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Rafsanjani commends skills of Iranian diplomats in nuclear talks

Rafsanjani

Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Sunday that the skills of Iranian diplomats removed the wrong mentality of Western states and proved Iran’s transparent and legitimate stand.

In separate meetings with local officials from different organs and Majlis representatives, he praised perseverance of the Iranian nuclear negotiators in the past 18 months.

When the Supreme Leader denounces proliferation and use of nuclear weapons, there will be no room for the Western skepticism, he said.

Calling Lausanne’s framework deal a significant outcome, he said the two sides should avoid provocative slogans which give pretexts to hardliners who seek to create obstacles for Iran and P5+1.

He expressed the hope that the world would recognize Iran’s right to nuclear program within coming three months.

In these series of talks the world put a seal of approval on the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities in the fields of agriculture, energy, health and civilian application of nuclear energy as part of the country’s legitimate rights which has roots in the patience and resistance of brave Iranian nation and their officials.

Rafsanjani appreciated the support made by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic revolution for the nuclear team and said it will take three months to clinch the final deal which is very sensitive and complicated.

Iran is determined to make use of nuclear energy to secure comfort and enhance living standards, he said.

The arbitrary international sanctions imposed on Iran were thwarted through national patience of Iranian nation, he said.

They imposed the heaviest economic sanctions against Iran but to no avail, he said, adding that they had no option except to sit at the negotiating table.

“We wish to continue nuclear activities with no limits and hope that the IAEA will carry out its duties,” he said.

Highlighting the speech delivered by US president at the US congress where he said that they had no option except to resolve the issue through talks, he said it was very logical of the two sides to express and exchange views at the negotiating table and now political parties and intellectuals of the two sides should exercise vigilance to bar hardliners to take the podium and deceive people by baseless statements.

Golestan environmental police take over stranded bear cubs

Bear-4

Environmental police in Golestan Province, in northeastern Iran, were dispatched to a provincial village on April 4 after they were contacted by locals who said they had spotted two stranded bear cubs in the vicinity of the village.

The head of the Public Relations Office of the provincial environment department said that the mother of the pair is unaccounted for.

Ahmad Dabaghian added that the cubs’ mother might have been killed by poachers or the locals and that an investigation is underway to figure out what has become of her.

He further said that the cubs which are a few weeks old are being looked after and in a few days a decision will be made as to whether to release the cubs – one male and the other female – back into the wild.

The following is a photo gallery that the website of Iran Environment and Wildlife Watch released of the two cubs:

 

New Year greetings on the floor (Photos)

Iran-Parliament-friendly

The first session of the Islamic Consultative Assembly was held on Sunday (April 5) with an exchange of hugs and kisses between MPs on the floor.

The Iranian parliament was back in session after a long New Year recess.

The following is a collection of photos Fars News Agency and the Iranian Students News Agency released online of the way the deputies greeted each other on parliament floor:

 

 

The beginning of an era or the beginning of the end

Sadegh Zibakalam

Sadegh Zibakalam, a university professor and political analyst, says the fact that Iranians eagerly followed the news on nuclear talks in Switzerland rightfully demonstrated political solidarity between the Iranian people and government.

Sahrq daily on April 5 published an opinion piece by Zibakalam on solidarity between the nation and government, and reactions by the hardline worriers. The following is a partial translation of the piece:

The passionate enthusiasm millions of Iranians showed during the Nowruz holiday to get the latest on nuclear talks – especially the round of negotiations which opened on March 26 in Lausanne, Switzerland [and led to the Lausanne statement] – was indicative, more than anything else, of solidarity between people and the government.

[…]

In recent years, one can hardly find a topic on which people and officials have developed so unanimous consensus. All sides were impatiently seeking to see the nuclear case – whose specter had haunted Iran for more than one decade – produce a definitive satisfactory result.

