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

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Home Blog Page 4814

Iran, Turkmenistan should use potential to boost ties: Rouhani

Emad Askarieh

March 11, 2015

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic and Turkmenistan should tap into their potential to improve their bilateral relations.

“The officials of the two countries are well aware of the significance of very good bilateral relations, and we believe that we should utilize all existing potential to develop the ties,” Rouhani said during a meeting with his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat on Wednesday.

Rouhani expressed hope that his talks with Turkmen officials during his visit to the Central Asian country would contribute to the promotion of reciprocal ties.

He welcomed his Turkmen counterpart’s invitation to attend a peace conference in the Central Asian country in late 2015 and said Iran always supports Turkmenistan’s policy of peace, friendship and impartiality.

The Turkmen president, for his part, praised friendly ties between Tehran and Ashgabat, saying the two countries have maintained good ties. He welcomed the further expansion of bilateral cooperation in different fields.

Stressing that the two neighboring countries enjoy common ground on the political front, Berdimuhamedow said that the Iranian and Turkmen governments have been working to contribute to global peace and security.

He also called for further enhancement of ties, particularly in the economic sector.

Heading a delegation, President Rouhani arrived in Ashgabat on Tuesday night on a two-day visit to discuss the expansion of ties between Tehran and Ashgabat.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on March 11

Emad Askarieh

March 11, 2015

The election of Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi as chairman of the Assembly of Experts dominated the front pages of Iranian dailies on Wednesday. Prediction by the government spokesman that the country’s economy will grow 2.5 percent next year was also in the news. Remarks by the foreign minister in a session of the Assembly of Experts on nuclear talks came under the spotlight too.

Abrar: As many as 155 Iranian MPs are working in sport federations.

[The minister of sports and youth made the remark, taking a swipe at members of parliament who are engaged in sporting activities.]

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: India lends support to oil companies seeking to invest in Iran.

Afarinesh: Ayatollah Mohammad Yazdi was elected Chairman of the Expediency Council for one year.

Aftab-e Yazd: “We should respect government officials. They are going through tough times,” said the president of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

Arman-e Emrooz: Moscow has agreed to Iran joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Iranian president’s special envoy to Russia, Ali Akbar Velayati, made the remark about his meeting with President Putin.

Asr-e Iranian: “We have failed in fixing the interest rates,” said Valiollah Seif, the governor of the Central Bank of Iran.

Asr-e Rasaneh: “Peugeot [a French car giant] is to invest €100 million in Iran,” announced the head of Iran Khodro Industrial Group.

Asrar: “Apparently they wanted to kill or amputate me,” said Ali Motahari, a Tehran MP, about unknown assailants who recently targeted him in Shiraz.

Asrar: “Iran is expected to post a 2.5 percent economic growth next year [starting March 21, 2015],” said the government spokesman.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: ” Pars Special Energy Economic Zone exported 40 percent of the country’s non-oil items last year [ending March 2014],” said the managing director of the zone on the Persian Gulf.

Emtiaz: “High-income families will stop to get monthly cash subsidies,” said the deputy minister of cooperatives, labor and social welfare.

Etemad: “Contaminated ampoules were withdrawn from the market,” said the health minister, adding that 15 people lost their vision as a result of taking the fake eye drug.

Ettela’at: “We try to help nuclear talks produce satisfactory results.”

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif made the remark in the opening session of the Assembly of Experts.

Ettela’at: President Obama has strongly slammed Republicans for their letter to Iranian officials.

Hambastegi: “Expansion of ties with regional countries is one of the top priorities of Iran’s foreign policy,” said President Rouhani before leaving for Turkmenistan.

Honarmand: “Mastoor-o Mast links the East and the West,” said Homayoon Shajarian about his new album.

Iran: Some 63.6 percent of Iranians are optimistic about the government performance.

This is the result of a poll conducted in four stages in 30 provincial capitals.

Iran Daily: Trade with EU countries topped €7.5 billion in 2014.

Jomhouri Islami: The European Commission’s news website has announced that the value of trade between Europe and Iran has increased 21 percent.

