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Iranian police seize 450 tons of illicit drugs in eight months

By
Emad Askarieh
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Iran Police chief: Ahmadi Moghadam
Iran Police chief: Ahmadi Moghadam

Police Chief Brigadier General Esmail Ahmadi Moghadam has been quoted by Shahrvand newspaper as saying that law enforcement forces have seized as much as 450 tons of drugs in the eight months to November 22, 2014. The following is the translation of a very brief report the daily ran on the police commander’s comments on December 18:

The police chief, who was in Mazandaran province, said efforts are underway to render better quality services to members of the public on all fronts.

Brigadier General Ahmadi Moghadam said that in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the law enforcement and the military are there to serve citizens, not act against them. “Up to 5,000 police personnel provided security for the return home of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who had crossed the border into Iraq to attend religious ceremonies there.”

The brigadier general went on to say his men are credited with 90 percent of all drug seizures across the country.

He further said the launch of an anti-theft center within the police has seen the number of thefts drop dramatically across the nation.

Putin says final deal on Iran nuclear issue ‘very close’

By
Emad Askarieh
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Russia-President-Putin

During a Thursday news conference, Putin expressed hope that Tehran and the six states – Russia, China, Britain, France, the US and Germany – will manage to resolve their differences and ink a historic nuclear agreement “in the near future.”

The Russian leader also praised the Islamic Republic for showing the necessary flexibility in the course of the nuclear discussions, adding that Iran and its negotiating sides are “very close to the settlement of” the 12-year dispute over Iran’s nuclear issue.

A permanent accord on Iran’s civilian nuclear work would benefit economic relations between Tehran and Moscow, added the Russian head of state.

Putin’s comments came a day after nuclear negotiators from Iran and the P5+1 group wrapped up their latest round of talks on Tehran’s nuclear energy program in the Swiss city of Geneva.

The three-day Geneva discussions were held almost three weeks after Tehran and the six countries failed to reach a final agreement by a November 24 deadline despite making some progress.

However, the two sides agreed to extend their discussions for seven more months until July 1, 2015. They also agreed that the interim deal they had signed in Geneva last November remain in place during the negotiations.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Putin pointed to the drop in oil prices in recent months, saying Saudi Arabia and the United States might have conspired to lower the prices in an attempt to harm the Iranian and Russian economies.

Oil prices have been falling throughout 2014, almost halving since June as a result of declining demand and increased supply.

The five-year low prices further slumped following the refusal of some major oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, to cut their crude output.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has warned that the current drop in global crude prices is not simply an economic issue, but rather a political plot by some countries.

Iran Army to stage anti-terror war games: General

By
Emad Askarieh
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Iran army

“The massive drill by the Army will be held from December 25 to 31,” the Second-in-Command of the Iranian Army Brigadier General Abdolrahim Mousavi said on Thursday at a press conference, adding, “The Army’s Navy, Air Force, Ground Forces and Air Defense will participate in the maneuvers.”

“New weapons and tactics will be tested and evaluated in the war games,” Mousavi said, adding the drill will also feature exercises on fighting terrorism.

“The show of lasting might, peace, and friendship under the banner of Islamic and regional unity” is the motto of the maneuvers, said the general, adding Iran is “opposed to the presence of foreigners in the region.”

It falls upon regional countries to establish peace and security in the region, he stressed.

The Army’s decision to practice fight against terrorism comes as the scourge poses a threat to the whole Middle East region.

Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari also said at the press conference that the military’s missile capability will also be tested in the drill by “launching surface-to-surface, surface-to-sea, surface-to-air and air-to-surface missiles.”

In recent years, Iran has secured great accomplishments in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.

Iran has repeatedly said its military might poses no threat to other countries, insisting that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.

Iran supporting fight against terrorism across Iraq: Rouhani

By
Emad Askarieh
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Rouhani-al-Jabouri

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always stood by all Iraqi people” regardless of their religious, sectarian and tribal affiliations and “supports unity, integrity, security and stability across Iraq,” President Rouhani said in a meeting with visiting Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri on Wednesday.

