The new ambassadors of Greece, Senegal, Thailand and Algeria presented their credentials to President Rouhani on Monday.
Snapshots of a meeting between President Rouhani and the new foreign envoys to Iran by Mehr News Agency:
A book on Ahmadinejad’s government has hit bookstore shelves
A book entitled The 9th Government and the Zionist Regime, which analyzes the policies of the Iranian government under former President Ahmadinejad in relation to Israel, has been published by the Islamic Revolution Document Center, Khabaronline, a news website, reported on April 18.
The book penned by Mehdi Fardadpour deals with a number of topics, among them: developments in Iran’s foreign policy with regard to the Zionist regime, the foreign-policy strategies of the 9th government and regional policies adopted by Tel Aviv following the rise to power of Ahmadinejad in 2005.
One full chapter of the book is dedicated to foreign-policy strategies of the 9th government, an analysis of its approach to the Holocaust and the reasons behind the president’s doubting it as well as the policies that Ahmadinejad’s government adopted in connection with Iran’s nuclear dossier.
Another chapter addresses the regional polices that Israel adopted after Ahmadinejad took office.
*The 9th government was formed by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005 after he was elected president. He stayed at the helm of the government for another four years after his contentious victory in the 2009 vote.
Zarif welcomes Venezuelan counterpart
Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif held talks with his Venezuelan opposite number Delcy Rodriguez in Tehran.
The Images of the meeting between the two top diplomats by Tasnim News Agency on April 20:
Bakery staffed by women in eastern Iran (PHOTOS)
Fatemiyeh, a four-decade-old bakery in Birjand [in the eastern province of South Khorasan] is run by women.
In spite of all challenges the job has presented to them, the hardworking women have not given up and work from dawn to dusk to make a living.
Images of Iranian bakers at work released by Mehr News Agency:
A message from Iran
The New York Times published an opinion piece on April 20 by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif under the title of Mohammad Javad Zarif: A Message From Iran. The following is the message that the Islamic Republic News Agency released online:
WE made important progress in Switzerland earlier this month. With the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany, we agreed on parameters to remove any doubt about the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program and to lift international sanctions against Iran.
But to seal the anticipated nuclear deal, more political will is required. The Iranian people have shown their resolve by choosing to engage with dignity. It is time for the United States and its Western allies to make the choice between cooperation and confrontation, between negotiations and grandstanding, and between agreement and coercion.
With courageous leadership and the audacity to make the right decisions, we can and should put this manufactured crisis to rest and move on to much more important work. The wider Persian Gulf region is in turmoil. It is not a question of governments rising and falling: the social, cultural and religious fabrics of entire countries are being torn to shreds.
Endowed with a resilient population that has stood firm in the face of coercion while simultaneously showing the magnanimity to open new horizons of constructive engagement based on mutual respect, Iran has weathered the storms of instability caused by this mayhem. But we cannot be indifferent to the unfathomable destruction around us, because chaos does not recognize borders.
Iran has been clear: The purview of our constructive engagement extends far beyond nuclear negotiations. Good relations with Iran’s neighbors are our top priority. Our rationale is that the nuclear issue has been a symptom, not a cause, of mistrust and conflict. Considering recent advances in symptom prevention, it is time for Iran and other stakeholders to begin to address the causes of tension in the wider Persian Gulf region.
Iranian foreign policy is holistic in nature. This is not due to habit or preference, but because globalization has rendered all alternatives obsolete. Nothing in international politics functions in a vacuum. Security cannot be pursued at the expense of the insecurity of others. No nation can achieve its interests without considering the interests of others.
Nowhere are these dynamics more evident than in the wider Persian Gulf region. We need a sober assessment of the complex and intertwined realities here, and consistent policies to deal with them. The fight against terror is a case in point.
One cannot confront Al Qaeda and its ideological siblings, such as the so-called Islamic State, which is neither Islamic nor a state, in Iraq, while effectively enabling their growth in Yemen and Syria.
There are multiple arenas where the interests of Iran and other major stakeholders intersect. The establishment of a collective forum for dialogue in the Persian Gulf region, to facilitate engagement, is long overdue.
If one were to begin serious discussion of the calamities the region faces, Yemen would be a good place to start. Iran has offered a reasonable and practical approach to address this painful and unnecessary crisis. Our plan calls for an immediate cease-fire, humanitarian assistance and facilitation of intra-Yemeni dialogue, leading to the formation of an inclusive, broad-based national unity government.
