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

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Home Blog Page 4625

Iran fights US appropriation of $1.7 billion

Golrokh Askarieh

October 3, 2015

The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has filed an appeal against a US court ruling to turn over Iranian funds worth $1.75 billion to alleged families of the victims of the 1983 bombing in Beirut.

The US Supreme Court has said that it has agreed to consider the appeal by the CBI which contends the ruling violates a 1955 US-Iran treaty.

The money, currently held in a trust account in New York, was ruled by the city’s court of appeals in 2014 to be handed over to the families of the victims. They accuse Iran of providing material support to carry out the attack which killed 241 US troops.

Iran has denied the accusations and said that the ruling violates a treaty between the US and Iran which bans expropriation of one country’s properties in the territory of the other.

The legal battle comes at a delicate time as Iran and the United States seek to implement an accord signed in July to put their nuclear differences to rest.

The Obama government has urged the high court not to take up the case.

The US Congress has waded into the dispute, passing a law in 2012 to implement the court ruling. The tribunal must now decide whether the chambers have violated the US Constitution by dictating the outcome of a court case.

Iran holding official welcoming ceremony for Mina stampede victims

Golrokh Askarieh

October 3, 2015

Iran is holding an official ceremony to welcome the bodies of 104 Iranian Hajj pilgrims who were killed in the recent crush in Mina, near the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

President Rouhani is addressing the ceremony at Tehran Mehrabad Airport on Saturday.

Senior Iranian officials including Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani, Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, the head of the office of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, members of the Cabinet and a number of lawmakers are also present at the ceremony.

The flight carrying the bodies of 104 Iranian Hajj victims landed in Tehran early Saturday.

The crush occurred on September 24 after two large masses of pilgrims fused together.

Saudi Arabia claims nearly 770 people were killed in the calamity, but officials with Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization say about 4,700 people, including 464 Iranians, lost their lives in the tragedy.

Iran rejects draft report by OIC Contact Group on Yemen

October 3, 2015

Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed as “biased” a draft report prepared by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Yemen, saying Tehran disapproves of a document that has supported invasion of Yemen.

The OIC Contact Group on Yemen held its first meeting on the sidelines of the OIC Annual Coordination Meeting of Foreign Ministers at the UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday.

The group released a draft report that voiced continued support for Yemen’s former fugitive President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

The report has also expressed the Contact Group’s support for Saudi-led “military action undertaken to defend Yemen, its people and its legitimate government on the invitation of President Hadi.”

OIC Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani also delivered a speech to the meeting, voicing support for the so-called “coalition forces in their efforts to maintain the unity of Yemen’s people and territory”.

Mr. Araghchi, who represented Iran at the meeting, underscored in response that “unilateral approaches, supporting the invasion of Yemen and attacks on the civilians and Yemen’s infrastructures will not bring about peace and stability to that country.”

He said Iran has tried several times to help settle the crisis in Yemen and gather all Yemenis together for peace talks, but the efforts have failed because “one side has refrained” from resuming the political talks and the war on people of Yemen has gone on.

“For those reasons, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not approve of the report prepared by the secretariat, dubbed the Contact Group on Yemen’s report,” Araghchi said.

He also urged the OIC to adopt an evenhanded stance toward Yemen, saying that tensions in the Arab country have no military solution.

“All parties (in Yemen) should focus efforts on finding a peaceful solution,” the Iranian diplomat added.

[…]

Iran’s FM holds talks with Algerian, Syrian counterparts

Golrokh Askarieh

October 3, 2015

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed a broad range of issues with his counterparts from Algeria and Syria in New York.

At a meeting Thursday on the sidelines of the 70^th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Zarif and Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra held talks on bilateral ties, including cooperation in the energy market as part of efforts to stabilize oil prices.

They also talked about Tehran and Algiers’ support for each other in the international circles.

Efforts to end a drawn-out crisis in Syria and establish peace and stability in the Middle East and a tragic crush of Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia’s Mina were among other subjects discussed at the meeting.

