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

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Home Blog Page 4705

Environment chief: Iran wins legal battle against US

November 2, 2015

Vice President and Director of the Environment Protection Organization Masoumeh Ebtekar said Sunday that Iran has emerged victorious in a decades-long legal dispute with the US over the return home in the near future of a number of Iranian fossils.

“A good piece of environmental news is that Maragheh Fossils belonging to various terrestrial eras, which are among the most precious of their kind in the world and were sent to the United States before the victory of the revolution for academic studies and kept at Harvard University return home,’ said the vice president.

Ebtekar told media editors and political science students said that the return of those precious fossils to Iran was held up for four decades due to certain problems.

“The long-running environmental (legal-archeological) dispute between Iran and the US on unearthing, collecting and coding the samples of Maragheh Fossil Site led to filing a complaint at the Hague Court of Justice and pursuing it in a very complicated, tough, legal process, which fortunately led to a happy ending,” said the environment chief.

Ebtekar said that his organization and Harvard University are arranging for a ceremony in the presence of Iranian and US researchers and scientists in which Maragheh Fossils will be unveiled before their return to Iran.

“A part of those fossils will return to Iran within weeks and will be delivered to the Museum of Natural History and a part of them to the Maragheh City Fossil Studies Center,” Ebtekar said.

Ebtekar said that in America the Iranian fossils were put on display in exhibitions, used in research works, and even numerous scientific articles about them were written in very reputable US and other foreign magazines.

“A part of the Iranian archeologists’ studies and surveys for the return of the Maragheh Fossils were based on those articles, images and research,” she added.

The environment chief said that the number of Maragheh Fossils is 3,000, of which 1,500 fossils were sent to US for research and the remaining 1,500 fossils are kept in the Iranian Natural History and Environmental Diversity Museum.

“Although Maragheh Site is one of the most precious fossil study and research sites in the world and the 8th government (of President Mohammad Khatami) made serious efforts to turn it into a modern research center, unfortunately due to many years of negligence the plan was halted,” she added.

Ebtekar also emphasized that Iran has very precious fossil sites, reiterating that those fossils can serve as the basis for joint research by Iran and the United States, or Iran and the rest of the international community.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 2

Emad Askarieh

November 2, 2015

The Supreme Leader’s comments in a meeting with the foreign minister and overseas-based Iranian ambassadors that talks with the US over regional issues are pointless dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Monday.

Ettela’at: Allowing others to decide about a country’s governing system sets a dangerous precedent, said the Supreme Leader at a meeting with Foreign Ministry officials and Iranian ambassadors overseas.

Ayatollah Khamenei further said Dr. Zarif and his colleagues passed the recent test of nuclear talks with flying colors.

At the same meeting, Foreign Minister Zarif said the instructions issued by the Supreme Leader have been the guiding principles of his ministry.

Ettela’at: Less than 10 percent of houses across the country have accident insurance.

The secretary of the National Conference on Crisis Management has said the rate of accident insurance in the country should increase.

Ettela’at: Construction of Britain’s permanent military base in Bahrain has got underway.

Ettela’at: With sloganeering and superficiality one cannot advance the goals of Islam, said Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Speaking in a conference on the Koran and Imam Khomeini, the former president said, “At a time when the modern world is making progress, demagoguery will land us in trouble.”

Ettela’at: An Iranian scientist has been awarded by the European Geosciences Union.

Dr. Kaveh Madani is one of the four scientists to have won the Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Young Scientists from the European Geosciences Union.

Ettela’at: The commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force has said that safeguarding the shrine of Hazrat Zeinab, [the granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad which is located in Syria], is like defending humanity.

Abrar: Each year nearly 300,000 Iranians suffer strokes, said an advisor to the health minister.

Afarinesh: The head of Iran Chamber of Commerce has said that working with the Brits is not more difficult than before.

Aftab-e Yazd: Some unauthorized financial institutes have folded, unofficially though.

Hamid Mir-Moini, an economist, says these institutes have heavily invested in property development. In light of the fact that the housing sector is in recession, these institutes are unable to cash their capital. Besides, the returns they expected on their investment have not materialized.

