A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 18

By

-

November 18, 2015

A telephone call between the Iranian and French presidents following the Paris terror attacks and President Rouhani’s call for the formation of a united front against terrorism dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Wednesday. Also in the news was the communication by the Supreme Leader of the macro policies of the environment to the heads of the three government branches.

Ettela’at: “We are ready to take action against terrorists in any part of the world,” said President Rouhani in a telephone call to his French counterpart.

The president further said that collective planning by all countries is needed to be able to eliminate terrorism.

President Rouhani: Through acts of violence, terrorists will not be able to force nations and governments into submission.

President Francois Hollande told the French parliament that Paris will ask for Iran’s help in the fight against terrorism.

Ettela’at: The Supreme Leader has communicated the general policies of the environment sector to the heads of the three government branches.

The Leader has highlighted the following as the main focus of the general environment policies: establishment of an integrated, national environment system; concerted and systematic management of vital [natural] resources; treatment of environmental destruction as a crime; piecing together the country’s ecosystem atlas; bolstering the environment diplomacy; promotion of a green economy; and institutionalization of the environmental culture and ethics.

Ettela’at: As many as 200 Saudi-led coalition forces have been killed in a failed offensive to capture Taiz in Yemen.

In another development, the United States has approved the sale of more than $ 1b worth of arms to Saudi Arabia.

Ettela’at: Bills on the Sixth Development Plan and next year’s budget will be submitted to parliament next month [Nov. 22-Dec. 21].

The director of the Management and Planning Organization has said that Iran is expected to post 5-6 percent economic growth next year [starting March 20, 2016].

Ettela’at: “We need to do something for the bookstores which are on the brink of shutdown,” said the head of Iran National Library and Archives Organization in a national conference on books and publication.

Reza Salehi Amiri further said that the country had better replace the oil industry with the industry of culture.

Ettela’at: The Comprehensive Tax Bill has been prepared to be submitted to parliament.

Economy Minister Ali Tayyebnia said that the [new] tax bill will help cut off direct contact between tax collectors and tax payers.

Ettela’at: A top Spanish judge has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu [over the 2010 Gaza flotilla attack].

The Spanish national court judge has also included six other Israeli officials in the arrest warrant.

Ettela’at: The massive war games of the Iranian Ground Forces got under way in the northeast of the country.

Abrar: President Fuad Masum will make a trip to Tehran, announced Iran’s ambassador to Iraq.

Afkar: The chairman of the Expediency Council has said that job creation is the religious, national and state duty of all officials [in the country].

Amin: A deputy foreign minister has ruled out as a distant possibility the abduction of Ghazanfar Roknabadi, the former Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, [in the wake of the Mina tragedy].

Arman-e Emrooz: The arrangement of elections depends on the approach of the Guardian Council, said Tehran MP Ali Motahari.

Arman-e Emrooz: The Iranian parliament has approved equal blood money for female and male individuals who are killed or injured in car crashes.

Asr-e Rasaneh: The start of Iran-India oil talks

Iran is to buy India’s largest refinery.

Bahar: Military drills to get prepared to fight ISIS

The Iranian Ground Forces have staged massive war games – codenamed Mohammad Rasoulallah – in the east of the country.

Ebtekar: Paris is waiting for President Rouhani’s trip, said Francois Hollande in a telephone call with the Iranian president.

Ebtekar: A number of political problems are blamed on disrespect for ethics, said Mohammad Reza Aref, a reformist leader.

Hemayat: The head of the Court of Administrative Justice has said that those who claim they respect human rights are the ones who lend financial support to ISIS.

Iran: Leaders of eight gas-rich countries will come to Tehran.

Iran: “The Supreme Leader lent new credibility and weight to the environment,” said the director of the Environment Protection Organization in an interview with the daily.

Javan: As many as 26 theft gangs have been busted in Tehran.

The daily takes a close look at the case of Majid, a convicted thief who has often committed theft masquerading as a police officer. He is a low-literate man but has good knowledge about criminal justice.

Jomhouri Islami: “Iran’s gas output will rise to one billion cubic meters in two years,” said Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

Jomhouri Islami: The secretary of the Supreme National Security Council has rejected as untrue comments by the Americans on the Possible Military Dimensions (PMD) [of Iran’s nuclear program].

