Iranian researchers introduce environment-friendly method to clean up oil spills

By

-

February 25, 2015

The biological and chemical methods used around the world to clean up oil slicks at sea often have negative effects on the marine ecosystem and at times are ineffective. Researchers at a science and technology park in Hormozgan Province have recently used three plants native to Iran to work out an environment-friendly solution to dealing with the issue.

On February 25 the Iranian Students News Agency quoted Dr. Maziyar Mohammadzadeh, who is in charge of the project, as saying, “The three indigenous plants have undergone slight changes to be converted to nano-filters for the removal of oil spills. Palm and Asclepias, native to Hormozgan, along with another plant indigenous to Isfahan Province have been used in the project.”

He described the physical absorption of oil spills as a property of the plants and said, “The final product can float in water and remove contamination from saline, brackish and fresh water.”

The product does not interfere with ecosystem, Mohammadzadeh said, adding, “Because the product is derived from plants, after decontamination, it can be used as fuel in industries and bakeries.”

US and Britain are promoting Tatbir: Scholar

By

Emad Askarieh

-

February 25, 2015

Secretary General of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought Ayatollah Mohsen Araki says the Americans and Brits who always associate Shiites with Tatbir [The practice of striking oneself with a form of “sword” on the head, causing blood to flow in remembrance of Imam Hussein] are the real promoters of the practice.

On February 25, Aftab-e Yazd daily published a report on Ayatollah Araki’s speech at a gathering on ways of identifying Shiite and Sunni extremist factions in Qom on Tuesday. The following is the translation of what else the secretary of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought said:

Members of the Shirazi Sect work hard to promote Tatbir. They argue to be a true follower of Imam Hussein, you need to practice Tatbir. Simply crying and beating your chest is not enough, they contend. Shiites need to draw blood. They should also administer the ritual on their newborn babies and encourage their spouses to do the same.

They argue that the best place to practice Tatbir is a city like London where the whole world sees you. When I was there, I was told that a Shirazi Sect preacher has told a crowd of worshipers, ‘Today a Christian converted to Islam and has already expressed willingness to join you in practicing Tatbir.’ I told them he might be an MI6 spy.

The Americans and Brits are the real promoters of Tatbir. The books they pen on Shiites, even their textbooks, feature images of Tatbir.

Members of the Shirazi Sect also claim that those who practice Tatbir book a place for themselves in Paradise, and those who stay away are not real Shiites. […]

They go even further and say Tatbir is not enough. ‘As long as you don’t desecrate Sunni sanctities you are not a true Shiite.’ We do not share the sanctities of Sunnis, but we are not allowed to show disrespect for what more than a billion Muslims regard as sacred.

They tell their followers to go to great lengths in desecrating Sunnis and thus prompt them to want to put on a suicide vest and blow themselves up among Shiites.

These folks are free to travel wherever they want. Saudi Arabia does not allow Shiite prayer books to find their way into the country. But for these individuals, Saudi Arabia is like home. They come and go. The only books freely available in Saudi Arabia are their books.

The groups in Kuwait that support them are in touch with British intelligence agencies. Ever since they set up base in Kuwait they have had the support of the British intelligence.

Iran, Iraq stand firm in terror fight

By

Emad Askarieh

-

February 25, 2015

General Hossein Dehqan and his Iraqi counterpart Khalid al-Obeidi

Iranian and Iraqi defense ministers in a telephone conversation on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to concerted action against terrorism.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan and his Iraqi counterpart Khalid al-Obeidi discussed the latest developments in Iraq as well as the bilateral and international issues in the conversation.

They both emphasized the need for Tehran-Baghdad cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

Reiterating Iran’s support for the Iraqi nation, government and armed forces, Dehghan said Tehran is ready to speed up the implementation of previous agreements with Iraq.

He also voiced Iran’s preparedness to increase military cooperation with its western neighbor to strengthen stability and security in Iraq and the region.

The Iraqi minister, for his part, called for efforts to accelerate the implementation of agreements.

In December 2014, Dehghan and Obeidi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Tehran to boost the two neighboring countries’ defense cooperation.

The agreement was aimed at expanding cooperation between the two sides on the establishment of a national army in Iraq to help the Arab country maintain its territorial integrity and security.

The two sides also decided to continue their consultations on finding mechanisms for ensuring security in the region.

Iran starts massive naval drill in Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz

By

Emad Askarieh

-

February 25, 2015

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) started a massive naval drill code-named Prophet Muhammad in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, southern Iran.

The exercise started in the presence of the Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Gholamali Rashid, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani and some high-ranking military commanders.

