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

Iran News
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- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human Rights
- Incidents
- Lifestyle
- Sport
- Women
Culture
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World
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Home Blog Page 4720

Source rejects AP report on Iran-powers initial agreement on sanctions removal

Golrokh Askarieh

July 4, 2015

A source close to the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the six world powers underway in Vienna, Austria, rejected reports about partial agreement between Iran and the sextet, stressing that any final agreement with the world powers should include detailed solutions and mechanisms for resolving all issues.

“Given the principle that ‘nothing will be agreed upon unless there is agreement on everything’, questions as to whether there has been a specific agreement on a certain topic are basically wrong,” the source who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the talks told FNA on Saturday.

The source’s remarks come as the Associated Press quoted two unnamed diplomats as saying that the experts of Iran and P5+1 (the US, Russia, China, France and Britain plus Germany) have agreed on the timetable for lifting the sanctions.

But, the AP report said the solution has been worked out in the experts’ meetings, while Iran’s deputy Foreign Minister and senior negotiator Majid Takht Ravanchi said the expert-level meetings wrapped up work on Thursday, and the remarks made by Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the last two days show that the sanctions removal by the US-led West has still remained a stumbling block in the negotiations.

“Most of the issues in the experts’ meetings have ended, while talks among the deputies continue and there will possibly remain one or two issues that will need ministerial decisions,” Takht Ravanchi told reporters in Vienna on Thursday.

Iran’s Foreign Minister on three different occasions in the last two days has called on the US-led West to decide if it intends to keep the sanctions in place or wants a deal with Iran.

In a televised message that was released last night, Zarif called on the Western powers to show flexibility and adopt a rational decision to strike a deal with Iran, reiterating that the US should first decide if it wants to continue pressures or sign a deal with Iran.

IAEA eyes release of PMD report by end of year: Amano

Golrokh Askarieh

July 4, 2015

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) hopes to publish a report on the possible military dimensions (PMD) of Iran’s nuclear program by the end of the year, head of the UN nuclear watchdog Yukiya Amano told the press in Vienna on Saturday.

“With the cooperation from Iran, I think we can issue a report by the end of the year on the assessment of clarification of the issues related to the PMD. Once an agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JPCOA) is reached, the IAEA is ready to implement the nuclear-related element when requested, Amano said.

As for his latest trip to Tehran, Amano stressed that the visit was geared at accelerating the resolution of all outstanding issues.

He said, “Progress was made but more work was needed to detail cooperation between Iran and the IAEA.”

The largest street Iftar in Tehran

Golrokh Askarieh

July 4, 2015

Tehran’s Valiasr Street on Wednesday hosted the largest street Iftar when people got together to break their fast in the fasting month of Ramadan.

Snapshots of the ceremony posted online by Mehr News Agency:

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on July 4

Golrokh Askarieh

July 4, 2015

The final stretch of nuclear talks and the comments by Foreign Minister Zarif that the West needs to choose one: an agreement or more pressure dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Saturday. Speaker Ali Larijani’s harsh words against those who hide behind the Supreme Leader to criticize the negotiating team along the Supreme Leader’s meeting with poets and literary figures also appeared on the covers of dailies.

Ettela’at: Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have agreed to put an end to [outstanding] issues about Iran’s nuclear program.

President Rouhani told the visiting director general of the UN nuclear watchdog that the remaining issues between Iran and the IAEA can be resolved in a short period of time.

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani told Yukiya Amano that Iran does have the political will to strike a nuclear deal with P5+1.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on July 4

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on July 4

Afarinesh: A number of unauthorized hunters have been arrested in Firuzkuh [northeast of Tehran].

Afkar: The Iranian negotiating team has welcomed the release of a national fact sheet on nuclear talks.

Aftab-e Yazd: “We need to behave logically not to confuse the youth,” said Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Aftab-e Yazd: “The opinion of the majority should be respected,” President Rouhani said, recalling the peace deal Imam Hassan, the second Shiite Imam, signed some 13 centuries ago out of respect for the majority opinion.

