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Iranian-British national, Ghoncheh Qavami, released on bail

Ghoncheh-Qavami-Iran
Ghoncheh-Qavami-Iran

Iranian-British national, Ghoncheh Qavami, has been released on bail in the Iranian capital Tehran, her mother says.

In an interview with the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) Susan Moshtaqian, Ghoncheh Qavami’s mother, confirmed on Sunday that a judge had set bail at one billion rials (about $ 37,000).

This comes days after Tehran Prosecutor’s Office rejected media propaganda on reasons behind the arrest of Qavami, saying she had been taken into custody for her anti-Iran activities.

Moshtaqian went on to say that “my daughter is freed until the appeals court issues the final verdict.”

She added that Bench 26 of the Islamic Revolution Court has sentenced Qavami to one year in jail and an additional two-year restriction on leaving Iran on charge of “propaganda against the [Islamic Republic] establishment.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the judicial body dismissed foreign media reports that the 25-year-old woman had been detained for merely trying to attend a men’s volleyball game at a stadium in Tehran, calling such reports irrelevant to Qavami’s case.

Investigations show that Qavami had a role in anti-Iran activities, said the statement, adding, she also “attended gatherings and demonstrations against the [Islamic] establishment.”

According to the statement, the defendant also faces charges of having links to the programmers and promoters of anti-Iran satellite channels, including BBC Persian.

Police had also seized a cellphone from her, which contained several photos and videos related to the elements behind the 2009 post-election unrest in Iran, added the statement.

An expo of hand-woven carpet in Qom

Iran-Qom Carpets Expo
Iran-Qom Carpets Expo

Looms, warps and woofs are just the means to weave a floor covering of any kind, but it is love which helps the threads, running lengthwise and crosswise, to create a work of art which is matchless: a hand-woven carpet.

Khabaronline posted a photo gallery of an exhibition of hand-woven Persian carpets in the central city of Qom (November 17-22). Here are some of the photos:

 

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 23

Iranian Newspapers Headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

With a November 24 deadline for a nuclear deal approaching fast, the press coverage of ongoing talks between Iran and P5+1 in Vienna has become more extensive by the day; speculations about whether or not a final deal will be struck and analytical reports about the likely impact of different probable outcomes on the Iranian nation were splashed across the front pages of newspapers on Sunday. A decree by the Supreme Leader which allowed acting Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mohammadali Najafi to carry on running the ministry until a minister gets confirmation from parliament grabbed headlines too. News about a much-anticipated soccer derby pitting two archrivals of the capital – Esteghlal and Persepolis – against each other later Sunday was another top story of the day.

Abrar: “Parliament is likely to grant a vote of confidence to Mohammad Farhadi [President Rouhani’s fifth pick to lead the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology],” predicted Mohammad-Reza Bahonar, a principlist MP.

 

Abrar newspaper 11 - 23


Afarinesh: “All [that was achieved in] nuclear talks over the last year was put on the line thanks to a political shift in America,” said Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firuzabadi.

Afarinesh: “The battle against terrorism by the countries which have played a role in its emergence is not possible,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

 

Afarinesh newspaper 11 - 23


Arman-e Emrooz: “With the Supreme Leader’s go-ahead, acting Minister of Science Mohammadali Najafi has been reinstated temporarily until a minister secures a vote of confidence from parliament to take over the ministry.”

Arman-e Emrooz: “Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has been playing a jihad-like role in nuclear talks,” said Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firuzabadi.

 

Armane emruz newspaper 11 - 23


Asr-e Eghtesad has quoted the minister of industry, mines and tradeas saying that his ministry is in talks with some African countries which want to invest in Iran’s mining sector.

 

Asre eghtesad newspaper 11 - 23


Asr-e Rasaneh: “The Money and Credit Council will definitely lower interest rates,” said the president of the Supreme Council on State-run Banks.

 

Asre resaneh newspaper 11 - 23


Emtiaz: “One hundred and fifteen movies will be vying for top prizes in the 33rd edition of Fajr International Film Festival in February, 2015.”

 

Emtiaz newspaper 11 - 23


Etemad: “Iran’s Paralympic shooter, Sareh Javanmardi, has been chosen as Asia’s best female athlete of the year.”

 

Etemad newspaper 11 - 23


Ettela’at: “Iran’s navy has been equipped with state-of-the-art torpedoes,” said Commander of the Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari.

