UN deputy chief hopes for final Iran nuclear deal

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October 29, 2014

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Jan Eliasson on Wednesday expressed hope that Iran’s nuclear negotiations with P5+1 will reach a final comprehensive agreement which will benefit the entire world.

Eliasson made the remarks in a ceremony held in Tehran to mark the establishment anniversary of the United Nations Organization.

Eliasson hoped that besides reaching a final agreement, solutions will be worked out to other international problems as well.

He said national and international affairs are tightly intertwined in today’s world so that no single country can resolve its problem on its own.

As for major issues such as immigration and climate change, he added it will become clear that all world nations should have an international approach to resolving their problems.

In the current globalized world, no international issue can be settled without a global outlook, said the UN deputy secretary general.

Eliasson stressed that international cooperation on economic, social, political and international issues will be a great help for global peace and security.

The UN official said he has travelled to Iran more than 20 times, and added that in meetings with Iranian officials during his current visit, he will discuss major regional issues including the terrorist group of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the war in Syria.

He also hoped that his talks with Iranian officials will lead to finding a solution to major regional crises.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct.29

By

Emad Askarieh

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October 29, 2014

Remarks by the Supreme Leader who underscored Islamic unity as the official policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran drew the attention of Iranian dailies Wednesday. Comments of Chairman of the State Expediency Council Hashemi Rafsanjani about the possibility of his candidacy for the top job at the Assembly of Experts vacated after the passing of Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani also came under newspaper spotlight. What Iran’s deputy foreign minister described as a momentous time for P5+1 to make a hard decision was another headline-grabbing story of the day. Finally, elaboration on the details of the upcoming 20th International Exhibition of Press and News Agencies in Tehran by Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Hossein Entezami appeared on front pages too.

Abrar: “UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson has arrived in Tehran.”

Afkar: “We do not approve of classification of sanctions; the West should lift them all in one stage,” said Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi.

Aftab-e Yazd: “Iran’s economic growth is promising,” Reza Hamzeie, a Missouri Western State University professor of economics, said in an interview with Tasnim news agency.

Arman-e Emrooz: “An unprecedented measure by 50 MPs who signed a petition and handed it to the parliament speaker, appealing for the expulsion of Deputy Vice President for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mohammad Reza Khabbaz from the National Assembly. The parliamentarians claimed that Khabbaz had suggested there was a link between recent acid attacks in Isfahan and the concept of promoting virtue.”

Asia: “The 20^th International Exhibition of Press and News Agencieswill be held this year with the motto of ‘Responsible Freedom’,” said Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Hossein Entezami.

Asia: “I strongly believe that Facebook and Twitter have good functions,” said Mohammad Javad Larijani, the head of Human Rights Council, an affiliate of the Judiciary.

Asr-e Eghtesad: “A new round of nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 will get underway on November 18 in Vienna.”

Asrar: “Claims that Iran’s negotiating team has crossed the red line in nuclear talks amount to libel and are actionable,” argued Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham in reaction to allegations by a principlist MP.

Ebtekar: “Lobbying by diplomats during the hectic final days [before nuclear talks] has stepped up.”

Eghtesad-e Pooya: “Fruit imports are not permitted,” said the deputy agriculture minister.

Ettela’at: “Academics have thrown their weight behind President Rouhani’s pick for the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi.”

Hambastegi: “Imported gasoline does not have any problems,” said the head of the Iranian National Standards Organization.

Hamshahri: “Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who was called in by the City Council for some explanation about the alleged felling of some trees in Boostan Madar (Mother Park) in Tehran, said that there were no trees on the piece of land when he took office.”

Hemayat: “Two parliamentary caucuses are opposed to the president’s nominee to lead the Ministry of Science.”

Iran: “Foreign trade went beyond $57 billion between March 21 and October 22, 2014,”

Javan: “We are nine years behind the 20-year Economic Outlook Plan,” the State Expediency Council Secretariat reported.

Jomhouri Islami: “Seventy-three percent of the public are content with the implementation of the Healthcare Reform Plan,” said Deputy Health Minister Mohammad Aghajani.

Kaenat: “Preparations to supply natural gas to Sistan and Baluchestan Province have got underway.”

