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New US Visa Law contravenes JCPOA “good faith” provision: Shamkhani

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Shamkhani

A restriction on visa-free travel to the US for travelers to Iran “clearly” runs counter to a provision in a July nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers that commits the parties to implement the accord in good faith, a senior Iranian official said Monday.

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said moves like the new US visa program only “deepen mistrust” and reveal the “explicit contradictions in the words and deeds of the US government officials” to the world public opinion.

He made the comments in a meeting with Head of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq Ammar Hakim, held in Tehran.

According to a bill, which was passed in the US House by 407 to 19 on December 8, visitors from the 38 “visa waiver” countries will need to obtain a visa to travel to the US if they have been to Syria, Iraq, Iran or Sudan in the past five years.

On December 18, US lawmakers sent Barack Obama a huge tax and spending package, which also included reforms of the US visa waiver program, and the president quickly signed it into law.

The controversy comes a few weeks before implementation of JCPOA, the final nuclear deal signed between Iran and P5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) in July.

According to the 8th clause in the preamble and general provisions of JCPOA, “The E3/EU+3 and Iran commit to implement this JCPOA in good faith and in a constructive atmosphere, based on mutual respect, and to refrain from any action inconsistent with the letter, spirit and intent of this JCPOA that would undermine its successful implementation.”

Shamkhani also said that the US cannot talk about trust building and goodwill, and at the same time impose “hostile restrictions” on Iran or pass laws to “illegally steal the Iranian nation’s assets.”

His remarks were in reaction to reports that the US Supreme Court is considering a case to confiscate the Iranian Central Bank’s assets in the US to pay the American victims of attacks allegedly linked to the Iranian government.

The US House of Representatives is now weighing in on a pending case that accuses Iran of links with the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut and the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia.

The US lawmakers are trying to force Iran’s Central Bank to pay damages to over 1,300 American plaintiffs. In 2008, the victims discovered that Iran’s Central Bank had almost $2 billion stored in Citibank accounts in New York.

The victims sued for that money, and the litigation has now reached the Supreme Court.

Iran to use all possible means to protect properties: Spokesman

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Jaber Ansari

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said on Monday that if assets belonging to Iran and Iranians are exposed to any kind of “robbery”, Iran will use every possible means to safeguard the rights of the nation.

Asked to comment on payment of compensation to US diplomats taken hostage in Tehran in 1979, the spokesman said that the so-called compensation is to be deducted from the fine paid by a French bank.

Jaberi Ansari ruled out the possibility of getting the compensation from the Iranian assets frozen by the US government and said it runs counter to the 1981 Algeria Claims Settlement Declaration.

In response to a question about the savings of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Jaberi Ansari said US courts have issued some verdicts since 2007 on taking from these savings which is illegal according to Algiers Declaration and the CBI has been following the case through legal procedures.

On Syria, he said Iran’s stands regarding regional developments and what is going on in Syria are crystal clear.

When asked to comment about recent allegations by Turkish President Recep Tayyep Erdogan against the Islamic Republic of Iran over Tehran’s policies in Syria, he said, “This is not the first time that we witness the adoption of such policies by Turkey.”

“Tehran believes that it is the Syrian people who have the final say and right to determine their own destiny,” said the spokesman.

He also voiced Tehran’s strong opposition to exploiting terrorism and extremism to reach political goals.

He also voiced Tehran’s readiness to help solve the critical situation of West Asia, saying the same resolve on the Saudi part could pave the way for more active efforts.

When asked to comment on a report carried by Lebanese newspaper As Safir about a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir, the spokesman confirmed preliminary diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Riyadh on the sidelines of international meetings, but declined to further elaborate.

He expressed hope that the contacts between the two countries would pave the way for a way out of the current critical situation of the region.

Joint determination of two major West Asian countries to put an end to the current situation would raise hopes for solving regional crises so that lower costs will be inflicted on regional nations and governments, Jaber Ansari said.

Iran seizes 422 tons of illicit drugs in eight months

By
Emad Askarieh
-
drugs

In the eight months to December 22, Iranian police have seized more than 442 tons of illicit drugs from traffickers, a spokesman for the Anti-Drugs Commission said Sunday.

