German FM rules out extension of Iran nuclear talks

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March 5, 2015

Germany’s foreign minister has ruled out a further extension of nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 over Tehran’s nuclear program.

“Talks will not be extended. What cannot be reached in the upcoming three or three and half months cannot be achieved,” Frank-Walter Steinmeier told his country’s parliament (Bundestag) in a speech on Wednesday.

Steinmeier refused to talk about the state of the negotiations, saying only that no one wants a “bad deal.”

In February, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also echoed the stance about the extension of the talks.

“I do not think another extension is in the interest of anyone, as I do not believe this extension was either necessary or useful,” Zarif said.

Iran and P5+1 – Britain, France, China, the United States and Russia plus Germany – are seeking to seal a comprehensive nuclear deal by July 1. The two sides have already missed two self-imposed deadlines for inking a final agreement since they signed an interim one in the Swiss city of Geneva November 2013.

On Wednesday, Zarif and his American counterpart John Kerry wrapped up a third day of intense negotiations between Tehran and Washington in the Swiss city of Montreux.

Speaking to reporters, Kerry said tough challenges remained to seal a nuclear deal with Iran.

“We’ve made some progress from where we were and important choices need to be made,” Kerry told reporters after the talks, with a senior US State Department official saying that “tough challenges” had yet to be resolved.

Meanwhile, Zarif expressed optimism that “despite existing differences, a final deal is not too far off”, warning that the issue of sanctions against the Islamic Republic risked torpedoing a nuclear deal.

“The Western countries, and especially the United States, must decide whether they want a nuclear deal or to continue the sanctions,” he said.

Representatives of Iran and the United States had also held three rounds of intense negotiations in Geneva on February 22-23 to bridge their differences ahead of the July 1 deadline.

The next round of ministerial talks will be held from March 15 to 20. The venue is yet to be specified.

Deputy ministers from Iran and the three European countries of P5+1 wrapped up a day of nuclear negotiations in Montreux on Wednesday.

Iran’s top nuclear negotiators, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi, took part in the talks held in the lakeside city’s Plaza Hotel on Wednesday night.

Hans Dieter Lucas from Germany, Simon Gass from Britain and Nicolas de Riviere from France represented their respective countries at the deputy level talks, which will continue on Thursday.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on March 5

By

Emad Askarieh

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March 5, 2015

The reactions of the heads of the three branches of government to the theatrical speech of Netanyahu before a joint session of the US Congress dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Thursday.

Abrar: Talks between Foreign Minister Zarif and Secretary Kerry have ended in Montreux, Switzerland.

A next round of negotiations is expected to open on March 15 and last through March 20.

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: “The country is still in economic recession.”

The chairman of parliament’s Economic Committee has rejected assertions by the Central Bank governor that Iran is out of recession.

Afkar: “It is not realistic or achievable to stop Iran from nuclear enrichment.”

US National Security Advisor Susan Rice said in a speech at the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Ebtekar: The white smoke signal

Bilateral talks have come to an end with chief negotiators Zarif and Kerry hopeful of a deal.

Etemad: Tehran’s unanimous response

The heads of the three branches of government and political figures have all treated Netanyahu’s rhetoric with scorn.

Ettela’at: “We have not tied the country’s future to the result of nuclear talks.”

Government Spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht further said that the government has worked out contingency budgets for scenarios in which oil prices remain at 40 or 50 dollars a barrel.

Ettela’at: Funeral processions have been held in Tehran and a dozen other cities for a number of war martyrs whose remains recently returned home.

Hamshahri: “Housing prices won’t increase next year,” said the minister of roads and urban development.

Hemayat: “The Canadian Judiciary has been given information about the corruption case involving Mahmoud Reza Khavari.”

The chief of the Interpol Division of the Iranian police force said about the former banker wanted for embezzlement.

Jahan-e Eghtesad: “We won’t back down in the fight against corruption,” said First Vice-President Eshagh Jahangiri.