Akhbar Sanat: A deputy oil minister has said that new oil and gas fields have been discovered.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Where did you get your small change,” Oil Minister Zanganeh has asked Babak Zanjani who had told a fourth hearing in his corruption trial that “Two billion euros is nothing more than small change to me.”

The oil minister said Zanjani [who is on trial for corruption] owes each single Iranian $43.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Religiosity is Dr. Zarif’s strong suit,” the Supreme Leader said, adding, “Holding talks with the US on regional issues is pointless.”

Asrar: The director of the Environment Protection Organization has said that Iran has emerged victorious in an environmental dispute with the US.

Bahar: Some narrow-minded, dogmatic individuals are closing their eyes to the progress [the country has made under President Rouhani], said the chairman of the Expediency Council.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: Italy’s ENI has signed an MOU with Iran.

Etemad: Parliament has amended the Election Law, allowing disqualified candidates to defend their credentials.

Etemad: The meteorological organization has said that residents of northern and western Iran should brace for floods and that average temperatures are expected to drop by 15º C.

Hemayat: The head of the Judiciary’s Human Rights Commission has said that the dangers of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action should be averted.

Iran: France’s Peugeot has signaled readiness to transfer modern technology to Iran.

Jamejam: The president of IRIB has said that proper implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the responsibility of everyone.

[Mohammad Sarafraz made the comment as he appeared before a parliamentary caucus to defend the performance of the national broadcaster after it came under fire for bias against the nuclear deal.]

Javan: Proponents of the nuclear deal had 1,800 minutes more in airtime than its opponents, said the president of IRIB in reaction to critics of the performance of the national broadcaster.

Jomhouri Islami: In comments made during a fourth hearing in his corruption trial, Babak Zanjani implicated Ahmadinejad and Saeed Mortazavi in the case.

Kayhan: “Iran’s foreign policy does not change with the change of governments,” said the Supreme Leader.

Ayatollah Khamenei further said that the US is part of the regional problems, not solutions.

Khorasan: Erdogan’s AKP has emerged victorious in Turkey’s elections.

Mardomsalari: Iran and Britain have held talks to boost their oil cooperation.

The talks came during a Tehran visit by the representatives of BP and OTC.

Mardomsalari: Iraqi forces have advanced to the heart of Ramadi.

Qods: The governor of the Central Bank has said that everyone can apply for around $3,300 in loans for the purchase of appliances.

Resalat: The chairman of Tehran City Council has said that the capital is defenseless in the face of flooding.

Rooyesh Mellat: The energy minister has warned all provinces to brace for probable flooding.

Shahrvand: A spokesman for Tehran City Council has said that those who cut trees in the capital can be fined somewhere between $170 and $45,000.

Zarif calls for fate of missing Hajj pilgrims to be determined

Emad Askarieh

November 2, 2015

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has underlined that Saudi Arabia should determine the fate of individuals missing in the wake of the Mina tragic incident, and said that Iran is waiting for the return home of the missing former ambassador to Beirut Ghazanfar Roknabadi.

“The Foreign Ministry and the family of Mr. Roknabadi are waiting for his return and we hope his fate is determined,” Zarif said on Sunday, addressing a conference of ambassadors and heads of Iran’s diplomatic missions abroad.

The Iranian foreign minister condoled with the families of the victims of the Hajj tragedy, and said, “Our colleagues who died in the Hajj incident were among the most hardworking and industrious people in the Iranian Foreign Ministry and their goals will be pursued.”

Zarif said that the most important objective of Iran is for Iranian Hajj pilgrims who go on Hajj pilgrimage every year embark on the spiritual journey in tranquility.

JCPOA expected to be implemented in early January: Araghchi

Emad Askarieh

November 2, 2015

The nuclear agreement reached between Tehran and six world powers is expected to be implemented early in January, the spokesman of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying.

According to Nozar Shafiee, Araghchi further said that except for two cases, all other parts of the roadmap between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have been implemented and that the IAEA director general will present a report to IAEA Board of Governors in nearly a month.

The deputy foreign minister noted that the IAEA Board of Governors will convene on December 15 to present a resolution that will put an end to the so-called possible military dimensions (PMD) of Iran’s nuclear program.

The implementation of JCPOA and termination and suspension of sanction is expected to begin within next two months.