The following is the translation of what else Ettela’at daily quoted Parviz Afshar as telling a news conference:

The volume of illicit drugs seized has registered a 21 percent rise over corresponding period last year. In terms of quantity opium, hashish and heroin top the list of seized items.

The number of arrests and anti-drug sweeps during the eight-month period was up 19 percent, while the number of busts increased six percent.

The number of security forces fallen martyr in clashes with armed traffickers was down, so was the number of outlaws and traffickers killed in such operations.

The number of firearms and cars seized from traffickers was up four and 10 percent respectively.

Only 10-12 percent of the budget allocated to the insurance of addicts has been paid out.

During the same period 1,722 addicts (including 1,540 men and 189 women) have died of overdose).

The commission is bitterly opposed to proposed plans to vasectomize drug addicts that openly do drugs on the streets.

The lack of optional treatment and failure of insurance companies to cover the costs of rehabilitation are to blame for an increase in the numbers of homeless drug users.

The commission is not opposed to elimination of the death penalty from the list of punishments stipulated for drug traffickers. It believes small-time dealers should be spared, and death sentences should be handed down in cases involving ringleaders and those who get involved in armed clashes with security forces and commit kidnapping, murder and other serious crimes.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Iranian Newspapers Headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

President Rouhani’s comments at an Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Monday.

 

Ettela’at: The president has called for measures to avert intellectual and conversational violence.

Speaking at a 29th International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran, Hassan Rouhani said the world of Islam should call for an end to violence and a beginning of Muslim cooperation.

Ettela’at: The Supreme Leader has had a friendly meeting with the family of Martyr Robert Lazar.

Ettela’at: The volume of the country’s liquidity stands at around $300 billion.

The governor of the Central Bank has said that a new directive on interest rates will soon be issued.

Ettela’at: A second terrorist leader has been killed in Syria in 48 hours.

Ettela’at: The secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah has said that elimination of Israel is the ultimate goal of resistance.

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah further said that regional conflicts are ignited to serve the interests of the Zionist regime.

Ettela’at: The winners of Mehdi Azar Yazdi Literary and Arts Award have been named.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Afkar: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will be implemented by January 20, said Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Aftab-e Yazd: How come Turkey managed to do it? But Iran can’t.

The daily has interviewed a number of experts on how Turkish officials managed to solve the problem of air pollution in Istanbul.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Arman-e Emrooz: There has been a wrangle over face masks in parliament.

A member of the Stability Front [staunch supporters of former President Ahmadinejad] showed up on the floor with a face mask on to protest air pollution.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Asr-e Rasaneh: The capacity to produce natural gas in the post-sanctions era will double.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Bahar: The fact that a large number of people have registered to run in elections shows there is liveliness in society, said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Ebtekar: The interior minister has said that his ministry has “constructive interaction” with the Guardian Council.

A spokesman for the Guardian Council [which vets candidates for elections] has said that the country will act impartially in screening the hopefuls.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Eghtesad-e Pooya: Iran’s biggest hotel opens on Monday.

The first vice-president will be on hand for the inauguration.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

Etemad: The Guardian Council has said that 2009 is its criterion in qualifying the candidates.

Any comment on or practical measure in connection with the sedition of 2009 [widespread rioting sparked when two candidates doubted the results of the presidential elections] will be the council’s criteria in vetting the candidates who should have a clear stance on the sedition.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Ghanoon: The president has told an International Islamic Unity Conference that there are no Shiite or Sunni crescents.

He further said that in the absence of economic links between Muslim countries unity will remain elusive.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Hamdeli: The interior minister has said that he has reached a deal with the Guardian Council over candidates.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Hemayat: America’s measure to block Iranian assets amounts to robbery and bullying, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani told a national gathering of public and revolutionary court judges.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Iran: Molaverdi and Ebtekar [two female vice-presidents] are to file complaints against those who have resorted to libel and terms of abuse in criticizing them.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Javan: Iranian Christians had a proud performance during the revolution and the war, said the Supreme Leader as he met with the family of a Christian martyr.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Jomhouri Islami: The Zionists are angry at the conclusion of the Iran nuclear deal, said Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Kaenat: Iran is ready to be admitted to the World Trade Organization, said the ministry of industries, mines and trade.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Kayhan: Some 205 MPs have sent a letter to President Rouhani warning about unprecedented recession and unemployment.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Mardomsalari: The number of women fielding their candidacy for parliamentary elections is up 50 percent.