Jomhouri Islami: Iranian diplomacy worked; the US and Europe paid no attention to the anti-Iranian rhetoric of Netanyahu.

Jomhouri Islami: An Iranian hybrid car has been unveiled with President Rouhani in attendance.

Jomhouri Islami: The Supreme Leader has donated some $17,000 dollars to a benevolence festival.

Kaenat: Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency has said that the UN nuclear watchdog and Iran will hold talks in Tehran on March 9.

Kayhan: “It is too soon to pass judgment on the nuclear talks,” said Iranian negotiator Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.

Qods: The interior minister has called on Pakistan to hand over Abdulsattar Rigi, [the ringleader of the Jaish al-Adl terrorist group].

Sharq: Iran has a strong presence in an Iraqi army operation to wrest control of Tikrit [from IS terrorists].

Siasat-e Rooz: A court in Saudi Arabia has upheld the death sentence handed down to senior Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Tejarat: A person accused of massive corruption has been arrested by the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps.

Iranian diplomat abducted in Yemen released, returns home

By

Emad Askarieh

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March 5, 2015

An Iranian diplomat kidnapped by gunmen in Yemeni capital, Sana’a, in 2013 has returned home after being released.

Iran says Nour Ahmad Nikbakht, whose plane landed in Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport on Thursday, was released following intelligence operation. A joint committee between Iran and Yemen at the security and political levels had been established to secure his freedom.

Nikbakht was kidnapped on July 21, 2013, on his way to work from his home in the diplomatic quarter of Sana’a, when unidentified gunmen blocked the road, forced him out of his vehicle and abducted him.

Does anybody know any secrets to threaten to reveal them?

By

Emad Askarieh

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March 5, 2015

Remarks by Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani in a national conference on Sustainable and Balanced Regional Development earlier this week have drawn reactions inside Iran.

The chairman of the Expediency Council addressed the country’s top managers and governors general on Tuesday and criticized the domestic opponents of the Geneva deal (the Joint Plan of Action) and a host of principlists who are pessimistic about the settlement of nuclear dispute and the fruitfulness of efforts by President Rouhani’s moderate government.

Rafsanjani said in the conference, “There, Netanyahu threatens Obama, and here the Worriers [a reference to the supporters of former President Ahmadinejad] keep saying that they will reveal the secrets. We are yet to know what those secrets are.”

Principlist-leaning Tasnim News Agency filed a report in reaction, the translation of which comes below:

At a time when Iranian MPs know nothing about the content of nuclear talks – and this has always been one of their complaints about the Foreign Ministry and Mohammad Javad Zarif – what does Hashemi’s claim about threats by MPs to disclose secrets mean?

In reaction to insistence by Iranian deputies to be kept posted on the details of the talks, foreign minister has said, “I will not divulge the details even if I am impeached [by parliament].”

If details of the talks are to be disclosed, nobody other than the president’s inner circle and the negotiating team knows about them. Normally these details are expected to be revealed either by these people [who are involved in the talks] or beyond Iran’s borders by the US negotiating team.”

The top councilor himself has repeatedly taken advantage of this tactic – threatening to dig up dirt and uncover secrets – in response to his critics.

[Part of Hashemi’s remarks in which he has equated the stance of Zarif’s critics – who blame what they call the foreign minister’s optimistic attitude toward the West, the US in particular – with that of the Israeli prime minister, has drawn an implicit response from the Iranian parliament speaker.]

In an open session of parliament on Wednesday, Ali Larijani reacted to Netanyahu’s speeches at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and on Capitol Hill, describing his remarks as nothing but a political show and electioneering with no real value for Republicans or Likud.

Larijani then said, “If certain MPs raise concern about the nuclear program, it is because of the importance they attach to protecting the nuclear plan which is a national achievement.

