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Iran denounces PGCC claim on Persian Gulf islands as “baseless”

Emad Askarieh

December 13, 2015

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari has dismissed as repetitive and unfounded the claims that the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) has recently made about the three Iranian Persian Gulf islands.

In a statement on Friday, Jaberi Ansari reaffirmed Iran’s sovereignty over the three Persian Gulf islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, stressing that these islands are an indispensable part of the country.

He made the remarks in response to a statement, issued in the 36th session of the PGCC in Riyadh, which claimed that the three islands belong to the United Arab Emirates.

“The repetition of the baseless allegations has no effect on the territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the spokesman said, adding that Tehran considers the claim an “unconstructive stance”.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejects any irresponsible remarks about its territorial integrity, and has put friendly relations, non-interference in the internal affairs of (other countries) and mutual respect for territorial integrity of the neighboring countries atop the list of policy priorities,” Jaberi Ansari noted.

The islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa have historically been part of Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated by countless historical, legal, and geographical documents in Iran and other parts of the world.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 13

Emad Askarieh

December 13, 2015

News about upcoming elections dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Sunday. Reformist dailies gave extensive coverage to the candidacy of the grandson of the late Imam for the Assembly of Experts elections.

Ettela’at: President Rouhani has urged all those interested in serving to field their candidacy [in the upcoming parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections.]

He said that he hopes that the next parliament is stronger than the current one in standing up for the integrity of the establishment as well as the rights of the people.

Ettela’at: The parliament speaker has said that only support for the production sector will settle the problem of unemployment.

Ali Larijani further said that some of the problems stem from mismanagement of the past which will be settled with proper management and contribution of the public.

Ettela’at: Attacks in Kabul and Kandahar left 67 people dead.

Taliban militants mounted an attack near the Spanish Embassy in Kabul, killing five Afghan police and a Spaniard.

In another deadly incident, an attack by the militants on the Kandahar Airport left 61 dead.

Ettela’at: The grandson of the late Imam Khomeini will run for the Assembly of Experts.

Ettela’at: An energy ministry will be formed.

Under a draft Sixth Development Plan, by the end of the five-year plan, a new ministry will be formed to take care of part of the responsibilities of the ministries of power and oil as well as the Environment Protection Organization and the Forestry and Pastureland Organization.

Ettela’at: Ahmad Monzavi, an expert in handwritten Islamic texts, has passed away.

A funeral procession is expected to be held for the prominent scholar on Tuesday.

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: The ceiling of the government’s foreign debts will rise to $50 billion.

Afkar: With proper supervision, pessimists should shake off their doubtfulness, said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif [in reference to those who constantly doubt the performance of the executive as far as the implementation of the nuclear deal is concerned].

Aftab-e Yazd: The final act in the courtroom drama

Babak Zanjani has shed tears in the most recent hearing in his corruption trial

Arman-e Emrooz: The vice-president for parliamentary affairs has said that 16 paralyzing sanctions have been lifted.

Arman-e Emrooz: A draft of the Sixth Development Plan introduces structural changes to five ministries which deal with economic issues.

Bahar: The managing editor of Ettela’at daily has sent a letter to the Supreme Leader on [restrictions regarding coverage of news featuring] Mohammad Khatami and received a response.

Ebtekar: First Vice-President Eshagh Jahangiri has met with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ashgabat.

Etemad: An economic revolution under the Sixth Development Plan

Among other things, the plan would subject the economic activities of religious entities and reconstruction bases to tax, downsize the ranks of human resources in state institutions by 15 percent; downsize all executive bodies; slap a ban on new government hiring, raise fuel and water prices and cut tax exemptions.

Farhikhtegan: Foreign Minister Zarif has denied reports [first circulated on Telegram messaging app] that the frozen cash that belonged to the Football Federation has been deposited to the Foreign Ministry account.

Hamdeli: Dissolution of four organizations on the agenda of the government.

Hamdeli: The decision of the young Ayatollah to run for the Assembly of Experts has enraged hardliners.

