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

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Home Blog Page 4683

Arba’een Walk (PHOTOS)

November 30, 2015

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

Golrokh Askarieh

November 30, 2015

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

Golrokh Askarieh

November 30, 2015

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.

Claims about past Iranian nuclear activities void of credibility: Zarif

Golrokh Askarieh

November 30, 2015

Iran has once again rejected claims about its past nuclear activities, saying its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has helped resolve all outstanding issues.

Iran has always declared that the allegations made about Iran’s past nuclear activities “lack credibility,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday at a joint press conference with his visiting Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

“Regarding the ‘roadmap,’ we reached an agreement with the Agency to once and for all clear these issues out of the way,” he said, referring to the roadmap signed between Iran and the IAEA on July 14.

The roadmap for “the clarification of past and present outstanding issues” regarding Iran’s nuclear program was signed by IAEA chief Yukiya Amano and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi on the same day that Iran clinched a deal with P5+1 in the Austrian capital of Vienna.

Zarif said, “The agency, too, has verified that Iran has answered all the [relevant] questions and implemented the roadmap.”

Amano is to present a report on the Iranian nuclear program on December 1; and the IAEA Board of Governors will convene on December 15 to make a final decision on the issue of the so-called possible military dimensions (PMD) regarding Iran’s nuclear program based on the report.

Iran says it expects the Board of Governor’s decision to result in the closure of the “PMD” file. The Islamic Republic says it will not implement the agreement with P5+1 unless the “PMD” issue is taken off the agenda.

Zarif reiterated, “We are certain that the past and present issues should be firmly closed in the Board of Governors’ resolution, which would likely be released over the next two to three weeks.”

He also said the case was wrongly being called “possible military dimensions” since Iran’s nuclear activities have never had any military dimension.

Zarif also expressed hope that P5+1 would comply with their obligations under the agreement reached with Iran, which is dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Among other things, the agreement obliges the removal of all nuclear-related economic and financial bans against Iran in exchange for limits applied by Iran to its nuclear activities.

The Iranian foreign minister further announced that cooperation with Greece in the field of energy, which had been suspended as a result of the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic, would be resumed.

Kotzias has traveled to Tehran on a two-day visit to meet with Iranian officials and attend an economic gathering.

Official: IAEA Board of Governors’ decision counts, not Amano’s remarks

Golrokh Askarieh

November 30, 2015

The spokesman of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said on Sunday that IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano has made various comments and has been quoted differently in media, but what really counts is the agency’s report and the Board of Governors’ decision.

Behrouz Kamalvandi who was speaking on the sidelines of a memorial service held for former Iranian ambassador to Lebanon Ghazanfar Roknabadi, made the comment in response to a question on his opinion about recent remarks of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general on the Possible Military Dimension (PMD) file.

“The IAEA viewpoint and the decision of its Board of Governors is of great importance and the agency’s report will be forwarded to the Board of Governors within the next couple of days, which will have till December 15 to make a final decision on the Iranian nuclear file,” he said.

Asked about Iran’s reaction if the agency will not close the file concerning the past and present activities, also known as the PMD file, the AEOI spokesman said that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a bilateral agreement, hoping that both sides will properly heed their commitments.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has met all its commitments and is waiting for the result of Amano’s report, so that both sides can continue their respective moves one after the other,” added Kamalvandi.

He further said, “Fulfillment of each side’s commitments is of great importance and presently we are waiting for their performance in accordance with Article 14 of JCPOA.”

He went on to say, “The agency must now present the draft of a resolution, based on which Iran’s past activities file will be closed for good”.

The AEOI spokesman said that if that resolution is passed, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will enter its implementation phase and the implementation of the remaining works will begin.

Kaboud-Val Waterfall in northern Iran (PHOTOS)

Fatemeh Askarieh

November 29, 2015

Kaboud-Val Waterfall is in the northern Iranian province of Golestan near Aliabad-e Katul whose low altitude from sea and proximity to forests makes it a very temperate town.

Kaboud-val is Iran’s largest full-moss waterfall. Its height is about six meters and its water is cool and potable.

The following images of the waterfall have been released by the Iranian Students’ News Agency:

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Iranian professor wins OPCW Award

Golrokh Askarieh

November 29, 2015

Dr. Mahdi Balali-Mood, a senior professor at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, has won the second annual Hague Award of the Organization for theProhibition of Chemical Weapons.

Balali-Mood, who is known as the father of Iran’s toxicology, and Dr. Alastair Hay of the United Kingdom have been named joint recipients of the second annual OPCW-The Hague Award.

The following is the translation of a story Ettela’at daily published on the Iranian professor’s achievement on November 29:

The 2015 award winners will be honored at a presentation ceremony – attended by representatives of 192 countries – at the Headquarters of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague on November 30.

