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IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

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Home Blog Page 4561

Iran, Vietnam to Raise Bilateral Trade to $2bln: Rouhani

Golrokh Askarieh

March 14, 2016

“In economic issues, despite the existence of very good capacities and potentials, we have failed to use them in recent years, mostly because of (anti-Iran) sanctions,” Rouhani said in a joint press conference with his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang here in Tehran.

He added that comprehensive talks were held today between the two presidents on the issue, and it was decided that the current trade value of $350 million be increased to $2 billion in the next five years.

“It was also decided that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) be signed between the two countries’ central banks,” Rouhani added, stressing that the MoU can be the first step for enhancing the level of mutual economic cooperation.

“In such important fields as energy, industry, agriculture, tourism, investment and information technology, detailed talks were held and agreements were made in the joint meeting between the two sides,” he said.

“I am sure the visit will be a very good starting point for the development of bilateral ties,” the Iranian president stressed.

The Vietnamese president, for his part, underlined the need for reinforcement of joint cooperation and mutual support for all-out progress and development.

“We agreed that economic and trade cooperation is our main priority, and that we should prepare the grounds for activity of both countries’ private sectors to tap into the existing potentials and advantages,” Sang, who arrived in Tehran at the head of a high-ranking delegation on Sunday night, went on to say.

Iran’s Defense Might Non-Negotiable: MP

Golrokh Askarieh

March 14, 2016

Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Seyed Hossein Naqavi Hosseini pointed to anti-Iran remarks made by some Western officials after recent ballistic missile tests by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), saying that the July 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers has nothing to do with the country’s missile program.

“The Islamic Republic’s firm stance in the nuclear negotiations was that the issue of missile (program) and the country’s defense might in general are not negotiable by any means,” he reiterated.

The parliamentarian added that no country will be allowed to interfere in issues related to Iran’s national security and defense power.

The comments came after recent missile exercises by the IRGC has raised hue and cry in certain Western states.

The IRGC Aerospace Division test-fired a number of advanced, ballistic missiles with pin-point accuracy in the drills.

IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari had already described the message of the missile drills as security for Iran and neighboring countries.

Iran has repeatedly announced that test of missiles is an issue relating to defense of its territorial integrity and has nothing to do with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal reached between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) back in July 2015.

Iran has also underscored frequently that its military might poses no threat to other countries and that the Islamic Republic’s defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.

Tehran bourse roars to 2-year high

March 14, 2016

The Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) shrugged off France’s warnings of possible European sanctions on Iran over its recent ballistic missile launches to surge a whopping 870 points and hit 80,236 at the close on Monday, IRNA reported.

Steel, telecommunication and automotive industries made the biggest gains in the day during which about $135,000 worth of stocks were traded.

TSE is among the five biggest markets in the Middle East, where more than 300 companies are listed with a market capitalization of around $100 billion.

It has surged over 20% since the implementation of a nuclear deal on January 17 when TSE ended the day at about 65,000 points, even as global stock markets have tumbled.

The lifting of sanctions has generated a tide of euphoric mood in anticipation of money from outside the country flowing into Iranian stocks.

International business delegations are pouring into the country. Dozens of them have toured Iran over the past year to assess the landscape and visited some of the listed Iranian manufacturers.

Investors are encouraged by prospects of new investment and a rise in economic growth and the Iranian market’s low valuations.

Iran is being billed a G20 country in waiting with its largest educated population in the region, making it a de facto regional economic leader, according to experts.

While international investment on Tehran’s bourse was already legal, sanctions especially on the banking system made it impossible to transfer money in and out of Iran.

On Monday, the Mehr news agency quoted the Central Bank of Iran as saying that Iranian banks were fully reconnected to the global transaction network SWIFT and there was no hurdle to opening letters of credit.

Mehr said Iranian banks have so far opened 450 million euros of LCs through the Iran-Europe Commercial Bank (IECB) since the lifting of sanctions.

Air Defense Fully Ready to Protect Iran: Commander

Golrokh Askarieh

March 14, 2016

Addressing a cultural ceremony in the northern city of Babol, Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili said the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base is fully ready to defend the Islamic motherland.

Highlighting the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran has never begun any war, the commander noted that the country’s military forces will not be deceived by the “enemy’s smile” and will keep protecting the country will full force.

