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Tehran environmental police saved two crocodiles from traffickers

Iran-Crocodiles

A sting operation in Tehran has resulted in the arrest of a professional animal trafficker.

According to the website of Iran Environment and Wildlife Watch (www.iew.ir) in the operation two environmental police officers went undercover and passed themselves off as animal dealers to track down an animal trader.

They pretended to be interested in buying two crocodiles. To win the trust of the trafficker, they even made a down payment and wired money into his bank account.

One of the officers showed up incognito at the pre-arranged rendezvous and right after the trafficker turned up, the environmental forces took action and arrested him.

 

Talks won’t result in serious easing of sanctions: Iranian expert

nuclear-iran

Prior to the inconclusive ending of a seventh round of nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 in New York, principlist dailies in Iran kept beating the drum of a possible failure of the negotiations. One such newspaper was Vatan-e Emrooz, run by Mehrdad Bazrpash, who has a seat on the Presiding Board of parliament and is a close ally of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. On September 20, the daily, which makes no secret of its criticism of President Rouhani, published an exclusive interview with Mehdi Mohammadi, a political analyst and nuclear talks expert.
The assessment of this well-known principlist media figure of the talks has nothing to do with the venue or timing of the talks – rather it is based on an unshakable principlist stand that will remain in effect, at least for the duration of the current round of talks between Iran and the world powers: “The Geneva Interim Agreement is unlikely to produce a satisfactory outcome for Iran.” In light of the fact that Tehran and the P5+1 are to pick up the nuclear talks in a European city in less than two weeks, part of Mohammadi’s comments retain its relevance. The following is the translation of an excerpt of his answer to a question on the existing mistrust between Tehran and Washington:
Direct contacts with the US have done nothing to soften the stance of P5+1 in dealing with Tehran. Neither have they resulted in any compromise on their part. On the contrary, they have led to a more radical approach in certain areas, because world powers now assume that we need the talks.
The level of mistrust is too high. There is a fundamental difference between the viewpoints of Iranian nuclear negotiators and those [at home] who are critical of them. The critics say in dealing with the US or even when a deal is struck, Iranian negotiators should always bear in mind that an enemy whose approach is based on a formula of fear is sitting across the table.
I personally believe nuclear negotiations are a fear-based arrangement. In these talks no one will make any concessions unless they are afraid, and the extent of concessions they make depends on the level of their fear. Any party that feels it will have to pay a heftier price in case a deal is not struck will back off and offer more concessions.
Some individuals on Iran’s negotiating team do not share my stance. To them the US is not an enemy; rather, it is a rival or even a partner. They seem to be of the opinion that what is going on between us [Tehran and Washington] is rivalry, rather than animosity. That is why they view some of the concerns of the other side as justified and believe trust-building measures are needed to ease those concerns.
For example on Iraq, until the Supreme Leader declared his position some thought Iran could partner with the United States. Ironically, the Americans said the fact that they had the same enemy as Iran in Iraq did not mean the two countries shared the same strategy.
These are two different views. If you sit at the negotiating table with the Americans believing that they are your rival or partner, your approach would be different from when you view the ones sitting across the table as your enemies. This is a fundamental question that I believe will remain open for now.
The most important reason behind mistrust which has intensified during the talks is that there has been no practical sign of any decline in the extent of American hostility toward Iran. It is not just the talks; Iran and the United States deal with each other across the region on a daily basis. If there were any improvement in their behavior, we would have definitely spotted it. It had to manifest itself on one front or another.
Not only has there been no such thing as a decline in hostilities, the American attitude has taken a turn for the worse on many fronts, including sanctions, politics, media and in international institutions. Even on the consular front that the [Iranian] president has promised to restore the cachet of the Iranian passport, things have worsened.
I believe what should be taken into account is the fact that talks with the United States have seen their hostility against Iran grow. The American strategic calculations are to blame for that. Whenever they see pressures pay off, they turn up the heat. That is who they are. One should not expect otherwise.
Pressures will ease only when the Americans feel that their strategy has backfired and stiffened Iran’s resolve. With the approach adopted by the new government, even if there is a final deal and sanctions are eased on certain fronts, which is not unlikely, more pressure will be brought to bear in other areas.
President Rouhani’s administration has assured the US that its strategy of pressure pays off, so it has to pay the price for its missteps by tolerating more pressure. That is the American-style logic, and there seems to be no solution to it.