Aftab-e Yazd: We are only a few steps away from a final deal; some Western sources have reported that the deal will be finalized on Sunday.

Arman-e Emrooz: Foreign Minister Zarif sends positive signals from Vienna.

President Rouhani’s Chief of Staff Mohammad Nahavandian has joined other negotiators in the Austrian capital.

Asr-e Iranian: Friday prayer leaders across the country have urged the Iranian nuclear negotiators to return home with a good deal in hand.

Asr-e Rasaneh: The president has called for more efforts to pave the way for non-oil exports.

Asrar: “Government seeks to ease the daily pressure on members of the public,” said President Rouhani.

He further said that the decision to make peace is more difficult than to decide to go to war.

Asrar: “The Iranian people won’t leave alone those who are fighting on the diplomatic front,” said the chairman of the Expediency Council.

Ebtekar: Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has criticized those who make ill-considered comments about the nuclear issue. “Why are you hiding behind the Leader?”

Emtiaz: Items dating back to 2,500 years ago have been unearthed in Karaj.

Hemayat: The complicated gamesmanship of the West and the IAEA to impose a bad deal on Iran

Jomhouri Islami: A final round of intense nuclear talks is underway in Vienna.

Foreign Minister Zarif said that a lot of progress has been made in the talks; the president’s chief of staff has joined the negotiators in the Austrian capital. Catherine Ashton, the former EU foreign policy chief, will be in Vienna as a guest of honor for the nuclear deal.

Jomhouri Islami: One hundred days of heroic resistance by the Yemeni people in the face of Saudi aggression.

[That is the title of the daily’s supplement on 100 days of Saudi airstrikes against Yemen.]

Kaenat: “Our budget is 23 percent less dependent on oil revenues,” said the director of the Management and Planning Organization.

Kaenat: Banks across the country are owed some $30 billion in arrears.

Kaenat: Road accident deaths in Tehran have declined 50 percent over the past seven years.

Kayhan: A bad deal, which blurs Iran’s red lines, is being presented as a good deal.

Rah-e Mardom: A 16-year-old mugger has been arrested in the capital.

Resalat: “The US should choose either an agreement or more sanctions,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Rooyesh-e Mellat: “Iran and the IAEA have reached a better understanding,” the IAEA chief said after leaving Tehran where he held talks with President Rouhani and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.

Roozan: The final whistle of the nuclear talks is set to be blown.

Iranian nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi has signaled Iran’s readiness to cooperate with Amano [the director general of the UN nuclear watchdog].

Sepid: “When the 8^th government took office, the Health Ministry had 230,000 people on its payroll; the number has now jumped to 460,000,” said Health Minister Hassan Hashemi.

Some 50 percent of the employees either have a high school diploma or are dropouts.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on July 4

Golrokh Askarieh

July 4, 2015

♦ Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency have agreed to put an end to [outstanding] issues about Iran’s nuclear program.

President Rouhani told the visiting director general of the UN nuclear watchdog that the remaining issues between Iran and the IAEA can be resolved in a short period of time.

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani told Yukiya Amano that Iran does have the political will to strike a nuclear deal with P5+1.

♦ “Revolutionary poems should serve the cause of justice, unity and all-out progress,” the Supreme Leader said at a meeting with a number of poets and literary figures.

♦ Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has said that unwise comments about the nuclear issue are against the wishes of the Supreme Leader.

The top MP also blamed the country’s economic disarray on the mismanagement of the 10^th government [led by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad].

♦ The Government Spokesman has said that the resistance-based economy will continue to steer the course of action even after sanctions.

Mohammad Bagher Nobakht said production of wheat has hit 2 million tons and the country’s wheat reserves are enough for at least six months.

He further said Iran is exporting more than 8,000 MW of electricity to neighboring countries.