Iran warns Saudi FM: Don’t test our patience

Emad Askarieh

November 2, 2015

A senior Iranian official has dismissed as baseless the recent comments of the Saudi foreign minister against the Islamic Republic, warning that there is a limit to Tehran’s patience.

“We warn Adel al-Jubeir not to test the patience of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs, said on Sunday.

He was reacting to the Saudi top diplomat’s remarks on Saturday that Riyadh hoped Tehran would use additional earnings that it would make following the implementation of its July nuclear agreement with world powers, to develop its economy “rather than for aggressive policies.”

“Instead of accusation and shifting the blame [on others], the Saudi foreign minister should assume his country’s responsibility in the Mina disaster,” the Iranian official said.

On September 24, two large masses of Muslim pilgrims fused together in Mina outside the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, leading to a stampede, which, according to Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, killed around 4,700 people, including 464 Iranians.

Saudi Arabia, whose mismanagement prior to and in the aftermath of the incident has elicited widespread criticism, claims that nearly 770 people were killed in the disaster.

Amir-Abdollahian also advised Jubeir to “abandon his overt and covert support for terrorists in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria” and not make tiny states such as Bahrain the victim of Riyadh’s wrongful policies.

He, however, said, “Tehran has never ruled out normal relations with Saudi Arabia.” “Ever since the start of the administration of [President Hassan] Rouhani, the ball has been in their court, but it is not clear who the decision maker in Saudi Arabia is.”

Iranian nuclear chief arrives in Japan for nuclear safety talks

Emad Askarieh

November 1, 2015

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi has arrived in Japan to hold talks with the country’s officials about the expansion of nuclear cooperation, including in the field of safety.

Salehi’s Tokyo visit is meant to follow up negotiations about cooperation in nuclear safety.

During his four-day stay in Tokyo, the AEOI director is scheduled to hold talks with Japanese nuclear scientists and officials from Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization (JNES) and Nuclear Regulations Authority (NRA).

Salehi will also deliver speeches at the University of Tokyo and the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA).

The Iranian nuclear chief and his accompanying delegation will also take part in the Pugwash international non-governmental conference on nuclear disarmament in the city of Nagasaki.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida issued a joint statement in Tehran in October about nuclear safety cooperation and implementation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

The Japanese foreign minister also agreed to help Iran implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached in Vienna on July 14.

Leader says US major part of regional problems, not solution

Emad Askarieh

November 1, 2015

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the United States is behind a major part of the existing problems in the region, not a solution to them.

The Leader made the remarks in a meeting with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, along with Iran’s ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions to other countries on Sunday.

Rejecting foreign propaganda about “compulsory or self-imposed” changes in Iran’s foreign policy, Ayatollah Khamenei said such an analysis on the part of the Western countries “stems from the pressure [exerted on them as a result] of this reality that the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic, at least at regional level, has prevented unrivaled jockeying of hegemonic powers, especially America like a strong barrier” and this is why they always aspire these policies to be changed.

The Leader added that Iran’s foreign policy, like all world countries, is predicated upon long-term interests, principles and values of the country and will not change with administrations holding different political views.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the impact of different administrations only goes as far as the tactics and executive initiatives of the country’s foreign policy strategies.

He emphasized that the US objectives in the Middle East are diametrically opposed to those of Iran.

The Supreme Leader further pointed to the four-year crisis in Syria and said that holding elections is the solution to the Arab country’s conflict.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that financial and military support for militants must first be terminated to end war and unrest in Syria so that the Syrian people would be able to elect who they wish in a secure and safe atmosphere.

The Leader also said the partitioning of Iraq into Shiite Arab, Sunni Arab and Kurdish regions is completely against its national interests and is an “impractical, meaningless and unacceptable” plan.

What led to argument between Zarif and Al-Jubeir at the Vienna conference?

Emad Askarieh

November 1, 2015

Although the Iranian delegation in Vienna tried not to be dragged into a verbal confrontation with the Saudis, the baseless, offensive remarks of Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir drew an open and sharp reaction from Foreign Minister Zarif, an Iranian deputy foreign minister said in a TV interview Saturday.

