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

About Us
IFP Editorial Staff
Contact Us

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

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

type here...

Iran News
Politics
Business
Society
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human Rights
- Incidents
- Lifestyle
- Sport
- Women
Culture
- Art
- Architecture
- Books
- Cinema
- Cultural Heritage
- Food
- Handicrafts
- Media
- Religion
World
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Middle East
- Persian Gulf

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

Iran News
Politics
Business
Society
- Education
- Environment
- Health
- Human Rights
- Incidents
- Lifestyle
- Sport
- Women
Culture
- Art
- Architecture
- Books
- Cinema
- Cultural Heritage
- Food
- Handicrafts
- Media
- Religion
World
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Middle East
- Persian Gulf

Home Blog Page 4760

Iran closely watches hostile moves: Air defense commander

Golrokh Askarieh

September 5, 2015

Iran keeps a close watch on the enemy’s aerial threats in distances as far away as 3,000 km outside the country’s borders, Air Defense Commander Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili said.

Thanks to the homegrown air defense gear, from radars to missiles, Iran’s Air Defense can detect the “enemy’s breath” in distances beyond 3,000 km, the general said in an address to Tehran’s Friday prayers.

He explained that Iran’s “defense line” is not confined to the geographical borders, because the bulk of threats and invasions are carried out through the air, with the use of planes or long-range missiles.

Given an increase in the number of the trans-regional countries’ bases around Iran, the Air Defense sites have been established in 3,700 spots across the country to protect islands, oil platforms, gas fields and the nuclear sites, the commander added.

His comments came a day after inauguration of Iran’s homegrown intelligent air defense command and control system, dubbed the Great Prophet (PBUH).

Iran has in recent years made great headway in manufacturing a broad range of military equipment, including the air defense systems that use cutting-edge technologies.

Tehran has repeatedly stated that its military power is defensive in nature and poses no threat to other countries.

Iranian speaker calls for int’l efforts to stop destruction of artifacts in Iraq, Syria

Golrokh Askarieh

September 5, 2015

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani voiced deep concern over recent moves by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group to destroy ancient artifacts in Iraq and Syria, calling for international efforts to stop the heinous acts.

Speaking in a meeting with Director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Thomas P. Campbell in New York, Larijani denounced the destruction of archaeological sites in Iraq and Syria, and said as long as terrorists remain in the region such destruction will continue.

“To halt the destructions, global efforts should be made,” the Iranian parliamentarian said.

“The world pays no attention to the human heritage,” Larijani said, adding, “But we will do our best (to save the heritage).”

ISIL’s demolition of the Saint Elian Monastery in the central Syrian province of Homs is the latest in a long campaign that has destroyed or extensively damaged some of the Middle East’s most spectacular archaeological and cultural sites.

Some of the world’s most precious cultural treasures, including ancient sites in the cradle of civilization, are in areas controlled by the group and at the mercy of extremists bent on wiping out all symbols of culture and history. The militants have also targeted churches, mosques and museums.

The rampage, targeting priceless cultural artifacts often dating back thousands of years, has sparked global outrage and accusations of war crimes.

The militants are also believed to be selling ancient artifacts on the black market in order to finance their bloody campaign across the region.

Afghan president calls for expansion of ties with Iran

September 5, 2015

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in a meeting with Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli on Friday called for expansion of Kabul-Tehran relations.

“Kabul has always been looking for strengthening of trade ties with Tehran,” President Ashraf Ghani said.

President Ghani added that minor differences between the two countries in some issues should not hinder the expansion of cooperation.

Rahmani Fazli, for his part, emphasized the importance of improving security in Afghanistan, expressing the Islamic Republic’s readiness to help restore peace in the war-torn country.

“Afghanistan’s security is important to us; Tehran understands the country’s situation and will cooperate to restore peace to Afghanistan,” Rahmani Fazli said.

He said that Tehran and Kabul enjoy amicable relations and added that as a close neighbor, the Islamic Republic believes that “a threat to Afghanistan will in fact be a threat to Iran.”

The Iranian minister called on the two countries to have closer cooperation on the economic front and in the fight against terrorism and smuggling of narcotics as well as border control.

Iraqi Kurdistan Seeks Iran Help Against ISIS Chemical Attacks

Golrokh Askarieh

September 5, 2015

Head of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government’s Department of Foreign Relations Falah Mustafa Bakir has called for Iran’s assistance in dealing with the threat of chemical attacks by the ISIS terrorist group.

“The threat of chemical attacks by ISIS is serious. The Kurdistan Regional Government welcomes the assistance of the Islamic Republic of Iran in this regard,” he told IRNA.