In a separate meeting, Zarif also met Syria’s top diplomat, Walid Muallem. They exchanged views on the latest developments in the Arab country with both emphasizing the need for continued fight against terrorism and extremism in the entire Middle East.

[…]

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on October 3

Golrokh Askarieh

October 3, 2015

Remarks by the Supreme Leader in a meeting with army commanders that the hostilities of the enemies will not go away even if Iran backs down dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Saturday.

Ettela’at: “You need to bolster the country’s power so that the enemy cannot even think of attacking Iran,” said the Supreme Leader in a meeting with Army commanders.

Ayatollah Khamenei further said that the enemy is seeking the surrender of the Islamic establishment, adding that hostilities will not become history even if Iran backs down.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on October 3

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on October 3

Abrar: The Supreme Leader has told Army commanders that they should boost the country’s power so much so that the enemy does not dare to think of attacking Iran.

Afarinesh: A deputy foreign minister has said that Iran is not after politicizing the Mina tragedy.

Abbas Araghchi further said that Tehran is seeking accountability on the part of the Saudi government.

Afkar: A bitter shock for Iran’s football

The daily has taken a look at the untimely death of Hadi Norouzi, the captain of Tehran powerhouse Persepolis.

Aftab-e Yazd: “If Zarif does not apologize [for his handshake with the US president], we will impeach him,” said a number of MPs.

Arman-e Emrooz: New York diplomacy under the gun of Worriers [a reference to the supporters of former president who are critical of President Rouhani’s nuclear policies]

Efforts by Zarif in New York; mudslinging by the Worriers in Tehran

FM Zarif has been summoned to parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.

Arman-e Emrooz: The Worriers are given the cold shoulder by people

Distribution of illegal placards in Friday prayers

Asr-e Iranian: One-third of Iranian households have become one-child families.

The slow population growth, a serious threat to the country’s future

Asr-e Rasaneh: The minister of roads and urban development has said that Iran has plans to buy 500 planes in the next ten years.

Asrar: The secretary of the Expediency Council has said that Saudi Arabia had better take the Supreme Leader’s warning seriously.

Ebtekar: The tent of the Worriers outside parliament

The critics of the government are continuing their illegal gatherings.

Emtiaz: A Tehran air pollution prediction system will be inaugurated in the capital soon.

Etemad: Defense against Ahmadinejad

First Vice-President Eshagh Jahangiri has submitted to the court his defense motion against 12 parts of a complaint filed by the former president.

Hambastegi: The speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has said that Iran’s pressures have forced Saudi Arabia to act accountably.

Hemayat: The Saudi withdrawal as a result of revolutionary diplomacy

The daily has taken a look at the aftershocks of the stern warning by the Supreme Leader to the Saudi government.

Iran: The Saudi message of condolences to the Supreme Leader, the Iranian people and government

Javan: The trial of Babak Zanjani [a young billionaire who is to be tried for massive corruption and embezzlement] will be held open.

Jomhouri Islami: The health minister has paid a visit to the venue of the deadly stampede in Mina.

Kayhan: “To concede does nothing to remove enmities,” said the Supreme Leader in a meeting with the country’s military commanders.

Khorasan: The transfer to Iran of the bodies of 104 Iranian pilgrims who were killed in the Mina stampede

Resalat: “Iran ranks third in the world as far as organ transplant is concerned,” said Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati.

Resalat: “The [nuclear] red lines set by the Supreme Leader will be taken into account when [parliament] decides on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

Rooyesh-e Mellat: The interior minister has said that Saudi Arabia’s failure to accept responsibility is more painful than the Mina tragedy itself.

Roozan: The return of oil giants

Royal Dutch Shell and France’s Total are to build gas stations in Iran.

Setareh Sobh: Iran’s economy has started to experience a gradual boom.

The daily has conducted interviews with economic experts on the country’s economic situation.

