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IRAN FRONT PAGELatest News and Views From Iran, Middle East and the World

Iran News
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- Human Rights
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- Lifestyle
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Home Blog Page 4935

When the going gets soft, people go shopping

Emad Askarieh

February 14, 2015

The New Year is approaching in Iran, and the annual yearend bonuses of white- and blue-collar workers are only days or weeks away. This has caused a lot of commotion in the capital where people are on the move to get prepared for the turn of the year.

On February 7, Mehr News Agency filed a report on market conditions and shopping destinations in the run-up to the New Year, saying that the shopping boom time is indicative that Iran is climbing out of recession. The following is a free translation of the report:

People are making planning to compile their shopping list and shopping malls are teeming with frenzied shoppers these days.

Some prefer early shopping to avoid the last-minute hustle and bustle of trade centers as well as the problems associated with late shopping.

Storekeepers hold winter sales or offer cut-rate items not to keep much inventory. They say their items suit every pocket, but people’s take is somewhat different. Sellers are happy that people have lost an appetite for foreign products thanks to the quality items Iranian producers have put on the market.

Those with limited budgets go after off-season shopping. Some buyers say they’ve seen no rise in prices over the past two months thanks to stable foreign exchange rates, although they admit that the prices of clothing have doubled in twelve months.

People’s rush to the market in the final days of the year and booming business are proof that Iran’s economy is climbing out of recession.

14 consortia ready to finance Iran-Iraq gas pipeline: Official

Emad Askarieh

February 14, 2015

A top Iranian energy official says a total of 14 domestic consortia have voiced readiness to finance the construction of a pipeline that will transport natural gas from Iran to its western neighbor, Iraq.

The groups of companies have already received the necessary documents related to investment in the project, and should offer their qualifications by the set deadline, Hamid Reza Araghi, an Iranian deputy oil minister and managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), said on Friday.

He added that the company qualifications will be later reviewed by NIGC, and companies capable of financing up to USD 1.5 billion will be declared eligible.

Araghi further noted that a total of USD 500 million is needed in order to start the project, adding that any interested party holding such a capital will be able to initiate the work and fulfill their obligations within the next two years.

The Iranian energy official pointed out that the investment will be gradually recouped once Iran starts pumping natural gas to Iraq, and upgrades the delivery.

Based on agreements signed between Tehran and Baghdad, seven million cubic meters (mcm) per day of Iran’s natural gas will be delivered to Iraq in the first phase, but the pipeline will finally carry 25 mcm of gas per day to Iraq.

According to NIGC managing director, the infrastructure needed for pumping Iran’s natural gas to Iraq will be ready by late April.

The 270-kilometer pipeline stretches from the village of Charmaleh, located in Iran’s western province of Kermanshah, into the town of Naft Shahr on the border with Iraq.

The pipeline, which is estimated to earn Iran $3.7 billion a year in revenues, will be fed by the massive offshore South Pars gas field in southern Iran.

The South Pars gas field is located in the Persian Gulf on the common border between Iran and Qatar. The field is estimated to contain about 14 trillion cubic meters of gas and 18 billion barrels of condensate.

A well that is doing well in attracting tourists (Photos)

Emad Askarieh

February 14, 2015

A 60-year-old man in Varzaneh, east of Isfahan – known for its traditional architecture and indigenous traditions – has renovated an ox-well complex (‘Gav Chah’ in Farsi), turning it into a tourist attraction.

The complex which features a well, an ox, some rope, a pulley and a bucket pumps water to nearby farmland, without producing air pollution.

Esfahanshargh.ir has filed a report on what Haj-Ibrahim has done to irrigate agricultural land which has also been a pull for tourists. What appears below is a brief translation of the report followed by a collection of photos of the process:

Haj-Ibrahim, who has restored an ox-well complex, says, “We can irrigate some 3,000 square meters of land twice a day through this traditional method which does not need electricity.”

An ox moves on a corridor with a slight slope, called Gav Chah, to take the water-filled bucket from the well. What is astonishing is that Haj-Ibrahim’s ox works only when his owner sings a song.

After restoration, the complex has managed – in a short period of time – to attract visitors who come to the historic city to see the place and its traditional irrigation method firsthand.

The urban structure in Varzaneh conforms to the Iranian architecture and people living there are known for their adherence to local traditions.

