Supplies of S-300 Air Defense Systems to Iran to Begin in January 2016: Source

By

-

December 26, 2015

The deliveries of Russian S-300PMU-2 air defense systems to Iran will begin in January, a source in the Russian military and technical cooperation system said on Friday.

“It is planned to begin the process of delivery of the first regiment of the S-300PMU-2 air defense systems in January and to complete it in February. Iran is due to receive the second regiment of these systems in August or September 2016,” the source was quoted by Russia-based TASS news agency as saying.

“Russia will thus fulfill its obligations to supply the S-300PMU-2 air defense systems to Iran,” he added.

According to the source, about 80 Iranian specialists will be trained to use the S-300 missile systems (NATO reporting name SA-10 Grumble) at the Mozhaisky Military Space Academy.

“About 80 military specialists from Iran in January, 2016 will begin a training to use S-300 at the training centers of the Mozhaisky Academy,” the source said.

“The training program will be four months long. Its cost is a part of the contract. After the course, supposedly in May, the Iranians will return home.”

In September the parties signed an additional agreement to the contract on the S-300 air defense systems, the source recalled.

“The first batch of the S-300PMU-2 systems under the contract — one regimental set — was immediately sent to the Kapustin Yar range. Currently these systems are completing tests there to confirm their stated specifications. Then they will arrive at the port of shipment in the Russian part of the Caspian Sea from where they will be delivered to Iran by maritime transport,” the source said.

Earlier, Iran ordered from Russia five S-300 divisions worth over $800 million. However, in autumn of 2010, the then President Dmitry Medvedev banned transfer of the equipment to Tehran. The contract was terminated, the prepayment was returned to Iran, but as the contract was not observed Iran filed a suit to the Geneva arbitration court claiming almost $4 billion.

In spring 2015, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin lifted the ban on supplies of the S-300 systems to Iran. Sergei Chemezov, of the defense export authority Rosoboronexport’s Rostech Company, said in early November the contract on the systems came into force.

In early December, presidential aide on military-technical cooperation Vladimir Kozhin confirmed the information. Later on, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters as the first S-300 division is supplied, Iran will revoke its lawsuit.

Number of Applicants for Iran Parliament Seats Surpasses 10,000

By

Emad Askarieh

-

December 26, 2015

More than ten thousand Iranians have registered as of Friday noon to run for a seat in the parliament in elections slated for late February, an official announced.

Interior Ministry Spokesperson Hossein Ali Amiri said on Friday that 10,004 persons have registered to run in the parliamentary elections, 960 of whom are women.

Earlier in the day, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli had announced that the number of female applicants have risen by 3 percent compared to the previous term.

According to the minister, 20 Iranians from the religious minorities have signed up for candidacy. 73 percent of the applicants are under the age of 50, he added.

Rahmani Fazli noted that the final list of the qualified candidates will be released on February 17.

There will be 290 seats in the Iranian parliament up for grabs.

As regards the Assembly of Experts elections, due to be held simultaneously with the parliamentary elections on February 26, the minister explained that 801 people have registered so far, showing a 62 percent rise in comparison with the previous term.

The 88-member Assembly of Experts is a high-ranking body that elects leader of the Islamic Revolution.

Members of the assembly are directly elected to office by people for an eight-year term. It holds biannual meetings to appoint a new chairman.

UN must be cornerstone in Syria national talks: Iran

By

Emad Askarieh

-

December 25, 2015

A senior Iranian official says the United Nations must play a pivotal role in the Syrian national dialog aimed at finding a settlement to nearly five-year-long crisis in the Arab country.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held a telephone conversation with UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, on Friday to discuss the latest developments pertaining to international talks on the Syrian conflict.

Amir-Abdollahian underlined that the list of terrorist groups in Syria should not divide terrorism into good and bad and should be based on the recent talks in New York on the Syrian crisis. He also urged the international community to adopt a realistic approach toward fighting terrorism and promoting a political process in the Arab country at the same time.

He said the crisis in Syria will only be resolved through respecting the country’s sovereignty, independence, national unity and territorial integrity as well as the Syrian people’s will.

The Iranian diplomat emphasized that all Syrian parties, including the opposition groups that are committed to a political approach, should engage in the talks about the Syrian conflict.

“Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran believes that [Syrian] national dialog should be [held] with the United Nations as its cornerstone,” Amir-Abdollahian added.

The UN envoy, for his part, praised Iran’s constructive and positive role in previous international talks on the Syrian crisis in Vienna and New York.

He added that respect for the Syrians’ viewpoints as well as the maintenance of the country’s integrity are among the UN’s principles.

