Officials from Iran and Germany have expressed hope that the promising prospect of a lasting deal on Tehran’s nuclear program would help the two countries rebuild their economic relations.
In a short stopover in Frankfurt on his way to New York on Saturday, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani had a telephone conversation with Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Larijani departed Tehran for the US earlier in the day to attend the 4th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.
During the conversation, Larijani hailed Germany for its positive role in the marathon nuclear talks between Iran and 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) that concluded with a 159-page deal.
He also expressed hope that the German officials and companies’ visits to Iran following the conclusion of the nuclear talks would contribute to the expansion of economic relations between Tehran and Berlin.
Steinmeier, for his part, highlighted Iran’s great capacity for economic cooperation, saying the ground is prepared for the enhancement of relations with Tehran in all fields as a result of the nuclear deal.
Iran and 5+1 on July 14 reached a conclusion on a lasting nuclear agreement that would terminate all sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear energy program after the deal comes into force.
The promising prospect of trade with Iran has prompted many countries to explore the market potential in the populous Middle East nation.
Legendary Iranian vocalist Mohammad Reza Shajarian has been hospitalized in Tehran due to a pulmonary disorder.
Iran’s most popular traditional singer is now receiving treatment at Kasra Hospital.
The 75-year-old internationally acclaimed maestro will not be receiving any visitors, his family said, adding that the veteran musician will soon be discharged.
Called the Iranian “greatest living master of traditional Persian music,” Shajarian has received numerous awards, including the 2006 Mozart Medal of UNESCO, and the prestigious Golden Picasso Medal, one of UNESCO’s highest medals, in 1999.
The celebrated singer and composer has also designed and made a number of new string instruments, including Barbod, Kereshmeh, Saboo, Saghar, Sorahi, and Tondar.
The agreement clinched between Iran and six world powers over Tehran’s nuclear program has had numerous regional and international impacts, says the country’s nuclear chief.
The agreement has influenced Iran and Western countries as well as the Middle East and the international community, said Director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi in an interview with the Chinese Central Television (CCTV).
On July 14, Iran and P5+1– the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany – finalized the text of a nuclear agreement dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the Austrian capital Vienna.
Under JCPOA, limits will be put on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for, among other things, the removal of all economic and financial bans against the Islamic Republic.
Salehi went on to say that the agreement will bring about changes in political and international domains, and that the situation which existed before the agreement will not resurface.
On the sanctions imposed on Iran, Salehi said the bans put in place following the 1979 Islamic Revolution of Iran had been ramped up in recent years.
He said the reason was to, in the West’s words, paralyze Iran’s economy. However, he said, even a drop in the value of the Iranian currency failed to affect the nation on the home front.
The ratcheting up of the sanctions only resulted in broader cooperation between Iran and China, Salehi noted.
Tehran and Beijing have had good economic relations over the past decade during which Sino-Iranian trade has crossed the 50 billion dollar mark, said the AEOI chief.
He termed China as Iran’s most important trade partner.
Mentioning that China’s investment in Iran’s infrastructure hovers around $20 billion, Salehi suggested that the figure could rise following the Vienna agreement and that the lifting of sanctions on Iran could open up more opportunities for the promotion of economic cooperation with Tehran.
Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araghchi said that Model United Nations can promote better understanding of the organization.
Addressing a Model UN (MUN) Security Council to consider “the situation in Yemen”, organized jointly by International Studies Journal (ISJ) and United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) at the Tehran Peace Museum on Thursday (August 27), Araghchi said that there are significant misunderstandings about the functions and objectives of the United Nations and its Security Council.
According to a news report by the United Nations Information Center in Tehran, the diplomat said that “For this reason, initiatives such as holding Model United Nations can promote better understanding of the Organization and its Security Council”.
He also expressed hope that, next time, the story surrounding the UNSC Resolution on Iran’s nuclear deal will be examined.
He said that the question of Iran nuclear deal and UNSC Resolution 2231 is unique in the history of the UN.
“I believe there has been no other resolution which has been negotiated word-for-word by the target country, namely Iran,” added Araghchi, who led the Iranian negotiating team with five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany.