Kaenat: The budget bill was returned to parliament; the Guardian Council has found fault with [an article that deals with ways of] identifying high-income families.

Kayhan: “If our proposal is rejected, Greece will open Europe’s doors to terrorists,” said the Greek defense minister.

[Athens has asked Europe to find a solution to the Greek debt crisis.]

Kayhan: The Iraqi army took the breath of terrorists; Tikrit turned into the graveyard of Takfiri terrorists.

Kayhan International: Iran is fantastically rich when it comes to cultural heritage.

Khorasan: “The Guardian Council has faulted a parliamentary decision which calls for the removal of the cash subsidies of high-income people,” said the chairman of parliament’s Budget Committee.

Qods: “The US showed that it is not trustworthy,” said the foreign minister in reaction to the US Senators’ letter to Iranian officials.

Sayeh: “The Education Ministry should sow the seeds of learning in the country,” said President Rouhani.

Shahrvand: A coordinated response by Tehran and Washington to 47 US Senators

Shahrvand: “We are moving back toward illiteracy,” said the education minister.

Sharq: “Common sense dictates that we should support the country’s diplomacy team [in nuclear talks with P5+1],” said Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, a member of the Assembly of Experts.

Sharq: A former critic of Hashemi [Rafsanjani] takes the chairmanship [of the Assembly of Experts]; Ayatollah Yazdi replaced the late Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani.

Tafahom: “Diplomacy is there to reduce costs,” said FM Zarif in the Assembly of Expert.

Tehran Times: Iraqi army, volunteer forces enter Tikrit from multiple directions.

Tejarat: “We are planning to unify the foreign exchange rate next year,” the governor of the Central Bank of Iran promised.

Zarif-Kerry to meet in Lausanne next week

Emad Askarieh

March 11, 2015

Iranian and US nuclear negotiators are to conduct concise talks in the Swiss city of Lausanne next week.

They will also have a short visit to Brussels for discussions.

The Iranian team will be led by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who is going to hold talks with his American counterpart John Kerry.

They are planning to resume the talks and pick up where they left off in Monteux, Switzerland last week. A European Union (EU) representative will also attend the talks.

Zarif, accompanied by his deputies Abbas Araghchi and Majid Takht Ravanchi will be hosted by the EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini during his brief Brussels visit.

Mogherini has invited Foreign Ministers of Iran, Britain, France and Germany to Brussels.

Zarif will return to Laussane then to resume talks with US nuclear delegation.

All sides in Iran’s nuclear negotiation process hope to clinch a political agreement by the end of March and a comprehensive accord by July to finally end the 12-year nuclear row.

Nanotechnology tapped to produce strong aluminum alloy

Emad Askarieh

March 11, 2015

Researchers at Amirkabir University of Technology in cooperation with Spanish scientists have developed a new process through which ultrafine grained and nanostructured materials with high strength can be produced.

The Islamic Republic News Agency reported on March 10 that aerospace and auto-making industries as well as those in which aluminum and other light metals are used have welcomed the research results.

Iran’s Nanotechnology Initiative Council said that nanocomposites and nanostructured metals can be produced through this method.

Sajad Amirkhanloo, the project researcher, said, “Production of alloys whose strength is a few times more than common alloys, reduction in production costs and energy consumption as well as promotion of efficiency in the final product are the advantages of the new method.”

The results of the research work have been published in the journal of Scripta Materialia.

Sajad Amirkhanloo, a PhD holder in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology, Dr. Mostafa Ketabchi and Dr. Nader Parvin, both faculty members at Amirkabir University of Technology along with a group of Spanish researchers from CENIM-CSIC (del Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalurgicas) have contributed to the project.

A normal day in world’s parliaments with fighting politicians (Photos)

Emad Askarieh

March 11, 2015

Politicians in different countries go out of their way when they express themselves, and this at times results in shameful physical conflicts.