De Mistura expressed hope that intra-Syrian talks will be held by the end of December.

The UN envoy is reportedly scheduled to pay a visit to some regional countries, including Iran, ahead of a new round of talks on Syria.

The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria, which started in March 2011, has claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people and left over one million injured, according to the United Nations. The foreign-sponsored militancy has also displaced nearly half of the country’s population.

The UN says 12.2 million people, including more than 5.6 million children, remain in need of humanitarian assistance.

Syria blames the crisis on some countries, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia, saying that if it had not been for their support, the terror groups, particularly the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, could have never taken control of the territories across the country.

The Austrian capital of Vienna hosted the first two rounds of talks on Syria on October 30 and November 14. The third round of Syria talks was held in New York on December 18.

The UN Security Council on December 18 adopted a resolution supporting an international roadmap for a peace process in Syria. The UN seeks to convene peace negotiations in Geneva some time in January 2016.

The participants in the talks are trying to work out a list of legitimate opposition groups, as opposed to terrorists, in Syria to engage in talks with the government in Damascus.

Iran slams ‘unlawful’ US bid to seize assets

By

Emad Askarieh

-

December 25, 2015

A senior Iranian official has censured US efforts to have Tehran’s assets frozen in the country turned over as compensation to American victims of bombings in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

“The US judicial apparatus, with the support of the country’s administration and Congress, has been issuing and enacting rulings against the Islamic Republic of Iran for years, violating basic principles of international law with recourse to unsubstantiated and baseless allegations,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said on Friday.

“Some US courts are making a travesty of justice and law, having sentenced 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.”

The case in the US involves over 1,300 plaintiffs, who have demanded compensation over two bombings, namely the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, and the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia.

The US Supreme Court is mulling a case on appropriating $2 billion of Iranian assets.

Iran has dismissed any role in the attacks and rejected rulings by US circuit and appeals courts to hand over $2 billion in frozen Iranian assets in Citibank accounts in New York to the plaintiffs.

The money belongs to Bank Markazi, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), and has been blocked under US sanctions.

The CBI has appealed against such rulings, and the case has reportedly moved to the Supreme Court, with the administration of US President Barack Obama urging it not to overturn previous verdicts in favor of the plaintiffs.

In his Friday comments, Jaberi Ansari said, “The US government has demonstrated that its hostile measures against Iran persist regardless of realities and under the influence of Zionist circles, and that there are no signs of efforts toward understanding and utilizing the situation and reducing the Iranian government’s and nation’s deep mistrust of US policies.”

Jaberi Ansari’s reference to US failure to “utilize” the situation apparently relates to the new opening after the conclusion of a deal between Iran and P5+1 in July.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 24

By

Emad Askarieh

-

December 24, 2015

The comments of President Rouhani about a wide range of issues, including the nuclear deal, economic growth and elections, dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Thursday. Also on the cover of dailies was the latest from registration for the upcoming elections.

Ettela’at: We will open the gates to investment and global technology, President Rouhani told locals in Shahr-e Rey.

He further said that next year’s budget will rely on oil revenues by as little as 25 percent.

Ettela’at: Congratulations on the birth anniversary of the prophet of peace and friendship, harbinger of heavenly compassion and laughter, the Messiah of love and good-naturedness. Merry Christmas

Ettela’at: The interior minister has said that 10,000 addicts who openly use drugs on the streets will be rounded up.

Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli further blamed pocketbook issues as the root cause of all social harms.

Ettela’at: The Washington Post has said that the US has bowed to the demand of Iran and Russia to keep Assad in power.

In another development, President Assad said that he would step down if the Syrians want him to.

Ettela’at: Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that the JCPOA Supervision Panel will make a decision about the new law passed by the US Congress.

The Iranian top diplomat further said that internal disagreements should not stop the US administration from complying with its international commitments.

Ettela’at: The idea of asking [political] questions in universities should be promoted, said Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in a ceremony to mark Research Day.

Political issues should not be used as an excuse to restrict analyses and research, the chairman of the Expediency Council said.

Ettela’at: With the registration of candidates for Assembly of Experts elections coming to an end, the screening process has started.

The head of the Electoral Headquarters said that by 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, 731 individuals had fielded their candidacy for the Assembly of Experts.

Ettela’at: Iran and Oman hold joint naval maneuvers in the eastern part of the Hormuz Strait.

The drill is meant to ensure the security of commercial vessels and tankers crossing the strategic strait.

Abrar: The Egyptian president has said that he won’t remain in office even for a second if the Egyptians don’t want him to.