A new type of embryonic stem cells has been discovered in Iran

Emad Askarieh

February 14, 2015

On February 10, the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) quoted Head of Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute Abbas Aflatoonian as saying, “Scientists at R&D of the Stem Cell Biology Department have discovered a new type of embryonic stem cells.” What comes next is the translation of what else the researcher said:

Two types of stem cells we chose to call Yazd 1 and Yazd 2 were already discovered a while ago, Aflatoonian said, adding “Embryonic stem cells are derived from a human fetus during blastocyst. These cells have the ability to turn into other cell types, that’s why they are called pluripotent stem cells; they are of tremendous importance because of their potency.”

He expressed hope that the recently discovered stem cells, Yazd1, Yazd 2, Yazd 3, will set the stage for fundamental studies in different fields such as cell therapy, pharmacology, toxicology, developmental biology and tissue engineering.

With the endeavors of some experts at Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and following the launch of a research project aimed at studying the success of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in infertile couples, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute was established in October 1988.

The center was initially designed to develop the technology needed to address infertility in the country, help develop this science in the province and the country, and treat infertile couples who had to travel to Europe to get medical treatment. At present, some 9,000 couples refer to the center on the yearly basis to have their infertility problem solved.

Among the therapeutic achievements of the center are first Iranian IVF baby in 1990, first Iranian Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) baby using Electroejaculation in 1992, first Iranian baby using egg donation in 1994,first Iranian Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) baby in 1995, first Iranian baby using Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) and microinjection in 1996, first Iranian baby using Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) and microinjection in 1997, first Iranian baby using Assisted Zona Hatching (AZH) in 1997, first Iranian baby using frozen embryo in 1997, first Iranian baby using Testicular Round Spermatid and microinjection in 1998 and first Iranian baby using In Vitro Maturation (IVM).

Pope: Free speech no excuse for insulting religions

Emad Askarieh

February 14, 2015

Pope Francis has lashed out at those in the Western societies who keep justifying their insults against religions by resorting to notions such as freedom of expression.

In a Thursday meeting with Iran’s Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi at the Vatican, the Pope stressed that freedom of expression does not mean insulting religions and religious sanctities.

The spiritual leader of the world’s Catholics has repeatedly expressed discontent with the growing trend of religious desecration in the West, which gained a new momentum in the wake of deadly terrorist attacks in France in early January.

On January 7, the office of French weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo came under assault by two gunmen. Some 12 people were killed in the incident, which was claimed by the al-Qaeda branch in Yemen.

A few days later, Charlie Hebdo published a blasphemous cartoon insulting Islam’s most revered figure Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Senior Muslim figures worldwide denounced both the terror assault against Charlie Hebdo and the magazine’s sacrilegious cartoon.

The Pope also condemned the publication of the image, saying, “You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others.”

Iran’s resolve in nuclear talks

The Pope also voiced support for Iran’s ongoing efforts to secure a comprehensive agreement with P5+1 over its nuclear program, saying he stands by the Iranian nation and government.

In January, the Pope expressed hope that an agreement could be reached soon between Iran and the six powers – Russia, China, France, Britain, the US and Germany.

Last December, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani sent a message to the Pope and congratulated him on the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, asking him for more sympathy and cooperation in establishing peace and security across the world.

We are neither proud nor complacent; we seek to compensate backwardness

IFP Editorial Staff

February 13, 2015

Vice-President for Science and Technology and the President of the National Elites Foundation, Dr. Sorena Sattari, says that the public, scientists and the government have reached a consensus that they need to bring modern sciences out of books and use them to secure sustainable knowledge-based development.

On February 4, the website of the Iranian Science and Technology Department, an affiliate of the Presidential Office (isti.ir) released an opinion piece by Sattari on the state of Iran’s scientific progress. The following is the translation of the piece:

It is common knowledge these days that Iran has made remarkable achievements in science and technology in recent years. Enemies and friends, alike, admit that Iran’s scientific progress in different areas, especially in nanotechnology, is comparable with what it has achieved in nuclear technology. They describe it as a sign that a nation’s willpower is producing results.

The country has moved forward and achieved big gains in nuclear energy, nanotechnology, biotechnology and aerospace and this is because the public, scientists and the government have agreed that they should put in time and energy to bring these sciences out of books and use them to secure sustainable knowledge-based development for the country.

Today modern technologies have turned into a public discourse in Iran. This indicates that a consensus has been developed among the public, scientists and the government. Human experience shows that reaching a consensus is key to securing sustainable development in a country or to bringing the sales of raw materials to an end.

