French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius arrived in Tehran on Wednesday and was welcomed by Iranian officials.
In his day-long visit, he met with President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Zarif.
Images of his visit to Tehran released online by different websites:
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the nuclear agreement reached between Iran and six world powers should pave the way for further promotion of ties between Tehran and Europe.
“The nuclear agreement should mark [Iran’s] better cooperation with Europe,” Rouhani said in a meeting with visiting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in Tehran on Wednesday.
On July 14, Iran and P5+1– the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia plus Germany – finalized the text of an agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in the Austrian capital of Vienna.
Under JCPOA, limits are put on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for a set of commitments by the P5+1, including the removal of all economic and financial bans against the Islamic Republic.
Rouhani said that Iran-France cooperation over the Vienna agreement should constitute the base for future relations on the basis of mutual trust.
He said that the nuclear agreement benefits Iran, P5+1 and all regional players, adding that it is a significant step in turning threats into opportunities.
The Iranian president also urged all countries involved in the nuclear talks to do their utmost to “safeguard the agreement.”
“The Iranian government is steadfast in the path of [implementing] the agreement, and we will fulfill our commitments as long as the opposite side is committed to its obligations,” Rouhani said.
Fabius, for his part, said that French companies are eager to return to the Iranian market for job-creating investment, stressing the need for Paris to make up for lost opportunities in relations with Iran.
He also invited Rouhani to visit France on behalf of French President François Hollande.
The French foreign minister arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for a day-long visit to hold talks with the country’s high-ranking officials.
He also held talks with Zarif and then attended a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart.
Fabius’ visit to Iran is a first by a French foreign minister to the Islamic Republic in 12 years.
Fabius’ visit to Iran, which comes at the invitation of his Iranian opposite number, has raised some criticisms in Iran, especially over France’s hard line toward Iran in the course of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Days before the conclusion of the talks on July 14, Fabius urged other negotiators to take a tough stance on Iran, insisting that Paris will not sign off on a deal if Tehran rules out inspections of its military sites as part of the final agreement.
Fabius is also under fire for his role in the export of HIV-contaminated blood products to a number of countries, including Iran, in the 1980s, when he was in office as France’s prime minister.
The meetings the EU foreign policy chief held in Tehran with President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Zarif dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Wednesday. Also on the cover of dailies was news about tension in parliament after opponents of the Vienna deal whipped up a stir over the translation of the text of the deal.
Ettela’at: “Europe is to open a new chapter in its relations with Iran,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
At the meeting the Iranian president said, “our joint responsibility to humanity is to try and end terrorism and the massacre of innocent people”.
President Rouhani further said the deal Iran and P5+1 struck in Vienna proved how effective diplomacy can be in settling differences.
Afarinesh: Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has urged opponents of the deal not to turn it into a divisive issue in the country.
Afarinesh: “Those who have failed to fulfill their duties [before and during the deadly] floods [that hit northern Iran last week] will be referred to the Judiciary,” said the interior minister.
Afkar: An explosion has hit the pipeline that takes Iranian natural gas across the border to Turkey.
Afkar: President Rouhani will fly to New York later this year to attend a 70th General Assembly of the United Nations.
Aftab-e Yazd: “Iranian nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi has thrown a pen at US Secretary of State John Kerry!” said the chairman of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.
Arman-e Emrooz: Worriers [hardline supporters of the former president] have made new ballyhoo in Baharestan [the Tehran street along which the Islamic Consultative Assembly is located], this time over the translation of the text of the nuclear deal Iran has struck with P5+1.
The comments of Mehdi Kuchakzadeh [a Worrier] caused a stir in parliament.
Arman-e Emrooz: French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius arrives in Tehran immediately after an Iran visit by the EU foreign policy chief.
Mogherini: The nuclear deal is the starting line.
Zarif: Iran and the EU will launch a new round of talks.
Asrar: The government spokesman has said that the Vienna deal does not need the blessing of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.
