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

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- Human Rights
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- Lifestyle
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- Women
Culture
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Home Blog Page 4701

Deputy FM confirms Iran increased military advisors in Syria

Emad Askarieh

October 21, 2015

The deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs said Tuesday that the increased presence of Iran’s military advisors in Syria is aimed at the restoration of stability there and the anti-terrorism campaign comes at the request of Damascus.

“We have no combatant force in Syria, but our military advisors assist that country’s central government in its campaign against terrorism,” said Hossein Amir Abdollahian in an interview with BBC 4.

In answer to a question on the extent of Iran’s military participation in Syria, Abdollahian referred to the broad ongoing anti-terrorism campaign in Syria, including the effective presence of the Russian Air Force, and added that the increased presence of Iranian military advisors which is aimed at contributing to the campaign comes at Syria’s request.

“Those advisors have the necessary experience and military expertise for effective anti-terrorism campaign,” he said.

When asked whether Iran considers itself a strategic ally of Russia, or whether it has just joined the coalition with Russia in Syria, he said, “We have strategic relations with Moscow and Iran’s ties with Russia in the post-Islamic Revolution era have never been provisional, or for a certain period of time,” he said.

Enemy intelligence services plotting to divide Muslims: Iran

Emad Askarieh

October 21, 2015

Iran's Intelligence Minister Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi

Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi has said the intelligence services of enemy states seek to cause discord among Muslim nations and harm them.

“Since the enemy cannot harm Islam through armies and military hardware, it tries to cause discord among Muslim countries and bring them to their knees through its intelligence services,” Alavi said on Tuesday.

He added that the enemy spy agencies are securing the survival of the Israeli regime by sowing discord among Muslim countries.

Alavi said the enemy switched from deploying military to psychological warfare for protecting the Israeli regime after Tel Aviv’s defeats in its military adventures.

He said that such plots have failed to harm Iran thanks to the valuable guidelines of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, stressing the importance of maintaining unity and security in Iran.

“Irrespective of ethnicity and religion, the Islamic [Republic of] Iran has not hesitated to help Muslims every time an adversity has befallen them. [That is] because the sacred establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran knows no ethnic and religious bounds.”

Efforts of two top diplomats praised on the same day

Emad Askarieh

October 20, 2015

US Secretary of State John Kerry will receive the Diplomat of the Year award from Foreign Policy magazine Tuesday night for his role in concluding the Iran nuclear agreement.

Also on Tuesday, a bust of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was unveiled – in a ceremony in Tehran to mark National Exports Day – in praise of his efforts on the diplomatic front.

At the ceremony which was attended by the first vice president and the minister of industries, mines and trade, Dr. Zarif was also awarded an accolade.

[The timing of the award: National Exports Day shows the economic aspects of the deal in Iran outweigh its political significance.]

To secure inflow of capital, corruption and restrictive rules should be eliminated: Official

Emad Askarieh

October 20, 2015

The head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture has said that the government’s new economic package which is meant to accelerate the growth of the national economy should be transparent as far as its implementation is concerned.

In a meeting of the representatives of Iran’s chamber of commerce, which was also attended by Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly Ali Larijani, Mohsen Jalalpour appreciated the sensible and courageous foreign policy of the government but said that the state of the Iranian economy is not strong now.

The following is the translation of part of what Mehr News Agency quoted Jalalpour as saying in the meeting on October 19:

The head of the Chamber of Commerce said that the national economy is not in a good condition now, adding that the government has moved toward inefficient economic policies thanks to the unreasonable policies of the past promoting a state-run, oil-dependent economy.

[…]

He went on to say that in recent days the government has revealed an economic boom package which is to take effect in five months, but that the package comes with misunderstandings and lacks transparency when it comes to its implementation in five months.

[…]

“The chambers of commerce, guilds and cooperatives will definitely monitor the way the new economic package will be implemented and submit reports to the president, parliament speaker and judiciary chief,” he said.

If the current period can help the country gain a valuable experience, it would also turn the Iranian economy around, the official said, adding that the country also needs to change its governing principles and assumptions.

Jalalpour further said that a bloated government which has [too] many mouths to feed cannot set the stage for the country to regulate a resistance-based economy.

He said that injection of oil and tax revenues [into government coffers] should not result in a bigger slice of the cake for the government, adding that these sources of revenue should be used to build infrastructure, create a good business atmosphere in the country, and give the private sector a shot in the arm. These sources should not be exploited to give the government a bigger share of the national economy.

The stage should be set for the flow of domestic and foreign capital into the economy, he said, adding to that end we need to curb corruption and rent-seeking, create a competitive atmosphere, pass new laws, and eliminate cumbersome and restrictive laws.

The role the country’s judicial system can play in this regard should not be overlooked either, he concluded.