Kayhan: If we had known that this dog would bite us, we would not have fed it, said a top French official in reaction to the terrorist attacks ISIS staged in Paris.

Noavaran: After a hot summer with water shortages, drinking water will be separated from water used for other purposes.

Payam-e Zaman: The oil minister has said that Iran will not trade off its share of the oil market.

Rah-e Mardom: The Iranian parliament found explanations by the economy and culture ministers about the performance of their ministries as convincing enough.

Resalat: The Iranian president has dismissed as false remarks that attribute the acts of terror to Islam.

Resalat: Tehran’s Public and Revolutionary Courts Prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi has said that to prevent land grab, officials who have broken the law should be dealt with.

Roozan: A Tehran-Paris alliance to take on ISIS

Presidents of Iran and France talk on the phone.

Saheb Ghalam: Iran has called for the formation of a “united global front” to fight terrorism.

Shahrvand: Danger hanging over Tochal [a ski resort to the north of Tehran]

[Officials have raised red flags that] The cable car operating in Tochal is worn-out.

Shorou: The government is not seeking to raise taxes, said the economy minister in parliament.

Norwegian ambassador joins saffron farmers in northeastern Iran (PHOTOS)

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

-

November 18, 2015

Norwegian Ambassador to Iran Aud Lise Norheim has gone to a saffron farm in a village in South Khorasan Province to give farm hands there a hand harvesting their crop.

On a visit to the town of Khusf, which is known for its quality saffron, the Norwegian diplomat had breakfast with a group of villagers after she helped the farmers.

Fars News Agency has published photos of the diplomat’s visit to northeastern Iran:

1 of 14

Situation in Syria affects Iran: IRGC chief

By

Emad Askarieh

-

November 18, 2015

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari stressed Iran’s unwavering support for Syria and said the situation in the Arab country has a direct effect on the Islamic Republic.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday on the sidelines of a ceremony in commemoration of Major General Hossein Hamedani, an IRGC commander who was martyred on October 8 on an advisory mission in Syria, Major General Jafari said the security situation in Syria affects that of Iran.

“Undoubtedly, in a country like Syria with its population, religious and ethnic composition, when their [terrorists’] objectives are not realized, it will have a direct effect on our security,” the commander said.

He further praised the braveries of Major General Hamedani, saying that he played an outstanding role in the resistance of Syria against foreign-backed militancy.

[…]

IS pursuing Islamophobia scenario: President Rouhani

By

Emad Askarieh

-

November 18, 2015

President Rouhani has condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Lebanon and France along with the downing of the Russian passenger plane by the IS terrorists, and said their main goal is to create a wave of Islamophobia.

“The IS terrorists with the aim of creating a wave of Islamophobia in the world are trying to claim that they represent Islam while the noble religion of Islam is against acts of terror,” President Rouhani said Tuesday at a meeting of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council.

“Islam is the religion of peace and mercy and these attempts, especially in Europe and the US where many Muslims live, should not be allowed to result in increasing Islamophobia,” the president said.

President Rouhani expressed regret that innocent children, women and civilians have been the main victims of these terrorist acts and said global will and unity is needed to confront the crimes.

“Iran, as a country that is a victim of terrorism itself, condemns terrorist acts and massacre of innocent people and it will seriously confront these terrorist acts,” he added.

Amir Abdollahian, UN envoy discuss Yemen crisis

By

Emad Askarieh

-

November 18, 2015

Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and UN special envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in a telephone conversation on Tuesday discussed the latest developments and international efforts to halt the Saudi aggression against Yemen.

The deputy foreign minister pointed to the continued Saudi airstrikes on the Yemeni nation, and said Iran is ready to help with the resumption of national dialogue in Yemen.

Amir Abdollahian reiterated Iran’s logical stance on a political solution to the crisis in Yemen, and called for an end to Saudi-led airstrikes on Yemen.

The UN envoy, for his part, praised Iran for its efforts to help find a political solution to the crisis in Yemen, and said, “A lot of efforts have been made so far to stop the war in Yemen and send humanitarian aid to the Muslim country.”

