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Iran, Turkey urge joint action against extremism

Rouhani-Erdogan

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan have called for more joint efforts aimed at fighting terrorism and extremism in the Middle East, saying that the two countries share a common view on the issue.

“The two sides agree that instability, insecurity and war should stop in the entire region,” President Rouhani said in a joint press conference with the Turkish president in Tehran on Tuesday.

The Iranian president also stated that Tehran and Ankara should boost bilateral efforts to tackle terrorism in the region, saying, “Together, we should fight terrorism and extremism in order to achieve brotherhood between Muslims and people in the region.”

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Erdogan arrived in Tehran earlier in the day on an official one-day visit to hold talks with senior officials of the Islamic Republic. The Turkish president immediately started talks with Rouhani in Tehran’s Sadabad Complex.

Rouhani said he and Erdogan have held “detailed discussions” on the ongoing conflict in Yemen, adding that the two sides emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Arab country.

Rouhani said the establishment of such a ceasefire could pave the way for sending humanitarian aid to Yemen, adding that Iran and Turkey and other countries should help peace and stability be restored to the Arab country. The president expressed hope that in Yemen “an inclusive government is established through dialogue.”

After the meeting between Rouhani and Erdogan, the two presidents and their accompanying ministers attended a meeting of Iran-Turkey High Council of Economic Cooperation, which saw major agreements finalized between the two sides, including agreements on expansion of cooperation in energy, transportation and commerce sectors as well as the private sector investment.

The Iranian president said the two sides have also agreed to broaden their cultural and academic cooperation. Iran and Turkey will also work for tougher security along the border.

The Turkish president, for his part, said the two countries are determined to open a new chapter in bilateral relations, saying that the time has changed and Iran and Turkey should expand cooperation on various issues.

Iran and Turkey will from now take forward steps in mutual cooperation, Erdogan stated, adding that the two countries could become a role model for the other states in the region.

He further touched upon the current situation in Iraq and Syria, saying that Tehran and Ankara should cooperate on the issue as a matter of Islamic unity.

Erdogan emphasized the need for dialogue in order for the bloodshed in countries such as Iraq to stop.

There’s only one Iran nuclear talks statement: EU

Zarif-EU

The European Union says the only valid statement regarding the nuclear talks with Iran is the one published last Thursday in Switzerland, Press TV reports.

“The general statement, which is valid, is the one which has been agreed on and delivered on the second of April by [EU] High Representative [for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy] Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister [Mohammad] Javad Zarif in Switzerland,” said Catherine Ray, Mogherini’s spokesperson, at a media briefing in Brussels.

“The statement was validated by all the parties involved,” Ray said.

She was responding to questions from journalists after the US issued statements that appeared to contradict what had been agreed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, also known as P5+1.

Iran and P5+1 along with officials from the EU reached a mutual understanding on Tehran’s nuclear program after eight days of marathon talks in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday.

According to the joint statement, which is considered the basis for a final nuclear deal, the two sides have devised a mechanism to lift anti-Iran sanctions after the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is reached by the end of June.

The joint statement read by Zarif in Persian late Thursday stipulated the implementation of the JCPOA shortly after its adoption as a United Nations Security Council resolution.

It has been clearly stated that all UN Security Council resolutions will be terminated from the day of agreement, Zarif said in his joint statement with Mogherini.

The statement featured a markedly diplomatic tone. However, Washington has since issued statements, which analysts have described as aggressive and unhelpful.

On Saturday, the senior Iranian diplomat stressed that sanctions will be terminated, not suspended, and criticized the US, saying the fact sheet Washington released is different from the joint statement.

“We officially protested to [US Secretary of State] Mr. [John] Kerry for the statement of positions countering the Lausanne statement. The EU representative has also protested to [US Under Secretary for Political Affairs] Ms. [Wendy] Sherman why they have spoken contrary to their positions,” Zarif said.

“In fact, the Americans brought what they desired in the fact sheet.”

Political savvy prescribes interaction with world: Rafsanjani

Hashemi Rafsanjani

The establishment of the Expediency Council, which has been meant to break the deadlocks between the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Guardian Council, shows how farsighted the founding father of the Islamic Republic was as a political and religious leader, the chairman of the Expediency Council said.

According to Ettela’at newspaper, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani made the comment at meetings with the ministers of education and science and their deputies Monday.