The official said Iran has precious experience in anti-chemical weapons defense which is sought by the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government.

Mustafa also said his meeting with the visiting media advisor to Iranian minister of culture and Islamic guidance was fruitful for expansion of bilateral ties.

Iran held talks with P5+1 for removal of sanctions: Ayatollah Khamenei

Emad Askarieh

September 4, 2015

“If the framework of the sanctions is to remain in place [then] what did we negotiate for? This is completely against the reason why the Islamic Republic of Iran partook in negotiations, since the goal of the talks was the removal of the sanctions,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with members of Iran’s Assembly of Experts on Thursday.

On July 14, Iran and the P5+1 countries – 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 the 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.

The Leader said the potential removal of the sanctions was the main reason Tehran gave some concessions at the talks, “Otherwise, there would be no need for us to take part in the negotiations. We could continue our work and could increase the number of our centrifuges to 50,000 to 60,000 from the current 19,000 in a short while and continue 20-percent [uranium] enrichment, and speed up research and development.”

“Should the sanctions remain in place, then there would be no deal either. So this issue must be resolved,” Ayatollah Khamenei said and also rejected the idea that the bans be “suspended” instead of being “lifted.”

The Leader further insisted that Iran’s Majlis (parliament) be involved in the examination of the JCPOA.

“I have no recommendation for the Majlis regarding the manner of the review or whether they should ratify or reject it. It is the representatives of the nation who should decide,” said Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Leader also referred to the comments made by American officials, which were irrelevant to the issue of nuclear agreement.

“They (American officials) say the JCPOA has offered some opportunities to the United States both inside Iran and outside the country and in the region,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

“One of the US policies in the region is to annihilate and fully destroy the forces of resistance and fully dominate Syria and Iraq and they expect that the Islamic Republic enter this framework. Such a thing would never transpire,” the Leader said, ruling out any negotiation with the US unless on the nuclear issue.

“One should not be duped by the enemy as a result of its smile or probable short-term assistance in a certain issue. We should always find out what the enemy’s plotting and scheme are,” the Leader said.

Director of The Godfather praises Muhammad, the Messenger of God

Emad Askarieh

September 3, 2015

The private screening of Muhammad, the Messenger of God, a film by Iranian director Majid Majidi, at the American Film Institute has drawn a warm welcome from a group of 135 big names in the cinema industry in Los Angeles.

Fars News Agency on September 2 released this report quoting the website of the Iranian movie on the life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and said that Vittorio Storaro, an Italian who was in charge of Muhammad‘s cinematography, screened the Iranian movie for his American counterparts who widely welcomed it. The following is the translation of the report:

Muhammad, the Messenger of God premiered at the opening ceremony of the Montreal World Film Festival (MWFF) in late August and then it was screened in the movie theaters across Iran and other countries – where it was given an enthusiastic welcome. The latest screening of the movie was in the US where the American movie-goers stood in long lines to watch the Iranian movie.

A group of 135 well-known figures in the film industry were present for the private screening of Muhammad, the Messenger of God at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.

According to Storaro, a big number of people could not watch the film. Francis Ford Coppola – an American filmmaker who has directed The Godfather – was among the audience of the private screening and highly praised the movie.

Those who watched Muhammad expressed their interest in the film, with many saying that Muhammad has a big capacity to establish interfaith peace [in the world].

On Tuesday the Montreal World Film Festival dedicated two extra screening times for Muhammad, the Messenger of God. Nonetheless, many fans failed to watch the movie and asked those in charge to allocate extra show time.

[Muhammad, the Messenger of God is the first part of Iran’s big-budget trilogy on the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). A number of internationally-acclaimed professionals, including Academy Award winning visual effects supervisor and filmmaker Scott E. Anderson, three-time Oscar-winning Italian director of photography Vittorio Storaro and renowned Croat production designer Milijen Kreka Kljakovic collaborated in making the film.]

Iran’s shared oil, gas fields need $50 billion

Emad Askarieh

September 3, 2015

For production from shared fields, Iran lags behind its neighbors, which is a matter of concern for Zangeneh and other state officials, he told a live televised program, adding beefing up output from those reservoirs is a top priority.

At present, Iran produces 110,000 bpd from those fields in the southwest which is expected to rise to 260,000 bpd next year, Zangeneh said.

More than $20 billion is needed to boost recovery to 700,000 bpd, which would mark Iran’s fastest production growth at those fields, he added.

South Azadegan, Iran’s largest oilfield shared with Iraq, is the highest priority reservoir. Iraq started producing 210,000 barrels per day from the field in April 2014 and is targeting a production plateau of 1.8 million bpd.