The Iranian professor, who largely served the victims of chemical attacks during the Iran-Iraq war, has released multiple books and articles on the medical-toxicological aspects of chemical elements in war which come with related documents and images.

Dr. Balali-Mood, who had left for Britain to pursue his studies, returned home during the war because he felt he was duty-bound to help his countrymen.

Back then, he said, those had been exposed to chemical agents would be sent to Mashhad and admitted to the holy city’s Imam Reza and Ghaem hospitals.

“During the years of war, I would travel to different cities to treat patients and carry out research projects on those wounded in action in addition to what I was doing [routinely] in Mashhad. I remember that I could not sleep more than two-three hours due to my heavy schedule,” he added.

Dr. Balali-Mood, who works closely with WHO and OPCW to advocate for victims and to develop international guidelines for response to the use of chemical warfare agents, further said that he has published the findings of his scientific research on the chemical attack victims – which come with videos and images – in different conferences.

The Iranian researcher, who has dedicated his career to the treatment of victims of chemical warfare agents, has prolifically penned books on Clinical Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents, Organophosphorous Pesticide Poisonings, Heavy Metals, Drug Abuse/Overdose, Epidemiology of Poisonings, Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Natural Toxins, including snake and spider bites, toxic plants and mushrooms (31 in total).

Iran is an active member of the Organization for theProhibition of Chemical Weapons which was established in 1997. The Award, created by the OPCW as an outcome of its winning of the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize [and supported by a generous financial contribution from the City of The Hague], is intended to honor and recognize individuals and non-profit, non-governmental organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to achieving a world free of chemical weapons.

We’ll render unsighted those who set their sights on Iran’s foundations

Golrokh Askarieh

November 29, 2015

The secretary of the Expediency Council has said that the behavior of Takfiris [a reference to IS and other marauding terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria] is akin to that of the Zionists in occupied Palestine, adding that the footprints they leave behind is indicative of a plot they have hatched to block the progress of Muslims.

Mohsen Rezaei, who used to be the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, made the comment in a gathering of the volunteer Basij forces in the Greater Tunb in the Persian Gulf on Thursday and added that the Americans have destabilized Syria and Iraq and displaced 15 million Muslims through Takfiri groups.

On November 27, Tabnak.ir covered Rezaei’s comments on Iran’s islands in the Persian Gulf, ties with the US, security and infiltration. The following is the translation of part of his remarks:

Iran and the Islamic Revolution

[…]

The Islamic Revolution put the Iranian nation, which was on the margins, front and center. This remarkable achievement identified Iran on the world stage as a big nation which holds sway in the region and around the globe. Today we Iranians decide on our own and get involved in global interactions proudly. […]

Three islands remain Iranian forever

The three Iranian islands [of the Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa] remain part and parcel of Iranian territory forever. Historically, this is a question of great significance to Iran.

These three Iranian islands are the islands of peace and brotherhood. The enemies should know that Iran will blind those who set their sights on the foundations of this nation. […]

Midway through the [Iraqi-imposed] war, I came to these islands with Martyr Sayyad Shirazi to review the situation in the region. Back then they were very impoverished. But today development in this island is remarkable and made me really happy. You [soldiers and Basij forces] are serving in a key strategic region. […]

Ties with US do not serve interests of Muslim world

[Addressing people and Basij members in Abu Musa], Major General Rezaei said, “The world of Islam does not benefit from ties with the United States.”

How has the establishment of ties with the Americans served the interests of Muslims? Through Takfiri groups, the Americans have destabilized Syria and Iraq, and displaced 15 million Muslims. What the Takfiris are doing [in the region] resembles the behavior of the Zionists in occupied Palestine. If you follow their footprints, you will realize that a plot is at play to stop Muslims from making further progress.

Basij formation

The formation of the 20 million-strong Basij Force by order of the late Imam Khomeini created a big change in the country. We proved that we could stand up on our feet and that Iran is not like what it was in the previous decades. Thanks to the Islamic Revolution, we toppled the shah, and during the war, we put the interests of colonial powers at stake and solidified the Revolution. […]

No change to geographical borders

The fake Israeli regime was created thanks to the open support of the West so that it can destabilize the region and the West can plunder the resources of the region, including those of the Muslim nations. They sought to take advantage of the situation by pitting Islamic nations against each other. They have resorted to such plots for almost 70 years.

These three islands which herald the call for unity, peace and brotherhood are described by certain countries as hotspots. These countries should know that Israel benefits from a destabilized region. In an insecure region, the riches of Muslims will be spent on buying arms.

The West also pursues another objective by targeting this region’s security: shattering Muslim unity. Don’t those who seek to redraw the regional map know that such policies are to the detriment of Muslims?