Kayhan: “At least 70 percent of MPs won’t grant a vote of confidence to a person who has got a lot in common with Reza Farajidana [the former minister of science, research and technology who lost the top job after his impeachment by parliament].”

Rah-e Mardom: “Abdolhossein Mokhtabad, a member of Tehran City Council, in a speech before the council contended that a large amount of money had been deposited into the personal bank account of a city councilor, asking why a city official should keep the large amount of money in his personal account. In response, Chairman of the City Council Mehdi Chamran argued that no member of the council has a personal bank account with public funds in it.”

Resalat: “Removal of filtering is similar to bringing down the walls of a house,” said Head of the Human Rights Council at the Judiciary Mohammad Javad Larijani.

Roozan: “The news website affiliated with former President Ahmadinejad does not have a work permit.”

Shahrvand: “Flooding has swept across Gilan Province; landslide has cut off five villages near Astara.”

Sharq: “MP signatures on a petition for the impeachment of Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Ali Jannati have reached the number required for the impeachment procedure to get underway.”

Tafahom: “Four Iranian universities have appeared on the list of best global universities posted on the website of U.S. News. University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, Isfahan University of Technology and Amir Kabir University of Technology were recognized as top-ranking Iranian institutes of higher education.”

Vatan-e Emrooz: “The package intended to lift Iran out of recession runs counter to the principles of a resistance-based economy,” the parliament’s Research Center reported.

Nili rejected; science ministry remains bossless

By

Emad Askarieh

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October 29, 2014

Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi, President Rouhani’s nominee for the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, failed to win a vote of confidence from the Islamic Consultative Assembly on Wednesday.

The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported that parliament did not find President Rouhani’s pick for the Ministry of Science qualified enough for the post.

The Islamic Consultative Assembly went into session on Wednesday to debate Nili’s credentials. He was rejected by MPs 160-79. Out of 246 ballots cast, there were seven abstentions.

Nili is the third candidate introduced by the eleventh government to take over the science ministry in more than a year.

Ja’far Mili-Monfared and Reza Faraji-Dana were Nili’s predecessors who shared the same fate. The former was rejected by parliament outright and Iran’s parliament withdrew its confidence vote from the latter ten months after endorsing him for the portfolio.

With the legislative rejection, the fate of the ministry still hangs in the air.

“Responsible Freedom” is the motto of 2014 Press Exhibition

By

Emad Askarieh

-

October 29, 2014

The 20^th Exhibition of Press and News Agencies, which will be held in Tehran November 8-14, focuses on “Responsible Freedom”, said Hossein Entezami, the deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance in charge of the Press Department.

Khabaronline (khabaronline.ir) reported on October 29 that the exhibition will open in Tehran’s Grand Musalla on November 8 and will run through November 14. What comes below is the translation – in part – of the report by Khabaronline:

Entezami recalled the motto picked for the 2014 exhibition and said, “Mass media should be free to accomplish their mission.”

He went on to say that the eleventh government has adopted “Press freedom should be exercised according to law” as one of its platforms, adding, “Naturally, the government is going down the path of press freedom. Media too have responsibilities to undertake when it comes to social questions. They should take heed of social issues and honor their commitments.”

The deputy minister then said that ten groups will take part in the big cultural event, among them newspapers, news agencies, press organizations, non-Farsi journals, as well as provincial and sporting publications.

Entezami, who also represents press managers in the Press Supervisory Board, said that this year’s exhibition will have new additions such as media which focus on religion and thinking, public relations offices and press-related businesses.

Registration for participation in the expo starts on October 28, he said, adding the media which fail to sign up will be given another opportunity later to apply.

Another section the deputy minister touched upon in his briefing was the exhibition’s Policymaking Council. He said that the council is comprised of the Coordination Council of the Media Management Organizations and top ranking officials of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance’s Press Department.

He then spoke of four media management organizations and said the heads of these organizations have a seat on the Coordination Council of the Media Management Institutions which helps plan the programs to be executed in the exhibition.

A change in the way the exhibition’s bulletin is released is on the agenda this year, he said, adding that each day one of the newspapers will put out the daily bulletin in line with the regulations worked out by the Coordination Council.

Afkham: Gov’t will not strike nuclear deal in violation of red lines

By

Emad Askarieh

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October 29, 2014

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Tuesday that the government will not strike a nuclear deal in violation of the red lines.

