Shamkhani made the remarks in the Conference on ‘World on its historical path and significant role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in geometry of power in the world’.
Firm determination and creativity are two main criteria required for restoring globe security, he said.
In the past, the role of Iran in regional developments were under the shadow of the then superpowers but now the country has turned to be the first regional power with major impacts on global equations and stability and security of the region, Shamkhani said.
Iran should forcefully defend its status in the region and share its significant role to this end, he said.
In the new world order, the outdated hegemony of the western powers is diminishing, he said.
He expressed deep concern about deterioration of humanitarian crises in Syria, Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan, saying that the current regional crises have no military solution requiring the wise understanding of the people in the region.
Iran is not to push others from the scene but seeks to prepare grounds for the nations to play their significant role in restoring stability and security as vital requirement to achieve economic development, he said.
Shamkhani: Iranian regional power unchallengeable
Sunni cleric urges massive turnout in upcoming elections
Mamusta Marouf Khaledi said that enthusiastic participation of people in the elections to send to most qualified candidates to the parliament will make yet another epic move in the history of the Islamic Republic.
He said that the enemies of the Islamic Revolution are exploiting all tools to sow discard among different sections of the Iranian nation, adding that a strong turnout in the elections will blow a fierce blow to the hegemonic powers.
Many Iranian senior officials have already urged the nation to manifest a strong turnout for the upcoming elections.
Elections for the 10th term of the Parliament as well as the 5th term of the Assembly of Experts will take place simultaneously on February 26.
Last month, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei cited the democratic aspect of the elections, saying that election is a blessing to guarantee people’s rights.
The screening body should welcome eligible persons and any lenience to ineligible candidates is regarded as violation of public rights, the Supreme Leader said.
The procedure in conduct of elections should be fully observed and all officials are duty bound to safeguard the public trust, the Supreme leader added.
He advised the political parties to prepare their lists and manage to nominate qualified candidates.
Iran deal win-win for all parties: Veteran Cypriot diplomat
Papadopoulos, who is currently on a trip to Iran, cites his love for the nation and the historic attraction of the Persian culture for Greeks — which they “respect” and “feel close to” — as the main reasons for accepting the Iranian government’s invitation for a visit.
The Cypriot diplomat, who is also an academic expert on international law, describes the recent nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries, which went into effect last month, as a “win-win situation,” arguing that the deal would have been non-existent if it had not fulfilled the demands of both sides.
“I believe this deal is really a landmark in history” and will benefit both sides, he says.
He further explains that the deal blocks any attempt to tarnish Iran’s image and “demonize” it and encourages foreign investment in the country and boosts its oil sales.
“Economically strong, Iran will also be politically strong,” he adds. “We know very well that Iran is one of the major players in the region of the Middle East.”
The deal would also strengthen Iran’s standing in Syria, Iraq and Yemen, which are now faced with the danger of Takfiri terrorism, he adds.
The “amelioration” of ties with Arab countries is another advantage that Papadopoulos thinks the deal would ensue for Iran.
Referring to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s letters to the youths in West, the diplomat says that the nuclear deal would also boost Iran’s position in the face of Takfiri terror groups such as Daesh (ISIL), proving the Ayatollah Khamenei’s point that such groups do not represent true Islam.
The West would also sow economic benefits from the deal by accessing Iranian oil industry and products at a lower cost, while enjoying “a bigger part of the cake,” he says.
On Iran-Cyprus relations, Papadopoulos points to Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides’s visit to Tehran in January, and trips by various Iranian delegates to the European country as a sign that Iran and Cyprus can work to promote their economic ties to their mutual benefit.
Tehran to Host Trilateral Oil Meeting Tomorrow: Official
“Tomorrow, a meeting between Venezuela, Iraq and Iran will be held in Tehran,” Seyed Mohsen Qamsari, the NIOC’s deputy managing director for international affairs, told Sputnik on Tuesday.
The meeting comes after Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri announced earlier that the country’s oil exports, which currently stand at 1.3 million barrels per day, will be increased to 2 million bpd within a few months.
Since the collapse in oil prices in the first half of January, officials from the OPEC member states and non-OPEC countries have been mulling a meeting to address the slump in oil prices, which has caused significant financial problems for some nations.
A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Feb 16
Abrar:
- Investigations into other culprits in Babak Zanjani case begin
- Iraqi army preparing to retake Fallujah
- US senator threatens to summon marine to Senate
- Iran offers airport visas to arriving tourists from all countries except 9
- Turkey considering sending troops into Syria: Defense Minister
- UEFA’s Sec. Gen. hails Iran Football Academy
- Turkey’s Erdogan heading to Azerbaijan on Thursday
Arman-e Emrouz:
- Ayatollah Rafsanjani: Youth will decide the elections
- Is Seyyed Hassan isolated?