Abrar: Despite booby-traps, strategic parts of the Iraqi city of Ramadi have been taken back from Daesh terrorists.

Afarinesh: President Rouhani has said that the country’s development budget will increase by as much as 90 percent next year.

Afkar: Shipping lanes between Iran, the US and Africa have been activated.

Aftab-e Yazd: We need to accommodate each other’s opposing views, said former parliament speaker Akbar Nategh Nouri.

Aftab-e Yazd: President Rouhani has urged fellow officials not to forget the fact that [free and fair] elections are a right members of the public are entitled to.

Arman-e Emrooz: In case I am disqualified [from running for parliament] I will appeal, but I won’t beg, said outspoken principlist MP Ali Motahari.

Arman-e Emrooz: President Rouhani has said that Iranians will make an epic in the late February elections.

He further said the country’s economic growth is projected to stand at 5 percent next year.

Asrar: Inflation slipped into single digits in the fall.

Asrar: Tabriz, an exemplary Islamic tourist destination in 2018.

Bahar: The Tehran prosecutor has said that judicial orders have been issued for the police to deal with those who have satellite dishes and women who fail to observe the Islamic dress code.

Ebtekar: Women extensively seek to win seats in both assemblies.

A large number of women have fielded their candidacy for the upcoming elections for the Assembly of Experts and the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Etemad: Inflation has plunged into single digits for the first time in five and a half years.

Etemad: Tehran MP Ali Motahari has said that he won’t be alone [in speaking out] in the next parliament.

Etemad: With an unprecedented wave of scholars and figures signing up, the number of potential candidates for the Assembly of Experts is 35 percent up, setting a new record.

Javan: The chain of sanctions will break up this year, said President Rouhani.

Jomhouri Islami: President Rouhani has said that the Executive and Legislative branches should work together to settle the problems of the public.

Kar va Kargar: The Supreme National Security Council will decide on the US measure to limit visits to Iran by foreign nationals, said Foreign Minister Zarif.

Kayhan: The countdown is on for the liberation of Ramadi in Iraq.

Daesh terrorists have fled to nearby deserts.

Kayhan: The schools of the capital were not closed on the most polluted day of the week!

Rah-e Mardom: An Iranian tanker has been saved from the pirates in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

Resalat: Full implementation of the changes to the Visa Waiver Program adopted by the US Congress will amount to breach of the nuclear deal, said Foreign Minister Zarif.

Sharq: Some $380 billion went up in smoke during the presidency of Ahmadinejad, said the economy minister.

Vaghaye-e Etefaghiyeh: The Law Enforcement Force has signaled readiness to ensure the security of upcoming elections.

Special police will have access to urban traffic cameras.

Nondescript choppers drop off Daesh fighters in Afghan province

By

Emad Askarieh

-

December 24, 2015

Two helicopters have dropped off a number of militants wearing Daesh uniforms in the Afghan province of Nangarhar, a member of the Afghan Senate has told the Islamic Republic News Agency in an interview conducted over the phone.

The following is the translation of a report the Iranian official news agency ran on its website on December 23:

A number of people in Tor Ghar, Nangarhar Province have contacted me to say that nondescript helicopters have airlifted Daesh militants there, Afghan SenatorHaji Lutfullah Baba said on Wednesday.

They asked me to follow up the issue and urge security and military officials to look into the militant movements which pose a threat to the security of the province and the entire nation, he said.

He went on to say that the people of Nangarhar are worried about security in the province. Deterioration of the security situation in Nangarhar, a major economic hub, will deal a body blow to the Afghan economy, he said.

He added that an investigation has been launched to determine to which country the helicopters belong.

A spokesman for the province of Nangarhar has confirmed reports that the choppers have dropped off men in black uniforms.

It is not the first time choppers are sighted dropping off militants in areas controlled by the opposition. Similar sightings have been made in Kunduz, Baghlan and Badakhshan.

Daesh has picked Nangarhar as the hub of its Afghan operations. The Afghan national security advisor has said that Daesh in Afghanistan has established structural links with their leaders in Iraq and Syria.

Some Afghan officials, though, accuse the National Directorate of Security (NDS) of failing to crack down on the terrorist grouping.

A few weeks ago, a vice-speaker of the Afghan House of Representatives alleged that government officials and the NDS support the Daesh terrorists.

A day after those allegations were made public, the interior minister, chief of staff and head of the national security agency held a news conference to refute those allegations. The deputy should produce evidence to shore up those allegations, they demanded.

A few days later, the vice-speaker responded to that call by saying that provision of evidence will result in the collapse of the national unity government.

