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

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Home Blog Page 4615

Armenian composer: I am glad I belong to the ranks of the insane

Emad Askarieh

October 15, 2015

Loris Tjeknavorian (Cheknavarian), an Iranian Armenian composer and conductor, says art – and not the artist – is what people should take seriously.

The Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) on October 12 published a report on Tjeknavorian and his remarks at his birthday party about his family background, works and favorites. The following is the translation of what he said:

“I grow younger each year. I’m [like] grapes which are not in their right mind and have yet to turn into wine. In insanity, you make progress. You cannot live in this world if you are not insane. I’m glad I belong to the ranks of the insane,” said Tjeknavorian at his 78^th birthday party.

“I do not take myself seriously. What I do should remain in the world. My works should be serious. Your prayers are very much important to me. If I swim in an ocean, I will drown, but now I am swimming in an ocean of affection and I am with you. No one drowns in an ocean of love,” he added.

The Iranian conductor further said, “I have been often told that I am an Armenian. Some people separate us from the Iranians, but the fact is that we are all Iranians. Iran is not home to one single culture alone; rather, it is the place where [people from] different cultures have come together. Shah Abbas [the 5th Safavid king of Iran] and Fath Ali Shah [the second Qajar Shah] are to blame for ceding Armenia to the Russians. Back then millions of Armenians were massacred.

“During the Armenian massacre, my parents fled and I’m lucky that they fled to Iran. They returned to their homeland. Nowhere else better than Iran could I have been born,” he said.

The creator of The King Cyrus Symphonic Suite went on to say, “I was in love with music since childhood. Being mad, I used to do strange things. At 16, I formed an orchestra in the vocational school. I did what I did to the dislike of many people.”

He added, “I do not know much about the Iranian music, but I have based my work on Muharram’s musical rhythms. In fact, the music played as part of rituals at Zoorkhaneh [where heroic sports are practiced], in Muharram [the first month of the lunar year during which Shiites mourn the loss of Imam Hussein] and at the Armenian Church has always impressed me. I have composed my works building on these three sources.”

Tjeknavorian concluded, “Take my works, not me, seriously, because my works will survive me and will live on forever.”

Tjeknavorian then blew out his candles and cut his birthday cake.

Loris Tjeknavorian, the Iranian composer and conductor, was born in Borujerd on 13 October 1937 to immigrant Armenian parents. He is a prolific musician who has created and written more than 75 pieces among them: five symphonies; six operas; chamber music; concerti for piano, violin, guitar, cello and pipa (Chinese lute); ballet music; piano and vocal works; a requiem; an oratorio; as well as scores for over 45 documentary and feature films.
Tjeknavorian was the Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) in Yerevan, Armenia (1989-2000). For three successive years, from 1991 to 1993, he was with the APO which was the resident orchestra in Vienna performing benefit and charity programs.

Iran objects to burial of Iranian victims in Saudi Arabia: Official

Emad Askarieh

October 15, 2015

Head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi has said that the organization under his watch has officially conveyed its objections to Riyadh over the burial in Saudi Arabia of 29 Iranian victims of a recent crush in Mina, near Mecca.

In a phone interview with Press TV’s Website on Thursday, Ohadi, who is in Saudi Arabia to follow up on the case of the Iranian victims, said the Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization has objected to the burial of the Iranian victims in Saudi Arabia in a written form.

He said the Saudi authorities had said that the burials were inevitably made due to hygienic concerns.

Ohadi said the burials were made even as legal proceedings had been completed for the return of some of the bodies buried.

Iranian officials had on several times emphasized that no authorization had been given to Saudi Arabia to bury the Iranian victims of the Mina tragedy.

The Hajj crush took place on September 24 after two large masses of pilgrims reached one another from opposite directions in Mina during the symbolic ceremony of the stoning of Satan in Jamarat.

‘Saudi Arabia will have to comply’

In his Thursday interview, Ohadi emphasized that the victims’ fingerprints and samples of their nails had been taken for identification before burial, and stressed that their places of burial are also completely specified.

He added, however, that the Saudi government will have to remain committed to its pledges to fully cooperate with the Islamic Republic including by complying with the potential demands of the families of the buried victims to have them returned to Iran.

Saudi Arabia has provided a death toll of nearly 770 from the incident. This is while only summing up the official tallies provided by some of the countries that lost victims in the incident provides a much larger figure. The Saudi government defiantly refuses to upgrade its figure, nonetheless.

Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization says at least 4,700 people lost their lives in the tragedy.

The bodies of 399 Iranian victims have been repatriated so far.

A total of 36 Iranian victims still remain unaccounted for. Ohadi said efforts will continue to determine their fates.

US influence in Middle East must be blocked: Iranian defense minster

Emad Askarieh

October 15, 2015

The Iranian defense minister says “powerful regional coalitions” must be formed to block the US influence and its “resulting crises” in the region.

Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan made the remarks during a meeting with Admiral Sun Jianguo, the deputy chief of People’s Liberation Army General Staff Department, in Tehran on Wednesday.

