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Iran successfully puts to test new long-range ballistic missile

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Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan says the Islamic Republic has successfully test-fired a new long-range ballistic missile, dubbed Emad.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Dehghan said the surface-to-surface missile has been completely designed and manufactured by experts of Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization affiliated with the Iranian Ministry of Defense.

Emad is Iran’s first long-range missile with guidance and control systems which can hit targets and completely destroy them with high precision, the Iranian minister added.

He also stated that the Defense Ministry pursues a strategy based on developing and increasing the missile capabilities of the Iranian Armed Forces and enhancing the Islamic Republic’s deterrent power.

“We do not ask for permission from anybody to increase our defense might and missile capability and are decisively following up our defense plans, particularly in the missile sector,” Dehghan said, emphasizing that the manufacturing of Emad is an apparent example of such a strategy.

The Iranian defense minister said Emad would be mass produced and delivered to missile units of the Iranian Armed Forces soon to significantly enhance their tactical and operational power.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly said that its military might poses no threat to other countries, reiterating that its defense doctrine is merely based on deterrence.

Parliament has tense session before approving JCPOA (PHOTOS)

Parliament0

The Islamic Consultative Assembly on October 11 had a tense atmosphere as it passed the general outlines of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Images of the chamber released online by different websites:

Funeral procession of General Hamedani held in Tehran (PHOTOS)

General Hamedani0

A large crowd turned out in Tehran on Sunday to pay their last respects to Brigadier General Hossein Hamedani, a Revolution Guards advisor who was martyred on assignment in the suburbs of Aleppo, Syria on Thursday.

The following are snapshots of the funeral procession released by Mehr News Agency:

 

Reformed female addicts march, calling on others to kick habit (PHOTOS)

Reformed0

In a symbolic move, a number of Iranian women who have succeeded in beating their drug addiction took part in a march in a Tehran park on October 9.

The rehabilitated addicts appealed to others afflicted by addiction to kick the habit.

The following are photos of the march released by Iscanews.ir:

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

Iranian Newspapers Headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

A message of condolence by the Supreme Leader on the martyrdom of IRGC’s General Hossein Hamedani and remarks by President Rouhani in an international industry conference dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Sunday.

 

Ettela’at: “Production has the full support of the government,” said President Rouhani at an international gathering on industrial and trade policies to promote exports and employment.

He further said his government has crafted a comprehensive plan to prop up the economy and promote employment as well as non-oil exports.   


 

Abrar: “We have never prevented American investors from finding their way into Iran,” said President Rouhani.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Afkar: “Assad”, “the current government in Damascus” and “resistance” are the red lines of the Iranian plan to end the crisis in Syria.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Aftab-e Yazd: Reformists have stepped up contacts with members of the Guardian Council.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Arman-e Emrooz: Indictments have been issued against eight previous managers of Qeshm Free Zone, said the head of Hormozgan provincial justice department.

Arman-e Emrooz: President Rouhani has said that holding up the implementation of the nuclear deal will exacerbate the economic problems.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11


 

Asrar: “Everyone should have freedom of speech,” said the grandson of the late Imam Khomeini.

Asrar: “Next year will usher in major transformation in Iran’s economy,” said the minister of trade.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Etemad: The personal bank account of Ahmadinejad has been frozen as new details leak about pervasive violations in the case involving the Iranian University [a higher education institute the former president vowed to launch, but Science Ministry officials have declared illegal].

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Hambastegi: President Rouhani has said that extremist groups make a career out of arguments.

Hambastegi: “No one is seeking to disapprove the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” said Chairman of the JCPOA Review Committee Alireza Zakani.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Iran: The document giving Babak Zanjani authorization to operate bore the signature of four officials of the previous government.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Javan: The US to its allies: Sanctions have not cracked.

Javan: Overexcitement over the nuclear deal has deepened the recession.

“We have lifted ourselves out of recession but may slip back into it,” said President Rouhani.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Jomhouri Islami: Iran and Japan on course to inking a bilateral investment treaty

Jomhouri Islami: Delaying the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will earn others billions of dollars in profits, said a former nuclear negotiator.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Kaenat: In a gathering on exports and employment, President Rouhani announced his government’s new policies on boosting the economy.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Kayhan: For the attention of MPs: a danger is waiting in ambush beyond the red lines.

Kayhan: A bill which approves the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action breaches the Constitution, said 17 MPs in a letter to the parliament speaker.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Mardomsalari: Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani has said that the policy the new Saudi rulers are pursuing defies wisdom.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Rah-e Mardom: Bewilderment of thousands of rough sleepers in the buildup to the cold season

The daily features an analytical report on those who sleep rough.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Resalat: “We are likely to slip back into recession,” said President Rouhani.