Iran: Ninety-seven foreign companies attend a petrochemical conference in Tehran on Sunday.

Iran: Seyyed Hassan Khomeini [the grandson of the late Imam] has stepped onto the electoral stage.

Jahan-e Eghtesad: Foreign Minister Zarif has recalled the formation of a panel designated by the Supreme Leader and said that those who are constantly doubtful do not need to worry [about the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action].

Javan: The US Congress has voted for a motion to ban travel by citizens of 38 countries, including Iran, to the United States.

Jomhouri Islami: Oil prices have hit an 11-year low.

Jomhouri Islami: Prominent Iraqi Shiite cleric Ayatollah Sistani has called on the Iraqi government to stand up to violation of the country’s sovereignty.

Kayhan: Revolutionaries in Yemen have killed 16 Blackwater contractors, including a commander.

Resalat: The holy city of Mashhad hosted 3 million pilgrims who were there to mark the martyrdom anniversary of the 8^th Shiite Imam.

Rooyesh Mellat: The first vice-president has said that sanctions will be lifted soon.

Sayeh: A senior official at the Environment Protection Organization has said that poaching birds is punishable by $66,000 in fines.

Shahrvand: President Rouhani has said that his administration takes pride in implementing the Healthcare Transformation Plan.

Sharq: Saudi women have cast ballot for the first time.

Vaghaye-e Etefaghiyeh: Iran’s tourism in the crosshairs of the US Congress

The new motion limits travel to Iran, Iraq, Syria and Sudan.

Iran urges vigilance against plots to harm Tehran-Baku ties

Emad Askarieh

December 13, 2015

Iran has warned of plots by ill-wishers to harm the country’s relations with Azerbaijan, stressing the importance of remaining vigilant to thwart such schemes.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaber-Ansari said on Saturday that the Iranian people are concerned about Azerbaijan’s intensified wave of arrests and the killing of Shias in Nardaran district, north of the Azeri capital of Baku.

“The Iranian Foreign Ministry closely monitors different aspects of these events and is in constant contact with the country (Azerbaijan)’s relevant officials,” he said.

Following close consultation between Iranian and Azeri officials, a more suitable condition was created for Azeris to respect Islamic ceremonies as well as the sanctity of religious sites in Azerbaijan, including mosques, Jaber-Ansari said.

Azerbaijan has been carrying out a fresh wave of attacks on the majority Shias since November 26 when security forces killed four members of the Movement for Muslim Unity (MMU) during a raid in the village of Nardaran. At least 14 people were nabbed in the raid, including the MMU leader Tale’ Bagirzade, who is also known as Sheikh Bagirov.

In a later attack on Nardaran on December 3, policemen shot and killed five Shia Muslims and arrested 32 others.

Azerbaijan is a majority Shia state of more than nine million people. Shias account for 85 percent of the population.

The secular government of President Ilham Aliyev suppressed a Shia-dominated popular uprising in 2010 amid international outcry over his heavy-handed crackdown.

On Thursday, ethnic Azeris in the northwestern Iranian province of East Azerbaijan gathered in front of Azerbaijan’s Consulate in the provincial capital of Tabriz to denounce Baku’s crackdown on Shia Muslims in Nardaran.

The protesters, who were marking the demise of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), called on Azerbaijan’s government to stop its anti-Islamic moves and immediately release those arrested in Nardaran over the past days.

Iran arrests main culprit behind 2014 attack

Emad Askarieh

December 13, 2015

Authorities have arrested a main culprit behind last year’s killing of three security forces in the southeastern province ofSistan and Baluchestan.

Security forces launched a surprise attack on a residential building earlier identified as a hideout of armed bandits and smugglers outside the town of Zahak, provincial Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Rahimi said on Saturday.

All six individuals inside the building were arrested during the operation, according to Rahimi.

One of the main perpetrators behind the killing of three security forces in November 2014 was among the detainees, he said.

During the operations, security guards also discovered and confiscated a cache of weapons and ammunition from the criminal gang.

Sistan and Baluchestan Province has been the scene of a number of terrorist attacks in recent years.

