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

Iran News
Politics
Business
Society
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human Rights
- Incidents
- Lifestyle
- Sport
- Women
Culture
- Art
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- Cultural Heritage
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World
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Home Blog Page 4638

Life of an environmentalist in photos

September 16, 2015

Kamran Bazvand is a rural environmentalist in western Iran who has planted over the years more than 600 saplings in an area severely affected by drought.

Water scarcity has prompted this environmentalist who also dabbles in firefighting to carry water for miles to cater to the trees it has planted.

Kamran says he has gone through many books to learn more about ways of helping the environment and wildlife. He says he does not have a cell phone because its radio waves are hazardous to bees.

He talks about the importance of efforts to protect the environment when people from far and wide come to his place almost daily.

The following are images of the life of this environmentalist released by the Iranian Students’ News Agency:

Enemy infiltration major threat: Leader

Emad Askarieh

September 16, 2015

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the enemy’s infiltration is a major threat to Iran.

The Leader made the comment in a meeting with commanders and officials of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Tehran on Wednesday.

“Economic and security infiltration is not as important as intellectual, cultural and political infiltration,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

Of course, Ayatollah Khamenei said, different institutions, namely the IRGC, will firmly stand up to security infiltration, urging authorities to remain on the watch for economic infiltration as well.

For cultural infiltration, said the Leader, the enemy seeks to distort and undermine beliefs which underpin society.

In order to achieve political infiltration, Ayatollah Khamenei pinpointed, the enemy tries to sneak into decision-making centers.

“When a country is affected by such political infiltration, the direction in which that country moves will be according to the will of hegemonic powers,” the Leader noted.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged the nation and authorities to remain vigilant in the face of enemy schemes.

“If we are watchful, the enemy will be disappointed.”

He called for efforts to further reinforce the foundation of the Islamic Revolution and of a revolutionary way of thinking, saying, “This is the fundamental responsibility of the IRGC’s elite and all revolutionary elite in the country.”

Education through middle school to become compulsory: Minister

Golrokh Askarieh

September 16, 2015

Education Minister Ali Asghar Fani has said that government seeks to envision nine years of compulsory education for Iranian children in the Sixth Development Plan, adding that, if families fail to comply with such regulations, the ministry will take action through the Judiciary.

What comes next is the translation of part of the educations chief’s remarks at a press conference Sharq daily covered on September 15:

On education of foreign nationals in Iran and reports that they are not registered if they don’t pay tuition fees, the minister said, “We have no accurate statistics about the number of Afghan students in the country. The figures which are available are mostly based on estimates. Some 408,000 foreign students received education in Iranian schools last year; as of yesterday, an additional 48,000 had been signed up.”

Fani further said that some 13.25 million students are expected to attend school this year – over 1.5 million in private schools and more than 11 million in public schools. “If for every 15 students one teacher were needed, we would need a workforce of 750,000, while at present we have 950,000 on our payroll.”

Fani said that downsizing of the workforce does not constitute a halt to new recruitment and added, “In September 2016, a number of student teachers will be recruited.”

When asked about the reason why the ministry employs more men than women, Fani said, “Presently, the ministry has 518,077 women and 460,210 men on its payroll. Over 51 percent of students are girls and 49 percent are boys. In Tehran at present we have 2,300 female high school teachers who are surplus to our needs. Therefore, in recruitment we need to consider those gaps.”

He went on to say, “Women account for 81 percent of our staff members in Tehran and for the very reason, we need to pay special attention to the employment of men. As for the employment of women in managerial positions, the ministry seeks to hire more women than men for such positions.”

Fani said, “You cannot find any student anywhere in Iran who is denied education because of a lack of education facilities. If a child cannot go to school, economic, family and other problems are to blame.”

The education minister further said, “We have tapped into what is at the disposal of the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare to minimize the number of problems which prevent students from going to school, and the Education Ministry is fully prepared to bring under its coverage the students who are entitled to education.”

On teachers who are behind bars, Fani said, “I am following up the case so that the teachers who are serving prison term are hopefully released as schools reopen.”

The education minister said, “The government has allocated a budget of over $8 billion for education this year which means a per capita share of over $650, but that is not enough.”

In response to a question on non-Persian textbooks being taught in some provinces, he said, “The ministry started studying the issue two years ago. If a final decision is made in this regard, we will implement it.”

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on September 16

Golrokh Askarieh

September 16, 2015

The comments of President Rouhani at a gathering of Revolution Guards commanders dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Wednesday.

