Varkaneh Village in western Iran (PHOTOS)

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September 9, 2015

Varkaneh Village in Hamedan Province is a rural destination popular with tourists visiting western Iran.

In the Kurdish dialect, var means side and kaneh means spring. So Varkaneh is a place located on the edge of a spring.

The village, 2,250 m above sea level, has mild and lovely weather in the spring and summer. But it’s very cold in the winter.

People first took up residence in the village during the early years of the Safavid era, almost four centuries ago.

Azeri, Farsi and Kurdish are spoken by people in the village who are Shiite Muslims. A 2006 census put the number of the village residents at 1,000.

Varkaneh is one of the six touristy villages in the province and has been registered as a national heritage site.

The following images of Varkaneh have been posted online by Mehr News Agency:

Spanish delegation visits Isfahan (PHOTOS)

By

Fatemeh Askarieh

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September 9, 2015

Spanish Foreign Minister José Garcia-Margallo along with Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism José Manuel Soria Lopez and the minister of public works and transport visited the historical sites and tourist attractions of the central Iranian city of Isfahan on Tuesday.

Photos of the visit released online by the Islamic Republic News Agency:

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on September 9

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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September 9, 2015

The meetings of the Austrian president with the Supreme Leader and President Rouhani, and the comments of officials on the review of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Wednesday.

Ettela’at: “We are waiting for the practical impact of comments by the Europeans on relations with Iran,” the Supreme Leader said at a meeting with the visiting Austrian President.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged officials of the two countries to plan and follow up measures to bolster bilateral ties.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on September 9

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on September 9

Abrar: “The Supreme Leader has the final say on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,” said the government spokesman.

Aftab-e Yazd: Jalili comes under fire from left and right for the comments he made at a meeting of parliament’s JCPOA Review Committee.

Aftab-e Yazd: Up to 1.35 million tourists in Iran in the wake of the Vienna nuclear deal.

Aftab-e Yazd: The young Khomeini is being urged to run

Ali Motahari has called on the grandson of the founding father of the Islamic Republic to field his candidacy in the upcoming Assembly of Experts elections.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Women can run for the Assembly of Experts,” said Ayatollah Mousavi Bojnurdi.

Arman-e Emrooz: [Former top nuclear negotiator Saeed] Jalili insists on denying the success [the negotiator that replaced him scored].

Asrar: Iran’s oil sanctions will be lifted in the first quarter of 2016.

Ebtekar: “Parliament is already reviewing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, no bill is needed,” said the government spokesman.

Ebtekar: Critics of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action under attack

Araghchi: What is surprising is that critics base their comments on the statements of the US administration.

Salehi: The US did not recognize Iran’s right to enrichment in Almaty.

Esfahan Emrooz: The Spanish foreign minister has said that Isfahan has the greatest number of tourist attractions.

Hemayat: “There has been no talk about any swap involving Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian,” said the judiciary spokesman.

Hemayat: “The human rights presuppositions of the West should not be imposed on others,” said the judiciary chief at a meeting with the visiting Austrian president.

Hosban: The secretary of the Supreme National Security Council has urged members of parliament’s JCPOA Review Committee to set aside personal preferences in interpreting the nuclear deal.

Iran: Distortion of nuclear facts draws reaction

The director of the Atomic Energy Organization has refuted claims by the former top nuclear negotiator.

Javan: A national information network is a prerequisite for a clean Internet.

Jomhouri Islami: The parliament speaker has said that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is acceptable but not flawless.

Jomhouri Islami: Those who import second-hand equipment are in the ranks of individuals who are critical of the Healthcare Transformation Plan.

Kaenat: “Iran welcomes any measure to improve the oil market,” said the Iranian oil chief.

Kayhan: The enemy has welcomed the [Iranian] government thumbing its nose at the Constitution [a reference to government’s failure to send a bill to parliament on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action].

Payam-e Zaman: Iran has defeated India 3-0 in the World Cup qualifiers.

Qods: “Europe’s pursuit of America’s hostile policies [toward Iran] is irrational,” said the Supreme Leader at a meeting with the Austrian president.

Resalat: “Iran remains committed [to the nuclear deal] as long as the other side does not violate the terms of the deal,” the president said at a joint press conference with his Austrian counterpart.

Sharq: The government spokesman has said that automakers need to mark down prices.

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on September 9

By

Golrokh Askarieh

-

September 9, 2015

♦ “We are waiting for the practical impact of comments by the Europeans on relations with Iran,” the Supreme Leader said at a meeting with the visiting Austrian President.

