A small alley near Tehran’s Revolution Square has been roofed with colorful umbrellas, giving an umbrella sense to the expression: having a roof over one’s head.
The following images of the alley have been released by Tehran Picture Agency:
Arba’een to be registered as UNESCO intangible heritage
The mourning ceremony of Arba’een, which marks the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hossein, will be jointly registered by Iran and Iraq on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) intangible cultural heritage list.
Vice-President and Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) Masoud Soltanifar made the remark on Sunday and added that Arba’een is [one of] the largest congregation of Muslims in Karbala, a key pilgrimage site in the world.
Shafaqna Shia News Association on November 29 published Soltanifar’s remarks on Arba’een and its registration as UNESCO heritage. The following is the translation of part of his remarks:
Soltanifar said thanks to the diversity of Arba’een’s traditions, a high value has been placed on the ritual throughout history.
Muslims turn out in their millions for the religious ceremony and their presence has turned into a massive and glorious congregation of the followers of the third Shiite Imam among Muslims and freedom seekers, he added.
The ICHHTO chief went on to say that the registration of the Muslim festival at UNESCO helps protect and pass on the ritual and its spiritual values to future generations.
[Each year, mourning Shiites from different countries, mainly from Iran, march an 83 kilometer long route from Najaf to Karbala to attend the ritual ceremony.]
Arba’een mass march manifestation of devotion and faith: Leader
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the mass march toward the Iraqi city of Karbala to mark Arba’een (which marks 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the third Shiite Imam) is a show of faith and devotion.
Ayatollah Khamenei, who was addressing a group of Iranian clerics on Monday, described Arba’een as a “lasting privilege”.
The Leader said that the massive turnout of people from around the world and Iran for the march toward Karbala is a manifestation of the prominent features of the school of Prophet Mohammad’s Household.
“The combination of devotion and faith and wisdom and affection is among the unique features of the school of Prophet Muhammad’s Household,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Imam Hussein and 72 of his loyal companions, including family members, were martyred on Ashura, the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram, in the battle of Karbala against the second Umayyad caliph, Yazid I, in 680 A.D. Imam Hussein was killed after he refused to pledge allegiance to the tyrant ruler.
Five million of these pilgrims are estimated to be coming from Iran. The pilgrims, among them Sunni Muslims and Christians, showed their commitment to Imam Hussein by walking tens of miles barefoot to reach his shrine.
JCPOA waiting for a white vote out of a gray report
Since the beginning of nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1, two main news and propaganda movements have been formed inside and outside Iran. One is optimistic and hopeful about a successful end and about the implementation of the [Iran nuclear] deal and eventual closing of the case.
The other media movement, however, turns the spotlight on negative aspects, for instance the possible breakdown of nuclear talks and the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and makes headlines out of them.
Ettela’at newspaper on November 29 published an editorial by Abolghasem Ghasemzadeh on the waiting hours before the Iran nuclear deal is implemented. The following is the translation of the editorial:
The second movement walks down the path of negativity in a bid to disseminate information. Such defeatism is [still] pursued by some news outlets at home and certain Western media and their regional peers in Arab countries and Israel.
Remarks by Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano in a recent interview have resulted in a more heated confrontation between these two media movements in their positive and negative thinking.
In fact, what is now in the news is a waiting game which is played before the IAEA’s Board of Governors releases its final decision on Iran’s nuclear case based on the report of the IAEA chief which is expected to come out in a few days.
Amano said in the interview that Iran’s nuclear case has shown no diversion, but went on to say that his agency’s next report will not be “black and white” [“As I said in the past, the assessment…will not be black and white”. (The Wall Street Journal, November 26)].
Amano’s comments were followed by a flurry of reports and negative news by certain media which predict a total breakdown of the talks. But, Iran’s ambassador to the UN nuclear agency said, “For years Amano has said that he is not in a position to fully confirm that there is no undeclared atomic activity in Iran. It is what has been included in the [agency’s] reports over the past few years, but some individuals seem to think that his remarks are new.”
Reza Najafi further said, “… It should be taken into account that the agency has adopted a similar stance for all countries which have not signed up to the Additional Protocol. In other words, it cannot give assurances about the absence of undeclared nuclear sites and as a result cannot declare that all nuclear activities in those countries are for peaceful purposes.