Cheikh Ahmed said that the Yemeni crisis has a political solution, and added, “The early signs of the attainment of an agreement can be seen, but it needs cooperation of all Yemeni sides and all countries’ support for the Yemeni-Yemeni talks.”

Nine heads of state to attend Tehran gas summit: Oil minister

By

Emad Askarieh

-

November 17, 2015

Ministers Weigh Plans for Iran-Iraq Oil Cooperation

Presidents of Bolivia, Russia, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Venezuela, Iraq, Turkmenistan [as a guest], Iran and the Algerian prime minister are to attend a Tehran Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) next week, the oil minister said.

Bijan Namdar Zanganeh described as unprecedented the number of heads of state who will converge on Tehran for the GECF gathering. “The Qatar summit hosted four presidents, while the forum in Russia was attended by three.”

He said that the event is aimed at promoting cooperation between rivals and added, “Member states are mature enough to have cooperation in tandem with competition.”

Zanganeh said natural gas exports through pipeline to faraway destinations like Europe are difficult and need the approval of a lot of countries along the route, and added that’s why Iran prefers exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe.

Three terror attacks, media frenzy and different reactions

By

Emad Askarieh

-

November 17, 2015

In less than a week, ISIS targeted different places in the world, leaving a path of death and destruction in its wake. The way media around the world covered the terror attacks in Baghdad, Beirut and Paris raises a couple of questions: Why the global media ignored the Beirut bombings? Are media to blame for the disproportionate focus on the Paris attacks over Beirut’s?

Alef.ir on November 16 published a piece by Amir-Mohammad Fatemi on the extensive media coverage of Paris attacks and why nobody paused to listen to the voice of the victims of terror attacks in Beirut and Baghdad. The following is the translation of part of that piece:

1. Thursday November 12: A predominantly Shiite suburb of Beirut was rocked by twin bombings which left up to 300 people killed or injured.

Friday November 13: A bomb went off in a funeral procession for a Shiite fighter who was killed in the fight against ISIS, killing and injuring more than 95 people.

The world media largely ignored these two terror attacks.

Late Friday November 13: Paris was hit by multiple attacks [claimed] by ISIS following the Beirut and Baghdad bombings. Up to 360 people were killed or injured in the terror attacks.

Western, Arab, world and even Iranian media reacted differently this time around and – unlike what they did in reaction to the twin bombings which were carried out hours apart in two different places by the same terror group – gave extensive coverage to the Paris attacks describing them as being similar to 9/11 attacks on the US in 2001.

2. On any grounds, Iranian media have – perhaps unwittingly or just because they were seeking to follow the news and analyses produced by the Western and non-Western media outlets – covered the Paris attacks and their aftermath over the past few days, ignoring the Beirut and Baghdad bombings. […] On Sunday the world media did not run one news analysis or even one single headline on the terror attacks in Beirut and Baghdad. […]

3. A study of more than 2,000 front pages of newspapers and websites which covered the 33-day war [the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War] between Hezbollah and the invading, armed-to-the-teeth army of the Zionist regime suggests that less than five percent of these media outlets dealt with the 33-day war.

It also reveals that three percent – out of the overall five percent – of the news items was aimed at defending the innocence of the Zionist regime’s military, and the remaining two percent covered the battle itself. In other words, no media organization released news materials to defend the rightfulness, legitimacy and innocence of the country which came under attack. […]

4. Officials of the United Nations, all Western states, and other countries – including Iran – have expressed regret over the Paris attacks and sympathized with the French government and people over the past few days, like what was done when 9/11 attacks were mounted.

It is interesting that no government – but Iran’s – expressed sorrow or cabled a message [of condolence] over bomb attacks in Beirut and Baghdad against the innocent Shiite people. It seems as if those who were killed in Beirut and Baghdad were different from the dead in the Paris attacks!

Perhaps people in Iraq and Lebanon, Shiites included, are believed to deserve to suffer through bomb attacks, killings and pillage at the hands of ISIS terrorists! Perhaps we have to admit that we are treated as second class in the world classifications when it comes to being killed or injured!

Maybe it is for the same reason that US Secretary of State John Kerry openly blamed – in a press conference on Saturday – Bashar Assad’s policies for ISIS terrorist activities in Syria. In response to remarks by his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that France’s behavior may have probably triggered terrorist attacks in Paris, Kerry remained silent.