♦ Egyptian security forces have killed 13 leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood.

In reaction, the Brotherhood has called for a popular uprising against the government of President El-Sisi.

An operation by the Egyptian military in Sinai left at least 120 members of the IS terrorist grouping dead.

♦ The President of Tehran University has lashed out at continued sales of dissertation and plagiarism.

♦ Unsubstantiated reports on Saudi deputy crown prince’s injury in Houthi strikes

Speaker Larijani lambastes inaccurate remarks on nuclear talks

Golrokh Askarieh

July 4, 2015

The speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has slammed some remarks on nuclear talks, saying that publication and broadcasting of false news, or news based on insufficient knowledge on nuclear talks are against national security and against Supreme Leader’s words and will.

Ali Larijani made the remarks in a conference in Qom on June 2 and added, “Unfortunately, some people have felt they are religiously obliged to speak harshly and negatively against the nuclear negotiations and the government officials in addressing the people in gatherings, most of which are inclusive of false news and deviations of the truth”.

“A brother has in one of the provinces claimed that the nuclear sites in Iran have all been shut down, or another brother has elsewhere said that all of Iran’s nuclear haves and have not’s have been shipped to the America!’ he elaborated.

The top MP went on to say, “Someone else is intriguing the people arguing that the Leader is alone and the people should rush to the scene. The question in facing such comments is: why some people speak publicly without having access to proper information and knowledge?”

“Another question is: why some people accuse the Iranian nuclear negotiation team?’ asked Larijani.

Iranian volleyball team defeats Russia

Golrokh Askarieh

July 4, 2015

Iran’s national volleyball team on Friday defeated Russia, the London 2012 Olympic champion, three to nil in its first encounter in the 8th week of the 2015 FIVB World League.

The Iranian volleyball athletes beat Russia (25-21, 25-21, 25-21) to gain their sixth victory in the eighth week of the FIVB World League that started on Thursday and will continue for four days.

The Iranian National Volleyball Team’s coach head used Shahram Mohammadi, Milad Ebadipour, Mir-Saeed Maroof, Seyyed Mohammad Moussavi, Adel Gholami, Mojtaba Mirzajanpour and Mehdi Marandi in the game.

With the victory, Iranian National Volleyball Team has gained 18 scores, remaining in the third rank of its group. Russians stood fourth on two points.

Kerry, Zarif reaffirm progress but tough issues remain

Golrokh Askarieh

July 4, 2015

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday reiterated progress had been achieved but some tough issues still needed to be settled.

Talking to the press in Vienna ahead of their bilateral meeting at the Palais Coburg Hotel, Kerry said, “Our teams have been working diligently all day to maximize progress and it is fair to say both sides are working extremely hard with a great sense of purpose and a sincere and good faith effort to make progress. We are making progress and we have a lot of work to do and some tough issues to face.”

Referring to time constraints for a comprehensive final nuclear accord, Kerry pointed out both sides would continue their work over the weekend to seal an agreement.

“We both wanna try to see, if we can find a conclusion,” the US diplomat said.

Kerry’s remarks were underscored by Zarif who said, we are all trying very hard to be able to move forward.

“We have made some progress. There are still some issues to be discussed which need to be resolved. I think with a political will, we will,” Iran’s chief diplomat said.

P5+1 has to decide between agreement with Iran or coercion against it

Golrokh Askarieh

July 3, 2015

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran’s negotiating partners have to make a choice between agreement with the Islamic Republic or coercion against it.

In a video message released on Friday, the Iranian foreign minister referred to the negotiations between Iran and P5+1 and said the two sides “have never been closer to a lasting outcome.”

“But,” he said, “There is no guarantee.”

“Getting to yes requires the courage to compromise, the self-confidence to be flexible, the maturity to be reasonable, the wisdom to set aside illusions and the audacity to break old habits,” Zarif said.

