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Zarif says Iran sees no benefit in nuclear weapons

By
Emad Askarieh
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Mohammad-Javad-Zarif

“We don’t see any benefit in Iran developing a nuclear weapon,” Zarif said in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” from Vienna, where nuclear talks are taking place.

I will commit to everything and anything that would provide credible assurances for the international community that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, because we are not.

He went on to say that nuclear weapons would not empower Iran, but reduce its influence in the region.

The Iranian foreign minister stated that having nukes does not “help anybody.”

The politics of geography — the fact that we’re bigger, the fact that we’re stronger, that we’re more populous, the fact that we have a better technology, the fact that our human resources are by far more developed than most of our neighbors — all of these provide us with inherent areas of strength that we don’t need to augment with other capabilities.

He said nuclear weapons “or no amount of military power makes you safe,” adding, “So we need to live in a different paradigm. And that’s what we are calling for.”

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, Russia, France, Britain and China – plus Germany have been discussing ways to sort out differences and achieve a final deal that would end the decade-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear energy program.

 

Iranian benefactress Ezzat-Malek dies

By
Emad Askarieh
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Ezzat-Malek Malek - Iranian benefactress dies
Ezzat-Malek Malek

A July 1, 2014 edition of Tandis Biweekly, which focuses, among other things, on arts and culture, reported the death of Iranian benefactress Ezzat-Malek Malek at the age of 102.

Ezzat-Malek Malek (Soudavar), a generous benefactress and daughter of Hossein Malek, the founder of Malek Museum, passed away on June 22, 2014.

Ezzat, the eldest daughter of Hossein Malek and Navabeh Sedigheh, was born in 1912 in Mashhad [northeastern Iran]. Her strong interest in Iranian art and culture prompted her father to give her full authority running the Malek endowments.

This generous woman, who died at the age of 102, followed in the footsteps of her father, collecting historical items on Iranian-Islamic civilization and donating them to Malek Museum and Library.

On November 23, 2006, a collection of 47 valuable items donated by Ezzat Malek was put on display at Malek National Museum. Most of the items in this collection were purchased from foreign collectors so that they could be returned to their country of origin.

The museum is home to valuable copies of the Koran, ancient handwritings, oil and watercolor paintings, deeds and documents of endowment dating back to the Qajar and Safavid eras.

This generous woman, who died at the age of 102, followed in the footsteps of her father, collecting historical items on Iranian-Islamic civilization and donating them to Malek Museum and Library.

Ezzat-Malek Malek, who was on hand last year for the opening of a permanent cultural exhibition named after her father, maintained her physical and mental faculties until a few months prior to her death.

 

A July 1, 2014 edition of Tandis Biweekly, which focuses, among other things, on arts and culture, reported the death of Iranian benefactress Ezzat-Malek Malek at the age of 102.

Brazilian Ambassador: only 6 percent of Brazilians live below the poverty line

By
Emad Askarieh
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Brazilian Ambassador to Tehran: only 6 percent of Brazilian live below the poverty line
Brazilian Ambassador to Tehran

With the world’s largest sporting event – 2014 FIFA World Cup – underway in Brazil and football fever gripping the nations, a 221st issue of Mosalas, a weekly which mostly focuses on politics and sports, featured an interview with the Brazilian ambassador to Tehran. Here is an introduction by the editor of the publication’s international desk to the interview along with an excerpt of the one on one.

“With the 2014 FIFA World Cup underway in Brazil, we conducted an interview with Brazilian Ambassador to Tehran Santiago Irazabal Mourao to ask him about how the largest South American country is faring. Brazil, which is known as the birthplace of football, is playing host to the biggest footballing event this year. The diplomat told us that the atmosphere in his country is electric and that this World Cup is going to be the best ever. When asked about the recent protest rallies in Brazil, he stressed that they are a reflection of democracy and individual freedoms. As for the policy of development and poverty eradication, he said over the last ten years, robust social policies have helped the Brazilian government lift 45 million people out of poverty. Today 60 percent of Brazilian society are middle class and only 6 percent live below the poverty line, he maintained. Hailing as positive the foreign policy adopted by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, he said he believed Iran is intent on boosting its relations with other countries, particularly with the West.”