The Iranian nation is now standing by the Iraqi nation, Rouhani further stated, adding, “In every region of Iraq that [Iraqis] fight terrorists, we support the resistance of the Iraqi people and it makes no difference [to us] which tribe or sect is in the majority in that region.”

The Iranian president further noted that unity and integrity among the Iraqi tribes and sects have been cemented more than ever after terrorist attacks by the Takfiri ISIL militants.

Rouhani further lauded Iraq’s victories against the Takfiri militants, describing as “praiseworthy” the Iraqi nation and army’s resistance against terrorists and aggressors.

The Iranian president congratulated the Iraqi people and government on providing security for millions of people participating in Arba’een rituals in the country, describing the measure as a great “show of power”.

The Arba’een ceremony, which marks the 40th day after the anniversary of the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammad’s grandson, Imam Hossein, was held in Karbala on December 13.

The Iraqi official, for his part, stressed Iraq’s willingness to boost its relations with Iran, saying Baghdad and Tehran have numerous common interests and ties.

Key steps have been taken in Iraq today to cement unity in a bid to fight terrorism and the ISIL, Jabouri said, adding that terrorists will not be allowed to sow discord among the Iraqi people.

He stressed that terrorism poses a threat to the whole region, urging a collective effort to counter the scourge.

The ISIL militants currently control swathes of territory across Syria and Iraq. They have carried out heinous atrocities in both countries, including mass executions and beheadings of people.

Traditional art of matting in Iran in photos

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran-wicker mats

Mats or wicker mats are woven by palm leaf fibers in Iranian southwestern province of Khuzestan. Mats are also made by Cyperus papyrus found in abundance in the region. This type of mat is applied as a wicker as well as a cover for house roofs.

The following are the pictures Mehr News Agency posted on its website on December 16 of the traditional art:

 

Media in captivity

By
Emad Askarieh
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Ekrem Dumanli

The man who is seen in the picture above raising his right hand is Ekrem Dumanli, the editor-in-chief of Zaman newspaper, Turkey’s widest circulating daily.

That is the lead of a report by Sharq daily on December 17 on the arrests by the Turkish government of journalists and the uproar it has caused inside and outside the country. What appears below is the translation of the report followed by the reaction of President Recep Tayipp Erdogan to the barrage of condemnations at home and abroad:

Ekrem Dumanli and a host of fellow journalists should be put behind bars in order for the government of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu not to be harmed, although the prime minster seems to have faded into the background these days and President Recep Tayipp Erdogan is said to be behind all these developments.

A while ago the Turkish government passed a bill in parliament to tighten its control over the media, something which will help it reach its intended objectives much more easily.

The government has rejected as destructive the performance of many independent media outlets and has arrested about 150 citizens who are active in media circles. Some Turkish newspapers have denounced the government decision as bulk arrests [of journalists].

The mass arrests of journalists in Turkey have sparked a firestorm in Europe. Turkey no longer hopes to join the EU; rather, the go-it-alone policies adopted by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) show that the country seems to be dreaming about a return to the days of the Ottoman Empire.

 

Erdogan
President Erdogan

Erdogan: It is nobody’s business

President Erdogan showed bitter reaction to the EU’s condemnation of the arrests and said, “This question has nothing to do with European Union officials. The arrest of journalists does not run counter to the principle of press freedom”.

‘Crackdown on Corruption Possible through Transparency’

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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entezami-41

Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Hossein Entezami said the 11th government [President Rouhani’s] is determined to implement a law that allows citizens free access to information, because it believes transparency is the best way to turn up the heat on corruption and the free flow of information contributes to transparency. The following is the translation of part of Entezami’s comments in a press conference as reported by Sharq newspaper on December 17:

Hossein Entezami, who also serves as secretary of the Free Publication of and Access to Information Commission, said crackdown on corruption is possible through transparency, not rhetorical questions of ‘Shall I tell? Shall I tell?’ [A reference to the tactic of threatening to reveal someone’s secrets used by former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in presidential debates as he sought reelection in 2009 and later during his second term in office] “What the new law does is that it makes transparency legally binding. Transparency helps stop empty talk.”