On the sixth development plan, he said political and managerial savvy requires us to pay closer attention to interaction with the rest of the world in drawing up the development plan so that the so-called resistance-based economy can bolster the foundation of our infrastructure.

On the nuclear statement Iran and P5+1 released at the close of marathon talks in Lausanne, the top councilor said because of domestic needs, some parties to the talks might have different interpretations of the statement which could in turn overshadow the three months that lie ahead.

“However, as a result of the statement, the world public opinion realized that what was being said about Iran had its roots in bias,” he said.

Recalling the comments of the Supreme Leader that the choice of the public in elections should be respected and that development of nuclear weapons is forbidden, he said these two statements are central to our policies at home and aboard.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani further said Israeli anger at the nuclear statement Iran and P5+1 produced in Lausanne is part of attempts by the fake regime of Tel Aviv to secure legitimacy. “Iran’s neighbors are miscalculating in opposing the nuclear understanding, because Iran has always been a safe place for Muslims and our policies are always rooted in Islamic principles.”

He also said some individuals at home might ignore national interests and make disheartening comments in pursuit of their political and factional goals. “What has been achieved so far is a source of pride, though, and every care should be taken not to allow the final deal to be disrupted.”

Iran voices concern over dire situation of Palestinians in Yarmuk camp

Marziyeh-Afkham
Marziyeh-Afkham

The Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the dire situation of the Palestinians in Syria’s Yarmuk refugee camp which has been under attack by the Takfiri terrorists for the last several days.

“The regrettable situation that started three years ago with the arrival of armed opposition groups in Yarmuk camp, has deteriorated today with ISIL’s arrival,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Tuesday.

The spokeswoman voiced concern that the terrorists have turned the camp into a scene of battles and bloodshed against the defenseless Palestinian people residing in there, and blamed the countries that still insist on their irresponsible policies on Syria and support the terrorists’ crimes.

Afkham called on the UN to act upon its responsibilities with regard to this human tragedy and oblige the countries which support the terrorists to cut their financial supports and arms shipments to Syria.

Her remarks came after the Security Council demanded humanitarian access to Yarmuk refugee camp as residents are described fleeing in terror after the arrival of the ISIL terrorists.

The Security Council expressed deep concern about the situation on Monday, said Jordan’s ambassador Dina Kawar, who chairs the council this month.

It called “for the protection of civilians in the camp for ensuring a humanitarian access to the area including by providing life-saving assistance”, Kawar said.

It also stood ready to consider “further measures to provide necessary assistance”, she added, without providing details.

Hundreds of Palestinians have fled the camp, initially built for Palestinians fleeing the 1948 Israeli war, in recent days following the ISIL attacks.

Iranians will support their diplomats on nuclear front: Top guard

Jafari

The resistance of our noble people should be credited for the historic admission by the US president that military option and continued sanctions will only make Iranians stronger and more determined, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said Tuesday on the sidelines of a meeting of top IRGC commanders.

According to IRNA, the top general went on to say that on the diplomatic front the children of the revolution have been able to deservingly stand up for the rights of the Iranian nation. “The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps thanks the diplomacy machine for its sincere efforts and for its insistence on the red lines of the establishment.”

General Jafari further said American failure in the past to honor its commitments makes the road ahead for this diplomatic jihad more difficult. “But, we are certain, as the esteemed president and foreign minister and members of the negotiating team have said the right to enrich uranium and maintain nuclear research and development and have all relevant sanctions lifted are the central demands of the Iranian people.”

In conclusion, he said the Foreign Ministry is expected to fully tap into its potential to maintain the dignity of the country and have the sanctions lifted all at once. “In light of the idea of harmony and unanimity between the public and government, the Iranian people will support the diplomatic front as far as the nuclear issue is concerned and won’t allow the misleading interpretations of the [Lausanne] statement, particularly by the Americans, to dent the existing trust between them and their government.”

Turkey’s President Erdogan arrives in Iran for talks

Rouhani-Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Tehran Tuesday on an official visit to hold talks with senior statesmen of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, the Turkish president was welcomed by Iran’s Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi at Tehran Mehrabad Airport upon his arrival.

He was afterward received by President Hassan Rouhani at Sa’dabad cultural-historical complex in northern Tehran.

Erdogan’s daylong visit comes at the invitation of the Iranian president.