Some 53 participants – including university professors, students and researchers as well as seven interns from the UNIC Tehran participated in the one-day simulation on the question of Yemen.
Also addressing the MUN participants, UN Resident Coordinator and UNIC Director a.i. Mr. Gary Lewis said in today’s world many leaders in law, government, business and the arts have – in the past – participated in Model UN as students and this includes UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon himself.
Calling the question of Yemen as “challenging, complicated and important”, the UN official said the current state of affairs there – and its immediate impact on our region – is being actively discussed at many forums in the United Nations. So the exercise parallels reality.
He said all of us need to continue to try to find ways to help the people of Yemen. He concluded that the students engaged in the Model UN exercise will have developed skills in three ways.
“First you will have a better understanding of one of the main human security challenges facing our region; second, you will have come to learn more about the procedures and rules of the UN bodies as well as the values of the United Nations; and finally, you will have improved your skills in negotiation, communication and consensus-building,” he said, adding all three, especially the last, will be useful in your future careers, no matter where life leads you.”
Ambassador Bagher Asadi a former career Iranian diplomat and also a member of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s “Panel of Eminent Persons on Civil Society and UN Relationships,” was the President of the MUN Security Council Simulation on Yemen.
Iran’s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Reza Najafi said a recent IAEA report once again confirmed that Iran’s nuclear program is completely under the supervision of the UN nuclear watchdog and has had no divergence from its peaceful objectives.
On Friday, the IAEA verified that Iran has fulfilled all its commitments regarding its nuclear program.
In the updated report on Iran’s nuclear program, the UN nuclear agency reiterated that Tehran has maintained its level of uranium enrichment, nuclear research and development and other activities in line with its declarations to the UN nuclear watchdog.
The report also covered Iran’s activities before the country reached a comprehensive agreement in nuclear talks with P5+1 in Vienna on July 14.
Under the agreement, Iran has agreed to some restrictions in its nuclear program primarily in return for the removal of sanctions.
The updated IAEA report said, however, that the IAEA has still some reservations about Parchin, a military site located to the southeast of Tehran.
“Since (our) previous report (in May), at a particular location at the Parchin site, the agency has continued to observe, through satellite imagery, the presence of vehicles, equipment, and probable construction materials. In addition, a small extension to an existing building appears to have been constructed,” the report said.
But Iran has repeatedly denied any nuclear activity at Parchin, noting that ‘road construction’ activities have been done at the site.
The IAEA report covers Iran’s nuclear program in the leadup to the historic deal on July 14 and its first steps toward implementing the agreement.
Iran Investment Institutions Association (IIIA) on Tuesday (August 25) held a 23rd capital market working breakfast which focused on “Potential and opportunities of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for the capital market”.
Speakers took the podium in the meeting to talk, among other things, about economic and non-economic sanctions imposed by Western countries on Iran for its nuclear program; the timetable of lifting sanctions after the conclusion of the nuclear deal; the need for changing the contracts of the country’s financial market in keeping with international rules and regulations; and closer attention by the players on the capital market to a series of reforms to attract foreign investors after the termination of sanctions in the final quarter of the current Iranian year [December 22, 2015 – March 19, 2016].
Donya-e Eqtesad, an Iranian daily, on August 26 published a report on foreign investment in Iran’s capital market and speeches by three officials at this working breakfast. The following is the translation of part of what each speaker said in the meeting:
Sirous Naseri, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator
Sirous Naseri
From the start, nuclear talks between Iran and the West focused on one core issue: writing the text of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to render it workable for a long period of time. In doing so, the Iranian negotiating team had a bumpy road ahead. From the very beginning of the talks, we knew that the US president lacked the powers to remove all sanctions and that the US Congress held partial sway over this matter. […]
All in all, what has been included in JCPOA sufficiently tells about the establishment of normal ties between Iran and Europe and paves the way for legal and real institutions [on both sides] to work together.
[…]
All legal institutes in Iran should watch for the provisions of their contracts [with their foreign counterparts], and they are expected to consult with Foreign Ministry officials – if need arises – so that the ministry can ease things through regulations.