“The US interfered in Iraq and Afghanistan, it occupied these two countries, then it promised the people welfare and security,” but all it did was aggravating the situation in the two countries, Dehghan said.

He praised the “iron resolve” of the Yemeni people who have been resisting Saudi attacks since late March, and lauded Russia’s efforts in battling terrorist groups in Syria.

Sun, who is in Tehran along with a high-ranking Chinese military delegation, also met with Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari.

During the meeting, Sayyari stressed the need for further cooperation with China in maritime security.

Considering the constant presence of Iranian and Chinese vessels in the Indian Ocean, both countries’ navies should increase cooperation to provide security for the shipping lines active in the region, Sayyari noted.

According to reports, the military commanders also talked about intelligence exchange during the meeting, and expressed hope that a joint maritime committee would form to step up the collaboration.

Sun also met with the head of Iranian armed forces’ joint affairs Major General Mohammad Baqeri. The two further stressed the necessity of closer military relations between Tehran and Beijing.

During the meeting, Baqeri noted that battling terrorism, Takfiri groups, and extremism are the main focus of cooperation between the Iranian and Chinese military.

Leader neither approved nor disapproved of JCPOA

Emad Askarieh

October 14, 2015

The head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations says that the Supreme Leader has not taken a stance for or against the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Kamal Kharrazi, also a former foreign minister, made the comment in response to a reporter’s question on remarks by an MP on the Supreme Leader’s view of JCPOA. As parliament was debating the details of the JCPOA implementation bill on Tuesday an Iranian MP said that the Leader opposes JCPOA. The following is the translation of what else Kharrazi said as reported by Etemaad daily on October 14:

Kharrazi said that the Supreme Leader spoke his mind transparently and explicitly, adding, “The leader stressed that what he says on the record is exactly what he tells officials in private meetings and there is no difference [between his remarks].”

The former top diplomat went on to say that the Supreme Leader has not taken any stance on approving of or disapproving of JCPOA, adding that the Leader left it to the Supreme National Security Council and the Islamic Consultative Assembly to decide.

He further said these are manifestations of democracy in Iran [that the bodies in charge decide on an issue] like what the chamber did in its debates on Tuesday and approved the JCPOA implementation bill.

What counts now is the future of JCPOA and its implementation, Kharrazi said, adding that in the post-JCPOA era the country needs to make appropriate efforts to prevent the possible misuse of the Iran nuclear deal.

As for the vote of the Guardian Council and whether its approval or disapproval will be the final stance of the Islamic Republic of Iran on JCPOA, Kharrazi said officials and people would naturally accept what the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Supreme National Security Council decide.

Guardian Council approves JCPOA

Emad Askarieh

October 14, 2015

The Guardian Council on Wednesday approved the bill on implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) the Iranian parliament approved on Tuesday.

The Guardian Council in its Wednesday session endorsed the bill on the Islamic Republic of Iran Government’s reciprocal and proportional measures in dealing with the other parties to the deal in the process of implementing JCPOA.

The Iranian parliament approved JCPOA in an open session on Tuesday with 161-59 votes, with 13 MPs abstaining.

IRNA parliamentary reporter said that 250 out of Iran’s 290 lawmakers were present, with 17 deputies not voting.

The legislation requires the government to implement JCPOA voluntarily under the supervision of the Supreme National Security Council.

IRGC’s long-range missiles in underground tunnels (PHOTOS)

Emad Askarieh

October 14, 2015

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force has – for the first time ever – allowed the release of footage of its underground site where the force’s long-range ballistic missiles are based.

The images, aired by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and released by media, feature labyrinthine tunnels which are home to multiple long-range missiles, among them Ghadr missiles which come in two types: Ghadr-F (with a range of 2,000 km) and Ghadr-H (with a range of 1,700 km).

Sejil is another IRGC ballistic missile with a 2,000-km range [seen at the underground facility].

After inspecting the underground facility which has been built 500 meters underground deep under high mountains, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said that the force’s current missiles will be replaced with new generations of long-range missiles as of next year.

He further said that IRGC Aerospace Force has a missile base in almost every city.

The following are the images Fars News Agency released on October 14 of the underground facility:

Iran progress tied with revolutionary ideology: Ayatollah Khamenei

Emad Askarieh

October 14, 2015

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says as long as the revolutionary movement and ideology continue to exist, Iran’s progress, influence, grandeur and spiritual dominance will increase in the region and beyond.

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a Wednesday meeting with a number of Iranian elites in Tehran.

International scientific centers which determine indicators for scientific progress bear testimony to Iran’s development, said the Leader.

The Leader warned against certain “individuals and elements” who, making use of print media and other forums, keep frustrating the people and youth and “negating” the country’s scientific developments as well as key accomplishments.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged officials to remain on the watch regarding such moves, saying, “The country’s major scientific developments in the fields of nano, stem cells and nuclear issue are not an illusion, but rather realities which the whole world is aware of.”

Therefore, said the Leader, to disappoint the youth and deny the scientific and technological momentum in the country would be a betrayal of the country and of national honor.