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Sept. 30

Iranian Newspapers headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

Two stories generated headlines Tuesday on the front pages of Iranian dailies. The stellar performance of Iranian athletes in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea which landed Iran in the fifth spot of the medal table was the first top story. The Caspian Summit and comments by President Rouhani at the gathering were also splashed across the front pages of newspapers.

Aftab-e Yazd: “Once more an impeachment tsunami is on the horizon; some [MPs] are insisting on impeaching the minister of energy.”

 

Aftabe Yazd newspaper-09-30


Arman-e Emrooz: “Protesters thronged outside the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, chanting slogans against the minister.” What is perceived as widespread disregard for the Islamic dress code was the reason why the worriers [a reference to radical advocates of the former president who have voiced concern about the state of affairs under President Rouhani] gathered outside the ministry.

Arman-e Emrooz: “I will present evidence, I do not accept my conviction and will appeal the verdict,” said former First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi, who was recently found guilty of corruption.

 

Arman newspaper-09-30


Ebtekar: “Netanyahu’s delirium; the Israeli prime minister described Palestinian resistance and the killing of people at the hands of ISIL as two sides of the same coin.”

Ebtekar: “Extremists poisoned the atmosphere of the [nuclear] talks,” said Chairman of the State Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Ebtekar: “I did not take one iota of action which ran counter to the law,” said former Tehran Prosecutor General Saeed Mortazavi.

Ebtekar: “A state of emergency in the principlist camp” is the headline of a report that underlines there are deep divisions among principlists prior to the 10th parliamentary elections. The daily speculates that following the setback the faction suffered in the presidential vote in 2013, it might have to set aside differences and acquiesce to forming a coalition with other groups, in particular the Islamic Revolution Stability Front, to secure victory in the upcoming vote and make up for the past defeat.

 

Ebtekar newspaper-09-30


Eghtesad-e Pooya: “Oil revenues have beaten figures projected in the budget,” said Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

Eghtesad-e Pooya: “Today the world’s widest-body airliner is to touch down at Imam Khomeini Airport.”

 

Eghtesade Pouya newspaper-09-30


Etemad: “In privatizing oil companies, the previous government cherry-picked the best firms and left us with dead wood,” complained the oil minister.

 

Etemad newspaper-09-30


Ettela’at: “The Caspian Sea should be a symbol of peace, security, and cooperation between nations,” said President Rouhani at the 4th Caspian Summit.

Ettela’at: “Coalition jet fighters targeted the Iraqi army instead of ISIL positions.”

Ettela’at: “A service in commemoration of Mohammad Ebrahim Bastani Parizi [an Iranian author, historian and poet who died on March 25, 2014] at the Council for Cultural Assets and Works.”

 

Ettelaat newspaper-09-30


Hemayat: “The obstacles that America and Canada are throwing in the way of extraditing Mahmoud Reza Khavari [ the former CEO of Iran’s Melli Bank who is the main defendant in Iran’s biggest banking fraud case] are politically motivated,” said the deputy prosecutor general for political and security affairs.

 

Hemayat newspaper-09-30


Iran Daily: “Iran jumps to fifth spot in Asian Games medal table.”

 

Iran Daily newspaper-09-30


Iran News: “Iran has several squadrons of secret drones.”

Iran News: “S. Arabia urges peaceful solution to Iran nuclear issue.”

 

Iran news newspaper-09-30


Javan: “New York talks under wraps; apparently nuclear talks have made more progress than officials let on.” is a report in which the daily encourages new speculation and casts doubt on the inconclusive outcome of New York nuclear talks. Drawing on the comments of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov [who said the negotiations are “moving in the right direction” and that “some 95 percent of the deal is agreed.”] and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier [“We have never been so close to a deal as now.”], the daily believes the Iranian and American negotiating teams are economical with the outcome of the talks and keep some parts of the deal to themselves.

 

Javan newspaper-09-30


Jomhouri Islami: “Nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 will get underway in less than two weeks,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.

 

Jomhouri Eslami newspaper-09-30


Kaenat: “Threecooperation deals and a statement have been signed by countries on the Caspian Sea.”

 

Kaenat  newspaper-09-30


Kayhan: “The plan to open a joint Iran-America Chamber of Commerce has been scuttled,” said the secretary general of the Iranian Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce.