A full transcription of his message follows:

“I’m in Vienna to put a long overdue end to an unnecessary crisis. At this eleventh hour, despite some differences that remain, we have never been closer to a lasting outcome. But there is no guarantee.

“Getting to yes requires the courage to compromise, the self-confidence to be flexible, the maturity to be reasonable, the wisdom to set aside illusions and the audacity to break old habits.

“Some stubbornly believe that military and economic coercion can ensure submission. They still insist on spending other people’s money or sacrificing other people’s children for their own delusional designs.

“I see hope because I see emergence of reason over illusion. I sense that my negotiating partners have recognized that coercion and pressure never lead to lasting solutions but to more conflict and further hostility. They have seen that eight years of aggression by Saddam Hussein and his patrons did not bring the Iranian nation that stood all alone to its knees.

“And now they realize that the most indiscriminate and unjust economic sanctions against my country have achieved absolutely none of their declared objectives but instead have harmed innocents and antagonized a peaceful and forgiving nation.

“They have opted for the negotiating table. But they still need to make a critical and historic choice: agreement or coercion.

“In politics, as in life, you can’t gain at the expense of others. Such gains are always short-lived. Only balanced agreements can withstand the test of time.

“We are ready to strike a balanced and good deal and open new horizons to address important common challenges. Our common threat today is the growing menace of violent extremism and outright barbarism.

“Iran was the first to rise to the challenge and propose to make confronting this threat a global priority when it launched WAVE (World Against Violence and Extremism). The menace we’re facing – and I say we because no one is spared – is embodied by the hooded men who are ravaging the cradle of civilization. To deal with this new challenge, new approaches are badly needed.

“Iran has long been at the forefront in the fight against extremism. I hope my counterparts will also turn their focus and devote their resources to this existential battle.

“A thousand years ago, the Iranian poet Ferdowsi said: ‘Be relentless in striving for the cause of good, bring the spring you must, banish the winter you should.’

“My name is Javad Zarif and this has always been Iran’s message.”

Don’t put the “bad deal” ball in Iran’s court, it won’t work

Emad Askarieh

July 3, 2015

On July 2, the editorial of Kayhan penned by the principlist daily’s managing editor Hossein Shariatmadari cautioned the Iranian nuclear negotiating team from falling into a trap of “deception”. In the piece which was originally headlined “A Dangerous Mistake”, the editor also urged the negotiators not to agree to a bad deal in hopes of securing a green-light from the senior officials of the establishment. That would amount to walking into the trap of the American “blame- game”, it said. The following is the translation of an excerpt of the editorial:

[…]

Kayhan has learned that parties to the talks, that is to say Iran and P5+1, are to take the draft of an agreement to their respective capitals on July 4 to see how senior officials of their countries react to its wording and content. The Iranian negotiating team too is expected back in Tehran on Saturday.

Given the other side’s deceptive past, I predict after the arrival in Tehran of the Iranian team, President Obama or another senior US official will in a statement or an interview signal America’s approval of the deal, and suggest that the US is waiting for senior Iranian officials to comment.

If that prediction comes true, one can clearly see what disaster lies around the corner. A deal in which the red lines of the Islamic Republic are not respected would become a draft deal agreed to by the Iranian negotiators. Iran would be on the horns of a dilemma, and both options would be equally fragile and imposing. If we approve of the deal, we will acquiesce to a bad deal that does not respect our red lines, one of which is maintaining a nuclear industry. And if we don’t accept it, the world and probably a section of the Iranian population will be told that Tehran is to blame for the failure of the talks to produce a deal.
I hope the news story I have heard is anything but accurate and my predictions do not come true. Unfortunately, though, the same prediction has been swirling in Vienna and some European and American diplomats have implicitly talked about it. If that is what is going to happen, the negotiating team is expected to foil this cunning plot. The call on the honorable Iranian negotiating team [to thwart the plot] does not amount to asking too much. Given the bravery, faithfulness, zeal and piety of the Iranian negotiators, it is imperative. […]