“I do not have any concern about the limits which have been set for the talks, but comparing the concern of Iranian MPs and officials with the hostile attitude of the Zionist regime’s leader is false and unfair.”

IFP has chosen Hashemi Rafsanjani and Ali Larijani’s remarks from two separate reports Tasnim News Agency has released online. That Larijani’s remarks were aimed at Ayatollah Rafsanjani is just IFP’s interpretation, not the news agency’s.

West must choose between N-deal or continued Iran sanctions: Zarif

By

Emad Askarieh

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March 4, 2015

In an exclusive interview with Press TV reporter in the Swiss city of Montreux on Wednesday, Zarif said if the West really seeks to reach an agreement with Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program, there is no need to continue with sanctions.

The Iranian top diplomat further noted that a serious problem on the way of an agreement is the great deal of pressure exerted by scaremongers, who are trying to create impediments on the way of negotiators.

Referring to the latest round of nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 countries – the US, the UK, France, Germany, China and Russia – Zarif said the negotiating sides have made serious headway in this round of talks.

Explaining about Iran’s red lines during negotiations, Zarif said, “Our red line is that we will not accept imposition. We will not accept trampling on the rights of our people. At the same time, we do not want anything more than what is legally ours and that is to move forward with a peaceful nuclear program and with the removal of international pressures against Iran.”

The Iranian foreign minister stated that although gaps still remain between negotiating sides by “We’re not far from [the final] deal.”

The latest round of the nuclear talks ended in Montreux, Switzerland, on Wednesday. The three-day negotiations were headed by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Representatives of Iran and the United States had also held three rounds of intense negotiations in the Swiss city of Geneva on February 22-23 to bridge their differences ahead of a July 1 deadline for Iran and the P5+1 group – Russia, China, France, Britain, the United States and Germany – to reach a comprehensive nuclear deal.

The talks were attended by head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi, US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Iranian Deputy Foreign Ministers Abbas Araqchi and Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman, and European Union deputy foreign policy chief, Helga Schmid in addition to Hossein Fereydoun, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s special aide.

An informed source close to Iran’s negotiating team told Press TV reporter that the next round of talks at ministerial level has been slated for March 15-20.

The fourth round was preceded by technical discussions between Salehi and Moniz.

Iran and the P5+1 have already missed two deadlines for inking a final agreement since they signed an interim one in the Swiss city of Geneva last November.

Today only one aggressive, terrorist regime finds the nuclear talks irritating: President

By

Emad Askarieh

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March 4, 2015

President Hassan Rouhani has said that if talks are designed to make things more transparent, Tehran will sit at the negotiating table, but that his government would not accept any deal meant to deprive the Iranian nation of their absolute right to scientific and technological progress.

Speaking in a meeting of his Cabinet Wednesday – in reaction to Israeli prime minister’s comments on Capitol Hill a day before – the president said we seek a deal that serves our national interests as well as those of the region and the wider world.

The world approves of progress in talks between Iran and P5+1 because such progress serves the commercial, economic and cultural interests of the region and the entire world as it helps settle the problems that have given rise to extremism around the globe, he said, adding, only one aggressive and occupying regime which sees its survival guaranteed in war and aggression is mad at the talks.

The president further said the Zionist regime has always been worried about the prospects of peace and stability in the region. “The al-Nusra Front, which is a terrorist grouping [operating in Syria] has the support of this regime. Those who want to see the region and the entire world become a better place should know that the path to regional development and progress goes through stability and security and that talks are the only way to settle the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program.”

President Rouhani stated, “People of the world and the United States are too smart to listen to the advice of a regime which has always fanned the flames of conflict; a regime that has always acted in defiance of international law and away from the eyes of international inspectors to build a huge nuclear arsenal; a regime that does not allow the IAEA to inspect its nuclear facilities; a regime that has time and again invaded its neighbors over the years; a regime that kills innocent people and children in the Gaza Strip.

