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Home Blog Page 4925

Supreme Leader Stresses Necessity for Cutting Reliance on Oil

Emad Askarieh

October 22, 2014

Addressing hundreds of young Iranian elites and researchers in Tehran on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei underlined that a country which makes its economic planning based on oil revenues is a captive of the world powers’ policymakers and no bright future is envisaged for it.

“Instead of reliance on the oil revenues, Iran should be managed through reliance on its internal forces and the resources on the ground, meaning the youth’s intelligence and talent, and production of science and knowledge and if so, no world power can turn the country’s economy into a plaything,” he added.

Stressing that Iran shouldn’t be governed by dependence on floating revenues of underground and oil resources, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the country can be saved by strengthening the scientific power.

He described continued high-speed scientific move as the genuine need of the country, and asked for all-out efforts to continue the present rate and speed of scientific growth by the help of every means, specially strengthening the knowledge-based companies and economy.

Last month, Ayatollah Khamenei in a decree communicated the macro-scale policies for Iran’s movement in various areas of science and technology, saying that the country turn into a major scientific power in the world in future.

The decree was issued by the Leader in line with the implementation of Clause 1 of Article 110 of Iran’s Constitution and after consultation with the country’s State Expediency Council.

Production of science, development of innovation and devising theories, upgrading Iran’s global status in science and technology, converting Iran into the scientific and technological hub of the Muslim World, development of basic sciences and fundamental research, gaining access to the advanced sciences and technologies through special planning and policy-making, optimizing the performance and structure of Iran’s educational and research system to gain access to the objectives of the country’s 20-year vision plan and scientific flourishing in Iran are among the main topics touched in the Leader’s decree.

Other principles specified by the leader include the rule of Islamic tenets, values, ethics and regulations in research, technology and higher education system and materialization of Islamic university, strengthening the national will and increasing social understanding about the importance of scientific and technological development, improving the relationship between research, technology and the higher education system with other sectors, development of cooperation as well as active, constructive and inspiring interaction in area of science and technology with other countries as well as accredited scientific and technical regional and international centers, specially those of the Muslim world together with consolidating the country’s independence.

Peugeot has agreed to Iran’s conditions: Iran Khodro chief

Emad Askarieh

October 22, 2014

Following recent talks between the leading Iranian car manufacturer and some foreign automakers, SMT, a daily, filed the comments of the managing director of the Iranian corporation on the negotiations with foreign investors in a report on October 22. What appears below is the translation of part of his remarks:

Hashem Yekke Zare, the Managing Director of Iran Khodro Industrial Group (IKCO) elaborated on the conditions that Iran has set out for cooperation with foreign automaking corporations including France’s Peugeot and Renault and said, “Aside from investment in Iran, contracts should be drawn up in a way that won’t allow investors to leave Iran easily. Also if the products, manufactured as a result of mutual collaboration, hit the international market, Iran should have its share of the sales. Another thing is that the contract should envision the opening of a research center in Iran.”

In terms of the recent directive issued by the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade on cooperation between national and foreign automakers, he said, “What conditions Iranian automakers will lay down depend on the kind of investment between the two sides. The number of cars that will be produced could also play a key role. Based on these two factors, the directive of the ministry can be implemented.”

“As far as cooperation with foreign automakers is concerned, the Iranian car maker has its sights on joint ventures. In our recent talks with Peugeot and Renault, we have put forth some pre-conditions,” he said.

“In the new contracts we are going to sign with foreign corporations, we will definitely take national interests into account. In line with such objective, an investment of 50 percent by either side has been floated with Peugeot. However, the percentage of each party’s share might undergo some changes and turn into a share of 40-60 or 30-70 percent based on the contract, the number of cars produced and the kind of investment. Therefore a certain figure cannot be considered for investment as far as cooperation with foreign corporations is concerned. In fact, the number will be subject to change, because terms of the contract will finally specify it,” Yekke Zare highlighted.

When asked if foreign automakers which are in talks with Iran have accepted such preconditions, he said “Peugeot has agreed to them. Nevertheless, I should underline that the kind of financial cooperation with foreign automaking manufacturers could be different based on the number of cars produced and the kind of cars that roll out of the plant.”

Coalition should cut off financial aid for ISIL: Afkham

Emad Askarieh

October 22, 2014

“The anti-ISIL coalition should take its first step by preventing financial support for the ISIL and this is the expectation of the public opinion in the region and the world,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham said at a weekly press briefing on Wednesday.

She added that the anti-ISIL coalition’s seriousness should be demonstrated in supporting the people of the Syrian city of Kobani.

She commended the resistance of Kurdish fighters in their battle against the ISIL militants and expressed hope that the resistance would lead to the terrorists’ withdrawal from the region.

