Darabad Botanical Museum, which seeks to make the public familiar with different medicinal and ornamental plants, houses 600 of the 8,000 plant species that exist in Iran.
The species on display have been collected in two years.
The following are photos of the museum posted online by tpaa.ir:
President Rouhani has always insisted on staying true to the late Imam Khomeini’s line of thinking. But an editorial by Seyyed Masoud Alavi published by principlist daily Resalat on August 26 argued that the remarks of British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond during his Iran visit cast doubt on such commitment.
The following is the translation of an excerpt of the editorial:
[…]
Iran, a Persian-language daily which is affiliated with the government, published an opinion piece by the British foreign secretary on August 25 titled “Iranian Audacity to Explore New Ways”.
In an interview with the BBC before meeting with President Rouhani toward the end of his Tehran visit, Philip Hammond said that Iran has shown a more nuanced approach toward Israel.
His comments came despite the fact the whole world knows well that during more than three decades since the Islamic Revolution, Iran’s stance on usurping Israel has remained unchanged.
The key question here is what Hammond meant by saying that Iran has shown a more nuanced approach with Israel.
Time and again, the late Imam Khomeini said that every Muslim is duty-bound to equip himself against Israel. The late Imam also said “I have repeated warned about the threat posed to the nation by the Israeli government and its agents.” He also said that Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth.
Given the clear stance of the late Imam on the Zionist regime of Israel, is it right for Hammond to talk of a shift in the stand of the Iranian government toward Israel in Tehran?!
If the government, as the president says, feels committed to fulfilling the ideals of Imam Khomeini, the editorial of the government-run daily should have criticized Hammond for his remarks and laid out the stance of the establishment on Israel rather than let the British foreign secretary write a piece in the state-run newspaper and talk about “testing the new waters” in Iran.
In a speech at the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini, the president said “We should not let the late Imam’s line of thinking and ideals be misinterpreted by some”. That remark is very true. But, shouldn’t president have fleshed out a foreign policy in line with the late Imam’s principles and talked about the unwavering stance of the late Imam on the US and Israel?
Shouldn’t he have – in his speech at the late Imam’s mausoleum – touched on the ominous anti-Iran plots of hegemonic and arrogant powers who seek to extend their influence in the country and across the region? Shouldn’t he have elaborated on his government’s measures to prevent the infiltration of the intelligence services of the enemies and the danger of seditionist return to the political scene?
[…]
At Imam’s mausoleum, the president should have said that the US is still the enemy of the Iranian nation, and a classic example of an arrogant power. He should have said that on behalf of the Iranian nation, his government would not let the American dream of regime change in Iran come true.
In support of the late Imam’s beliefs, the president should have said loud and clear in his speech that his administration would stand up to the US bullying even if it involved use of force and that Iran seeks to wipe out the corrupt roots of Zionism around the world.
Such a stance would have stopped any possible misinterpretation by the enemies of the establishment and would have presented a correct interpretation of Imam Khomeini’s brave stance in the face of the sworn enemies of the establishment.
On top of that, it could have reaffirmed the fact that the foreign policy of the 11th government is in line with the Imam Khomeini’s positions.
The mountain resort of Touchal in northern Tehran was the first place in Iran to put up a bungee-jumping pole (40 m in height). But women were not allowed to bungee jump there.
The following is the translation of a report filed by the Iranian Students’ News Agency on August 25 about the passionate interest of women in bungee jumping in Tehran:
Four years ago, another bungee-jumping center opened in Velayat Park in Tehran where women were allowed to jump off its 40-m pole. That attracted many tourists.
Even the holiday resort of Ganjnameh in Hamedan, which is home to the highest bungee-jumping pole in the Middle East, did not impose a ban on women keen on jumping off its 45-m-high platform.
It’s still unclear why unlike the other two centers, women are not allowed to go for the extreme sport in Touchal, nor has the reason behind the ban been officially announced, but some believe that religious issues may play a role in it.
Managers of Touchal are now seeking to lift the ban on the bungee jumping of women.
Interestingly, according to those in charge of bungee-jumping centers, female bungee jumpers outnumber men.
A bungee-jumping trainer at Tehran’s Velayat Park says 80 percent of those who apply for a jump are women aged between 14 and 60, adding, “I have never seen a woman climb up the pole and then back off, but there have been many men who have gone back on their decision to bungee jump.”
A cabbie in Tehran is using dolls and stuffed toys to give a different look to the interior of his taxi. Passengers getting into his cab are usually surprised at the sight of the toys dangling from the roof and the rearview mirror or placed on the dashboard and by the windscreen.