Constant support by the Supreme Leader for the country’s scientific development along with the contribution of government officials is indicative of the steely resolve of the Islamic Republic of Iran to make advancement on scientific and technological fronts.

The Leader expressed satisfaction with what has been done in the country in his inspection tour of a recent exhibition displaying Iran’s latest nanotechnology achievements, underlining three points: stability in management; accurate planning; and culture-building and dialogue creation.

The country can pull off success in political, economic and social areas like what it has gained in modern sciences and technologies such as nanotechnology, nuclear technology, biotechnology and aerospace. Iran can successfully ride out crises and challenges if these three factors come into play.

When there is consensus between society and the establishment, we can powerfully and successfully solve our issues with the world. Such a consensus can help us overcome various economic, political, social and environmental challenges.

The global economy has undergone fundamental changes thanks to new developments in oil markets, something which has affected oil-rich countries, including Iran. The Leader and the elite had already warned of this, saying a knowledge-based economy should be created as a sustainable replacement for oil.

What has unfolded recently can, at best, raise the alarm in the fabric of society and set the stage for creating a dialogue which seems likely to replace the previous interchange.

Today people are more receptive to talks on a knowledge-based economy than before. Besides senior government officials, the general public too eagerly pays attention to such a topic, and this can cement the overwhelming consensus between people and the government on boosting the knowledge-based economy.

The critical environmental challenges Iran is facing are the broad topic in society, not simply in scientific circles. We cannot tackle challenges such as air pollution or climate change unless they are treated as a national question and we mobilize all we have to that end.

What Iran has achieved in science, nanotechnology, nuclear technology and aerospace is a source of pride, but that is not enough. As the Supreme Leader said in his visit to the nano expo we should not be proud of and complacent with the status quo and the country’s headway; we should help Iran continue its fast march toward scientific gains.

“Although the talent of the Iranian youth and the pace of Iran’s scientific march are much higher than the world’s average – Iran ranks seventh in the world in terms of nanotechnology, for instance – we need to increase the speed of Iran’s scientific growth [to make up] for the country’s scientific backwardness over the course of history,” the Leader said.

Today’s achievements should be a model and motivation for our scientific activities in the future. We have to successfully rise to the occasion and overcome the challenges we face in different areas. Our experience has shown that our consensus on opening new doors is a guarantee for our success in the future.

Sorena Sattari is a scientist and inventor. He has a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology.

Quds Force Commander: ISIL nearing demise

Emad Askarieh

February 12, 2015

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Commander Major General Ghasem Soleimani underlined that terrorist groups in the region, especially ISIL, are experiencing the last days of their lives.

“Given the heavy failures that ISIL and other terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria have sustained, we are sure that these groups are nearing the end of their life,” Soleimani said, addressing a ceremony on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in the southern province of Kerman on Wednesday.

He said that persuading and organizing the Takfiri groups to impair the face of Islam and create sedition and civil war among Muslims is the last weapon used by the arrogant powers.

In relevant remarks in October, General Soleimani underlined that the US moves in the region and the terrorist attacks by the ISIL would end in failure.

“I believe that both the US moves and the terrorist acts of the ISIL are doomed to failure because they are not in quest of truth,” General Soleimani told reporters in Tehran.

“Their solution will not lead to victory; we have all witnessed in Syria that the measures they adopted did not produce any fruit (for them),” he added.

General Soleimani underlined that the victories gained by Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran had all been the result of their real quest of truth.

[…]

Over the last few years, Gen Soleimani’s role in Iran’s foreign affairs has become more public. These days he is the proud face of Iran, the go-to man when a crisis happens.

Iran has been providing advice and counseling to Syria and Iraq to help them in the war on terrorism.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Feb. 12

Emad Askarieh

February 12, 2015

Almost all Iranian dailies splashed on their front pages images of huge rallies across the nation to mark the victory of the Islamic Revolution 36 years ago.

Reformist newspapers called the rallies a declaration of public support for nuclear talks, but principlist dailies said the Iranians said no to the West. “The nation’s nuclear support”, “Iranians created yet another epic; more revolutionary than before”, “The nation’s fist on the table”, and “The peak of zeal and unity”, were some of the front page headlines on Thursday. Comments by President Rouhani at one such rally in Tehran drew a lot of front-page attention too.

Afarinesh: “We’d leave the negotiating table if the West made illegitimate demands,” said Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Afarinesh: “None of the establishment’s officials are opposed to a nuclear deal,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

Aftab-e Yazd: Crazy Face by Abolhassan Davoodi was named the best movie at Fajr International Film Festival.