[…]

When words spread Thursday night that a preliminary agreement has been clinched [between Iran and P5+1], millions of Iranians heaved a sigh of relief. Although the details of the agreement had yet to be announced, Iranians – who had been waiting for months – learned that the talks had not ended inconclusively and parties [to the nuclear talks] had arrived at a preliminary agreement.

[…]

As a matter of course, not all people approve of the Lausanne agreement. A number of hardline figures – generally known as the Worriers [former President Ahmadinejad’s supporters who proclaim to be worried and keep sounding alarms about the state of affairs in the country since the rise to power of the moderate government of Hassan Rouhani] – did not welcome the agreement; neither did certain foreign figures and groups that are unhappy with the Islamic Republic.

The reason behind the failure by the Worriers to welcome the agreement differs from those of the Westerners. For the critics of nuclear agreement inside Iran, the nuclear dispute had turned into part of [their] media hype about tensions with the West, but the agreement has [taken the wind out of their sails and] barred them from making [political] gains out of the nuclear case.

On the one hand, they are busy reviewing the provisions of the preliminary agreement in order to possibly point a finger at certain points which do not favor Iran’s interests and justify their opposition to the [framework] agreement.

On the other hand, the hardliners listen attentively to remarks by US and European officials to get a lot of mileage out of some of comments which are naturally made to instill a sense of victory for the West [into people in their own countries].

The point is that these groups look at any agreement or a win-win solution with disbelief. They do not want to accept that an agreement or a compromise is likely to come with some points which serve the interests of Iran, and at the same time include other points which are to the benefit of the other party. They just dig their heels in, saying everything should be to the advantage of Iran, or else it is to the detriment of Iran.

Iranian hardliners are also concerned that the nuclear agreement could open an “ominous” chapter in the country’s détente with the West. In any manner, if Iran and the West can reach an understanding over the protracted, acrimonious nuclear dispute, the logical question that arises here is: Why not reach an agreement over other bones of contention?

For many hardliners, what is more alarming than the [recent] nuclear agreement or certain provisions of that is the concern or apprehension associated with the possibility that the Lausanne agreement could mark the beginning of a new trend in Iran’s diplomacy.

World has no option except clinch a deal with Iran: President

President Rouhani

President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that Iranians and the friendly countries are happy with a nuclear understanding between Iran and P5+1 and all know that they have no option except clinch a deal with Iran. He made the remarks in a meeting with a group of officials.

He said the enemies of Iran are not satisfied with the success of nuclear talks.

Iran has always called for termination of economic, financial and banking sanctions, he said.

The president dismissed accusations that Iran would seek regional hegemony if it came out successful in nuclear talks.

The Islamic Republic of Iran never seeks to invade any country as the Iranian history is good evidence to such principle, said President Rouhani.

“If anyone dares to violate the right of Iranian people, we will defend our rights,” he underlined.

Recent nuclear talks in Switzerland were very complicated and tough in the country’s history, he said.

Referring to presence of global military and economic powers in these talks, he said if the level of talks had not enhanced, there would be no progress.

In this round of talks, the two sides reached agreement on continued activities of Natanz, Fordo and Arak heavy water reactor, he said.

There is no doubt that the two sides took concrete steps but writing of final deal will be a very tough job, he said.

“During talks Iran always called for termination of economic, financial and banking sanctions and there was no word on suspension. Otherwise, there would be no deal,” the president stated.

The world knows that it had no option except clinching a deal with Iran as the great Iranian people are determined to attain their goals and never give up to pressures or sanctions, he said.

He advised the officials to spare no efforts to serve nation and do their utmost to attain economic success and development.

A man who hires the unhappy and miserable

Alireza Nabi

The footprints of certain people are as unique as their fingerprints. What makes people like Alireza Nabi unique is that they look at the world differently and serve the interests of those who have led painful lives and those who are always turned down by others. Normally, employers are loath to hire ex-cons, even those who have been tossed in jail for unintentional crimes.

The factories Alireza Nabi has founded are manned by ex-cons and are now exporting olive to the world. He credits his success to the aspiration and perseverance of those who’ve suffered a lot.