The following is the translation of an excerpt of the comments of the taxi driver filed by SMT, a daily, on August 23:
Since childhood, I have been fond of animals. Actually I wished to become a vet. It was because of my love for animals that I developed an interest in toy animals. At first, I had a few toys in my cab but the number went up at the request of my passengers. In fact, the positive reaction from some of the passengers inspired me to have more in my taxi.
My passengers write down their ideas in a passenger book I keep in my taxi; I do value their opinions and try to meet their requests. Once a woman wrote, “I was on the verge of a divorce, getting in your taxi took me back to my childhood years. That prompted me to abandon the idea of divorcing my husband.”
A few years ago I opened a Facebook account. At first, I did not plan to introduce my taxi on the Internet, but some people told me that they had seen photos of my cab posted online in the name of others. So I decided to have a Facebook page.
Although I am not a famous person, the number of likes I get on my Facebook page at times equals those of celebrities. Through social networking sites, I have even made friends with Iranians abroad. When they visit Tehran, they want me to drive them around.
The comments of the Supreme Leader at a meeting with President Rouhani and his Cabinet to mark Government Week dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Thursday. Also on the covers of dailies was the unveiling of a new gold coin and a traveler’s check at a ceremony attended by the president and the Central Bank governor.
Ettela’at: “Economy is the top priority of the country,” said the Supreme Leader at a meeting with President Rouhani and his Cabinet.
At the meeting [which came during Government Week] Ayatollah Khamenei thanked the president and his Cabinet for their efforts.
Abrar: The director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran has arrived in Beijing for talks [with Chinese officials over nuclear cooperation].
Abrar-e Eghtesadi: Members of parliament have called on the oil minister to make efforts to reclaim Iran’s share of the global petroleum market.
Afkar: The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman has called on Washington to free Iranian nationals imprisoned in the US.
Aftab-e Yazd: The Supreme Leader has thanked the Rouhani administration for cutting inflation, creating economic stability and bringing the nuclear talks to conclusion.
Aftab-e Yazd: The Mountain of Muscle [a nickname of Iranian professional bodybuilder Beitollah Abbaspour] has passed away.
Arman-e Emrooz: At a meeting with the president and his Cabinet, the Supreme Leader called for formation of a resistance-based economy headquarters.
Etemad: Tehran MP Ali Motahari has called for measures to guarantee freedom of assembly for all sides.
His appeal came in reaction to a gathering by the so-called Worriers in protest at the nuclear deal between Iran and P5+1.
Etemad: Tax evasion by the big shots
Of the 5 million or so taxpayers in the country, only 503 individuals pay more than $17,000 in taxes.
Iran: A European leader arrives in Iran, a first in 11 years.
Heading a 200-member delegation, the Austrian president is expected to visit Tehran.
Jomhouri Islami: “This year is the year of transitioning from sanctions and giving momentum to efforts to secure economic prosperity,” President Rouhani said.
Jomhouri Islami: In a ceremony attended by the president, a new gold coin and a new traveler’s check have been unveiled.
Kayhan: “Iran is single-handedly standing up against the disintegration of regional countries,” said the Iraqi ambassador to Tehran in an exclusive interview with Kayhan.
Khorasan: An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale has hit Firuzkooh to the west of the capital.
Mardomsalari: “Iran stands ready for talks with all regional countries,” said the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.
Mardomsalari: The unforgettable stars of the world soccer are converging on Tehran for a charity matchup at Azadi Stadium on Friday with an Iranian all-star team.
Resalat: The deputy interior minister has said that the Guardian Council has the final say in vetting candidates running for public office.
Roozan: The deputy interior minister has said that electoral campaigning in mosques is forbidden.
Roozan: The Australian foreign minister has called on Iran to join the anti-IS coalition.
Sharq: “The Supreme Leader views suffrage as a public right, some consider it decorative,” said Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.
Siasat-e Rooz: The Supreme Leader has called on officials not to mince their words in laying out the country’s revolutionary stance.
♦ “Economy is the top priority of the country,” said the Supreme Leader at a meeting with President Rouhani and his Cabinet.
At the meeting [which came during Government Week] Ayatollah Khamenei thanked the president and his Cabinet for their efforts.
♦ Private firms launch activity in selling landlines.
The minister of communications further said that 51 companies have applied to offer cell phone services to the public.
♦ Yemen’s Ansarullah have thanked the Iranian people and the Supreme Leader for their support.
In another development, Saudi warplanes bombed a Red Cross storage facility in Aden.
♦ President Rouhani: Farsi is the language of wisdom, ethics, dialogue and moderation.
A message from the president opened a conference to promote the Farsi language in Ardebil.
♦ “To run the country, there is no other way but to respect the views of the public,” said the chairman of the Expediency Council.
Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said that a government that does not have the support of the public turns dictatorial.
♦ Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that he has full confidence in Iran and Russia.
He added that relations between Tehran and Damascus create a balance in the Arab world.