Kayhan: “The individual who fatally stabbed Ali Khalili [a 19-year old man who was assaulted and beaten while promoting virtue in 2011 and died from his fatal injuries in 2014] was sentenced to death.

 

Kayhan  newspaper-09-30


Nasl-e Farda: “The Supreme Leader sent a letter on [protection of] the environment to officials in charge,” said a member on the Healthcare and the Environment Commission of Tehran City Council. The daily quoted the councilor as saying that in the last meeting between the city councilors and the Leader efforts to protect green spaces and gardens in Tehran Province were highlighted. To that end, later, the Leader sent letters, among others, to Tehran mayor, the minister of roads and urbanization, the interior minister, and Tehran provincial governor, instructing them to revamp the law to protect greenery.

 

Nasle Farda newspaper-09-30


Sharq: “Plans to charge transaction fees from shops which use debit card readers havebeenputon hold.”

 

Shargh daily  newspaper-09-30


Sobh-e Eghtesad: “Holding talks with British officials is not among the announced red lines,” said Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular and Parliamentary Affairs Hassan Ghashghavi.

 

Sobhe Eghtesad newspaper-09-30


Taadol: “Iran and P5+1 do not seek to go back to the previous conditions,” said Chairman of the State Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

 

Taadol  newspaper-09-30

 

Iran and Italy sign MOU on archeology

Archeology-Iran-Italy
Archeology-Iran-Italy

The Cultural Heritage and Tourism Research Center of the Islamic Republic of Iran has signed an MOU on archeology with the Cultural Heritage Department of University of Bologna in Italy.

According to the Iranian Cultural Heritage News Agency (CHN), under the 9-point memorandum which was signed by the head of the Iranian research center Mohammad Beheshti and Italy’s Angelo Pompilio, the two sides willcooperate in the field of training and research, as well as restoration and maintenance of archeological sites.

After signing the agreement, the Iranian official said Iran is interested in tapping into the expertise and experience of others in areas where local experts are less experienced.

The Italian official for his part vowed to pick the best of Italian experts for projects in Iran and said Italian experts are very much interested in working in Iran thanks to its rich cultural heritage and numerous archeological sites.

Rouhani criticizes Cameron’s anti-Iran remarks

Iran-Hassan-Rouhani
Iran-Hassan-Rouhani

Rouhani made the remarks at a press conference upon arrival back in Tehran after a tour that took him to New York and the Russian city of Astrakhan, where he attended a 4th summit of the Caspian states.

The Iranian president said his meeting with Cameron came at the request of the British government.

“The meeting with David Cameron, the British prime minister, was requested by London. During his address [at the UN General Assembly] he made a statement that was inappropriate,” President Rouhani said.

Rouhani said the meeting focused on Iran’s nuclear energy program, the issues of “violence,” and “instability” in the region along with Tehran-London bilateral ties.

Following the meeting, Cameron said during his address at the 69th annual session of the UN General Assembly that Tehran should change its policies regarding “support for terrorist organizations, its nuclear program, [and] its treatment of its people.”

[…]

The president also described nuclear talks between Iran and P5+1 as progressive.

[…]

Iran, Russia determined to improve ties: Rouhani

Iran-Russia-Rouhani-putin
Iran-Russia-Rouhani-putin

“The importance of Russia has increased in Iran’s regional and strategic relations and numerous meetings between the two countries’ officials are a proof of the consolidation of ties and the two sides’ determination to expand them,” Rouhani said in a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Astrakhan city on Monday.

Rouhani added that he had held meetings with the Russian president four times over the past year and discussed bilateral, regional and international developments.

President Rouhani also touched upon the issue of anti-terrorism campaign and said, “Those who currently intend to lead the fight against terrorists in the region have started to pay attention [to this the problem] too late. This is among the Iranian nation’s honors that it identified the danger before others and fought it.”

The Russian president, for his part, said Tehran and Moscow share a common stance on many regional and international issues.

He added that enhanced cooperation between the two countries has been an important factor behind stability in Central Asia and the Middle East.

The Iranian president paid a two-day visit to Russia to attend the 4th summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states after he wrapped up his visit to New York where he attended the 69th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.