[…]

A public fridge in Tehran to offer free food to rough sleepers

Fatemeh Askarieh

October 20, 2015

The whole campaign started with a short message posted on a social networking platform. Then over 100 people expressed readiness to contribute to it. It was five months ago that a group of volunteers started collecting 5,000 portions of food from houses and restaurants across the city and giving them out along with tea and fruit every Wednesday at a park in southern Tehran to those who sleep rough.

Etemad daily has published a report on the initiative aimed at helping the rough sleepers in the capital. What appears next is the translation of part of that report:

There is a doctor, a hairstylist, a painter and a poet in the ranks of the volunteers. Whenever necessary the doctor treats them, and the barber trims their hair. Each week, 16 of the homeless addicts are admitted to a rehabilitation center with the financial help of the volunteers who have no idea what it is like to sleep rough in freezing cold or extreme heat.

The idea of putting a public fridge on a street corner to allow the homeless to get what they need occurred to them in one of their Wednesday gatherings. Earlier in October they got a permit from District 12 of Tehran Municipality and placed the refrigerator in a street in Tehran. They have plans to put a wardrobe and a bookcase next to the fridge so that the homeless can get clothes and books too.

The volunteers whose ranks include university students, housewives, engineers, managers and salesmen have decided to prove to the public that male and female rough sleepers in the grey metropolis of Tehran are not thieves. Like others they are just human beings.

They plan to encourage others to care about these individuals. Their efforts partly paid off when a restaurant owner in the poor neighborhood started to put 10 portions of Kebab with rice in the fridge or when a family placed the extra food of their party in the fridge one morning.

Rahman, a 20-year-old addict who has been sleeping rough for four years, has taken two portions of food: one for himself to eat and the other to sell to buy drugs. He said, “Last night was freezing and I am still chilled to the bone.”

He said he had not had lunch or dinner for six days before the fridge appeared in the corner. “I get the better of my hunger with drugs, when I am high, I lose my appetite and forget about food.”

Ancient earthenware excavated in subway station in Isfahan (PHOTOS)

Fatemeh Askarieh

October 20, 2015

The director of the provincial Cultural Heritage Department in Isfahan said a number of earthen vessels dating back to the Seljuq era have been excavated in the vicinity of a subway station in the central city.

Fereydoun Allahyari added that the pottery vessels were discovered during construction work to install the ventilation ducts of the station at a depth of six meters.

He said that an expert panel of three archeologists is at the scene and it seems that the finds are about 900 years old.

Mehr News Agency has published online the images of the excavated pottery vessels:

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on October 20

Emad Askarieh

October 20, 2015

♦ “The diplomacy machine and the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization should resolutely follow up on [the investigation into] the Mina tragedy,” the Supreme Leader said in a meeting with Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization officials.

Ayatollah Khamenei further said the world of Islam should have protested with one voice following the deadly incident, but unfortunately the only voice that could be heard was that of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

♦ “Political divergence in Iraq serves no one’s interests,” said the Iranian first vice-president.

Eshagh Jahangiri further said that Iran stands by all Iraqi ethnic and religious groups.

♦ NATO has launched its biggest military exercise in reaction to Russia’s military presence in Syria.

Meanwhile, Syria said that the military achievements of Russia in two weeks [of airstrikes against terrorist targets] dwarfed those of America’s year-long campaign.

♦ “Some individuals are sad to see people happy,” said the parliament speaker.

Ali Larijani further said we should not return to the past decade [a reference to the time when Ahmadinejad was president].

♦ The Iran-P5+1 joint commission has had its first meeting in Vienna.

The meeting on Monday focused on how the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action should be implemented and what measures the joint commission should take to facilitate its implementation.

♦ The health minister has said guaranteeing the healthcare of the public requires the serious contribution of all three branches of government.

Dr. Hassan Hashemi further said some individuals do not want the Healthcare Transformation Plan to be successfully implemented.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 20

Emad Askarieh

October 20, 2015

The Supreme Leader’s call on officials with the Iranian Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization to follow up on the investigation into the deadly stampede near Mecca, Saudi Arabia in September along with news stories about JCPOA (the Iran nuclear deal with P5+1) dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Tuesday.

Ettela’at: “The diplomacy machine and the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization should resolutely follow up on [the investigation into] the Mina tragedy,” the Supreme Leader said in a meeting with Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization officials.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on October 20

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 20

Afkar: “There has been no secret deal between Iran and P5+1,” said Foreign Minister Zarif.

Afkar: “Iran’s priority is to expand ties with neighbors,” said the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

Aftab-e Yazd: “You cannot siphon off public funds by making ballyhoo,” said Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh in reaction to a letter released by the so-called oil defendant [a reference to Babak Zanjani, who is on trial for corruption].

The oil chief further said he suspects Zanjani is spending money in some media to advance his personal agenda.

Aftab-e Yazd: Mehrdad Bazrpash, the managing editor of Vatan-e Emrooz daily has belatedly apologized to the director of the Atomic Energy Organization [for the insults hurled at him at the hardline newspaper’s editorial].