Aftab-e Yazd: “No treason is worse than treason committed behind the scenes,” President Rouhani said.

The president made the comment at a huge rally in Tehran to mark the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution 36 years ago. A statement issued at the end of the rally supported nuclear talks between Iranian officials and P5+1.

Arman-e Emrooz: We don’t know what happened to petrodollars for five years.

The comment by First Vice-President Eshagh Jahangiri takes aim at the previous administration for its lack of accountability. “Oil sales brought in $118 billion in the 12 months to March 21, 2012 alone.”

Arman-e Emrooz: A deadly disease in chicken farms has sent prices soaring.

So far some 200,000 chickens have died of the disease.

Etemad: “At the talks we have defended Iran’s independence,” said President Rouhani.

The comment came during the president’s speech at a rally in Tehran to mark the anniversary of the Revolution. “In the absence of freedom, Republicanism would be meaningless,” the president also said.

Ettela’at: The Supreme Leader has pardoned or commuted the sentences of some prisoners.

More than 1,000 inmates benefit from the decision made to mark the victory of the revolution.

Ettela’at: A special headquarters has been set up to deal with air pollution in Khuzestan province.

Hamshahri: Iran and Iraq cooperate to counter the oil plot.

Hemayat: “No power can defeat the Iranian nation,” said the Judiciary chief during a revolutionary rally in Tehran.

Hemayat: “Assertions that sanctions brought Iran to the negotiating table are untruthful,” said President Rouhani.

Iran: “We seek a deal that would guarantee Iranian interests,” said President Rouhani.

Javan: “With 50,000 volunteers, we’re ready to settle the problem of particulates,” said Basij Force Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naghdi.

Jomhouri Islami: Construction of a second [nuclear] power plant in Bushehr gets underway next fall.

Kayhan: “Local production of vaccines will meet all domestic needs,” said the health minister.

Khorasan: The Supreme Leader has ordered officials to deal with air pollution in Khuzestan Province.

Khorasan: “IS is nearing the end of the line,” said Major Gen. Ghasem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force.

Khorasan: “Those who caused insecurity in Sistan and Baluchestan for eight years have been arrested,” said the governor general.

Shahrvand: “The Zionists are the only ones opposed to nuclear talks,” said the president.

Shahrvand: Those who develop breathing problems in Ahvaz [because of air pollution] are treated free of charge.

UN says it’s ready to set up environmental database in Iran

Emad Askarieh

February 12, 2015

A workshop for the State of Environment (SOE) was held in Tehran with Mahnaz Mazaheri-Assadi, a vice-president of the Environmental Protection Organization for education and research affairs, Jacqueline McGlade, the director of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Division of Early Warning and Assessment, and a host of environment experts in attendance to review how Iran’s environment has changed over the last ten years.

The following is a partial translation of a report filed by doe.ir on February 8 on what was said in the workshop:

The Iranian official told the session that the Statistical Center of Iran has released – for the first time – several environmental parameters and that 700 terms which have been defined by the Statistics and Information Technology Office will be finalized soon.

She further said the Department of Environment has set up an environment databank center, stressing that the database should be shored up.

She said SOE reporting can be used in making the country’s macro policies on management of environmental resources, adding it can be also of use in moving toward a green economy.

For her part, McGlade said countries should submit their SOE at an Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Environment and Development which is expected to be held soon.

Mohammad Zokaee, a faculty member at Shahid Beheshti University and the manager of SOE project, said the first such report came out in 2004 and the second one a year later. He said the third report covers the 2004-2013 period.

He further said that the report should be released regularly so that the country can monitor the improvement or deterioration of water, soil, biodiversity and human habitats.

Iran to launch new national search engine: Minister

Emad Askarieh

February 12, 2015

Iranian Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi announced on Wednesday that a new Iranian search engine will be launched soon.

While attending the massive rallies of Iranian people commemorating the Islamic Revolution’s victory anniversary, Vaezi told reporters that in the near future, a new national search engine will be launched.

The new search engine will come as part of the country’s plan to secure its cyberspace.

The Iranian government has launched a massive project to set up a national information network in the country. Iranian authorities say the project will improve internet access and protect the country from cyber attacks.

There are some 45 million internet users in Iran. The Islamic Republic is seen as the leading country in the Middle East region in terms of Internet penetration. It has already been awarded the UNESCO special certificate for providing telecommunication services to rural areas.