Ayatollah Khamenei urged officials of the two countries to plan and follow up measures to bolster bilateral ties.

♦ President Rouhani has called for “strong determination” in the fight against terrorism in the world.

The president told the visiting Austrian president that the nuclear deal [Iran has struck with P5+1] will be beneficial to the region, the European Union and the entire world.

♦ “The ideas of the Supreme Leader on resistance-based economy should be properly implemented,” said the first vice-president.

Eshagh Jahangiri further said that profiteers should be denied the opportunity to grab national land.

♦ Turkish fighters have launched the fiercest assault yet on PKK positions.

Turkish forces crossed the border into Iraq under the pretext of hunting Kurdistan Workers Party militants.

♦ The economic strategies of the government during the 6^th Development Plan

The government spokesman said the administration views resistance-based economy as a perfect prescription to advance the country’s economy.

♦ The governor general of Kerman has said that the young generation views General Soleimani [the commander of IRGC’s Quds Force] as a national hero.

♦ The Arab coalition has launched ground operations in Yemen.

The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have boots on the ground in Yemen.

♦ The services of Valiollah Mehrabi have been praised at a ceremony to launch an illustrated encyclopedia on the history of medicine.

Tehran, Vienna sign 15 MOUs worth €80m

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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September 9, 2015

The president of Austrian Federal Economic Chamber said Tuesday that Iran and his country have signed 15 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) worth 80 million euros and the value of the agreements are capable of rising five times more than the current figure.

Speaking at a press conference after a joint economic meeting, Christophe Leitl said Iranian and Austrian companies are expected to do their best to secure the potential five-fold growth envisaged in the agreements.

“Austria has not set any investment priorities for presence in Iran’s various plans. In fact, it is for the Iranian government and the private sector to make a decision about the important matter,” he said.

President Leitl said that a visit by a 230-member delegation representing Austrian companies headed by the Austrian president to Iran is quite unprecedented.

“Austria is willing to contribute to many Iranian projects in line with the trade philosophy that both sides can benefit from the agreement signed,” he added.

The Austrian official said that his government and nation are opposed to all types of wars in the world, adding that the only way to settle all crises is through dialogue and understanding.

He said that as for tourism, Austria has a great deal of experience and excels at it in terms of software and hardware.

“It is Vienna’s policy to stand first in world tourism,” Leitl added.

He stressed the need for familiarity with the tourism culture in Iran before any planning in the sector.

The president of Austrian Federal Economic Chamber said that Vienna never left Tehran alone during sanctions, something for which Austria was criticized by its friends.

Larijani thanks Austrian gov’t for hosting nuclear negotiations

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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September 9, 2015

US, reactionary allies behind ISIL crimes in Iraq: Larijani

Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani Tuesday thanked the Austrian government for hosting Iran nuclear talks, saying that with its independent stand and important status in the European Union, Austria was a longstanding venue for the international conventions.

Larijani made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Austrian President Heinz Fischer.

The speaker said that the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes the positive role that European countries play in international developments.

He expressed hope that the Tehran visit by the Austrian president would be a turning point in bilateral relations.

Larijani said that at present a special parliamentary committee is reviewing the nuclear deal and after that Iranian lawmakers will express their views about the accord.

The Austrian president said his Tehran visit is a clear signal of Austria’s willingness to promote mutual cooperation with Iran, adding that the doors of the European Union are open for dialogue about the ways to boost cooperation on important regional and international issues.

Fischer said that Austria takes pride in hosting the nuclear talks.

He said that with a nuclear deal now in place, it’s time to make every effort to expand economic cooperation in keeping with mutual interests.

Iran’s judiciary dismisses talks on prisoner swap for Jason Rezaian

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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September 9, 2015

Iranian Judiciary Spokesman Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei said there have been no talks on an exchange of a Washington Post reporter detained in Iran.

“Nothing has been raised about the issue yet,” Mohseni Ejei said, in reply to a question on recent speculations about the exchange of Jason Rezaian, The Washington Post reporter imprisoned in Iran on espionage charges.

The remarks came a couple of days after Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani raised the possibility of a prisoner swap with the US, when asked about the release of Rezaian.

In August, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Expatriates’ Affairs Hassan Ghashghavi rejected media reports that there are plans to exchange the jailed reporter for Iranian prisoners in the US.

“There are no talks on the swap of Jason Rezaian (for Iranian nationals jailed in the US),” Ghashghavi said.