Ebtekar: “Iran and Britain will reopen their embassies in London and Tehran,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi.
Ebtekar: “There is evidence pointing to failure of the previous government to abide by rules and regulations,” said Government Spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht.
Ebtekar: Renowned director Masoud Kimiaei has called for the ban on his film Red Line to be lifted.
Emtiaz: Police cars equipped with dashcams are heading Tehran’s way.
Emtiaz: The director of the Legal Medicine Organization has reported an increase in the number of deaths caused by drug overdose.
Etemad: A Tuesday rife with disrespect
Speaker Larijani complained about being described as worse than a poodle.
The opposition of the opponents of the deal to the translation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action caused a stir in parliament.
Ghanoon: The launch of attacks against Speaker Larijani under the pretext of JCPOA.
Kaenat: The governor of the Central Bank has urged banks to get ready for the post-sanctions era.
Kayhan: An 80 million strong market, the reward the Iranian government is handing to those who signed off on Iran sanctions.
The daily urges the government “not to humiliate the nation” by signing lucrative contracts with countries that have been part of the sanctions regime against Iran.
Resalat: “Defense restrictions will deal a blow to the country’s authority,” said Tehran MP Ahmad Tavakoli.
Resalat: “French carmakers should pay a price for their past failure to keep their end of the bargain,” said the Iranian industries minister.
Shahrvand: The government spokesman has urged the officials of the previous administration to accept blame for the infractions of Babak Zanjani [a young billionaire who stands accused of massive corruption when Ahmadinejad was in office].
Ettela’at: “Europe is to open a new chapter in its relations with Iran,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
At the meeting the Iranian president said, “our joint responsibility to humanity is to try and end terrorism and the massacre of innocent people”.
President Rouhani further said the deal Iran and P5+1 struck in Vienna proved how effective diplomacy can be in settling differences.
Ettela’at: “A new round of talks between Iran and the European Union will soon get underway,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said after meeting with visiting EU top diplomat in Tehran.
Zarif told reporters that in high-level talks with Europe, regional questions are also brought up.
Ettela’at: Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini has been named the new representative of the Supreme Leader in Iraq.
Ettela’at: Human Rights Watch has said that Saudi airstrikes against Yemen amount to war crimes.
Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian has described Saudi attacks on Yemen as “a strategic blunder and playing with fire”.
Ettela’at: President Rouhani’s economic team has convened an ad hoc session to review the country’s prospects in the post-sanctions era.
Afterwards, the government spokesman said the nuclear negotiating team built on diplomacy to stand up for the country’s national interests. “We build on economic diplomacy to safeguard Iran’s national interests.”
Ettela’at: The volume of water in the reservoirs of 160 dams across the country is down by as much as 50 percent.
Nineteen provinces have seen a decline in precipitation in comparison with last year.
Ettela’at: The literacy index in the country has improved.
The education minister has said that interactions with UNICEF and UNESCO are increasing.
Ettela’at: US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the US cannot bomb away Iran’s nuclear knowledge.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini Tuesday paid a day-long visit to Tehran where she met with President Rouhani, Foreign Minister Zarif and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
The fight against terrorism and the nuclear deal inked in Vienna between Iran and P5+1 were among the topics discussed at her meetings with Iranian officials.
Images of her Tehran visit released by different websites:
Chal-Nakhjir Cave is located in Delijan, a town in Markazi Province. The beautiful cave has speleothems – commonly known as a cave formation – which look like cauliflower.
Natural ventilation of the cave which keeps it cool in the summer and warm in the winter is another fantastic feature of this self-revived cave.
Visitors to the natural beautiful place never face a shortage of oxygen while spending time inside the cave.
Images of the Chal-Nakhjir Cave put online by Mehr News Agency:
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has arrived in Tehran to hold talks with the country’s high-ranking officials.
Fabius, who arrived in Tehran on Wednesday morning, is scheduled to sit down with President Rouhani and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif.