Afkham dismissed speculations by political parties opposed to the government that the negotiating team had reached a nuclear accord in defiance of the red lines of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“No agreement on any topic has yet been reached and the only point of accord is the name and title of the eventual agreement which is the Joint Action Comprehensive Plan.”

She said the negotiating team is well aware of the red lines of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is committed to observing them with full sensitivity.

She said that the alleged violation of the red lines by the negotiators is without basis, adding that the government reserves the right to take legal action against its opponents who speculate about nuclear talks with Western governments.

She noted that the negotiating team knows better than others that any accord irrespective of the red lines of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be null and void.

Sextet should take tough decision in nuclear talks

By

Emad Askarieh

-

October 29, 2014

The time has come for the world powers to make a tough decision on Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy program, an Iranian deputy foreign minister said.

“If they are supposed to make a tough decision, this is the right time, and this is doable if they are really open to negotiation,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for American and European Affairs Majid Takht Ravanchi said in an interview with state TV on Tuesday.

The diplomat, who is also a member of the Iranian team of nuclear negotiators engaged in the talks with six world powers, warned against the ongoing attempts to ruin the talks.

Takht Ravanchi also reiterated that the entire anti-Iran sanctions should be lifted at once in the wake of a final, comprehensive nuclear deal between Tehran and P5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

Iran will never agree that the sanctions would be divided into separate categories or be removed one by one, he underlined.

He further noted that a final deal on Tehran’s nuclear case would be possible before a November 24 deadline, provided that “the Westerners would be really after resolving the problem.”

The senior diplomat also dismissed the idea of extension of the nuclear talks, and said, “We do not think about extending the negotiations and try to achieve our favorable result in the definite time span.”

It came after IRNA on Monday quoted an unnamed Iranian nuclear negotiator as dismissing a report by the Los Angeles Times about the possibility of an extension of the talks.

“The paper’s report is not true and the extension of the negotiations is not on the agenda. All the attention is focused on the serious continuation of the negotiations until November 24,” the official had announced.

30-year jail sentence demanded for Indian murderers of Iranian

By

Emad Askarieh

-

October 29, 2014

According to reports, the prosecutor asked the court for the jail sentence to be handed down to the Indian couple, Rajeshwar Singh and Gagandeep Kaur, who shared a Milan apartment with 29-year-old Iranian Mahtab Savoji back when they murdered her in January.

The presiding judge has reportedly set the next hearing session for December 11.

Police say the murder was the result of Savoji’s refusal to accept sexual propositions from the couple.

Savoji’s body was found stuffed in a suitcase in a canal in Venice on January 28.

The two Indians were caught on Venice train station cameras acting suspiciously and were arrested on February 3 by the Italian police as potential suspects in the murder case.

Italian police said the Indian couple initially denied any involvement in the murder of Savoji, but the evidence provided by the security camera footage was later used against them and led to their confessions.

A postmortem examination revealed that Savoji died of asphyxiation. No water was found in her lungs, which indicated to investigators that the Iranian woman must have been killed before she was dumped in the canal.

Savoji had been living in Milan to pursue a two-month course in costume designing at the renowned Italian Academy.

Iranian MP lashes out at purported nuclear deal between Iran and US

By

Emad Askarieh

-

October 28, 2014

Tasnim, a news agency, reported on October 28 that an Iranian MP has said Tehran and Washington have reportedly clinched a nuclear deal which in his words “crosses the red lines of the Islamic establishment”. The following is the translation of the brief report:

Alireza Zakani, who represents Tehran in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, told an open session of parliament on Tuesday that he has heard from sources that the Iranian and American negotiators have finalized a nuclear deal. But the silence of the Iranian diplomacy machine in the face of American hallucination has emboldened the Great Satan to seek more and make more baseless allegations.

“That some individuals who are close to the nuclear case have sought to launch a campaign which suggests ‘any deal is better than no deal’ is humiliating and condemnable. We want the country’s security agencies to get to the bottom of the issue,” Zaklani said.

He went on to say that reports suggest the implicit agreement between the two sides “crosses the red lines of the Islamic establishment. That will certainly violate the rights of the Iranian people and trample their nuclear achievements.”