The following are a series of pictures Mehr News Agency released on March 10 on parliamentary brawls between lawmakers and statesmen from across the world. Take a look:

Leung Kwok-hung, a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and a pro-democracy lawmaker, throws an object at Financial Secretary John Tsang.

Turkish Parliament — A Turkish member of parliament [Grand National Assembly] falls to the ground amid a dispute over broadening police powers.

South Africa Parliament — Members of the Parliament of South Africa quarrel during the president’s speech.

Nepal Parliament — In Nepal, members of the Constituent Assembly chant slogans in the legislative body.

Turkey Paliament — A lawmaker from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the Turkish parliament pounds his fist on his rival’s face.

An MP in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong is trying to throw a plastic hammer at his rival.

Turkish Parliament-1 — An opposition member gets a nosebleed after scuffles erupt in the Turkish parliament.

Ukrine Parliament — Ukrainian politicians show their opposition by throwing wheat at their parliamentary rivals.

Taiwan Parliament — Lawmakers in Taiwan get involved in a physical fight during a ceremony to open a power plant in the country.

Hong Kong Palriament — A legislator in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong throws a pillow at his opponent amid parliamentary debates over the retirement law.

Ukrine Parliament-1 — The Ukrainian parliament descended into chaos during a debate over voting rights last year.

Ukrine Parliament-2 — Ukrainian politicians brawl after a vote on a military contract with Russia. Lawmakers exchange eggs and smoke bombs in parliament.

Ukrine Parliament-3 — A dispute erupts at a session of Ukraine’s parliament and the deputy speaker of the Ukrainian parliament is trying to strangle his rival.

Ukrine Parliament-4 — Chaos breaks out in the Ukrainian legislature during which a deputy speaker throws a glass of hot water at the MP at the podium delivering a speech.

Ukrine Parliament-5 — Scuffles at Ukraine’s parliament injure one lawmaker who is later taken to hospital on a stretcher.

Turkish Parliament-3 — Lawmakers in the Turkish parliament are engaged in a so-called necktie-fight.

Turkish Parliament-4 — Some Turkish lawmakers have come up with new methods to brawl in parliament.

South Korea Parliament — A lawmaker in South Korea, who is opposed to a free trade agreement with the US, hurls a tear gas at the speaker of the National Assembly.

Sri Lanka Parliament — The Opposition members in the Parliament of Sri Lanka lose temper as the president submits the 2012 budget bill to the chamber.

Italy Parliament — Debates over [the government’s] austerity measures turn the Italian parliament into a scene of all-out brawls and fights.

Tiwan Parliament-2 — A fight breaks out between members of the ruling party and those of the Opposition in the Taiwanese parliament in the buildup to the election.

Bolivia Parliament-1 — In Bolivia, a poor local man attacks a member of the Opposition in a congressional session.

Italy Parliament-1 — An Italian Senator is forced out of a vote of confidence session.

Mexico Parliament — Mexican legislators get into a fist fight in the state legislature.

Without collective contribution, provision of minimum social support is impossible: Minister

Emad Askarieh

March 11, 2015

On March 10, the Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Minister of Cooperatives, Labor, and Social Welfare Ali Rabiei as saying, “Listening to the deprived class of society who has no platform to have its voice heard is the minimum and most important social support government can lend.”

Speaking at an international conference on social support in Tehran, Rabiei added, “The Government of Hope and Prudence pursues the policy of listening to the voices of all classes of society.”

The minister underlined that without collective contribution, it would be impossible to provide minimum social support, calling on all institutions, ranging from families to political entities, to contribute.

Describing the 11^th government as humble, Rabiei said, “A humble government is one which modestly tries to spot its weaknesses and express respect for the knowledge of others.”

He said, “If the tremendous potential of lower classes of society is tapped, it can resolve a lot of social problems. If voices of all classes of society are heard, a great achievement is made.”

The minister concluded, “This gathering can be regarded as a step toward fulfillment of the objectives of the Government of Hope and Prudence which plans to listen to all voices.”