 

Ettelaat newspaper 11 - 23


Hambastegi: Five days into nuclear talks between Iran and world powers in Vienna, Foreign Minister expressed hope, “God willing things will look up.”

 

Hambastegi newspaper 11 - 23


Hemayat: “The plan to grant justice minister more powers has been dismissed by the Guardian Council on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.”

 

Hemayat newspaper 11 - 23


Iran: “Esteghlal and Persepolis [the most famous football clubs of the capital and long-time city rivals] will square off today. Will the spell of goalless draws be finally broken?”

 

Iran newspaper 11 - 23


Iran Daily: “German FM: Iran, West never closer in more than 10 years.”

 

Iran daily newspaper 11 - 23


Jahan-e Sanat: “The budget plan for next year [starting March 21, 2015] has been finalized in the Planning Department of the Presidential Office to be handed to the government for confirmation.”

 

Jahane sanaat newspaper 11 - 23


Javan: “The Iraqi army has launched a military offensive to wrest control of Ramadi [a central city] from ISIL fighters.”

 

Javan newspaper 11 - 23


Jomhouri Islami: “Fateh (Conqueror) submarine and Damavand destroyer are set to be unveiled,” said Commander of the Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari.

 

Jomhurie eslami newspaper 11 - 23


Kaenat: “The country will be blanketed in snow; more rain is on the way,” forecast Iran’s Meteorological Organization.

Kaenat: “There are footprints of palm oil in dairy plants,” warned the director of Iran’s Food and Drug Administration.

 

Kaenaat newspaper 11 - 23


Kayhan: “The period in which doctors were so special has come to an end, their threat to leave the country is only a bluff,” said Health Minister Hassan Hashemi in response to threats by doctors who are unwilling to comply with medical tariffs to leave the county to practice medicine elsewhere.

Kayhan has put an analytical report about the latest developments of nuclear talks in Vienna under the heading of ‘America is in pursuit of both an agreement and sanctions’.

 

Kayhan newspaper 11 - 23


Mardomsalari: “Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh is to have a meeting with his Saudi opposite number in the run-up to the 166th OPEC ministerial meeting scheduled to be held in Vienna on November 27.”

 

Mardom salari newspaper 11 - 23


Rah-e Mardom posed a question on its front page under the headline “Is a November 24 deadline [between Iran and P5+1 to clinch a deal] a beginning or an end?”

 

Rahe mardom newspaper 11 - 23


Roozan: “Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will hand Iranian people an immortal victory,” predicted Chairman of the State Expediency Council Hashemi Rafsanjani.

 

Ruzan newspaper 11 - 23


Tejarat: “Iran will find its way out of recession by March 21, 2015,” said Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Valiollah Seif.

 

Tejarat newspaper 11 - 23

 

A large haul of smuggled birds was seized in southern Iran

smuggled birds
smuggled birds

The environmental police in the southern Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchestan have seized 380 birds while inspecting a dhow in the Sea of Oman. What appears below is the translation of a report posted by the website of Iran Environment and Wildlife Watch on the story on November 24:

Maritime police in cooperation with environmental police in Chabahar [the provincial capital of Sistan and Baluchestan] intercepted an Iranian dhow in the Sea of Oman. The search of the vessel turned up 140 falcons and 240 houbara bustards. Eight Iranian and Pakistani nationals were taken into custody.

“The birds had been smuggled out of Pakistan and were en route to Arab countries in the Persian Gulf. The dhow has been confiscated and its crew, an Iranian captain and Pakistani owners of the haul, are being interrogated,” said Director General of the Environment Protection Department of Chabahar Saeed Mahmoudi.

“Unfortunately, as a result of improper shipment, a number of the birds died, but the rest of them were handed to the provincial environment department and are now in the care of experts and environmental police,” he added.

“An adequate amount of food has been supplied and the birds are being cared for and fed by experts. The seized birds are likely to be released into the wilderness in southern Iran after they have received enough care and food,” he concluded.

 

New submarine, destroyer to join Iran Navy soon: Cmdr.

Fateh submarine and Damavand destroyer

The commander of the Iranian Navy says a new domestically-manufactured submarine and a home-made destroyer will soon join the country’s naval fleet.

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said at a press conference on Saturday that Iran will soon unveil Fateh (Conqueror) submarine and Damavand destroyer.

Sayyari added that two newly-overhauled SH combat helicopters and an anti-surface AB212 helicopter will soon be at the disposal of the Iranian Navy.