Sharq: Confrontation between diplomats

A verbal conflict between Araghchi and the Saudi foreign minister

Enemies resent Iran independence: Leader

Emad Askarieh

October 1, 2015

“The system of the Islamic Republic is an independent system; and has, since the [1979] Revolution, openly pursued its policies and does not fear the roar of any power or opposing any power’s policies,” the Leader said in a Thursday meeting with Iranian military officials and commanders.

“The emergence of an independent nation that is opposed to the bullies and their affiliates is not tolerable for the hegemonic system,” Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.

‘Leniency won’t reduce enmity’

Ayatollah Khamenei also noted that the enemy seeks the surrender of the Islamic Republic.

“Enmities would not go away by backing down” in the face of the enemy, the Leader said, adding that it is wrong to think that if Iran practices leniency toward the enemy, the latter will reduce its enmity.

“Nations are delighted at seeing the Iranian nation progress and unequivocally defend its rights vis-à-vis powers,” Ayatollah Khamenei noted.

The Leader emphasized that, by accelerating their advances, the Iranian Armed Forces must gain such might that would have enemies not dare to even think of invading Iran.

“The advances of the military forces in different sectors today are very invaluable; but… the pace [of the progress] must be increased,” the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said.

A $700,000 dining table on display at Milad Tower

Golrokh Askarieh

October 1, 2015

Magnificent works of art have been put on show at Tehran’s Milad Tower, among them a stately wooden table with a price tag of more than $700,000.

Poolnews.ir on September 29 published a report on the expensive table which is on show at Milad Tower and remarks by Mostafa Khoushabi, the head of an artisan cooperative. The following is the translation of part of that report:

A group of 86 artists have displayed 2,600 works – fine pieces of craftsmanship – at the capital’s tallest tower. A six-person dining table stands out among the craftworks there. Master Rasoul Motamedi, a student of Mahmoud Farshchian [the master of Persian painting and miniatures], has done the painting on the table and a pricing committee at the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran has valued the magnificent table at $700,000.

This dining table features Iran’s history from the Median period to the Pahlavi era in six parts and displays the expanse of Iran’s territory in different historical periods. Each painting has a special background: another painting on the costumes of different historical periods. The artist has spent nine months to conduct research into the costumes of those periods.

Khoushabi rejected rumors that Master Motamedi has crafted the table following an order placed by an American, saying this is a unique piece of art which will be put on show in Munich. He stressed that nobody has placed an order for this table.

He further said that Master Motamedi had earlier exhibited a set of furniture at Milad Tower which was worth over $150 million. The committee in charge of pricing the artifacts has priced the furniture: three dollars for each square centimeter of the work.

[…]

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on October 1

Golrokh Askarieh

October 1, 2015

The warning by the Supreme Leader to Saudi Arabia that Iran’s reaction would be “harsh and tough” and his call for the formation of a fact-finding mission following the Mina tragedy dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Thursday. Also in the headlines was the reaction Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s handshake with President Obama drew in parliament.

Ettela’at: “Disrespect for Hajj pilgrims will result in a harsh reaction,” the Supreme Leader said at the commencement of Army cadets.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need for the formation of a fact-finding mission featuring Islamic countries, including Iran, [to look into the Mina tragedy].

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on October 1

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on October 1

Abrar: “Iran has sent an official note to the Saudi embassy in Tehran to demand the repatriation of the bodies of Iranian pilgrims killed in the Mina tragedy,” said a deputy Iranian foreign minister.

Abrar: Foreign Minister Zarif has held talks with his Norwegian and Polish counterparts.

Abrar: US Secretary of State John Kerry claims he has held talks with Iranian officials over Syria.

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: Parliament deputies have opposed amending the trade law.

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: Iran’s oil exports are up 10 percent.

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: “There are no legal bans on the presence of American firms in Iran’s economy,” said the vice-president for legal affairs.

Afkar: The chairman of Iranian parliament’s Sunni Caucus has said that Saudi Arabia should send a delegation to Iran to apologize [over the Mina incident].

Aftab-e Yazd: Harsh objection to Foreign Minister Zarif [for his handshake with President Obama]

Aftab-e Yazd: “We shouldn’t think whatever Muslims do is right,” said the grandson of the late Imam Khomeini.