The initial stage of the drill features mine planting by ultra-speed boats.

Iran ready to introduce single forex system

By

Emad Askarieh

-

February 25, 2015

Iran’s economy minister said the country would replace the current multi-tier foreign exchange system with a single system if economic conditions prove to be propitious.

“The conditions for unifying forex rate should be met in the country’s economy so that this plan could be implemented,” Ali Tayyebnia said.

He noted that Iran will be able to introduce a single forex rate system as early as next fiscal year, which starts on March 21, in case of appropriate conditions.

The minister recently said the government is committed to unifying forex rate while curbing the country’s inflation rate.

“A single forex rate system will be possible only after financial markets witness relative calm,” said Tayyebnia.

The governor of Central Bank of Iran, Valiollah Seif, has said that Iran needs economic stability before dealing with forex rate.

Iran’s national currency started depreciating sharply three years ago. The rial is currently traded at two rates with one being decided by CBI and the other one set by money changers. The open-market-rate is subject to fluctuations almost on a daily basis.

On Tuesday, the US dollar traded for IRR 27,700 at official rate and for IRR 34,000 on open market.

Iran’s economy shrank 9 percent in 2012 and 2013.

On Sunday, President Hassan Rouhani said his economic team has done what he described as “a miracle” to bring the country back from the brink of economic collapse to the positive territory.

“We were able to bring down inflation from 40 percent to well below 16 percent,” he told an economic forum in Tehran.

Rouhani said he had promised to take measures to decrease Iran’s inflation from the record highs of above 40 percent to as low as 15.5 percent. “This comes as we have promised to bring down inflation to 25 percent before April 2015,” he said.

Iranian short film shines in French Cour Joujours Festival

By

Emad Askarieh

-

February 25, 2015

Rainfall of Roof, an Iranian short film from Kurdistan Province gained the jurors prize of the Cour Joujours Festival.

Directed by Teymur Qaderi, Rainfall of Roof competed with films from Russia, Tajikistan, Belgium, Portugal, Egypt, Mexico, the Switzerland and some other countries before winning the special prize of the jurors and the 1,500 frank in cash.

The short film had earlier won the prize for best director in Iranian Ruyesh Short Religious Films Festival, the bronze medal of Malaysia’s Islamic World Film Festival, the best film prize in Hamedan Prayers Festival and the prizes of numerous other festivals.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Feb. 25

By

Emad Askarieh

-

February 25, 2015

Comments by the government spokesman that fuel prices won’t increase next year dominated the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Wednesday. Also on the cover of dailies were the remarks of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on issues such as talks with P5+1 and Iran’s continued support for Iraq in the fight against IS terrorists.

Abrar: “We have no plans to walk away from the negotiating table,” said the Iranian FM after talks with his US counterpart in Geneva.

His comments came as the US State Department spokeswoman said some progress has been made in nuclear talks.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Energy prices won’t go up for now,” said government spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht.

Ebtekar: “Handing out cash subsidies was wrong in the first place,” said the first vice-president.

Ebtekar: “We have a tough year ahead in meeting the water and electricity needs of citizens,” said the energy minister.

Etemad: “We have a good record in dealing with corruption cases,” said Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani.

Etemad: A meeting between Iran’s Abbas Araghchi and the IAEA chief has set in motion closer cooperation between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog.

Ettela’at: “Steps have been taken forward in nuclear talks,” Zarif said.

The Iranian top diplomat further said that he and his team are in quest of a solution that fully recognizes the rights of the Iranian nation.

Hemayat: “Some 90 percent of cases cyber police deal with have to do with fraud,” said Police Chief Brigadier General Ahmadi Moghaddam.

Jamejam: Persepolis had a stellar performance in their Asian Champions League opener, beating a Qatari team 3-0 at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Jomhouri Islami: Nine tankers carrying gas extracted from South Pars gas field have set out for global markets.

Kar va Kargar: “We will continue to help Iraq crack down on IS,” said the Iranian foreign minister at a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart.

Kar va Kargar: Women’s wrestling has been officially launched in Iran.

Kayhan: Water crisis management commissions have been ordered set up.

Kayhan: “In case the ministry of culture does not deal with Etemad Daily, the culture minister will be dealt with,” warned the chairman of parliament’s Cultural Committee.

[The MP has alleged that the reformist-leaning daily has insulted the second Shiite Imam]

Khorasan: Under a parliamentary decision cash subsidies will remain unchanged next year.

Mardomsalari: “Parliament seems to lack resolve to settle the problem of dust storm [gripping the southwest],” said the deputy director of the Environment Protection Organization.

