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Obama threatens to veto Iran sanctions again

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Obama-Congress

US President Barack Obama used his State of the Union address on Tuesday to once again threaten that he would use his veto power to thwart any bill that would place additional sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program.

“New sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails,” Obama said during the speech before a joint session of the House of Representatives and Senate, adding, “That is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress.”

“Our diplomacy is at work with respect to Iran, where, for the first time in a decade, we’ve halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material,” Obama said.

Obama said that Iran and P5+1 – the US, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany – have a chance to reach a comprehensive agreement by this spring.

The president, however, said that “there are no guarantees that negotiations will succeed” and vowed to “keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear Iran.”

Obama warned that any new hostile move against Iran would “alienate” the United States from its allies and ensure that “Iran starts up its nuclear program again.”

The comments came as the White House and Congress remain divided over Iran, with a bipartisan group of senators pushing a new round of sanctions against Tehran.

Iran and P5+1 are in talks to work out a final deal aimed at ending the longstanding standoff over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

Political directors of Iran and P5+1 states wrapped up their talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday.

The latest talks included lengthy meetings between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva and Paris.

This was the second round of discussions since Tehran and six world powers failed to work out a permanent nuclear deal by last November’s deadline despite making some progress.

The two sides decided to extend their talks for seven more months until July 1, with the interim deal they had signed in Geneva in November 2013 remaining in place.

Tehran and the six countries now seek to reach a high-level political agreement by March 1 and to confirm the full technical details of the agreement by July 1.

The scale of Iran’s uranium enrichment and the timetable for the lifting of anti-Iran sanctions are seen as major sticking points in the ongoing negotiations.

Iran reiterates need for open dialog with Saudi Arabia

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Shamkhani

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said on Tuesday that the policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is to launch “open, transparent and inclusive talks” with Saudi Arabia.

Shamkhani made the remarks in a meeting with Iran’s envoy to the kingdom, Hossein Sadeghi.

The top Iranian official added that talks between the two regional powers could include all issues of mutual interest.

He said the current turbulent situation in the Muslim world necessitates a more “pragmatic contribution” by governments like Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Such contribution, Shamkhani said, must lead to an in-depth, serious and honest confrontation with extremism and terrorism which have manifested in Takfiri groups like ISIL.

Sadeghi, for his part, said misunderstandings between Iran and Saudi Arabia should be cleared and obstacles in the way of further cooperation between the two countries should be removed.

Countering the spread of terrorism and Islamophobia, and preventing Muslim countries’ resources from being wasted require convergence between Muslims, the Iranian envoy said.

Muslim nations must close ranks against Israel: Larijani

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Larijani-Turkey

Iran’s parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani has called for unity among Muslim countries in the face of Israeli aggression.

“The Zionist regime’s interference in Syria is a significant sign that they (Israelis) plan to pressure Muslims countries through conspiracy,” Larijani, who is on an official visit to Turkey, said in a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Cemil Çiçek, in Istanbul on Tuesday.

On Sunday, an Israeli military helicopter fired two missiles at Amal Farms in the strategic southwestern Syrian city of Quneitra, close to line separating the Syrian part of the Golan Heights from the Israeli-occupied sector.

“Therefore, Muslim countries must unite in the face of incursions by the Zionist regime [of Israel] like the recent terrorist attack [on Syria] by this fake regime,” Larijani added.

Referring to the ongoing crisis in Syria, the top MP said the status quo in Syria is not in the interest of any country, calling for political efforts to restore stability to the conflict-stricken country.

Larijani also touched on ties between Tehran and Ankara, calling for the promotion of relations between the two countries.

Regarding the publication of blasphemous cartoons of Prophet Muhammad by French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, he said, “An issue that has hurt the feelings of Muslims is the offense against the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which has been committed in the Western countries.”

The Turkish speaker, for his part, pointed to the upcoming session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (PUOIC), and expressed hope that the problems of Muslim countries will be addressed and a telling answer will be given to the recent insults at the holy Prophet.

Çiçek also noted that foreign intervention will fail to settle the crises in the Middle East.

The Western countries aim to exploit the trivial differences among Muslims, the Turkish speaker stressed.

[…]

Iran denounces acts of terror, blasphemy

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Rouhani-Iran

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has condemned any act of violence perpetrated in Islam’s name, including the recent Paris shooting, as well as disrespecting religions under the pretext of freedom of speech.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran condemns terror, violence and extremism under the pretext of defending religions as well as insults, blasphemy and provoking the sentiments of followers of other religions in the name of defending freedom,” Rouhani said on Tuesday.

Pointing to the recent Paris shooting which left 12 people dead, Rouhani said “the Islamic Republic of Iran, in principle, condemns such violent acts and does not attribute them either to Muslims or to Islam.”