The Leader said the Iranian young generation can be proud of taking the credit for leading the country to top levels of scientific progress.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on October 14

Emad Askarieh

October 14, 2015

♦ The final approval of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

One-hundred-sixty-one MPs voted for the JCPOA bill; 59 voted against and 13 abstained.

♦ A note by the Supreme Leader in praise of The Daughters of Sun has been unveiled.

In the note, the Leader has hailed the book as “the best by an Iranian author in raising an intellectual question”.

♦ A new Palestinian Intifada has sent panic through the ranks of the Zionists.

We are in very difficult conditions, the Israeli prime minister has admitted.

♦ In a ceremony to mark Hafez Day, the minister of culture and Islamic guidance hailed the renowned 14th century poet as a source of pride for the Iranian history and literature.

♦ The governor of the Central Bank said next year’s economic growth is estimated to stand at five percent.

He further said the recent deal between Iran and P5+1 will have important impacts on a regional and global scale.

♦ Authorities have warned citizens about autumnal torrents.

♦ The attorney general has said that Syria is the forefront of the battle.

Ebrahim Raeesi made the comment at a service in memory of IRGC’s Brigadier General Hossein Hamedani, who was martyred in Aleppo, Syria last week.

Shrimp hunting on Qeshm Island (PHOTOS)

Fatemeh Askarieh

October 14, 2015

Hormozgan Province in the south is one of the shrimp farming hubs in Iran with great potential in raising and hunting shrimp which is a low-calorie food but rich in nutrients.

The following are the pictures Mehr News Agency has released on shrimp hunting on Qeshm Island in Hormozgan Province:

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 14

Emad Askarieh

October 14, 2015

Dominating the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Wednesday were: Adoption by parliament of a bill that allows the Rouhani administration to implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the president’s comments about the country’s prospects now that parliament has voted for the Iran nuclear deal.

Ettela’at: The final approval of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

One-hundred-sixty-one MPs voted for the JCPOA bill; 59 voted against and 13 abstained.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on October 14

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 14

Afarinesh: The president determines the timing for the implementation by Iran of its JCPOA obligations, said the director of the Atomic Energy Organization.

Aftab-e Yazd: Political coma

The opponents of the nuclear deal failed to have it their way yesterday; despite their ballyhoo an overwhelming number of MPs voted for the JCPOA bill.

Aftab-e Yazd: The US has complied with its JCPOA commitments, said the Iranian government spokesman.

Akhbar Sanat: Iran’s position has improved by nine notches in the new rankings of global competitiveness.

Amin: Parliament showed that it decides prudently, said the government spokesman as he praised the chamber for its overwhelming vote for JCPOA.

Arman-e Emrooz: President Rouhani: There are only two months to go before termination of sanctions.

In a televised interview, the president said new conditions lie ahead for the country.

Arman-e Emrooz: An almost $270 million fraud involving car imports

Those involved used foreign currency dedicated to imports of medicine to bring in foreign-made cars.

Asrar: President Obama had plans to shake hands with President Rouhani, the spokesman of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has quoted Foreign Minister Zarif as saying.

Asrar: Production of non-standard foodstuff amounts to committing crime, said the attorney general.

Asrar: The wave of arrests targeting Iranian teachers in the UAE continues.

Ghanoon: The Worriers were incapacitated.

Hemayat: The details of the bill on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action cleared the Islamic Consultative Assembly in 20 minutes!

Hemayat: The Saudi foreign minister is likely to be replaced soon.

It comes after the failure of the kingdom’s diplomacy.

Jahan-e Sanat: Iran has prevented genocide in the region, said the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council in a meeting with the visiting deputy secretary general of the UN.

Javan: JCPOA in government’s basket

Javan: Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi said that the government is not brave enough to cut the cash subsidies of the wealthy.

Jomhouri Islami: India has paid its $700 million debts to Iran.

Jomhouri Islami: “You are entitled to be worried, but don’t have the right to be abusive and impolite. Come to your senses,” said Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabai in a letter aimed at critics of the nuclear deal.

The letter by the former MP came in reaction to recent developments [a reference to threats being issued to the foreign minister and the nuclear chief] in parliament.

Kaenat: Twenty-nine trade delegations from 14 countries have visited Iran.

Kayhan: Parliament made a decision in 15 minutes for 15 years to come!

Kayhan: The Saudi royal family is auctioning off its assets in Europe to cover the costs of the Yemen war.

Resalat: The health minister has said that the company that played the lead role in the case involving the unauthorized use of palm oil has been fined only $1,000.

Rooyesh Mellat: A national air pollution workgroup will be formed soon.

Saheb Ghalam: Iran has held fresh talks with Volkswagen and Fiat.

Shahrvand: The president has said the stage is set for an economic leap.

Sharq: The establishment has decided to implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

It came after Speaker Ali Larijani acted prudently and a majority of MPs voted in favor of the nuclear deal.

Sharq: “Babak Zanjani [the young billionaire who is on trial for corruption] has not paid back a single cent [of the billions he has allegedly siphoned off],” said the director of the Legal Department of the National Iranian Oil Company.