“Submission to the unfair demands of the US that Iran decrease and change the nature of its enrichment activity in return for the partial easing of sanctions is unacceptable and runs counter of the national interests of Iran and the Islamic establishment,” Zakani said.

Article 125 of the Constitution entitles the Islamic Consultative Assembly to vote on the international commitments of the government, he stated, adding, “Unfortunately, as far as the nuclear case is concerned the Islamic Consultative Assembly is kept in the dark and MPs are not being informed about what is going on. Failure of the executive branch to take note of the viewpoints of MPs will cause problems for which nuclear negotiators should be held accountable.”

In conclusion the MP called on IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) to organize expert debates to let the public in on what is really going on.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 28

By

Emad Askarieh

-

October 28, 2014

Snapshots and remarks of President Rouhani about the possibility of a nuclear deal between Iran and P5+1 in meetings with the new ambassadors of four European countries appeared on the front pages of most Iranian dailies on Tuesday. Good news about a drop in inflation rate also generated headlines. Speculations about whether or not the president’s proposed minister of science wins a vote of confidence in parliament were also pretty much in the news.

Abrar: “We have yet to figure out what kind of principlism former President Ahmadinejad practices!” said Parliament Vice-Speaker Mohammad Reza Bahonar.

Abrar: “An Iranian-American woman has been nominated as US ambassador to Sweden; Azita Rajizan, who was a fundraiser during Obama’s reelection campaign in 2012, needs the approval of Senate before taking charge of the US mission in Stockholm.”

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: “Inflation has slipped below 20 percent.”

Abrar-e Eghtesadi: “Iran’s Income Distribution Pyramid reveals that 7 million people are below the poverty line, suffering from grinding poverty with their food security at stake, whereas 6 million individuals are filthy rich, leading life similar to their American counterparts.”

Afkar: Some235 individuals, mostly students, have been hospitalized for poisoning in Zahedan. One-hundred-fifty of the patients who inhaled poisonous fumes have been discharged. Environmental health experts are investigating the incident.

Aftab-e Yazd: “One hundred minutes of anxiety and panic; Flight 550 of Aseman Airlines had a close shave. The Yerevan-bound Boeing 727 with 124 passengers and crew on board was forced to have an emergency landing at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport 100 minutes into the flight in the early afternoon of October 27.”

Aftab-e Yazd: “Claims by principlists that the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council disapproves of Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi [President Rouhani’s pick for minister of science] are false.”

Arman-e Emrooz: “Ten suspects have been taken into custody in connection with recent acid attacks.”

Asia: “Iran has invited US automakers to take part in a second Iranian Auto Industry International Conference (IAIIC). Among other automotive giants, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Fiat have so far voiced readiness to attend.”

Asia: “Export and import permits will be granted with ease; with agents at ten fully-authorized customs offices across the country, hurdles will be cleared.”

Asrar: “There has been tangible progress in expert-level talks between Iran and P5+1,” said an Iranian official.

Asrar: “A nuclear deal between Iran and P5+1 could be struck before the end of next month,” predicted President Rouhani.

Ebtekar: “President Rouhani’s nominee to lead the Ministry of Science, Research and Technologyis coming under heavier fire as a vote of confidence by MPs approaches.”

Emtiaz: “Ten percent of [Iranian] teenage girls do not have access to education.”

Etemad: “Ayatollah Hashemi has not told anyone whether or not he will field his candidacy for chairmanship of the Assembly of Experts [vacated after the passing of Ayatollah Mahdavi Kani],” said an official at the Public Relations Office of the State Expediency Council. Earlier, Ahmad Khatami, a principlist cleric, claimed that he had heard that Hashemi Rafsanjani was not going to run for the top job.”

Ettela’at: In a meeting with the new Italian, Belgian, Norwegian, and Turkish ambassadors to Iran, President Rouhani underlined, “Continued sanctions will harm the interests of all sides, in particular the European Union.”

Ettela’at: “Dr. Mohammad Reza Omidkhah, an Iranian researcher and professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Tarbiat Modares University, has been recognized as a top international researcher.”

Hambastegi: “We should make the most of the potential of social networks in our favor,” said Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati.

Hamshahri: “The second train carrying European tourists has arrived in Tehran.”

Hamshahri: “The production sector did not receive any share of the revenues raised by the Targeted Subsidies Plan between March 21 and September 22, 2014.”