Young Iranian female taekwondo artists have impressed the crowd at the second edition of the WTF World Cadet Taekwondo Championships in South Korea, standing on top of the podium.
On Wednesday, the Iranian girls’ national taekwondo team landed in the first position of the chart with 83 points after earning five gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal at the end of the event at the T1 Arena in the city of Muju.
The Russians finished runner-up with 48 points, bagging one gold medal, two silver medals and one bronze.
The United States claimed one gold medal, one silver and one bronze to come third with 37 points.
Meanwhile, the Iranian boys’ taekwondo team won two gold medals plus two silvers and one bronze medal, capturing the runner-up podium with 58 points.
South Korea clinched the victory of the tournament with 63 points, snatching three gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal.
The male Russian taekwondo practitioners were awarded one gold medal, two silver medals and one bronze, and stood in the third place with 47 points.
The 2nd edition of the WTF World Cadet Taekwondo Championships opened in Muju on August 23 and wrapped up on August 26.
The tournament brought together 465 young male and female taekwondo artists from 59 countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Thailand and the United States.
Three Iranian airliners have conducted negotiations with the Russians to buy “Sukhoi Superjet 100” passenger planes, an Iranian vice-president announced on Wednesday.
“Superjet 100 is a joint product of Boeing and Airbus aircraft manufacturing companies and 80 percent of its parts are made by the Russians,” Iranian Vice President for Science and Technology Sourena Sattari, who is also the President of Iran National Science Foundation (INSF), said on the sidelines of the International Aviation and Space Show (MAKS-2015) in Moscow.
He said Iran’s Kish Air, Zagros, and Caspian airline companies have been in talks with the Russians over the purchase of the modern airliner.
Sattari also noted that INSF and a Russian organization are to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to boost mutual cooperation in various areas of science and technology.
“The MoU is to be inked in a meeting held by officials from INSF and the Russian RFBR,” he said.
Sattari said on Tuesday Iranian officials will sign 10 economic agreements with the Russians during their visit to MAKS-2015 in Moscow.
“Iran and Russia have numerous potential for cooperating in various fields, specifically in aerial industries and industrial centers,” Sattari said in a meeting with Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov in the Russian capital.
The Russian official voiced his country’s willingness to expand all-out ties with Iran for his part and invited Iranian investors to participate in Russia’s economic projects.
Manturov will visit Tehran in December.
The first session of the Iran-Russian Joint Commission of Science and Technology will also be held with Sattari and Russian deputy prime minister Dmirty Rogozin.
An Iranian delegation arrived in Moscow on Monday to discuss the delivery of Russian S-300 missile systems and take part in the MAKS 2015 air show.
The five-day space show kicked off on Tuesday in the town of Zhukovsky near Moscow.
More than 700 Russian and foreign companies from 30 countries will put their products on display at the show.
According to the exhibition director, 40 Iranian companies are also showcasing their products and achievements in MAKS-2015, including Iran Air Show, Qom International Airport, and Sharif Hamrah Pazhouhan Science and Technology Co.
Unlike previous years, Iranian firms and companies have been provided with a larger space in the exhibition this year.
The Iranian and Chinese nuclear chiefs have stressed bilateral cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy – especially in the construction of nuclear power plants.
Director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi and Xu Dazhe, the head of China’s Atomic Energy Authority, discussed cooperation between the two countries in Beijing on Wednesday, ISNA reported.
During the meeting, the two sides stressed the implementation and execution of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached between Iran and P5+1.
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 Tehran.
The two sides also had discussions on the construction of new nuclear plants by China in Iran.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the construction of 100-megawatt power plants, capable of desalinating water and producing electricity and industrial steam.
They also agreed that the construction of such plants alongside 1000-megawatt power plants can cover Iran’s need for nuclear electricity.
The head of China’s Atomic Energy Authority emphasized the necessity of the approval of JCPOA in Iran and the other six countries as a launch pad for further cooperation.
Salehi, who is at the head of a high-ranking AEOI delegation on a three-day visit in China, is scheduled to meet with senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Tehran has called for the release of 19 Iranian nationals languishing in US jails on charges of bypassing anti-Iran sanctions.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said Wednesday that Iran remains concerned over the fate of the prisoners and is seeking consular access to them.
She stated that some of the Iranians are still under watch even after serving out their jail term.
“Defending these Iranians’ rights is among issues we have always demanded,” Afkham said, voicing regret that no international human rights organization, “particularly the United Nations”, has ever made comments regarding the matter.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman also voiced hope that the prisoners would be set free as soon as possible.
The United States and its allies have imposed illegal sanctions on Iran based on unfounded accusations that Tehran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear program.
Tehran has time and again asserted that it merely seeks a civilian purpose in its nuclear program.
[…]
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