He went on to say that by the definitions presented by international organizations we are not in a good position as far as administrative corruption goes. “I am hopeful that the new law helps improve our status in this regard, because the existence of such laws is a factor international bodies take account of in measuring transparency in countries.”

Entezami further said in order for the Free Publication of and Access to Information law to be implemented, free access to information should turn into a public demand. “The cooperation of the legislature and the judiciary with the executive branch is also required.”

The deputy culture minister stated, “The new law requires state institutions to provide citizens access to anything that gives them a right or requires them to do something. In that, the new light is expected to revolutionize the way the state interacts with citizens.”

In conclusion, he said, “In the beginning, there might be some problems about the existence of information in some areas. That means we need to move ahead slow and steady.”

Saudi Arabia serving Western States by Surplus Production

By
Emad Askarieh
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General Firouzabadi

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi blasted Saudi Arabia for serving the Western countries’ interests by producing excessive oil.

“By increasing oil production, Saudi Arabia assured the US and the West, which represent the world’s big capital holders, that they will not be restricted for supplying fuel and on the other hand by decreasing the oil prices, it laid financial pressure on the regional countries which are fighting the ISIL terrorists,” Firouzabadi said in Tehran on Wednesday.

He voiced regret that regional countries have sustained $500bln worth of losses due to the increasing crude output by Saudi Arabia and its pro-ISIL allies, adding that Riyadh has strengthened the Western states’ financial system with a $300bln gift.

Also, Iranian Supreme Leader’s representative at the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ali Saeedi said in relevant remarks that “Saudi Arabia’s wrath at Iran’s influence” is the underlying cause of the falling crude prices.

Also earlier this month, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani warned that the decrease in oil prices in recent months was the result of a plot hatched by certain countries.

The fall of oil prices is a manufactured and political plot, he said.

“The reduction in crude oil prices is not an economic issue, rather a political plot by certain countries,” Shamkhani added.

President Hassan Rouhani also stated last Wednesday that the sudden decrease in oil prices in recent months is a plot hatched by the enemies against the regional people and Muslims.

Stressing that regional people would not forget these plots and betrayals against the Muslim world, Rouhani said, “Certainly, people will react to such schemes and the countries which have hatched this plot should know that they have just increased the Muslim world’s hatred for themselves.”

Medical services for terrorists in Israel signify Tel Aviv’s link with terrorism

By
Emad Askarieh
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Shamkhani

A senior Iranian security official said the treatment of ISIL terrorists at the Israeli hospitals is a clear sign of Tel Aviv’s link with terrorism.

“The medical treatment provided for the wounded terrorists from ISIL (the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) and Al-Nusra front at hospitals of the Zionist regime of Israel clearly shows Israel’s link with terrorism and the violation of UN Security Council resolutions,” Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri in Tehran on Wednesday.

Reports show that several Takfiri terrorists have been recently transferred to Israeli hospitals for treatment. According to documents from Israeli hospitals, Israel’s army has paid millions of dollars for the costs of treatment to the foreign-sponsored terrorists injured during battles with Syrian government forces.

Earlier in October, Israeli political commentator, Ehud Yaari, said the Tel Aviv regime has provided medical treatment for over 1,400 wounded militants from Syria.

Shamkhani also referred to the failure of the so-called US-led coalition against terrorism, and said that resolving this regional and global crisis requires “goodwill and avoiding political and ethnical objectives.”

Al-Jabouri, for his part, hailed Iran’s significant role in maintaining security and stability in the region, and called ISIL threat a danger that should be eradicated through regional cooperation.

The ISIL militants made swift advances in northern and western Iraq over the summer, after capturing large swaths of northern Syria.

Since late September, the US and some of its allies have been conducting airstrikes against ISIL inside Syria without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate.

Meanwhile, a combination of concentrated attacks by the Iraqi military and the popular forces, who rushed to take arms after top Iraqi cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a fatwa calling for fight against the militants, have blunted the edge of the ISIL offensive.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Dec. 18

By
Emad Askarieh
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Iranian Newspapers Headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

The meetings the visiting Turkish foreign minister and Iraqi parliament speaker held in Tehran with senior officials dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Thursday. The comments of government spokesman about subsides, next year’s budget and cooperation with the construction arm of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps were on the front pages of several newspapers too.

Abrar: “Talks with the United States are part of negotiations with P5+1,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Tehran on Wednesday.

 

abrar

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: “A 17 percent pay rise for civil servants [next year] is impossible,” said Government Spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht.

 

abrar eghtesadi

Afarinesh: “Thanks to the mismanagement of the past, the development budget has been undermined,” said Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly Ali Larijani.

 

afarinesh

Afkar: Saudi Arabia has declared an oil war on Iran and Russia.

 

afkar

Arman-e Emrooz: “Tolerance for opposing views should be raised,” said Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founding father of the Islamic Republic.

 

armane emrooz

Asrar: “In universities neither the graveyard quiet is good, nor the quiet that is typical of garrisons,” said Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the architect of the Islamic Republic.

Asrar: “Only 40 percent of [individuals and institutions that make up the] economy pay taxes,” said the director of the State Tax Organization.

Asrar: “The Worriers [supporters of the former President Ahmadinejad who are bitterly opposed to the policies of President Rouhani and keep sounding alarms about anything his government does] need not worry about nuclear talks,” said Mohammad Reza Bahonar, a [Principlist] deputy speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Asrar: “Hardliners think my warnings are politically motivated,” said Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

 

asrar

Ebtekar: Reaction to an economic allegation. Reports that $4.1 billion has been withdrawn from the National Development Fund are false.

Ebtekar: “The stage is set for a deal [with P5+1],” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

 

ebtekar

Emtiaz: “The drop in oil prices is a political ploy,” said Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

 

emtiaz

Etemad: The US-Cuba Cold War has ended. Washington and Havana are to reestablish diplomatic ties after five decades.

Etemad: “Khatam al-Anbia Base [the construction arm of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps] helps the government nobly,” said the government spokesman.

Etemad: “No one will lose as a result of a deal [between Iran and P5+1]” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart.

 

etemad

Ettela’at: “High-income individuals won’t get cash subsidies,” the government spokesman said.

Ettela’at: “Iran has no designs on regional countries,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

Ettela’at: “Iran stands by the Iraqi people on all scenes,” President Hassan Rouhani told the visiting Iraqi parliament speaker.

 

ettelaat

Iran: President Rouhani has met with visiting Turkish foreign minister and Iraqi parliament speaker.

Iran: Handicrafts are more appreciated by foreigners than Iranians themselves.

 

iran

Jomhouri Islami: “The Takfiri movement thrives on division among nations and on insecurity,” the chairman of the Expediency Council told the Iraqi top MP.

Jomhouri Islami: “Ensuring security during Arba’een ceremonies was a manifestation of the power of the Iraqi government and people,” President Rouhani told the Iraqi parliament speaker.

 

jomhouri eslami

Kaenat: Hamas has been taken off Europe’s list of terrorist entities.

 

kaenat

Kayhan: The heinous massacre of Pakistani children at the hands of the Taliban has drawn international condemnation.

Kayhan: News of an imminent grand assault by the Iraqi army has sent IS Takfiri leaders fleeing Iraq’s Saladin Province.

 

kayhan

Roozan: “Reformists have no problem with Larijani and his associates,” said the parliamentary advisor to the chairman of the Expediency Council.

 

rouzan

Sayeh: “The overall condition of the health sector will improve in six months,” vowed Health Minister Hassan Hashemi.

Sayeh: “Iran stands ready to help Pakistan fight terrorism,” said President Rouhani in a message to the Pakistani prime minister following a school massacre in Peshawar at the hands of the Pakistani Taliban terrorists.

 

sayeh

Shahrvand: “Between 500 and 1,000 saplings have been planted along Tehran’s most beautiful street: Valiasr.”

Shahrvand: The secretary general of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent has said that the potential of the Iranian Red Crescent Society should be tapped into to promote peace.

 

shahrvand

 

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