Resalat: “The case involving Mehdi Hashemi [a son of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani] includes 12 charges,” said a deputy judiciary chief.

Rooyesh-e Mellat: “Today is not the time to air grievances against Rouhani, we need to help him,” said Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Shahrvand: “Government faces more than $5 billion in deficit to pay out cash subsidies,” said the first vice-president.

Shahrvand: “The Judiciary is looking into up to 15 million legal cases,” said Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Larijani.

Iranian researchers convert injecting chemo drugs to edible forms

By

Emad Askarieh

-

February 24, 2015

Iranian researchers at Tehran University of Medical Sciences have developed a drug carrying system, capable of converting injecting chemo drugs to edible form.

Shahrouz Saremi, the lead author of the research, said studies were made to produce mucoadhesive nano-particles using chitosan polymer for transferring edible anti-cancer drugs.

He said the study is focusing on designing a system which converts injecting drugs to edible forms so that patients could undergo chemotherapy through edible medicines without having to visit medical centers.

The researchers produced the edible drug using thiolated chitosan and polymethyl methacrylate polymers.

He said the drug combinations are kept within the nano-particles and are absorbed by body gradually.

The Iranian researcher said the method also increases the level of drug absorption. The nano-system can be used for carrying drug in chemotherapy. The studies were conducted on Docetaxel chemo drug.

US media try to keep Ayatollah Khamenei’s message under wraps: Flounders

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

February 24, 2015

Sara Flounders, a senior member of the International Action Center, says that American media which are run by figures with militaristic mentality seek to hide the content of the valuable message of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei to the youth in Europe and North America from the Americans, in particular the youth.

What comes next is the translation of an interview with Sara Flounders the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) posted on its website on February 24:

The American author and anti-war activist described the letter of the Leader as immensely important and told IRNA that she had read the message which was released at a perfect time.

Flounders is a senior member of the International Action Center founded by former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark.

Flounders, who is in Lebanon to take part in a gathering dubbed international justice for Palestine, said that in the letter the Leader has appealed to the youth to conduct in-depth studies about Islam and its teachings, so that they could secure an insight into the objectives of the enemies of Islam who seek to paint an unrealistic image of this great religion.

She stressed that the enemies of Islam seek to set the stage for continued aggressions against Islamic countries.

A dream success story you don’t wanna miss

By

IFP Editorial Staff

-

February 24, 2015

Abbas Barzegar in the village of Bazm in Fars Province

It all started when Abbas Barzegar, a villager in southern Iran, bumped into two foreign tourists and their interpreter who had lost their way. The hospitable rural man invited the trio over to his humble abode, served them local food, and put them up for the night.

According to a February 23 issue of SMT daily, that is how the village of Bazm in Fars Province made a name for itself as a foreign tourist mecca. The following is a partial translation of the newspaper report:

On a rainy night two German tourists are invited to the humble house of Abbas Barzegar, a resident of Bazm, a small village near Bavanat in Fars Province, and are served local food.

When Barzegar finds one of the two German tourists pretty down, he inquires about the reason behind his sadness. Through the interpreter the young German tells his host that the following day is his birthday and he is unhappy about being unable to be with friends and family back home to celebrate his birthday.

When the children of the young villager learn about the German tourist’s birthday, they hastily arrange a party to celebrate the occasion. The German guy, who is elated by the arrangement, films the impromptu party and takes it back home.

In Germany the young man’s mother who is a journalist publishes a report on what has happened to her son in Iran. And that marks the start of Barzegar Tourist Village, which allows visitors to experience Iranian rural life during their stay.

The owner of the hotel says he is expanding business, preparing as many as 15,000 tents to accommodate foreign tourists.

In its tourism guide, UNESCO has described the nomadic tour as one of the most exciting tourism experiences in Iran.

Presently, Barzegar charges tourists, who are mostly from Spain, Portugal and Poland, 700 euros [!] a night for their stay in the tent village he runs.

Experts say if the quality of services offered in this unique complex is improved, its revenues can top those of five-star hotels in the Middle East and across the world.

Barzegar says he is now training locals on how to host foreign tourists and that some 100 youngsters have learned English already to be able to communicate with visitors. These future tour guides of sorts are supposed to help foreign tourists experience firsthand what rural people do, including taking trips to nearby mountainsides to pick medicinal herbs and attending nomadic functions.

The owner of the tourist hotel which is booked solid through early 2017 says honesty holds the key to his success. He says he doesn’t do anything that might dent the trust that has been established between him and the guests.