Iran’s production from the field stands at 50,000 bpd, according to officials. Zangeneh said 17 rigs are currently spudding South Azadegan but this count has to be raised further.

In the gas sector, Iran needs $30 billion of investment in its giant South Pars field which the country shares with Qatar, Zangeneh said.

By the next two years, 25 phases of the field are expected to become operational, raising Iran’s production capacity to one billion cubic meters per day, he added.

Zangeneh said each phase adds 25 million cubic meters of gas to the national grid per day. Ten phases are already operational, with two more expected to come on stream and a third possibly to join the network this year.

The minister said projects will accelerate after the removal of sanctions which were mainly aimed at “bringing Iran’s petroleum industry to its knees”.

“The personnel of the petroleum industry, with their exemplary resistance, neutralized those objectives,” he said.

Zangeneh said for Iran and other OPEC members, the oil price in the range of $70-80 is “acceptable”. He said members have to cut production in order boost prices from under $50 per barrel now.

“We are currently negotiating with OPEC members. But fortunately or unfortunately, each OPEC decision has to be approved by consensus and the implementation of the decisions is voluntary.”

Major defense drills underway in Iranian capital

Emad Askarieh

September 3, 2015

Several commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as well as government officials are observing the exercises.

The drills, code-named Tharallah, started at around 8:30 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) on Thursday at Velayat Park – formerly a large military garrison – in Tehran, and as many as 50,000 members of the Basiji volunteer force from 250 battalions have participated in them.

Thousands of Basiji members marched at the site, followed by ten gyroplanes, twenty paramotors and a motorized flying kite performing aerobatic demonstrations.

A Mil Mi-17 helicopter also conducted a number of airborne operations, namely parachuting, airdropping, rappelling as well as surveillance.

The Tharallah exercises, which are meant to enhance Iran’s deterrence power and improve its defense and security preparedness, will wrap up later on Thursday.

Iran has over the recent years conducted numerous military drills to enhance the defense capabilities of its armed forces and test modern military tactics and equipment.

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

On Tuesday, Iran unveiled two domestically-manufactured and state-of-the-art radar systems capable of detecting stealth targets at high altitudes.

The radar systems, dubbed Nazir and Bina, were unveiled on in a ceremony attended by Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili.

Nazir is a long-range radar system that can detect and track hostile aerial targets within a radius of 800 kilometers at an estimated altitude of 100,000 feet, while Bina uses three-dimensional (3-D) technology to detect radar-evading targets. It can also be used to deter electronic warfare.

The two radar systems have been deployed in mountainous and plain areas in the southeastern parts of Iran.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on September 3

Emad Askarieh

September 3, 2015

News related to the recently-concluded 18^th meeting of the Assembly of Experts and comments by the parliament speaker in an interview with CNN dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Thursday. The support of a 34^th US senator for the Iranian nuclear deal also appeared on the cover of dailies.

Ettela’at: “Some critical remarks about the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) are unfair and out of obstinacy,” Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

Speaking at a meeting of the Assembly of Experts, the diplomat who is also a member of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team said that every clause of JCPOA has been carefully reviewed at the Supreme National Security Council and in parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on September 3

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on September 3

Abrar: A motion to increase the number of representatives at the Assembly of Experts has been rejected.

Abrar: “The cars of women who fail to observe the Islamic dress code behind the wheel will be impounded,” said Tehran traffic police chief.

Abrar: Don’t go too far Mr. minister! Not buying locally-manufactured cars is no treason.

[It comes after the minister of trade and industries slammed those who boycott local vehicles as “traitorous and anti-revolutionary”.]

Abrar: “Cooperation with foreign carmakers will help end monopoly,” said a member of parliament’s Mines and Industries Committee.

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: Iran and Russia have opened talks to jointly manufacture airplanes.

Aftab-e Yazd: Renowned vocalist Mohammad Reza Shajarian, who had been hospitalized for a breathing condition, has been discharged from hospital.

Aftab-e Yazd: “The solution to the problem of house arrest [of two presidential candidates who doubted the results of the 2009 vote and thus sparked widespread unrest] lies in maintaining calm,” said the justice minister.

Arman-e Emrooz: In an interview, the director of Imam Khomeini Relief Committee has talked about construction of a clinic and a park in Gaza [in the Palestinian territories].

Arman-e Emrooz: Iran’s first Sunni Muslim ambassador has been named.

Arman-e Emrooz: Implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is now a certainty after a 34^th US senator threw his weight behind the Iran nuclear deal.

Asr-e Eghtesad: Five new free trade zones will be set up in Iran.