A day earlier, Commander of Army Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan also stated that the country will not hesitate to employ whatever capacities available to defend itself, except weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) whose application is forbidden by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Iran has repeatedly assured other nations that its military might poses no threat to other countries, saying that the Islamic Republic’s defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on March 14

IFP Editorial Staff

March 14, 2016

Abrar:

1. No visa needed for Iranian visitors to Georgia

2. Leader hosts mourning ceremony for Hazrat Zahra

3. Rouhani frowns on myopic commentators who overlook administration’s achievements

Abrar Eqtesadi:

1. Ahmadinejad’s heavy economic toll on the administration

2. UK in talks with EU partners to lift Iran banking sanctions

3. NIOC issues $1.5bn bonds

Asrar:

1. West contradicts itself in deeds and words in fighting terrorism: Rafsanjani

2. Aref: We seek a majority of seats in Parliament

3. Israeli identity for Arab League: Analyst

4. Iran election results signal co-operation, negotiation with world: Zarif

5. VP: Government poised to bring economy back on track

6. The huge amount of smuggled goods is shameful: Cleric

Afkar:

1. Putin’s efforts bear fruit

2. $70/b suitable price for oil: Iran’s Zangeneh

3. Saudis’ back broken: Zarif

Amin:

1. Araqchi: The other side has fulfilled the JCPOA commitments

Arman-e Emrouz:

1. Rafsanjani downplays calls on people to choose ascetic lifestyles

“Those who call on the people to live an ascetic life themselves lead various lifestyles,” said the cleric.

2. 5-year sentence for cracker dealers

Ebtekar:

1. Sports awaiting sensible policies: Report

A report about the administration’s policies for promoting sport in the country

2. Zarif: Saudis sought to break Iran’s back, but had their own broken instead

Ettela’at:

1. Billions of dollars of foreign investments flowing into Iran

2. Rouhani: Holy shrines are redlines for Islamic Republic

3. Funerals for 111 Sacred Defense martyrs held in 17 provinces

4. Terrorists shell Shia cities in Syria

5. Iran seeking no adventures: Gen. Soleimani

Etemad:

1. Rouhani shifts tactics: Report

How Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has changed his tone since the February 26 elections.

2. Faction of Hope officially formed in Parliament

Emtiaz:

1. Oil price slump was year’s saddest event: Oil Minister Zangeneh

2. After 18 months: Reason for Iran 140 plane crash announced

3. Iran and Benz to sign deal next year

4. 1,700 Health teams to assist New Year travellers

Hemayat:

1. Ahmad Shahid’s “watery, inadmissible” report about human rights in Iran

The Secretary of Human Rights Headquarters in Iran reacted to a recent report by Ahmad Shahid on human rights in Iran.

Javan:

1. Hezbollah’s Terrorist Label due to Saudi bribe

The Arab League Secretary-General is alleged to have received a $9m bribe from Saudi Arabia to blacklist Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.

2. American democracy

A rally for Trump turned into a boxing ring

3. Zarif: Oil broke Saudi’s back instead of Iran’s

4. Judiciary issues new blood money tariff

Jamejam:

1. JCPOA outcome not yet measurable for economists

2. US uses UNSC as a stick [against Iran]

Kayhan:

1. Railing imports harms domestic production by $2bn

2. Obama advisor: US aimed at controlling Iran, not improving relations, in deal

3. US directly involved in Yemen War: Human rights whistleblower

Iran:

1. Rouhani: Think of nation and country instead of factions or parties

2. Proposal for raising pensioners’ salaries

3. Iran to become self-sufficient in gasoline production next year: Zangeneh

Payam Zaman:

1. VP calls on private sector to act as pivot in economy

2. Mogherini to visit Tehran in April

3. Jordan’s king threatens Syria with military attack

Resalat:

1. Preparations for next presidential election by August 2016: Interior minister

2. Cleric calls for observing the law of “enjoining good and forbidding wrong”

3. Iran’s missiles can bring big powers to the negotiating table: Araqchi

Rooyesh Mellat:

1. No alternative plan for Syria: De Mistura

2. Forex rate cannot be unified by order: VP

Shargh:

1. Iranian missiles tabled at UNSC

Saheb Ghalam:

1. Ban on wheat imports to be lifted next year

2. Enemy plots will not be carried out in the region: Velayati

3. New housing loans to pay for half of house price

Asia:

1. Series of meetings between Iran, EU; London, Geneva, Zurich

2. Economic priorities for the New Year: Report

7-millennial cemetery uncovered in Khuzestan (PHOTOS)

Fatemeh Askarieh

March 14, 2016

Deputy of Khuzestan province ICHTO office announced explorations have uncovered a 7-millenia-old cemetery in Zeidoun, Behbahan, southeastern part of the province.

The following images have been released by Mehr News Agency:

7-millennial cemetery uncovered in Khuzestan (PHOTOS)

Iran Rejects Media Report on Anti-Saudi Remarks Attributed to IRGC Commander

Golrokh Askarieh

March 14, 2016

The Egyptian newspaper Al-Watan, in an article titled “Iran: Saudi Arabia is our enemy, not Israel”, has attributed some anti-Saudi remarks to Major General Jafari.

“The title, content and conclusion of the article have been written based on changes to the reality, references to some unprofessional news reports and false attributions to the Iranian official,” Iran’s Interest Section said in a statement on Sunday, adding that the move was against the professional norms of media.

Tehran’s principled policy about the nature of Israeli occupation and its state-sponsored terrorism as well as Iran’s all-out supports for the holy cause of Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is clear to everyone in the region and the world, the statement read.

