhani said in a meeting with the visiting Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand in Tehran on Sunday.
He added that efforts to establish stability and security in these countries can help improve stability in the entire region and across the world.
Rouhani said Iran welcomes enhanced relations with the European Union, adding that the two sides can strengthen cooperation and hold consultation to maintain regional stability and security.
“The expansion of all-out cooperation between Iran and the European Union has special importance in settling complicated regional and international disputes,” the president said.
Rouhani further noted that Iran and Estonia enjoy great potential to deepen bilateral cooperation on issues of common interest.
Estonia willing to boost Iran ties
The Estonian foreign minister, for her part, said Iran plays a leading regional and international role and expressed her country’s willingness to expand relations with the Islamic Republic in different sectors.
She added that Tehran and Tallinn are faced with new opportunities to strengthen cooperation in a bid to serve the two nations’ interests.
Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Kaljurand is in Tehran on a two-day visit to hold talks with Iranian officials about ways to expand mutual ties and the latest regional and international developments. Earlier on Sunday, she held talks and attended a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Military might, spirituality go hand in hand: Leader
“In the Islamic Republic establishment, the main task [assigned] to the Armed Forces is to defend national security boundaries; therefore, the operational capability and spiritual motivations of these forces must be upgraded from day to day,” Ayatollah Khamenei told a group of senior military commanders in Tehran on Sunday.
“The Armed Forces are not at the disposal of a specific person or specific party and faction, but belong to the whole nation and country and must be a safe bulwark for people and protector of national and public security,” the Leader added.
The Leader added that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the only military power that is “efficient” and “ideologically-driven” and operates in a country with “political independence.”
Ayatollah Khamenei also said Saudi Arabia’s army has failed to realize its objectives more than a year after it invaded Yemen in full force.
The Leader said some armies in the world have been established only for protecting ruling regimes.
“Such armies apparently enjoy high operational and military might, but in the battlefield they indulge only in militarism, irrationality and ruthlessness,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Prior to Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi (seen above) said the Iranian Armed Forces “feel obligated” to upgrade their military and deterrence might and particularly “upgrade ballistic missile stockpiles and develop missile bases.”
Top Iranian Cleric Stresses Demolition of Nuclear Arsenals
Hujjat-ul-Islam Alireza Arafi, the director of Al Mustafa International University, met with a high-ranking delegation from Finland headed by Annti Kaikkonen, the Finnish Parliamentary Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and demanded that the termination of nuclear arsenals becomes a global demand from all governments.
He referred to the recent regional changes and empowerment of extremist groups in Islamic states and said, “Had it not been for demands made by Iraqi and Syrian governments, and the active role of the Islamic Republic of Iran, several regional countries could have been plagued by ISIL and extremism, and violence could have engulfed the whole world.”
The Friday prayer leader from Qom praised the serious resistance of Iran against terrorism, and criticized any denial of the constructive role played by Iran in confronting terrorism.
The cleric also highlighted the clear views of the Islamic Republic of Iran on security and world peace, stressing the country’s readiness for constructive dialogues towards this end.
The Member of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution referred to the different readings of Islam in the world, and slammed extremist groups who carry out anti-Islamic activities in the name of Islam.
Hujjat-ul-Islam Arafi referred to the different movements to return to [original] Islam, saying that the first movements to return to Islam confined the holy religion to only moral and ideological issue. It was a movement which distanced itself from all political and social aspects of Islam, as it believed in a meltdown in western culture.
The Iranian scholar stated, “Against this movement, however, a second movement was formed in the world of Islam which did not comprehend the modern world and its special status. Consequently, it introduced a prejudiced and petrified reading of Islam.” He added, “The culmination of this type can easily be seen in extremist movements like ISIL.”
According to the cleric, the third reading of Islam, carried out by the Islamic Revolution of Iran, stresses rationality and jurisprudence for understanding Islam saying, “A revolutionary reading of Islam tries to respect the demands of modern man and value opinions within a political framework. It also highly esteems interfaith dialogues and seriously stands against sectarian clashes.”
He referred to the inaccurate interpretation of some western countries in achieving a correct understanding of Islam and said, “Some western counties have not been capable of – while others have never intended to – comprehend different readings of Islam; hence, they have exposed their nations to extremist readings of the holy religion of Islam.”
The Director of Al Mustafa International University stressed the commitment of the international academic centre to cooperation and dialogue, and welcomes anyone who respects these general principles.
The leading cleric expressed his hope for the expansion of political, economic and cultural cooperation, while extending gratitude for the focus of the Finnish government on people’s religious freedom and its open ambience for Muslims in the country.
Paragliding in Kermanshah
Paragliding as a recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders is widespread all over Kermanshah province.
FM calls for resolution of regional conflicts based on int’l rules
Zarif made the remarks in a joint press conference with visiting Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand.
He referred to Iranian high-ranking officials’ contacts with their Armenian and Azeri counterparts and said that Iran has always been ready to help peaceful resolution of regional conflicts including Karabakh issue based on international rules and regulations.
Zarif condemned terrorist actions in the region including recent terrorist action in Turkey, adding that the region is facing the danger of extremism and terrorism.
He called for coordinating resolution of regional conflicts, adding that the region does not need new crises.
Referring to hundred years of historical ties between Iran and Estonia, Zarif added that the two countries have good potentials for boost of all-out ties particularly in fields of economy and trade in the post-sanctions era.
Iran Favors Closer Ties with EU, President Says
Iran seeks to promote and deepen cooperation with the EU countries, including Estonia, President Rouhani said in a meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister Marina Kaljurand, in Tehran on Sunday.