Aftab-e Yazd: “Wavering in opposition to the US will break the hearts of millions of people,” said the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces.

Arman-e Emrooz: The controversy surrounding Mohammad Javad Zarif’s handshake [with Obama]

A new wave of worries [by Worriers who oppose the policies of President Rouhani] has got underway.

Arman-e Emrooz: A hospital administrator in Behbahan has been shot at.

Once again doctors have come under attack.

Asr-e Rasaneh: Implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will bring $8 billion in profits to global companies and investors.

Asrar: “There will be no more inspections of Parchin,” said the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

Asrar: The price of water has increased by 15 percent.

Ebtekar: Diplomatic hands under fire

Insults have been hurled at Foreign Minister Zarif for a handshake.

Emtiaz: Police have attested 119 thieves and muggers in the capital.

Etemad: “President Obama and I exchange letters; sometimes he writes first, and sometimes I write first,” said President Hassan Rouhani in an interview with CNN.

Etemad: Parliament deputies Abutorabi-Fard and Motahari have rallied behind Foreign Minister Zarif.

Hemayat: “Paving the way for the presence of the enemy in the country amounts to espionage,” warned the judiciary chief’s first deputy.

Iran: Efforts are underway to amend the law that requires wives to secure the permission of their husbands [to get a passport] to travel overseas.

Javan: The smile diplomacy [a reference to the characteristic smile of FM Zarif] proved inefficient in the Mina tragedy.

Jomhouri Islami: Iran’s position in the Global Competitive Report by the World Economic Forum has improved nine notches.

Kaenat: Some 220 MPs have praised the performance of the Oil Ministry.

Kaenat: The entanglement of the homecoming of the bodies of Iranian pilgrims killed in Mina

Kayhan: A joint operation by the Iraqi Army and popular forces has resulted in the liberation of 13 villages in Kirkuk.

Resalat: “The slightest disrespect to Iranian Hajj pilgrims will be followed by a harsh reaction,” the Supreme Leader warned Saudi authorities.

Roozan: Critics of the [Zarif-Obama] handshake swear at handshake diplomacy.

Roozan: Reports that Iranian officials have been kidnapped in Mina have been denied.

Saheb Ghalam: Tehran and Paris to turn into “good partners”.

Sharq: A multi-prong attack on Zarif drew a [supportive] reaction from Abutorabi-Fard [the vice-speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly].

Tejarat: “The previous government caused a crisis by printing money,” said the economy minister.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on October 1

Golrokh Askarieh

October 1, 2015

♦ “Disrespect for Hajj pilgrims will result in a harsh reaction,” the Supreme Leader said at the commencement of Army cadets.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need for the formation of a fact-finding mission featuring Islamic countries, including Iran, [to look into the Mina tragedy].

♦ The economy minister has credited government’s commitment to financial discipline for economic stability of the country.

♦ Two more towns in northern and western Afghanistan have fallen to the Taliban.

In another development, 20 Taliban fighters were killed in air strikes by Afghan and NATO fighters.

♦ Russia has officially entered the war against IS in Syria.

Russian fighters launched attacks on Syrian opposition in two provinces Wednesday; a day earlier President Assad officially asked for Russia’s military assistance [in the fight against rebels].

♦ The director of the Environment Protection Organization has said that some are putting pressure on her agency to close its eyes to [environmental] offenses.

Dr. Masoumeh Ebtekar further said that mismanagement of the past years [a reference to Ahmadinejad presidency] and failure to pay attention to rules when it came to climate change, drought, etc. is to blame for the environmental crises the country is now facing.

♦ “The imprudent Saudi government faces a heavy responsibility for the Mina tragedy,” said the grandson of the late Imam Khomeini.

Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, who was speaking at a ceremony to mark the start of the new academic year in the University of Faiths and Religions, further said that the problems plaguing coexistence among followers of different faiths in the world are now bigger than in the past.