“Amerli and Kobani are two popular regions that resisted against terrorism. The anti-ISIL coalition should have helped these areas but the measures have been slow… and this trend increases our doubts about the anti-ISIL coalition’s objectives,” Afkham said.

Since late September, the US, along with its regional allies, has been conducting airstrikes against the ISIL inside Syria without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate.

Many of the countries joining the so-called anti-terror coalition, such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have been the staunch supporters of the ISIL Takfiri elements in the Middle East region.

The airstrikes by US and its allies in Syria are an extension of the US-led aerial campaign against the ISIL positions in Iraq, which started in August.

Afkham further condemned Israel’s plan to divide the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied West Bank, saying, “The Zionist regime (Israel) has always held radical views toward the Palestinian people and upholds no right for them.”

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Iran considers “Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque as the heart of the Muslim world,” and emphasized that such Israeli moves would not discourage the Palestinian people from obtaining their rights.

Israeli authorities continue to restrict the access of Palestinians to the Al-Aqsa Mosque as the Israeli police have deployed nearly 1,000 soldiers and set up several roadblocks around the holy Islamic site in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Entire Israel within range of Iran missiles: IRGC chief

Emad Askarieh

October 22, 2014

“The [Islamic] Revolution’s missiles, [deployed] in north and south [of the country], cover the entire occupied territories,” Major General Mohammad-Ali Ja’fari said on Tuesday.

He said that Iran’s enemies have acknowledged that the Islamic Republic has turned into a major power in the Middle East but they will not stop their animosity toward the country.

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 designed and manufactured different indigenous missiles, including Khalij-e-Fars (Persian Gulf), Mehrab (Altar), Ra’d (Thunder), Qader (Mighty), Nour (Light) and Zafar (Triumph).

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

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

Iran has, however, pledged a crushing response to aggressors in case of a military attack on the country.

Iran Khodro says it seeks to design a new car in partnership with a foreign firm

Emad Askarieh

October 22, 2014

Fars News Agency (FNA) on October 20 featured an interview with the managing director of Iran’s flagship carmaker, Iran Khodro, on the automaker’s unofficial talks with a German designer on the possible joint production of a new car. The following is the translation of part of what he had to say to FNA:

Managing Director of Iran’s largest carmaker, Hashem Yekke Zare, said that a German designer is now in Iran to assess whether Iran Khodro possesses the [manufacturing] capabilities to enter partnership for joint car designing, adding the designer would release a report at the end of his two-week visit, based on which the talks are likely to continue.

He said that the German designer who arrived in Iran on Friday (October 17) is on a personal visit and does not officially represent any company.

The official went on to say that the German engineer has designed a top product of a German automotive juggernaut.

If these talks produce results, he said, Iran can design a joint automobile in the next 3-4 years drawing on consultations with the German designer and efforts by Iranian expert team.

Iranian experts will act as assistants to the German designer, he said, adding this way they could start to design cars on their own in a couple of years.

“We can gain a bargaining edge over foreign partners if we can speak from a position of power,” said the CEO of Iran Khodro, adding that cooperation with leading world companies would be helpful to that end.

Iran Khodro has plans to get closer to a point where it can produce cars on its own, he said, adding that for starters we should work on the development of our products. He also said that Iran Khodro has come to the conclusion that it needs to tap into the experience of those who have been active in the field for years.

Iran Khodro has decided to draw on consultations it receives from the world’s top carmakers, seeking to convince them to work with Iran Khodro for four years at the minimum, he underlined.

Crisis in region aimed at redrawing Mideast map: Nasrallah

Emad Askarieh

October 22, 2014

Hezbollah’s Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah says the ongoing crisis in the region is aimed at redrawing the map of the Middle East.

Nasrallah also said on Monday night that the continuation of the presence of ISIL Takfiri group in the region serves “the interests of Turkey and the US.”

He added the campaign waged by the US-led coalition against ISIL only aims to set red lines for the Takfiri group not to “go near Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Erbil (the capital city of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region).”

The US was using ISIL as a means to scare and blackmail the people of the region to impose its hegemony, especially in Syria and Iraq, Nasrallah said.

Nasrallah said that he believes Turkey would not join the US-led coalition and accept the American conditions without receiving “genuine benefits.” Ankara has conditioned its participation in the US-led coalition on a commitment by the US to overthrow the government in Syria.

He went on to say that terrorist groups such as ISIL and Nusra Front are “incapable of invading any Bekaa area [in east Lebanon] because they are surrounded.”

The Hezbollah leader further stated that unlike ISIL, the Islam his movement represents is civilized and progressive. “We don’t approve of shedding others’ blood, nor do we allow others to spill our blood.”

