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Iranian bodyguard recalls painful encounter with Seagal

steven seagal

ahmad IrandoostAhmad Irandoust, an Iranian bodyguard-turned-actor who has been hired in the past by Hollywood celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, has recalled an encounter with US actor Steven Seagal when he was still the bodyguard of a Hollywood figure.

The following is the translation of his story which originally appeared on cinemapress.ir and then printed on April 14 by Haft-e Sobh daily:

I used to believe that martial arts performed by Steven Seagal were just acrobatic tricks, so I invited him to a fight at the backstage of a movie.

Seagal asked for a written waiver to be cleared of all responsibility in case anything happened to me in the showdown.

Immediately after I threw the first punch, I was thrown in the air and landed on the arm, sustaining multiple fractures to my hand.

In spite of the written deal, Seagal paid for the medical costs, apologized to me and said that he never thought that I would land on my arm.

IAEA delegation arrives in Tehran for technical talks

IAEA

A delegation of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, to hold technical talks with Iranian officials.

The five-strong delegation, led by Tero Varjoranta, the IAEA deputy director general and head of the department of safeguards, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday morning.

The IAEA team is scheduled to hold one-day technical negotiations with the relevant Iranian officials within the framework of the implementation of the Framework for Cooperation.

The Joint Statement on a Framework for Cooperation was signed in November 2013 to outline a roadmap on mutual cooperation on certain outstanding nuclear issues between Iran and the IAEA.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said on Tuesday that the negotiations between Iranian officials and the IAEA team will end on Wednesday night, adding that the day-long talks between Iran and the UN nuclear agency will focus on the two issues of alleged explosives testing at a site in the western city of Marivan and neutron calculations.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI)

He also noted that Tehran has already responded to all of the IAEA’s questions about Iran’s nuclear program.

The IAEA claims that Iran has not yet addressed specific issues such as questions on alleged research activities into explosives testing and neutron calculations.

Iran has rejected the accusations as baseless and repeatedly emphasized its readiness for full cooperation with the IAEA as part of its transparency efforts to help settle the country’s nuclear issue.

The IAEA has never concluded in its reports on Iran that there has been diversion in the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program toward military purposes.

On March 2, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano once again verified the lack of any diversion toward non-peaceful purposes in Iran’s declared nuclear material. All Iran’s nuclear activities are strictly monitored by the UN nuclear watchdog.

Iran to accredit 1st woman ambassador: Report

Iran-Afkham
Iran-Afkham

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham is to be accredited as the country’s first woman ambassador in the near future, Mehr News Agency reported on Monday.

She will reportedly head the Islamic Republic’s mission in an East Asian country.

The official has been serving as the ministry’s first woman spokesperson for more than a year.

It is not yet clear who will replace her as spokesperson.

Setting precedent has been Mansoureh Sharifi-Sadr, who served as the charge d’affaires of Iran’s Embassy in Japan during the ambassadorship of Abbas Araqchi, the current deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs. Araqchi had preceded Afkham as the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson.

Iran, Spain FMs meet in Madrid

zarif

Visiting Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed issues of mutual interest in a meeting in Madrid on Tuesday with his Spanish counterpart Manuel Garcia Margallo.

The two stressed the need for further Tehran-Madrid cooperation in all fields including energy, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, railways and water management as well as infrastructure sector.

Zarif arrived in Madrid early on Tuesday. He is to depart Madrid for Lisbon, Portugal, later in the day.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on latest regional developments particularly the situations in Syria, Iraq and Yemen stressing the need to fight against terrorism.

The Iranian minister stressed the need for resolving the crisis in Yemen through peaceful means including an immediate ceasefire, relief operations, dialogue among Yemeni groups (Yemeni-Yemeni talks) and formation of an inclusive government.

Meanwhile, Margallo welcomed Iran’s solution for the crisis in Yemen.

Reviewing latest developments in the nuclear talks between Iran and the Group 5+1, the Spanish foreign minister hailed positive steps taken during the talks hoping that would lead to reaching a final comprehensive agreement between the two sides.

Strategic weight of world changing to the benefit of Asia: Shamkhani

shamkhani

Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said on Tuesday that power of Asia is on upward trend and the strategic balance of the world is changing to the benefit of Asia.

He made the remarks in a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) national security secretaries. Shamkhani is currently on a visit to Moscow to attend the SCO meeting.

He said that balance of power has undergone a drastic change leading to emergence and shaping of new powers at regional and international levels.

He said that by increasing pivotal role of Asia in trade, politics and world security, strategic weight of Asia has gained momentum.