Iran to get T-90 tanks soon: commander

By

Emad Askarieh

-

December 24, 2015

Iran’s Army will be equipped with Russian-made T-90 tanks in the near future, Commander of the Army’s Ground Force Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran, the top general said preparations have been made for the purchase of the Russian tanks, and his forces will soon obtain the combat vehicles.

Pourdastan said last week that Iran itself is producing T-72 tanks, which have “good capacities”, but noted that the Russian-made T-90’s are more advanced.

Iran and Russia in recent years have boosted their cooperation in various defense fields, including the supply of military equipment. In the most recent case, Russia has started delivering the S-300 missile defense system to Iran.

Back in October, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan highlighted the significance of defense collaborations between Tehran and Moscow, especially under the current circumstances in the region.

Orumiyeh Lake (Aerial PHOTOS)

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

-

December 24, 2015

The Oruliyeh Lake the likelihood of whose drying up a few years ago caused a flurry of activities to save it is still in dire conditions.

The following images of the lake taken recently near the Sharafkhaneh Port have been released by Mehr News Agency.

Iran to implement JCPOA despite foreign plots: Rouhani

By

Emad Askarieh

-

December 23, 2015

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic is determined to make sure its nuclear agreement with P5+1 will come to fruition despite enemy attempts to sabotage the deal.

Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran is now in the final stages of implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) it clinched with P5+1 – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany – in Vienna on July 14.

“Despite the shameful dreams of American hawks, the Zionist regime (of Israel) and certain reactionary countries in the region that wanted JCPOA not to come into effect, our nation will help JCPOA bear fruits,” Rouhani said in an address to a large crowd of people in Rey, a Tehran suburb.

Under the agreement, Iran will accept restrictions on its nuclear program in return for the removal of sanctions imposed on Tehran by the US and the European Union.

Several US Republican lawmakers as well as the Israeli regime engaged in a host of activities, financial and otherwise, to torpedo the nuclear negotiations between the Islamic Republic and the six other countries that culminated in JCPOA as well as to undermine the accord itself.

Immediately after the signature of the deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a hostile campaign against JCPOA, calling it a “historic mistake.”

Referring to nuclear- related resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against Tehran, Rouhani said that all sanctions will be lifted on Iran in January.

“With the implementation of JCPOA in January all 18 unjust resolutions [imposed] against the Iranian nation will be terminated for good,” he said.

The Iranian nation will soon see the country’s economic gates open to the world, he said.

Zarif: Implementation of new US visa law tantamount to breach of JCPOA

By

Emad Askarieh

-

December 23, 2015

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said should the new law that tightens visa-free travel to the US come into force, it would be tantamount to a breach of the July nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers, known as the JCPOA.

If the law takes effect exactly as approved by the US Congress, it would amount to the breach of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Zarif said in a joint press conference with his Mongolian counterpart Lundeg Purevsuren in Tehranon Wednesday.

The Iranian top diplomat was referring to a new bill passed by the US Congress and signed by President Barack Obama, which will prevent visa-free travel to the United States for people who have visited Iran or hold Iranian nationality.

However, Zarif added, if the US administration utilizes its power and officially announces, as did Secretary of State John Kerry, that the law will not prevent the implementation of the JCPOA, Iran will consider the issue and decide whether the law is a breach of the agreement or not.

Zarif said Iran discusses the issue with the US administration as the representative of the entire US and that Iran does not care about the Congress and its laws.

He further emphasized that the US government has certain commitments based on international law and rules set for relations between states and that it should resolve its domestic issues as it sees fit.

According to the 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.

It means citizens of many EU countries and the rest of the 38 states participating in the program who travel to Iran either for business or visiting the country’s attractions will have to obtain a visa should they ever want to enter the US.

[…]

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

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

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

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

Supplies of S-300 Air Defense Systems to Iran to Begin in January 2016: Source

Number of Applicants for Iran Parliament Seats Surpasses 10,000

UN must be cornerstone in Syria national talks: Iran

Iran slams ‘unlawful’ US bid to seize assets

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 24

Nondescript choppers drop off Daesh fighters in Afghan province

Iran to get T-90 tanks soon: commander

Orumiyeh Lake (Aerial PHOTOS)

Iran to implement JCPOA despite foreign plots: Rouhani

Zarif: Implementation of new US visa law tantamount to breach of JCPOA

About Us

Popular Articles

Smoked Mozzarella Recipes (5 Recipes!)

Iranian woman sets record by making 137 types of jam

Editor Picks

Tehran unveils “Kneeling Before Iran” monument at Enghelab Square

Iran marks Khorramshahr liberation anniversary