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8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13894 Monday MARCH 1, 2021 Esfand 11, 1399 Rajab 17, 1442

General Nasirzadeh Azizi Khadem elected Exports from mining 18th Mobarak says Iran capable of head of Iran football sector stand at over Puppet Theater building jet engine Page 2 federation Page 3 $5.6b in 10 months Page 4 Festival opens Page 8

Tehran rules out discrimination See page 3 against ethnic groups TEHRAN – Iran’s top human rights official in which she had criticized Iran’s code- on Sunday ruled out alleged discrimination of-conduct toward minorities. against ethnic groups, saying the Islamic Ethnic groups in Iran are not minority, Republic observes the rights of all citizens rather they are citizens of “the whole Iran”, regardless of their ethnicity. Baqeri Kani asserted, according to IRNA. Ali Baqeri Kani, secretary of the High Writing on his Twitter account, he said, Council for Human Rights, made the re- “Ms. Commissioner, Iranian ethnic groups marks in response to a statement by UN are not ‘minority’, they are ‘the whole Iran’.” High Commissioner on Human Rights Continued on page 2

Production by major automakers exceeds 817,000 in 11 months TEHRAN - Three major Iranian carmakers, produced in the eleventh Iranian calendar namely Iran Khodro Company (IKCO), month of Bahman (January 20 – February SAIPA Group, and Pars Khodro, manu- 18, 2021). factured 817,069 vehicles during the first SAIPA manufactured 291,220 vehi- eleven months of the current Iranian cal- cles in the mentioned period, of which endar year (March 20, 2020-February 18, 29,452 were manufactured in the elev- 2021), the data released by Codal website enth month. showed. Pars Khodro also manufactured 93,843 According to the data, during the vehicles, of which 12,828 were manufac- mentioned period, IKCO manufactured tured in the eleventh month. 432,006 vehicles, of which 43,912 were Continued on page 4

Second Iranian COVID-19 vaccine enters clinical trial Things to do in Washington TEHRAN – Iran started the human trial trial, 133 people will receive the vaccine, of its second coronavirus vaccine, Razi 13 of whom are injected in the first group Cov Pars, by injecting into two volunteers and the rest in four groups consisting of during a ceremony on Sunday. thirty members, he noted. The vaccine is both injectable and in- After 23 days, phase one of vaccination

tranasal based on recombinant COVID-19 should be completed. “The second dose of when the JCPOA is dead proteins, Mohammad Hassan Fallah, the vaccine will be injected to the volun- deputy head of Razi Vaccine and Serum teers 21 days later and the third dose will Research Institute, said. be inhaled 51 days later,” he explained. File photo Through the first phase of the human Continued on page 7 Car scrapping Vast majority of terror victims are Yemenis target Saudi soil with 15 UAVs industry dormant; Muslims: scholar and ballistic missile scrap imported BY MOHAMMAD MAZHARI returned to European countries. How do Yemeni forces targeted the Saudi soil with 15 UAVs will be more extensive,” he added. TEHRAN - Noting that most of the people who you analyze this phenomenon? and a ballistic missile on Saturday night, the spokes- Saree called on the people of Saudi Arabia to BY MAHNAZ ABDI are victims of terrorism are Muslims, a British My feeling is that you have this the wrong man for the Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadier General stay away from all military positions and places t’s a couple of years that Iran professor of communication says that Islamo- way round. Trump came to power because Yahya Saree says. and airports. has launched a car scrappage phobic rhetoric makes reconciliation and peace of the same impulse to return to extremes In a press conference on Sunday, Saree provided details Saudi Arabia announced Saturday it intercept- scheme, mainly aimed at reduc- harder to attain. that pushed Europe to the right. I see this as about the Yemeni Armed Forces’ attack on Saudi soil. ed a missile attack over its capital and bomb-laden I “The vast majority of victims of these acts a function of both the economic downturn “The operation titled the “Fifth Response Bal- drones targeting a southern province. ing air pollution, especially in the capital Tehran. of terror have themselves been also Muslims,” of 2008 and the destabilization caused by ance” was carried out jointly with drones and ballistic The Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Ye- Although a considerable number of Nicholas Cull says. the emergence of widespread social media, a missiles,” he said. “Sensitive positions and places men’s yearslong war announced a ballistic missile was worn-out vehicles were junked in line with “Responding to terror with exaggerated mechanism that amplified the confirmation of in Riyadh, the capital of the enemy, were targeted launched toward Riyadh and three booby-trapped the mentioned scheme, the scheme has Islamophobic rhetoric rather than solid existing ideas, privileged extremes and pro- with a ballistic missile of the type ‘Zulfiqar’ and nine drones toward the province of Jizan, with a fourth not been carried out as scheduled, and police action plays into the hands of the moted conspiracies. In a time of instability, “Samad-3” UAVs. Six Qasef K2 UAVs also targeted toward another southwestern city and other drones there are many worn-out cars waiting to extremists in the Middle East (West Asia) people seek certainties either in a vision of the military positions in the Abha [capital city of Aseer being monitored. The U.S. embassy in Riyadh issued be scrapped. and makes reconciliation and peace harder future or in the idealization of the part. The Province near the Red Sea in southwest Saudi Arabia] a warning to Americans, calling on them to “stay The chairman of the Association of to attain,” the scholar in the USC Annen- rhetoric of the far-right focused on an ideal and Khamis Mushait areas [a city in southwest Saudi alert in case of additional future attacks.” Car Scrapping Centers has recently said berg School for Communication tells the past that they could also present as disrupted Arabia, located east of Abha].” The Saudi-led coalition has faced widespread that there are currently three million Tehran Times. by an outside influence. In many cases, the According to him, the operation lasted from international criticism for airstrikes in Yemen that worn-out vehicles in the country, and This in the text of the interview: rhetoric stressed a victim narrative and the Saturday evening until this morning. have killed hundreds of civilians and hit non-military the number will reach eight million by After Trump came to power in 2016, extent to which a people had suffered. “As long as the attacks and siege on our country targets, including schools, hospitals, and wedding the Iranian calendar year 1404 (March it seems that the threat of far-right ideas Continued on page 5 [Yemen] continue, our operations will continue and parties. 2025 – March 2026). “If this condition continues in this way, we need a thousand years to scrap such high number of cars”, Mahmoud Tourism, transport ministers ink MOU to boost maritime tourism Jalaluddin Rakhmat Mashhadi-Sharif lamented. TEHRAN- Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Hand- Promoting the culture of using the sea as a tradition for future generations. was victim of slander Making the remarks in a press confer- icrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan on Sunday tool to increase social vitality, development of Speaking on the sidelines of the signing cere- ence, he said 150 out of 220 centers for signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) coastal activities in the form of environmental- mony, Mounesan said that the tourism ministry by takfiris: Indonesian scrapping and recycling the light and heavy with Transport and Urban Development Minister ly-friendly plans and programs, and creating the tries its best to leave single product tourism behind vehicles in the country are now closed, Mohammad Eslami to deepen cooperation and necessary grounds for cooperation and exchange and diversify tourism products. professor and the rest are active with a less than expand bilateral ties. of knowledge and information were also among A focus on the country’s natural capacities BY M.A. SAKI 10 percent of capacity. The MOU aims at developing maritime tour- the topics of the agreement. along with the historical and cultural capacities TEHRAN – Jalaluddin Rakhmat, a top Sia figure in “While it was planned to scrap 30 ism and make the best use of its potential in the The traditional skills of building and sailing could attract more domestic and foreign tourists Indonesia, lived under harassment and slander by percent of the worn-out vehicles since southern and northern coasts of the country, Iranian Lenj boats in the Persian Gulf was another as well as create more job opportunities in some takfiris, especially in recent years, an Indonesian [the Iranian calendar year] 1388 (March according to a press release issued by the tour- issue discussed by the two ministers to find a way deprived areas, he explained. academic says. 2009 – March 2010), but in the past year, ism ministry. to safeguard the endangered UNESCO-registered Continued on page 6 “As is the case in many parts of the world, the just 8,000 out of the 360,000 worn-out Shia’s emergence was met with negative reactions cars were scrapped. from takfiri groups linked to Saudi Arabia,” Professor As stated by Amir Ahmadi, the sec- Otong Sulaeman tells the Tehran Times. retary of the aforesaid association, Rapid “Dr. Jalaluddin Rakhmat and the Shia community “Although we have the capacity to in Indonesia often become victims of persecution scrap 360,000 vehicles a year, due to COVID-19 and slander by the takfiris,” Sulaeman laments. the government’s negligence, we will “This phenomenon