“The same applies to Switzerland which has been implementing the Additional Protocol for about ten years. A look at the IAEA’s annual Safeguards Implementation Report (SIR) for 2014 proves that. In the case of Switzerland, the IAEA has yet to draw the so-called Broader Conclusion for a State as a whole, [namely that ‘all nuclear material remains in peaceful activities’].
The final report Amano submits to the Board of Governors is expected to be released on December 1, and then the resolution put forward by P5+1 will be discussed and adopted in a special meeting of the Board of Governors on December 15 to declare the Possible Military Dimensions (PMD) case closed.
The IAEA director general has the responsibility to submit a technical report, and the Board of Governors will issue a resolution to announce its final decision.
A senior expert in nuclear energy has who has analyzed Amano’s interview, the next IAEA report and the Board of Governors’ final decision, says that the report by the IAEA director general on Iran’s Past Issues [nuclear dossier] and baseless charges made against Iran’s nuclear program between 2000 and 2003 is expected to come out in the next few days. This report will be a basis for the Governors Board to make its final decision on whether to declare Iran’s nuclear case over, a case which has served as a weapon at the hands of the West to build up pressure on the Iranian people.
They [Western countries] referred Iran’s case to the UN Security Council claiming that at a point in time Iran had been seeking to develop nuclear weapons. The [review of] Iran’s case dragged on for years, and after releasing multiple resolutions which were unfairly issued against Iran, the case is now waiting for Amano to submit the result of his investigations and reviews in a few days’ time.
It comes at a time when the director general of the UN nuclear agency has said that “the assessment will not be black and white”. His comments have been looked at from different angles.
I believe Amano is treading a path which makes him unable to verify the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. At the same time he does not want to say Iran’s nuclear program has been 100 percent problem-free. The reason why the agency is adopting such a position is understandably clear. For years they have put pressure on the Iranian people based on unfounded allegations [that their nuclear program has not been peaceful]; now they don’t want to admit that their past measures have been baseless.
They brought so much pressure to bear and issued resolutions against us using the same tool. So they cannot issue a white report on Iran’s nuclear program now. On the other hand, if Amano issues a black report, naturally the path to declaring the PMD case closed would be blocked. That is why he describes his report as neither black nor white but gray to allow the Board of Governors to make a decision in this regard.
Although the report is important, what is even more important is the decision of the Board of Governors because the allegations leveled against Iran have been politically motivated and everyone knows that the US, Israel, Britain and France have built a PMD case against Iran on political grounds.
So when the director general issues the report, under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the board should settle the PMD case in a political decision. That is 90% likely to happen in the coming days, because they need to declare Iran’s case as normal in order for JCPOA to be implemented.
As [Deputy Iranian Foreign Minister] Abbas Araghchi has openly said if they fail to declare the case as normal, Iran won’t implement the provisions of the nuclear deal. So the report Amano is to release within three days is only a first step. The next stage – a decision by the Board of Governors – is very important and sensitive.
A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 30
Content of a second letter Ayatollah Khamenei has penned to the youth in the West dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Monday.
Ettela’at: Imposition of Western culture on nations is like silent violence, said the Supreme Leader in a second letter to the youth in Western countries.
Some 1.5 billion Muslims are disgusted with those behind catastrophes like what happened in France, the letter read.
Abrar: A judicial official has said that there has been no travel ban on Saeed Mortazavi [who is on trial for corruption].
Afarinesh: Implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will see ties between Iran and the European Union reach a desirable point, said President Rouhani.
Arman-e Emrooz: During a 17th hearing of the King of Forgery [a term used to refer to Babak Zanjani who is on trial for corruption], the defense called for the acquittal of his client.
Asrar: Factional goals should not be pursued at the expense of national interests, said Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Asrar: The secretary of the Supreme National Security Council has conditioned the implementation of JCPOA on the closing of the possible military dimension (PMD) case.
Ebtekar: Today, terrorism is our common headache, said the Supreme Leader in a letter to the Western youth.
Ebtekar: Controversy in Yasouj
The daily features a report on attacks by hardliners against reformist gatherings.
Emtiaz: Two Iranian and Italian museums have signed a cooperation MOU.
Etemad: A second instruction
The bitter incidents that unfolded as a result of blind terrorism in France prompted me to write to you, the Western youth, once again, said the Supreme Leader in a letter addressed to the youth in the West. “Build the foundation of proper interaction with the Muslim world.”
Haft-e Sobh: Iranian fishermen who had been taken captive by pirates managed to kill three of their captors and took four others captive.