Asr-e Rasaneh: Seizure of the largest haul of drug precursors.

Asrar: The Syrian town of Al-Zabadanihas been freed.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: “Some 600 industrial units which were either in hibernation or out of business have returned to the production cycle,” said the deputy industry minister.

Etemad: The chairman of the Assembly of Experts has expressed concern about the country’s cultural condition, warning government not to relent when it comes to promotion of virtue.

Etemad: The 34^th vote

With Maryland Senator Barbara Ann Mikulski throwing her weight behind the Iran nuclear deal, Obama can veto the likely rejection of the deal on Capitol Hill. That also guarantees the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Ghanoon: Iranian director and film critic Iraj Karimi has passed away.

Hamshahri: Each Iranian suffers some $300 in losses as a result of smuggling in goods.

Hamshahri: Saudi authorities are implementing tough rules when it comes to Iranian Hajj pilgrims.

Hemayat: The dream of the Great Satan returning to Iran won’t come true.

The announcement was made as a stone plaque – bearing the 100 terms the late Imam used to refer to the US – was unveiled outside the former US embassy in Tehran.

Iran: Parliaments rush to the aid of diplomacy

The parliament speaker, who is in New York, has held extensive talks with his European counterparts on the sidelines of an inter-parliamentary meeting.

Iran: The Congressional hurdle [standing in the way of the Iran nuclear deal] came crashing down.

Iran: A member of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team has said that obstinacy by some is bothering the negotiating team.

Jamejam: A statement issued by the Assembly of Experts has urged the Supreme National Security Council to make sure provisions of the Constitution and the red lines of the establishment are respected in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Jamejam: A taxi driver in Damghan has returned a handbag containing a lot of gold to its owner.

Javan: The administration-Congress game is over.

Javan: A stone plaque bearing the 100 terms the late Imam used to characterize the US has been unveiled outside the former US embassy in Tehran.

Jomhouri Islami: “We reached all of our goals in nuclear talks,” Abbas Araghchi, a member of Iran’s nuclear negotiating team, said in speech at the Assembly of Experts.

Kar va Kargar: “The regional adventurism of the Zionists has caused resentment and concern in Islamic countries,” the parliament speaker said.

Kayhan: Saudi fighters have bombed the positions of [Saudi-led coalition] mercenaries five times.

Was it simply a mistake or disobedience?!

Mardomsalari: “Iran seeks fair crude prices on global markets,” said Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

Mardomsalari: Some 3,000 Iranians die of air pollution-related complications each year.

Resalat: The chairman of the Assembly of Experts has urged the government not to release any unreal figures.

Resalat: The secretary of the Lebanese Hezbollah has said that the resistance movement is in best shape.

Resalat: US [investigative] journalist Gareth Porterhas said in an interview with Resalat that Iran was powerful in nuclear talks.

Roozan: “Releasing American prisoners, a two-way street,” Hamidreza Asefi, a former Iranian diplomat and world affairs expert, said.

Setareh Sobh: Two Iranian scientists have developed a hybrid heart valve.

Sharq: “We are not anti-Semites, but we find fault with Israel,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

Taadol: “Regional countries should stick to their right to self-determination,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Supreme Leader’s letter welcomed at Moscow Book Fair

Emad Askarieh

September 3, 2015

The Sacred Defense Publishers’ Association has distributed the Russian translation of the Supreme Leader’s letter to the Western youth among visitors at the 28th Moscow International Book Fair (MIBF).

Fars News Agency on September 2 published a report on the Russian translation of the Supreme Leader’s letter and its distribution among young visitors at the Moscow Book Fair (September 2-6). The following is the translation of part of that report:

The 28th Moscow International Book Fair (MIBF) opened in the Russian capital on Wednesday (September 2). From Iran, the Sacred Defense Publishers’ Association handed out copies of the Russian translation of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s letter to the youth in North America and Europe to the young people visiting the book fair.

In a letter on January 21, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei introduced a true image of Islam to the youth in Europe and North America and elaborated on the reasons behind Western efforts to spread Islamophobia.

[In the historic letter, Ayatollah Khamenei asked the Western youth to try to gain direct and firsthand knowledge of the religion in reaction to the flood of prejudgments and disinformation campaigns against Islam.

The letter, which has been met with a warm welcome by Muslims in the world and the Western media, has been translated into multiple languages.

[Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) has translated the Supreme Leader’s message to the Western youth into 21 languages in order to foil attempts to distort the content of the letter or marginalize it.

The ICRO has translated the letter into languages such as Russian, Croatian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Swahili, Turkish, Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, Thai and Albanian.]