UK official says pursuing embassy reopening in Tehran

Emad Askarieh

March 11, 2015

The British shadow foreign secretary says he is seriously pursuing the reopening of the UK embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

During a meeting with a delegation of Iranian parliamentarians on Tuesday in London, Douglas Alexander also underlined the need for promotion of ties between Tehran and London.

The British politician said that the UK has made mistakes with respect to its relations with Iran in the past, but that his country would hopefully make positive and constructive moves for a better future.

The member of the Labor Party in the British House of Commons also expressed the shadow administration’s readiness to contribute to the settlement of problems surrounding Tehran’s nuclear issue. Britain is a member of P5+1engaged in talks with Iran over its nuclear program.

Alexander also highlighted Iran’s significant role in the Middle East and the world, saying London is keen to cooperate with Tehran in different areas.

For his part, the head of the Iran-Britain Parliamentary Friendship Group Abbas Ali Mansouri Arani, said that Iran is willing to promote ties with the UK based on the Islamic Republic’s national interests.

In November 2011, Iranian lawmakers voted by a large majority to downgrade diplomatic ties with the UK in response to Britain’s decision to impose sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran over the allegation that Tehran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear program.

Two days after the decision by the Iranian Parliament, hundreds of Iranian students staged a protest outside the British embassy in Tehran, pulling down the UK flag and demanding the expulsion of the British ambassador.

Following the incident, the 10 Downing Street announced in November 2011 that it is withdrawing its diplomatic staff from Iran and that the Iranian embassy in London would be closed.

Nearly two years after their diplomatic ties were severed, Iran and Britain agreed in October 2013 to appoint non-resident chargés d’affaires as a first step toward reopening their respective embassies.

Nuclear talks on right track: Iranian negotiator

Emad Askarieh

March 11, 2015

An Iranian diplomat engaged in nuclear talks with world powers said negotiations are going on in the right direction, but reminded the other side of the need for “tough decisions” for a long-awaited agreement on Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.

“The nuclear negotiations are in progress in the right direction, and we hope that the other side would prepare the ground for the achievement of a final agreement by gaining a better understanding of the realities and making tough and necessary decisions,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for American and European Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi said.

He made the comments in a meeting with Finland’s Secretary of State Peter Stenlund, held in Tehran on Tuesday.

Takht Ravanchi further stressed the need for improved cooperation between Iran and Finland in various fields, including environment, agriculture, health, renewable energies, tourism and culture.

The visiting Finnish diplomat, for his part, expressed hope that the negotiations on Iran’s nuclear case would end in good results with the window of opportunity open.

Iran and P5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) are in talks to hammer out a final agreement to end more than a decade of impasse over Tehran’s nuclear energy program.

On November 24, 2013, the two sides signed a six-month deal in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The Geneva deal (the Joint Plan of Action) came into effect in January 2014 and expired in July, when the parties decided to extend negotiations until November 24 in the hope of clinching a final deal that would end a decade of impasse over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear energy program.

After failing to nail down a lasting accord by the self-imposed November 24 deadline, the parties once again decided to extend the deadline for seven more months, until the end of June 2015.

Iran, Kuwait should improve relations: Larijani

Emad Askarieh

March 10, 2015

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani says Iran and Kuwait should improve their relations in different areas, given their “enormous” cultural and historic ties.

“Such cultural and historical bonds can pave the way for further cooperation between the two countries,” Larijani said in a meeting with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in Kuwait City on Tuesday.

He added that Iran and Kuwait have “very good” parliamentary exchange.

Crisis of terrorism

Meanwhile, in another meeting with Kuwaiti intellectuals and writers on Tuesday, Larijani said regional countries should take the crisis of terrorism seriously.

The Iranian Majlis speaker added that certain countries seek to hatch plots among regional countries and do not take any interest in close relations among them.

He also urged regional countries to make proper use of their great potential to improve their economic cooperation.

“Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution (in 1979), the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been keen on expanding friendly cooperation with regional countries,” Larijani said.

Iran’s Majlis speaker emphasized that Tehran passes on the message of peace and friendship to countries in the region.