We say it explicitly that borders of countries should not be redrawn. No country in the region should be disintegrated. Our nation does not get frightened by their planes and fireworks. We have proved that we can defend ourselves and our homeland’s stability.

Iran, anchor of regional security

Iran, which serves as the anchor of security in the region, makes efforts toward regional security. We can band together with regional Islamic states to establish collective security cooperation to stop outsiders from entering Muslim nations and taking advantage [of their resources] under the pretext of ensuring security.

Russia and Turkey should let cooler heads prevail

[Following the downing by Turkey of a Russian warplane] The two countries should show restraint to prevent a war from erupting in the region, because such a war would serve the interests of Zionism and terrorism.

The US and infiltration

[…]

The Americans once walked out the door [in this country] and now they are seeking to come in through the window, ostensibly for economic purposes. They are trying to infiltrate the country under the pretext of doing business in Iran.

We need to remain vigilant inside the country and beyond our national borders, especially in these three islands [in the Persian Gulf] and shatter such their pipe dream.

[…]

Tehran Museum of Music (PHOTOS)

Fatemeh Askarieh

November 29, 2015

Tehran Music Museum in Tajrish square is one of the most spectacular museums of the capital.

This museum opened its door to the public in 2009 to preserve the country’s national heritage.

Some 240 musical instruments from various cities across the country are showcased at this museum.

The following images of the museum have been released by the Young Journalists Club:

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A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 29

Golrokh Askarieh

November 29, 2015

A Tehran conference in which a new model of Iran’s oil contracts was unveiled to local and foreign investors dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Sunday.

Ettela’at: Russia’s tactical formation to launch the biggest military operation against IS

The operation will include 69 Sukhoi fighters and Topolev 160 bombers and a large number of warships and submarines.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on Nov. 29

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 29

Abrar: More than 1.15 million Iranian pilgrims have already crossed the border into Iraq to take part in Arba’een ceremonies.

Abrar: The families of 14 Iranian pilgrims who have been missing since a late September stampede in Mina will travel to Saudi Arabia to try to identify their loved ones.

Aftab-e Yazd: “I will lead Friday prayers again, if the stage is set,” said Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Amin: The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps has said that any movement by Takfiri groups [a reference to IS] will draw a crushing response from the Revolutionary Guards.

Arman-e Emrooz: Velayati and Larijani [two prominent principlist figures, one serving as an advisor to the Supreme Leader and the other as parliament speaker] unite to put aside hardliners.

Moderate principlists land on a moderation course.

Asrar: Police in the capital have staged an anti-terrorism drill to counter possible threats, said Tehran Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Sajedinia.

Asrar: Arts and the environment cannot be walled off, said Masoumeh Ebtekar, the director of the Environment Protection Organization.

Bahar: Tehran readies for anti-terror operations

Special units have been deployed across the city, including in subway stations.

Ebtekar: Representatives of 137 international companies were on hand as Iran unveiled a new model of its oil contracts on Saturday.

Ebtekar: Riyadh has said that it favors good relations with Tehran!

The Saudi foreign minister has said that he extended an invitation to his Iranian counterpart two years ago.

Etemad: Tehran’s mayor has appealed to members of the public to help those who sleep rough.

Etemad: No to separation of moderation and reformism

Mohammad Reza Aref [a prominent reformist leader] has warned against divisions between moderates [supporters of the Rouhani administration] and reformists.

Ghanoon: A defendant [in a high-profile case] leaves the country

A look at the departure of Saeed Mortazavi [who is on trial for corruption] from a legal perspective

Hambastegi: The interior minister has said that disrupting authorized gatherings under any pretext is unacceptable.

Hemayat: The interior minister has said there have been no “anti-security” measures in border areas.

Iran: Twenty ministers and state managers have been tasked with overseeing services offered to Arba’een pilgrims.

Javan: An uprising against social harms

Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has urged residents of the capital to help heal the metropolis’ social problems.

Jomhouri Islami: Iran sanctions will be lifted next month.

The announcement came as Iran unveiled a new oil contract model to world investors.

Kar va Kargar: An Iranian Foreign Ministry official has urged the IAEA Board of Governors to close the so-called PMD (possible military dimension) in a constructive atmosphere.

Hamid Baeedinejad further said that Iran has had good relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Kayhan: A countdown is on for a major air and sea offensive by Russia against IS.

Nasl-e Farda: The spokesman of parliament’s Judicial Committee has said that Saeed Mortazavi [a former director of the Social Security Organization on trial for corruption] is a flight risk.

[Mortazavi has left the country to take part in Arba’een ceremonies in neighboring Iraq.]

Qods: A member of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has said that Britain has put forth the idea of Iran establishing an anti-IS coalition.