Iran: Some 370 Italian investors in Iran
In unprecedented talks, the two sides struck deals in automotive, banking and oil areas.
Javan: The secretary of the Supreme National Security Council has said that the IAEA will keep the door to JCPOA open by declaring the PMD case closed.
Jomhouri Islami: Foreign Minister Zarif has dismissed allegations about Iran’s past nuclear activities as invalid.
Kaenat: President Bashar al-Assad has praised the prudence of the Supreme Leader in supporting his country.
In a meeting with the Syrian president, an advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei said that Iran will firmly stand by the Syrians.
Kayhan: In a meeting with the Navy commanders, the Supreme Leader said that seas provide a perfect platform for cooperation with friends and confrontation with enemies.
Kayhan: In a letter to the Western youth, Ayatollah Khamenei dismissed abominable groups such as IS as being a product of a vain merger with imported Western culture.
Mardomsalari: The attorney general has said that the legal system will follow up the Mina tragedy in cooperation with the Executive.
Mardomsalari: The Navy has taken delivery of a large number of Ghadir Cruise Missiles.
Resalat: Tehran MP Ahmad Tavakoli has said that the new oil contract model clashes with our national interests.
Sayeh: Iranians will produce a proportionate response if the commitments of the other side are not honored, said FM Zarif.
Sharq: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action won’t be implemented if the PMD case is not closed first, said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on Nov. 30
♦ Imposition of Western culture on nations is like silent violence, said the Supreme Leader in a second letter to the youth in Western countries.
Some 1.5 billion Muslims are disgusted with those behind catastrophes like what happened in France, the letter read.
♦ The commander and senior officials of the Navy called on the commander in chief.
♦ The Science Ministry has said that universities owe $40 million in debts to scientific centers.
♦ President Putin has ordered sanctions imposed on Turkey.
Under the new arrangement, imports of certain items from Turkey and Turkey tours by travel agencies are banned.
♦ Foreign Minister Zarif has said that implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action hinges on the closing of the PMD case.
In a joint press conference with his Greek counterpart, the Iranian top diplomat said Tehran expects P5+1 to honor its commitments under the nuclear deal.
♦ In a speech at the University of Tehran, the visiting Greek foreign minister has described Iran and China as emerging powers.
The Greek top diplomat further said that guns in the Middle East should fall silent, and that Athens supports the formation of a Palestinian state.
♦ Some 1.54 million Iranians have secured Iraqi visas to attend Arba’een ceremonies.
About 94 percent of the Iranians who are in Iraq for the ceremonies have traveled overland, 5.9 percent by air and 0.1 percent via sea.
Fiat in talks for car manufacturing in Iran
An Iranian car manufacturer is in talks with Italian automaker Fiat SpA to produce cars in Iran which is billed as the Middle East’s biggest auto market, a minister says.
“Fiat has announced its readiness for cooperation with the Iranian automaker and Iran has welcomed it,” Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh said in Tehran Sunday on the sidelines of a joint trade forum.
About 370 Italian traders, including representatives of steel group Danieli, energy company Enel, agricultural machinery maker CNH Industrial, Telecom Italia and several banks, are currently visiting Iran to discuss business opportunities.
Fiat, which controls Chrysler, and its subsidiary heavy-truck maker Fiat Industrial SpA halted sales to Iran in 2012 following similar moves by other carmakers under US pressure to cut ties with Tehran.
“More than 10 years ago, negotiations were held between Iranian carmakers and Fiat but the company was not allowed to cooperate with Iran after it started partnership with the US,” Nematzadeh said.
The minister said Iran was ready to cooperate with Fiat on production of light and commercial vehicles and buses as well as gas-fueled engines.
“We are planning to produce 3 million automobiles in less than 10 years, one-third of which will be exported,” the minister added.
The auto industry is the second largest source of foreign currency and foreign technology for Iran after oil.
Nematzadeh said Iranian automakers are looking for tie-up with reputable companies. “In a number of cases, we are finalizing agreements,” he said.
“In the auto parts manufacturing sector, we are also interested in cooperation with Italian companies,” he added.
The announcement came as Iran Khodro Managing Director Hashem Yekke-Zare said his company and PSA Peugeot Citroen had agreed on a 50-50 venture worth €500 million for production of cars in Iran.
The French manufacture faces a backlash from its abrupt pullout from Iran in 2012 amid calls for compensation. Yekke-Zare said the issue of reparations had been resolved without giving details.