During his day-long visit to Iran, the top French diplomat is also expected to sit down with Iranian Minister of Industries, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh as well as Director of the Environment Protection Organization Masoumeh Ebtekar.
Fabius’ visit to Iran is a first by a French foreign minister to the Islamic Republic in 12 years.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Israeli attacks on the al-Aqsa Mosque, calling on the international community to stop the Israeli aggression against Palestinians.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham on Tuesday denounced the Tel Aviv regime’s provocative actions as well as repetitive attacks by extremist Israeli settlers on al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian worshipers.
On Sunday, Israelis broke into the al-Aqsa compound and engaged in violent clashes with Palestinians.
Afkham further noted that such provocative measures take place with the approval of Israeli officials, stressing that the attacks on al-Aqsa Mosque again show the aggressive nature of the Israeli regime and its violation of the rights of the Palestinian nation.
The spokeswoman also called on all countries, especially the Muslim countries, and regional as well as international organizations to support the Palestinian nation and take action against the desecration of al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israeli forces stormed the al-Aqsa compound and closed its gates after the clashes erupted between Palestinian Muslim worshipers and Israelis.
Israeli troops also fired sound bombs inside the compound and attacked Muslim worshipers. In response, the Palestinians threw stones at the Israeli soldiers in an effort to prevent them from storming into the complex.
Dozens of worshipers were injured and at least six of them were detained by Israeli forces. Many of them suffered breathing complications due to tear gas inhalation.
Illegal Israeli settlers, backed by Israeli forces, frequently force their way into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which usually ends up in clashes.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also on Sunday called on the United Nations Security Council to take measures for an end to Israeli attacks on the al-Aqsa Mosque compound and violation of the Islamic holy site.
OIC Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani said in a statement that Israel should be held responsible for the consequences of continued, systematic attacks on the mosque.
President Rouhani made the remarks in a meeting with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini in Tehran on Tuesday evening.
President Rouhani said Iran and the EU can increase their mutual cooperation in political, cultural, technological and scientific areas after the implementation of the Vienna agreement.
‘The agreement that was struck will be very important and influential for the future of regional relations, Europe and the world,’ the Iranian president said during the meeting.
The Iranian president underlined that Iran-Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, France and Britain plus Germany) agreement will harm no country in the region or the world, and said, ‘Now an opportunity has been created to think less about the past and instead think of a future which can be based on mutual respect and colossal interests.’
‘One of the advantages of the Vienna agreement is cooperation to fulfill our shared obligation with regard to humanity and human ideals to fight terrorism and end war and shedding of the blood of innocent people,’ President Rouhani added.
Earlier today, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Mogherini in a meeting in Tehran discussed bilateral ties and regional developments.
During the meeting in the Iranian capital today, Zarif and Mogherini agreed that Iran and the EU resume a new round of high-level talks.
‘Today we decided to start a new round of talks between Iran and the European Union which we call high-level negotiations,” Zarif said in a joint press conference with Mogherini.
Zarif said the talks would begin soon at the “level of deputies” and “will gradually” move to the ministerial level, adding that the talks would cover such issues as “energy, transportation, trade, environment, human rights and the campaign against drug trafficking.
The Iranian foreign minister, meantime, pointed to the regional crises, and said, ‘The ongoing crises in the Middle East are posing a serious threat to the entire world and particularly the EU member-states.
Zarif added that extremism, sectarianism and terrorism are causing violence in both the Middle East and EU.
The Iranian foreign minister expressed hope that Mogherini’s visit would mark a fresh beginning for ties based on mutual respect.
He noted that he had held “good” discussions with Mogherini about the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the prospects of Iran-EU ties.
Zarif urged Western countries and the United States in particular to make efforts to build confidence among the Iranian nation by meeting their obligations.
Mogherini, for her part, said the nuclear agreement between Iran and the Group 5+1 (the US, Russia, China, France and Britain plus Germany) was a sign showing that diplomacy can succeed.