“Such comments won’t leave an impact on the will of nations and governments; the basis of our interaction with the rest of the world is goodwill in return for goodwill, honesty in return for honesty, and trust in return for trust. We have always called for the emergence of a nuclear-free Middle East. My government has always been in quest of a win-win, balanced and sustainable deal and such a deal would certainly serve the interests of the Middle East and the world,” he said.

“P5+1 has two options to choose from. Either, it has to stick to the principles of logic and international law to reach a deal; the sooner that deal comes, the better it will be for everyone. Or it can opt to deny the realities and expect to see Iran’s peaceful nuclear program land on the fast track. They have once chosen the second option and found out that sanctions and pressures won’t work in dealing with Iran which has remained steadfast on its path,” the president concluded.

Zionist lobby won’t allow US-Israel ties to weaken: Expert

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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March 4, 2015

Mosalas, a weekly magazine, in its 255^th issue published an interview with Pirooz Mojtahedzadeh, an expert in international affairs, about the state of relations between Washington and Tel-Aviv and whether recent developments and personal problems between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu will affect ties between the US and Israel. The following is a partial translation of the interview:

What is the root cause of disagreements between Obama and Netanyahu?

Given the geopolitical conditions of Israel, from the very beginning, the existence of Israel has been heavily dependent on American support which has carried a huge price tag for Washington.

On multiple occasions, America has sacrificed its own national interests for Israel’s security. This unrequited feeling has persisted because the Zionist lobby in America, which acts in a very pro-Israeli fashion in dealing with the Middle East, puts pressure on the US administration to lend unwavering support to Tel Aviv, even if it does not approve of such support.

When Obama took office, Israel kept threatening that it was poised to impose a war on the region in order to have Iran’s nuclear program destroyed. Of course, it expected the US to pick up the tab.

[…]

Settlement of Iran’s nuclear dispute has never been welcome news to the Israelis. That’s why a biased and impudent Netanyahu has found himself at odds with the policies of a US Democratic president and has subsequently put up resistance.

[…]

In spite of all its bullying and invasions, Israel has never had a prime minister as impudent and vicious as Netanyahu. Now that the US seeks to settle Iran’s nuclear case peacefully, it faces an over-demanding and manipulative person like Netanyahu.

Bear in mind that Netanyahu is aggressive and is not an individual who complies with ethics in his social relations. This eccentric person has turned political disagreements between the Israeli and American governments into personal disputes between US leaders and himself.

[…]

If Obama manages to solve this historically grave problem, the settlement would be remembered as his crown achievement on the international stage. If not, it would mean that measures by Netanyahu over the past six or seven years to foil [Obama’s efforts] have borne fruit. That would harm Obama’s legacy.

So, in the time left, Obama will have to do his best to make good on his pledge to promote peace and security in the world. Because he knows well that if he cannot deliver on that promise, he will be remembered as a feeble president who performed poorly.

Given Obama’s plans to settle the issue of Palestine, don’t you think that such efforts will give rise to tensions between Israel and America?

It would be wishful thinking if we expected Arabs to demonstrate as much zeal as before and be at the forefront of the fight against Israel. Years ago Arab leaders surrendered themselves as well as their nations to the Israeli desires as far as Palestine is concerned.

When leaders like [President] Assad fail to join the ranks of Arab sellouts, their governments and countries are dragged into trouble.

If Palestine still breathes, with difficulty though, and if it is not completely vanquished, it’s because factions like Hamas and Hezbullah are not willing to sacrifice their dignity, identity and interests in the face of Israeli oppressors.

[…]

Where do the Arabs stand on this dispute?

Some Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and Jordan, which have always helped America, have entered an unholy alliance with Israel against Iran. Their contribution to a Zionist plan dubbed Shia Crescent has turned a 7-decade dispute between Arabs and Israel into a problem within Islamic countries.

What do you make of the decision by Britain’s House of Commons to recognize the Palestinian state?