He said that Iran is the flag-bearer of fighting violence, extremism and terror both in word and in deed, and supports countries plagued with terrorism.

The Iranian president also denounced the depiction of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the cover of the latest edition of the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.

He said the move was carried out in the name of supporting freedom, but in fact it provoked the sentiments of Muslims across the globe.

It is “regrettable” that the sacrilegious act was carried out in a country which claims to be an advocate of freedom, he said.

The Iranian president also warned that such measures will further fan the flames of extremism.

Rouhani’s remarks come nearly two weeks after an attack on the office of Charlie Hebdo, which left 12 people dead. Al-Qaeda affiliates claimed responsibility for the shooting.

Following the Paris shooting, the French magazine once again published a cartoon last week, depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on the cover of its new edition.

Muslims consider depicting Prophet Muhammad as blasphemous.

Iran FM Zarif meets with senior Afghanistan officials

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Zarif - Afghanistan

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with a number of senior Afghan officials in Kabul on Tuesday.

In his one-day stay in Kabul, Zarif met with Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and submitted President Rouhani’s invitation letter to his Afghan counterpart to visit Iran.

President Ghani hoped the visit will take place soon, saying that consolidation of ties with Iran is of prime importance to Kabul as Tehran is Afghanistan’s long-standing ally.

He said that Afghanistan and Iran, which share common interests, should cooperate to fully tap into their capacities.

The Afghan president further said that the present peace and stability in Afghanistan will help promote security in the region, adding his government is investing in cooperation with neighboring countries as well as Islamic nations.

For his part, Zarif welcomed formation of the national unity government in Afghanistan which promotes participation of all people in the country’s affairs and said a new chapter has opened in the life of the nation.

As always, Iran will stand by Afghanistan in all areas, he said.

The Iranian foreign minister also said that Iran is planning to run long-term programs based on mutual interest.

In a separate meeting with Afghanistan’s National Security Adviser Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Zarif said that Iran welcomes solid relations with Afghanistan, adding that both countries need to help the development process in the region.

The Afghan official hoped a future visit by President Ghani to Iran will result in working out cooperation agreements between the two countries in various fields.

Also in another meeting with former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the Iranian foreign minister hailed the role of former president in consolidating good and long-term relations [with Iran], saying it could help boost stability, security, progress and prosperity in the region.

Karzai appreciated Iran’s support for Afghanistan over years and said that Tehran has always played a positive role in boosting security and political development in Afghanistan.

Zarif also conferred with Afghan Government Executive Chief Abdullah Abduallah on issues of mutual interest.

The Iranian top diplomat then met with Afghan permanent representative to the UN, Zahir Tanin, at Iran’s Embassy in Kabul.

 

Restored Sphere by Arnaldo Pomodoro is unveiled in a Tehran Museum

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Iran-Italy

On January 20, honaronline.ir posted a report on a ceremony in which a restored Sphere sculpture by veteran Italian sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro was unveiled. The following is a partial translation of the piece:

The Sphere, a sculpture by Italy’s Arnaldo Pomodoro, was unveiled at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art with Director of the Visual Arts Center Majid Mola Nouruzi, Italian Ambassador to Iran Mauro Conciatori, Mazdak Feiznia representing the Feiznia Foundation, Hamid Ayni, a sculptor, a representative of the Pomodoro Foundation and a number of visual arts enthusiasts in attendance.

At the ceremony, before the artwork was unveiled, Mola Nouruzi said, “Organization of such an event is a reflection of good relationships between Iranian and Italian artists, and we are honored that there is an artwork by Pomodoro at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art.”

He added, “Restoration of the work which was carried out with the permission of the sculptor is a symbol of purging the earth of dust, attention to the environment and respect for artworks,”

As for Iran’s substantial presence after four decades in Venice Biennial next year, he stated, “Venice Biennial is a world event for the display of arts and fortunately, at the event next year, we are given an area 10 times bigger than that of previous years’.”

[…]

Thanking the Feiznias who contributed to the restoration of the sculpture, Italian Ambassador to Iran Mauro Conciatori said, “The sculpture was long exposed to pollution and had lost its luster, so it needed restoration.”

He went on to say, “From my perspective, the presence of an artwork by the Italian artist in Tehran and the attention given to its maintenance remind us of the strong historical bonds between Iran and Italy. Although a gap has appeared between the two countries in the past, art once again has brought them together.”

As for relations between the Italian Embassy with Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Conciatori stated, “Relations between the two are extremely good and pretty soon we will embark on a lot of joint programs. An exhibition featuring artworks by Iranian-Italian artist Bijan Basiri at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art as well as another expo showcasing the works of Bianchini, an Italian physician who lives in Iran, in the same museum are examples of such cooperation; the artworks of such artists are like a bridge linking the two nations.”