Ettela’at: “Independence should come with all legitimate freedoms,” President Rouhani said at a gathering of IRGC commanders from across the nation.

He further said that the responsibility to safeguard the Islamic Revolution does not solely lie with one single institution.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on September 16

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on September 16

Abrar: The Chinese foreign minister has described his Iranian counterpart as one of the busiest foreign ministers in the world.

Afarinesh: [The Supreme Leader’s advisor] Ali Akbar Velayati has said that Iran has differences with Saudi Arabia over Yemen.

Aftab-e Yazd: “The Ahmadinejad administration didn’t care about what was happening to the public,” said Tahmasb Mazaheri, a Cabinet member of the previous government.

Aftab-e Yazd: President Rouhani has described inflation, unemployment and drought as enemies of the country.

Aftab-e Yazd: “If everything was settled in Almaty, why did the talks last so long?” asked Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to the Supreme Leader.

[He was reacting to claims by the former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili that his team nailed down the deal in Kazakhstan.]

Arman-e Emrooz: Babak Zanjani [a young billionaire who stands accused of committing massive fraud] is a wealth of information about corruption.

Authorities should keep a close watch over this offender.

Arman-e Emrooz: Smugglers sneak in more than $16 billion in goods into the country.

Why aren’t smugglers afraid of punishment?

Asia: After a 40-year hiatus, a first foreign hotel has been inaugurated in Tehran.

Asr-e Rasaneh: Iran’s natural gas production in the first five months of the year registered a five percent rise to reach 70 billion cubic meters.

Asrar: The chief of staff of President Rouhani has said that during the tenure of the previous government the country paid $100 dollars in unnecessary costs.

Asrar: A tribal feud in Khuzestan Province has left a dozen people dead.

Ebtekar: “I have never objected to the Supreme Leader’s views,” said the head of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: Iran and Spain have agreed to launch petrochemical cooperation.

Emtiaz: Tehran Municipality has taken on air pollution by introducing hybrid taxis and electricity-powered motorcycles.

Etemad: Ahmad Tavakoli has said that he voted for Ahmadinejad twice, but that he regrets his decision.

“The Rafsanjani administration was more successful than others,” said the [principlist] Tehran MP.

Hemayat: Tehran’s prosecutor has called for tougher furlough regulations when it comes to convicts found guilty of robbery and special crimes.

Jomhouri Islami: Parliament’s vice-speaker has criticized Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

“Why is it that IRIB cameras show up for coverage of JCPOA Review Committee sessions only when Jalili is here?” Abutorabi-Fard wondered.

Kaenat: Seven people accused of playing a role in a deadly bomb explosion at a Shiite mosque in Kuwait have been sentenced to death.

Kaenat: The economy minister has said that growth is finding its way into the body of the country’s economy.

Kayhan: Political gamesmanship with the country’s frozen assets will kill public trust in the administration, a few MPs have said in an interview with the daily.

Qods: The caretaker of Iranian Hajj pilgrims has called for those responsible for the deadly crane collapse in Mecca to be punished.

Resalat: “The enemy will take its dream of seeing the end of the Islamic Republic to the grave,” said the president.

Sharq: The president has said that the country needs armed forces who act in line with the principles of religious democracy.

Sharq: Former Parliament Speaker Ali Akbar Nategh Nouri has said that at 72 he has no intention of running for parliament or president.

Sobh-e Eghtesad: “The enemy has found its way into Iranian houses,” said the chief of staff of the Supreme Leader.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on September 16

Golrokh Askarieh

September 16, 2015

♦ “Independence should come with all legitimate freedoms,” President Rouhani said at a gathering of IRGC commanders from across the nation.

He further said that the responsibility to safeguard the Islamic Revolution does not solely lie with one single institution.

♦ The commander in chief of the armed forces has appointed Brigadier General Gholamreza Jalali as chairman of the Passive Defense Organization.

Ayatollah Khamenei has urged the three branches of government, particularly the executive, to support the Passive Defensive Organization.

♦ Fifty-four human rights organizations have called for the trial of Saudi King Salman on war crimes charges.

It came as 32 countries expressed concern over violation of human rights in Bahrain.

♦ Barakat Foundation simultaneously opens 140 schools in impoverished areas across the country.

The chief of staff of the Supreme Leader has said that Ayatollah Khamenei underlines efforts to eliminate poverty and assist the needy.

♦ The government predicts economic growth to hover around 4.1 percent next year. Inflation is estimated to be in the neighborhood of 11 percent.