has been increasing in re- face a tsunami of worn-out vehicles in cent years along with the Syrian conflict,” notes a few years”. testing Sulaeman, a member of Sadra Islamic Philosophy Lagging behind the scrappage scheme College in Jakarta. is one of the main reasons for the air in Ahvaz Following is the text of the interview: pollution, especially in Tehran, while How do you evaluate Dr. Jalaluddin Ra- also there are other challenges in this underway khmat’s position, personality and contri- regard. butions in developing Islamic thought in One challenge is that while there are TEHRAN – A COVID-19 rapid test- Indonesia? many worn-out vehicles in the country, at ing program is being implemented In the 1980s, youth in the Muslim world experi- present, scrap and scrap iron are imported across the city of Ahvaz, southwestern enced a period of Islamic awakening. Indonesian to meet the needs of steel mills. Khuzestan province, as a new wave youths at that time were very passionate about Although car scrapping and recycling of the virus has pushed the city into studying Islamic teachings and philosophy. Books centers are one of the main suppliers of high-risk red zone. written by intellectuals from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, scrap iron to steel mills, due to the recession Teams of emergency medical services and Syria, including Iranian writers such as (Ali) that has occurred in the last few years, the are settled in crowded parts of the city Shariati and Morteza Motahari, were widely trans- government has authorized the import of Mehdi Pedramkhoo to rapidly identify those individuals who lated and read. On campuses, students regularly scrap iron and the needs of steel mills are are suspicious of being infected with hold regular discussions to discuss Islamic teachings currently met through importing scrap the disease. and principles. and scrap iron, he stated. Tasnim/ Continued on page 7 Continued on page 5 Continued on page 4 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS MARCH 1, 2021

CSIS: Issue linkage to secure Iran’s commitment Ambassador says Iran ready to By Azin Sahabi The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the number one think tank in the United States across all assist Iraq in security affairs fields in 2019, conducts policy studies and strategic analyses of political, economic, and security issues throughout the world. It publishes numerous reports about the Islamic POLITICAL TEHRAN – In an inter- centers in Iraq have faced more severe attacks Republic of Iran as a permanent key area of focus for the U.S. deskview with Iraq’s Kurdish than the American centers, citing examples of While the Biden administration explores ways to reen- TV channel Rudav on Sunday, Iraj Masjedi, the Iranian consular offices in the holy cities gage Iran over its nuclear program, CSIS has addressed Iran’s ambassador to Iraq, says that Tehran is of Najaf and Karbala, both of which were also the issue from different aspects. ready to assist Iraq in security affairs if needed, subjects for arsons,” he told Rudav. according to the IRNA news agency. Pointing to the presence of foreign forces in Iran favors restoration of full security in Iraq, Iraq, he said, “Iran believes every Iraqi citizen never supports those who intend to weaken has the right to enjoy full security and if the Iraq’s security, and in pursuit of such policies Iraqi government wishes, Iran is ready to assist Tehran is even ready help Iraq, Masjedi stressed. Iraq in restoration of security in this country, He emphasized that the existence of foreign including the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan forces in Iraq is not only of no value but leads province.” to further insecurity and tension both in Iraq “Iran’s stand about the presence of foreign and the region as well. forces in the region is quite clear and that is: Iran resolutely believes that the security there is no need for the presence of foreign forces of the Iraqi central government and forces of NATO, or any other country in the the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Region can Iraqi Kurdistan, in entire Iraq, or in the re- ensure security without foreign forces, Iran’s gion,” he added. ambassador to Baghdad added. Masjedi emphasized that the security of the The diplomat added, “Iran’s relations with region, either in Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, or In this regard, in an event held on February 24, CSIS all different Iraqi governments after the collapse any other regional country need to be ensured elaborated on the “Freeze for Freeze” initiative as one of of Saddam’s despotic regime have been friendly the rearrangement and full implementation of in Iraq. by the regional countries’ their own forces. the approaches which some experts believe will suit the and constructive.” the 1975 Algiers Agreement in full collaboration “I tell you quite clearly that the Islamic “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s relations best for the U.S. to adopt in the future talks. According to Iran’s current relations with various Iraqi between the two countries,” he said, adding Republic of Iran is opposed to any kind of with the Autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan prov- CSIS, in the “Freeze for Freeze”, “Iran would freeze aspects groups are satisfactory and even better than that only some small parts have remained un- breaching of the security of diplomatic centers ince, including the Iraqi Kurdish leaders, is of its nuclear activities in exchange for increased access before, especially after Prime Minister Mustafa decided in that agreement that are of trivial in any country, including Iraq, and has always brisk and satisfactory for both sides, and there to money.” Al-Kazemi’s recent visit to Tehran and his con- importance. condemned such attacks,” the ambassador said are absolutely no differences of opinion to be In such an environment, Eric Brewer, Hannah Kavain, sultations and agreements with Iranian officials. “At any rate, there is no agreement on setting when asked about Iran’s position toward mis- resolved,” Iran’s envoy to Iraq remarked. and Henry Rome elaborated if “Is ‘freeze for freeze’ a viable The Iranian diplomat also said the 1975 Algiers up new border posts, or defining new borders,” sile attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. “Yet, fine relations, too, are relative and the pathway to re-engage with Iran?” Agreement on common borders is registered at he underlined. Ambassador Masjedi further reiterated that Islamic Republic of Iran’s relations with the U.S. sanctions to continue in the immediate future the UN and is still the basis and currently there ‘Iran opposes violation of security of the security of diplomatic centers needs to be Iraqi Kurdistan, for instance, can be further To discuss the issue from a technical perspective, Brewer, is no plan to redraw any new map on shared diplomatic centers’ preserved fully and there is no difference between improved if the entire existing opportunities the deputy director of the Project on Nuclear Issues at CSIS, borders. Masjedi also stressed that Iran opposes the the U.S., and any other country’s embassies. for strengthening and improvement of ties are mentioned the Iranian parliamentary law called “Strategic “The thing to be done at the time being is violation of the security of diplomatic centers “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s diplomatic maximally used,” he stressed. Action to Lift Sanctions and Protect the Interest of Iranian Nation”. On February 23, the Iranian government started to suspend the Additional Protocol to the NPT in response to the abrogation of the international nuclear agreement Tehran rules out discrimination against ethnic groups (JCPOA) by the Trump administration in May 2018 and 1 Baqeri Kani suggested if she had been able to visit Iran, shout at the aliens: ‘We are Iranians’,” Iran’s human rights chief Iran is famous in West Asia for its ethnic and religious di- imposition of the harshest ever sanctions in history. she would have seen the realities. pointed out. versity. It is home to a large Jewish community. However, it is Brewer claims that since the passage of the parliamentary “If politics didn’t prevent you to take a trip to Iran and you UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Michelle Bachelet a fact that in certain border areas people are not economically law in December, “Iran is playing hardball a little bit more.” were allowed to closely see Iran’s realities, you would notice how has claimed that a coordinated campaign is underway in Iran tar- in a good situation in comparison to citizens in other parts of He reminds that the U.S. under the Trump administra- Lurs, Kurds, Turks, Turkmens, Arabs, Baluchs, Fars people, etc. geting minorities in Sistan-Balouchestan and Khuzestan provinces. the country. tion appeared as the aggressor actor vis a vis the Iranians in terms of the JCPOA, but now it seems that the situation is on the verge of change. He argues that “Iran is going General Nasirzadeh says Iran capable of building jet engine to be in those shoes and it’s going to lose its status as the aggrieved party.” POLITICAL TEHRAN — Briga- education officials increase the hours of work- has been proven in the region so that no air Elsewhere in his remarks, the Air Force desk Henry Rome believes that unless there is progress on the dier-General Aziz Nasirza- shop training. Our universities provide basic force, whether fighter or otherwise, has the chief said, “Regional states make a major stra- diplomatic front, the U.S. sanctions are going to be kept in deh, the commander of the Air Force, says training, and we will use capable officers who right to cross the country’s airspace without tegic mistake by not relying on themselves place in the immediate future. He points out that Iranians Iran is able to build jet engines. will increase our