The Takfiri militants have two options, he said: “to die of cold or leave in civilian clothes for Lebanon and Syria.”

“Every day that passes, we grow more certain that our fight in Syria was for the sake of protecting Lebanon; and today, we are in the axis of resistance, we stand in a position of victory,” he added.

“We have a golden opportunity to foil the Takfiri scheme,” Nasrallah said.

Hezbollah has been fighting foreign-backed militants, including ISIL Takfiris, in Syria. It has deployed thousands of fighters to the neighboring country to help President Bashar Assad’s forces who have been engaged in fighting against foreign-backed militants since 2011.

Western powers and their regional allies — especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey — are reportedly supporting the militants operating in Syria.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 22

Emad Askarieh

October 22, 2014

The passing on Tuesday of Chairman of the Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Mohammad-Reza Mahdavi Kani at the age of 83 was placed on the front pages of almost all newspapers on October 22. The Iraqi premier’s meetings with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and President Rouhani were in the news too. And a pledge by the president that his government will release the results of a probe into illegal scholarships granted when the previous government was in power made headlines in some dailies.

Afkar: “The government has not slipped into a budget deficit,” said Iran’s economy minister.

Afkar: “The Supreme Leader will lead the last rites for the late Ayatollah Mohammad-Reza Mahdavi Kani,” is the daily’s front-page pick, reporting that the Iranian government has declared two days of national mourning following the passing of the chairman of the Assembly of Experts.

Aftab-e Yazd: “Passenger vehicles are not people’s private space,” is what the daily picked to report on a bill Iran’s parliament has adopted to support those who promote virtue.

Aftab-e Yazd: “The gasoline produced by petrochemical plants is not standard,” said the chairman of the Petrochemical Subcommittee at the Iranian parliament.

Arman-e Emrooz:“A number of spies have been arrested in Bushehr,” said Intelligence Minister Seyyed Mahmoud Alawi. The suspects were trying to carry out surveillance for foreign countries in the southern province.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Doors should open for people to have more [political] engagement,” said Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Arman-e Emrooz: “The Principlists are not capable of returning to power in the absence of [former President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad,” said Sadegh Zibakalam, a university professor and political analyst, in an exclusive interview with the daily.

Asia: “Trade transactions between Iran and Iraq should hit the $30 billion mark,” said President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

Asrar quoted Deputy Interior Minister for Security Affairs Hossein Zolfaghari as saying that Iran has foiled two dozen suicide attacks by terror groups in border areas.

Asrar: “News that [former President Mohammad] Khatami and Mohammad Reza Aref do not see eye to eye is far from true.” The daily quoted Mohsen Rahami, a senior figure in the Reformist camp, as ruling out rumors that there is a rift between the former president and his second in command.

Ebtekar: “Off-camera football matches,” is the daily’s front page headline, reporting that the Football Federation has finally carried out its threat not to allow IRIB to carry soccer matches live unless the broadcaster pays hefty sums for broadcast rights.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: “Iran will hold an exclusive exhibition in China.”

Eghtesad-e Pooya: “Ninety-eight percent of Iranians have [healthcare] insurance coverage,” said the director of Iran Health Insurance Organization.

Emtiaz: “Some university branches might be shut down,” said Acting Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mohammad Ali Najafi. His comment came after more than 200,000 university seats remained vacant for the new academic year.

Ettela’at: “People will soon be informed about the violations in the university scholarships’ case,” said President Rouhani in reference to an investigation into illegal scholarships granted under his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Ettela’at: “We doubt the honesty of those who claim to be fighting ISIL,” said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a meeting with the visiting Iraqi premier.

Ettela’at: “Iran will do what it takes to help the Iraqi government,” said Iran’s President Rouhani.

Ettela’at: “Iran has to rely on tax revenues to make up for a recent slump in oil prices,” stressed Economy Minister Ali Tayyebnia.

Hambastegi: “A third installment of Iran’s frozen assets has been deposited into the country’s account,” said the Central Bank of Iran.

Iran Daily: “Iran hand-woven carpets fetch $500m”.

Jamejam wrote that failure of the Football Federation to comply with the laws was the reason why IRIB did not air the football match between Persepolis and Saipa on Tuesday.

Jomhouri Islami: “Esfahan Steel Company (ESCO) has been named Iran’s top exporter.”

Kaenat: “We take the drop in crude prices as a good omen,” said the economy minister.

Kayhan: “Iran stands by Iraq and will lend support to the Baghdad government in earnest,” Iran’s Supreme Leader told the Iraqi prime minister.

Qods: “Iran’s nuclear experts set out for Vienna to take part in expert-level talks.”