“The deal would be historical not only in the signing but also in the implementation,” she said.
Elsewhere she pointed to the opportunities brought about by the agreement.
She said the nuclear breakthrough also has an ‘added value’ in that it can serve as an example for addressing other issues around the world.
‘The deal is not the end of a process, it is the beginning,’ she added.
The EU foreign policy chief arrived in Tehran for talks on implementing a recent nuclear agreement reached between Iran and six world powers in Vienna on July 14.
Mogherini, who is accompanied by her deputy Helga Schmidt, arrived in Tehran on Tuesday, from Saudi Arabia.
Mogherini was lead negotiator for the G5+1 in the long-running talks over Tehran’s nuclear program that culminated in the July 14 agreement.
According to Mogherini’s office, her visit ‘will provide an opportunity for exchanges on the implementation of the agreement.’
On July 20, the UN Security Council unanimously endorsed a draft resolution upholding the JCPOA. All 15 members of the body voted for the UN resolution in New York, setting the stage for the lifting of the Security Council sanctions against Iran.
Speaking at a press conference with visiting EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Tuesday, Zarif said Iran-EU “high-level” talks are to resume in the “near future.”
“Today we decided to start a new round of talks between Iran and the European Union…which we call it high-level negotiations,” he said.
Zarif said the talks will begin soon at the “level of deputies” and “will gradually” move to the ministerial level, adding that the talks will cover such issues as “energy, transportation, trade, environment, human rights and the scourge of narcotics.”
He said ongoing crises in the Middle East are posing “a serious threat to the entire world and particularly members of the European Union.”
Zarif added that extremism, sectarianism and terrorism are causing violence in both the Middle East and EU.
The Iranian foreign minister expressed hope that Mogherini’s visit would mark a fresh beginning for ties based on mutual respect.
He noted that he had held “good” discussions with Mogherini about the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the prospects of Iran-EU ties.
Zarif urged Western countries and the United States in particular to make efforts to build confidence among the Iranian nation by meeting their obligations.
Mogherini, for her part, said the nuclear agreement between Iran and P5+1 was a sign that diplomacy can succeed.
“The deal would be historical not only in the signing but also in the implementation,” she said.
Elsewhere she pointed to the opportunities brought about by the agreement.
She said the nuclear breakthrough also has an “added value” in that it can serve as an example for addressing other issues around the world.
“The deal is not the end of a process, it is the beginning,” she added.
Mogherini said she has assured Saudi leaders that Iran’s nuclear agreement is a “good” accord which would benefit the “security” of the entire Middle East.
She noted that “full implementation” of the agreement would help Iran-EU relations, adding, “Europe and Iran are close.”
The EU foreign policy chief arrived in Tehran for talks on implementing a recent nuclear agreement reached between Iran and six world powers.
Mogherini, who is accompanied by EU political director Helga Schmid, arrived in Tehran on Tuesday, from Saudi Arabia.
Mogherini was a lead negotiator for the P5+1 group of countries in the long-running talks over Tehran’s nuclear program that culminated in the July 14 agreement.
According to Mogherini’s office, her visit “will provide an opportunity for exchanges on the implementation of the agreement.”
On July 14, Iran and the six world powers – the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany — finalized the text of JCPOA in the Austrian capital of Vienna.
Under the JCPOA, limits are put on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for a set of commitments by the P5+1, including the removal of all economic and financial bans against the Islamic Republic.
On July 20, the UN Security Council unanimously endorsed a draft resolution upholding the JCPOA. All 15 members of the body voted for the UN resolution in New York, setting the stage for the lifting of the Security Council sanctions against Iran.
In a statement released on Friday, over 70 European political, diplomatic and military figures said the July 14 agreement provides a framework for an end to the Western dispute with Iran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
The EU statement urged all parties to implement the agreement and called on the international community to throw its weight behind it.
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