News coming out of Brazil suggests that some people and groups are opposed to Brazil hosting the World Cup, citing the hefty price tag of preparations for the event. Tell us a bit about the protesters.

It should be noted that Brazil is a diverse society in which some people do not like football, carnivals and other festivities. Mind you, protest against such events does not constitute opposition to the government. In such rallies, protesters sometimes chanted slogans against the government spending too much on the World Cup. Instead, they wanted their government to spend the money on health care, education, and transportation. Of course, they are nothing but slogans and do not necessarily reflect the reality on the ground. Over the past year the Brazilian government has spent one hundred times as much as it has dedicated to the World Cup on health care and education. Therefore, simply based on the slogans shouted in such protest rallies, one cannot question the performance of the government.

At times, we saw violent groups show up in protest rallies along with other protesters. What does the presence of such groups mean?

According to police reports, a small number of violent people were among the protesters. They wouldn’t turn up individually, and it still remains unknown what goals they have been pursuing. Among other things, vandalism could possibly be one of their motives. Their violent acts drew objections from non-violent protesters who tried to hold the small group in check. Consequently violence abated.

Brazil is widely known as the birthplace of football in the world. From your perspective, where does football stand in Brazil?

Generally, the majority of people are great fans of football. Naturally, there are some who are not, but what matters is that Brazil tries to be a welcoming host to all nations. The 2014 World Cup is certainly going to be the best of its kind ever held. By best I do not mean that the teams in the tournament are the strongest. Rather, the Brazilian people are incredibly enthusiastic about the event and are full of excitement. Even though on June 7 Iran’s volleyball team beat their hosts Brazil at 2014FIVB Volleyball World League, Brazilian spectators remained in high spirits. As a matter of fact, volleyball is less important than football to us and my fellow Brazilians will certainly demonstrate more excitement throughout the football tournament. Meanwhile, tickets for all matches have been pre-sold, and 600,000 from different countries are expected to visit Brazil to watch this spectacular sporting event.

For any country, playing host to the World Cup involves both a lot of expenses and revenues. In your opinion, to what extent can the competition help Brazil bolster its economy and development drive?

Throughout preparations for the World Cup, Brazil underwent major changes in terms of infrastructure, including construction of stadiums and other buildings along with expansion of airports. Also, the public transportation has witnessed enormous improvement in 20 different areas. The telecommunications system,andcell phone and information technology (IT) networks have been updated. New hotels have been built by the private sector. On top of that, creation of thousands of jobs is another advantage of hosting the World Cup.

Throughout preparations for the World Cup, Brazil underwent major changes in terms of infrastructure

Given that Brazil are a powerhouse, how can the Iranian side use the experience of the host nation to hone its own skills?

Sport is a key means that brings nations together. Iran and Brazil have always had effective cooperation on this front. Both countries are willing to launch closer sporting cooperation and keep looking for new areas for such collaboration. Aside from efforts aimed at team sports, some steps have been taken to promote cooperation as far as individual sports are concerned. It should be noted that in individual sports, particularly wrestling, Iran has great potential which Brazil could exploit.

Mr. Ambassador, you have been in Iran for one year, what are your thoughts on the foreign policy adopted by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani?

Suffice to say that his government was democratically elected. I closely monitored the presidential election in Iran and witnessed the massive turnout for the vote. His government’s foreign policy is very positive. The Iranian government seeks to beef up its relations with other countries, particularly Western nations. Iran and Brazil have long-standing ties and we are pleased about it.

In light of the fact that Brazil has in the past contributed to Iran’s nuclear issue and Brazil and Turkey have brokered a deal with us, what do you think Iran’s nuclear talks with the world powers will lead to?

Brazil has been following Iran’s nuclear dossier for a few years. We hope that it will lead to a peaceful solution. In terms of the upcoming negotiations, I am optimistic that nuclear talks will produce positive results which can set the stage for further cooperation between Iran and the international community.

I am optimistic that nuclear talks will produce positive results which can set the stage for further cooperation between Iran and the international community.

And finally, which team do you think will lift the trophy in Brazil?

Without a shadow of a doubt, Brazil!

Symphony of Volleyball

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Ahmad Masjed-Jamei

Ahmad Masjed Jamei, who heads Tehran City Council and is a former minister of culture and Islamic guidance under ex-President Mohammad Khatami, has written an op-ed in Sharq newspaper – July 1, 2014 – in which he praises the stellar performance of Iran’s volleyball squad in the FIVB World League and recalls the lingering absence of esprit de corps among Iranians. The article regards the recent victories of the volleyball team as a harbinger of better days to come as far as teamwork in Iran is concerned.

“[…] Recent weeks have seen our athletes put their enormous capabilities on display at a world event. In the past, Iranian athletes were rarely able to prevail against global heavyweights in team sports. The victory [the Iranian volleyball squad] secured came with a kind of civil mentality and collective confidence that could set the stage for a greater push for teamwork excellence down the line.

The victory [the Iranian volleyball squad] secured came with a kind of civil mentality and collective confidence that could set the stage for a greater push for teamwork excellence down the line.

“A few years back, the industry ministry hired a foreign adviser to train its managers. What is remarkable about that adviser was that he held up a musical example to demonstrate that ‘Important projects do require teamwork to come off.’ Although in a symphony, different instruments are at play, the euphonious end-product comes across as one, he said. […]

“In the words of that adviser, Iranians are talented but success often eludes them when it comes to teamwork. That argument applies to the country’s management as well. Successful teamwork is not much in evidence. The victory of the Iranian volleyball team is a new development as far as teamwork is concerned. A closer look at the performance of our players shows that they selflessly strove for collective success without focusing much on individual excellence. Their looks, their words and their deeds were all indicative of eastern ethics which electrified the fans, who, in turn, displayed national zeal and etiquette. No foul language was used in the arena. […] Last week I met with Davarzani, the head of the Volleyball Federation, who said such victories are rooted in specific training designed to promote teamwork. […] Iranian female volleyball players are also expected to make their presence felt in regional and international events. […] Talent along with beefed-up national spirits and teamwork holds the key to success on every front. Iranian players including […] showed that it is possible to forget about themselves and focus on collective success. Let’s hope more such victories down the line will fill the hearts of Iranians both at home and abroad with joy.”

I’m neither the mayor, nor the president, but I can …

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Iran environment

“It’s a herculean task, but it’s not impossible.” “Turn off the engine during the 90-second wait at traffic lights.” “Let’s standardize the pavements to promote walking.” “Single-occupant cars” were some of the statements written – some obliquely – on the white board. Those seemingly unrelated sentences were in fact answers to a single question: “How we can prevent environmental pollution and degradation?”

They featured various handwriting styles, some of them childish; one was actually written by a child whose share of the environment is no less than you and me; a child whose lungs are as vulnerable, if not more vulnerable, to pollution as yours and mine. Children’s lungs are not made of steel.

These sentences were part of the White Wall of Breath, which among other things, featured the viewpoints of both experts and ordinary people on how members of the public could contribute to efforts to prop up and protect the environment and stop its degradation. By the why, what do you think should be done to stop that spiraling trend?

Araghchi: Iran to accept any curb in N-deal temporarily

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Abbas Araghchi

On the 3rd day of the 6th round of political-level nuclear talks between Iran and the 5+1 group – US, France, Russia, China, UK plus Germany – Iran’s Abbas Araghchi and US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns met in Vienna.

The 3rd day of negotiations started with Sayed Abbas Araghchi and Helga Schmidt, Deputy EU Foreign Policy Chief, meeting to start drafting comprehensive nuclear agreement.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s deputy-FM for Legal and International Affairs and the senior negotiator on Tehran nuclear program, held bilateral and multilateral meetings with Schmidt and Burns.

In a press conference on Thursday Araghchi told reporters that any stimulation broadcasted on centrifuges are mere media propaganda; asked about the new limitations in the probable nuclear deal Araghchi said “it is not new saying that in the case of new limitations Iran will accept them temporarily and what media propagates about number of centrifuges should not be paid much attention to.”

The 6th round of nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Powers started on Wednesday with Zarif, Iran’s foreign Minister and Ashton, EU’s Foreign Policy Chief meeting in Vienna.