The insecurity in the province is mainly caused by terror groups that cross the border into Iran from neighboring Pakistan.

On November 21, Iranian security forces busted a terror cell in Sistan and Baluchestan. The terrorists were planning to blow up over 150 kilograms of explosives in the form of ten bombs in the eastern Iranian border region.

Iran ready to help resolve Turkey-Russia tensions: First VP

Emad Askarieh

December 13, 2015

Iran’s First Vice-President Es’hagh Jahangiri says the recent escalation of tensions between Moscow and Ankara over Turkey’s downing of a Russian jet is worrisome, expressing Tehran’s readiness to help settle the dispute.

“We are concerned about the tension created in relations between Turkey and Russia and do not regard this tension as beneficial to the region at all and are ready to help ease the tension,” Jahangiri said in a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a meeting in Turkmenistan’s capital of Ashgabat on Saturday.

Moscow and Ankara have been locked in a war of words since November 24, when Turkey downed the Russian Su-24 fighter jet over Syria, claiming that it had entered Turkish airspace, an accusation strongly rejected by Moscow.

Of the two pilots aboard the warplane, one was rescued with the help of the Syrian army, but the other was wounded by militant fire while he was parachuting down and was killed on the ground.

Jahangiri further said Iran’s foreign policy stipulates the expansion of relations with all countries, particularly the neighboring states, on the bases of good neighborliness and mutual trust.

He stressed the importance of holding more consultation between Iranian and Turkish officials to find peaceful solutions to the ongoing crises in the region.

“Despite the difference of opinion [between Tehran and Ankara] about the Syrian issue, we should cooperate with each other in the fight against extremism and terrorism,” Jahangiri added.

He emphasized that interaction, respect for the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity and efforts to solve differences can lead to the establishment of sustainable peace and stability in the region.

Dialog to solve regional tensions: Erdogan

The Turkish president said his country does not welcome the escalation of tensions in the region and calls for dialog to clear misunderstandings.

Erdogan added that Tehran-Ankara relations should not be affected by foreign influences and said the two sides should foil attempts to cause religious discord as soon as possible.

He called on the two countries to make use of their capacities to strengthen cooperation in various fields.

Erdogan unhappy with Iran media

The Turkish president criticized certain reports in Iranian media against his family members and said the Iranian government should control the media inside the country. Erdogan was apparently referring to the coverage in Iranian media of the reports of the links between some of his family members and the Daesh Takfiri militants in Syria.

In response to Erdogan’s remarks, Jahangiri said the Iranian administration does not impose any restrictions on media, adding that even the administration is itself criticized in the media.

He added that Iranian officials have never made any comment against the Turkish government.

“However, your authorities have expressed many negative and incorrect statements against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the government and sanctities of the Iranian people,” the Iranian vice-president added.

FM Zarif confident about closure of Iran’s PMD case

Emad Askarieh

December 13, 2015

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has given assurances that the case on the so-called PMD (possible military dimensions) in Tehran’s nuclear program will be closed by a UN resolution next week.

Speaking to Tasnim News Agency, Zarif pointed to a draft resolution recently submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors by the P5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany), and said, “In the paragraph 9 of the draft resolution, there is emphasis on the closure of the PMD issue.”

The Iranian top diplomat added that the draft resolution explicitly says it has fully considered IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano’ report on Iran’s PMD case and has closed it.

The IAEA report is clear and says the agency has not found any sign or reason that shows Iran’s nuclear program has diverted to military activities, the foreign minister noted.

The draft resolution, which will be put to the vote in a session of the IAEA Board of Governors on December 15, will make it possible to close Teheran’s nuclear dossier and begin the implementation phase of the nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and six world powers, also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The IAEA has been given the role of verifying Iran’s commitments under the nuclear deal with six world powers.

As part of a Road-map signed between Iran and the IAEA on July 14, the agency was required to finish its investigations about Iran’s nuclear activities and submit a report to the Board of Governors by December 15.

A report released on December 2 by Amano on Iran’s nuclear program confirmed that the agency has no credible indications of suspicious work in Tehran’s nuclear activities.