military and national strength Iran’s permission and coordination,” Na- and resorting to foreign pilots and equipment do not intend to appear that they need to conclude a deal Some universities in Iran ask the Air Force in accordance with our training programs as sirzadeh remarked, according to the IRNA provided by foreign military advisers.” more than the United States. to build a piece of jet engine “while today some in the past.” news agency. He added, “Not only they will not become Tehran views this integral to maintain its leverage at of our university workshops can build differ- He also said, “The country’s Air Force has By reinforcing the Air Force, political will self-sufficient, but in the long-run foreign forces the negotiation table, Rome opines. ent generations of jet engines,” he explained. operational dominance over the region.” and pressure can be imposed on enemies in- will not have the incentive to fight and defend To elaborate on plausible steps that Biden can take to He added, “One of our demands is that “The Islamic Republic’s Air Force’s power ternationally, he stressed. their country.” reverse the mistrust that’s built up under Trump, Brewer points out the snapback mechanism and restrictions on Iranian diplomats as some issues that Biden can use to make Hossein Amir-Abdollahian condemns U.S. attacks on Syrian soil a positive gesture. Also, waiving sanctions on certain types of nuclear cooperation projects that were permitted under POLITICAL TEHRAN — Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, claims of fight against terrorism during his presidential The Pentagon issued a statement late Thursday confirming desk the JCPOA can contribute to “normalizing the tensions” the Iranian Parliament speaker’s special campaign were all lies as he has ordered the Pentagon to earlier reports that the U.S. had conducted airstrikes inside among two capitals, the expert adds. aide for international affairs, has condemned the recent strike anti-ISIS forces. Syrian territory. The statement said the strikes, carried out However, CSIS emphasizes that it sounds strange to get U.S. airstrikes on anti-terror Iraqi popular forces in eastern “While @JoeBiden boasted abt war agnst terrorism & at President Biden’s order, targeted multiple facilities used back to the negotiations and try the “freeze for freeze” deal Syria, according to Fars news agency. #ISIS during the campaign, his authorization to strike local by Shia groups, including Kata’ib Hezbollah and Kata’ib as the first option, so the first option is to test the water to “The new American administration has just changed mask anti-ISIS forces shows how @WhiteHouse is hypocrite vis- Sayyid al-Shuhada. see if the two parties will make it to return to the deal or not. and continues the path of the former one in supporting the a-vis terrorism & keeps its friendship w/DAESH. Mask of The U.S. Defense Department called the strikes a Focus on how to bring Iran to the table ISIS terrorist group,” he stressed. White House occupants has just changed & nothing more! “proportionate military response” in the wake of rocket To get back to the status quo ante, Rome stresses, the Amir-Abdollahian noted that the U.S. President Joe Biden’s pic.twitter.com/5tPB2C2gEz,” he tweeted. attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq by unknown assailants. U.S. should think about any move “in the narrow context of ‘what do we need to do to bring Iran to the table’ and nothing more.” Therefore, he underlines that the fundamental goal for Nuclear chief: Iran the Oval Office is to get back to negotiations whereby the parties can deliberate about smaller steps to build confidence. will respond if IAEA Kaviani, a journalist with RadioFarda, who has closely followed the nuclear negotiations, believes that “it was not board adopts negative that much of a crisis in the past two, three weeks as it was portrayed.” resolution She argues that Tehran does want the JCPOA to be revived and is ready for talks to negotiate the way back to the deal. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iran will respond appro- In this context, Rome argues regardless of the political deskpriately in case the Board of Governors attitude of the future president of Iran, Tehran has made a at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issues a strategic decision to get back to the JCPOA. Therefore, he resolution against Iran for suspending the voluntary imple- stresses, the U.S. should not get into a “trap” to consider mentation of the Additional Protocol, the head of the Atomic the June elections as a deadline just to rush a deal with the Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) warned on Sunday. current team in Tehran. That Additional Protocol allows the IAEA to carry out Walk and chew gum at the same time short-notice inspections. In contrast to some experts who strongly recommend “If the Board of Governors adopts a resolution against Biden not to address regional issues or missile program in Iran, we will show an appropriate reaction,” Ali Akbar Salehi future talks, Brewer believes the U.S. can walk and chew said, according to Press TV. gum at the same time. He recommends the Biden adminis- Salehi made the remarks on the sidelines of a meeting tration to consider “continuing with some of the efforts by of the Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy the Trump administration to enhance interdictions against Committee. The statement by Salehi came just a day before some of Iran’s conventional proliferation. Politically speaking, the IAEA board is to convene for a session on Iran. it shows that the United States is not ignoring these other Salehi, a nuclear physicist and Iran’s former ambassa- very objectionable Iranian activities.” dor to the IAEA, added that Tehran has sent a letter to the He also stresses: “The United States can counter Iran as if Vienna-based nuclear watchdog informing the international they’re no negotiations and pursue negotiations as if there’s body of the issue. no outside conflict with Iran. I think we can do both at the Iran has stopped its voluntary implementation of the same time and I think they positively reinforce each other.” Additional Protocol under the Strategic Action Plan to Counter At the table with no compliance to the JCPOA Sanctions, a law passed in December by the Parliament. Kaviani mentions that the freeze for the U.S. should According to the move, any footage recorded by cam- be “freeze over a non-participation in a nuclear deal” and eras at Iran’s nuclear sites will no longer be shared with argues: “If Iran is insisting on that, means that the United the IAEA, but will be retained by Iran for three months, States will at least announce a willingness, or its intention after which they will be permanently deleted if the U.S. in a formal way, to go back into the deal.” sanctions are not lifted. CSIS predicts that in July, all parties to the JCPOA, The IAEA board is slated to convene its regular March including the U.S. will sit at the table while have not re- meeting on Monday to discuss a range of issues, including turned to compliance with the 2015 deal. Also, either to get its verification and monitoring activities in Iran and the Iran back to the talks or maybe at the beginning of talks, NPT Safeguards Agreement with the country, according the U.S. will probably issue some kind of small measure to the UN nuclear watchdog’s website. of sanctions relief. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visited Tehran Though CSIS portrays the talks as “messy”, it believes an ahead of the suspension of the Additional Protocol to discuss overall positive trajectory will be looming and emphasizes issues surrounding the move. During his visit, Iran and that besides negotiating the sanctions, the U.S. should try “to the IAEA agreed to continue cooperation while the Iranian secure some Iranian commitment to follow on negotiations administration goes ahead with the implementation of and regional/missile negotiations as well.” the December law. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 1, 2021 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS Things to do in Washington Azizi Khadem elected head of Iran football federation

SPORTSTEHRAN – Shahabeddin Azizi Khadem was deskelected as president of Iran football federation when the JCPOA is dead on Sunday for a four-year term. In the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) POLITICAL TEHRAN – The United Agency’s board of governors issues a elections which were held at the Iran International Conference deskStates is reportedly plan- resolution against our country due to its Center in Tehran, Azizi Khadem ning to get the UN nuclear watchdog’s Board cessation of [the implementation of] the was elected as new president of Governors to adopt a resolution criticizing Additional Protocol, Iran will give a proper of football federation with 49 Iran for reducing nuclear commitments response. A letter in this regard has been votes out of 87 votes. with a 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran sent,” Salehi told the Islamic Consultative The four candidates were and major world powers. Assembly News Agency (ICANA). vying to win the election and But doing so could spell the end of the The nuclear chief also said that Iran’s Azizi Khadem and Kiumars nuclear deal and dampen hopes for rekin- move to halt the implementation of the Hashemi won 35 and 24 votes dling diplomacy with Iran under President Additional Protocol was in line with the respectively in the first round. Joe Biden, particularly now that Iran is Parliament’s nuclear law. Mostafa Ajorloo and Ali Ka- being punished for continuing coopera- The Iranian government implemented rimi also earned 18 and nine tion with the International Atomic Energy this law in a way that strikes a balance be- votes in the first round. Agency (IAEA). tween domestic growing calls for reducing Azizi Khadem won the elec- The IAEA Board of Governors has re- cooperation with the IAEA and the Agency’s tion in the second round with 49 ceived a draft resolution from the United need for continued cooperation with Iran. votes, while Hashemi claimed States censuring Iran for reducing nuclear However, the Biden administration 38 votes. commitments in response to the unilat- seems to be determined to undercut Iran’s Azizi Khadem, 43, has al- eral withdrawal of the U.S. from the 2015 efforts to save the JCPOA. By putting for- ready worked in Iran football nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint ward a resolution against Iran, Washing- federation as a member of board of directors. Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). ton only implied that it responds to Iran’s The Iran football federation was running by Heydar Bahar- While the IAEA continues to carry out many, France, China, Russia and the UK- goodwill gesture with more pressures and “These hackneyed behaviors are a con- vand as acting president after Mehdi Taj resigned as president inspections in Iran, U.S. diplomats cir- failed to facilitate Iran’s oil exports and bullying. This has raised alarm bells for tinuation of Trump’s maximum pressure in December 2019. culated a document on Thursday which the return of Iranian oil revenues in two strategy and unveil the contentious inten- some analysts and diplomats. lists Washington’s grievances and orders months, the Iranian government would be tion of the new U.S. administration against “IAEA BoG session will start tomorrow. Iran to fully cooperate with inspectors, obligated to stop inspections beyond the Iran,” an Iranian official told Nour News, It can predetermine further developments according to a Bloomberg report. IAEA safeguards, including the voluntary a website close to Iran’s top security body around the Iranian nuclear program, as well We need help to improve our The proposed resolution would “under- implementation of the Additional Protocol, after Western news organizations reported as prospects of full restoration of JCPOA. score strong concern at the IAEA’s find- which allows unannounced and intensive on the U.S. resolution. All Governors need to keep this in mind and football: Azizi Khadem ings” and “express the board’s deepening inspections of nuclear sites. Iran also sent a letter to the IAEA warn- exercise responsible approach,” Mikhail SPORTSTEHRAN – Newly-elected president of Iran concern with respect to Iran’s coopera- The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi traveled ing it of the consequences of adopting a Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative deskfootball federation Shahabeddin Azizi Khadem tion,” Bloomberg said, adding that this to Iran a few days before the nuclear law resolution against Iran. to international organizations in Vienna, says that they need help to improve football. resolution would suggest that Iran could goes into effect in a bid to find a middle In the letter, Iran threatened to end said in a tweet on Sunday. Azizi Khadem was elected as president for a four-year term be providing incomplete information on ground on nuclear inspections. In a ges- the deal with the IAEA, if the Agency’s The Biden administration risks destroy- with 49 votes out of 87 votes at the Iran International Conference its nuclear activities, something that has ture of goodwill, Iran struck a deal with board of governors endorses the U.S.-led ing the opportunity for a renewed diplomacy Center in Tehran on Sunday. potentially serious consequences, includ- the IAEA on how to continue cooperation resolution, according to a Reuters report. between Tehran and Washington by pushing He defeated Kiumars Hashemi in the second round to win ing another referral to the United Nations with the UN nuclear watchdog. “Iran perceives this move as destructive for a resolution that will only complicate the elections. Security Council. Instead of rewarding Iran, the West re- and considers it as an end to the Joint Un- the situation around the JCPOA. If the “First of all, I want to thank everyone who voted for me. The The U.S.-led resolution comes less than sponded by further ramping up diplomatic derstanding of 21 February 2021 between Agency’s board adopts a resolution against today’s elections showed the manifestation of democracy. We a week after Iran and the IAEA arrived pressure on Iran. Of course, the U.S.-led the Agency and the Islamic Republic of Iran only a few days after Iran reached an will move forward with consensus and take step with the aim of at an understanding on how to continue resolution is not adopted yet. But there is Iran,” Iran purportedly said in its letter understanding with the IAEA, then why Iran improving football at the provinces,” Azizi Khadem said after cooperation in light of the implementation no sign that the U.S. is going to withdraw to the IAEA, according to Reuters. should continue to cooperate with IAEA. the elections. of an Iranian Parliament’s nuclear law that its resolution. Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atom- Iran has long tolerated the U.S. non-com- “The Iranian clubs and all football society should help each obligates the government to stop imple- If Washington goes forward with its ic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), pliance with the JCPOA, hoping that a new other to improve our football. We will move forward with a menting the Additional Protocol to the resolution, then it will throw a monkey confirmed on Sunday that Iran had sent U.S. administration would rejoin the deal. new way. We are going to make a plan for football, because nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). wrench into its own efforts to revive the a letter to the IAEA. But now Iran has no reason to tolerate our football has suffered disorganization over the past years,” The nuclear law, officially called “Stra- JCPOA because Iran has made it clear that He warned against adopting a resolution the non-compliance of an administration he added. tegic Action to Lift Sanctions and Protect it considers such a move as a continuation against Iran, saying that Tehran would that campaigned on rejoining the JCPOA “We will move forward step by step to reach our goals, that’s the Nation’s Rights,” stipulates that if the of the Trump administration’s “maximum give a proper response to such a move. but reneged on its promise as soon as it why I’m here. We’re obliged to use the experts in the federation. remaining parties to the JCPOA – Ger- pressure” against Iran. “If the International Atomic Energy took the helm in the White House. The new federation will also support the grassroots and women’s football,” Azizi Khadem concluded. Iran not interested in escalation with U.S.: ambassador POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iran has no interest in “What we did was based on paragraph 36 of the nuclear Iran to take part at Sofia deskescalating tensions with the United deal, and was in line with our commitments based on the States, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations Majid text and spirit of the JCPOA,” he added. Taekwondo Open Takht-Ravanchi has said. “It wasn’t Iran that sent arms to a region far from SPORTSTEHRAN – Iran will send six taekwondo The Iranian ambassador pointed out that the Islamic its territory; it was rather the U.S. that sent arms and deskpractitioners to Bulgaria on Thursday to par- Republic of Iran has shown in practice that it has no interest warships to our region, which is 7,000 miles away from ticipate at the eighth edition of the Sofia Taekwondo Open. in making provocative moves and escalating tensions even America,” he said. The Sofia Open is scheduled to take place on March 6 and 7 during the time when the Trump administration started to “All these provocative moves, including the assassination in the Bulgarian capital. stoke tensions and make provocative moves. of our dear general Martyr Soleimani which was a very This event currently has 117 athletes from 12 countries reg- The Iranian envoy made the remarks in response to Al provocative terrorist attack, were made by the U.S. Iran istered to take part. Jazeera’s question about a possible escalation of tensions as hasn’t had and still doesn’t have any interest in making Iran taekwondo national team will also hold a 10-day training a result of Tehran’s moves to scale down its commitments provocative moves,” Takht-Ravanchi said. camp in Sofia after the Open. under the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, officially U.S. return to the JCPOA needs no mediator Iran squad: known as the JCPOA, according to Press TV. 26 August 2020, and the importance of continuing that The Iranian ambassador also commented on Qatar’s -54kg: Hossein Lotfi Iran has recently struck a deal with the International cooperation and trust,” the statement said. “The AEOI effort to mediate between Iran and the West, saying that -68kg: Soroush Ahmadi Atomic Energy Agency on how to continue cooperation in informed the IAEA that in order to comply with the act there is no need for Qatar’s efforts in this regard. -74kg: Mirhashem Hosseini light of the Iranian Parliament’s nuclear law that came into passed by the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran When asked about Qatar’s bid to mediate between Tehran -80kg: Amirmohammad Bakhshi effect on February 23. called “Strategic Action to Cease Actions and Protect the and Washington, Takht-Ravanchi said the U.S. return to -87kg: Mehran Barkhordari The nuclear law, officially called “Strategic Action to interest of Iranian Nation” (The “Law”) Iran will stop the the JCPOA needs no mediator. +87kg: Sajad Mardani Lift Sanctions and Protect the Nation’s Rights,” stipulates implementation of the voluntary measures as envisaged “We have good relations with our Qatari brothers. Qatar The team will be headed by Fariborz Askari in the tournament. that the Iranian government should take certain nuclear in the JCPOA, as of 23 February 2021.” is a totally friendly country, but we believe the U.S. must measures such as raising the level of uranium enrichment The statement added, “In view of the above and in order return to its commitments in full, and that’s what needs to to 20% and suspending the voluntary implementation for the Agency to continue its verification and monitor- be done. Therefore, it needs no mediator.” of the Additional Protocol in few months if the Western ing activities, the AEOI and the IAEA agreed: 1. That Iran Takht-Ravanchi said the U.S. implementation of its Baharvand appointed FFIRI parties failed to honor their obligations under the 2015 continues to implement fully and without limitation its commitments does not even need any negotiation. Iran nuclear deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA as “It is up to the U.S. to decide whether it wants to fulfill acting vice president Plan of Action (JCPOA). before. 2. To a temporary bilateral technical understanding, its commitments or not. The implementation of their com- SPORTSTEHRAN – New president of Football The sixth article of the law clearly stipulates that if the compatible with the Law, whereby the IAEA will continue mitments does not need any negotiation. The U.S. needs deskFederation of the Islamic Republic of remaining parties to the JCPOA – Germany, France, China, with its necessary verification and monitoring activities to make the necessary decisions,” he added. Iran (FFIRI) Shahabeddin Azizi Khadem appoint- Russia and the UK- failed to facilitate Iran’s oil exports and for up to 3 months (as per technical annex). 3. To keep the He said the U.S. administration is well aware the sooner ed Heydar Baharvand as the federation’s acting vice the return of Iranian oil revenues in two months, the Iranian technical understanding under regular review to ensure it it returns to its JCPOA commitments, the better. president. government would be obligated to stop inspections beyond continues to achieve its purposes.” “The best way is that the U.S. returns to its commit- Baharvand was also appointed as acting president of the IAEA safeguards, including the voluntary implementa- ‘Deal with IAEA shows Iran still honoring ob- ments, and then Iran will do the same. In that way, talks Iran Football League Organization. tion of the Additional Protocol, which allows unannounced ligations’ can be held on the JCPOA-related issues within the P5+1 He served as FFIRI acting president since December 2019 and intensive inspections of nuclear sites. Takht-Ravanchi said this deal is yet another sign that platform. This is an easy and diplomatic way, and I think after Mehdi Taj stepped down as president of federation. The IAEA chief Rafael Grossi paid a visit to Iran two days Iran continues to honor its international obligations. this solution can be easily achieved,” he added. Azizi Khadem was elected as president of Iran football before Iran starts implementing the nuclear law to make He said the moves made by Iran in reaction to the failure Qatar has offered its good offices to settle the disagree- federation for a four-year term on Sunday. arrangements for the implementation of the law, according of other JCPOA parties in living up to their commitments ments between Iran and the West over the 2015 nuclear deal. to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. cannot result in an escalation of tensions. On Friday, Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister “Mr. Grossi came to Iran to make arrangements for the “When the Trump administration decided to leave the of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman implementation of the law. We have reached an agree- JCPOA, the remaining parties to the JCPOA asked us not to Al-Thani met with the ambassadors of the three European Iranian Greco-Roman ment in this regard, and the principle of this agreement adopt a stance similar to that of Trump. They said they will countries that are signatories to the JCPOA. is that the tapes recorded from our nuclear programs, compensate for the damages caused by the Trump adminis- “During the meeting, they discussed the latest devel- wrestlers shine at which were never presented live to the Agency, but were tration’s withdrawal from the deal. We waited for a year, but opments in restoring the diplomatic track and activating Ukrainian Memorial provided on a daily and weekly basis, will be kept from we didn’t get anything from their promises, and it was just dialogue, in addition to the implementation by all parties now on and will not be presented to the Agency,” the chief an empty promise,” he was quoted as saying by Press TV. of their obligations stipulated in the agreement between SPORTSTEHRAN – Seven Iranian Greco-Roman Iranian diplomat said, noting that Iran will continue to Therefore, the envoy added, Iran had no other choice if the P5+1 and Iran,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a deskwrestlers claimed medals at the Outstanding implement the IAEA safeguards. it wanted to create a balance in the nuclear deal, and thus statement. Ukrainian Wrestlers & Coaches Memorial. The IAEA and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran started to take certain measures in that regard. According to the statement, Al-Thani affirmed the State of Alireza Nejati won a gold medal after defeating Kyr- (AEOI) issued a joint statement outlining the content of “Recently, when our Parliament witnessed that the other Qatar’s tireless work in this direction, its firm stance on encour- gyzstan’s Zholaman Sharshenbekov 5-1 in the final match the deal moments after Grossi concluded his visit to Iran. parties to the JCPOA are not serious about making up for aging diplomacy and dialogue, and its permanent readiness for of the 60kg. “The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and our damages, and that the E3 is not willing to fulfill its constructive work and support for all efforts in the interest of Mohammadali Geraei beat his countryman Amin Ka- the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recalled commitments, it decided to … pass a law that obliges the regional stability and international security and peace. vianinejhad 4-2 in the 77kg final. and reaffirmed the spirit of cooperation and enhanced administration to take measures like increasing uranium Earlier in December, Qatar even offered to mediate be- Sajad Abbaspour seized a silver in the 55kg, losing to mutual trust that led to the Joint Statement in Tehran on enrichment.” tween Iran and Saudi Arabia. Georgian Nugzar Tsurtsumia in the 55kg final match. Mohammadreza Mokhtari (72kg) and Mehdi Bali (97kg) also won two bronze medals. Amin Mirzazadeh also took a bronze at the 120kg category. Iran welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire deal Freestyler Mohammadsadegh Firouzpour also won a POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iran wel- Control (LoK). in a statement on Sunday. stan announced in a joint statement on gold medal after defeating Turkey’s Soner Demirtaş 2-1 deskcomed on Sunday the joint “The joint statement is an important step He also expressed hope that the two coun- Thursday that they had begun to strictly in the final match of the freestyle 74kg. statement of India and Pakistan based on towards further peace and stability in the tries will move towards peace, stability, and adhere to a ceasefire along the Line of Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers & Coaches Me- which the two sides have agreed to strict- South Asia region,” spokesman for Iran’s welfare of the region by taking further strides. Control in the disputed region of Jammu morial featured about 600 participants from 33 dif- ly adhere to the ceasefire along the Line of Foreign Ministry Saeed Khatibzadeh said The armed forces of India and Paki- and Kashmir. ferent nations. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY MARCH 1, 2021

Car scrapping industry Production by dormant; scrap imported 1 “We in the country have the capacity to scrap 360,000 major automakers worn-out cars annually and turn them into scrap and scrap iron, but considering that the government and the authorities do not care about this area, last year we were able to scrap only 8,000 cars and thus scrap iron production also declined; however, there is no need to import scrap metal if the scrapping centers are active exceeds 817,000 with their full capacity”, according to Ahmadi. in 11 months 1 Iranian carmakers had exported the past year. about 1,300 vehicles to nine countries, in- During this period, 425,925 passenger cluding Hong Kong, Taiwan, Syria, UAE, cars were manufactured in the country, Spain, China, Iraq, and Turkey during the registering a growth of 21.9 percent com- previous Iranian calendar year. pared to the first six months of the previous Based on the data released by the year. The production of trucks also reached planned to rise in the second half. this due”. Industry, Mining, and Trade Ministry, 39,519 units in the said time span, which Mohsen Salehinia, the new head of the Deputy Industry, Mining and Trade Min- 468,699 vehicles were manufactured in has increased by 40.4 percent compared Industrial Development and Renovation ister Saeed Zarandi had said earlier this Iran during the first half of the current to the last year’s same period. Organization of Iran (IDRO), has mentioned year that 1.2 million vehicles were planned year (March 20-September 21, 2020), Considering the mentioned data, while planning for increasing car manufactur- to be manufactured in the present year, which has been 23.4 percent higher than the growth in output has been realized in ing in the second half, and said, “We are which seems a realistic figure given the the figure for the same period of time in the first half, car manufacturing is also investigating and finalizing the issues in surge in production policies of this year.