The overall prospect is promising. Things will change rapidly. I hope we can see the inflow of capital so that the country can come out of recession, and efforts to boost economic growth and development can be given momentum.
Mohammad Saeedi, a member of the Board of Directors at the Social Security Investment Company (SSIC) and managing director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL Group)
Mohammad Saeedi
Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Iran’s ties with the West will normalize, but there is one problem here: the pace of the private and public sectors in adapting themselves to the new conditions is slow and their knowledge of all aspects of the sanctions is limited.
[…]
The point is that as an investing institution we [at the Social Security Investment Company (SSIC)] are not ready to tap into the opportunities which will open up after the removal of sanctions. We are not ready for post-sanctions era which will start in February or March [next year].
[…]
Unpreparedness to draw up [new] investment contracts is now a downside as far as absorption of foreign investment goes. Productive talks have been launched. Over time, ties between Iran and Western countries will change. We need to get prepared for such days down the line. […]
A number of contracts which entail the financial and insurance rights [of the two sides] should be drawn up in line with new conditions in the world. These contracts can be used for partnerships with foreign investors.
Kourosh Taherfar, an advisor to director of the Organization for Investment Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran (OIETAI)
Kourosh Taherfar
Currently, foreigners have invested $0.5b in the Securities and Exchange Organization of Iran (SEO) which adds up to about 0.5 percent of the overall capital at the SEO. Based on national rules, this number can rise to up to 20 percent.
A working group has been formed to spur foreign investment. It is expected to remove obstacles standing in the way of foreign investment, both direct and indirect.
We need to examine the country’s investment strategy to determine whether the void created stems from legal obstacles or from adoption of different tactics by [different governments] in the past. When these ambiguities are removed, we can establish a strong bond between the [capital] market and foreign investment.
We cannot pursue the previous trends and enter talks with financing banks. Things have changed and we will witness remarkable progress on the economic front in the next two years. Besides a strong will, we need new methods to attract foreign investors and properly exploit the current opportunities.
The way companies release their financial statements should undergo change. Foreign investors cannot come to terms with the ways our companies release their financial reports. In order to make the stock exchange attractive to foreign investors, we need to take some measures, the minimum of which are: launching the English version of company websites, establishing bilingual CODAL financial reporting [Comprehensive Database Of All Listed Companies, a system to put corporal reports out], offering English analysis of bourse activities and setting up overseas branches for investing and financial institutions and companies.
Modern architecture has a dynamic approach to renewable energies which are drawing much attention in our country of late. Natural potential which was tapped by our ancestors in the past can prove practical today too.
The following is the translation of an excerpt of a report filed by Saramad Magazine on the history of windmills in Iran:
Historical accounts suggest that windmills first emerged in Iran in the 7th century AD. Historians believe that windmills were the first machines in history. Unlike other sources used by mankind which were subject to constraint, wind offered a noticeable amount of power wherever it blew.
That wind power was not monopolized by only a privileged class or feudal lords and there was no need for the construction of specific channels to harness and transfer its energy rendered the wind energy affordable.
The production capacity of windmills was many times more than that of regular mills. Above all, the widespread availability of wind made it possible for all to use windmills.
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Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Birthplace of Windmill
Windmills played a special role in Iran, particularly in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, which was called the country’s granary in different eras.
Iranian and Arab historians in the 9th and 10th centuries have all presented different stories about wind-run structures in what is now Sistan and Baluchestan. Even Western and contemporary historians unanimously believe that the first windmills of the world were constructed in this region.
In fact the technical and architectural properties of these structures were not the only noteworthy thing about them. They paved the way for the emergence of sustainable societies nearby. Zaranj, a city in southwestern Afghanistan, and Zahedan, the provincial capital of Sistan and Baluchestan, both home to windmills according to historic accounts, replaced the Burnt City to become key civilization hubs in the Iranian Plateau.
♦ “We need to root out monopoly,” said the chief of staff of President Rouhani.