Resalat: Europe has turned into an exporter of terrorism, said Federica Mogherini, the EU foreign policy chief.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Roozan: An obstruction threat [by some deputies] is an affront to fellow MPs, said Behrouz Nemati, an MP.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Setareh Sobh: Green light for elections

“I will decide [on running for the Assembly of Experts election] in due time,” said Seyyed Hassan Khomeini in response to calls by reformists in Bushehr Province for him to run.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Sharq: Iran has suffered $2.5 billion in losses for a 22-day delay in the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, said Sirous Nasseri, a former nuclear negotiator.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 


 

Tafahom: Sanctions facing economic players will soon be removed, said President Rouhani in a gathering on industry and trade.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 11

 

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on October 11

Ettelaat

 “Production has the full support of the government,” said President Rouhani at an international gathering on industrial and trade policies to promote exports and employment.

He further said his government has crafted a comprehensive plan to prop up the economy and promote employment as well as non-oil exports.   

 A ceremony has been held at the House of Artists to praise the services of Noushafarin Ansari, a renowned librarian and educator.

 The Supreme Leader has released a message of condolences following the martyrdom of Brigadier General Hossein Hamedani in Syria.

This veteran fighter spent his “pious youth on the battlefields of honor and glory, defending the Islamic homeland and the Islamic establishment” part of the message read.

 The Russian military staged 60 simultaneous airstrikes against Syria, killing 200 terrorists.

Russian fighter jets demolished a command center of terror leaders in Idlib.

 A terrorist attack in Ankara, Turkey has left 86 dead and 180 others injured. [The toll has now risen to at least 95.]

The Turkish prime minister has ordered a massive investigation into the deadly blasts.

 Fatemeh Daneshvar, the chairwoman of the Social Committee of Tehran City Council, has said that formation of a national institute to support children is necessary.

She further said unfortunately there are no legal provisions to cover the costs of children with incompetent guardians.    

 The head of Hormozgan provincial justice department has said that indictments have been issued against individuals who have reclaimed coastal areas in the southern province.

 [As part of a phased project]Internet TV is to be launched in eight provinces.

 

Ayatollah Rafsanjani: Iran-Saudi ties are repairable

Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani

Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has said that Iran and Saudi Arabia can mend fences if the two sides want to do so.

Ettela’at newspaper on October 11 published the remarks of Ayatollah Rafsanjani in a meeting in late September with the managing editor, editor-in-chief and a host of reporters of Shafaqna (the International Shia News Association). The following is the translation of part of Ayatollah Rafsanjani’s responses to a range of questions in the meeting, including the crises in the Middle East and the world of Islam:

Iran and Saudi Arabia

Ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia can be repaired. This can be done if we [the two sides] want to do so. It can’t be done unilaterally. For instance, if we voice readiness and they do not accept that on political or regional grounds or thanks to the conditions on the ground, or [they step forward but] we do not want to, improvement of ties will not become a reality.

But I think it is quite realizable. I should say that if we act properly, we can easily settle our issues with the Arabs. They too need to take appropriate measures. If a wise and moderate individual like King Abdullah had been in power, he would have settled the differences.

I was earlier a guest of Mr. Salman in a meeting in Riyadh. Back then I found him a sensible man. I think his inner circle is acting incorrectly and goes to extremes.

Balkanization of the Middle East

Disintegration is what foreigners are seeking [in the region]. They do not want to see a powerful country in this region. There are some who favor the breakup of Iran, Iraq and Syria into smaller countries at odds with each other.

Disintegration is not a simple process. Following the disintegration, whether the Shiites and Sunnis want to leave or remain in that country will become [yet another] bone of contention. These two cases will pose a threat [to people in the disintegrated countries].

Those who think disintegration will help the dust settle are in the wrong. Disintegration will backfire, because it will fuel tension and confrontation among different sections [of a splintered country]. What they [the foreigners] are after here in this region is to make the region lose power.

But this is not what we [Iranians] are calling for. We think people [of different ideologies] had better get along with each other. What is the use of being in conflict?

Can parliamentary obstruction by Stability Front delay JCPOA implementation?

parliament

Opposition by the so-called Worrier MPs to the Iran nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which is the eleventh government’s marquee achievement, has entered a new phase.

