IRNA learned that it is the first time the second generation thin film solar cells are produced in Iran.
Lead author Abdolnabi Kosarian said that the project has been registered with the office of the vice-president for science and technology.
Kosarian, the university professor said that the project is sponsored by Khuzestan province power distribution company.
He said that the research team is working on optimizing the developed solar cell structure and paving the way for the semi-industrial production of solar panels.
A solar cell (or a ‘photovoltaic’ cell) is a device that converts photons from the sun (solar light) into electricity.
A thin-film solar cell is a second generation solar cell that is made by depositing one or more thin layers, or thin film (TF) of photovoltaic material on a substrate, such as glass, plastic or metal.
Thin-film solar cells are commercially used in several technologies.
Iran develops second generation solar cells
Tehran hosts Belgian pioneer artist’s works
A gallery in Tehran’s Museum of Contemporary Art has displayed conceptual art and paintings by Belgian artist Wim Delvoye.
The following images have been released by Mehr News Agency:
‘US, German, Japanese insurers seek Iran service market’
According to the Central Insurance of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the International Group (IG) of Protection & Indemnity Clubs seeks to provide insurance coverage for Iranian oil tankers amid its ongoing negotiations with the US Treasury to facilitate the process, IRNA reported on Monday.
It also said a ban on insurance service by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) against the IG member, American Steamship Owners Mutual, has been lifted. The report said such companies have been seeking to provide insurance services to Iranian shipping firms.
Last month, a circular posted on the website of the American Steamship Owners Mutual Protection and Indemnity Association, Inc. (the American Club), said OFAC had “prospectively removed” the restriction that previously prevented the American Club from covering cargos originating from Iran.
The American Club is one of 13 members of the International Group of P&I Clubs in London, who collectively cover more than 90 percent of the global tanker fleet against risks including oil spills.
The New York-based insurance company added that following the OFAC measure, the club is “now generally available for non-US person Members’ transportation of crude and products to and from Iran.”
Iran’s Central Insurance further highlighted the willingness of some German and Japanese insurance providers for work with Iran without identifying them.
The news comes after Iran and P5+1 countries – the US, the UK, France, China, and Russia plus Germany – started implementing a deal they clinched last July on Iran’s nuclear program. According to the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the six countries accepted to remove sanctions imposed on Iran’s economic and energy sectors in return for Iran imposing restrictions on its nuclear activities.
On National Week of Natural Resources, the Leader planted a sapling
On the occasion of the National Week of Natural Resources, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Revolution planted a sapling today (Tuesday) afternoon. Ayatollah Khamenei then made a statement where he stressed the need for appreciating plants and trees as blessings to the life of the mankind and added: All the people and officials must work hard as a part of their duty to protect green environments, forests and rangelands. He pointed to the destruction of original and native plant species as a result of deforestation and said: targeting forests and gardens is imprudent and raises the concern that some species may extinct, hence it is everyone’s duty to preserve and protect green environments.
IRGC holds final stage of missile drill
The final phase of the exercises, codenamed Eqtedar-e-Velayat, saw ballistic missiles fired from silo-based launchers in different locations across the country on Tuesday.
The maneuvers are aimed at displaying Iran’s “deterrence power” and the country’s “full readiness to confront all kinds of threats against the Revolution, establishment and territorial integrity,” the IRGC said.
IRGC commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari and commander of the IRGC Aerospace Division Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh oversaw parts of the drills.
Last October, Iran successfully test-fired its precision-guided long-range Emad missile, sparking an uproar among US politicians.
In January, the US Department of the Treasury imposed new sanctions against Iranian citizens and companies over the country’s ballistic missile program.
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan has asserted that the Emad missile is a conventional weapon.
Last December, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif defended Iran’s right to carry out missile tests, saying none of Iranian missiles are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The Islamic Republic has repeatedly said that its military might poses no threat to other countries, reiterating that its defense doctrine is merely based on deterrence.
Iran’s diplomatic capability manifested in nuclear talks
At a local ceremony here Tuesday, Araqchi said the July deal, JCPOA, was a great achievement gained by the Iranian nation after 12 years of resistance.
Referring to win-win result in the nuclear talks, Araqchi said ‘win’ means the two sides’ interests have been safeguarded.
Iran’s request was to make its peaceful nuclear program recognized internationally, continue its activities and see lifting of sanctions, said Araqchi.
He added the other side claimed that Iran was on the way to make nuclear bomb but they prevented the country from doing it without using any military actions.
Anti-Iran sanctions were lifted on January 16.
‘We built confidence, however, we don’t think of it as an advantage,’ he said, stressing that nuclear weapon has no place in Iran’s doctrine.