The representative of the Pomodoro Foundation at the ceremony said, “Pomodoro could not travel to Iran to observe the restoration of its work because of old age.”

Arnaldo Pomodoro, an Italian sculptor and artist, was born in the Italian city of Morciano in 1926. At present, he lives in Milan. The artist is well known for his spherical and columnar sculptures. Some of his works are on display in the Vatican Museum, Trinity College, Dublin, the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington D.C, Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, the de Young Museum in San Francisco and the University of California, Berkeley.

Of his artworks in Iran, one is on display at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art; another is housed in the library of Niavaran Palace; and a third stands outside the parking lot of Eram Amusement Park.

 

Iran, Russia ink defense cooperation agreement

By
Emad Askarieh
-
General Hossein Dehqan

Iran and Russia on Tuesday signed an agreement on defensive and military cooperation in Tehran.

The document was signed by the defense ministers of the two countries after a meeting in Tehran.

Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan held talks with his Russian counterpart, General Sergei Shoigu, who arrived in the Iranian capital on Monday night.

The agreement calls for the expansion of military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.

It also includes provisions that entail closer cooperation on “maintenance of regional and international peace, security and stability, and the fight against various types of terrorism, separatism and extremism.”

The Russian defense minister is heading a delegation of senior officials.

[…]

Enemy cannot prolong its pump war

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Pour Mohammadi

Iran’s justice minister has lashed out at those critical of the direction of nuclear talks with P5+1, saying that Iranian negotiators will not compromise the stances of the nation and those of the revolution.

On January 19, Arman-e Emrooz daily quoted Mostafa Pourmohammadi as saying that the enemy cannot prolong its oil war against Iran. The following is the translation of his remarks at a ceremony marking the martyrdom anniversary of Shahid Sayyid Navvab Safavi [an anti-Pahlavi cleric]:

Critics should stop saying that [the country’s] negotiators are over-optimistic, or that they have budged and do not properly defend the stances of people and those of the revolution.

Some even go further and say ‘You have pinned much hope on foreign assistance for reforming the economy.’ These people should be told, ‘If you do not believe in what your friends say, at least trust what the enemies say.’

Obama says that one problem associated with the talks is that Iranians have no trust in the US. This is true and at the same time very important. At the climax of the talks and at the peak of comings and goings we proved that we are defending our ideals to the best of our ability.

First, the enemy admitted that Iran is a regional power and second that ‘they [the Iranians] have no confidence in us [the US]’.

The slogan that ‘We continue to stand up and put up resistance’ remains as valid as ever, but it will produce good results if and when it comes with planning and wisdom.

From the outset, sanctions were imposed to cripple Iran’s economy and force us into submission, but on the back of the nation’s patience and prudence Iran has managed to keep in check the inflation and blunt the blade of sanctions.

The enemy cannot drag on the oil war. If the enemy had succeeded in securing its intended results from slapping anti-Iran sanctions, it would not have walked on the path to self-destruction by sending the oil prices plunging. The pump war cannot rage on.

A bedside visit by the health minister to an acid attack victim

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Hashemi

Health Minister Hassan Hashemi, who is also a veteran ophthalmologist, has paid a third bedside visit in as many months to Soheila Jorkesh, a 27-year-old woman who fell victim to an acid attack in Isfahan in late 2014. The following is a partial translation of a report Shahrvand, a daily, carried on January 19:

On January 18, Hassan Hashemi paid a visit to Farabi Hospital in Tehran where Soheila Jorkesh is hospitalized to get the latest about her condition and the course of treatment.

After examining her eyes, Hashemi said, “Several operations have been performed on her injured eyes and skin so far to restore her vision. The corneas of both eyes along with the tissue that holds the eye lens have been damaged.”

Underscoring the efforts of the medical team to restore vision in the victim’s left eye, the health minister said, “Right now, she is in good condition. The response of the injured eye to light and movement shows that the eye nerve is not damaged, but more operations are required. If everything goes well, within three to six months a corneal transplant will be carried out.”

Highlighting the fact that the government attaches significance to meeting the needs of the victims, he added, “The government has tasked us with providing quality healthcare to all Iranians; that’s an obligation and we feel duty-bound to honor it. Of course, promotion of culture in society is an important matter which should not be neglected, so that such aberrant behaviors which are below the dignity of the Iranians are not repeated.”

Hashemi stated, “Over the past two decades, there have been several acid attacks as a result of which some people have sustained serious injuries or even lost their sight. We should not allow such incidents to take place in our society.”

The health minister went on to say that ever since the incidents in Isfahan, there have been a number of other acid attacks mostly because of personal motives or family feuds.