Khabaronline.ir on October 8 published an analytical report on what the [Islamic Revolution] Stability Front is seeking to do in dealing with the Iran nuclear deal in parliament and on whether its obstructionism can put on hold the implementation of JCPOA. The following is the translation of the report:

From the beginning of the two-year nuclear marathon in the eleventh government, hardline MPs have spared no effort to throw obstacles in the way of clinching an agreement [with P5+1]. They are expected to reveal their ace in the hole on Sunday (October 11) [in opposition to the nuclear deal].

The Worriers have opposed the deal in different ways: throwing shoes at the country’s diplomacy team when people welcomed home their negotiators at the airport; sending Zarif in a wheelchair to nuclear talks in Geneva; holding chain gatherings against nuclear talks; and now releasing a one-sided report on JCPOA which is in line with the views of Saeed Jalili [the chief nuclear negotiator during Ahmadinejad’s presidency] and voting ‘no’ – despite the previous agreements – to a motion which is to help the government implement JCPOA.

By taking all these measures, they have no more than one objective: throwing a wrench into the works of government in implementing JCPOA and undermining the favorability of the [Rouhani] administration. But, the weapons they used failed to work and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action entered its final stage.

The Islamic Consultative Assembly is expected to put to the vote the Iranian Government’s Reciprocal and Proportional Action Bill which is tagged with single urgency. [If approved] The bill authorizes the government to voluntarily implement JCPOA in keeping with the decisions of the Supreme National Security Council.

Reports coming from parliament indicate that the Stability Front is seeking to obstruct Sunday’s in-house vote (to stop the chamber from making a quorum) to re-delay the decision which is to be made on the fate of JCPOA.

The bill on JCPOA implementation – an initiative by the parliament speaker – was pieced together jointly by two parliamentary caucuses: the Followers of the Leader [Rahrovan-e Velayat] (the majority) and Principlists (the minority). The bill’s double urgency was put to the vote in parliament on October 4 after the JCPOA Review Committee read out its report on the Iran nuclear deal.

The Principlist Caucus went back on its words and did not vote for the bill’s double-urgency status; so the bill was passed carrying a single-urgency status. The bill was then sent to the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee which will later submit it for debate on the floor.

Now that the Stability Front has learned that the majority of MPs will vote for the bill, it is trying to stop the chamber from making a quorum so that the passage of the bill can be held up as long as possible.

Can the Stability Front resort to obstruction?

Obstruction is in fact a pre-coordinated move in which a number of MPs leave the chamber to prevent it from proceeding with the legislative processes and debating and voting on the motions and bills it has on its agenda.

According to Article 98 of the Islamic Consultative Assembly’s in-house directive, at least two-thirds of MPs should be present if the chamber wants to hold a session and vote [on legislation]. The ninth government has 290 seats. This means members of the Stability Front need to make more than 97 MPs walk out of parliament if they seek to use obstruction as a tool.

As the list of MPs from the Stability Front shows, the number of deputies who have made it to parliament on a Stability Front ticket or a joint ticket of the United Front [of Principlists] and the Stability Front, does not exceed 60, at best.

As Hossein Ali Haji Daligani, an MP from Shahin Shahr and a member of the Principlists Caucus, has put it, the number of his fellow caucus members is 80 in total, the MPs from the Stability Front included. The latest attempts by the anti-government MPs led by the Stability Front to pick sides on the floor did not achieve the desired result in the impeachment hearing of Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhundi.

The MPs behind the impeachment motion could not collect more than 13 signatures to grill the minister; Akhundi obtained 175 votes in favor to survive a vote of no-confidence and remained in his post. As First Deputy Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar had accurately predicted Akhundi garnered 26 votes more than his first confirmation hearing [when President Rouhani introduced him as minister to parliament].

The roads minister’s survival amounted to a significant defeat for the anti-government hardliners in parliament. On the impeachment day the number of votes in favor of the impeachment stood at 72. This means that MPs from the Stability Front had even failed to rally all members of a parliamentary caucus they belong to around the impeachment motion, let alone winning the support of an additional 17 deputies and denying parliament the quorum it needs to impeach the minister.

Stability Front and a series of abortive obstructions

This is not the first time the Stability Front MPs threaten to use obstruction. Earlier (in March 2012), the Stability Front had threatened to obstruct during [former president] Ahmadinejad’s first questioning, but their threat did not become a reality back then.

But they made good on their threat nine months later when parliament’s Presiding Board announced the receipt of a second motion to question Ahmadinejad (on Sunday, November 4, 2012). In that session, two MPs from the Stability Front threatened the Presiding Board that they would walk out in protest. As a result of this threat, 21 MPs left the parliament.