On a broader level, regional dialogue should be based on generally recognized principles and shared objectives, notably respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all states; inviolability of international boundaries; noninterference in internal affairs; peaceful settlement of disputes; impermissibility of threat or use of force; and promotion of peace, stability, progress and prosperity in the region.
A regional dialogue could help promote understanding and interaction at the levels of government, the private sector and civil society, and lead to agreement on a broad spectrum of issues, including confidence- and security-building measures; combating terrorism, extremism and sectarianism; ensuring freedom of navigation and the free flow of oil and other resources; and protection of the environment. A regional dialogue could eventually include more formal nonaggression and security cooperation arrangements.
While this cooperation must be kept to relevant regional stakeholders, existing institutional frameworks for dialogue, and especially the United Nations, must be utilized. The secretary general could furnish the necessary international umbrella. A regional role for the United Nations, already envisaged in the Security Council resolution that helped end the Iran-Iraq war in 1988, would help alleviate concerns and anxieties, particularly of smaller countries; provide the international community with assurances and mechanisms for safeguarding its legitimate interests; and link any regional dialogue with issues that inherently go beyond the boundaries of the region.
The world cannot afford to continue to avoid addressing the roots of the turmoil in the wider Persian Gulf region. This unique opportunity for engagement must not be squandered.
Iran supporting Iraq’s unity, territorial integrity: Official
A senior Iranian official has reaffirmed Tehran’s support for the national solidarity and territorial integrity of Iraq as the Arab country is grappling with deadly violence fueled by ISIL Takfir terrorists.
“Iran’s fundamental policy toward Iraq is to support the unity and territorial integrity of that country as well as good-neighborliness and to help reinforce its stability and security,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Sunday.
He made the remarks in a meeting with Secretary General of Iraq’s Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) Mohammed Faraj Ahmad Aziz in Tehran.
The Iranian official described national unity in Iraq as the key factor that will help the country weather the current sensitive situation.
The Iraqi figure, for his part, praised the Islamic Republic’s key role in the region and expressed gratitude to Tehran for backing Iraq in its battle against ISIL terrorists.
He further underlined the need to promote national dialogue and cooperation among all Iraqi tribes and ethnic groups to tackle terrorism.
Iraq has witnessed a surge in violence since the ISIL Takfiri group started its campaign of terror in the Arab nation in early June 2014. The heavily-armed militants took control of Mosul before sweeping through parts of the country’s Sunni Arab heartland.
Iraqi soldiers, police units, Kurdish forces, Shia volunteers and Sunni tribesmen have succeeded in driving the ISIL terrorists out of some areas in Iraq.
Iran has repeatedly stressed that it will not interfere militarily in Iraq, but that it will continue to provide support for the country against ISIL in the form of defense consultation and humanitarian aid.
The man of art moves on and leaves the past behind
Aydin Aghdashloo, a contemporary Iranian visual artist, is no longer in Iran. He left the country in March to have a rest in another country and start to write an account of his past experiences and checkered career.
Khabaronline.ir released a report on Aghdashloo and his departure from Iran in late March. What comes next is a translation of the report followed by a collection of photos of his last exhibition in Iran:
The departure of Aydin Aghdashloo was perhaps one of the strangest events in Iran last year [ending March 20, 2015]. Aghdashloo, an artist who stayed in his home country for years despite ups and downs but decided to leave Iran at an old age, says he’s set out for a long journey this time around.
By his own account, Aghdashloo wants to live outside Iran with his children for an indefinite period during which he can write his memoir.
Aghdashloo, 75, has tested various branches of art, and served in different capacities from art critic to painter [to author, art historian and graphic designer]. He has made his name mostly in creating visual artistic works and in establishing his own progressive style in painting.
Years of Fire and Snow and Memories of Destruction are the artist’s two collections [of paintings] which are starkly remarkable in the history of the contemporary visual art.
In spite of his popularity in Iran, he has held only two solo exhibitions over the years: the first one came in 1975 and the second almost 40 years later in 2014. When Tehran’s Museum of Contemporary Art did not agree to organize the second event, Aghdashloo was forced to take care of the whole show single-handedly, something which he says he did out of bad luck.