The Road-map was signed on the same day that Tehran and the Group 5+1 reached a conclusion on a lasting nuclear agreement.

The agreement was officially adopted on October 18, and is going to take effect within the next few weeks.

Old minaret along Silk Road (PHOTOS)

Fatemeh Askarieh

December 12, 2015

Khosrogerd Minaret, located to the west of Sabzevar, in northeastern Iran is a unique historical monument.

The structure which is 38 meters in height dates back to the Seljuq era (1037–1194).

It is one of the oldest and tallest historical minarets in Iran. Archeological research shows that the minaret – a desertanswer to the light house – was meant to guide caravans in the desert.

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Tehran subway station shooting accidental: Police

Golrokh Askarieh

December 11, 2015

Tehran Police Information Center said a gunshot fired at the capital’s Niroo Havaei subway station on Thursday evening which left a passenger injured was unintended.

“At 20:30, a policeman deployed at the station unintentionally pulled the trigger, assuming the magazine empty,” the center announced in a statement.

“A 30-year-old passenger was hit in the leg and was immediately rushed to a clinic by police for treatment,” the statement said adding the injured is in a satisfactory condition.

Iran seals banking deal with France

Golrokh Askarieh

December 11, 2015

Iran says it has reached a basic agreement with France to re-establish mutual banking ties as soon as the sanctions against Tehran are removed.

Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Valiollah Afkhami-Rad has been quoted by local media as saying that sanctions are the only obstacle in the way of the implementation of the agreement with France.

Afkhami-Rad emphasized that similar deals have also been reached with other countries. Nevertheless, he said they cannot be implemented unless the much-awaited Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) takes effect.

Most of the countries with which Iran has been negotiating over the re-establishment of banking relations are European, the official added.

JCPOA was reached between Iran and P5+1– the five permanent members of the Security Council plus Germany – after marathon talks in July.

Based on this agreement, Iran would limit certain aspects of its nuclear energy activities in return for the removal of certain economic sanctions against the country.

Some key sanctions have targeted Iran’s banking industry and have led to severe restrictions on the country’s financial transactions with the world.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – that checks the compliance of Iran’s measures in limiting its nuclear energy activities with what it agreed with P5+1 in JCPOA – has already announced that Iran has lived up to its commitments.

Tehran has said the ball is now in the court of P5+1 to implement its end of the bargain under the deal and move toward the removal of the sanctions.

No exact date has yet been set for the termination of sanctions but P5+1 have already said the lifting of the sanctions could occur in early 2016.

Iran envoy submits new WAVE version to UN

Golrokh Askarieh

December 11, 2015

Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Gholamali Khoshrou has submitted to the world body an updated version of a resolution based on President Hassan Rouhani’s proposal for the World Against Violence and Extremism (WAVE).

The draft was presented to the General Assembly in New York during on Thursday.

In December 2013, the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to approve President Rouhani’s WAVE proposal, which called on all nations across the globe to denounce violence and extremism.

The Iranian president had made the proposal in his address to the UN Disarmament Conference in New York on September 25, 2013.

Khoshrou said the consensus on the draft and support for it by various countries indicates that the UN must take immediate action for containing violence and extremism in the world.

The Iranian envoy further warned against associating violent extremism with any religion. He said those who are accusing divine religions of violence are engaged in hate speech and fanning the flames of prejudice.

Referring to the atrocities committed at the hands of Takfiri militants in Iraq and Syria over the past two years and recent acts of terror in France, Lebanon and Egypt, among other places, claimed by Daesh terrorists, Khoshrou said the acts of terror signify the role the UN General Assembly can play in stemming the tide of extremism.

“In the world today, terror threats know no geographical boundaries,” he said, noting that launching collective efforts by the international community is the only way to face the issue of terrorism.

The Takfiri Daesh terrorists, who were initially trained by the CIA in Jordan in 2012 to destabilize the Syrian government, now control parts of Syria and Iraq. They have been engaged in crimes against humanity in areas under their control.