When Lavrov said with subtlety that all [people and nations], either for or against Bashar Assad, are targeted by ISIS terrorist attacks, Kerry remained silent again. [Kerry suggested radicals were drawn to the country in their fight against Assad, a view Lavrov disputed. … Kerry said the war “can’t end as long as Bashar Assad is there. That’s the perception of the people waging the war.” But Lavrov said the conflict — or its solution — is “not about Assad.” “It doesn’t matter if you are for Assad or against him,” he said. “ISIS is your enemy.” (AP- November 14)].

Without any partisan or factional bias, the following question – which is one of the main national and religious concerns – needs to be thought over: why was it that terrorist attacks against the Shiites in Beirut and Baghdad were overshadowed by the Paris attacks in Iran’s media, both privately-run websites and the national broadcaster, IRIB?

5. The Mina tragedy in which a number of Iranians went missing is still an open case, at least for Iran. What unfolded in Saudi Arabia [during the Hajj rituals] did not land in the spotlight thanks to a [virtually] blanket media blackout imposed by the Western and Arab countries […].

[…]

6. Why they [the Western and Arab countries] treat us [Iranians] and anything which has something to do with us in this manner [ignoring what happens] is not the focus here in this article. But it is of great significance to ponder on one point: why do we treat our own issues in such a manner, both from social and media angles?

Following the 9/11 attacks, I said – in a letter in response to remarks by a certain country’s officials who blamed Iran for not expressing sympathy with the American people [for the terrorist attacks] – that we shed tears for the dead people in a country that has cried for our dead in Iran, and that we voice regret for the losses of those who have expressed regret over the sufferings we have endured.

That’s why the Iranian media should think thoroughly about the reason why they brought into focus the Paris attacks and expressed regret [over the attacks] and sympathy [with France], but they looked the other way or did not give full coverage to the bomb attacks and pains in Beirut and Baghdad? […]

Iranian, French presidents discuss terrorism over phone

By

Emad Askarieh

-

November 17, 2015

In a phone conversation Tuesday, President Rouhani and his French counterpart Francois Hollande called for counter-terrorism efforts and the fight against terrorism.

According to President Rouhani’s Twitter account, the two sides called for creation of a world against violence and extremism.

In a message to Hollande, President Rouhani condemned the Paris terrorist attacks which claimed the lives of almost 130 civilians and added that the deaths of many civilians in the terrorist attacks caused deep grief for the Iranian people.

He said he strongly condemned the incident on behalf of the Iranian nation who itself is the victim of the evil phenomenon of terrorism.

The president stressed the need for global efforts to fight all terrorist groups.

A string of coordinated attacks in and around Paris left at least 129 people dead and some 200 others injured; a state of emergency has been declared in the European country shaken by the horrific attacks.

Supreme Leader outlines environmental policy

By

Emad Askarieh

-

November 17, 2015

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday outlined a 15-point general environmental policy for the country.

Under Article 110 of Iran’s constitution, creating an integrated national environment system, managing vital resources in a coordinated and systematic fashion, criminalizing environmental degradation, compiling an environmental atlas, strengthening the environmental diplomacy, developing green economy, institutionalizing the environmental culture and ethics are the main topics of Supreme Leader’s general environmental policy.

Several months ago, Ayatollah Khamenei urged Iranian authorities to try to tackle the country’s environmental problems through detailed, accurate planning.

The Supreme Leader described land grab and acquisition of mountainous land as deplorable, adding land and mountain reclamation is a crime and those committing such crimes should be prosecuted.

Water and land degradation are the biggest environmental threats in Iran to overcome. This requires stricter policies and laws to protect land.

Trips across deserts by nomads in northeastern Iran (PHOTOS)

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

-

November 17, 2015

Nomads based in deserts in the northeastern Iranian province of North Khorasan live in tents all year through. In winter, 120 Kurdish-speaking nomadic families in the towns of Maneh and Samalqan travel 100 km west to get to a region called Maraveh Tappeh in Semnan Province.

The following are snapshots of their trips published by the Islamic Republic News Agency: