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8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13924 Wednesday APRIL 21, 2021 Ordibehesht 1, 1400 Ramadan 8, 1442

Pakistan FM visits Mehdi Ghaedi, key player Over 9,000 prisoners Animation series on for talks on mutual ties, to Esteghlal attacking of involuntary Persian poet Sadi’s regional issues Page 2 form Page 3 crimes freed Page 7 produced Page 8

Iran supports Iraqi mediation between Tehran and : ambassador TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic supports Ambassador Masjedi underlined that Baghdad’s mediation to bring Tehran closer also supports the expansion of ties to countries with which relations have between Iraq and the Arab world as Bagh- soured, Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad dad deserves to restore its political status Definite policy Iraj Masjedi told state news IRNA in an among Arab states. See page 3 interview published on Tuesday. A few days after foreign media outlets Commenting on Iraqi efforts to de-es- reported that the Iraqi capital hosted a calate tensions between the region’s coun- meeting between Iranian and Saudi security tries, the ambassador said, “Iran welcomes officials, the ambassador voiced Tehran’s and encourages any move that leads to the support for Baghdad’s mediation between improvement of relations, cooperation Iran and countries that have challenges and closeness between Iraq and the Arab with Iran. countries, neighbors and the region.” Continued on page 3

Iran breaks U.S. monopoly on recombinant flu vaccine TEHRAN – An Iranian knowledge-based eggs in the production process. company has acquired the technology to Currently, the recombinant flu vac- produce a recombinant human influenza cine and the cell culture-based flu vac- vaccine, which was monopolized by the cine are the only egg-free flu vaccines United States, IRNA reported on Tuesday. licensed for use in the United States,” “Recombinant influenza vaccines are Amir Hossein Abdolghaffari, CEO of produced using recombinant technology. a knowledge-based company active in This method does not require an egg-grown the health sector stated. vaccine virus and does not use chicken Continued on page 7

TEHRAN – Iranian President Has- Ministry’s A-B-Iran program. san Rouhani on Tuesday unveiled This 82.5 MW turbine rotor which the country’s first domestically-made has been manufactured by Iran Power

steam turbine rotor which is installed Plant Repairs Company has saved the in a power plant in the capital Tehran, country over 550 billion rials (about $13 IRNA reported. million) since for importing the men- The construction of the mentioned tioned rotor nearly 900 billion rials Iran joins world’s top 5 steam turbine has placed Iran among the (about $21.4 million) had to be spent world’s top five steam turbine man- while the production cost has been re-

Masoumeh Aliakbar Masoumeh ufacturers. ported to be only 350 billion rials (about turbine builders As reported, the unveiling ceremony $8.3 million). was held in the third week of the Energy Continued on page 4 ISNA/

What a great start Energy diplomacy U.S. cities on alert as anti-racism protests rage to 2021 ACL for BY CHRIS COOK strategy based on military dominance ended in ahead of Chauvin murder trial verdict Now the U.S. administration has made the 2007/2008 after a Chinese economic veto led Iranian teams transition to President Biden we see the U.S. to financial meltdown. As I have documented U.S. anti-racism protesters have rallied in Min- Civil rights activist Jesse Jackson joined the engaging with Iran indirectly in Vienna via the many times, President Obama’s smart ener- neapolis as the murder trial of former police Minneapolis demonstrations on Monday, saying BY FARROKH HESABI other JCPOA participants. Meanwhile although gy strategy was a “Transition through Gas” officer Derek Chauvin was taking place. that, “Tomorrow, even if we win. It’s relief, not he four Iranian teams have the global Covid demand shock lingers, the re- from oil to renewables. A Clinton presidency The protesters chanted “guilty” as they victory. They’re still killing our people.” been amazing so far at the covery of the oil price which began immediately would have continued this strategy, but the marched through the Minnesota city, carrying For the second-degree murder charge, 12 2021 AFC Champions League. after the U.S. election has been more or less interruption of President Trump’s “Energy banners reading: “Justice for George Floyd. The U.S. jurors will have to agree that prosecutors T World is watching.” proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Chauvin There’s none of the usual gathering of sustained. Dominance” strategy from July 2017 saw tens of thousands of supporters in the host President Trump had prepared neither instead a reversion to oil “molecules of U.S. The jury went into deliberation to deter- committed a felony that was a substantial cause city; however, five wins and three draws in a strategy nor a competent team prior to freedom” via financialisation/monetisation mine whether Chauvin is guilty of killing African in Floyd’s death. They do not have to find that the eight matches of the stage groups means taking office and he never really filled this of U.S. shale oil. American George Floyd by kneeling on his neck Chauvin intended to kill Floyd, according to that the Iranian clubs are well-prepared and vacuum while golfing, tweeting and gener- In my analysis, President Biden’s ad- for almost 9 minutes last May. Deliberations U.S. media. well-equipped for the most prestigious club ally ‘surfing the edge of chaos’. President ministration is now reconfiguring the U.S. resume on Tuesday. That crime carries a punishment of up to tournament of the Asian Football Confed- Biden, on the other hand has assembled relationship with China generally and their Chauvin has pleaded not guilty to second-de- 40 years in prison. eration, even without their fans. a comprehensive and competent team, competing needs for energy security in par- gree murder, third-degree “depraved mind” U.S. cities on alert Esteghlal have destroyed their oppo- many of them veterans of the Obama ad- ticular. John Kerry’s pre-eminent status as murder and second-degree manslaughter. Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz nents so far. They cruised to a 5-2 victory ministration. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Minneapolis and state officials have ramped declared a preemptive state of emergency in the against Al Ahli Saudi FC and then run riot U.S. energy strategy indicates that Transition Through Gas to a up security precautions in the city, in particular Minneapolis metropolitan area and requested against Al Shorta of Iraq with a 3-0 win on For over a century, U.S. foreign policy has low carbon economy remains central to U.S. around the tower in which the courtroom sits. security assistance from other states, citing the Matchday Two in Group C. been defined by the U.S. need for energy secu- energy strategy. The tower is ringed by barbed wire and armed “threat of civil unrest.” has established his tactical instructions rity. The muscular Bush/Cheney U.S. energy Continued on page 2 soldiers from the National Guard. Continued on page 5 at the team. Group C was supposed to be “the group of death,” but the Blues make it the group of life for themselves. UNESCO to assess Iran’s “land of caravanserais” for world heritage Brilliant performances by Mehdi MP says 60% Ghaedi, , Mohammad TEHRAN - Caravanserais in the city of Miami, The official went on to say that Miami city is The city of Miami has four exemplar areas and enrichment shows Naderi, and Cheick Diabaté have made which is known as the “land of caravanserais” known as the land of caravanserais due to the seven villages targeted for tourism. The largest Esteghlal’s fans hoping to see their team on in Iran, are being prepared to be assessed by existence of 10 caravanserais with historical value. caravanserai complex in Iran is located in this city. Iran’s nuclear the knockout stage sooner than expected. UNESCO for inclusion in the World Heritage list. He added: “Existence of Miami Caravanserai, In August 2020, deputy tourism minister Persepolis, last year’s ACL finalists, “Today, the condition of caravanserais in the Spange (Jahanabad), Miandasht Caravanserai Mohammad Hassan Talebian said a total of 50 technology capacity city of Miami was inspected for the presence of including three caravanserais of Abbasabad Car- Iranian properties have already been placed started the campaign with a 1-0 win over BY SAEID MAWADDAT UNESCO representative, IRNA quoted Hamidreza avanserai, Alhak, Sadrabad, Mohammadabad on the tentative list for [possible] inclusion the UAE’s Al Wahda. They have shown TEHRAN - A senior member of the Iranian Parlia- Doost-Mohammadi, head of Cultural Heritage, Silk Bridge and the historic Nishgarab shows the on UNESCO’s World Heritage list in the years the highest intensity and determination ment (Majlis) says increasing the level of uranium Tourism, and Handicrafts Department of Semnan historical importance of this city and the glory to come. in their games as they came from behind enrichment to 60% shows that Iran’s nuclear tech- Province, as saying on Monday. of Iranian architecture.” Continued on page 6 to beat Al Rayyan of in their second nology is “too strong” to be stopped by a sabotage act. game in Group E. “Through enrichment to 60%, Iran shows that The champions of four consecutive past its capacity for nuclear knowledge is too strong to be seasons of Iran Professional League (IPL) stopped by a sabotage, and that Iran has the ability have transferred their excellent run of do- Mourners bid to rely on indigenous knowledge to meet its needs,” mestic games to the continental tournament. Abolfazl Amouei tells the Tehran Times. Their devastating attacking talent is a farewell to At 00:40 midnight on Friday, April 16, the young constant threat to any opponents’ defense, Iranian scientists were able to enrich uranium to and the Reds can score in every minute 60 percent purity, Parliament Speaker Mohammad of every game. After failing in last year’s Bagher Ghalibaf said in a message on his Twitter final, ’s side are account. targeting Champions League glory. deputy chief The move came as a response to the Israeli sab- Tractor continue their pursuit of the first otage operation at the Natanz nuclear facility in win in Group B, although they have played Gen. Hejazi province. thrilling matches so far and have kept their “According to the act of “Strategic Action to Lift Mourners in the central city of Isfahan, hopes intact to qualify for the next round the Sanctions and Protect the Interests of the Iranian the hometown of General Mohammad with the new coach Rasoul Khatibi. Nation,” the Atomic Energy Organization is assigned Hejazi, the deputy chief of the IRGC Quds Foolad Khuzestan have maintained to keep on enriching uranium at any level to meet the Force, attended the funeral ceremony their intensity in their past three games, peaceful needs of the country,” emphasizes Amouei, for the commander on Tuesday. beginning with the playoff win against the spokesman for the Iranian Parliament National Quds Force chief General Esmaeil UAE’s Al Ain. With one draw and one Security and Foreign Policy Committee. Qa’ani and former IRGC chief Rahim victory, they have reached a crucial stage. Following is the text of the interview: Safavi were among the top figures who Brazilian striker Chimba has been in form Could you update us about what happened attended the funeral ceremony. and is the main hope for ’s at the Natanz facility? Qa’ani praised his deputy’s sacrifices side to score at the tournament. The Natanz incident occurred as a result of a