Representatives of Italian medical, green energy, automobiles, construction and manufacturing industries are visiting Iran for three days.
Italian officials say they expect exports to Iran to rise to 2 billion euros next year from 1.2 billion euros in 2014.
Many Iranians are wary that some European countries might be coveting the country’s market of 80 million people merely as a destination for exports instead of making investment.
Arba’een Walk (PHOTOS)
Each year millions of Shiite Muslims from around the world converge on the Iraqi holy city of Karbala to mark Arba’een (the culmination of mourning ceremonies in honor of the Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson who fell a martyr when he led an uprising against the tyranny of the time more than 13 centuries ago).
In keeping with an old tradition, many walk hundreds of kilometers to get to the Iraqi holy city. The following images of the march and preparations for the ceremony have been released by Mehr News Agency:
President: Iran to honor JCPOA if other side fulfills commitments
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani expressed the country’s determination to implement a final nuclear deal with world powers, provided that P5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) and the IAEA live up to their commitments under the agreement.
“If the members of P5+1 and the International Atomic Energy Agency remain committed to the full implementation of the nuclear agreements under JCPOA (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), the Islamic Republic of Iran is resolved to carry out JCPOA,” President Rouhani said in a meeting with Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolaos Kotzias, held in Tehran on Sunday.
He noted that termination of the anti-Iran sanctions under JCPOA will immediately raise Iran-EU economic cooperation to the appropriate level.
Once the nuclear deal takes effect and the “cruel” sanctions against Iran are lifted, Tehran and Athens should enhance bilateral relations, the president further said.
He added that the historical and cultural commonalities between Iran and Greece have provided good grounds for the expansion of their bilateral ties in academic and scientific fields, advanced technologies, tourism and economy.
The visiting Greek diplomat, for his part, said Athens attaches great significance to stronger “political, economic, cultural and social” relations with Tehran.
Kotzias said he has brought an extensive plan to Iran on behalf of the Greek government on closer cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
He noted that he will present the plans in the meetings of an economic delegation that accompany him in the visit.
Iran and P5+1 on July 14 reached a conclusion on a lasting nuclear agreement that would terminate all sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear energy program after coming into force.
The promising prospect of trade with Iran has prompted major European countries to explore the market potential in the populous Middle East nation.
Iran: Syria left its mark in history
A senior Iranian official says the Syrian government and people have managed to leave their mark in history by standing up to aggressors.
Ali Akbar Velayati, a top adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, made the remark in a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Sunday.
“Thanks to your and the Syrian people’s presence and courage, a glorious and matchless period has been recorded of Syria in history,” he told the Syrian head of state.
“You are a source of pride because you have stood up to the enemies of Islam, this global war, and extremist Takfiri movements,” Velayati noted, saying Ayatollah Khamenei has “always supported the Syrian government and people and prays for your victory.”
He said, “We are certain that victory will be the Syrian people’s and resistance’s.”
Assad said Syria and its friends were determined to move ahead with fighting terrorism in all its forms, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
He said the resolve to fight terrorism will continue despite what he condemned as the recent escalation by some hostile countries who, while claiming to be fighting terrorism, have beefed up funds and armaments to the terrorist gangs.
The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria has, since breaking out in March 2011, claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people and left over one million others injured, according to the United Nations. The Syrian government has accused the West of complicity in the provision of assistance to the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh [ISIS], which has overrun parts of Syria and is tyrannizing the civilian population there.
The Syrian president said that this escalation came after the Syrian people showed resilience over years and after the Syrian army’s substantial achievements against terrorism. He said the Syrian achievements came with support from friends, mainly Iran and Russia.
‘Iran, Syria fate intertwined’
After the meeting with Assad, Velayati attended a meeting with Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, during which he predicted a very positive outlook for Syria.
“Iran and Syria’s fate are interlinked; and both countries have been by each other’s side at the time of difficulties,” the Iranian official said.
“This perseverance and the friendly and strategic ties are the secret to victory, which is being realized more and more every day and has nullified the conspiracies of the enemies.”
The top Syrian diplomat, for his part, said Syria and Iran have common views regarding Syria’s affairs, regional developments, and the fight against extremism and terrorism.
Iran has sent military advisers to Syria to help in the fight against the terrorists wreaking havoc in the conflict-stricken country. Russia has been striking Daesh, al-Nusra Front – another Takfiri group – and other terrorists in Syria since September 30, upon a request from Damascus.