In addition to polluting the air and consuming too much fuel, the traffic of worn-out vehicles in cities endangers the lives of their owners due to lack of safety. And all these factors put emphasis on the need to take required Over 27b cubic meters of water stored in Iranian dams measures for complete implementation of the scrappage scheme. ECONOMY TEHRAN – Some 27.33 billion cubic (IWPCO) had announced that all dams across the country deskmeters of water is stored behind the dams were fully prepared for handling potential floods in the Commodities worth nearly across Iran, indicating that 54 percent of the capacity of winter and spring. the country’s dams is full, according to the Iranian Energy Due to the heavy rainfalls across Iran in mid-December $445m traded at IME in a week Ministry data. 2020, the empty volume of the country’s dam reservoirs Based on the Energy Ministry data, the total capacity had been reduced to 2.6 billion cubic meters, Mohammad ECONOMY TEHRAN — During the past Iranian calendar of the country’s dam reservoirs currently stands at 50.5 Mousavi Kani said on December 19. deskweek (ended on Friday), 789,176 tons of commod- billion cubic meters. Earlier in May 2020, the Energy Ministry’s portal (Paven) ities with a total trading value of nearly $445 million were traded at As reported by IRNA, since the beginning of the current had announced that 190 dams, with a total reservoir capacity Iran Mercantile Exchange (IME), showing a growth of nine percent water year (late September 2020) up to late February, the of 48.488 billion cubic meters, were understudy or being in volume of trades as compared to the week before. total volume of water inflow to the reservoirs of the country’s constructed across Iran. According to a report by the IME’s International Affairs and dams stood at 13.75 billion cubic meters, nine percent less As reported, 90 of the mentioned dams with a total Public Relations Department, the exchange sold on its mineral and than the figure for the last year’s same period. reservoir capacity of 29.724 billion cubic meters were industrial trading floor 312,107 tons of various products worth more According to the Energy Ministry data, compared to under study and another 100 dams with a total reser- than $221 million. the figures for the previous water year, the volume of water voir capacity of 18.7672 billion cubic meters were under Commodities traded on this floor included 299,717 tons of steel, outflow from the country’s dams has also decreased by 17 construction. Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman watersheds, 34 dams are 7,500 tons of copper, 3,985 tons of aluminum, 200 tons of molyb- percent to stand at 13.61 billion cubic meters. Out of a total of 183 currently operational dams across in the Central Plateau, 11 dams are in Sarakhs catchment denum concentrate, 30 tons of precious metals concentrate, 25 tons Back in December 2020, the director of planning affairs Iran, 52 are related to the Caspian Sea catchment area, 12 basin, and another six dams are located across the eastern of lead, 450 tons of zinc and 20 kg of gold bars. at Iran Water and Power Resources Development Company are based in Urumieh basin, 68 dams are located in the boundary basin (Hamoun). Furthermore, the oil and petrochemical trading floor of the IME, on its both domestic and export pits, saw trade of 475,291 tons of various commodities valued at more than $224 million. On this floor, the exchange’s customers purchased 184,480 tons Energy Ministry launches new systems to improve services of vacuum bottom, 121,955 tons of bitumen, 77,966 tons of polymeric products, 40,036 tons of chemicals, 48,000 tons of lube cut, 1,901 ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iranian A mechanized network monitoring system A-B-Iran program (the acronyms A and tons of base oil, 30 tons of argon, 500 tons of insulation and 1,800 deskEnergy Minister Reza called Sanam was also put into operation; this B stand for water and electricity in Persian) tons of sulfur. Ardakanian inaugurated several new sys- system is aimed at monitoring the electricity was initiated in the previous Iranian calendar In addition to that, the IME traded 1,777 tons of other commod- tems for improving services in the water and networks of various provinces in order to year (ended on March 19, 2020), during ities on its side market. electricity sectors through video conference reduce electricity losses and improve the which the minister made several trips to As reported last week by the IME’s International Affairs and on Sunday. efficiency of the country’s power network. various provinces for inaugurating over 220 Public Relations Department, the value of trades at the exchange rose Launched in the 43rd week of the Energy As reported, electricity losses in the coun- major projects with a total investment of 16 percent during the eleventh Iranian calendar month of Bahman Ministry’s A-B-Iran program, the mentioned try’s power network have been reduced from 335.6 trillion rials (about $7.99 billion). (January 20 – February 18). systems were put into operation in various 14.5 percent in the Iranian calendar year Since the beginning of the second phase During the past month 2.96 million tons of commodities worth areas including resource consumption im- 1392 (ended in March 2014) to 9.5 percent of the scheme in the current Iranian cal- $1.62 billion were traded at the exchange, while the weight of traded provement, asset utilization, human resource in the current Iranian calendar year (ends endar year (started on March 20, 2020), goods shows a two-percent growth as well. management, financial resources manage- on March 20) and as a result, the fuel con- every week several energy projects have The IME’s mineral and industrial trading floor witnessed trade ment, and reforming work processes in order sumption by the country’s power plants has gone operational across the country. of 1.349 million tons of commodities worth more than $875 million. to create transparency, and to facilitate and Ministry’s support and emergency centers also decreased by 16 billion liters. According to Ardakanian, in the second accelerate affairs while eliminating possible called Homa, as well as a new customer The mentioned developments have saved phase of the program 250 projects were bottlenecks. services system called Chavoush were also the country about 500 trillion rials (about going to be inaugurated by the end of the A smart system for improving the Energy among the launched systems. $11.9 billion) during the said period. current Iranian calendar year (March 20).