Aria Jafari Aria to safeguard the ideals of Islam as he Iranian teams are to continue their sabotage operation that caused electricity outage. shared memories of cooperation with the successful start to their 2021 ACLs; focus On the one hand, we consider this incident as a senior figure of the resistance movement and recovery will be key for them in the ISNA/ terrorist act that comes under “nuclear terrorism”. in a speech during the funeral. path to glory. Continued on page 5 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS APRIL 21 2021 Solana: Since ‘maximum pressure’ on Iran proved a Iran’s representative elected OPCW vice president for third time ‘resounding failure’ we must hope Vienna talks succeed POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iran’s representative to The deskHague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was elected for a third time in a ‘The JCPOA was not intended to be a panacea,” former EU chief diplomat notes row as the vice-chairperson of the international body. POLITICAL TEHRAN – Former Euro- tance to the Palestinians, which Trump had Alireza Kazemi Abadi was nominated for the post by the deskpean Union foreign policy suspended virtually in its entirety. These meas- group. chief Javier Solana says since Donald Trump’s ures demonstrate Biden’s more sophisticated “maximum pressure” campaign against Ian and nuanced approach to the region, which EU: JCPOA Joint Commission proved to be total failure “we must hope” the consists of supporting allies without giving talks in Vienna to revitalize the nuclear deal them carte blanche and opposing adversaries agree to create third expert will succeed. without cornering them unproductively. “We must hope that they succeed, because Implementing this approach – which has group to look into possible Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ proved to be a already brought about early signs of a diplomatic respective measures resounding failure,” Solana wrote in an article thaw between and Iran – will in the Project Syndicate on Monday, April 19. require dexterity. But there is no better start- POLITICAL TEHRAN – As the coordinator of the nucle- Solana, who was NATO secretary gener- ing point for successfully tackling the Middle deskar deal talks in Vienna, the European Union al from 1995-1999 and led the 5+1 nuclear East’s most pressing and delicate challenges, issued a statement on Tuesday in which it said the JCPOA Joint talks with Iran for certain years, also criticized such as nuclear proliferation. Commission will convene next week. Trump’s “ill-advised strategy” toward the 2015 The ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna – in- Enrique Mora, deputy secretary general of the European Ex- nuclear deal, saying, “In international relations, volving the five permanent members of the ternal Action Service (EEAS), also said “the Joint Commission the perfect is the enemy of the good, and illu- United Nations Security Council, along with decided to create a third expert group to start looking into the sions are not a useful yardstick.” Germany, Iran, and the European Union – offer possible sequencing of respective measures.” Following is an excerpt of Solana’s article an excellent opportunity to show that multilat- Following is the text of the statement: titled “Reviving Nuclear Diplomacy with Iran”: eral great-power cooperation remains viable. The Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Diplomacy has always been the only sen- The process got off to a good start, thanks in Action (JCPOA) resumed its work in Vienna in a physical format sible way to address U.S.-Iranian tensions. part to the Europeans’ facilitation of indirect this Tuesday. The Joint Commission is responsible for overseeing But when foreign policy rides on emotional negotiations between the U.S. and Iranian del- the implementation of the JCPOA. currents and succumbs to gimmicky tempta- Trump’s ill-advised strategy not only in- Iran has even had serious difficulties import- egations. The main stumbling blocks are the The Joint Commission was chaired, on behalf of EU High Rep- tions, wise and subtle statecraft is relegated creased the risks of nuclear proliferation, but ing COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies. nature of the sanctions that the U.S. should lift, resentative Josep Borrell, by the EEAS Political Director Enrique to the background. also failed abysmally to curb Iran’s regional ac- In this regard, it bodes well that Biden has and the sequencing of any return to compliance Mora and was attended by representatives of China, France, Ger- This happened in the United States after tivities. U.S.-Iranian tensions have intensified in moved quickly to repudiate or recalibrate many with the JCPOA. Both the U.S. and Iran insist many, Russia, the United Kingdom and Iran. the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, and it the Persian Gulf, compounded by increasingly of Trump’s policies toward the Middle East that the other take the first step. Participants took stock of progress made in the ongoing dis- happened again during Donald Trump’s bom- frequent (if barely seen) skirmishes between (West Asia). Biden has tempered U.S. relations Top of Form cussions in Vienna regarding specific measures needed in terms of bastic presidency. Perhaps the best example Iran and Israel. with Saudi Arabia, imposing sanctions on 76 Bottom of Form sanctions lifting and nuclear implementation for the possible return was Trump’s impetuous unilateral decision Another cause for U.S. concern is that Iran individuals and the elite unit assigned to protect An added obstacle was the recent attack on of the U.S. to the JCPOA and its full and effective implementation. to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 Iran nu- has mitigated its international isolation by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in con- Iran’s Natanz uranium-enrichment plant – The Joint Commission decided to create a third expert group to clear deal. strengthening its relationship with China – nection with their role in the murder of Saudi the country’s largest – perpetrated during the start looking into the possible sequencing of respective measures. That agreement – formally known as the including through a recent 25-year bilateral journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Likewise, Biden negotiations and widely attributed to Israel. Participants reiterated their resolve to further pursue their Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement that envisages heavy Chinese in- has distanced the U.S. from the Saudi-led mil- In retaliation, Iran announced that it would joint diplomatic effort including in the Joint Commission and – came about after years of arduous nego- vestment in the Islamic Republic in exchange itary offensive in Yemen and reversed Trump’s begin enriching uranium to 60% purity, three through continued separate contacts of the Coordinator with all tiations, only for Trump to dismiss it in a for cheap and steady supplies of Iranian oil designation of the Houthi rebels as a terrorist times higher than the 20% level to which it JCPOA participants and the United States. huff as part of his arrogant and shortsighted and gas. Enhanced security and intelligence group, in order to facilitate the delivery of food had hitherto adhered (and which already far The Joint Commission will reconvene in the course of next week. “maximum pressure” strategy toward Iran. cooperation is also part of the package. and other essential aid to a country currently exceeded the 3.7% allowed by the JCPOA). So, But with Joe Biden now president, talks that As Trump intended, U.S. sanctions suffering the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. the room for maneuver in Vienna is narrowing. began this month in Vienna provide the main have wreaked havoc on the Iranian economy. The U.S. has also restored economic assis- In international relations, the perfect is Pakistan’s chief diplomat global powers with a diplomatic opportunity the enemy of the good, and illusions are not a to salvage the pact. Another cause for U.S. concern is that Iran useful yardstick. The JCPOA was not intended visits Tehran for talks on We must hope that they succeed, because to be a panacea. Sabotage attempts such as mutual ties, regional issues Trump’s “maximum pressure” proved to be a has mitigated its international isolation by the Natanz attack, from which the Biden ad- resounding failure. Iran began to violate certain strengthening its relationship with China – ministration was quick to distance itself, are POLITICAL TEHRAN — Makhdoom Shah Mahmood provisions of the JCPOA about a year after including through a recent 25-year bilateral certainly not an acceptable and sustainable deskQureshi, Pakistan’s foreign minister, visited the U.S. withdrew from it in 2018. Since then, alternative to diplomatic efforts. Tehran on Tuesday for talks with top Iranian officials on mutual Iran has progressively increased the purity agreement that envisages heavy Chinese It is worth remembering where we were relations and the latest regional security issues. of its uranium enrichment, expanded its en- investment in the Islamic Republic in exchange before the JCPOA, and reflect on where those Qureshi visited Tehran at the invitation of his Iranian coun- riched-uranium stockpile 14-fold, and limited for cheap and steady supplies of Iranian oil who sought to demolish it have taken us. The terpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif. international inspections of its nuclear facili- downward spiral of tensions we have witnessed According to a Tuesday state- ties. U.S. estimates of Iran’s nuclear breakout and gas. Enhanced security and intelligence in recent years is reckless. Stopping it will nec- ment by Pakistani Ministry of time recently fell from over a year to three or cooperation is also part of the package. essarily involve intensive diplomacy – even Foreign Affairs, the top Pakistani four months. more of which should follow. diplomat is planned to have del- egation-level talks with Zarif, President Hassan Rouhani and General Fallahzadeh named IRGC Quds Force deputy chief Speaker of the Parliament Mo- hammad Baqer Qalibaf during POLITICAL TEHRAN – After a confirmation by lah Khamenei approved a proposal from IRGC Chief Major his three-day stay. deskLeader of the Islamic Revolution Aya- General to appoint General Fallahzadeh to Qureshi will also travel to the tollah , Brigadier General Mohammad Reza the vacant post, Tasnim reported. holy city of Mashhad. Fallahzadeh was appointed as the new deputy chief of the Fallahzadeh served as the IRGC Quds Force’s deputy During the visit, Iranian and IRGC Quds Force. for coordination affairs before taking the new job. He has Pakistani officials will open the One day after the death of IRGC Quds Force Deputy also the experience of commanding many provincial IRGC third border terminal between Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi, Ayatol- divisions and construction bases. the two countries. Zarif and Qureshi will “re- view bilateral relations with a view to further deepening cooperation in diverse fields,” the statement said. Energy diplomacy “The two sides will discuss regional security situation including 1 The covid oil shock strategy to take control of oil market pricing. The oil market benchmarks have been subject, as I mutually assure acceptance of all ECOs issued, the latest developments in the Afghan peace process and the Jam- Over a period of 27 months from 1st July combination of massive purchasing power as predicted, to great volatility for 20 years making managed, clearing and settled on a shared mu & Kashmir dispute. They will also deliberate on strengthening 2017 the U.S. patiently reconfigured the global a ‘Buyer of Last Resort’, scant respect for U.S. budgeting and economic planning by producer transparent energy accounting system. Mr. regional cooperation under the umbrella of Economic Cooperation oil market so that WTI once again assumed sanctions and a fleet of new oil refineries sees and consumer nations difficult at best. Khaghani and I first proposed an Energy Clearing Organization,” it added, according to Press TV. a primary role in global oil pricing alongside China routinely refining over 14m barrels of So it seems to me that while such Middle Union in Tehran in 2008, and subsequently It further said that the visit is part of regular high-level Brent. More to the point by March 2020 and oil a day and able to daily export millions of East benchmark would if successful be a bat- proposed a Gas Clearing Union to the Gas exchanges between the two countries, which follow a trip the global outbreak of Covid the U.S. dollar barrels of oil products at prices with which no tleground between the U.S. and China for oil Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in 2011. by the Iranian foreign minister to Islamabad in November had essentially been pegged to U.S. shale oil regional refiner can compete. market dominance which would be good for Note there is nothing new about circular clear- 2020. The two foreign ministers also met on the sidelines of using option strategies. So China is now in a position to control and exchanges, traders, investment banks and the ing A>B>C>D>A of obligations. Such chain the 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) ministerial The outcome was what appeared to be a soft manipulate the market from the buy-side in professionals who feed off them, but even worse settlement routinely occurs during the North conference in ’s capital Dushanbe in late March. ‘’ on oil prices around $60 to $65/bbl and a the same way that the sell-side has supported for market end-users. Sea Brent crude oil forward physical contract Qureshi last visited Iran in January 2020. ‘collar’ around $45 to $50/bbl. However, this or manipulated the benchmark price since at I recalled Mr. Khaghani’s role in Iran’s im- settlement process. Prior to his departure for Tehran on Tuesday, Pakistan’s for- oil peg could not survive the colossal initial least 2001. How does this affect Iran? I asked aginative and humanitarian “Energy for Peace” Perhaps now, 10 years on, such a Gas Clearing eign minister shed light on the objectives and purposes of the demand shock in March 2020 as a lockdown Mahmood Khaghani, my long-standing col- intervention during the first Nakhchivan con- Union and Gas ECO funding offers a construc- visit in a video message. propagated from China and the demand for league, especially bearing in mind Iran’s strategic flict. Gas was supplied by Iran to Armenia in tive solution to the current U.S./China dispute Pakistan, under the leadership of Imran Khan, has tried to oil products evaporated and oil prices rapidly alliance with China. exchange for a supply of power and I asked Mr. which Iran is very well placed to facilitate from resolve disputes between Iran and Saudi Arabia. declined from mid-March onwards. The claim “It seems to me firstly, that Iran’s resourc- Khagnhani if he still had such swaps in mind? the current isolated position. In doing so, Iran Qureshi says the Afghan peace process is “equally that there was any kind of ‘oil war’ between es are as strategically important to President Khaghani said, “Indeed, there is a historic would not only achieve a Transition Through important for Iran” Saudi and Russia is a transparent distraction. Biden as to President Xi and secondly, that opportunity to transform global physical oil Gas to a low carbon economy but could also In the message, Qureshi thanked his Iranian counterpart for As new information has emerged it has been Iran has always been skillful in negotiations and gas markets through supply (rather than use ECOs to finance the reanimation of Iran’s visiting Pakistan several times, saying the visits helped the two possible to piece together the extraordinary with powerful competing nations. But I be- sales) of flows of upstream raw energy in ex- economy. Here I propose the creation of a dis- neighbors hold crucial meetings. oil market events of April 20, 2020 when the lieve that such destructive and negative ‘dollar change for downstream flows of refined fuels. tributed Iranian Energy Treasury through joint “There have been several developments in the Afghan peace WTI oil benchmark price collapsed to minus diplomacy’, while possibly gaining a tactical These downstream fuel flows may then in turn participation of Iran’s Central Bank (as monetary process,” the minister said. “Being neighbors to , the $37/barrel the day before the June 2020 WTI short term commercial advantage, would be be swapped for heat/cooling, power, mobility authority) and energy complex. peace process is equally important for Iran.” contract expired. In 20 minutes of frantic selling a gross strategic error bearing in mind Iran’s and so on. Such flow swaps may be geograph- I asked Mr. Khaghani how such an ambitious He emphasized that he would be informed about Iran’s views a small group of individual UK traders acci- unique financially isolated position,” Khaghani ic swaps such as the Caspian oil swap of oil proposal should be implemented. in this regard so that “the two sides will be able to develop a focus dentally made a $500m profit allegedly at the explained. supplied into North Iran swapped for Persian “My approach as a scientist has always of strategy following talks.” expense of a Chinese fund managed on behalf In my view, there is a historic opportunity Gulf oil flows; energy conversion swaps, such been through proof of concept ‘pilot’ projects. Efforts to stabilize Afghanistan has speeded up as the Biden ad- of unsuspecting Chinese unsophisticated retail for Iranian energy diplomacy addressing our as Iranian gas for Armenian power or even I recommend that these should be rapidly im- ministration has announced that the United States will withdraw investors. health and climate and challenges through swaps of technology use in exchange for flows plemented on a small scale in rural Iranian its troops from Afghanistan by September 11. Not only did the U.S. CME exchange know ‘energy for peace’. of energy savings.” locations which by suffering the highest legacy The U.S. invaded Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks by April 8th that an unprecedented negative I have always been reluctant to stray beyond Mr. Khaghani added that the problem with carbon fuel costs also offer the greatest returns in 2001. price was likely, but the normally fierce U.S. my field of expertise to Iranian nuclear energy such flows is that they rarely meet the needs from smart investment in renewable energy Pakistan’s chief diplomat also expressed gratitude for Leader market investigators subsequently ignored the issues so I asked Mr. Khaghani’s view. of both parties at the same time. He reminded and energy efficiency,” Khaghani remarked. of the Islamic Revolution for his clear stance on the Kashmir issue. physical oil transactions which created this WTI “From the Shah’s time onwards, the Iranian me of the Energy Fintech presentation I made Since natural gas (CH4), once processed, is “We will also talk about progressing with regard to the bilater- contract ‘Black Hole’. In other words, this oil scientific and political consensus has always two years ago in Tehran to several audienc- the same everywhere it is perfect as the basis al relations. Iran had expressed interest in Pakistan’s proposal of price spike was engineered like the July 2008 been that nuclear power generation would es introducing the Energy Credit Obligation of a transitional global means of exchange and border markets, and we would talk about it, too,” the Pakistani spike to $147/bbl and almost certainly by the come to replace oil and gas. But it seems to (“ECO”) funding instrument. funding. Mr. Khaghani and I have long believed foreign minister said. same culprits. me that energy efficiencies and cost reductions The ECO is so simple it can be difficult to that through a global Gas Clearing Union, the He added that Iran is not only a neighbor of Pakistan but also Whatever the reason for the meltdown in in renewable energy are now at such a level that comprehend. It is essentially a promise issued pricing of oil in dollars and gas against oil will a tested friend, saying, “We have always supported each other the market price, China was able to buy hun- nuclear energy can simply no longer compete by an energy producer in exchange for value give way to the pricing of oil and dollars in the in difficult times.” dreds of millions of barrels of oil at bargain WTI with renewables on cost,” Khaghani stated. received from an acceptor who may pass on intrinsic and stable energy value of natural gas. “We will be in efforts to cement the existing bilateral relations benchmark prices which arrived in China from I was reminded by the recent launch in Abu (assign) the ECO in exchange for value so creat- It seems to me that there is sufficient time and bring stability in them,” Qureshi said. June 2020 onwards in a stream of hundreds Dhabi of the Murban oil benchmark contract of ing a chain of acceptors A>B>C>D. Eventually for such a simple but radical proposal for fund- At a recent meeting with top Pakistani media figures and re- of oil tankers. my 2001 proposal for an Iran-led Middle East an ultimate acceptor will return the ECO to a ing the transition to a low carbon economy to searchers, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed hope A market paradigm shift? oil and product pricing benchmark contract. producer in payment for supply rather than be presented to the COP26 event in Glasgow, that the sanctions against Tehran will be lifted, saying that Iran In my analysis, China was able to use this Unfortunately, the resulting Iran Oil Bourse paying $ or €. Scotland, in November. has the capacity to turn into an economic power in the region. unprecedented demand shock to complete a was not as we would have wished. The global An ‘ECO Clearing Union’ agreement will Chris Cook is University College London lecturer I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y APRIL 21, 2021 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS Definite policy Mehdi Ghaedi, key player to Esteghlal attacking form POLITICAL TEHRAN – As Iran and status of the talks to senior officials on deskthe remaining parties to a regular basis and that the fate of talks SPORTSTEHRAN — Esteghlal football team mid- desk the tattered 2015 nuclear deal resumed will be determined in Tehran. fielder Mehdi Ghaedi has been key to the their work on Tuesday, several press re- But Tehran is clear about what wants. Iranian team’s attacking form in the 2021 AFC Champions ports resurfaced that Iran and the U.S. The Leader made it crystal clear that the League group stage. could proceed with a step-by-step plan U.S. must lift its sanctions first and then to revive the nuclear deal. Iran will return to commitments after But these reports stood in contrast verifying the lifting of sanctions. to the policy declared by high-level Ira- Therefore, the Iranian delegation nian authorities that the nuclear deal, is likely to return to Vienna next week officially known as the Joint Compre- with the determination that the definite hensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), must policy outlined by the Leader should be be revived in one major step. implemented. From the outset, there has been a It’s too early to say that this policy is wave of speculations on social media going to lead the Vienna negotiation to platforms over how the JCPOA would the endgame, which is the lifting of the be revived. Some said the nuclear deal U.S. sanctions all at once. But indications should be revived by convincing the from Vienna suggest that the talks may United States to lift all of its sanctions be moving toward that goal. on Iran and then encourage Iran to re- with an estimated 1,500 new measures lifted, we will return to our JCPOA com- So far, the Vienna talks have resulted verse its remedial nuclear measures while his administration adopted as part of mitments. We will return without any in the establishment of two expert-level others speculated that a gradual process its “maximum pressure” campaign, to problem. This is a definite policy. We working groups, one to identify the sanc- is needed to revitalize the JCPOA, one be removed. do not consider American promises to tions that the U.S. should remove in order The Group C leader has been hugely impressive going that would see both Iran and the U.S. Iran has made it clear that it wants all be valid. If they say that they will lift to return to the JCPOA, and another to forward, and its eight goals in picking up back-to-back wins taking simultaneous steps to gradually U.S. sanctions to be lifted but it said the them on paper, this is of no use. What specify the nuclear activities that Iran is at least double the amount any other side has racked up. return to compliance with the JCPOA. lifting of the sanctions should be done is necessary is action! They should lift should reverse. These groups report their Key to that form has been attacking midfielder Ghaedi, the- These speculations intensified over all at once, thus ruling out any gradual the sanctions in practice. Subsequently, discussions to the Joint Commission. afc.com wrote. the past few weeks as Iran and the P4+1 or sequential steps. we will verify their statements to make Following the Tuesday meeting, The 22-year-old bagged a brace against Al-Ahli Saudi in a (China, Russia, France, and the UK plus The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, sure that the sanctions have been lifted. Araghchi said the remaining parties to game that saw him create five chances, before providing a beau- Germany) entered the stage of draft- Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has stated Then, we will resume our commitments,” the JCPOA have decided to establish a third tiful assist against Al-Shorta for Mohammad Naderi to score. ing an agreement on how Tehran and that Iran has a definite nuclear policy that he continued. expert-level group next week to discuss The playmaker displayed his talents in the 2020 edition and Washington would return to the JCPOA. will guide Iranian negotiators. This position is of particular impor- practical arrangements required to lift is already looking even better this time round. The Washington Post reported on “The country’s policy on the interaction tance given the fact the Vienna nuclear the U.S. sanctions and realize the U.S. Two points separate the top two in Group C ahead of a meeting Monday that Iran and the U.S. are mov- with the JCPOA sides and on the nuclear deal talks have reached a point where return to the JCPOA. on Wednesday that Al-Duhail will surely consider ‘must not lose’. ing toward what can be called a step-by- deal itself has already been explicitly de- the negotiators need to make decisions. However, the top nuclear negotiator step plan to revive the JCPOA. Citing clared. This policy will not be violated in Following the Tuesday meeting of the warned that Iran will stop the Vienna talks officials familiar with the Vienna talks, any way. It is a policy which has already JCPOA Joint Commission, top Iranian if the process of discussions tilts toward Mohammad Jamshidi proud to the American paper claimed, “both Iran been announced and which is adopted nuclear negotiator Seyed Abbas Aragh- bullying, bargaining, and wasting time. and the Biden administration — which with everyone’s agreement. It is not the chi said negotiating teams will return Araghchi described the Tuesday talks represent Iran basketball initially made a similar demand that Iran case that this policy was an exception to to their capitals and then resume their as “difficult and challenging” but said act first by returning to compliance with other policies. Everyone has agreed to work next week. they are moving forward. SPORTSTEHRAN — Mohammad Jamshidi and Iran the original terms of the deal — are moving it,” the Leader said in a televised speech So it’s quite possible that the Irani- During the meeting of the JCPOA Joint deskare used to rolling over their opponents. They toward simultaneous, sequential steps.” on March 21. an team will brief high-level officials Commission, Araghchi said, the negotia- was clear when they beat their first opponents in the FIBA Asia It also noted that Iran wants all sanc- “This policy is that the Americans on the outcome of the recent rounds tors discussed the latest technical talks, Cup 2021 Qualifiers by an average margin of 44.5 points per game. tions initially lifted as part of the agree- should lift all sanctions. After that, we of the Vienna talks. Araghchi said the preliminary drafts, and how to continue That’s why it was a surprised when they found themselves ment but reimposed by Trump, along will verify. If the sanctions have been Iranian negotiating team reports on the the talks. struggling to ward off Saudi Arabia in a clash during the second window last November. “We found them to be really tough team,” Mohammad Jamshidi said in a recent interview with FIBA Media. “They are a really good team and they have many good players. We expected an Iran rejects reports of ‘temporary agreement,’ says it only negotiates final step easy game, but it didn’t go like that and we had a close game.” “Respect to them as a basketball team and I think we’ll have POLITICAL TEHRAN – A top Iranian nuclear “The Joint Commission will be chaired on behalf of Iran’s Foreign Ministry. a tough game against them in the third window.” desknegotiator leading Iran’s negotiating EU High Representative Josep Borrell by the Deputy Speaking at a weekly press briefing on Monday, Iran will be facing Saudi Arabia one more time in June for team in Vienna has rejected the possibility of Iran Secretary General/Political Director of the European Khatibzadeh said, “What is happening in Vienna is a the final window of the Asia Cup Qualifier with all qualification and the remaining parties to the 2015 nuclear deal External Action Service, Enrique Mora. It will be attended technical dialogue on how to lift the U.S. sanctions and spots from Group E still up for grabs. The matchup between reaching a “temporary deal.” by representatives of China, France, Germany, Russia, return the U.S. government to its obligations under the these two teams already have a long, intense history and the Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister the United Kingdom and Iran,” the European Union JCPOA and Resolution 2231. We are on the right track next time they play will only add to the fire of this rivalry. for political affairs, said the subject of reaching a said in a statement. and progress has been made, but that does not mean “I think they are really dangerous in transition, espe- temporary agreement has never been broached at “Participants will take stock of the progress in the that the talks have reached the final stage.” cially on offense.. They have two big centers who can really the talks between Iran and the P4+1 (China, Russia, ongoing discussions on the prospect of a possible return He added, “As our delegation is not in Vienna for dominate the board for rebounds and I think this makes France, and the UK plus Germany). of the United States to the JCPOA and on how to ensure attritional talks, we tried to present our own texts and them dangerous.” He was responding to press reports in Western media the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA by asked the other side to enter into common examples For Jamshidi, “whatever it takes” to help Iran get a win is outlets claiming that Iran and the P4+1 could soon all sides,” the statement added. and texts immediately. The sooner this happens, usually scoring. The sweet shooting forward currently leads the reach a temporary agreement to revive the 2015 nuclear Diplomats from Iran and the P4+1 are in the Austrian the better we can think about the outcome. It’s too team with 15.3 points and has been consistent from the start. deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive capital of Vienna to discuss ways of reviving the 2015 early to think about it. We are now at a stage where “I think I’m a scorer and I can really play pick and roll and Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran nuclear deal. They have entered the stage of drafting discussions on difficult issues need to take place. We feed the other guy. That’s what I can do in national team and “There is no discussion of a ‘temporary agreement’ a new agreement to revive the nuclear deal, according are not in a hurry. What is important is that we can also in my club right now. Coach and the other guys trust in me or similar issues in the talks between the Islamic to the Russian envoy to the Vienna nuclear talks. serve the interests of the great people of Iran within and give me the ball in the crucial moments when they need to Republic of Iran and the P4 + 1,” Araghchi said in a “Summing up the results of 2 weeks of deliberations the framework of the instructions of the Leader of score or create some offense. I think this is the most important statement published on his Telegram Channel late on JCPOA restoration we can note with satisfaction that the Revolution and the general policy of the system.” part of my game.” on Monday night. the negotiations entered the drafting stage. Practical According to Khatibzadeh, Iran has expressed all its “It’s the highest honor for everybody to represent the country. He also underlined that Iran is only negotiating a solutions are still far away, but we have moved from views decisively within the framework of the general Us as Iranians, we’re proud of our country. We love our country “final step” to lift U.S. sanctions. “The Islamic Republic general words to agreeing on specific steps towards policies of the system. and I think anybody playing for Iran will have much pride and of Iran only talks about the final step in lifting the the goal,” Mikhail Ulyanov said on Twitter. “Of course, there are difficult issues, and we think honor that they can represent this country.” cruel sanctions against the Iranian people, and rumors The tweet came two days after the top Iranian nuclear it will be easier if the U.S. government decides to such as step-by-step plans or a temporary agreement negotiator announced that the talks are leading to a distance itself from Trump’s failed legacy and try to live are baseless,” Araghchi said. “new understanding”. Araghchi said on Saturday that up to its commitments,” the spokesman pointed out. Iran blind football team to play “Iran will not be in rush to get results” serious disagreements remain but that his country was Despite difficulties, Iran and the P4+1 seem to The chief Iranian negotiator reiterated the Leader working on a draft text for reviving the accord that be moving toward “simultaneous, sequential steps,” Russia in Kish Island of the Islamic Revolution’s reiteration that the Vienna could work as a framework for subsequent discussions. according to The Washington Post. talks should not become draining or attritional. He further noted that it seems a new understanding is “Throughout the talks, Iranian officials have SPORTSTEHRAN — Iran 5-a-side football team will meet desk “As the Leader reiterated, the Islamic Republic of Iran being formed and there is an agreement on the ultimate taken a hard public line, insisting the United States, Russia in two friendly matches in May in Kish Island. will never allow negotiations to become attritional. At goal among all parties, adding that the path that needs having withdrawn from the deal, must take the first The Iranian team are preparing for the 2022 Asian Para the same time, it will not be in a rush to get the results. to be taken is a path that is now somewhat more well- steps back into compliance. Iran wants all sanctions Games in Hangzhou, China. The talks should proceed accurately and protect the known, according to the official website of the Iranian initially lifted as part of the agreement but reimposed Iran blind football team became runners-up at the 2016 country’s interests and definite positions,” Araghchi government. by Trump, along with an estimated 1,500 new measures Paralympic Games. continued. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, his administration adopted as part of its ‘maximum “The two warm-up matches are an opportunity for us to know He noted that the fate of the talks will be determined also said on Monday he saw a willingness to save the pressure’ campaign, to be removed,” the Post said. our talented players for the future,” Iran coach Javad Felfeli said. in Tehran. “Any decision on the process and outcome nuclear deal. Citing officials familiar with the talks, the Football 5-a-side is played by athletes with a vision impair- of the talks will be made in Tehran, and the negotiating “I think that both parties are really interested in American paper claimed that both Iran and the Biden ment. They must pass, tackle and shoot by relying on the sound team reports on the status of the talks to senior officials reaching an agreement, and they have been moving administration — which initially made a similar demand of the ball and the voice of their guide. on an ongoing basis,” he concluded. from general to more focused issues, which are clearly, that Iran act first by returning to compliance with Araghchi’s remarks came a day before the JCPOA on one side sanction-lifting, and on the other side, the original terms of the deal — are moving toward Cycling official Naseri chosen to Joint Commission holds another round of talks on nuclear implementation issues,” the EU chief diplomat simultaneous, sequential steps. Tuesday. The European Union announced on Monday was quoted by Reuters as saying. However, Araghchi made it clear that Iran is only officiate at 2020 Tokyo that the Joint Commission will resume its work on The Vienna talks are moving in the right direction, discussing a final step for the U.S. and Iran to return Tuesday. according to Saeed Khatibzadeh, the spokesman for to full compliance with the nuclear deal. SPORTSTEHRAN — World Cycling Union (UCI) has deskchosen Iranian international referee Majid Naseri to officiate in the 2020 Tokyo. This is for the first time that an Iranian referee is chosen to judge in the Olympic Games’ cycling competitions. Iran supports Iraqi mediation between Tehran and Riyadh: ambassador Naseri will officiate at the track cycling in the tournament. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are scheduled for July 23 to Au- better relationship ... and decrease ten- between Tehran and Riyadh in Baghdad 1 The Financial Times reported on gust 8, with the Paralympics due to follow between August 24 sions.” by saying that Iran supports dialogue Sunday that Saudi and Iranian officials and September 5. held the first round of their bilateral talks Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic with the Saudis. The spokesman did not in Baghdad on April 9 and the next round relations with Iran in January 2016 deny that such talks took place in Iraq. is scheduled to take place next week. Cit- after Iranian protesters, enraged by Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Farhad Ghaemi joins Sepahan ing regional officials, the newspaper said the Saudi execution of prominent Shia Khatibzadeh said, “We have seen these the Yemeni Ansarallah’s attacks on Saudi cleric Sheikh Nimer al-Nimr, stormed press reports. Conflicting quotes have team Arabia were discussed in the negotiations. its embassy in Tehran. Since then, Saudi been reported in these reports. The Is- Reuters confirmed the Saudi-Iranian Arabia has struck a tough tone on Iran lamic Republic of Iran has always wel- SPORTSTEHRAN — Sepahan volleyball club com- talks, saying they touched on , and strongly supported former U.S. comed dialogue with the Saudi kingdom deskpleted the signing of outside spiker Farhad which is facing a political vacuum amid President Donald Trump’s so-called and considered it in the interest of the Ghaemi on Monday. a dire financial crisis. “maximum pressure” campaign against peoples of the two countries as well as Ghaemi, who announced his retirement from the nation- AFP also confirmed the talks, saying Iran. regional peace and stability. [Iran] will al duty last month, has penned a one-year contract with the the official-level meetings aim to restore The reported talks in Baghdad are said it welcomes dialogue with the Saudi continue to think this way.” Iranian club. relations severed five years ago between thought to be the first serious contact kingdom because such a dialogue is in While Iran stopped short of openly con- Ghaemi has most recently played at Iranian side Haraz Amol. Tehran and Riyadh. An Iraqi government between Tehran and Riyadh since 2016. the interest of the region. firming or denying the Baghdad talks, Saudi Sepahan have already signed , Masoud Ghol- official confirmed the talks to AFP, while a In its first official reaction to media Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for state media denied these talks, indicating ami and Saman Faezi. Western diplomat said he had been “briefed reports of talks between Iran and Saudi Iran’s Foreign Ministry, on Monday re- a Saudi unwillingness to publicize behind- Sepahan, headed by Rahman Mohammadi Rad, are going in advance” about the effort to “broker a Arabia, the Iranian Foreign Ministry sponded to foreign media reports of talks the-scene diplomatic efforts. to win a title in the Iran Super League for the first time ever. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY APRIL 21, 2021

Thermal power plants’ capacity to rise 69,000 Iran joins world’s top MW by mid-June

ECONOMY TEHRAN – As announced by the manag- desking director of Iran’s Thermal Power Plants 5 steam turbine builders Holding Company (TPPH), 69,000 megawatts (MW) new capacity of thermal power plants will enter the network by 1 Earlier in March, the managing bine has been designed according to the re- mid-June and after the end of the overhaul operations. director of Iran’s MAPNA Group, which is quirements of the country’s power network The overhaul operations of the power plants are now un- the first and leading West Asia-based general and can be used for the development of the derway and efforts are being made to complete this before contractor of thermal power plants in the network in the future. the peak load, Mohsen Tarztalab said on Tuesday. MENA region, said that Iran was going to The MGT-75 turbine has improved ef- He said there is a 60-day schedule to complete the overhaul become an exporter of new classes of gas ficiency by 60 percent over the previous operations in 582 units of 29 power plants. turbines in near future. designs and increased output capacity to Speaking on the sidelines of the signing 220 megawatts, he noted. ceremony of a deal for manufacturing an This turbine will impose the least fluc- MGT-75 gas turbine for Iran’s Thermal Power tuation on the electricity network while Plant Holding (TPPH) on March 14, Abbas improving the efficiency of the country’s Ali-Abadi said: “Iran now has the knowledge thermal power plants, according to the head and technology to design and manufacture a of MAPNA Group. variety of new gas turbines on a global scale.” As Iran’s top engineering and energy “We will present this turbine [MGT-75] in enterprise, MAPNA had previously manu- the global market soon and it will undoubtedly factured E-class and F-class turbines such be well received,” Ali-Abadi added. as MGT-70. Mentioning some of the significant features The mentioned turbines have been used of the mentioned turbine, the official said that in domestic power stations as well as major the power plants that use these new turbines power projects in neighboring countries like will have very low water consumption so that Iraqi. the water consumption in such power plants Iran used to import such pieces of equip- would be reduced to one-tenth. ment from foreign sources such as Germany’s According to the official, the new turbines Siemens. And now enjoying such technol- can also use hydrogen as an alternative fuel ogy, the country is among the world’s top As announced by the official, the efficiency of Iran’s ther- in the regions where pollution is an issue. the country using local knowledge and tech- models,” Ali-Abadi said. manufacturers of power plants with high mal power plants will reach 40 percent by the end of current “This product is made completely inside nology and it is definitely cheaper than foreign He further noted that the MGT-75 tur- efficiency. Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2022). Tarztalab also said that the conversion of gas-fired power plants to combined cycle ones, applying gas turbines with new technology, upgrading the gas units and scrapping the Over $30b worth of state-owned properties privatized in a year worn-out power plants are some of the programs to increase ECONOMY TEHRAN- Iranian Finance and Eco- the shares in the process of privatization. efficiency in thermal power plants. desknomic Affairs Ministry announced that In Iran, the implementation of the privatization plan Referring to the announcement of the new energy document over 1.27 quadrillion rials (about $30.2 billion) worth of aimed at more productivity, investment making, job crea- to the electricity industry, he said: “According to this docu- government properties and assets have been transferred tion, promotion of trade balance, more competition in the ment, by Iranian calendar year 1420 (started in March 2041) to the private sector during the past Iranian calendar year domestic economy, and reducing financial and management the efficiency of the country’s thermal power plants should (ended on March 20), IRIB reported. burden on the government has been under the spotlight reach 50% percent, which will require heavy investments.” Speaking in a parliament open session on Tuesday, Far- over the past decade. The official had announced last week that the efficiency of had Dejpasand said during the previous year 350 trillion The law on the implementation of the general policies of Iran’s thermal power plants has reached a new record high rials (about $8.33 billion) of the revenues earned from the Article 44 of Iran’s Constitution on privatizing state-owned of 39 percent for the first time in the history of the country’s privatization program was directly injected into the treasury companies was declared in 2006 in a bid to downsize the electricity industry. of which 320 trillion rials (about $7.6 billion) was earned government and promote the private sector’s role in the “The efficiency of the country’s thermal power plants form offering the state-owned companies’ shares through national economy. improved by over 0.4 percent from the 38.56 percent in the exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The government envisioned a large privatization pro- budget and also increase their productivity. previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20) to reach Dejpasand has previously announced that offering the gram in the Fifth Five-Year National Development Plan Although downsizing the government has been on the 39 percent,” Tarztalab announced. shares of state-owned companies, which are planned to be (2010-2015), aiming to privatize about 20 percent of the agenda for many years, but a number of factors have been According to Tarztalab, the mentioned improvement has privatized, will be sped up. state-owned firms each year. Under the present interpreta- hindering the privatization trend in the country, among them, decreased the fuel consumption of the country’s power plants He has also said that the government should amend its tion of Article 44, some state-owned companies have been the government’s high interference in the management of by 846 million cubic meters in the mentioned year. policies and methods of setting the prices and transferring privatized to reduce their financial burden on the country’s the transferred companies is a challenging one. The TPPH head emphasized that the 0.4-percent increase in the efficiency of power plants has resulted in more than one percent increase in annual fuel saving. “Annual fuel savings add value and preserve national cap- Electricity supplied to 62 villages in 16 provinces ital, so measures to increase the power plants efficiency are among the most important goals of the company,” he stressed. ECONOMY TEHRAN — The projects these villages and also supplying electricity erating 20-23 percent of the value added its activity. Tarztalab underlined the implementation of the annual deskfor supplying electricity to to the nomadic areas through mobile solar in the country, development of rural areas The current government has paid 290 overhaul program at the country’s power plants as one of the 62 villages in 16 provinces were inaugurated panels are among the major priorities of has been always a top agenda of the gov- trillion rials (about $6.904 billion) for sup- determining factors in achieving the mentioned efficiency by Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian in a the ministry’s A-B-Iran program. ernments’ activities. plying gas to the rural areas. ratio and added: “Technical issues and problems that occur ceremony on Tuesday. A-B-Iran program (the acronyms A and The sustainable economic, social, and It should be noted that supplying gas during operation can affect the power plants’ efficiency; such The projects were inaugurated in the B stand for water and electricity in Persian) cultural development of the villages is one to the villages has been a big help for the issues are resolved during the implementation of the annual framework of the ministry’s “A-B-Iran” pro- was initiated in the Iranian calendar year of the major priorities of the current gov- development of infrastructures, the estab- overhaul program to prevent the decline in the power plants’ gram in Ardebil, Ilam, East Azarbaijan, West 1398 (ended on March 19, 2020), during ernment, and many projects implemented lishment of complementary industries, and efficiency”, he stated. Azarbaijan, Kerman, North Khorasan, South which the minister made several trips to and underway in this regard have led to job creation in these areas. The official also stressed the significant impact of installing Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi, Khuzestan, various provinces for inaugurating over 220 outstanding development in the rural regions. The supply of drinking water to the vil- steam units in the country’s gas power plants on improving Sistan-Baluchestan, Mazandaran, Qazvin, major projects with a total investment of It is while the sanctions have created lages has been also expedited by the current their efficiency and said: “The efficiency of large gas power Kermanshah, Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad, 335.6 trillion rials (about $7.99 billion). many limitations and difficulties for the government, especially since the Iranian plants is 31 percent on average; this figure can be increased Lorestan and Yazd provinces. Villages are often mentioned as some Iranian economy in recent years. calendar year 1398 (March 2019-March to more than 45 percent by turning them into combined Ardakanian had announced last month keys to the development of countries, and One of the sectors with noticeable achieve- 2020). cycle plants.” that electricity will be supplied to the villages the allocation of a proper amount of budget ments in this field is gas supplying, while Under the framework of a program titled In this regard, last year, a total of 1,936 megawatts (MW) with less than 10 families in the current to rural development always brings fruitful the number of villages supplied with nat- A-B-Iran, the Energy Ministry has inau- capacity of combined cycle power plants joined the country’s Iranian calendar year (started on March 20). economic results. ural gas has doubled during the past eight gurated many projects to supply drinking national electricity network, he added. The minister said that power supply to In Iran, where villages account for gen- years since the current government started water to the rural areas. Back in October 2018, Tarztalab had unveiled plans for an increase in the efficiency of the country’s power plants up to 40 percent in three years. According to the official, the efficiency improvement program Bulgarian companies eager for entering Iranian market was provisioned following a development initiative foreseen in the country’s Sixth Five-Year National Development Plan ECONOMY TEHRAN – Bulgaria’s Ambassador to sectors of the two countries would lead to the expansion (2016-2021), based on which the average efficiency of the deskTehran Nikolina Kuneva in a meeting with of trade ties. country’s power plants was to increase by 2.1 percent. the Head of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, He also pointed to the technical and engineering services According to the sixth development plan, new power plants Mining and Agriculture (TCCIMA) Masoud Khansari said as one of the suitable fields of cooperation saying: “Due to in Iran should operate with an efficiency of at least 55 percent. her country’s companies are eager for cooperation with the connections that the Tehran Chamber of Commerce has Currently, with a total generation capacity of 25,083 MW their Iranian counterparts. with the engineering system of Tehran province, it can invite (31.2 percent) combined cycle power plants account for the In the meeting held on Monday at the place of TCCIMA, reputable Iranian companies in this field to participate in biggest share in the country’s total power generation capacity the two sides stressed the need for the expansion of mutual construction projects in Bulgaria or to transfer technical followed by gas power plants generating 29.9 percent. trade ties, the TCCIMA portal reported. and engineering experiences to the country.” Speaking in the meeting, Khansari put the two countries’ Kuneva for her part underlined the expansion of cooper- annual trade value at $110 million, saying that this figure ation between the two sides’ private sectors as a prerequisite TEDPIX gains 2,000 points is mostly related to the imports of Iran from the European for increasing and diversifying the two countries’ trade and country. suggested holding video conferences between the Bulgarian on Tuesday Noting that the development of economic relations with Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the TCCIMA for Bulgaria is important for Iran, the official continued: “Co- acquaintance and exchange of views between the two sides. ECONOMY TEHRAN — After several days of decline, desk operation in the field of industry and especially in trans- She said that the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and TEDPIX, the main index of Tehran Stock portation can be an incentive to develop relations between Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Tehran Nikolina Kuneva (3rd Industry is ready to introduce Bulgarian companies that are Exchange (TSE), rose 2,824 points to 1.219 million on Tuesday. the two countries.” R) meets with TCCIMA Head Masoud Khansari (3rd L) interested in cooperating with Iranian companies during Over 5.614 billion securities worth 45.043 trillion rials According to Khansari cooperation between the private in Tehran on Monday. these video conferences. (about $1.072 billion) were traded at the TSE on Tuesday. The first market’s index gained 3, 042 points, and the second market’s index rose 2,341 points. Iran launches plan to produce 14m cellphones, tablets in 5 years Unprecedented fluctu- ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s Depu- tion tools, development of communication ipation of local operators and bundling of ations in the Iranian stock deskty Minister of Information justice, testing and evaluation of products, communication services on certain SIM cards market over the past few and Communications Technology (ICT) Sat- financing of production units and ultimately designed for the domestically-produced months have led sharehold- tar Hashemi has announced the launch of a achieving a target for producing 20 percent phones and the provision of installment sale ers, experts, and scholars five-year plan for the domestic production of the smartphones needed in the country programs for consumers, a good movement to call for the government of 14 million cellphone and tablets. by domestic producers are mentioned as the has also been started in the demand side to to increase its support for According to Hashemi, the mentioned main goals of the said program. achieve the goals set for gaining the market the market, some sharehold- program is going to create job opportunities In this regard, the ICT ministry has been share. ers want the government to for over 43,000 people and save the country pursuing a comprehensive support program Iranian mobile phone traders imported guarantee the return of their over $1 billion during the said five years, in cooperation with relevant institutions 15.8 million smartphones over the previous stocks, some believe provid- IRNA reported. and organizations, including the National Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20), ing infrastructure is the best Expressing his ministry’s readiness for the motto of the current Iranian calendar Planning and Budget Organization (PBO), according to the Iranian Association of Cell- way to help this market. the full support of the country’s cellphone year (started on March 20) which has been the Ministry of Industry, Mining and Trade, phones, Tablet, and Accessories Importers. Some, on the other hand, believe that the government and tablet manufacturers, the official invited named the year of “Production: Support and the National Virtual Space Center, and the Back in January, the spokesman of the should not interfere in the stock market, saying the govern- them to participate in the mentioned plan. the Elimination of Obstacles” by the Leader of private sector companies active in the pro- Iranian Association of Cellphone, Tablet, and ment’s pre-ordered and unrealistic pricing of some state- He noted that the said program is aimed the Islamic Revolution Seyed Ali Khamenei. duction and import of smartphones, the Accessories Importers had announced that owned shares is the main reason for the capital market’s at increasing the share of domestic products Improving the share of the digital econo- official said. the price of cellphones had dropped 12-20 current downward trend. in the country’s cellphone market in line with my, promoting the use of new communica- According to Hashemi, with the partic- percent in domestic markets. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y APRIL 21, 2021 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5

China’s Belt and Road Initiative can U.S. cities on alert as anti-racism protests rage ahead of Chauvin change regional balance: Turkish expert murder trial verdict 1 At a news briefing, Walz said “systemic changes” were TEHRAN – A Turkish expert in inter- The economic bloc that you mentioned necessary to protect Black Americans but said, “We cannot national relations says that China’s Belt was previously tested under the name of allow civil unrest to descend into chaos. We must protect life and Road Initiative (BRI) can change the RCD (Regional Cooperation for Devel- and property.” regional balance in West Asia and other opment) in 1964 and then under ECO Minneapolis has been on high alert amid protests over the parts of the world, inclduing South Asia (Economic Cooperation Organization) in fatal police shooting of a Black man in Brooklyn Center, a Min- and Africa. 1985. These attempts, which have been neapolis suburb, on April 11 and over the Chauvin trial verdict. “This project has the potential to change experienced in the past, may well be tried the regional balance not only of the Middle in the future. East (West Asia) but also other parts of How do you see the 25-year com- the world, from South Asia to Africa, with prehensive strategic partnership Xi says world needs justice, the new trading routes it creates,” Oral between Iran and China? Is China Toga tells the Tehran Times. a reliable partner when it comes to not hegemony in veiled The BRI is emerging as a vital lynchpin economic ties? reference to U.S. in China’s efforts to establish a maritime As you know, the text that was signed and continental zone of activity in Asia. was not an agreement, per se, with a great Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a fairer world order in Experts believe that the BRI project will deal of specificity but rather a memoran- the face of the West’s unilateralism, warning hegemonic countries change economic and strategic landscape dum of understanding. For the agreement against “bossing others around.” in the region and beyond. itself, we have to wait for the new govern- Speaking at the annual Boao Forum for Asia on Tuesday, Xi “İt is clear that this initiative and Chi- ment that will come after the June election said that “the future destiny of the world should be decided by nese investments will change the politi- in Iran. It is evident that this agreement all countries.” cal calculus and economic-development will contribute to ’s economic vi- “One or a few countries shouldn’t impose their rules on others, landscape of the Middle East (West Asia) sion for the region and Iran’s strategic and the world shouldn’t be led on by the unilateralism of a few and elsewhere,” Toga says. pollical calculus in cultivating closer ties countries,” Xi said. Following is the text of the interview: with China. Besides, when we consider the Without singling out the U.S., the Chinese president warned How do you assess Iran- “Iran’s influence in countries with high overlapping attitudes of Iran and China against building barriers that are against market principles. relations? Some experts point to two geopolitical importance, such as Iraq, regarding the developments in the Mid- “Attempts to erect walls or decouple run counter to the law dimensions: friendship and rivalry. dle East (West Asia), it will also pave the , and Yemen, will facilitate China’s of economics and market principles. They would hurt others’ How could two countries succeed way for the cooperation of both countries. interests without benefiting oneself,” Xi stated, in a veiled refer- in managing the tensions and raise implementation of its policies... in the future.” Iran’s influence in countries with high ence to Washington’s efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese cooperation despite disputes? geopolitical importance, such as Iraq, supply chains and crub export of products such as advanced I also agree with the dynamic of “friend- popular among Turks. In fact, many clear that this initiative and Chinese in- Syria, and Yemen, will facilitate China’s computer chips to China. ship and rivalry”. They can regularly com- people want to visit Iran. And the same vestments will change the political calculus implementation of its policies within these partmentalize policy issues meaning both applies vice versa: many people in Iran and economic-development landscape of areas in the future. Of course, Iran will also countries consider the subjects of dispute have a particular interest in cities such the Middle East (West Asia) and elsewhere. benefit, economically and politically, from between them separately from the issues as Istanbul, Antalya, Konya and Izmir, Do you think that Turkey pri- greater engagement with China, but it will Chad President Idriss Deby with which they can cooperate. I think and Turkey is a popular destination for oritizes economic ties with Asian need to ensure that Chinese investment this is something that must be taken into Iranians during Nowruz. These types of countries such as Iran, China, and is balanced across various sectors within has died account and examined. exchanges have been and remain crucial Iraq? Is there a possibility of forming the Iranian economy that is critical to its After the Islamic Revolution, many for Turkish-Iranian relations, as their a new economic bloc in the region? development, not just oil and gas so that Chad’s newly re-elected President Idriss Deby has died of injuries people thought that the relations between peoples discover and learn about their Well, if one looks at the data, it is clear trade relations are mutually beneficial. suffered on the frontline while fighting rebels in the north of the Turkey and Iran would fall victim to ide- commonalities rather than be shrouded in that countries in the European Union, But since there are still uncertainties, it Sahel country, an army spokesman said on Tuesday. ological conflict, but the opposite hap- uninformed prejudices. After all, “people notably Germany and the UK, still dom- is too early to make any judgments. Deby, 68, “has just breathed his last defending the sovereign pened. Turkey immediately recognized are hostile towards what they do not know inate Turkey’s trade relations. However, What is Turkey’s position towards nation on the battlefield” over the weekend, army spokesman the Islamic Republic as a state and has or cannot understand.” recent political developments have turned rapprochement between Israel, the General Azem Bermandoa Agouna said in a statement read out consistently refused to join the embargos Given China’s massive Belt and Turkey’s gaze increasingly towards Asia, UAE, Greece, and Cyprus? on state television. on Iran. On the other hand, while the Road İnitiative, how can China im- and Iraq has long been one of Turkey’s top Turkey follows these developments very General Mahamat Kaka, the son of the deceased Chadian trade volume between both countries pact regional balance in West Asia? trading partners. And Turkey is a “trading closely. I don’t think this rapprochement leader, is named interim head of state, the army spokesman said. was less than one billion dollars in 1980, The scope and enormity of the project nation” by nature. Unlike its neighbors, will be long-lasting because no equation despite all the harsh conditions of the is an indisputable fact. This project has Turkey does not have rich natural gas that excludes Turkey from the region has Iran-Iraq War, it increased to two and a the potential to change the regional bal- and oil reserves. Therefore, trading and been successful in the past. The clearest half-billion dollars by 1985. Of course, a ance not only of the Middle East (West tourism have an essential economic role, example of this, and one that still weighs Diaz-Canel becomes Cuba’s number of political issues did arise during Asia) but also other parts of the world, and these require a solid trading network heavy on the collective Turkish mindset, Communist Party chief the Iran-Iraq War period: Turkey’s oper- from South Asia to Africa, with the new and good relations. Thus, Turkey has been is the treaty of Sevres, which was tried ations in Northern Iraq, Iranian leaders’ trading routes it creates. For example, working with all countries to maintain to be implemented despite the Turkish Cuba’s ruling Communist Party has elected President Miguel comments about the headscarf issue in Central Asian countries are historically good relations without compromising people, and its aftermath. Diaz-Canel to replace Raul Castro as its leader -- the most pow- Turkey, and Iranian leaders refusing to in Russia’s sphere of interest, and Russia its own national interest and dignity. It Briefly, I can say that it is not reasonable erful position in the Caribbean island nation, that was held by pay a visit to Anıtkabir (Ataturk’s mau- will not welcome China’s influence which endeavors to build an economic model to ignore a country with an 85 million the Castro brothers for six decades. soleum), etc. However, these problems is increasing with this initiative. Likewise, that prioritizes production. So, from this population and a 1.577 km coastline in Diaz-Canel was elected as the Communist Party’s first sec- have never prevented a mutually beneficial most of the financing of the “Renaissance point of view, the answer is “maybe”, it the Mediterranean. All of these countries retary on the final day of the party’s 8th congress on Monday. relationship between the two countries. Dam”, one of the most critical projects of is possible Turkey will come to prioritize will need to invest in their respective and The 60-year-old Diaz-Canel, who already succeeded Castro Always have, always will. Ethiopia, is provided by Chinese banks. economic relations with Asian economies, joint relations with Turkey at some point. as president in 2018, has emphasized continuity since he took Furthermore, if we ignore some ex- As is known, this dam is building on the especially as China’s Belt and Road Initia- Nevertheless, Turkey has a better hand. office and is expected to retain Cuba’s one-party socialist system. ceptional groups in both countries, the Nile River, and Egypt sees it as a threat tive develops further and political relations The Maritime Boundary Deal and good “Comrade Raul ... will be consulted on the most important people of both countries are curious about to its national interests. As a result, it is with the West continue to become strained. relations with Libya constitute a barrier to strategic decisions of greatest weight for the destiny of our na- each other; they are also interconnected Greece. Additionally, the Turkish defense tion. He will always be present,” Diaz-Canel told hundreds of in terms of history, culture, and languag- “I don’t think this rapprochement (between industry has developed significantly. To- delegates in his first speech as party chief. es. While Iranians watch Turkish serials, day, Turkey produces its own warships, Castro would also continue to dispense guidance and “alerts Iranian films are also trendy in Turkey. Israel, the UAE, Greece, and Cyprus) will submarines, and missiles. Also, it is almost in the face of any error or deficiency,” he added. Both countries’ people learn each other’s be long-lasting because no equation that eight times bigger than Greece in terms language, and many vloggers in Turkey excludes Turkey from the region has been of human resources. All in all, Turkey come to visit Iran and make vlogs about has the ability to defend its rights both the country, which have become quite successful in the past.” legally and in the field. New constitution sole way out of crisis in protest-hit MP says 60% enrichment shows Iran’s nuclear technology capacity Bahrain: Sheikh Qassim Bahrain’s most prominent cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim 1 On the other hand, since this attack took place defense visited Israel, do you think the United says drawing up a new constitution is the only way out of the on a site that is operating under the nuclear safeguard States was also involved in the Natanz incident? political crisis in the protest-hit kingdom, urging the regime in regime, it can be classified as a “crime against human- Some analysts point to the role of the United States Manama to pursue an agreement with the Bahraini opposition ity”. Under international law, military action against in the Natanz incident. In our view, the reactions of instead of increasingly suppressing the dissidents. these sites is prohibited because radioactive leaks can Western countries to the Natanz incident have not been “Since the people do not find anything to persuade themselves have devastating effects on people. constructive. Instead of worrying about sabotage at a to stop their protest movement and are witnessing a surge in the Therefore, this is a criminal act. Although no leakage nuclear site, European countries have expressed concern [regime’s] policy of repression, dictatorship and marginalization, of radioactive has occurred on the site, Iran will pursue about Iran’s 60% enrichment for radiopharmaceutical they are pressing ahead with their uprising, whatever the cost this issue at the international bodies due to the possible production. This shows a double standard in the Euro- may be,” Sheikh Qassim said in a statement released on Monday consequences of this sabotage operation. The Iranian pean behavior, which is quite disappointing. and carried by the Bahrain Mirror news website. foreign minister has written a letter to the UN secretary Despite claiming that the policy of maximum pres- “There would be no way out of the current situation unless general. There is evidence that the Zionist regime was sure on Iran has failed, the United States has refused the government reaches an agreement with the opposition to involved in this action. to condemn the Israeli operation and is trying to use draw up a new constitution and found relevant institutions so Iranian officials have accused Israel of the it as a political card against Iran, but this dream will as to protect the citizens’ rights and recognize their sovereign sabotage operation in Natanz. Some believe that never come true. position in the country’s politics,” the senior cleric pointed out. enriching uranium to 60% is a response to the There are reports about the coordination of the Zi- sabotage. What is your view? ran into problems that can be recovered. onist regime and the United States, but we have not According to the act of “Strategic Action to Lift the However, the Islamic Republic is determined to yet seen an official position from them, although we Resistance News Sanctions and Protect the Interests of the Iranian Na- continue this path with more power and replace the do not allow the Americans to take advantage of the tion,” the Atomic Energy Organization is assigned to damaged centrifuges with more advanced ones. Israeli sabotages in the political negotiations. Israeli forces carry out keep on enriching uranium at any level to meet the With the start of enrichment to 60%, Iran shows Therefore, we are completely distrustful of the inten- training raids on cells of peaceful needs of the country. To that end, while our that its capacity for nuclear knowledge is too strong to tion of the United States to return to its commitments. country needs molybdenum to supply some radiop- be stopped by sabotage, and that Iran has the ability That is why we will not lose our cards on the table until Hamas prisoners harmaceuticals, producing this substance requires to rely on indigenous knowledge to meet its needs. the United States returns to its (nuclear deal) com- enrichment to 60%. The Natanz incident took place in the midst mitments. We are waiting for them to return to their INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN— Israeli prison forces on Tuesday Under these circumstances, we made a political of nuclear deal talks between Iran and the P4 +1 commitments first and to lift the sanctions completely. deskmorning carried out provocative simulated decision to start producing the molybdenum, which group in Vienna. The Iranian foreign minister Iran will then conduct a thorough verification of the raids on cells of Hamas prisoners in the Ofer jail. is a must for Iran at this time. For this reason, we gave said the incident was aimed at weakening Iran’s lifting of sanctions before a return to its obligations According to Asra Media Office, prison forces violently a clear answer to the enemies that the capability of negotiating position. Do you think the incident under the JCPOA to demonstrate its commitment to stormed sections of the Ofer jail where Hamas prisoners are the Islamic Republic is not limited, and even after the can negatively affect the nuclear deal talks in international agreements. Otherwise, the U.S. propos- held and carried out drills inside them. sabotage operation, the enrichment at the Natanz site Vienna? Given that this incident took place after als are not acceptable to us. But we feel that the Biden Consequently, such practice provoked tension inside the did not stop at all. the Mossad chief visited the United States and administration, despite giving different slogans, still jail and raised the ire of the prisoners, who may respond by Due to the power outage, a number of centrifuges at the same day that the American secretary of intends to follow Trump’s policies in the face of Iran. taking protest steps. Asra Media quoted the Captive Movement in Israeli jails as saying that what happened in the morning in the Ofer jail was “a blatant violation of the inviolability of the holy month Saudi female activist wins top Europe rights award of Ramadan and an assault on the prisoners.” The Palestinian prisoners in the Ofer jail are exposed to Prominent Saudi female activist Loujain servative kingdom. rights in Saudi Arabia, including her efforts dent, the prize is awarded annually for systematic suppression and maltreatment by Israeli jailers al-Hathloul has been awarded a high-profile Hathloul was announced on Monday as to end a ban on women’s driving. civil society action in defense of human and recently they considered staging a mass hunger strike after European prize owing to her campaigns for the winner of the Vaclav Havel Human Rights According to Press TV, named after the rights by the Parliamentary Assembly of their talks with the prison administration failed to improve women’s human rights in the ultra-con- Prize in recognition of her fight for women’s former Czech dissident and later presi- the Council of Europe (PACE). their incarceration conditions. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM APRIL 21, 2021

Popular souvenirs to buy UNESCO to assess Iran’s “land of while visiting Iran PART 3 TOURISM One of the traditions of Ancient Persia is handi- desk caravanserais” for world heritage crafts, which are preserved in the culture of the nation and passed on from generation to generation. 1 “They are the foundations of tour- road in Iran, were not only a simple place Today handmade products are highly regarded outside Iran as a ism industry development in the country,” for travelers to rest and keeping safe their unique art. Popular way of Iranian handicraft are true masterpieces, Mehr quoted Talebian as saying. belongs, also were a meeting point for trav- and each of them has its own history. “Among the properties are some caravan- elers, merchants, scientists, and many other Art is a fine industry in Iran and is famous for its unique hand- serais located in .” scholars who wanted to exchange knowledge icrafts. There are presently nine million Iranians, involved in the The case for Bastam and Kharaghan in- and ideas, as well as discover new civilizations. production of handicrafts and other rural industries like Persian cludes the complex of Sheikh Bayazid Bast- Caravanserais are usually a place that carpets, Kilim & Jajim, hand–made and hand-painted glassware ami, the chief , the towering dome of provides safety for Caravans and travelers and ceramics, pottery items and jewellery making. The Ministry Kashaneh, and a part of the old wall of the against natural risks like rain, snow, storms, of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has listed popular city. The complex of Sheikh Bayazid Bast- and floods, or danger of robbers on the roads. souvenirs to buy while visiting Iran as below. ami comprises the grave of Sheikh Bayazid That’s why the structure of caravanserais is Mat Weaving Bastami, one of the five elevated Sufis of the like a castle and good fortified. From a simple Mat Weaving (mat plaiting) refers to the weaving of plant (cellu- world. For the same reason, from the 19th enclosure building at the first prototypes lose) fibers by hand and simple tools to create products like ground century onward, several important properties to the highly decorated ones in the middle cloth, table cloth, baskets, utensils, etc. This traditional art includes have been constructed around it. The oldest centuries or the very fortified types of it, are weaving other materials, too (such as bamboo, Morvar, wand, etc.). property of the complex dates back to the the evidence of progress, improvement, and Chigh Weaving is also a subset of mat weaving where wool threads 8th and 9th centuries CE. evolution of this kind of buildings. are also used along with the plant fibers to create traditional designs Authenticity and integrity have been kept The most characteristic element of Persian and patterns. for one thousand years. Scientifically, the caravanserai is the central courtyard, this Wheat Stalk Muharaq properties have been confirmed through ex- design is very functional and it’s the result of Wheat Stalk Muharaq (burning) includes cutting moist wheat cavations and renovations. The complex of evolution. The central court allows the best stalks, heating them to change their color and form, and pasting Sheikh Bayazid Bastami can be compared form of fortification and provides four rows them on a special background. An artist in this field must be com- with other religious complexes in the Islamic of rooms around the yard. On the back of petent in providing and providing what stalk, cutting them, dyeing world but its remarkable issue is that it has the main ancient civilizations, the historical example, Silk Road is one of these long-lasting the rooms, there are four halls for animals them, pasting the background cloth, heating, creating embossed had a regular trend of development through roads are playing a critical role in Persian corridors which played an important role in and stores. patterns, etc. one thousand years. civilization. From the beginning of history to the Persian Empire during history. Caravanserais are from unique examples Chiqbafi In the file submitted to UNESCO, there the current time, the role of Iran as a bridge The historical roads have had several el- of Iranian architecture that in each historical Making mat products using Chiq technique for mat and winding are 25 caravanserais, selected from hundreds has encouraged the rulers and people to always ements related to their functions. Bridges, period and in different parts of Iran, signifi- colored fibers taken from animal wool (goat and sheep) around of caravanserais from all over Iran. care about roads and related structures as one checkpoints, castles, , and caravan- cant examples have remained which can be them is called Chiqbafi. As Iran historically is located between of the main financial income resources. For serais as the main element of the historical considered as architectural masterpieces. Sea Handicrafts Cutting and making various items like necklace, bracelet, tableau, frame, etc. from various seashells. Seashell artist must be 324 eco-lodge units come on stream in Kerman familiar with seashell and cutting TOURISM TEHRAN – The director general of Cul- ism workers and five short-term tourism courses were held, it to create decorative and prac- desktural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts in which 205 and 95 managers and employees of tourism tical items. Department of has said 324 eco-lodge facilities in this province attended, respectively”, he continued. Glassblowing units have been inaugurated in this province until the end Building two hotels and an apartment hotel was one Glassblowing is a tradition- of the past Iranian calendar year (March 19). of the most important activities of the department in the al glassforming technique that In an interview with IRNA on Tuesday, Fereydoun Fa’ali last year, he said. involves inflating molten glass added: “Last year, nine eco-lodge units were inaugurated, “Moreover, 122,496 people visited tourist attractions of (1260°C) into a bubble with the increasing the accommodation capacity of Kerman prov- this province last year, of whom 3,434 were foreign tourists. aid of a blowpipe and simple tools ince. Also, 10 agreements in principle were issued to launch The tourism industry has suffered a lot from the coronavi- like scissors, pliers, etc. Then the eco-lodge units.” rus, however, during the last year we tried to support the glass is put in Garmkhaneh (warm Referring to the efforts made to improve the quality of tourism sector against the damage caused by the pandemic. room) for 24 hours to cool down ecotourism services in the province, the official went on to With seven world-registered monuments, 700 national slowly. A skillful glassblower can say: “A short-term tourism course was held attended by 30 monuments, and thousands of historical and natural at- shape the items without using any cast. persons to empower local communities.” tractions Kerman province is one of the important tourist Glass Cutting “Meanwhile, seven courses for the empowerment of tour- destinations in the country. Glass Cutting using small electromotor that rotate a disk and the artist can cut the glass by special stones. The speed of the cutting disks is regulated according to the type of cut and the deeper the required cut is, the higher speed would be needed. Glass Fusing 55 properties in East Azarbaijan added to cultural heritage list Glass Fusing refers to the skill HERITAGE TEHRAN – In the past organization of Sheikh Shahabuddin Ahari 17 works. of cutting colored glasses and fus- deskIranian calendar year (end- Complex its priority.” Currently, over 85 handicrafts fields are ing them to other pieces of glass, ed March 19) a total of 55 historical, cultural He announced documenting the tomb- being practiced by 14,000 artisans and crafters without using any glue. The glass and natural properties in the northwestern stones of the Islamic period of city and across the province. is put in electric furnace till the East Azarbaijan province were added to the collecting them in the historical monument of Capital of East Azarbaijan province, , film of the pieces is loosen and national heritage list. Qasem Khan Ahari and also documenting the which is well-soaked in history and culture for fused together. Then the product Protection of historical monuments and tombstones of the Islamic period of Varzeqan millennia, embraces several historical and reli- is cooled and installed in place. buildings is one of the needs of different coun- city and collecting them in the historical mon- gious sites, including Jameh Mosque of Tabriz Namadmali tries today to support the identity and culture ument of Amir Arshad in order to set up a and , and UNESCO-registered Namadmali (making felt) of tomorrow, and East Azarbaijan, with its stone museum. Tabriz Historic Complex to name a few. refers to the process of making history of several thousand years, natural, hu- The official said that one of the most -im The ancient city was declared a world craft a cloth that is produced complete- man and political geography and culture is a portant and effective measures in preserving city of carpet weaving by the World Craft in ly natural by rubbing wool along forerunner in this field,” ISNA quoted Ahmad historical and cultural monuments is their reg- 2016. It also bore the title of 2018 Islamic with water and soap. As a result, Hamzehzadeh, director general of Cultural the goals of protection and preservation of istration in the list of national monuments, Tourism Capital. the small fibers of the wool are Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Depart- historical buildings, this general administration noting: “During the last year, it has nationally Tabriz became the capital of the Mongol woven together. ment of East Azarbaijan, as saying. made conservation, restoration, reconstruction registered its historical and natural works, of Il-Khan Mahmud Gazan (1295–1304) and Traditional Padlock Making Stating that this department had put the and excavation of 34 works, including excava- which 17 registered works belong to historical his successor. Timur (Tamerlane), a Turkic This art major refers to making various types of padlocks (mostly restoration, protection, reconstruction, and tion, restoration, and organization of “Rab-e monuments (immovable works), 11 works be- conqueror, took it in 1392. Some decades lat- traditional ones with special appearances) using iron or copper by organization of 34 valuable and historical mon- Rashidi Historical Complex”, “Hassan Padshah long to movable works, 13 natural works, 14 er the Kara Koyunlu Turkmen made it their hand and smithery tools. uments of the province on the agenda during Complex”, “Chahar Menar Tomb” and “Tabriz spiritual works, and in the field of historical capital, it was when the famous Blue Mosque Zomood-gari the last year, went on to say: “In order to achieve Historical Bazaar” as well as renovation and monuments, it has also done demarcation for was built in Tabriz. Zomood-gari refers to a part of products made by tradition- al blacksmiths and includes door and window fittings. In other words, Zomood-gari is the profession of making metal fittings for traditional doors and windows. The most common material for Zomood-gari is iron. Gilan’s handicraft artisans provided with $360,000 in loans Lithography TOURISM TEHRAN — The deputy director of Cul- number of cities and villages registered by the World Crafts Lithography (stone carving) is the art of carving different de- desktural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Council, as China with seven entries, Chile with four, and signs on stone and cutting it to use in architecture and making Department of announced that a total of 145 India with three ones come next. In late January, the cities of various items. In Persian it is called “stone cutting” and refers to billion rials in loans were paid to the handicraft artisans in Shiraz, Malayer, and Zanjan and the village of Qassemabad any work on stone. the last Iranian year (ended March 19). were designated by the WCC- Asia Pacific Region, putting Lapidary The facilities were paid to 1,467 artisans and craftsmen in Iran’s number of world crafts cities and villages from ten to 14. Cutting precious stones and semi-precious stones (lapidary) is the field of handicrafts, Farzad Rashidi highlighted. Iran exported $523 million worth of handicrafts dur- a practical handicraft in Iran. Precious stones and semi-precious “Last year, due to the outbreak of coronavirus and the ing the past calendar year 1398 (ended March 19, 2020). stones refer to some stones such as Jade, Amatis, Agate, Turquoise, impact of the disease on employment, the facilities were pro- Of the figure, some $273 million worth of handicrafts were Emerald, etc. These stones are cut using a special electric machine. vided in the form of job creation packages which created jobs exported officially through customs, and about $250 million After polishing the stone, it is set on golden or silver pedals to be for 1,546 persons.” was earned via suitcase trade (allowed for customs-free and used as ring, earring, necklace, etc. Some artist cut the stones to Last year, deputy tourism minister Pouya Mahmoudian tax-free transfer) through various provinces, according to be used in utensils, decorative items. noted that due to the outbreak of coronavirus, official exports data provided by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tour- Silk Weaving of handicrafts experienced a steep decline. important role in the economy in our rural villages,” she said. ism and Handicrafts. Ceramics, pottery vessels, handwoven Silk Weaving refers to the skill of weaving thin silk fabrics using “Some 295 fields of handicrafts are currently practiced Over the past couple of years, dozens of high-quality Ira- cloths as well as personal ornamentations with precious and raw or un-colored silk by a special traditional weaving machine. Silk across Iran with more than two million people engaging, nian handicrafts have been honored with the UNESCO Seal semi-precious gemstones are traditionally exported to Iraq, weaver is a person who can recognize raw silk, dyeing the threads, majority of whom are women… Handicrafts also play an of Excellence. With 14 entries, Iran ranks first globally for the Afghanistan, Germany, the U.S., the UK, and other countries. wrapping, and weaving simple silk fabrics. Twig Weaving The art of weaving willow twigs (called Arghavan or Tarakeh in Persian) is a handicraft profession in Iran. The artists use small Some $2m paid to support handicraft sector in West Azarbaijan and thin twigs called Morvar and weave them together to create baskets, utensils, trays, etc. the hubs for this art have been Gilan, HERITAGE TEHRAN – The director investment of 2,595 billion rials will be op- of illegal activities of residential units in coop- In October 2020, the deputy tourism chief, Hamedan, Isfahan, Khuzestan, and Sistan and Baloochestan. deskgeneral of Cultural Herit- erational over the next few months, creating eration with the Law Enforcement officials for Vali Teymouri, announced that a new support Towel Weaving age, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department jobs for 318 persons. the use of residential units and reception were package was approved to pay loans to busi- Towel Weaving is one of the traditional handicrafts in Iran. of West Azarbaijan province has said that 8 Jabbari noted that last year seven permits another measure of the General Directorate nesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The ingredients include cotton or silk threads colored using herbal billion rials (some $2 million at the official rate were issued for tourism facilities in the province during the past year.” Depending on the type and activity of the dyes. The practical products for this fabric include towel, scarf, of 42,000 rials) in loans were paid to handicraft and prediction for an investment volume of He also referred to the training and em- businesses, they could benefit from at least shawl, dress, etc. Towel Weaving has been popular in Khorasan. artisans of the province in the previous Iranian 409 billion rials and employment of 57 people, powerment of tourism activists during the 160 million rials ($3,800) to nine billion rials Chogha Weaving calendar year (ended March 19). said: “Also last year, five tourist accommodation last year and said: “Holding virtual training ($214,000) of bank loans with a 12-percent Chogha is a long, sleeveless coat made of wool, worn by nomads Jalil Jabbari told Tasnim News Agency that units in the province were launched.” courses for empowering professional tour- interest rate, he said. and shepherds on their clothes like a cloak. Chogha is mostly in the accommodation capacity in the province Jabbari added: “Also, visits by members ism activists, holding a workshop for tourism The loans would be allocated to tourist black and white, and Chogha-weaving is a handicraft art in Khuz- was 2,291 rooms and 5,395 beds, noting: “With of the executive staff of the province’s travel activists in one workshop, holding courses, guides, travel agencies, tourism transport estan Province. the implementation of the projects under con- services, issuance of operating licenses for short-term tourism training courses, coor- companies, tourism educational institutions, Charoogh Weaving struction, 869 rooms and 1,712 beds will be accommodation and recreation units in three dinating training webinars with the tourism eco-lodges and traditional accommodations, Charoogh Weaving refers to the art of weaving special footwear added to this capacity.” cases, registration of the crated jobs in the regulations of the Ministry of Tourism and hotels, apartment hotels, motels, and guest- that is mostly made of leather. The footwear has special lashes, Five projects including a three-star hotel, country’s employment monitoring system, travel and tourism services offices and tour houses as well as traditional accommodation twisted around the shin. Chnaroogh is one of North Khorasan two tourism complexes, an accommodation issuance of price rates for accommodation and guides are some of the measures taken by centers, tourism complexes, and recreational Handicrafts and is mostly weaved in Qoochan. complex, and a four-star hotel with a total catering units in the province and prevention this department.” centers, the official explained. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y APRIL 21, 2021 SOCIETY 7

Health sector holds 15% share Carbon emissions to soar in 2021 by second highest rate in history in national budget Carbon dioxide emissions are forecast to jump this year by SOCIETY TEHRAN – Some 15 decreasing the out-of-pocket expenses for the second biggest annual rise in history, as global economies deskpercent of the national the patients, promoting natural birth, and pour stimulus cash into fossil fuels in the recovery from the budget for the current Iranian calendar year supporting underprivileged patients suffering Covid-19 recession. (started on March 20) has been allocated from rare or incurable diseases, was launched The leap will be second only to the massive rebound 10 years to the health sector, deputy health minister in the country in May 2014. ago after the financial crisis, and will put climate hopes out of Kamel Taqavinejad has said. A plan that has succeeded in enforcing reach unless governments act The national budget bill has proposed 1.5 many of the health-deferred laws and reg- quickly, the International En- quadrillion rials (around $35 billion at the ulations, and continues to do so despite all ergy Agency has warned. official rate of 42,000 rials) for the health- the credit and manpower deficiencies. Surging use of coal, the dirt- care system, a more than twofold increase Increased access to medicine and treat- iest fossil fuel, for electricity is compared to the last year’s budget of 700 ment was among the achievements of the largely driving the emissions trillion rials (nearly $16 billion). plan. In addition, 11 million Iranians without rise, especially across Asia but Last year, despite all the constraints on any health insurance were covered by public also in the US. Coal’s rebound funding, was a successful year for the Ministry insurance. causes particular concern be- of Health and the universities. This year, Prior to the project, public spending on cause it comes despite plunging with the efforts made to increase the budget healthcare services was more than 50 per- prices for renewable energy, this year, good capacity has been predicted cent. Meanwhile, with the implementation which is now cheaper than coal. for medical universities, Taqavinejad said. of the plan, the share of payment from the Speaking exclusively to the The health system accounts for approxi- pockets of patients in the field of health has Guardian, Fatih Birol, the ex- mately 15 percent of the total public budget. decreased to 32.4 percent. ecutive director of the IEA, and Over 90 percent of the health system’s budget The plan started supporting physicians in one of the world’s leading au- is provided from government and public re- deprived areas, which increased the number of thorities on energy and climate, sources and 10 percent from private resources, doctors to more than 4,300 general practition- said: “This is shocking and very disturbing. On the one hand, which are gained from the health system and percent, respectively. It is essential to know that as much as ers, specialists, and subspecialists, resulting governments today are saying climate change is their priority. hospitals, he explained. The share of traditional medicine in the creating new hospital beds, developing in increased access to medical treatment. But on the other hand, we are seeing the second biggest emissions Taqavinejad went on to add that the budget health budget has grown by 6 percent. hospitals, renovating dilapidated hospital About 1,100 comprehensive healthcare rise in history. It is really disappointing.” is spent on health, treatment, research, and In the area of the health reform plan, there tissue, and upgrading medical centers are centers across the country are now offering Emissions need to be cut by 45% this decade, if the world is to development in the health sector and higher has not been a considerable budget growth. important; the establishment of comprehen- medical services to patients and providing the limit global heating to 1.5C (2.7F), scientists have warned. That education, IRNA reported on Tuesday. Health reform plan and dealing sive health centers, health houses, health necessary care since the onset of the epidemic. means the 2020s must be the decade when the world changes The largest increase in the budget health with crises workers training, the launch of electronic One of the important health capacities course, before the level of carbon in the atmosphere rises too high system budget is allocated to medical univer- The coronavirus outbreak proved that health records for the people, and numerous that came to the aid of the country in the to avoid dangerous levels of heating. But the scale of the current sities, with a 73 percent increase compared one-dimensional health systems cannot screening schemes, medical supply, quantita- coronavirus crisis was the electronic health emissions rebound from the Covid-19 crisis means “our starting to the last year’s budget, he highlighted. survive health-threatening crises, which tive and qualitative improvement of medical record, and according to the Minister of point is definitely not a good one”, said Birol. The share of health services in the budget occur every few years in the form of infec- education, and medical research are of great Health Saeed Namaki, at least 75 million Birol compared the current surge of emissions to the finan- is 70 percent, while primary healthcare ser- tious diseases so that the need for healthcare importance which needs to be considered. Iranians with a national code can file elec- cial crisis, when emissions rose by more than 6% in 2010 after vices and research hold a share of 18 and 12 reforms should be brought into sharp focus. The healthcare reform plan, aiming at tronic health records. countries tried to stimulate their economies through cheap fossil fuel energy. “It seems we are back on course to repeat the same mistakes,” he warned. “I am more disappointed this time than in 2010.” Iran breaks U.S. monopoly on recombinant flu vaccine Emissions plunged by a record 7% globally last year, owing to the lockdowns that followed the Covid-19 outbreak. But by 1 “As the second producer of recombinant seasonal the past 6 years, we started the production process of in accordance with the standards of the World Health the end of the year, they were already rebounding, and on track influenza vaccine in the world, we were able to acquire the recombinant influenza vaccine in December 2018. Organization, the Food and Drugs Administration, and to exceed 2019 levels in some areas. the technical knowledge to develop the vaccine with the So far, the vaccine has been injected into about 430 the Ministry of Health. The IEA’s projections for 2021 show emissions are likely to end help of experts,” he highlighted. people, which has had satisfactory results, he also said. In October 2020, the Ministry of Health implemented this year still down slightly on 2019 levels, but on a rising path. In previous years, the domestic need was 3 and 3.5 million At present, other flu vaccines cost 7 to 9 Euros to a national plan to provide two million doses of influenza Next year there could be even stronger rises as air travel returns, doses, but due to coronavirus pandemic, the flu vaccine is import, so that, 2 to 3 million doses of the vaccine vaccines for at-risk groups such as the elderly, transplant Birol added. Aviation would normally contribute more than 2% needed more than before, he said, expressing hope that the costs us 18-27 million Euros, which with the domestic patients, cardiopulmonary patients, and pregnant women of global emissions, but has been almost absent this past year. vaccine to hit the market by September. production, will be reduced to at least one third, he to reduce COVID-19 effects. He called on governments to bring forward new climate poli- In fact, due to the U.S. sanctions and import limitations, emphasized. According to the national plan on influenza vaccination, cies urgently and seek a green recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. we often have problems in supplying vaccines. Relying According to IRNA, the first seasonal flu vaccine was up to 80,000 people who are supported by the welfare “Last year, I expressed my hope that the economic recovery from on the previous knowledge of our technical team over unveiled on April 8. In addition, the vaccine is made organization have received free vaccines. Covid-19 should be green and sustainable. But these numbers indicate that this recovery is currently anything but sustainable for our climate,” he said. The US president, Joe Biden, is convening a climate summit Over 9,000 prisoners of involuntary crimes freed this week, with the leaders of 40 countries expected to attend, at which he will urge countries to come forward with strong com- SOCIETY TEHRAN – Iranian loans to be paid inside the prison. come together in a ceremony to raise funds President Hassan Rouhani, former desk mitments on cutting emissions this decade. Birol said this was benefactors helped The third way of assistance is the for releasing prisoners of unintentional Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, and an opportunity for countries to change course and put policies release a total of 9,398 inmates of un- release of unintentional convicts by crimes during the holy month of Rama- Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Seyed Ebra- in place for a green recovery. intentional crimes across the country over paying their debt; last year, a total of dan (which started on April 13 this year), him Raeisi made a total of 3.9 billion rials “If governments take clear and imminent action, with the past Iranian calendar year (March 35 trillion rials (nearly $833 million at through which, Leader of the Islamic (around $92,000) in contributions to free the amount of cheap clean energy technologies we have, we 2020-March 2021), according to the the official rate of 42,000 rials) has been Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has prisoners of unintentional crimes. can transform this disappointment to some good outcomes,” Blood Money Organization. donated to pay the debt of the released donated 5 billion rials (about $120,000 During the first nine months of last he said. Some 9,108 male and 290 female prisoners. at the official rate of 42,000 rials). year, some 5,068 inmates of unintentional The IEA is considered the global gold standard for energy prisoners, who were convicts or financial Last year, topped the Last year (March 2020-March 2021), crimes were released from prison with data, and its projections for 2021 are based on comprehen- crimes, have been released. list for releasing the highest number of heads of the three branches of the govern- the help of charities. sive soundings from around the world, including data from Freeing prisoners of involuntary crimes prisoners amounting to 677 involuntary ment and the private sector donated 6.5 According to Asadollah Joolaei, head existing energy sources and new plants scheduled to come is done in three ways; the first way is crime doers, while Sistan-Baluchestan billion rials (nearly $150,000) to release of Blood Money Organization, there are onstream. Energy data from the end of last year showed fossil granting prisoners leave and the second at the bottom of the list. prisoners who had committed involun- currently 12,874 inmates of unintentional fuels ahead of 2019 levels, and the surge has continued in the way is providing a number of them with As an annual tradition, benefactors tary crimes. crimes in the country’s prisons. first part of this year. In its Global Energy Review, published on Tuesday, the IEA found that global carbon emissions from energy use, which ac- counts for the great majority of greenhouse gas emissions, were Charity foundation supports 110,000 job plans for the deprived on course to rise by 1.5bn tonnes in 2021, after having fallen last year. That represents a 5% rise to 33bn tonnes of carbon TEHRAN – Barekat Charity Foun- projects in Sistan-Baluchestan province this year, which (March 2017-March 2018) Barekat Charity Founda- SOCIETY dioxide for the year. After more than half a decade of decline, deskdation, affiliated to Headquarters for will create 25,750 direct and indirect jobs in deprived tion- the social arm of the organization- with the aim global coal demand is forecast to grow by 4.5%, approaching its Executing the Order of the Imam, has supported 110,000 and rural areas of the province, he further announced. of promoting social justice was established. all-time peak in 2014. job plans for the people residing in deprived areas over By the end of the past year, over 15,000 job plans, Socio-economic empowerment of communities by the past Iranian calendar year (March 2020-March 2021), created 45,000 micro and household businesses in this encouraging entrepreneurship prioritizing breadwin- deputy head of the foundation has said. province, have been fully operational, he added. ner women, developing infrastructures such as water By the end of last year, 110,000 community-based Production of livestock, clothing, handicrafts, technical supply and power grids, building roads, constructing LET’S LEARN PERSIAN job creation projects had been launched across the and service jobs, poultry, and greenhouse products are schools and increasing educational spaces, promoting (Part 163) (Source: saadifoundation.ir) country, creating 330,000 small and home-based job among the priority areas for job generation in deprived health for all, granting non-repayable loans and insur- opportunities, Mehr quoted Morteza Niazi as saying and rural areas of Sistan-Baluchestan. ance especially in less developed areas and regions most on Tuesday. Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam affected by 1980s war and natural disasters are of the The foundation aims to launch 8,250 employment was founded in 1989. In the Iranian calendar year, 1386 priorities of the charity foundation.

ENGLISH IN USE LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION Plans on agenda to address sand ۴ استان جنوبی در اولویت مقابله با گرد و غبار and dust storms in 4 provinces مدیــر ملــی ســتاد مقابلــه بــا پدیــده گــرد و غبــار از تهیــه ســند ملــی مقابله بــا گرد Studies to combat sand and dust storms are almost completed و غبــار و نهایــی شــدن مطالعــات طوفــان ماســه و گــرد و غبــار خبــر داد و اظهارکرد: and next year (starting on March 21) plans will be implemented ســال بعــد اســت انهای خوزســتان، سیســتان و بلوچســتان، کرمــان و هرمــزگان در in four provinces of Khuzestan, Sistan-Baluchestan, Kerman اولویــت مقابلــه بــا گــرد و غبــار قــرار می گیرنــد. and Hormozgan, director of the national headquarters for علــی محمــد طهماســبی بیرگانــی بــا اشــاره بــه تهیــه ســند ملــی مقابلــه بــا پدیــده .combatting sand and dust storms has said Ali Mohammad Tahmasbi-Birgani explained that the national گــرد و غبــار اعــام کــرد: ایــن ســند هفتــه آینــده بررسســی خواهــد شــد و بعــد از document to fight sand and dust storms will be hammered تصویــب اعمــال شــود. .out next week and will be implemented once it is approved بــه گــزارش روز جمعــه خبرگــزاری ایســنا وی ادامــه داد: برنامــه پنــج ســاله مقابله با The five-year plan will set strategies and guidelines for developing گــرد و غبــار برنا مههــا و رهنمودهــای کلــی را در حــوزه سیسـ ـتمهای پیشبینــی early warning systems for sand and dust storms and restoration plans for wetlands and also task responsible bodies to tackle هشــدار گــرد و غبــار، عملیــات اصلحــی و رو شهــای احیایــی را شــامل میشــود و the environmental issue, ISNA quoted Tahmasbi-Birgani as وظایــف همــه دســتگاههای اجرایــی را مشــخص می کنــد. .saying on Friday Prayer Times Noon:13:03 Evening: 20:01 Dawn: 4:53 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:23 (tomorrow) APRIL 21, 2021 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh Iranian Film Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Festival Australia Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 to open with “TiTi”

Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 ARTTEHRAN— “TiTi” by supernatural powers, performs a strange deskIda Panahandeh will ritual to save him. This is the start of an No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran open the 10th edition of the Iranian Film odyssey; an odyssey that changes their P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Festival Australia (IFFA) in Perth on May lives forever. Zip Code: 1599814713 20, the organizers have announced. The film has been screened at several The film tells the story of a hospital- international events, including the Tokyo ized, critically ill physicist, working on International Film Festival. a theory about black holes and the end The Iranian Film Festival Australia will of the world, who meets a rather eccen- continue in Perth until May 26 and then will tric hospital housekeeper named TiTi. move to Brisbane from May 27 to June 2. Though single, TiTi is acting as a surrogate Melbourne will be the next city to mother for an infertile couple in order host the festival from June 3 to 9, and to serve humanity and raise money to the festival will come to an end in Sydney build a small room of her own. When on June 16. GUIDE TO the physicist falls into a deep coma, TiTi, The festival’s lineup will be announced SPIRITUAL AWAKENING rose by Iranian gypsies and possessing in the near future. A scene from “TiTi” by Iranian director Ida Panahandeh. The people whom I hate the most and who are the far- thest from me on the Day of Judgment are those who talk uselessly, and those who put down others, and those Animation series on Persian poet Sadi’s who show off when they talk. Prophet Muhammad (S) Bustan produced ARTTEHRAN—An animation series based annually on April 20. deskon the tales of the 13th-century Iranian Alireza Maskuki and Saman Abdinejad are the directors Iran’s “Sun” to be screened poet Sadi’s major work Bustan has been produced by the of the series, which is written by Abbas Karimi. IRIB’s Fars provincial channel, ISNA reported on Tuesday. One of the greatest figures of classical Persian litera- in Spanish cinemas Entitled “Travels of Sadi”, the series is composed ture, Sheikh Muslih od-Din Sadi Shirazi (C. 1213-1291) of 26 episodes in two seasons and is produced on the is famous worldwide for his Bustan (The Orchard) and CULTURE TEHRAN — The Iranian movie “Sun” directed occasion of National Sadi Day, which is celebrated (The Rose Garden). deskby is to be screened in Spanish cinemas by May 14, Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) has announced. Joint U.S.-UAE Film glorifies Daesh terrorists CULTURE TEHRAN — Exposing and the so-called Ninawa “SWAT Team”, er indication of the filmmakers’ blunders, deskthe U.S. and the UAE which the filmmakers try to pass as the main showing they were unaware that this term propaganda, a critique published by IRNA unit that liberated Mosul in 2016. It is im- was used by the ISIS and Al Qaeda terrorists looks at the political dimensions of the mediately clear to an informed audience to refer to Iranians, while in the film this film “Mosul” and its attempts to distort that despite the fabricated and exaggerated fact has been neglected. historical facts narratives and cinematic effects, the Mosul In addition, the Iranian military advisers U.S. funded film and movie productions film is based on minimal accounts of real who were present during the war against ISIS are now pursuing the agenda of establishing events. The character of Major Jassim, who never wore military uniforms, with General a fabricated narrative of the war on the so- commands the SWAT team in the film, is Soleimani being the best representation of called ISIS (Daesh) and changing the horrific actually inspired by the character of two this, who always dressed in unmarked khaki religious and ethnic groups to show that realities of terrorist groups that committed senior commanders of the SWAT forces, military clothing in war zones. only the United States seeks to build a single The movie’s trailer in Spanish has already been released by crimes against humanity in Iraq and Syria. Colonel Ryan Abdul Razzaq and Major Nevertheless, making such films is in fact nation in Iraq, and that Iran only supports a Caramel Films, a distributor in Spain. A critique published recently by the Is- Mazhar Saadoun. intended to distort history and mislead the certain section of the Iraqi population. This After its screening at the 38th Fajr Film Festival in 2019, the lamic Republic News Agency reviews the Contrary to the narration of “Mosul”, there public to pave the way for changes that the is despite the fact that Washington, in recent movie which is titled “Sun Children” by the Internet Movie Da- anti-Iranian propaganda film with reference was no conflict between SWAT teams and United States and its allies are pursuing in years, has sought to divide Iraq, secede it tabase (IMDb), participated in the Venice Film Festival, where to evidence and historical facts: other forces fighting ISIS, and all of them the infrastructure of the Iraqi security and from the Kurdish region, and wage a religious the child actor Ruhollah Zamani won the ‘Marcello Mastroianni In recent years, especially during the followed a single command in the operation. military forces. and ethnic war, in contrast to Tehran, which Award’ as an Emerging Star for his leading role. Trump era, while in the midst of the elec- The differences were so small that they did “Mosul” was made with the investment has always insisted on maintaining unity Nicholas Barber’s review of the movie published on the tion campaign, the two political factions in not appear to be in the media at all. of the Emirates Film Company ‘Image Na- and respecting Iraq’s territorial integrity. IndieWire website describes the movie as “quite the thrill ride” the United States confessed to the creation Another point that should be mentioned tion’, with Mohammad Khalifa Al-Mubarak The film tries to portray Iran as the cause and narrates the movie as “mixing a Dickensian, social-realist of ISIS, and despite the fact that it became is the many historical references in the film as director, who is a close associate of Al of Iraq’s problems, whereas it was the Amer- account of children in poverty in Tehran with a kinetic, far- clear who created and supported this terror- Mosul. In the sequence of the conversation Nahyan and a member of the Abu Dhabi icans who occupied Iraq, ? brought al-Qaeda fetched heist movie and a well-meaning drama about a kindly ist group in Iraq and Syria, their attempts between the commander of the Ninawa SWAT Executive Council, who also had a major role from Afghanistan to Iraq, and fueled the teacher who would, in a 1980s American film, have been played in misleading and misrepresenting history team and the Iranian commander of the in lobbying to normalize relations between killings that took place during the years by Robin Williams” based on lies and distortions continues, both Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), the com- the UAE and the Zionist regime. of civil war, after which they formed ISIS, Majidi’s movie represented Iran in the Oscars as the best in- through press and news coverages as well as mander appears in the unusual uniform of In a sequence of the film, an IRGC com- triggering crises across the region, and yet ternational film and was enlisted in the initial list of the 15 films social media and most recently on a larger the Revolutionary Guards. The filmmakers of mander makes the false claim of Iran not they continue to occupy Iraq to this day. selected to participate in the 93rd . Majidi’s scale in the world of cinema. Mosul have made a direct reference to Iran’s recognizing the Iraqi government and of In consideration of the mentioned “” movie still remains the first and only film For months now, an Emirati-American hegemony in the region during the Safavid Iran’s attempts to dominate Iraq. There is critique, it is vital to mention the coura- that has been nominated for the Oscar’s best foreign-language film. film called “Mosul” has been screened by period. This becomes even more important also reference made to historical events such geous and patriotic ventures of the mar- The only Iranian filmmaker to win an Oscar was Asghar affiliated networks and the Western-Ara- when we consider that in anti-Iranian videos as the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the tyrs defending the holy shrines and the Farhadi, who received the prestigious award on two occasions, bic-Hebrew media, with the aim of distorting released by the ISIS propaganda media, the establishment of Iraq by the British. sacrifices of the beloved Iraqi, Lebanese, one in 2011 for his film “” and another in 2017 for history and attempting to turn victims into Revolutionary Guards were always referred The film “Mosul” fails to mention the Syrian, Yemeni, Palestinian, Afghan and the “The Salesman” which was also screened in London’s iconic war criminals. to as the “Safavid Army.” centuries-old historical friendship between Pakistani brothers and sisters. Without Trafalgar square. The film “Mosul” tells the story of a battle The use of the word Safavid by the SWAT the nations of Iran and Iraq. The Ninawa a doubt Iran’s enemies will fail in their that took place between the ISIS terrorists team and its reference to Iranians is anoth- SWAT team has also tried to include all Iraqi attempt to distort historical facts. “Sky Sun, Tile Sun” competing in London , great Persian poet and painter Part 4 incomprehensible, others have succeeded in revealing the technique, style, or subject matter. Kurdish Film Festival Perhaps the most notorious critique of the book, and in elusive yet profound philosophy that underlies them. The Sepehri’s meeting with Sheybani and his subsequent deed of Sepehri’s poetry in general, was written at this same key to decoding these admittedly abstract poems lies in the affiliation with Khorus jangi marked the beginning of the ARTTEHRAN—Iranian director Ziba Arjang’s time by Reza Baraheni (b. 1935) in three consecutive issues collection’s title and it’s not so faint echo of a quote from second period in his painting. Like Hushang Pezeshknia deskshort animation “Sky Sun, Tile Sun” is on of in which he famously referred to Sepehri as the American transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson’s (1917-1972), Jalil Ziapur, Mahmud Javadipur and other screen at the 12th edition of the London Kurdish Film Festival, “an aristocratic Buddha-boy” sitting high in his holly ivory (1803-1882) essay “Nature,” “I become a transparent eye- early Persian modernist painters who moved away from which is currently underway virtually in the UK capital, ILNA tower of sanctity and peace. Explicitly intended as a scathing ball; I am nothing, I see all”. Reverberating this echo, the Kamal al-Molk’s realist style to follow post-impressionist reported on Monday. remark, the implications of Baraheni’s commentary were poems in the collection reflect the Emersonian idea that techniques as seen in Paul Cézanne’s (1839-1906) land- potentially devastating at a time when political commitment a direct union with nature can take mankind back to an scapes, Sepehri was now relying on color-contrast and was a central issue for a literati who defined literature as a Edenic state void of the fixed social structures and inflexible simplified geometric forms with heavy black outlines to political vehicle. The term “aristocratic Buddha-boy” not belief systems that hinder spiritual evolution. Sepehri’s express depth and space, rather than defining form with only dismissed Sepehri as a child in an ageist patriarchal exceptional economy of words, unorthodox phraseology, perspective, light, and shade. And though Sepehri’s post-im- society where authority can only be gained by virtue of life and elusive imagery convey this philosophy by forcing pressionist period in painting would prove as short as his experience, but it further disenfranchised him from the the reader actively to engage with an excessively abstract Nimaic one in poetry, its central principles of a) emphasis Persian literati by associating him with a Far Eastern, hence text ultimately to forge a new subjective meaning of life. upon volumes of space through simple geometric forms alien, mystical figure who stands as a universal emblem Though unfinished, Sepehri’s final work Otaq-e abi re- as the basis of composition; b) definition of form through of passivity and political disengagement. mains nevertheless an indispensable tool in any serious color rather than light and shade; and c) the use of series of Baraheni was not alone in his opinion. Many, including study of Sepehri’s work, as it provides invaluable insight planes in conveying principles of space, depth, and struc- Nader Naderpur, Mehdi Akhavan-Saless(1928-1991), and into the workings of his mind, and reveals the breadth tural development from a flat surface would stay with him Ahmad Shamlu (1925-1999) followed suit, some of whom of his knowledge about various ideologies ranging from throughout the remainder of his life as a painter. consistently held the party line on the issue of Sepehri’s Taoism and Sufism to Hindu mythology and Jungian an- The next important period in Sepehri’s painting is poetics until the end of their life. History, however, would alytical psychology. More importantly, Otaq-e abi offers commonly referred to as his Far Eastern phase, exam- prove the shortsightedness of this school of criticism about a wealth of intertexts to Sepehri’s poetry with concepts ples of which were first displayed at his exhibition at the The six-minute animated movie is about a village where peo- Sepehri’s work. Starting with the presumption that Sepehri that elucidate not only some of his more abstract poems Farhang Gallery in June 1962. Over the course of the next ple live a happy life until the day when the sun breaks due to was disconnected from his time, his critics failed to un- but also the techniques and symbolism of his painting. two to three years, Sepehri’s medium and technique var- bombardment and it becomes dark everywhere. They help each derstand not only the depth of his commitment but also As was the case with his poetry, the developmental ied, but his subject matter remained essentially the same: other build a new sun for their sky. its very nature. Recognizing many of the same problems course of Sepehri’s painting can also be divided into vari- semi-abstract figurative still lives or landscapes with reeds, “Sky Sun, Tile Sun” is a symbolic animation without dia- in his world as did his contemporaries, Sepehri’s com- ous phases, each with its respective aesthetic features and branches, occasional tree trunks, tulips, and poppy flow- logue. The animation has 12 characters, all of whom are con- mitment was not defined by a call for social upheaval and thematic characteristics. And while many of the central ers, along with minimalist abstract-expressionist com- sidered to be the main characters because they work together political change, but rather by a drive to reform society tenets of his poetry clearly carry over to his paintings, positions mostly in earth tones with rapidly drawn lines to rebuild their world. through the perfection of the individual from within, and the five distinct phases of his work as a painter were not resembling reeds or abstractions of Japanese and Chinese The animation is been inspired by the tiled designs of the the concomitant belief that society’s problems will invari- always strictly synchronistic with those of his develop- characters. While some have resisted referring to any of Qajar-era (1789–1925) Moaven al-Molk Tekyeh in the western ably correct themselves upon the spiritual and emotional ment as a poet, even though both began with a classical these works as Japanese or Chinese per se by arguing that as well as Tehran’s Golestan Palace. Parts awakening of its people. phase. In his portrait of a young girl reading, landscape none comprise any of the defining traits of either tradition, of the areas of both buildings have been used in the film. The In 1979 Sepehri published his famous Hasht ketab, with shepherds, and landscape with mud brick house. the overt influence of Chinese and Japanese painting in tilework of buildings is remarkable, unique, and exceptional with a compendium of his previously published books—with Sepehri’s classicism comes through in his concern with certain aspects of Sepehri’s technique, composition, and very beautiful designs and 100% natural colors used in them. some omissions and revisions of earlier poems—and a perspective, light, and shadow, all characteristic features subject matter is irrefutable. This influence is first and Arjang’s previous animation “My Sardasht”, about Kajal, a new series of poems written between 1967-1979 called Ma of the figurative representational school of Kamal al-Molk foremost noticeable in Sepehri’s preoccupation during this carpet weaver, who is the only survivor of her family after Iraq’s hich, ma negah. The most abstract of Sepehri’s poems, Ma (Mohammad Ghaffari, 1848-1940), the father of realist period with semi-abstract natural landscapes that both chemical attack on Iranian town Sardasht in 1987, has been awarded hich, ma negah constitutes the fifth and final phase in his painting in Persia. As was the case with his poetry, this in composition and subject matter emulate Far Eastern in many national and international festivals. poetic development. While many have criticized Sepehri classical phase ended before Sepehri enrolled in Tehran natural landscapes in general, and Chinese monumental London Kurdish Film Festival will run until April 27. for excessive abstractions that allegedly render these poems University, without offering any notable innovations in landscapes in particular.