Iran: “The knot over the rights to broadcast Premier League matches between national TV and Football Federation officials has yet to be untied.”

Iran News: “FM and nuclear negotiating team visit Fordo, Natanz sites.”

Iran News: “Austrian investors eyeing removal of sanctions to return to Iran market.”

Javan: “A plot to establish an ISIL Emirate in northern Lebanon has been foiled; ISIL terrorists suffered a heavy blow in Tripoli. Secretary General of Hezbollah Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah warned about the large-scale plot by terrorists in Tripoli.”

Jamejam: “An Arab-Zionist lobby against nuclear talks; hawks at Congress are sparking off a crisis.”

Jomhouri Islami: “Health costs will see another fall as of November 6,” vowed the deputy health minister.

Jomhouri Islami: “Air pollution in Ahvaz [capital of Khuzestan Province] is complicated and serious,” said Health Minister Seyyed Hassan Hashemi.

Jomhouri Islami: “Major victories of the Iraqi army in the battle against ISIL.”

Kaenat: “Thirty people have been taken into custody in connection with the case involving fake military service exemption cards,” saidthe head of Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces.

Kaenat has quoted the director of the Environment Protection Organization as saying that the amount of benzene in the air has dropped sharply.

Kar va Kargar: “Iran’s peaceful activities will carry on,” said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during a visit to Fordo and Natanz nuclear facilities.

Kayhan: “Liberation of Jurf al-Sakhar [southwest of Baghdad] during Ashura Operation has turned heads globally.” Iranian general Ghasem Soleimani is said to have played a key role in the operation.

Qods: “Policies of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Iran have been modified in keeping with the guidelines issued by the Supreme Leader.”

Roozan: “Iranian expatriate investors have taken President Rouhani up on his offer; Capital of Iranian expats living in the UAE is en route to Arvand Free Zone.”

Sharq: “The suspects already arrested were not behind recent acid attacks,” said the provincial governor of Isfahan.

Sharq: “After two individuals filed complaints about the harmful effects of satellite-signal-jamming equipment, Tehran’s Prosecutorial Office stepped in to investigate the case.”

SMT: The director general of the International Affairs Department at the National Iranian Oil Company says experts have suggested that next year’s budget be drafted based on oil prices of between $70 and $75 per barrel.

Iran calls on fellow Caspian states to help save Caspian seals

By

Emad Askarieh

-

October 28, 2014

Caspian seal, an endangered species in the world’s largest landlocked sea, is facing the threat of extinction due to excessive hunting.

Amir Sayyadi Shirazi, a veterinary expert, said in addition to global warming which is an environmental factor endangering the Caspian seal, “overhunting poses a grave threat to these animals. The safe places where seals give birth have been destroyed in Russia and Turkmenistan. Seal meat is used in fox-breeding farms in Russia and some Turkmen people believe that the fat under the seal’s skin is good for treating arthritis, which of course has no scientific basis.”

Shirazi criticized the Caspian littoral states for exploiting the Caspian environment and said, “We have formed a rescue group an objective of which is to enhance relations among countries in order to save the Caspian seal.”

“In 2008, a British organization estimated the number of seals in the Caspian Sea at 100,000,” he said, “but considering the drop in their ranks over the years, their number is predicted to be between 70 and 80 thousand now.”

“In Kazakhstan and Russia seal hunting licenses are issued, but we must prohibit hunting to preserve this endangered species,” said Vahid Kheirabadi, the head of the Wildlife Administration at the Department of Environment in Golestan Province.

“The Caspian Sea is shared among five countries and one country cannot deal with all the pollution issues on its own,” Kheirabadi asserted, “All five countries must cooperate to resolve these environmental issues.”

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

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

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

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

UN deputy chief hopes for final Iran nuclear deal

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct.29

Nili rejected; science ministry remains bossless

“Responsible Freedom” is the motto of 2014 Press Exhibition

Afkham: Gov’t will not strike nuclear deal in violation of red lines

Sextet should take tough decision in nuclear talks

30-year jail sentence demanded for Indian murderers of Iranian

Iranian MP lashes out at purported nuclear deal between Iran and US

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Oct. 28

Iran calls on fellow Caspian states to help save Caspian seals

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