Jamejam daily has conducted an interview with this entrepreneur. The following is a partial translation of the interview:

Fear is the only reaction people show when they are told about prisoners, but it was not the case with you. Why?

Fear has its roots in ignorance. When you lack knowledge about a person, place or situation, your mind shows automatic reaction. I have no fear because I’ve socialized with these people for years and listened to them.

By fear, I mean lack of trust. Why did you decide to trust them?

I always wondered how I could help and serve people. A hadith from Imam Ali (PBUH): “Silence would prevail in the world if everybody’s words and deeds were the same,” inspired me.

I’ve always talked in the capacity of a university teacher and now it is time for action, I thought. I decided to do something to help my religion, country and people.

I wanted to establish an industrial unit to employ people with disability, but it was not something new. I decided to do something for female breadwinners, because they are in dire need of help. I think a society grows if women are respected. On the other hand, women are the best in the workforce due to their intelligence, strength, creativity, faithfulness, commitment and emotional intelligence. […]

How many people are working for you?

We are a 400-member family. Women, who account for 85% of the workforce, work in four plants. Only machinery operated by humans is used in these plants.

How come you went after the [newly] released prisoners and people with criminal record?

Some of the women who work for us are there to fill the vacuum created by the absence of their imprisoned husbands. Four years after we employed women breadwinners, we decided to develop our business; thus we thought we could support those who were behind bars for unintentional crimes. We hired the husbands of our female workers.

Then we reached out to well-wishers since we could not handle the job single-handedly. They accepted to have those individuals who were in prison for financial wrongdoings freed, and we accepted to employ them after their release.

[…]

We’ve set up a fund in which the employees invest. After five years, they can earn dividends. […]

On which system have you modeled your work?

It is not a copy of others. This is the fruit of our own thoughts. I go to the production hall twice a week and talk with the employees. We confide in each other. I want to eliminate the boundaries.

Iran, Pakistan stress peaceful resolution of Yemen crisis

Iran-Pakistan-Yemen

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and Speaker of Pakistan National Parliament Ayaz Sadiq have stressed the peaceful resolution of the Yemen crisis.

During a phone contact with his Pakistani counterpart on Saturday night, Larijani said Iran believes that the Yemen crisis should be resolved through national dialogue among all Yemeni political factions.

He praised Pakistan’s stance on Iran and the Muslim World, noting that Iran will use the nuclear agreement as a tool to boost regional stability and Muslim unity.

Destruction of Yemen’s infrastructure is in the interest of the Zionist regime and they should learn a lesson from Soviet and NATO aggression against Afghanistan, Larijani said.

He said Yemen’s crisis should be resolved through dialogue and military interference will only complicate the situation.

Speaker of the Pakistani parliament, for his part, welcomed the nuclear agreement between Iran and G5+1.

He voiced hope for removal of all sanctions against Iran.

The official said that Islamabad has no intention to interfere in the Yemen crisis and believes that peace in Yemen is the best interest of the whole Muslim world.

Saudi Arabia has been striking Yemen for ten days now to restore power to fugitive President Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh. The Saudi-led aggression has killed at least 860 Yemenis, including hundreds of women and children.
[…]

We shouldn’t have agreed to signing the Additional Protocol in Lausanne statement: MP

Hossein Nejabat

Hossein Nejabat, a member of parliament’s Energy Committee, described the recognition of Tehran’s right to enrichment on its soil as a positive point about the Lausanne statement, and said termination of sanctions when the deal takes effect would be regarded as another advantage of the statement.

“There are some drawbacks with the statement, though, among them the use of ambiguous terms. Given America’s record, the US is capable of turning ambiguous terms in its own favor. That Washington might breach the agreement based on its own interpretation leaves room for worry,” the MP was quoted by Tasnim News Agency as saying on April 5.

He added, “The termination of sanctions after [IAEA-] verified implementation by Iran of its key nuclear commitments is another problem with the statement.”