Mardomsalari: The vice-president for parliamentary affairs says he hopes women too are elected to the Assembly of Experts.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Payam-e Zaman: The deputy foreign minister has said that a Joint Commission is likely to be formed before the implementation of JCPOA.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Qods: All problems can be settled at the negotiating table, said President Rouhani.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Resalat: Mohammad Reza Bahonar [a principlist vice-speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly who is not seeking reelection] has said that principlists will emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.

He blamed the nuclear deal for the delay in presentation by the government of a bill on the Sixth Development Plan to parliament.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

 

Siasat-e Rooz: America’s repeated violation of the deal has sent clouds of doubts hanging over the implementation of the nuclear deal.

Siasat-e Rooz: Bombs and missiles cannot be used to determine the future of a country, President Rouhani said.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 28

 

Leader meets with family of Assyrian martyr (PHOTOS)

By
Fatemeh Askarieh
-
Leader0

To mark Christmas, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei visited the house of Assyrian martyr Robert Lazar.

The following images of the visit have been released by Mehr News Agency:

 

Araghchi: US visa waiver program clear violation of nuclear deal

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Seyyed Abbas Araghchi

Head of the Foreign Ministry Committee to Monitor the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Abbas Araghchi has underlined that the possible changes to the US Visa Waiver Program proposed by the Congress blatantly violate the nuclear agreement.

“Although it is not an important issue, it is aimed at harassment and is against the paragraphs 28 and 29 of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” Araghchi, also deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs said as he addressed an open session of parliament on Sunday.

Earlier he had warned of the country’s serious reaction to possible changes in the US Visa Waiver Program if they amounted to violation of the recent nuclear agreement between Tehran and six world powers.

“The US Congress’s approval has different legal aspects which are being studied and if they are against the contents of JCPOA, we will take action against it,” Araghchi, who presides over the Iranian committee monitoring the six powers’ compliance with their undertakings under the Vienna nuclear deal, told reporters in Tehran.

He said, “We are in consultation with P5+1 (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany), especially the EU (Foreign Policy) Coordinator (Federica Mogherini), to show the necessary reaction in this regard.”

[…]

Iranian MP decries US breach of JCPOA

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Alaedin Broujerdi

Chairman of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee deplored a new law that tightens visa-free travel to the US for those who have visited Iran, saying it violates a comprehensive nuclear deal that Tehran and six world powers hammered out in July.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi on Sunday sent letters to his counterparts at the European Parliament and the parliaments of France, Britain, Germany, Russia and China, complaining about the bill that the US House of Representatives passed to tighten visa-free travel to the US and President Barack Obama signed into law.

The new law not only is “unfair and discriminatory” in nature, but also contradicts what the US is committed to do under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the lawmaker said in the letter.

If enacted, the new US visa program will adversely affect normalization of Iran’s trade and economic ties with the world, since it will discourage international business people from traveling to Iran, Boroujerdi explained.

According to the bill, which was passed in the US House by 407 to 19 on December 8, visitors from 38 “visa waiver” countries will need to obtain a visa to travel to the US if they have been to Syria, Iraq, Iran or Sudan in the past five years.

On December 18, US lawmakers sent Obama a huge tax and spending package, which also included reforms of the US visa waiver program, and the president quickly signed it into law.

The controversy comes weeks before implementation of JCPOA, the nuclear deal signed between Iran and P5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) in July.

[…]

Muslim countries proud of Hezbollah: Iran’s FM

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Zarif

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif highlighted the role of Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement in regional developments, saying that Muslim states are proud of Hezbollah’s achievements in the face of plots hatched by the Zionist regime of Israel.