Exports from mining sector stand at over $5.6b in 10 months ECONOMY TEHRAN — The value of Iran’s ex- been named the year of “Surge in Production” by the deskports from the mining sector stood Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran Seyed Ali at $5.612 billion in the first 10 months of the current Khamenei, the government is determined to support Iranian calendar year (March 20,2020-January 19, domestic production and promote the country’s non- 2021), according to the data released by the Islamic oil exports. Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA). The “Persistent Production-Effective Employ- Based on the mentioned data, the Iranian mining ment-Sustainable Exports” program has been defined sector exported 34.09 million tons of products during by the Industry, Mining, and Trade Ministry in line This floor was a platform to sell 236,000 tons of steel, 26,040 the said 10 months, IRNA reported. with the government’s new strategies for developing tons of copper, 54 tons of precious metals concentrate, 510 tons of As reported, some 3.9 million tons of the mentioned the country’s infrastructure in order to realize the molybdenum concentrate, 24,500 tons of aluminum, 500 tons of products valued at $762.296 million were exported “Surge in Production” motto. coke, 18,100 tons of zinc, 50,000 tons of iron ore concentrate, 100 during the 10th Iranian calendar month of Dey (De- Back in April 2020, Iran’s Deputy Industry Mining tons of cast iron, 50 tons of lead and 65 kg of gold bars. cember 21, 2020-January 19, 2021). and Trade Minister Darioush Esmaili had said that the In addition to that, the IME traded on both domestic and export Steel ingots and products, copper cathode, and Industry, Mining, and Trade Ministry has provisioned pit of its oil and petrochemical trading floor 1,589,000 tons of com- aluminum ingots accounted for the biggest share of operational targets in the mining sector’s three major modities worth more than $740 million. the exported products during the period under review. areas of exploration, extraction, and processing, for Commodities sold here were 494,337 tons of bitumen, 331,664 During the mentioned time span, 6.173 million tons of non-oil commodities worth $58.702 billion the current year. tons of petrochemicals, 152,840 tons of chemicals, 13,382 tons of tons of non-metallic minerals worth over $214.091 were exported from the country in the first 10 months “In the mining industry sector, we have targeted a base oil, 423,050 tons of vacuum bottom, 18,790 tons of sulfur, 200 million were exported to foreign destinations. of the current Iranian calendar year. 25-percent increase in the production of mineral prod- tons of argon, 250 tons of insulation and 159,500 tons of lube cut. According to official data, on average the miner- As previously announced by the former Acting Min- ucts, and in the exploration sector, we will add about Last but not least, the exchange saw trade of 21,645 tons of com- al sector has accounted for about 20 percent of the ister of Industry, Mining, and Trade Hossein Modarres 20 percent to the previous reserves”, the official said. modities on its side market. country’s total non-oil exports in the current Iranian Khiabani, reaching the minerals export of $10.5 billion The mining sector accounted for 25 percent of the As previously reported, over 2,893 tons of commodities worth calendar year (ends on March 20). is planned for the current Iranian calendar year. country’s non-oil revenues in the past Iranian calen- nearly $1.5 billion have been traded at IME during the tenth Iranian Based on the IRICA data, overall, 122.79 million In the current Iranian calendar year which has dar year, he said. calendar month of Dey (December 21, 2020-January 19, 2021). The exchange hosted trading of 1,176,000 tons of commodities with a trading value of more than $740 million on its mineral and industrial trading floor. On this floor the IME sold 1,093,000 tons of steel, 5,160 tons of copper, 30 tons of precious metals concentrate, 480 tons of mo- Iranian aviation incomes drop $76m in 2020 lybdenum concentrate, 15,955 tons of aluminum, 800 tons of coke, ECONOMY TEHRAN – Head of in 14 different airports across the country in 2020 compared to 2019, according to 20,500 tons of zinc dust, 40,000 tons of iron ore concentrate, 300 deskIran Airports and Air over the past year. Amirmokri. tons of cast iron and 54 kg of gold bars. Navigation Company (IAC) announced The mentioned projects include the con- “The number of air passengers in 2019 On its oil and petrochemical trading floor, the IME traded more on Sunday a $76-million decline in the struction of 21 new aircraft parking stands was about 4.5 billion, which declined by than 1,707,000 tons of commodities worth nearly $749 million, country’s aviation industry revenues during and renovation and improvement of over 1.8 billion in 2020; airport revenues also which included 602,855 tons of various types of bitumen, 257,511 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic 1.3 million square meters of airport spaces. decreased by 65 percent ($112 billion),” tons of polymeric products, 124,965 tons of chemicals, 6,300 tons restrictions. Implementation of the said projects he said. of slop wax and 503,760 tons of vacuum bottom. Moreover, the According to Siavash Amirmokri, the has added 50,000 square meters to the Airlines also saw a 66-percent drop in exchange sold on this floor 11,825 tons of base oil, 69,725 tons of air passenger numbers in Iran decreased Iranian airports’ terminal space, according passenger traffic, and the world’s air navi- sulfur, 200 tons of argon and 129,000 tons of lube cut. by 52 percent in 2020, the IAC Office of to Amirmokri. gation revenue fell by $13 billion, he added. The next trading floor of the IME was agricultural with 10,500 Public Relations reported. The IAC head also announced the com- Back in June 2020, Transport and Ur- kg of saffron sold on it. The country’s air traffic also declined by pletion of several other development pro- ban Development Minister Mohammad senger terminal, runway, control tower, Last but not least, the IME’s side market saw trade of 9,510 tons 67 percent during the mentioned time span. jects at various airports, including Mehra- Eslami had said that plans were in place radar system, and navigation system,” he of various types of commodities within the same month. Speaking in a gathering of aviation indus- bad, Mashhad, Gonabad, Ardabil, Birjand, for adding new terminals and runways to said, adding that finishing those projects IME is one of the four major stock markets of Iran, the other try managers at the place of IAC, Amirmokri Saqez, and Ilam in the upcoming Iranian the existing airports across Iran to further would greatly boost aviation safety in Iran. three markets are Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), Iran’s over- noted that despite the problems created by calendar year 1400 (begins on March 21). increase the capacity of the airports by Iranian airports currently have the the-counter (OTC) market known also as Iran Fara Bourse (IFB), the coronavirus pandemic IAC managed to Based on the international aviation data, another 10 million passengers per year. capacity to handle more than 60 million and Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX). inaugurate 28 major development projects global air traffic declined by 60 percent “These airport projects include the pas- passengers a year. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 1, 2021 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5 Jalaluddin Rakhmat was victim of Several killed in bloodiest slander by takfiris: Indonesian professor day of Myanmar anti-coup protests

Security forces in Myanmar moved quickly to stamp out protests ‘The nature of Islam in Indonesia is a peaceful Islam’ against military rule on Sunday, firing live bullets at demonstrators in the main city of Yangon and other cities, killing at least six people and 1 The young Jalaluddin Rakhmat by various religious figures and schools of wounding several in the bloodiest day of weeks of demonstrations. was one of four or five prominent Mus- thought. That is why the commemoration According to al Jazeera, police were out in force early and lim thinkers in Indonesia at that time. of Dr. Jalal’s death was also attended opened fire in different parts of Yangon after stun grenades, He wrote many articles published in by minority figures in Indonesia who tear gas and shots in the air failed to break up crowds. Sol- national media. He also delivered sci- gave testimony about Dr. Jalal’s efforts diers also reinforced police. entific speeches, which many students to fight for the protection of minorities. The Myanmar Now media group posted a video of a wounded attended. In my opinion, Dr. Jalaluddin Could you tell us about the co- man lying on the street near the Hledan Centre intersection in Rakhmat had two outstanding quali- existence of different religions Yangon, and said he had been “shot in his chest area by what fications. First, he was professional in and sects in Indonesia? Is there appeared to be live ammunition”. presenting excellent speeches and writing any takfiri or extremist ideologies A man who witnessed the shooting told the Frontier Magazine skills so that readers or listeners enjoy there? that the police had fired live rounds at