What the deputies supporting Ahmadinejad and parliament’s minority caucus did – something Speaker Ali Larijani rejected as illegal – produced no fruit, because the chamber still maintained quorum and proceeded with the questioning.

It seems that the Stability Front’s two previous experiences [in obstruction] are repeating themselves. It is still unclear whether they have simply threatened to obstruct or they will carry out their threat. What is certain is the fact that their chances to drum up the support of over 97 MPs – to prevent parliament from maintaining quorum – are slim.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

Iranian Newspapers Headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

The martyrdom of Hossein Hamedani, an IRGC brigadier general who was in Syria in the capacity of an adviser, dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Saturday.

 

Ettela’at: Saudi Arabia’s support for IS terrorists is expanding.

The BBC has reported that Saudi Arabia is supplying advanced weaponry to Syrian terrorists to counter the Syrian government.

Ettela’at: Heavy rain and hailstorm have caused damage in several provinces.

Hailstones in Poldokhtar have shattered the windows of cars and houses, causing damage to farmland and orchards.

Ettela’at: Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah has described the Islamic Revolution and the Iranian Leader as a boon for Muslims.

The secretary of the Lebanese Hezbollah predicted that Saudi Arabia will suffer a heavy defeat in Yemen.

Ettela’at: Brigadier General Hossein Hamedani has been martyred in Syria.

Brigadier General Hossein Hamedani, a Revolution Guards adviser, fell while on assignment in the suburbs of Aleppo.

Ettela’at: The labor minister has said five million graduates will enter the job market.

Ali Rabiei further said that the country needs to create as many as 800,000 jobs a year.

Ettela’at: Tehran Symphony Orchestra has performed to honor the memory of Hajj pilgrims who died in the Mina tragedy in Saudi Arabia in late September.

Ettela’at: Five Palestinians have been killed in an attack by Zionist forces during the Palestinian Day of Rage.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10


 

Abrar: Iran has welcomed the recent call by Kuwaiti officials for regional dialogue.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10


 

Afkar: “After conquering Yemen, Saudi Arabia will set its sights on Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain,” said secretary of the Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 


 

Aftab-e Yazd: It is much better it didn’t happen!

Despite predictions that Mohammad Javad Zarif might win the Nobel Peace Prize, he did not. A report by the daily looks at what reaction his winning the prize would have drawn at home.

Aftab-e Yazd: “With a negative report by the JCPOA Review Committee, they dealt a bad blow to the country,” said the chairman of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 


 

Arman-e Emrooz: “Embezzlement and mismanagement have delivered a heavy blow to the public and the country,” said Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, a source of emulation.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 


 

Asrar: The head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization has said that some of the pilgrims killed in the Mina stampede are likely to have been buried on Saudi soil.

Asrar: “Iran comes first in the world when it comes to water tension,” said the director of the Environment Protection Organization.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 


 

Etemad: The number of individuals who won’t receive cash subsidies will increase to six million, said the minister of welfare, labor and social affairs.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 


 

Ghanoon: The heads of the three branches of government have offered condolences on the martyrdom in Syria of IRGC’s General Hossein Hamedani whose funeral will be held on Sunday.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 


 

Haft-e Sobh: Baran Kosari has cheated death.

The actress was involved in a horrible car accident in Tehran.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 


 

Hambastegi: The social atmosphere shouldn’t be dominated by security issues, said the grandson of the late Imam Khomeini.

Hambastegi: “We insist on acting in a way that will result in a change in the makeup of the future parliament,” said Mohammad Reza Aref, a former vice-president.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10


 

Iran: A majority of MPs are determined to approve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10


 

Jomhouri Islami: Rainstorms have ripped through parts of the country.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 


 

Kayhan: Parliament should not be fooled by generalization tactics to walk into the trap of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action; the daily features an analysis on the issue.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 


 

Mardomsalari: The managing director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines has said that Iranian ships are to dock in US ports.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 


 

Resalat: “In order to prevent the rise to power of incompetent individuals, there should be no leniency in screening the potential candidates,” said the intelligence minister.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 10

 

Iranian general killed in Syria

General Hamedani

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in a statement on Friday announced that an IRGC veteran commander, offering military counseling to Syrian forces in their fight against terrorists, has been killed while defending the Shiite holy sites in Syria.

Brigadier General Hossein Hamedani, the veteran commander of the IRGC, was martyred during an attack by ISIL terrorists on the outskirts of Aleppo while fulfilling his duty as military advisor and defending the holy Shiite shrines in the country, the statement said.

Brigadier General Hamedani was in Syria to render military advice to the Syrian army and popular forces in their fight against ISIL.

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