Nejabat went on to say, “That Iran’s negotiating team has agreed to the implementation of the Additional Protocol is another negative point about the framework agreement, because in fact such agreement does not come within the purview of the government and requires approval by the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Therefore, the government should not have agreed to the implementation of the Additional Protocol. Instead, it should have said that it would try to convince parliament to approve the protocol.”

The deputy concluded, “The guidelines by the Supreme Leader that all sanctions have to be lifted as the deal takes effect should be taken into account by those who draft the final accord in the upcoming months.”

Zionist-led media will act as a mouthpiece for nuclear deal opponents

Hashemi Rafsanjani

The chairman of the Expediency Council has hailed the strenuous efforts of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team, taking a swipe at those who oppose the nuclear agreement between Iran and P5+1.

“Make no mistake, the Zionist-led media outlets will act as a mouthpiece for the opponents of the nuclear agreement between Iran and P5+1, because they can easily press ahead with their crimes when the West is in conflict with Iran and the region is plagued by a policy of Iranophobia,” the Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani as saying on Saturday.

He thanked the Iranian nuclear negotiating team for their tireless efforts and congratulated the officials on the country’s nuclear achievements, saying that logic has been the Iranian nation’s weapon of choice over the course of history, especially in the struggle which led to the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

Rafsanjani further said that such logic convinced world powers that the impeccable security and stability in Iran is unmistakably true despite brewing tensions in many parts of the world, especially in the Middle East region.

The top councilor then pointed to US President Barack Obama’s mention of reaching a ‘historic understanding’ with Iran and said many world countries have now developed such understanding of Iran and Iranians.

He also highlighted the importance of the three months ahead [before the July first deadline] and said, “No doubt, Israel and its lobbies together with firebrands, hardliners, war hawks and those who fear peace and calm will go to great lengths, using their pens and measures, to throw a wrench into the works [of the nuclear talks in the coming three months].

Rafsanjani then praised the Supreme Leader’s guidance of and support for the Government of Prudence and Hope and the negotiating team, saying, “The Islamic establishment has gone through three dangerous periods, but we managed to negotiate all rocky paths. We need to stay vigilant and be careful not to be filled with smug self-satisfaction after crossing the dangerous passes”.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5

Iranian Newspapers Headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

Reaction to the release of Lausanne nuclear statement continued to dominate the front pages of Iranian newspapers Sunday. Also in the news were the comments President Rouhani and Ayatollah Rafsanjani made about the nuclear talks and the road that lies ahead.

 

Afarinesh: Brigadier General Eskandar Momeni, who leads the Traffic Division of the Law Enforcement Force, has been named deputy national police chief.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5


 

Afkar: The US Senate has backpedalled on plans to impose new sanctions on Iran.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5


 

Arman-e Emrooz: “With the Lausanne nuclear statement, the Islamic Revolution has entered a new phase,” said Tehran principlist MP Ali Motahari.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5


 

Asrar: “All red lines were respected in the Lausanne statement,” said Iranian nuclear negotiator Abbas Araghchi.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5


 

Ebtekar: “Oil production will return to the levels of the pre-sanctions era,” said the Iranian oil minister.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5


 

Etemad: Ayatollah Hashemi has welcomed the Lausanne statement and warned about the impact of local pressures on the talks.

The chairman of the Expediency Council also said that the three-month period that lies ahead is vital.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5


 

Ettela’at: “National cohesion will increase our strength in taking the final step in the nuclear deal,” said President Rouhani.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5


 

Resalat: “The statement released in Lausanne is not a one-stage deal [Iranians have been insisting on],” said Morteza Nabavi, [a senior principlist figure].

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5


 

Sharq: The Islamic Republic of Iran Medical Council has lashed out at “Hashiyeh” a comic TV series directed by Mehran Modiri.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5


 

Taadol: The stock exchange gained more than 2,000 points after the release of the Lausanne statement.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on April 5