Rezaian, a 39-year-old correspondent with dual Iran-US citizenships, along with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, was arrested in Tehran on July 22, 2014 on espionage charges.

Two other American citizens also detained along with them work as freelance photojournalists. Yeganeh Salehi was released on bail in October 2014.

An indictment issued by Tehran’s prosecutor general says Rezaian is charged with “espionage by collecting the country’s decisions on internal and foreign policy issues, and cooperation with hostile governments.”

Construction work at Parchin normal: Iran

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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September 9, 2015

Iran has said that its construction work at Parchin military facility, southeast of Tehran, is normal and it will not allow any inspection of the “conventional” site.

“Parchin is a conventional military site. The construction there is normal and even it was indeed confirmed by some officials from the US that Parchin and the activities there are something normal and it doesn’t have any relevance to the IAEA work,” Iran’s Ambassador to the IAEA Reza Najafi said.

“Of course, this is a military site and Iran will not let any inspector go there,” he added.

Najafi’s remarks came after IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano repeated his claims about construction work at Parchin military site which some world powers demand to inspect.

“These activities could undermine the capability of the IAEA on verification but as we do not have inspectors there and by way of observing through satellite imagery, we do not have further insight of these recent activities,” the IAEA chief said.

He added that “much work needs to be done” to finish the probe, but reiterated that the investigations will be complete by mid-December, as agreed in a roadmap between Iran and the IAEA.

[…]

Culture minister meets German ambassador

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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September 9, 2015

The minister of culture and Islamic guidance has said that cultural relations can guarantee political and economic ties between Iran and Germany.

Ali Jannati made the remark in a meeting with German Ambassador to Iran Michael Baron Von Ungern Sternberg on Tuesday and added, “That generations of Iranians have lived in Germany is proof that the two countries have had the oldest industrial and economic relations and that they are interested in maintaining good bilateral ties”.

He said that the deep-rooted Iran-Germany cultural relations have continued partly intact, adding that Iran participates in Frankfurt Book Fair every year and the head of the German fair is invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the Tehran Book Fair this year.

Jannati also said that during Iran’s Culture Weeks in Germany in previous years the two sides used to have an exchange of films and musical troupes, but in recent years such exchanges have decreased. This needs to be restarted at a broad level.

The German ambassador, for his part, said that establishment of cultural relations will lead to decreasing tensions and help overcome crises [in the world].

“The economic and political relations cannot sustain successfully in the absence of cultural relations,” Von Ungern Sternberg said, adding that our efforts should be focused on expansion of such relations.

On the Tehran International Book Fair, the German envoy expressed satisfaction that Germany has always maintained its strong presence in this international event, adding that his country always do so in the future.

Basij Commander: N. agreement never ends US enmity towards Iran

By

Golrokh Askarieh

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September 9, 2015

Commander of Iran’s Basij (volunteer) Force Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naghdi dismissed the possibility that the US and its allies would stop their hostile acts against Iran after the nuclear agreement between Tehran and the world powers.

“The 5+1 countries (the US, Russia, China, Britain and France plus Germany) are the same old enemies who have today sat to the negotiating table against our nation and we would be much gullible to think that their problem with us merely pertains to the nuclear issue or the regional problems; the (main) issue is the confrontation between Islam and infidels,” Naghdi said, addressing a ceremony in the Central city of Qom on Tuesday.

He said the US is concerned about the spread of the Islamic Revolution in the world, and added, “The US problem is that the Islamic Revolution thoughts spell an end to the US rule in the world.”

Naghdi further said that if the US had been merely worried about Iran’s nuclear program, then it should have adopted a fresh approach toward Tehran after the nuclear agreement.

He also underlined the necessity for the termination of sanctions against Iran.

His remarks came after Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei blasted the US statesmen for their contradictory remarks after the nuclear agreement with Tehran, and called on the Iranian officials to show more sensitivity and give proper response to their comments.

[…]

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

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

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

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

Varkaneh Village in western Iran (PHOTOS)

Spanish delegation visits Isfahan (PHOTOS)

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on September 9

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on September 9

Highlights of Ettela’at newspaper on September 9

Tehran, Vienna sign 15 MOUs worth €80m

Larijani thanks Austrian gov’t for hosting nuclear negotiations

Iran’s judiciary dismisses talks on prisoner swap for Jason Rezaian

Construction work at Parchin normal: Iran

Culture minister meets German ambassador

Basij Commander: N. agreement never ends US enmity towards Iran

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