In conclusion, the interest section called on the Egyptian newspaper to publish the above statement and act in line with media regulations and public enlightenment.

Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif reaffirmed the country’s commitment to backing Palestine in spite of the fact that sanctions have been the price it pays for that support.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes honoring commitments regarding Palestine,” Zarif said in an address to the extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

“Although (Iran) knows the pressures that have been imposed on it in recent decades have been the result of our support for the cause of Palestine, it will keep up that policy,” he underlined at the time.

The top Iranian diplomat also described the issue of Palestine as the centerpiece of the OIC, calling for serious attention to the organization’s “raison d’être” without being distracted by any other issue.

Iran criticizes White House on US court anti-Iran order

Golrokh Askarieh

March 14, 2016

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi-Ansari, in a statement released on Monday, said that in our view, US executive branch of the Government is also involved in such anti-Iran measures.

The official described the action as following Zionists’ scenarios in spreading Iranophobia.

The US court order questions credibility of US judicial system and conveys the message of support for terrorist groups, the spokesman added.

He also criticized the US Department of State for putting Iran in the country’s terror sponsors list, adding that September 11 victims are real losers of the anti-Iran verdict.

The September 11 victims’ request for trial of those behind the incident is denied by such unjust orders, Jaberi-Ansari added.

A US judge ordered Iran to pay over $10 billion in damages to families of victims who died on September 11, 2001 – even though there is no evidence of Tehran’s connection to the attack. The same judge earlier cleared Saudi Arabia from culpability.

The ruling is noteworthy particularly since none of the 19 hijackers on September 11 were Iranian citizens. Fifteen were citizens of Saudi Arabia, while two were from the United Arab Emirates, and one each from Egypt and Lebanon.

Iran’s FM Meets Senior New Zealand Officials, Traders

Golrokh Askarieh

March 14, 2016

Zarif, who is on a 11-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania, held a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister John Phillip Key in Wellington on Sunday, during which the two sides conferred on the expansion of bilateral ties.

At the meeting, the Iranian foreign minister underlined the grounds for Tehran-Wellington economic and trade ties, and highlighted the necessity for the promotion of mutual cooperation after the recent nuclear deal (known as JCPOA) between Tehran and world powers, which terminated all nuclear-related anti-Iran sanctions.

He also briefed PM Key on the latest developments in Syria, Iraq, and regional issues.

Key, for his part, expressed his pleasure with the removal of anti-Iran sanctions, and welcomed the enhancement of bilateral ties.

He also noted he will pursue the settlement of certain problems ahead of improved trade and economic relations between Iran and New Zealand.

Zarif also held a meeting with the Oceanian country’s Minister of Trade and State-Owned Enterprises Todd McClay.

During the meeting, Zarif discussed the expansion of cooperation in such fields as energy, petro-chemistry, tourism, ports, transport, agriculture, advanced technologies, nanotechnology, and human resources, particularly in engineering fields.

The Iranian top diplomat also held meetings with the New Zealand Minister of Primary Industries Nathan Guy as well as the leader of its Labor (opposition) Party Andrew Little.

Zarif also attended a joint meeting with members of the New Zealand Middle East Business Council, and conferred with them on the ways to enhance mutual cooperation.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, the top Iranian diplomat earlier visited four other countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand. The tour will later take him to Australia, the last destination of his 11-day trip.

6-Year-Old Boy Becomes CEO of Persepolis Football Club

IFP Editorial Staff

March 14, 2016

Something interesting happened at today’s Persepolis training session. A young boy suffering from haemophilia had always dreamt of becoming the Persepolis boss, so a group of documentary-makers from IRIB Channel 5 made his dream come true.

In co-ordination with the club’s leaders, this young child started his new job at Persepolis headquarters, sitting behind the CEO’s desk.

He also paid a visit to the team’s training ground. As a VIP, of course, during his visit he was accompanied by two bodyguards.

The young Persepolis CEO played football with Sosha Makani, Reza Nourmohammadi and Mohsen Bengar for a while, and chatted with other Persepolis players.

He even took – and scored – a penalty with Sosha Makani in goal. Sosha Makani gave him his gloves and the two took a photo together.

6-Year-Old Boy Becomes CEO of Persepolis Football Club

He met Branko Ivanković, the team’s manager, and discussed his ideas with him. He told the young CEO that he hopes that with the new executive leadership, Persepolis will win the championship this year, and qualify for the Asian Championship next year.

Mohsen Bengar also presented Abolfazl Khansari, the 6-year-old CEO of Persepolis, with a number 6 team shirt.

Persepolis is one of the highest supported teams in Iranian football. It is said in unofficial counts that the club has over 30 million fans.Persepolis Football Club, also spelled Perspolis, is a Persian Gulf Pro League professional football club based in Tehran, Iran. Persepolis F.C. was founded in 1963 and has been in the first division of Iranian football since 1968.