The recognition of Palestine was the outcome of an international agreement. Although as usual, Israel failed to keep the deal, Britain and other European countries abided by it. It was the very deal that America and Israel breached.

[…]

The US was not in a position to be able to handle any move against Israel, because the Zionist lobby is way more influential to fall into disarray as a result of disagreements between Obama and Netanyahu.

Will [upcoming] American election play a role in bolstering or undermining Israel?

The power wielded by the Zionist lobby in America has hit a ceiling. For almost seven decades it has been unofficially in control of America. Everyone who seeks to be elected to the White House needs to cooperate with the Israeli lobby.

Keep in mind that the Republican Party is more inclined to Israel. Therefore, the Zionist lobby tries to invest more in the Democratic Party to bring it on board.

Some experts believe that the US approach to Israel is changing, because it has paid a hefty price for Israel. How realistic is this belief?

Never will such approach change, because it is not up to Washington to change the conditions. The personal problems between Obama and Netanyahu have prompted some to get the wrong impression that the US strategy has changed. But, these disputes are more of a personal nature.

Netanyahu disrespected Obama and effectively told him to mind his own business in a veiled but pointed response [to the US president’s purported belief that Mr. Netanyahu “does not know what Israel’s best interests are”].

This shows that it has turned into a personal matter and that’s why Obama reacts. Let me remind you that in a private conversation between Obama and Sarkozy at a G20 summit in Paris, which was originally said to be accidentally recorded, but turned out to be, as they say accidentally on purpose, Sarkozy said [in French], “I can’t stand him [Netanyahu] anymore, he’s a liar” and Obama replied, “You may be sick of him, but me, I have to deal with him every day”.

We should not jump to conclusion and view personal things between Obama and Netanyahu as a new development capable of introducing seismic change to decades-long political relations between Washington and Tel-Aviv. At least, we should not forget, not even for a moment, that the Zionist lobby won’t allow Israel to weaken.

Elections will be held in Israel in March. Do you think recent measures by Netanyahu have got something to do with the upcoming vote?

Probably, because he is in the worst of conditions at home and has lost much of his sway. That an Israeli president calls him as a renegade conveys a big message.

In fact, Israel’s national issues outweigh regional questions. It must not be forgotten that different Israeli governments have always adopted the same hardline policy, because, basically, Israel is an anomalous entity which always acts weirdly.

For Instance, Shimon Peres, who takes a swipe at the aggressive behaviors of Netanyahu these days, used to be criticized at home for his hardline approach when he was prime minister.

Therefore, Israel’s foreign policy remains almost the same under different governments. Under every government, the Palestinians have been attacked. There is little difference between this group and that in Israel.

Despite sanctions Iran is experiencing better conditions than wartime years

By

Emad Askarieh

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March 4, 2015

Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani told a National Conference on Sustainable and Balanced Regional Development – attended by provincial governors and senior state managers – Tuesday that Iran can overcome the existing problems and make more progress even under the burden of sanctions.

The following is a partial translation of his remarks as reported by Mehr News Agency on March 3 with “Construction is possible even under sanctions” as its headline:

After the war, Iran experienced long hours of power outages on a daily basis. Industries would operate on a rotating basis. The country’s budget deficit stood at 51 percent in 1988. Iran’s foreign exchange reserves fund held a little more than $1 billion. The country had to make $12 billion in debt payments for the basic items it had purchased years before. Refineries were sitting idle. The oil industry was in ruins and Iran was hit by sanctions.

Sanctions then were not as tough as today. Since the revolution, Iran has always been under sanctions. It’s true that sanctions bite, but despite that the government can push ahead with its reconstruction drive.

The Iranian nation was united when the post-war Government of Construction was in office, although partial disagreements existed. Unfortunately, the post-war esprit de corps has been recently dealt a blow and in the most important foreign mission of the government which is led by a team backed by the Supreme Leader, the Worriers [supporters of Ahmadinejad] are joining Netanyahu in causing disruption.