“The editorial did not represent the views of the daily,” Bazrpash said.

Akhbar Sanat: The deputy industry minister has said $20 billion in investment will be made in the mining sector.

Another deputy industry minister said that exports of steel have hit three million tons.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Some are hurling insults [at nuclear negotiators and individuals with opposing views] simply to cling to their political lives,” said Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Asr-e Iranian: The government package to lift the country out of recession has raised the ire of economic players.

Asr-e Iranian: The Saudi foreign minister keeps hurling insults; Zarif keeps smiling!

When will this [diplomatic] inaction come to an end?

Asr-e Rasaneh: Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh has said foreign investors do not need middlemen to hold talks with the officials of his ministry.

Asrar: “Those behind a deadly shooting incident [in which two mourners were killed] in Dezful have been arrested,” said Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari.

Ebtekar: “No one has so far imposed their will on Iran,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Etemad: The Supreme Reformist Council has had its first meeting with Mohammad Reza Aref [a former first vice-president] and Abdolvahed Mousavi Lari [a former interior minister] in attendance.

Ghanoon: “If we ended up the loser [in the nuclear talks], why is it that the Zionists are grief-stricken?” asked Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Hemayat: “The West is trying to infiltrate our society on the cultural front through 100 Farsi-speaking satellite channels,” said the Judiciary chief.

Iran: “Termination of sanctions will open up a new opportunity for Iran’s economy,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

Javan: Applications by the Zionists to carry firearms have posted a 5,000 percent growth.

Javan: The Saudis have reportedly acquiesced to talks in Yemen.

Jomhouri Islami: “Babak Zanjani [who is on trial for corruption] owes the public around $3.3 billion. He has no option but pay back his debts,” said the oil minister.

Kaenat: “Following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, there will be an influx of foreign tourists,” said the director of the tourism organization.

Kar va Kargar: Iran, the US and China have reportedly reached an agreement on how to redesign the Arak Reactor.

Kayhan: Voter turnout in the first round of Egypt’s parliamentary elections was a dismal two percent.

Dependence on the US paid off!!!

Mardomsalari: American tourists and investors face no restrictions in Iran,” said the director of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization.

Resalat: “In implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, we should avoid naiveté,” said the parliament speaker.

Roozan: “The previous government had shut the door to interaction with the Saudis,” said the chairman of the Expediency Council.

Setareh Sobh: “Hosseinian said the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was a blessing in disguise,” Director of the Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi said as he recalled his conversation in hospital with the MP who had earlier threatened to kill the nuclear chief.

[Ruhollah Hosseinian is a fierce opponent of the nuclear deal.]

Sharq: Documents revealing that bottled water produced by Damavand Co. was contaminated have been released.

Old laundry house in northwestern Iran (PHOTOS)

Fatemeh Askarieh

October 20, 2015

What is now a museum of anthropology at the heart of a densely-populated neighborhood in Zanjan used to be a laundry house for local women to wash clothes.

The following photos of the 50-year laundry house have been released by different websites:

Iran’s tourism sector to receive major boost in post-sanctions era: Official

Emad Askarieh

October 20, 2015

Director of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) Masoud Soltanifar said the country is preparing for a “tsunami” of foreign tourists following the forthcoming implementation of the nuclear deal and the ensuing lifting of anti-Iran sanctions.

“In the post-sanctions era, tourism is an industry that will get a boost more than any other sector,” Soltanifar told the AP in an interview on Monday.

“Iran’s tourism sector is a flourishing market for investors. We are anticipating a tsunami of tourists after sanctions are lifted,” he added.

Soltanifar said Iranian officials are trying to clear obstacles for tourists and issue visas on arrival at the airport in Tehran for nationals of 190 countries.

The visas will be valid for 30 days, with the possibility of being extended for another 15 days, he said, adding that tourism authorities are also planning to issue electronic visas as of next year.

Soltanifar said that Americans and Britons traveling to Iran will need an advance visa to enter mainland Iran, according to their respective governments.

The director of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said in 2014, there were 3,400 American visitors to Iran, up from 1,800 in 2013.

“We need to increase our four and five star hotels from 130 to 400 in 10 years. We are providing low-interest funds out of the National Development Fund to private investors to build modern hotels,” Soltanifar said.

He also said that the Islamic Republic needs to renovate its “air transportation system and buy new planes after sanctions are lifted,” adding, “American tourists and investors are welcome. There is no obstacle or restrictions for them to visit Iran or invest in the country.”

Last month, an Iranian firm signed an agreement with French hotel giant AccorHotels to use the Novotel and Ibis brands for 15 years, the first deal of its kind in three decades.

Following the conclusion of nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 on July 14, business executives and politicians from different countries are shuttling to Iran to lay the groundwork for investment and trade.

The comprehensive nuclear deal will terminate all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran after coming into force.