The fruit of his 40-year-long art career – some of which were borrowed from private art collectors – was eventually put on display at Tehran’s Assar Art Gallery. His fans, young and old alike, had come to see the show. A big crowd had gathered waiting in long lines to take a look at his artworks.
The substantially large number of visitors turned into one of the sideline issues of the artistic event in 2014. Those who had come to visit the show would have never thought that they would one day stand in long lines outside an art gallery.
In a press conference on November 29, Aghdashloo said that his exhibition after 40 years was an attempt to get even with the years he has stayed in the country. “I am downhearted and exhausted. Time has come for me to have some rest.”
He talked about his decision to stay in the country during the [Iran-Iraq] war, about different governments which treated him differently – although he had never expected to become prominent – and about the fact that his depression has internal, reasons such as overworking and old age, and not external.
Aghdashloo seems to have done his fair share of the work by creating Memories of Destruction, a collection of 11 paintings during his stay in Iran. When he was not treated the way he truly deserved in his home country, he did not air any grievances, but decided to abandon canvas, painting and his country for an indefinite period.
He set out on a journey in the last month of the Iranian year [March] to welcome Nowruz [New Year] in a country other than Iran. He talked about his decision to meet his children and write his memoir and about his paintbrush which will be replaced by his pen to depict words in another part of the world.
To catch a glimpse of his works, go to www.aghdashloo.com
Afghan President greeted by Iranian officials (PHOTOS)
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Tehran on Sunday. In his first state visit to Iran at the invitation of President Rouhani, he met with a number of Iranian officials.
Photos of President Ghani’s Tehran visit by the Iranian Students’ News Agency on April 19:
Tajrish street market in northern Tehran
The following are the snapshots of a local market in northern Tehran where colorful fruit, mouthwatering food and other things are on sale.
Images of a colorful market released online by Tehran Picture Agency on April 18:
A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 20
The comments of the Supreme Leader at a meeting with senior Army commanders on the need for constant efforts by the armed forces to boost the country’s defense capabilities dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Monday. The meetings of the visiting Afghan president with Ayatollah Khamenei and President Rouhani also appeared on the cover of dailies.
Afarinesh: An Iranian nuclear team to fly to Vienna for three days of talks to draft a final deal.
Afarinesh: Russia says it supports Iran’s plan to end the Yemeni crisis.
Afkar: The interior minister has named members of the country’s Electoral Commission.
Afkar: Talks have been held with Indian investors willing to put their money in Iranian petrochemical projects.
Aftab-e Yazd: “They accuse the government to justify their own rent-seeking in the past.”
First Vice-President Eshagh Jahangiri made the comment in reference to supporters of the previous principlist government.
Aftab-e Yazd: The Australian foreign minister has said that she would put on headscarf again to meet with President Rouhani.
Arman-e Emrooz: “All state companies should go public. Roots of rent-seeking should be traced in the public, not the private sector.”
Asadollah Asgaroladi, [a prominent businessman and member of the Chamber of Commerce] made the comment in an exclusive interview with the daily.
Arman-e Emrooz: Supporters of Ahmadinejad have held an unauthorized gathering in Shiraz.
Emtiaz: “More than $6 million in drugs changes hands in the country on a daily basis.”
The deputy director of the country’s drugs commission has also said that more than 2,700 addicts died of overdose last year.
Etemad: The Leader’s order to the Army
“Raise your military and defense capabilities by the day; this is an official instruction.”
Ettela’at: “A report on corruption has been handed over to the Supreme Leader,” said the inspector general.
Ettela’at: “The government does nothing that is not authorized by law,” vowed First Vice-President Eshagh Jahangiri.
Haft-e Sobh: The Australian foreign minister has visited a local bazaar in northern Tehran.
Haft-e Sobh: A number of Tehran residents have protested against the gruesome killing of stray dogs in Shiraz.
Jomhouri Islami: Iran to export gasoline to eight countries.
Kaenat: “Forced deportation runs counter to human rights principles,” said the Iranian deputy foreign minister.
Kayhan: Iran and Afghanistan are to join forces in the fight against drugs and terrorism.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference of the Iranian and Afghan presidents.
Khorasan: “The US seeks to sabotage the nuclear talks,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
Qods: “An end to Iran’s progress on defense front is a silly expectation,” said the Supreme Leader at a meeting with senior Army commanders.
Sharq: “The Afghan potential should be properly tapped,” said the Supreme Leader at a meeting with the visiting Afghan president.