An analysis of Seyyed Hassan Khomeini’s disqualification from contending the upcoming Assembly of Experts elections. Hassan is the grandson of Imam Khomeini, the leader of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
- All eyes on THE list of reformist candidates
- Time for interrogating Babak’s connections
Babak Zanjani is a multibillionaire who stands accused of corruption and is being tried. Investigations are underway into a number of Ahmadinejad-era ministers linked with the Zanjani charges.
Ebtekar:
- The SWIFT doubters!
The Central Bank of Iran has been connected to the international digital money transfer system (SWIFT).
- Rouhani: Boost public awareness about necessity of Assembly of Experts
President Rouhani said in a televised interview that awareness must be raised among the general public about the need for the Assembly of Experts.
- Zarif: Deploying troops to Syria is a bluff by Saudis
- Iran doors open to tourists
Iran now welcomes tourists from 180 countries without the need for a visa. This piece reports on how Iran has eased tourist regulations, now that the international sanctions have been lifted in the wake of the nuclear agreement.
Asrar:
- Reformist figure: We will beat our rivals at the ballot box
- Banks to reduce interest rates by Feb 19
- Final list of approved Parliamentary hopefuls released
- Vice President: The administration has taken serious steps to protect the environment
- Prosecutor starts probe into 3 ex-ministers
- Turkish troops trespass on Syrian territory
Ettela’at:
- Iran offers new tax incentives to tourism industry
- Syrian army advances into Raqqa
- Iran-EU to embark on full co-operation: Iranian FM
- Prosecutor: Verdicts of 17k cases not carried out in Tehran
- Banks agree to reduce interest rates
- Vice president blasts gov’t critics
Afkar:
- Iran oil discount not real, says official
- ISIS stronghold under siege from Syrian army
Emtiaz:
- Stadiums offered to Perspolis and Esteghlal football teams
- Iran rail transit volume to hit 4mt by late March
- Police warn against active pyramid schemes
Amin:
- Spokesman: Iran internal affairs no business of foreigners
- Many Iranians spend their leisure time smoking water pipes, which kill 1 Iranian every 5 seconds.
Payam Zaman:
- Minister calls for nationally produced economic prosperity through removing red tape
- Gov’t spokesman: Development needs stability, security
- Iran needs 160 passenger planes
- 30,183 HIV carriers in Iran
- Iran Futsal team 6th in the world, 1st in Asia
Jamejam:
- Fruit smuggling in Iran [at the turn of the year]
- Cyberspace has no conflict with religion: expert cleric
- Lonely wolf captured in subway tunnel
Jomhouri Islami:
- First ‘Silk Road’ train arrives in Tehran
Javan:
- Dirty hands behind special lists
A report about who is really behind the lists of parliamentary candidates for the upcoming elections.
Hosban:
- Parliament Speaker: Attracting foreign investments tops Iran’s priorities in the post-sanctions era
- Iran hopes Japan boosts oil imports to pre-sanctions levels
Hemayat:
- Claimants for Syrian “human rights” disgraced
A huge cargo of US arms en route to Syrian rebels has been discovered.
- No digital drugs in Iran: Police
- 12 CIA bases for gathering data on Iran
Resalat:
- S-300 missile system being delivered to Iran: FM Spokesman
- 6 Palestinians killed in a single day
- Iranians remain the forerunners of the Islamic Awakening: Leader’s aide
Kaenat:
- Saudi Arabia in economic whirlpool
Horrific budget deficit in Saudi Arabia
- Tehran, Milan ink co-operation agreement
Mayors of the two cities signed an agreement for all-out co-operation.
Kayhan:
- Amnesty: Western powers are the main cause of wars and instability in the world
- Gov’t coup de grace to oilseed production
The government has allowed unlimited imports of agricultural products to the country.
- Analysis: US will intensify sanctions after Iranian elections
- The photo that went viral in global media: Official Saudi-Israeli link
Iran’s VP Urges Inseparable Links with World Economy
“The Islamic Republic of Iran should gain its real position in the world’s economy chain,” Jahangiri said Monday at an economic meeting in Tehran.
“Iran’s economy should be linked with the world’s economy in such a way that cutting ties with Iran would become impossible and costly for other countries,” he added.