Fateh, which weighs nearly 500 tons, is Iran’s latest semi-heavy submarine.

In recent years, Iran has made major breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.

Iran has so far launched different classes of home-made advanced submarines including Fateh, Ghadir, Qaem, Nahang, Tareq and Sina.

In January 2013, Iran also unveiled the combat helicopter Toufan 2 (Storm 2), which enjoys modern and advanced technologies, including high-precision targeting capability.

The Islamic Republic has also conducted several military drills to enhance the defense capabilities of its armed forces and to test modern military tactics and equipment.

Iran says its military might poses no threat to other countries, stating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.

Iran ready to send arms to Iraq in battle against terror

General Hassan Firouzabadi

A high-ranking Iranian military commander says the Islamic Republic is ready to legally provide military equipment to Iraq to help Baghdad in its fight against terrorism.

“We are ready, if requested by the Iraqi government, to send weapons and [military] equipment to Iraq through legal channels,” Iranian Armed Forces’ Chief of Staff Major General Hassan Firouzabadi told reporters on Saturday.

He added that Tehran provided military advice to Baghdad, noting that Iraq’s security is intertwined with that of Iran.

The top commander said Iran also lent support to Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) with the approval of the Iraqi central government to support Kurds’ fight against the ISIL militants.

The ISIL terrorists control large parts of Syria’s east and north. ISIL also sent its Takfiri militants into Iraq in June, seizing large swathes of land straddling the border between Syria and Iraq.

The Iraqi army has so far made gains in the fight against the ISIL militants, pledging to continue the battle against the extremist violent group.

The extremist group has threatened all communities, including Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians during its advances in the violence-torn Arab state.

Sareh Javanmardi named Asia’s top female athlete of 2014

Sareh Javanmardi

Iran’s Paralympic shooter, Sareh Javanmardi, has been named Asia’s best female athlete of the year thanks to two gold medals she won at the 2014 Asian Para Games which were held in Incheon, South Korea in October.

The Iranian Student News Agency (ISNA) reported on November 22 that Sareh’s brilliant performance in the Asian Games earned her the much-coveted title.

She claimed a gold medal in the Mixed 50 meter pistol SH1 and finished first in the Women’s P2-10m Air Pistol-SH1.

Also, Iran’s Paralympic Committee won the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) award in 2014. It was credited for the remarkable showing of the Iranian Men’s Team in Incheon Asian Para Games.

The awarding ceremony will take place in Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) on December 2 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Iran owes its independence to Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili

Hossein Nasr
Hossein Nasr

A conference on “Islamic Spirituality and the Needs of Humanity Today” was held in Imperial College London on November 17 to commemorate Sheikh Safi al-Din [Ishaq] Ardabili, an Iranian mystic and poet (1252–1334).

Seyyed Hossein Nasr, a professor at the George Washington University who has penned Islam in the Modern World, was a speaker at the get-together which marked the 700th anniversary of Ardabili’s demise.

Ettela’at newspaper filed a report on November 22 on Nasr’s speech at the conference, which convened at the invitation of the London Academy of Iranian Studies (LAIS) and in cooperation with the Muslim Students Association.

Islamic Spirituality and the Needs of Humanity TodayHere comes a partial translation of the speech in which Nasr referred to the Sheikh’s big help to Iranian society and said that Iranians should remain grateful to him for his substantial contribution to Iran’s independence:

Sheikh Safi al-Din immeasurably helped Iran gain independence. He was a mystic who had a central role in building the culture and civilization of the world of Islam. His lofty teachings continue to be used in efforts to build and develop the Islamic civilization and culture.

The Sheikh, who has been a great scholar in Iran and the world of Shiism, was the pioneer of the idea of proximity between Islamic denominations.

What the Sheikh taught was based on the Holy Koran and the traditions of the Household of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Islamic spirituality is the backbone of Islamic art, knowledge and ethics. Islamic mysticism and spirituality is also the pure essence of the Iranian literature.

Attention to the environment makes no sense in the absence of an Islamic spiritual thinking. According to the Islamic thinking, nature, which has been created by God, is animate; thus it is sacred and should be respected. […]

Extremism in the world of Islam which has manifested itself in the horrible acts of terror committed at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) [militants] in Syria and Iraq has been produced jointly by money and ignorance.

[…]

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22

Iranian Newspapers Headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

The dominant news story on the front pages of Iranian dailies on Saturday was the ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1. Another top story of the day was the funeral procession of Gholamhossein Mazloumi, a veteran footballer and coach, who passed away on November 19 after losing a hard-fought two-year battle to cancer.