Mohammad Nahavandian further said in the post-sanctions era, government will build on interaction to forge ahead in style with the policy of cutting the country’s dependence on oil revenues.
♦ The Iranian oil minister has said that Iran will reclaim its position as the second largest producer of OPEC.
Bijan Namdar Zanganeh further said all oil fields will return to the production cycle once the sanctions are lifted.
♦ The United Nations has called for the formation of a fact-finding mission on Saudi war crimes in Yemen.
UNICEF has said that three children are killed and five others are wounded in Yemen on a daily basis.
♦ “Ill-thought-out comments against nuclear talks deal a blow to the establishment,” said Grand Ayatollah Hossein Mazaheri, a source of emulation.
He further said the patience and tolerance of the negotiating team burnished the Iranian image [on the international stage].
♦ The International Atomic Energy Agency has said that Iran has remained committed to the provisions of the Geneva Deal.
Iran’s ambassador to the UN nuclear agency said the IAEA report suggests there is no diversion in Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities.
♦ “The world needs to respect the literature of the Persian language,” the Friday prayer leader of Ardebil told a closing session of an international conference to promote Farsi.
The culture minister told the same gathering that Farsi is full of terms and delicate figures of speech compatible with human knowledge.
♦ The grandson of the late Imam Khomeini has dismissed as wrong some individuals’ failure to shoulder responsibilities.
Seyyed Hassan Khomeini further said one of the most momentous achievements of the current government is [the creation of] hope which was touched upon by the Supreme Leader in his recent comments.
Ali Molla-Gholipour, a young Iranian director, took his protest at the screening of his film – Dowry’s Sugar Bowl – to a charity soccer match between the Iranian big names and the World Stars.
Ali, the son of famous Iranian director Rasoul Molla-Gholipour, ran onto the pitch Friday and was arrested by police. He was protesting against the screening of a movie in theaters previously designated to screen his.
He was later released thanks to the mediation efforts of Hojjatollah Ayyoubi, the head of Iran’s Cinema Organization.
Ettela’at: “We need to root out monopoly,” said the chief of staff of President Rouhani.
Mohammad Nahavandian further said in the post-sanctions era, government will build on interaction to forge ahead in style with the policy of cutting the country’s dependence on oil revenues.
Abrar: Deadly gas leak in Mahshahr Petrochemical Complex
One person was killed and another badly poisoned in the incident at Arvand Petrochemical Company.
Afarinesh: The director of the Atomic Energy Organization has said that Iran and China will cooperate in construction of 100 MW power plants.
Afkar: “Iranian people are allergic to threats,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Aftab-e Yazd: “Inflation will slip into single digits within two years,” said the government spokesman.
Aftab-e Yazd:Iran and the United States have similar views on Parchin.
The likelihood of the US Congress rejecting the deal has become more remote.
Arman-e Emrooz: The Central Council of NEDA [Farsi initials for a Second Generation of Reformism] Party has not accepted the resignation of Sadegh Kharrazi.
Asr-e Azadi: “The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action removes the obstacles standing in the way of making resistance-based economy a reality,” said Foreign Minister Zarif.
Asrar: World Stars have beaten Iran’s all-star team (3-0) in a charity matchup at Azadi Stadium.
Esfahan Emrooz: Foreign Minister Zarif was on hand for the experimental run of Isfahan Subway.
Iran: Iran is ready to waive visa requirements for visitors from 28 countries if the move is reciprocated by those countries.
The move is part of efforts to increase the number of foreign tourists arriving in the country to 20 million.
Iran: “Stoking pessimism runs counter to the country’s national interests,” said the chief of staff of President Rouhani.
Jomhouri Islami: Swiss firms are willing to invest in Iran.
Kayhan: [Iran is in a] hurry to implement its commitments even before the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is approved.
Foreign Minister Zarif has said that implementation of the commitments will get underway on September 23.
Qods: The pride of Iran’s film industry [Muhammad] hits the big screen.
Resalat: Tehran police chief has said that 20 drug trafficking rings have been busted.
Shahrvand: The bodies of 71 Syrian refugees have been found on board a truck in Austria.