Shamkhani expressed concern about the threats posed to the international peace and security, calling for collective measures by the international community to thwart the elements disrupting security at national, regional and international level.

He deplored the fact that several governments refuse to discharge their international obligations to support the international campaign against terrorism and to the contrary, they resorted to use of force, violence and military intervention in clear violation of the international law and the internationally recognized standards and formed a coalition against a sovereign state which has set an unlawful precedent in the direction of institutionalization of insecurity.

He criticized the Western governments for applying double standards in the international campaign against terrorism, citing their formula to divide the ominous phenomenon of terrorism to bad and good.

Shamkhani added that the arbitrary use of terrorism and unlawful measures by the international bodies to interfere in other countries affairs through imposing illegal sanctions against the sovereign states with the political agenda of regime change, on one hand, and financial aid for terrorist groups and empowering criminals under the pretext of support for democracy, on the other, are clear evidence for the arbitrary use of terrorism.

Secretary of Iran’s SNSC said that insistence of the world powers on stopping the changing trend of unipolar world and opting for unilateralism, which runs counter to priorities of the international community, has thrown a worrying future in the way of the mankind.

Criticizing the adoption of dual standard of certain governments in confrontation with similar crises in Syria, Yemen, Ukraine and Bahrain, Shamkhani said that compliance with national demands is the solution for current crises in those countries.

He said that President Rouhani’s proposal of War Against Violence and Extremism, which approved by the UN General Assembly, called for world cooperation and coordinated move against these two sinister phenomena.

In another part of his speech, the Iranian senior official presented a number of proposals to overcome security challenges in the region.

Paying attention to the growing public awareness in the region, especially that of the youth and the need to educate them on religious moderate moves, the misuse of cyber space and social networks by the terrorists, special attention to issues like poverty, unemployment, the gap in social classes, ethnical and religious discrimination and narrowing the gap between governments and nations are among necessary measures in the field of management of regional challenges.

He underlined the necessity of creation an effective mechanism in cutting financial sources and harboring terrorists and ending intelligence, operational and military support for terrorists and added that exchange of intelligence experience between countries to confront terrorism and designing an efficient and flexible mechanism to implement preventive plans in this regard is necessary.

Shamkhani said that Iran enjoys precious experience in the field of effective confrontation and control of waves of violence and terrorism in the region, and is ready to share experience and cooperate with Shanghai Cooperation Organization in this concern.

Traditional wrestling (PHOTOS)

Traditional wrestling

Neyshabur, northeastern Iran, played host to a 19th round of national traditional wrestling tournament on April 9.

The snapshots below of the competition have been released online by mashhad, a website:

Iranian protesters call for Saudi Embassy’s closure

Iranian protesters

Iranians have staged a protest rally outside the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, denouncing the kingdom’s airstrikes on Yemen as well as the sexual abuse of two Iranian teenagers by Saudi officers at the Jeddah airport.

During the Monday demo, a large group of angry demonstrators also shouted slogans against the Saudi royal family, the US, and Israel.

“We are here to show that we will defend an oppressed nation anywhere in the world. Such military aggression irrespective of its objectives is a blow to the Muslim Ummah (community) and benefits the Zionist regime of Israel and major powers. The aggressive countries must explain why they are using their facilities to attack a Muslim state,” a protester told a Press TV correspondent in Tehran.

Yemeni nationals and students living in Tehran also took part in the rally. The protesters called on Iranian officials to immediately shut down the Saudi embassy.

“We strongly condemn what is happening in Yemen. Women are being killed, children are being killed, civilians are being killed and I don’t find this acceptable. It is totally unacceptable,” another protester told the correspondent. A similar rally was also held outside the Saudi embassy on Saturday.

[…]

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

Iranian Newspapers Headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

Comments by the Judiciary spokesman at a news conference about a wide range of issues, from cases involving land grab and three officials who served in the government of Ahmadinejad to Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaeian dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers Tuesday. The championship of the Iranian freestyle wrestling team on American soil and suspension by Iranian officials of the Minor Hajj pilgrimage also appeared on the covers of the dailies.

 

Abrar: Thirty MPs have signed a petition that calls for impeachment of the minister of roads.

The announcement was made by the chairman of parliament’s Development Committee.

Abrar: Foreign Minister Zarif is on a European tour that has taken him to Spain. Next step is Portugal.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Afarinesh: The unconstructive stance of some negotiating parties is interfering with conclusion of a nuclear deal.

The comment was made by Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.

Afarinesh: The minister of culture and Islamic guidance has said Minor Hajj pilgrimages have been suspended.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Afkar: Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, an Iranian deputy foreign minister, has called for greater international resolve in the fight against terrorism.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Aftab-e Yazd: Suspension of the Minor Hajj pilgrimage will remain in place until the two Saudi offenders are tried.