Aftab-e Yazd: “Ahmad Jannati, the secretary of the Guardian Council, has thanked parliament for not granting a vote of confidence to government-proposed ministers for the vacant top job at the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.”

Aftab-e Yazd: “We should not trample national interests because of internal pressure,” said Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Asrar: “We will provide security for those who want to be active on economic, cultural and scientific fronts,” said Intelligence Minister Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Emtiaz: “Ezzatolah Entezami, a veteran Iranian actor, and Director of the National Library of Iran Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri paid a bedside visit to Najaf Daryabandari, a very famous writer and translator of works from English into Persian.

Emtiaz: “Gholamhossein Mazloumi nicknamed ‘the Golden Head’, a famous soccer player, coach and administrator who passed away on November 19, was laid to rest.”

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Ettela’at: “Oil exports will see a two-fold rise after the lifting of sanctions,” said Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

Ettela’at: “The invitation to visit bookshops – called the day of bookstore- hopping – was welcomed by the public and scholars.”

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Hambastegi: “Addict mortality rate has seen a 6-percent increase,” said Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli.

Hambastegi: “Zarif’s trip back to Tehran has been scrapped; the talks will carry on.”

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Hamshahri: “Iran’s beach soccer defeated Japan and came first in 2014 Asian Beach Games in Phuket, Thailand.”

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Iran: “Drug smugglers rake in almost $3.3 billion in revenues each year,” said the interior minister.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Javan: “We seek a deal which guarantees the independence and dignity of the country,” said President Rouhani.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Jomhouri Islami: “The government is utterly determined to complete the construction of the freeway linking Tehran to the north,” said First Vice President Eshagh Jahangiri.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Kaenat: “Poor air quality of Tehran persists; the Air Quality Control Organization has urged people with medical conditions to stay indoors.”

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Khorasan: “Child birth has seen a 4.3 percent rise between March 21 and October 22, 2014.”

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Sepid: “Those who are behind recording the dying moments of pop singer Morteza Pashaei in the hospital and posting the video online will be punished,” said Health Minister Hassan Hashemi, stressing that no one has the right to film patients in operating rooms and that the privacy of patients should be respected.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Sharq: “We do not have a nuclear facility in Marivan; we will grant the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access; the country which gave such baseless information to the agency has not given the exact location of it yet, because such a nuclear site does not exist at all,” said Iran’s envoy to IAEA Reza Najafi.

Sharq: “The National Development Fund of Iran has $70 billion.”

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


Tafahom: “We have nothing to hide; drinking water in Tehran is clean enough for drinking purposes,” said the health minister.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Nov. 22


A different day in Tehran on a bookstore crawl

Ahmad Masjed Jamei - Mahmoud Dowlatabadi

A host of people, including the big names of art and culture, went to bookshops and publishing houses on Thursday [November 20] to both buy books and have a chat with book lovers.

Khabaronline filed a report on November 21 on an initiative by Ahmad Masjed Jamei, culture minister under President Khatami and a former Chairman of Tehran City Council who was replaced by Mehdi Chamran back in September, in support of book makers, publishers and distributors. The following is the translation of part of the report:

The plan dubbed “Bookstore Hopping”, which came after a call by Masjed Jamei on people from different walks of life to appear in bookshops, is meant to support those involved in the book industry and encourage book reading in society.

Masjed Jamei started his day on Revolution Street, which is the capital’s bookstores center, and was joined by some big names forming a group of bookstore hoppers.

Masjed Jamei had a stopover at Cheshmeh Publication whose license was revoked in June 2012. [In November 2013, Culture Minister Ali Jannati said that Cheshmeh Publication will resume work.]

At Farhang Moaser Publishing House Masjed Jamei was welcomed by a group of people among them Mahmoud Dowlatabadi, a famous writer who was awarded France’s Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres last week. There the veteran writer told Masjed Jamei: “In my lifetime I have never waited five hours for anybody, but I did it today out of respect for you.” He also praised the initiative.

Bookstore Hopping is the second initiative by the former chairman of Tehran City Council. Earlier Masjed Jamei put forward a Tehrangardi (Tehran Tour) plan [during which he stopped by different places in the capital to visit the known locations and discover unknown attractions.]

In a ceremony to open a publishing house Masjed Jamei thanked Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati for answering his call to go to bookstores in the city of Qom.