‘The major achievement we gained was to impose our will on the six world powers,’ Araqchi said, adding that the P5+1, during the past 12 years, did in vain everything they could in order to impose their policy on Iran.
Zarif Calls Iranian Expatriates Best Bridges for Dialogue of Civilizations
Addressing a gathering of Iranian expatriates in Singapore on Monday, Zarif pointed to the global atmosphere created after the implementation of the July 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers (known as JCPOA), saying that in the post-JCPOA era, grounds are provided for the expansion of Iran’s foreign relations in line with the interests of the country.
“Iranian expatriates are an asset for the country… and the best bridges for dialogue of cultures and civilizations,” the Iranian top diplomat noted.
During the meeting, two of the Iranian expatriates also delivered speeches and appreciated Zarif’s successful efforts and achievements in the nuclear negotiations with the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).
Zarif’s 11-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania which took him to Indonesia and Singapore will go on with official visits to Brunei, Thailand, New Zealand, and Australia.
The visits come against the backdrop of a new wave of interest in ties with Iran after the country’s negotiating team, headed by Zarif, and representatives of the Group 5+1 on July 14, 2015 reached a conclusion over the text of a comprehensive 159-page deal on Tehran’s nuclear program.
The two sides started implementing the nuclear agreement on January 16.
The comprehensive nuclear deal, known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), terminated all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran.
Experts believe that Iran’s economic growth would rise remarkably after the final nuclear deal takes effect.
IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships: Iran Secures 2 Gold Medals
The first gold medal out in the field had gone to Iran’s Hashemiyeh Motaghian Moavi (F56) with victory in the women’s javelin F55/56 (690 points).
The 29-year-old only managed two legal throws out of a possible six, but her fifth attempt of 17.24m – only 13 centimeters shy of the Asian record she set at the IPC Athletics World Championships last year – was enough to take the title.
Silver went to India’s Karam Jyoti (F55) with a best of 11.62m (431 points). Indonesia’s Famini (F56) claimed the bronze medal with 12.66m.
Iran notched up a second gold medal on day one as Seyed Aliasghar Javanmardi (F35) won the men’s shot put F35/36 with a best of 13.21m (865 points).
Also, Iran’s Parviz Golpasandhagh took bronze (576 points) in the men’s shot put F55/56.
Vietnam picked up their first medal of the Championships – as well as a new Asian record – courtesy of Be Hau Nguyen. The 28-year-old added eight centimeters on to the Asian record with a throw of 10.18m (780 points) in the second round. Silver went to Mongolia’s Sambuudanzan Ganzorig with a best of 9.13m (610 points).
More than 220 athletes from 24 countries are participating in the first ever IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships which takes place until 12 March.
Iran, Signapore FMs stress boost of all-out ties
Referring to Iran’s economic potentials during the post-sanctions era, Zarif said that Tehran welcomes delvelpment of relations with Singapapore in all fields including energy, banking, sea transportation, science, health, information technology, petrochemicals and joint venture.
Singapore foreign minister for his part welcome signing joint venture documents between the two countries, adding that Singapore is raady for expansion of ties with Iran in all fields particularly in field of petrochemicals.
The two officials discussed bilateral ties and the latest regional and international developments.
While in Singapore, Zarif will meet several high-level officials, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
He is in Singapore from Monday (Mar 7) to Wednesday, as part of his regional tour of Southeast Asia. Zarif’s visit is at the invitation of Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
While in Singapore, Zarif takes part in a dinner banquet given by his counterpart. In addition, Iranian foreign minister will meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob, dispatches reported.
Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam will host him for lunch. Zarif will also deliver a lecture under the Middle East Institute’s Prominent Speaker Series.
Shell Pays Iran Dues over Oil Deliveries
Shell settled its $1.94 billion it owed the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) over the Islamic Republic’s oil deliveries which Shell had been unable to pay for due to the sanctions.
“Following the lifting of applicable EU and US sanctions, we can confirm that payment of the outstanding Shell debt to NIOC has now been made,” a Shell spokesman said in a statement as cited by Reuters on Monday.
The spokesman further said the Anglo-Dutch company now is eager to make new investments in Iran.
“We remain interested in exploring the role Shell can play in developing Iran’s energy potential within the boundaries of applicable laws,” he said.
Shell’s debt of $2.7 billion stems from Iranian oil deliveries in 2011 and 2012 that the company was unable to pay because of the sanctions.
Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14, 2015 finalized a comprehensive deal on Tehran’s nuclear program and implemented it on January 16.
The comprehensive nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), terminated all nuclear-related sanctions on Iran after coming into force.