According to a joint statement issued by Tehran and Ankara Saturday, Erdogan’s schedule includes meetings with his Iranian counterpart as well as Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

Iran and Turkey are expected to sign a document to expand their cooperation.

Nuclear deal to boost Iran’s influence in region: Nasrallah

Nasrollah

Secretary General of the Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah hailed Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers, saying that it will make the country a more influential power in the Middle East.

“There is no doubt that the Iranian nuclear deal will be big and important to the region,” Nasrallah said in a live interview with Syria’s al-Ekhbariya TV. “The agreement, God willing, rules out the specter of regional war and world war.”

“Iran will become richer and wealthier and will also become more influential. This will also reinforce the position of its allies.”

“A stronger and wealthier Iran will be able to stand by its allies, and especially the Palestinian resistance, more than at any other time in history,” the Lebanese Daily Star quoted him as saying.

He went on to say that Israel’s rejection of nuclear talks between Iran and world powers, in light of a framework agreement announced last week, and Saudi Arabia’s implicit opposition to it, reveals the importance of these talks.

“There is no doubt that an agreement will have repercussions on the region,” he said.

Nasrallah said that negotiations have also revealed that talks are not linked or related to developments in the region. “The Americans had insisted on bringing regional issues to the negotiation table, but the Iranians refused,” he said.

[…]

On the accusations of Iranian occupation of Syria, Nasrallah said that the first to talk about an occupation was Saudi Arabia because the kingdom did not acknowledge the will of free peoples.

This is a “problem in the mentality of the Saudi regime.” They claim that Iran occupied Syria, in the same way they claim Iran occupies Yemen, he said.

But “there is no Iranian military presence in Syria.”

He reiterated his belief that the Yemen war was motivated by Saudi Arabia’s desire to reclaim control over the country. The kingdom also wanted to intervene in Yemen because Sana’a was moving toward full independence, he said.

Nasrallah added the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen has so far failed to achieve any of its declared objectives. “This confirms the big failure of the Saudi-US aggression,” he said.

[…]

Iran Chamber of Commerce official expounds on pistachio production

kale ghouchi pistachio

Pistachio production last year was unprecedented for a decade, standing at 230,000 tons, of which up to 25,000 tons was used domestically, a 10 percent growth over previous years, Asadollah Asgaroladi, a member of the Board of Representatives of Iran Chamber of Commerce, said on a talk show on Channel Five Monday.

When asked about pistachio exports by the US, which has recently become a serious rival for Iran, he said, “Iranian and US pistachio output stood at the same level last year, but in the export market, we were in the lead. US exported 120,000 tons, whereas our exports amounted to 165,000 tons. In other words, Iran’s exports were 40 percent more than America’s.”

China tops the list of countries importing Iranian pistachio (about 60,000 tons), he said, adding Russia comes next (20,000 tons) and the rest of our exports go to Arab countries (20,000 tons) and Europe (15,000 tons).

He said, “We do not export pistachio to America, because of a ban on financial transactions.”

Asgaroladi predicted that Iran’s pistachio production will be between 220,000 and 250,000 tons this year.

President Rouhani greets Turkish counterpart in Tehran (PHOTOS)

President Rouhani and Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Tehran on Tuesday and was welcomed by President Rouhani.

The following is a photo gallery that Tasnim News Agency posted online on April 8:

 

An exhibition of Persian Gabbeh carpets opens in Istanbul

Persian Gabbeh carpets -1

Persian Gabbeh carpetsAn exhibition of Gabbeh [a traditional variety of Persian carpet] opened in Istanbul, Turkey on Monday, IRNA reported.

Iran’s consul general in Istanbul Mortezaifar and a number of Iranian and Turkish businessmen, artists and carpet enthusiasts were present at the opening.

Speaking at the inaugural, the Iranian consul general congratulated the Iranian diplomatic apparatus on its achievement in talks with world powers over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program.

He also thanked the organizers of the event and described Gabbeh as one of many remarkable arts which have originated in Iran.

The CEO of Labirent Concept, a Turkish Company which helped organize the expo, described the art of weaving Gabbeh as the pinnacle of Iranian creativity which depicts the ethnic and cultural history of Iranian nomads.

Traditional music as well as Iranian dishes was also on offer at the weeklong expo which has already proven a draw with Turkish citizens and foreign tourists.