 

No foreign military force must enter Caspian region: Rouhani

Iran-Hassan-Rouhani-caspian sea
Iran-Hassan-Rouhani-caspian sea

“There is consensus among all the Caspian Sea littoral states that they are capable of maintaining the security of the Caspian Sea and military forces of no foreign country must enter the sea,” Rouhani said in the Russian city of Astrakhan on Monday.

He called on the Caspian Sea littoral states to attach due significance to their common interests and interactions.

“The nations’ interests and joint cooperation can strengthen unity among the Caspian Sea littoral states,” the Iranian president added.

He noted that energy, transportation, fisheries and tourism are among grounds for cooperation among the Caspian Sea states.

Rouhani made the comments after presidents and senior officials of Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan signed three documents for cooperation and issued a joint statement at the end of the 4th summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states on Monday.

The five states agreed to expand cooperation on Caspian Sea water and meteorology, natural disasters and environmental protection.

The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water by area and is variously classed as the world’s largest lake or a full-fledged sea.

The issue of the Caspian Sea’s legal regime gained importance following the breakup of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the emergence of new independent states.

Iranian parliament speaker proposes ban on hunting

Larijani and environment
Larijani and environment

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has suggested that a ban be imposed on hunting to protect endangered species and the environment.

In a speech at a ceremony in Tehran to commemorate Iranian rangers Monday, the top MP called for all-out endeavors to protect the environment in the country, adding that environmental challenges should be properly dealt with in order to securesustainable development.

“If the environmental problems are not resolved, we cannot reach sustainable development and push ahead with it” Ali Larijani said

While the need for industrial progress is inevitable, environmental issues should also be taken into account in the course of development, he added.

Larijani also pledged that the parliament will endorse any bill proposed by the country’s Environment Protection Organization that ensures the security of rangers in clashes with the poachers.

 

A look at Iranian newspaper front pages on Sept. 29

Iranian Newspapers headlines
Iranian Newspapers Headlines

Several Iranian newspapers put the gold medal Iranian freestyle wrestler Reza Yazdani bagged for the country in the 2014 Asian Games on their front pages. Also drawing attention was the strong objection of Iranian MPs to unfounded remarks by the British prime minister against Iran.

Abrar:“The press remain exempt from paying taxes,” according to a draft bill approved in parliament.

 

Abrar nows paper_09_29


Afkar: “Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Tammam Salam, who met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on the sidelines of the 69th meeting of the UN General Assembly, has appealed to Tehran to help Lebanon solve its problems.”

Afkar: “The three Persian Gulf islands [of Abu Musa, the Greater and the Lesser Tunbs] are part and parcel of Iranian territory”, underscored Iran’s UN envoy in reaction to remarks Saturday by the UAE foreign minister who asked for the settlement of Iran-UAE dispute at the International Court of Justice.

 

Afkar nowspaper_09_29


Asr-e Iranian: “The next round of nuclear talks is to be held in Europe.”

 

Asre iranian nowspaper_09_29


Ebtekar: “Parliament is not the place for clamor,” Parliament Vice-Speaker Mohammad Hassan Abou-Torabi tells Hamid Rasaei, a hardline MP and a member of the Islamic Revolution Stability Front known for his unwavering support for former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his policies.

Ebtekar also takes a look at Babak Zanjani’s corruption case and reports that four ministers who served in Ahmadinejad’s administration have been implicated in the graft case involving the billionaire businessman.

 

Ebtekar nowspaper_09_29


Eghtesad-e Pooyaquotes the managing director of Tehran Regional Electric Company as saying that plans have been drawn up to clear the capital of high-voltage electricity transmission towers, adding to that end Tehran’s electricity network will be transferred underground.

 

Eghtesade pouya nowspaper_09_29


Emtiaz highlights repeated warnings by the health minister on people’s rising intake of oil, sugar and salt which contribute to the leading causes of death in Iran.

Emtiaz:Plan to increase air fares have been put on hold for the time being,” the director of the Civil Aviation Organization said.

 

Emtiaz nowspaper_09_29


Ettela’at: Iran hasn’t had a hand in the AMIA bombing, said Argentina’s President Cristina Kirchner in reference to a 1994 attack on a Jewish center in Buenos Aires which killed 85 people and injured hundreds.

Ettela’at: Human error and technical glitch are to blame for the crash in early August of Iran-140 (Antonov-140) passenger plane in Tehran.