Roozan:“Parliament seats should not be exclusively open to a group of hardline, monopolist MPs,” said former President Mohammad Khatami.

Roozan: “Peugeot has accepted the terms set by Iran Khodro Industrial Group [One of the country’s two top carmakers] to make a comeback to Iran’s car market.”

Sharq: “My letters are in keeping with my statutory duties as a member of parliament,” said Ali Motahari, a Tehran deputy, in response to his critics.

FM Blasts UAE Minister for Anti-Iran Remarks

Emad Askarieh

October 22, 2014

Iran Officially Announces Termination of UN Arms Embargo

An Iranian foreign ministry official slammed the United Arab Emirates State Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash for his baseless allegations about Iran’s alleged interference in the internal affairs of some Arab states.

Gargash in his recent comments claimed that Iran interferes in the internal affairs of some Arab countries, including Bahrain, Yemen, Syria and Iraq.

“The allegations made by the UAE state minister for foreign affairs stem from provocations and are in line with the Iranophobia scenario,” an Iranian foreign ministry official said on Tuesday.

The official underlined that Iran’s foreign policy prioritizes expansion of ties with the regional countries as before, and “its recent consultations with its neighboring countries have been in line with this outlook.”

The Islamic Republic has on numerous occasions reaffirmed its determination to establish good relations with all its neighbors, particularly the Arab countries, and emphasized the need for collective cooperation in the region to counter terror threats.

EBEX 2014, invest show opens in Kish

Emad Askarieh

October 22, 2014

The 1st Kish International Exchange, Bank, Insurance, Capital Market and Privatization Exhibition (EBEX 2014) and the 6th Exhibition on Investment Opportunities in Iran (Invest Show) opened in the Kish Island on October 21.

Aria Hamidian, the exhibition’s manager, said 15 foreign and 105 domestic companies are participating in the expos, added that since both expos are overlapping in some parts, both exhibitions opened concurrently.

Hamidian said the foreign companies participating in the event are from Russia, Greece, Canada, the Netherlands and Cyprus.

Guests and officials from Germany, the UK, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Venezuela, Tajikistan and Iraq are also attending the expo, Hamidian noted.

The expo aims to present the capabilities of domestic and foreign financial organizations, brief visitors on the capacities and achievements of Iran’s capital, monetary and insurance markets, provide domestic entities with an opportunity to use international companies’ know-how and experience, and present modern banking services, he stated.

Commenting on the impact of Western sanctions imposed on Iran on the participation of foreign companies in the expo, he said, “Foreign firms have taken part in the exhibition to know more about Iran’s capital market and its transitions. After the sanctions are removed completely, more foreign companies and investors will visit the country.”

“A total of eight specialized meetings will be held on the sidelines of the expo on October 22 and 23,” he said.

The official said presenting the investment opportunities of domestic petrochemical industry, elaborating on banking, insurance and capital market’s rules and regulations and discussing investment opportunities in Iran’s free trade zones are some of the goals of the meetings.

Hamidian said foreign investors have called for joint meetings with the Iranian officials to discuss related issues.

Both exhibitions will continue until October 24.

Intelligence Minister: Several spies arrested in Bushehr

Emad Askarieh

October 22, 2014

Iranian security forces have arrested several spies in the Southern province of Bushehr, Intelligence Minister Seyyed Mahmoud Alawi announced on October 21.

Alawi Who was addressing a number of local officials in Bushehr City said that thanks to the vigilance of the Intelligence Ministry officers who monitor the moves of the foreign intelligence services, some agents who were gathering intelligence data for the foreigners in Bushehr province were identified, arrested and sent to concerned judiciary offices.

The minister further reminded the decisive role of the Bushehr province for the country, and stressed, ‘This province as the economic, industrial, military, trade and nuclear hub of the country has a special position at the national level.’

Late in August, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had shot down an Israeli drone near the highly sensitive nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz in Central Iran.

The IRGC Public Relations Department said in the statement that the Israeli drone was a radar-evading, stealth type and downed while trying to spy on Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment plant.

The IRGC also pointed out in its statement that the Israeli hostile aircraft had been targeted by a surface-to-air missile.

The IRGC then warned that it ‘reserves the right of response and retaliation for itself’.

In August, Director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi said not only the Western, but also some developing states have been trying to sabotage Iran’s nuclear installations through selling malfunctioning parts to the country.

‘Unfortunately, different European and Western countries and famous world industries with special positions (in this industry) have collaborated with the Zionist regime and US efforts to sabotage Iran’s nuclear industry, and if one day we reveal the names of these industries and companies to the world, all people will understand the importance of this issue,’ Salehi told reporters at the time.