“We are constantly pleased with the vigilance of Lebanon’s Islamic Resistance regarding different events,” Zarif said Sunday in a meeting in Tehran with Sheikh Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s second-in-command.

Iran’s top diplomat also described Hezbollah’s approaches, which involve boosting Lebanese people’s unity, as being in the interest of everyone.

In the meeting, Sheikh Qassem, who is in Tehran to attend the 29th International Islamic Unity Conference, appreciated the Islamic Republic’s stances in support of the people of Lebanon.

He also expressed hoped that the scholars, thinkers and politicians attending the conference could come up with solutions for Muslim world issues.

Hundreds of clerics, intellectuals and academics from some 70 countries are taking part in the conference in Tehran to discuss the “present Islamic world crises.”

Organized by the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, the gathering is to discuss ways to promote unity and solidarity in the Islamic world and bring closer views of Muslim clerics and scholars’ on diverse religious issues.

The event will also focus on problems that have beset the Islamic world, particularly the threat posed by the Takfiri thoughts and sectarianism.

Participants also plan to discuss the issue of Palestine, propose solutions to settle its problems and adopt a common stance on the issue.

Iran following US plan to seize frozen assets

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Iran Central Banks

Iran is following the case of its assets frozen in bank accounts in New York which the US seeks to appropriate under court rulings, Central Bank Governor Valiollah Seif says.

The US Congress has approved a bill allowing the Americans to claim Iranian funds in a case which is currently before the Supreme Court, with the Obama administration urging the tribunal to rubber-stamp it.

Over 1,300 Americans are reportedly pressing to receive billions of dollars of the Iranian money in awarded damages over two bombings in Beirut and Saudi Arabia in 1983 and 1996.

On Sunday, Seif said the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has a total of $2.5 billion frozen in New York, including the interest on top of the original $1.7 billion held in Citibank accounts.

“This case is being followed by the Presidential Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs which we hope we will get to a conclusion,” he told reporters in Tehran on the sidelines of a forum on Islamic finance.

In 2012, President Barack Obama issued an executive order blocking all of CBI’s assets held in the US in order to prevent Tehran from repatriating them.

At the same time, Congress passed a law which included a provision making it easier for the Americans to use Iranian funds frozen in the US.

CBI says the US Congress passed the law to change the outcome of the case. It has asked the US federal courts to decide whether that violates the constitutional separation of powers.

The case is currently before the US Supreme Court, with the Obama administration urging it not to overturn the decisions of US Circuit and Appeals courts to award the plaintiffs.

Tehran is already disappointed by Obama’s signing of a Congressional bill this month aimed at limiting travels to Iran and trade with the country.

Iran says the law violates a July nuclear accord and amounts to new sanctions on the country.

On Friday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari rapped US judicial decisions, saying American courts are “violating the basic principles of international law through recourse to unsubstantiated and baseless allegations”.

“Some US courts are making a travesty of justice by sentencing the Islamic Republic of Iran over the past few years to paying restitution to victims of terror acts carried out by known citizens of US allies,” he said.

Iran gets berth on LA Times’ list of 16 must-see destinations in 2016

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Naghsh Jahan

After CNN recommended its audience to visit Iran in 2016, Los Angeles Times too has put Iran on its list of 16 must-see destinations in 2016.

The following is what the daily wrote about Iran in a story titled: Looking for a 2016 vacation? Here are 16 must-see destinations:

 

Iran

Many Americans are eager to visit Iran, and several tour operators are helping them. (In terms of U.S. government red tape, it’s easier than going to Cuba.)

Iran is full of historic towers, mosques and squares, especially in the ancient city of Esfahan (where the atmospheric Abbasi Hotel is a favorite of western visitors).

Persepolis, not far from the city of Shiraz, holds some of the most striking pre-Christian ruins outside of Egypt and Peru.

Both destinations are well removed from the Iraq and Afghanistan border zones, which the U.S. State Department urges travelers to avoid.

Tehran, more modern, includes many museums. To get there, Americans often fly to Istanbul, then continue on to Tehran or Esfahan.

At Distant Horizons in Long Beach, owner Janet Moore says she is sending 14 groups to Iran in 2016 — twice the number she sent in 2014.

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