Ettela’at also reported that a park in Tehran hosted a conference Sunday on Iranian painting and the environment in the artistic works of Master Mahmoud Farshchian, a renowned painter.

 

Ettelaat nowspaper_09_29


Farhikhtegan cites the first vice-president as saying in a meeting of the Supreme Article 44 Council [which deals with privatization of state companies] that the eleventh government has fared well in ceding state agencies to the private sector. He also said the 35 percent growth the Rouhani administration has posted in a year on privatization equals what previous governments did in 12 years.

 

Farhikhtegan nowspaper_09_29


Hambastegi: “The eleventh government is determined to implement a plan on insurance coverage for the media” said the deputy minister of culture and Islamic guidance for media affairs.

Hambastegi: “The Americans have admitted that they cannot destroy ISIL without Iran’s help” Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said in an Islamic Azad University meeting.

 

Hambastegi nowspaper_09_29


Jahan-e Sanat: “The first tourism train is to cross the border into Iran Monday,” is a front-page headline that says the train with 130 tourists on board originates from Istanbul, Turkey and crosses the border into western Iran at Razi Border Crossing.

Jahan-e Sanat: Dick Costolo, the CEO of Twitter Inc., has said in a tweet that he has talked on the phone with Iran’s Foreign Minister Zarif to have the ban on the social networking service in Iran removed.

 

Jahane sanat nowspaper_09_29


Javan: “Shouts of ‘Down with Britain’ are echoed in the Islamic Consultative Assembly”, is the daily’s top pick for its front page.

 

Javan newspaper_09_29


Jomhouri Islami: Iran doubled the revenues it collects from gas condensates in the first half of the Iranian calendar year (starting March 21, 2014), according to an official report by the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone.

Jomhouri Islami: President Rouhani predicts upon arrival in Astrakhan that the 4th Summit of Caspian states will produce acceptable results.

 

Jomouri eslami newspaper_09_29


Kayhan: Separate operations by Peshmerga, local and volunteer forces, as well as the Iraqi army take back the control of 29 villages from ISIL militants in northern Iraq.

 

Keyhan newspaper_09_29


Nasl-e Farda: Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is due to submit a report to the Iranian parliament on the UN General Assembly, New York nuclear talks, and the Caspian summit when he is back home from the Russian city of Astrakhan.

 

Nasle farda newspaper_09_29


Roozan: “The upstarts are trying to use the [Iran-Iraq] war as a tool to eliminate others,” said former President Mohammad Khatami.

Roozan: “Clamor in the House of People”, is a front-page story on new demands by Hossein Allah Karam, a key member of Ansar-e Hezbollah, who calls for the ouster of President Hassan Rouhani and dismissal of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. It further quotes Hamid Rasaei as saying, “I will not stay in a place where I am called a clamorer.”

 

Rouzan newspaper_09_29


Sharq features an exclusive interview with Niels Annen, a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) in which he says his country shares security concerns with Iran.

Sharq: A member of the Iranian parliament’s presiding board says back in 2011 when the Iranian foreign currency market was undergoing sudden fluctuations some $11 billion was sold by brokers on the black market with the support of certain managers of the Central Bank of Iran.

 

Shargh newspaper_09_29

 

Iran, Azerbaijan call for closer bilateral relations

Rouhani and Aliyev-Iran-Azerbaijan
Rouhani and Aliyev-Iran-Azerbaijan

In a meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev in the Russian city of Astrakhan, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani underlined the strong determination of both neighboring states to bolster bilateral cooperation in all areas.

Tehran and Baku have great potential for the expansion of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of energy, commerce, environment and tourism, Rouhani stated, saying the Iran-Azerbaijan Joint Economic Commission should play a more active role in this regard.

The Iranian chief executive also called for closer cooperation between Tehran and Baku on issues of regional and international importance, saying both countries should adopt coordinated stances in the global arena.

“The security and development of both countries are interrelated and we should not allow the states that are against the promotion of friendly relations between the two countries to hamper these ties,” Rouhani noted.

Aliyev, in turn, said his country was keen to broaden relations with the Islamic Republic in all domains, expressing hope that the two sides could reach good agreements in the areas of commerce and tourism during Rouhani’s upcoming visit to Baku.

The Iranian and Azerbaijani presidents are in Astrakhan to take part in the 4th summit of the Caspian Sea littoral states.

Iran, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan are the five littoral states of the Caspian Sea.