“Expansion of multilateral cooperation between the European Union and Iran is of great significance in the settlement of the complicated regional and international problems,” the president added.
He then pointed to the “destabilizing” activities of terrorist groups in the Middle East, calling for a serious fight against terrorism to prevent it from spreading to other regions, including Europe.
“One of the grounds for cooperation between Iran and the European Union would be consultation and coordination for maintaining regional stability and security,” Rouhani added.
The president further made a reference to the historical friendly relations between Tehran and Tallinn, and called for the enhancement of bilateral cultural and academic ties, such as the exchange of academics and joint research projects.
For her part, the visiting Estonian minister hailed Iran as a leading actor in regional and international developments, and expressed her country’s willingness to boost relations with the Islamic Republic in all fields of mutual interest.
Kaljurand’s visit comes against a backdrop of global enthusiasm for closer ties with Iran following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a lasting nuclear deal between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
IKCO, Peugeot to launch joint venture soon
Iran Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohsen Salehinia touched upon the latest status of bilateral collaboration between Iran Khodro Industrial Group (IKCO) and France’s Peugeot Car Company saying “investment of foreign automakers has been defined as joint venture denoting a 50-50 investment where the foreign side directly brings in 50 per cent of the share in three stages.”
Salehinia went on to add “in the meantime, an independent company with a production line has been established by IKCO and Peugeot awaiting joint venture since relevant licenses need to be received from Iran’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance before pursuing the registration process.”
The official estimated that the Iranian-French joint venture will enter operational phase in late April when the board members, CEO, middle managers as well as supervisors of other sectors need to be appointed.
CEO of IKCO Hashem Yekkeh Zare had previously pointed to the signing of a contract with Peugeot of France enumerating several features of the deal; “it brings foreign investment into the country, leads to job creation, increases level of production to the interest of auto part makers, and brings about technical knowledge transfer as suggested by the Leader in line with Resistance Economy, as well.”
Yekkeh Zare has emphasized “one important feature of the contract is the establishment of a joint venture between the Iranian and French sides where the profits will be shared; during the first year, only 40 per cent of the produced cars are indigenous while the figure will reach 70 per cent leading to positive balance sheet on the part of the company.”
“Peugeot had left Iran in 2011 and we have set punitive contracts for the French company,” highlighted the official noting “the company is obliged to pay 200 million euros as compensation as well as that Peugeot’s final business share will be the very low figure of only 15 per cent.”
A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 10
Ettela’at:
1. President: Private sector key to solving Maskan Mehr problem
2. Iran, India ink MoU to cooperate in oil and gas projects
3. Industry minister says Iran suffers from absence of skilled foreign companies
4. Veteran Iranologist Manouchehr Sotoudeh dies
Ebtekar:
1. Building houses in cities is more costly than in desert
A report about admin’s troubles in completing the Maskan Mehr Scheme
2. Electorate list of Hope caused maximum election turn out: Report
3. Editorial: Nation no longer favors populism
Asrar:
1. Nation discerns who intends to offer honest services: reformist figure
2. Boeing sends delegation to Tehran for talks
3. President criticizes lack of prudence in Maskan Mehr Scheme
The scheme was aimed at providing inexpensive houses to the nation and was initiated under former administration.
4. Obama: Don’t worry; Trump won’t win US presidential election
Etemad:
1. Principalists lost to themselves, not the opponent: expert
2. No specific section for Iran in Louvre
Afkar:
1. Sisi sells Egypt sovereignty to Riyadh
2. Best way must be chosen to solve Masken Mehr issues: Rouhani
Emtiaz:
1. Birth rate grows in Iran
2. Artists rally before Museum of Contemporary Arts
Iran:
1. 200 runners from 20 countries compete in running match in Persepolis
2. Iran is a part of me: Former Italian embassy staff in Iran
3. Details about elimination of the rich from subsidy handout recievers
Javan:
1. 150 jobless citizens add to country’s unemployment every hour
2. 3,000 tons of American arms delivered to Syrian terrorists
Jomhouri Islami
1. Rouhani: Iran to cede unfinished projects to private developers
2. Iran allocates IRR150b to small, middle industries
3. Iran offers 5-year tax exemptions to foreign investors
4. UAE, Saudi Arabia hatch new plot to dissolve Yemen
Shargh:
1. Building deserts not right: Rouhani
Keyhan:
1. Iran to garner unofficial, substandard garrantees in market
2. US presidential contenders compete in libeling Iran
3. Sisi offers Saudi king highest Egyptian medal of honor
Louvre Museum Eager to Cooperate with Tehran’s Malek Library
According to IBNA’s correspondent (quoting from the public relations office of Malek National Museum and Library), during his visits, Jean-Luc Martinez was accompanied by his wife Pascal Martinez; the director of the Louvre Museum’s Ancient East Department Marielle Pic; the director of the Louvre Museum’s Islamic Arts Department Yannick Lintz; the political advisor of the Louvre Museum’s director Alberto Vial; and the French Cultural Attaché to Tehran.
Amazed by the cultural artistic works which the Malek National Museum and Library contains, Martinez appreciated the efforts of Hossein Agha Malek, the founder and patron of this historical institution, in collecting a unique treasure.
“The Louvre Museum is very interested in launching collaborations with the Malek National Museum and Library, and holding joint projects, including exhibitions,” he said.
The director of one of the world’s largest museums will also have meetings with Iranian officials, such as the Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHTO), Masoud Soltanifar, and a number of curators.