The director of the Management and Planning Organization has said that next year’s budget will be drafted based on principles of the resistance-based economy.

♦ The efforts of Dr. Mohammad Bolurchian, the founder of Chemistry Research Center, have been praised.

The minister of science was on hand for the inauguration of a library named after Dr. Bolurchian.

Leader appoints passive defense chief

Golrokh Askarieh

September 16, 2015

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday appointed Brigadier General Gholamreza Jalali as head of Iran’s Passive Defense Organization.

“It is necessary that effective measures in the field of passive defense will be taken with Basiji work, and ensure country’s immunity and necessary defense preparedness,” read the Leader’s decree.

Ayatollah Khamenei also said it was incumbent on the three branches of government, especially the executive power, to support the Passive Defense Organization.

Iran reaffirms sovereignty over three Persian Gulf islands

Golrokh Askarieh

September 16, 2015

Tehran has categorically rejected “meddlesome” allegations by the Arab League with regards to Iran’s sovereignty over the three islands in the Persian Gulf.

“The repetition of meddlesome stances with regard to Iran’s sovereignty over Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb will have no impact on the existing legal and historical facts, and these islands are an inseparable part of the Iranian land,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said Tuesday.

She added that every activity in the three Iranian islands has been carried out in line with the Islamic Republic’s sovereign rights.

Afkham dismissed allegations about Iran’s interference in Arab countries’ affairs and said Tehran has always respected the policies of friendship and good neighborliness, mutual respect and non-interference in other countries’ affairs.

Iran sets no limits to the expansion of cordial relations and welcomes constructive interaction and broad cooperation, she said.

In a resolution issued at the end of the 144th session of the Arab League ministerial council in Cairo, Egypt, on September 13, the participants claimed that Iran is set to perpetuate what they described as the occupation of the three islands and the violation of the United Arab Emirates’ sovereignty.

They also voiced groundless allegations against Iran’s construction of settlements for its citizens on the three islands and military exercises in the region.

The islands of the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa have always been part of Iran historically, proof of which can be found in and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world. However, the United Arab Emirates has repeatedly laid baseless claims to the islands.

Iran to enforce peace plan for Syria after consultation with Russia: Deputy FM

Golrokh Askarieh

September 16, 2015

Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said that Iran’s plan for the establishment of peace in Syria will be implemented after consultations with Moscow.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s political plan to settle the Syrian crisis will enter the operational phase after consultations with Russian officials in the next few days,” Amir Abdollahian said on Tuesday.

He said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was informed of Iran’s plan during a visit by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Damascus last month, adding that Assad welcomed Tehran’s constructive views and presented some proposals.

Amir Abdollahian said that Tehran and Damascus also agreed to hold more talks on the details of Iran’s plans, and added that the plan focuses on the Syrian people’s role, preventing a power vacuum, fighting terrorism, helping refugees and sending humanitarian aid to Syria.

He also dismissed media reports that Iran has withdrawn from its past position on Syria.

[…]

Iran views China as strategic partner: FM Zarif

Golrokh Askarieh

September 16, 2015

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a meeting Tuesday with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang praised as “strategic” ties between the two influential Asian countries.

“Iran has always regarded China as a strategic partner, and bilateral relations will undoubtedly improve following the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” Zarif said.

He said Beijing has played a positive role in the nuclear negotiations between Iran and P5+1.

The Chinese premier, for his part, said the Vienna nuclear agreement would help resolve ongoing problems in the Middle East and across the world.

He further expressed hope that all sides involved in the nuclear negotiations would respect their commitments under JCPOA.

As regards bilateral ties between Tehran and Beijing, Keqiang said the two sides can bolster their relations in various fields after the implementation of the nuclear deal.

[…]

French Group to Open 2 Hotels in Iran

Golrokh Askarieh

September 15, 2015

The world’s sixth largest hotel group is set to open two hotels in Tehran following the July 14 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers, a report said.

French group AccorHotels will open an Ibis hotel and a Novotel branch near Tehran’s international airport, AFP reported on Tuesday.

The four-star hotels will be launched on October 15 with a total of nearly 500 rooms and will be equipped with meeting rooms, conference spaces and spas, fitness suites and swimming pools for both international and Iranian business travelers.

According to the report, AccorHotels’ chief executive Sebastien Bazin and representatives of Iranian company Aria Ziggurat, which owns the buildings, were to sign the contracts on September 15.

“There is an enormous potential for development of our brands in this country of nearly 80 million inhabitants whose economy is growing fast,” Bazin said in a statement.

[…]