The following is the translation of a report Entekhab.ir published on November 1on what else Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said:

The deputy foreign minister said, “Throughout the gathering, Mr. Al-Jubeir tried to set a timetable for President Bashar al-Assad’s departure. He wouldn’t care about the Syrian people’s right to self-determination at all, and made baseless comments.

At one point when the conference was in session and other ministers were in attendance, Dr. Zarif responded to those remarks nonchalantly, and, at another, he openly rejected each of his comments.”

Abdollahian further said, “Iran’s presence [in the conference] helped the objectives envisioned in Tehran’s Syria strategy be taken into account. After seven hours of bargaining, we succeeded in reaching agreement over holding talks about key questions, including the need for simultaneous attention to the fight against terrorism and the election process based on international standards and not foreign interference in Syria as well as attention to refugee and humanitarian problems along with respect for Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Iran not to implement JCPOA until sanctions repealed: MPs

Emad Askarieh

November 1, 2015

Iranian lawmakers have urged the administration to withhold the fulfillment of its commitments under a nuclear agreement reached with P5+1 until US and EU sanctions against Tehran are declared null and void.

In a letter to President Rouhani on Sunday, 213 lawmakers said no practical measure should be taken with regard to the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) before US President Barack Obama and the European Union officially declare the lifting of all financial and economic sanctions against Tehran.

They called on the government to set up a “powerful, informed and astute” committee to supervise the implementation of JCPOA.

It is expected that the government fully observe the directives issued by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on the implementation of JCPOA to safeguard the interests of the Iranian nation, the letter read.

In a letter to President Rouhani on October 21, the Leader enumerated certain points on the implementation of JCPOA and issued directives to be heeded in this regard.

The Iranian president, in a letter addressed to the Leader on October 22, expressed gratitude to the Leader for his guidelines and support regarding the nuclear agreement and reiterated that Ayatollah Khamenei’s instructions will be fully taken into account.

[…]

Hardliners at home have dealt a blow to the country

Emad Askarieh

November 1, 2015

A member of the Expediency Council has taken a swipe at those who claim Iran’s negotiating team has not respected the red lines set by the Supreme Leader, saying what the country needs more than anything else at this juncture is unity.

Ali Akbar Nategh Nouri made the comments on Saturday and questioned the remarks some hardliners attribute to the Supreme Leader on the nuclear issue and Iran’s negotiating team. Ettela’at Newspaper published his remarks on November 1 and the following is the translation of part of what the former parliament speaker said:

The Expediency Council member said, “The Supreme Leader set the red lines and said that the nuclear negotiating team respected those red lines. But a number of hardliners claim – based on no solid evidence – that red lines have not been respected and the Leader’s remarks have been ignored and that these people [Iran’s nuclear negotiators] should be put on trial.

“What is this nonsense? The country has an establishment and a brave, vigilant leader. We are pursuing such [divisive] things instead of promoting unity in society and boosting like-mindedness at this [critical] juncture in the region.”

[…]

Nategh Nouri, who is currently the head of the Inspection Office of the Supreme Leader, went on to say, “The Leader has said time and again ‘Nobody should speak on my behalf. Nobody should quote me as saying this and that. I will speak my mind if have something to say. I am alive [and can speak for myself].’

“But there are some who are, as they say, more Catholic than Pope; they call themselves the followers of Velayat-e Faqih [Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist], but they create tension in society. They say the Leader meant this or the Leader said that. The Supreme Leader’s Office has on occasion denied such remarks [they attribute to Ayatollah Khamenei].

“The Leader has explicitly said that he will express his views, but some in certain newspapers and websites make these remarks [claiming that they are the Leader’s views]”.

He then touched upon the nuclear issue and said, “The Supreme Leader has repeatedly said that he approves of the country’s nuclear negotiating team whose members are religiously devoted and that the foreign minister and his companions are fighting a battle on the political front. […]”

[…]

Nategh Nouri also said that we will be blessed with divine power if we stand united and follow in the footsteps of the Supreme Leader, adding that Velayat [guardianship] is a blessing for the country. “Why can’t other countries get united? Because they lack such a blessing.

“We should know that Shiites are polite. They do not use foul language. They are not foul-mouthed and do not resort to offensive language. […]”