Hashemi said that the interior minister has been following up the case to identify and arrest those behind the acid attacks.

Saying that government will pick up the tab for all treatment fees, the health minister added, “If the victims needed to be treated abroad, the fees would be paid. However, for the time being, there is clearly no need for such a move.”

Dr. Hashemi is no stranger to visiting patients in hospitals. After an acid attack in November, he paid a bedside visit to Dr. Siamand Anvari, the administrator of Tehran’s Ziaeian Hospital who had fallen victim to a professional feud. He also visited six children who sustained injuries following a landmine explosion in Kurdistan Province; he even performed eye surgery on one of the victims, Shokhan, a 7-year-old girl.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Jan. 20

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Iranian Newspapers Headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

The advance of the Iranian national soccer team to the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup in Australia following three back-to-back group-stage victories dominated the front pages of the Iranian dailies on Tuesday. A huge rally outside the French embassy in Tehran in protest against the publication of cartoons by a French weekly insulting the Prophet Muhammad was on the cover of many dailies too. The foreign minister’s expression of Iran’s readiness to strike a deal with P5+1 within a month made front-page headlines as well.

 

Afarinesh: Russia says Iran and P5+1 will have clinched a nuclear deal by the end of March.

Afarinesh: A brigadier general with the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps was martyred in an airstrike by Israel on Syria’s Golan Heights.

 

Afarinesh newspaper 1- 20

Afkar: “Iran’s strategy is preservation of Iraq’s territorial integrity,” said Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.

 

Afkar newspaper 1- 20

Aftab-e Yazd: Some Tehran residents who ride the subway to work ended up on the same train with President Rouhani and his foreign minister yesterday. During the impromptu meeting on board the subway car, a number of residents asked the president to keep the nuclear talks on the same track they have been so far.

Aftab-e Yazd: “We went out for a walk to leave a tense atmosphere that prevailed in the conference room,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said of the walk he took alongside US Secretary of State John Kerry on the streets of Geneva earlier this week.

 

Aftabe yazd newspaper 1- 20

Arman-e Emrooz: “We won’t face any problem even if oil prices plunged to $25 a barrel; no scenario has been put forth to raise gasoline prices,” said Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

Arman-e Emrooz: “Nuclear talks have entered a sophisticated stage,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

 

Armane emruz newspaper 1- 20

Asrar: “The private sector does not face any restriction forging economic cooperation with America,” said President Rouhani’s Chief of Staff Mohammad Nahavandian.

Asrar: “People cannot be denied social networks,” said Evaz Heidarpour, an MP who has a seat on parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.

 

Asrar newspaper 1- 20

Ebtekar: Those who thronged outside the French embassy in Tehran in protest at insults to Prophet Muhammad called for the expulsion of the French ambassador and the impeachment of Iran’s foreign minister.

 

Ebtekar newspaper 1- 20

Emtiaz: Moshfegh Kashani, an Iranian poet, has passed away.

 

Emtiaz newspaper 1- 20

Etemad: “Stability in Afghanistan will be to the benefit of both Iran and the US,” said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

Etemad: Cries of anger at Charlie Hebdo were heard in Tehran’s Neauphle-le-Château [a street where the French embassy is located].

 

Etemad newspaper 1- 20

Ettela’at: President Rouhani and his ministers took the subway to work on the Clean Air Day: Monday.

Ettela’at: Iran’s National soccer squad advanced to the Asian Cup quarterfinals in style, booking a berth among the eight top Asian teams.

 

Ettelaat newspaper 1- 20

Iran: “Do not sacrifice national interests for factional considerations,” Foreign Minister Zarif said in comments aimed at those who have stirred up commotion in protest at nuclear talks.

Iran: “Reza Ghoochannejad, broke down the resistance of the Emirati team at the 90th minute; Iran 1- UAE 0.”

 

Iran newspaper 1- 20

Jamejam: Expressing Iran’s readiness to conclude a nuclear deal by theanniversary of 1979 Islamic Revolution [February 11], the foreign minister said, “The wrong approach of the US has prolonged the talks.”

 

jame jam newspaper 1- 20

Javan: In a message, the leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement has warned Israel to “get your shelters ready”.

Javan: “If more pressure is exerted, we will leave the negotiating table,” said Iran’s nuclear negotiator Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.

 

Javan newspaper 1- 20

Kayhan: What bothers people is multiple price hikes, not cutting out the cash subsidies handed out to high-income individuals.

 

Kayhan newspaper 1- 20

Mardomsalari: “Driving a wedge between people is the historical plot of colonial powers,” said Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

 

Mardom salari newspaper 1- 20

Resalat: “Iran and Russia have inked an agreement for the construction of two more nuclear power plants,” said Director of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi.

 

Resalat newspaper 1- 20

 

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