This is the last round of Iran-5+1 Group before the July 20 deadline for the end of the Geneva Deal; it is aimed at achieving a comprehensive nuclear agreement between the two sides.

The previous such meetings in Vienna did not have much achievements in building on the landmark interim nuclear deal both sides clinched last November in Geneva.

Iran’s Bushehr Province, Qatar Become Economic Partners

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Iran’s Bushehr Province, Qatar Become Economic Partners
Iran and Qatar

The agreement was signed during a visit to the Qatari capital of Doha by an Iranian trade delegation headed by Bushehr Provinceˈs Governor-General Mostafa Salari.

Based on the deal, Qatar will invest in Bushehr province in different fields such as agriculture, mining, port operations, and agricultural processing industries.

Salari’s trip to Qatar came after last month’s visit to Bushehr by a Qatari economic delegation.

The Qatari delegation in that visit learned about the economic potentials of the southern Iranian province and the possibility of importing agricultural products and construction materials from the province.

Iran’s ties with the Persian Gulf littoral states has been growing recently as the Islamic Republic is willing to upgrade relations with the Arab states to the highest level.

Iran Calls for OIC Reaction to Zionist Regime’s Aggressions

By
Emad Askarieh
-
Iran - Marzieh Afkham
Iran - Marzieh Afkham

Marziyeh Afkham rapped the continuation of Israeli attacks against Palestinians and called on international bodies, especially the organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to take effective measures to stop the occupying regime’s atrocities.

She further underlined that the Zionist aggressions and war crimes will only strengthen the resistance of the heroic Palestinian nation.

Israel stepped up attacks on the Palestinians as part of a military search operation for three Israeli settlers it said had disappeared on June 12.

Reports said on June 30 that the bodies of the Israeli teenagers were found in a field near the village of Hilhul, north of the city of al-Khalil (Hebron), in the occupied West Bank.

The Tel Aviv regime also attacked the besieged Gaza Strip and the West Bank hours after the three bodies were found.

Israel claims Hamas is responsible for the deaths, but the Palestinian resistance movement rejects the allegation.

On Thursday, the Zionist regime’s army launched a number of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, leaving at least ten Palestinians injured.

Tel Aviv also mobilized troops to border areas near the Gaza Strip on Thursday, reports said.

Destruction of nation’s trust worse than killing the deal

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Iran Flags

Iranians have three predominant approaches toward the West.
One approach maintains that negotiation is the best solution to solve all problems. The second approach believes that the West is arrogant and it is not possible to make peace or forge all-out relations with them.
But the third approach adopted by the current Iranian administration believes peace with the United States is tenable, provided the West recognizes Iran’s rights. However, there are still authorities and officials who are not optimistic about the outcome of the ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna.
Nuclear talks between Iran and the West offer a historic opportunity for the West, particularly the United States.
It is historic because of a very important reason: Although the deal itself is important, what is more important than the deal is the way the US and other P5+1 members present themselves in the process of talks that will have a direct impact on the confidence of Iranian nation and government.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned that excessive demands of the United States or any other member of the Western negotiating team would kill the deal.
Iran has already been a victim of excessive demands of the West, particularly those of the US and Britain. Iranians have more than once lost their confidence in the United States and its allies during the 1953 coup, after the Islamic Revolution and on many other occasions.
The nuclear talks are now a good test of the West’s intentions and plans. We have already a Joint Plan of Action and a draft comprehensive plan, whose main themes are quite clear.
On the one hand, Iran will reduce uranium enrichment level to 5 percent, give access to all its nuclear facilities and assure that its nuclear program will not deviate from its civilian objectives. On the other, all sanctions must be lifted and Iran should continue its nuclear activities with all rights accorded to a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Iranian nation will verify the intention of the West in this process. If the West tries to follow domineering policies under any veneer, then the Iranian nation would not trust it in future.