Larijani arrived in Kuwait on Monday at the invitation of his Kuwaiti counterpart Marzouq al-Ghanim. During his two-day visit, he is scheduled to hold talks with the country’s senior officials. He will then set off for Qatar.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on March 10

Emad Askarieh

March 10, 2015

The appointment by the Supreme Leader of a new police chief to replace Brigadier General Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam dominated the front pages of Iranian dailies on Tuesday. A letter by a host of US Senators to the Iranian officials saying that any nuclear deal with Iran will last as long as President Obama is in office, and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s reaction to the letter were also in the news. Remarks by President Rouhani in a national gathering to honor martyrs also made headlines.

Abrar: The minister of sports and youth has said that the question of women’s presence in sporting arenas has been raised in the Supreme National Security Council.

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: Pakistan will import natural gas from Qatar, not Iran.

Afkar: “Any [nuclear] deal with Iran will be valid as long as [President] Obama is in office,” read an open letter by 47 US Senators to Iranian officials.

Aftab-e Yazd: “The government does not seek to reap revenues from [fines levied on] driving violations,” said government Spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht.

Arman-e Emrooz: [Ayatollah Akbar] Hashemi [Rafsanjani] has met with the Supreme Leader. The meeting focused on nuclear talks.

Arman-e Emrooz: “The letter by the US Senators is just a publicity stunt,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif [in reaction to the Senators’ letter to Iranian officials].

Asia: President Rouhani will take 150 Iranian businessmen to Ashgabat on Tuesday.

Talks between Iran and Turkmenistan will focus on oil, gas, technical-engineering services, pharmaceuticals and food.

Asr-e Eghtesad: There has been a rise in the number of foreign arrivals in Maku Free Trade and Industrial Zone.

Asrar: A shattered dream

The United Arab Emirates will host the 2019 Asian Cup. [The Asian Football Confederation has selected the UAE over a bid from Iran to host the 2019 continental champions.]

Ebtekar: Music heavyweights have signed a petition in protest against “serial cancelations” of concerts.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: “The purchase of Iranian-made goods should be seen as a value [in the country],” said a member of parliament’s Economic Committee.

Ettela’at: “Iran’s heroes are now engaged in Jihad on the diplomacy front,” said President Rouhani in a national gathering to honor the martyrs.

Ettela’at: The country’s dependence on oil will decrease as of next year [starting March 21, 2015], said the government spokesman.

Ettela’at: The Iraqi army has closed in on the gates of Tikrit.

Hemayat: Judicial centers across the country have been ordered by the Judiciary chief to seriously pursue the Supreme Leader’s demands as far as the protection of the environment is concerned.

Iran Daily: Unusual Senate intervention in US foreign policymaking

Jomhouri Islami: The Al Sauds has officially begun to hatch a plot to disintegrate Yemen.

Kar va Kargar: The defense minister has said that Iran will unveil highly-advanced giant vessels soon.

Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan made the remark in a ceremony Monday which saw Iran’s newly-made destroyer Damavand join the country’s fleet of warships in the Caspian Sea.

Kayhan: The Islamic Revolution Leader has named Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari as the new police chief.

Kayhan: Western experts have admitted that a breakdown of [nuclear] talks will sink the boat of sanctions.

Kayhan International: Republican Senators: US will revoke any deal after Obama

Mardomsalari: [Former First Vice-President] Mohammad Reza Rahimi has returned to Evin prison.

Mardomsalari: Those involved in the distribution of [fake] Avastin [a drug injected into the eye to slow vision loss] have been arrested, announced the health minister.

Resalat: “We need to be vigilant about American-style Islam and British-modeled Shiism,” said the secretary general of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought.

Rooyesh-e Mellat: “Dust storms do not know any [political] factions,” said the president.

Rooyesh-e Mellat: Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani has said that removal of all sanctions is the only way forward to clinch a nuclear deal.

Sharq: A planned speech by Ali Motahari, a Tehran MP, has been cancelled in Shiraz after he came under attack by unidentified individuals in the southern city.