Since the Western sanctions against Iran were terminated on January 16 under a lasting nuclear deal with the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany), Iran has engaged in trade talks with many countries and turned into a dramatic destination for investment.
Following the coming into force of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear agreement, Iran has signed several billion-dollar business deals with European countries and others.
Developed countries endangering world peace by mistreating others: Iran
Gholam-Ali Khoshroo, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, made the remarks on Monday, addressing an open meeting of UN foreign ministers on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), whose rotating presidency is currently being held by the Islamic Republic.
“Developed countries’ disregard for the economic and social rights of developing states has jeopardized world peace and security,” he said, condemning the “hostile unilateral economic measures” adopted by the world’s powers against developing countries.
He said NAM has always demanded that the international community adhere to such principles as “respecting [countries’] sovereignty, equality, independence, opposition to the use of force or threats to apply force,” etc.
He also said that “refraining from recourse to adversarial unilateral economic measures as a means of applying pressure on NAM members and restraining their freedom and independence, opposition to the categorization of countries as good and evil based on one-sided and unjustifiable criteria, and resort to preemptive defense theories by some countries against others” were other NAM principles relevant to the UN Charter.
The envoy reasserted the movement’s position that the world body’s Charter enjoys various capacities, which could be used toward the resolution of international crises.
In conclusion, he warned against gratuitous recourse to the Charter’s Chapter VII, which authorizes the UN Security Council to allow measures such as sanctions or military intervention if countries do not meet its demands.
He said resorting to Chapter VII of the Charter should be a last resort and only come when a real and serious threat is posed to international peace and security.
NAM, an international organization with 120 member states and 21 observer countries, is considered to be not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.
‘Japanese banks eyeing foothold in Iran’
Katsuyuki Kawai, an adviser to Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has asked the governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Valiollah Seif, to help lay the groundwork for the expansion of Japanese banks’ operations in Iran, IRNA reported on Tuesday.
Kawai told Seif that Japanese banks seek to know more about their Iranian counterparts and how they operate.
The CBI chief for his part welcomed a recent decision by Japanese government to scrap banking restrictions against Iran and said the move will pave the way for stronger banking cooperation.
On January 22, the Japanese cabinet approved the lifting of the sanctions following the implementation of a nuclear deal between Iran and the US, the EU, China and Russia.
The deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), had been reached in July 2015.
Seif also said Iran views Japan as a major economic partner in East Asia, pointing to an increase in potentials for further economic exchange between the two sides.
He also welcomed a plan by the Japanese premier to visit Iran.
Abe’s visit to Tehran is meant to expand cooperation especially in the oil sector, officials have said.
Iran’s Petroleum Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh said Monday that the current visit by Kawai and his accompanying delegation to Iran is aimed at reviewing issues of mutual interest and making preparation for the Japanese premier’s trip to Iran this year.
Japan was one of the key clients of Iran’s oil before US-led sanctions were imposed on the Islamic Republic in 2012. Iran also hosted several leading Japanese companies in its oil and gas projects before the sanctions were put in place.
Iran’s Nuclear Deal Can Be Model for Settling Crises, Zarif Says
You cannot expect to enjoy security while others lack security, Zarif said, addressing Belgium’s Royal Institute for International Relations, also known as the Egmont Institute, in the Belgian capital of Brussels on Monday.
“We should know that crises (in the world) are common threats and challenges for all of us,” he said, adding that any crisis should be seen from a global point of view.
The Iranian top diplomat further said that the nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) was one of the “rare cases” in which diplomacy worked.
The reason behind the resolution of the disputes over Iran’s nuclear program was a change in approaching the issue, Zarif said.
He went on to say that the model of the nuclear deal can be used for all crises across the world.
The agreement, which was finalized on July 14, 2015, after months of intense negotiations, was enforced on January 16 this year.
Elsewhere, the Iranian foreign minister pointed to the massacre of Yemenis by the Saudi regime, saying Riyadh sees its interests “not in having friendly neighbors but in eliminating them.”
Yemen’s defenseless people have been under massive attacks by a coalition led by the Saudi regime for nearly a year but Riyadh has reached none of its objectives in Yemen so far.
Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and some of its Arab allies have been launching deadly airstrikes against the Houthi Ansarullah movement in an attempt to restore power to the fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh.
More than 8000 Yemenis, including many women and children, have died in the Saudi-led aggression so far.
Zarrin Rood Cave (PHOTOS)
Zarrin Rood limestone cave, one of the most beautiful caves ever discovered, is located in Zanjan province.
The following images have been released by Mehr News Agency :