The excessive demands will definitely kill the deal, but the destruction of the confidence of Iranian government and nation in the West, which could have irreparable impacts, will be worse than the scuttling of the deal.
Under such circumstances, the renewed vigor of attacks by hardliners will be backed by the estranged chunk of the population as well as by the advocates of the second approach mentioned above. The outcome is clear: isolation of the advocates of the first and third approaches.
Iran has adopted dialogue and negotiation as the best means to settle the nuclear problem. When a state accepts negotiations and opens the doors of its nuclear facilities to eligible international agencies, it means that its policies are transparent.
The West should recall that sanctions and punitive policies it pursued during the past eight years were against the NPT provisions.
Therefore, the West not only failed to reduce the number of Iranian centrifuges and level of uranium enrichment, but on the contrary increased both.
According to religious teachings, production of a nuclear bomb is prohibited.
It will not be in the interest of the West to ignore Iranian assurances in this regard and follow Israeli wishes and aspirations. It will also not be in the interest of some European countries to sell their nations to Israel or any other nation at any cost.
To win the confidence of the Iranian nation should be more important to the West than the deal itself.

Preserving Shiraz Historical Core Necessary: UN official

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Preserving Shiraz Historical Core Necessary: UN official

A greater amount of attention must be paid to the city’s historical core to provide the required conditions for keeping it a residential area with people living in it, – Siamak Moqaddam said after visiting the old texture of a Shiraz district.

He said that in order to improve the ratio of that districtˈs residents remaining living in it while the required rural facilities must be constructed, the lifespan of the old city structure needs to be increased by adopting the required measures, which will in turn add to the cityˈs tourist attractions.

Using the past experience and benefitting from the peopleˈs participation we can achieve a good amount of success in preserving the tourist attractions of Shiraz, – said Moqaddam.

He said that in order to achieve that objective public training of that districtˈs residents is necessary.

The head of Fars Province Old Textures Office, too, said in the meeting with the head of the UNHSP Office in Iran that the issue of strengthening the old textures of Shiraz has been in the agenda as a high priority ever since the year 2000.

Mohammad Reza Taleban said that presently nine offices have been established to monitor the project in over 200 hectares of Shiraz old districts, which provide a bright perspective for the future of the historical core of Shiraz.

Taleban said that after launching onion polls the first district home of Shiraz, together with a school, a library, and other rural infrastructures and service facilities have been constructed in the old Shiraz district.

The historical core of Shiraz is an area of some 360 hectares that comprise some %2.8 of the total city area situated in the heart of Shiraz.

The initial core of the cityˈs formation is in that district and throughout various eras it has gone through various developments and evolving, including the construction of a defense wall around it together with entrance gates in it during the Zand Dynasty era.

The historical monuments in the old district include the major religious centers of Shiraz and a major part of the historically precious structures of Shiraz.

In fact the Shiraz old district has its own special features, including 400 precious monuments, eight gates, and 12 cultural centers.

The preservation and safeguarding of the monuments in that distinct will in addition to its revival give new life to those monuments, and from the economic and social points of the view, revive the historical-cultural identity of Shiraz.

The district with some 75,000 residents is home to some 37,500 non-native dwellers. Also there are 11,147 homes in this old Shiraz district.

Shiraz is the fifth most populous city of Iran and is the capital of Fars Province. In 2009 the population of the city was 1,455,073. Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the Roodkhaneye Khoshk (Dry River) seasonal stream. It has a moderate climate and has been a regional trade center for over a thousand years. It is regarded as one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia.

In the 13th century, Shiraz became a leading center of the arts and letters, due to the encouragement of its ruler and the presence of many Persian scholars and artists. It was the capital of the Persia during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1781, as well as briefly during the Saffarid period. Two famous poets of Iran, Hafez and Saadi, are from Shiraz.

Shiraz is known as the city of poets, literature, love and flowers. It is also considered by many Iranians to be the city of gardens, due to the many gardens and fruit trees that can be seen in the city.

Shiraz has had major Jewish and Christian communities. The crafts of Shiraz consist of inlaid mosaic work of triangular design; silver-ware; pile carpet-weaving and weaving of kilim, called gilim and jajim in the villages and among the tribes.

In Shiraz industries such as cement production, sugar, fertilizers, textile products, wood products, metalwork and rugs dominate.

Shiraz also has a major oil refinery and is also a major center for Iranˈs electronic industries: 53% of Iranˈs electronic investment has been centered in Shiraz. Shiraz is home to Iranˈs first solar power plant. Recently the cityˈs first wind turbine has been installed above Babakoohi Mountain near the city.

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