The announcement was made by Tehran MP Ali Motahari in an interview with the daily.

He was talking about two Saudi officers who have molested two Iranian teens at Jeddah airport.

Aftab-e Yazd: “I am waiting for an invitation by parliament to talk about the so-called dirty money.”

The comment was made by the interior minister. In response, a member of the chamber’s Presiding Board said, “Invitation is not necessary. Come over.”

Aftab-e Yazd: The ban on the sale to Iran of Russian S-300 missile system has been lifted.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Amin: “Terrorist measures in the east were meant to undermine Iranian nuclear negotiators,” said an MP.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14


 

Asr-e Iranian: The interior minister said those behind 90 assassinations and assassination attempts have been arrested.

 

 A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14


 

Asr-e Rasaneh: “A new Iranian satellite will be launched this year,” said the minister of communications and information technology.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Asrar: “The attack on Yemen was a big plot and a major blunder,” said Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

Asrar: “A bylaw on women’s presence in stadiums is being drafted,” said the interior minister.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14


 

Ebtekar: “We are looking for a mechanism to terminate sanctions,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Emtiaz: “There was a drop in the number of marriages registered across the country last year,” said the interior minister.

 

 A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14


 

Etemad: Hashemi comes under fire

“Calling those who care about the revolution dogmatic stems from a grudge against the value system,” the commander of the Revolution Guards said.

“Leveling accusations with no proof to substantiate them amounts to libel and incitement of the public,” said the Judiciary spokesman.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Ettela’at: “Removal of sanctions should not come at the expense of our dignity and national interests,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Ghanoon: Gunter Grass, [a Nobel-winning German novelist] has passed away.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Hemayat: “Crackdown on land grabbers and big shots will intensify this year,” said the spokesman of the Judiciary.

“The case involving the Washington Post reporter [Jason Rezaeian] is in the Revolutionary Court; his lawyers are studying the case,” Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei further said.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Kaenat: “There is no military solution to the problems of Yemen,” said the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14


 

Kayhan: Iranian production of tea is projected to increase 50 percent this year.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14


 

Nasl-e Farda: “The perpetrators of acid attacks in Isfahan have yet to be arrested,” said the Judiciary spokesman.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Roozan: There has been no petition for the lifting of a ban on publication and or broadcast of the image of the former reformist president.

The comment was made by the judiciary spokesman at a press conference Monday.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14


 

Shahrvand: There has been flooding in four provinces.

In some areas, torrential rain has been unprecedented for thirty years.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 


 

Sharq: “Three officials who served under Ahmadinejad failed to provide a list of their assets and property,” said the Judiciary spokesman.

Sharq: “A bill is being pieced together to make electoral campaign costs transparent,” said the interior minister.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 14

 

 

KAZGUU University confers an honorary doctorate on Iranian FM

Zarif

Kazakhstan University of the Humanities and Law (KAZGUU University) offered an honorary doctoral degree to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday.

The following is a photo gallery that the Islamic Republic News Agency released online on April 14 of the ceremony at the university during Zarif’s state visit to Kazakhstan:

Total says interested in Iran comeback

Total

The French energy giant says it cannot ignore Iran’s natural gas potential and will consider a comeback to the country as soon as the sanctions against it are lifted.

“Iran has the world’s second largest gas reserves after Russia, and we will consider returning to this country once sanctions are lifted,” Total’s CEO Patrick Pouyanne told reporters in Russia on Monday.

Pouyanne said Total ran a gas project in Iran from 1995 to 2000, together with its Russian and Asian partners, but added any plans of a comeback were preliminary.

The company developed Phase 2&3 of Iran’s South Pars energy hub together with Russia’s Gazprom and Malaysia’s Petronas at a total cost of above $2 billion. The project is today producing a daily of 50 million cubic meters of natural gas as well as 80,000 barrels of condensate together with several other gas byproducts.

Total also joined Italy’ Elf and Canada’s Bow Valley in 1999 to develop Iran’s offshore Balal oil field through a deal worth above $300 million. Balal was delivered in 2002 and is today producing 40,000 barrels of oil.

Iran has already said it has received signals from international oil giants that they are interested in Iran’s oil and gas projects as soon as sanctions that ban investments in the country’s energy projects are lifted.

In early April, Iran and P5+1 announced after multiple days of intense nuclear talks in the Swiss city of Lausanne that UN Security Council economic sanctions against Iran will be lifted after the sides reach a final agreement over the Iranian nuclear energy program before June 30.