Obama is under threat by Netanyahu, and here the Worries are threatening to reveal [what they tout are] secrets. They say whatever they want on parliament floor and some believe these lies. The Worriers are supported by certain forces which are originally in charge of protecting the establishment.

This is not what we faced in the post-war era. There was criticism back then, but not obstructionist measures. Today we are under international pressures, and state managers have a difficult responsibility to handle the affairs.

To make sustainable and balanced development a reality, you [governors general] need to build on people’s capacity and identify the provinces’ potential and resources in order to help the country grow. You can even tap into what is at your disposal in less-developed areas.

Governors-general should be given more powers to be able to make use of resources in their provinces. People are entitled to sustainable development and there should be no gap between the lifestyles of people from different strata.

To tackle water shortages in the country, we should opt for hothouse agriculture, which earns the country more revenues, consumes less water and creates more jobs.

Governors-general should identify experimental scientific plans in the country, implement and commercialize them, something which could produce more money and jobs in the country.

Governors-general should have interaction with each other and help boost development, and this results in a society in which people do not feel discriminated against.

The establishment has to remove the administrative problems, among them the red tape and corruption. Guidelines on Article 44 of the Constitution were part of a policy the Supreme Leader had ordered to be implemented – because a state-owned economy would weaken the country and make government still bigger – expecting it to result in an economic revolution, but it did not come true.

The Justice Shares was the first bomb which went off and blocked the way of privatization, with its supporters saying the private sector should dedicate part of its shares to Justice Shares. But the fact is that the private sector should be free [and be allowed to act freely].

The Supreme Leader supports Article 44. State organizations should help it become a reality. To that end, we have to remove the obstacles standing in the way. Thanks to people’s strong will and close cooperation, the existing problems can become a thing of the past, and sustainable and balanced regional development can come true.

London should take essential stride to broaden cooperation with Tehran: Boroujerdi

By

Emad Askarieh

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March 4, 2015

Chairman of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Alaeddin Boroujerdi said on Tuesday that London should take concrete steps to promote cooperation with Tehran.

Boroujerdi made the remarks in a meeting with Director of Middle East at British Foreign Office Edward Oakden.

Referring to the performance of the British government about Iran in the past, he said London should spare no efforts to clear the negative image about the British government in the mind of Iranian people.

The current stands adopted by London and the economic sanctions orchestrated by the British government over the Iranian nuclear program do not help create a new chapter in relations, he said.

He expressed hope that London would take new strides in order to broaden scope of cooperation between the two countries.

The West has adopted double-standard policy in dealing with global issues as democracy, free elections and the fight against terrorism, he said.

Their negligence of the demand of public opinion in Bahrain and conduct of free election based on international norms and their inattention to the fight against terrorism will leave negative impacts on security and tranquility of the region and the world, Boroujerdi said.

Terrorism posed a potential threat to the security and development of all nations and adopting wrong policies will lead to the escalation of terrorism in the region, he said.

On Syrian developments, he said that refusal to take heed of the Syrian national sovereignty along with support for terrorist groups has created an unbearable situation in Syria which hurts humanity.

Edward Oakden, for his part, called for bolstering mutual relations as well as for a new chapter in Tehran-London ties.

“We are willing to open a new chapter on expansion of mutual relations,” he said.

He expressed hope that nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 would bear fruit, saying that London will do its best to meet mutual interests.

He further added that London is quite serious in the fight against the IS terrorist group.

Old locks have literally seen better days in Iran (Photos)

By

IFP Editorial Staff

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March 4, 2015

Iranians were among the world’s top lock makers in the past, producing locks in the form of animals to fill the void created by the absence of sculpture in the country.

Since half a century ago, the lock making craft has been overpowered by the emergence of industrial padlocks.

What comes below is a collection of photos the Islamic Republic News Agency released on March 2 of old locks produced in Kerman, southeastern Iran:

1 of 15