protesters sheltering at a his writings and lectures. People know The nature of Islam in Indonesia is a bus station and that “one person died and others are wounded”. Dr. Jalaluddin as a very talented orator peaceful Islam. History shows that Islam and writer. His speeches and writings entered Indonesia without the slightest were able to touch the heart and excite bit of war or conquest. This situation the mind. The second qualification was continues today. The two largest Islamic Iraqi warplanes, Hashd his ability to introduce a new approach organizations in Indonesia, namely Nah- to understanding Islam. He called it an dahatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, are al-Sha’abi fighters take on Daesh “alternative approach”. A collection of moderate organizations. Indeed, as is his speech on this new approach has the case in many parts of the world, the remnants in Diyala emergence Shia was met with negative been published in a book entitled “Islam Iraqi warplanes and fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units reactions from takfiri groups linked to Alternatif” (Alternative Approach). The (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Sha’abi, have embarked on sweep- Saudi Arabia. book was very well known and widely ing operations to clear the western border province of Diyala of being an Islamic thinker, Dr. Jalal is also is that of Dr. Jalaludin Rakhmat. As I Dr. Jalaluddin Rakhmat and the Shia read by Indonesian youth and is still remnants of the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh. known as an expert in communication mentioned earlier, in his legendary book community in Indonesia often become circulating today. As part of the operations, the terrorists’ important positions science. “Alternative Islam”, he describes the Shia victims of persecution and slander by In that book, Dr. Jalal wrote about and headquarters have been heavily bombed over the past three How do you describe his rela- and Wilayatul Faqih system, which be- the takfiris. This phenomenon has been Islam as the source of compassion, Islam days, especially in the province’s Sheikh Baba village and the tions with the Islamic Revolution came the basic ideology for the Iranian increasing in recent years along with and liberation of the oppressed, Islam mountainous Hamrin area, Abdulkhaliq al-Azzawi, a member in Iran? What was the impact of the Islamic Revolution and the formation the Syrian conflict. However, in general, and community development, and Is- of Iraq’s parliamentary Committee on Defense and Security, Iranian Revolution on Indonesian of the Islamic Republic of Iran. When takfiri groups are the minority in Indone- lam and science. In the last chapter, he was quoted as saying by al-Maloumah news agency on Sunday. Muslims? the Iranian Islamic Revolution began to sia. The majority of Indonesian Muslims explained about Shia teaching school According to al Jazeera, the operations, he added, have de- As I said earlier, in the 1980s, youths receive attacks from takfiri groups, in reject their ideology, which is considered and the Islamic Revolution of Iran. In stroyed Daesh’s underground facilities in the areas, many of in the Muslim world, including Indone- the form of slander and baseless accu- contrary to our state’s principles. this chapter, he encouraged people to which contained explosive materials and ammunition. sia, experienced an Islamic awakening sations, Dr. Jalaluddin always provided How do you assess Indonesian be open-minded and accept the differ- “Daesh has lost some of its elements during the recent aerial era. Many Islamic thinkers viewed this his defense. Islamic scholars’ contribution to ences between many mazaheb (school of attacks,” he also reported, but said the inaccessible terrain phenomenon as the impact of the Ira- Please tell us about his approach Islamic world? thoughts). According to Dr. Jalal, having was preventing people on the ground from keeping track of nian Islamic Revolution. At that time, towards other religions and dia- I should mention that Indonesia is an opinion and passing it on to others the exact death toll. the translation of the books of Imam logue between the religions? the biggest Muslim country in the world. is allowed in Islam. What is forbidden Sadiq al-Husseini, the spokesman for the PMU’s division in Khomeini, Rafsanjani, Ali Shariati, Dr. Jalaluddin was one of the intel- Our population is more than 270 million is turning differences of opinion into Diyala, said the airstrikes had killed a Daesh operations officer, Motahari, and Tabatabai were among lectuals who consistently called for the people, and 80% of us are Muslim. So, sectarianism and disunity. The speech- who used to function as one of the group’s notable ringleaders the bestselling books in Indonesia. The importance of dialogue between religions there are more than 200 million Muslims es and writing of Dr. Jalal have made and had led attacks against security forces over the past months. significant contributions to the spread university students discussed these books; and various sects. He did this not because in Indonesia. I think, with this huge num- of moderate and intellectual Islam in along with the books of Muhammad Ab- he was part of a minority group but because ber, it is inevitable that the development Indonesia. duh, Jamaluddin Al-Afghani, Rasyid he believed that dialogue was one of Islam’s of Islam in Indonesia has an impact on What were his achievements as Ridha, etc. most important teachings. He believed that the Muslim world. In Indonesia, many Armenia crisis grows as a researcher and academic? Muslim scholars in Indonesia provided when the tradition of dialogue to resolve Muslims have essential roles in social, Dr. Jalaluddin Rakhmat was a man their views about the revolution in the differences fades away, the pillars of our political, and economic fields. Although president blocks bid to who had spent his entire life devoted to form of writing and speeches. However, nation will collapse. Indonesia is not an Islamic state, the In- the development of science. He had taught in my opinion, the best explanation re- Dr. Jalaluddin himself repeatedly gave donesian state’s basic principles, called fire army chief at Padjadjaran University in the faculty of garding the Iranian Islamic Revolution speeches in seminars that were attended “Pancasila”, are the essence of Islamic Armenian President Armen Sarkisian said he had refused to sign communication. He wrote tens of books teachings, namely monotheism, human- a prime ministerial order to dismiss the army›s chief of staff, and almost all of them were best sellers. Dr. Jalaluddin himself repeatedly gave ity, unity of the people, democracy, and deepening an entrenched national political crisis. Most of these books are related to Islamic justice. speeches in seminars that were attended The move came as several thousand opposition protesters thought, from the interpretation of the Islamic scholarship is quite well devel- took to the streets of Armenia›s capital Yerevan for the third Quran, mysticism, the study of hadith, to by various religious figures and schools of oped in Indonesia. We have universities day running to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol the explanation of prayers. Some of the that specifically teach Islamic sciences thought. That is why the commemoration Pashinyan, AFP reported. others are related to education, communi- in various fields, from philosophy, law, of Dr. Jalal’s death was also attended by They want him to go over his handling of last year›s war with cation science, and psychology. His book, education to economics. However, the Azerbaijan, which many see as a national humiliation. entitled “Communication Psychology”, minority figures in Indonesia who gave studies conducted by Islamic scholars The fresh protests, which have continued on and off since the fighting has become a compulsory book taught in in Indonesia still need to be improved testimony about Dr. Jalal’s efforts to fight ended in November, erupted Thursday when Pashinyan defied a call psychology and communication faculties so that their thoughts can contribute by the military to resign and accused the army of an attempted coup. in universities in Indonesia. Apart from for the protection of minorities. more widely to the Islamic world. He also ordered the chief of the general staff Onik Gasparyan to be fired -- but on Saturday, Armenian President Sarkisian, whose role is largely ceremonial, said in a statement that he Baku welcomes Iran’s participation in Karabakh reconstruction: Azeri MP would not back the move. By Zahra Mirzafarjouyan During a visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan organized by GJC, a correspondent of Mehr News agency reached out Gorbachev urges talks to ‘avoid TEHRAN—“Describing Iran as a good neighbor, Tural Gan- to Tural Ganjaliyev, a member of Azerbaijan’s parliament nuclear war’ as U.S. bombers fly jaliyev said, “We would like to see Iranian government and and head of the Azerbaijani community in Azerbaijan’s companies’ participation in the reconstruction of Karabakh.” Upper Karabakh region to discuss Tehran-Baku relation over Russian navy Nowadays after the liberation of the occupied terri- in the post-Karabakh war. tories of Azerbaijan, a new chapter is going to be opened He noted that Azerbaijan is very keen on cooperation Mikhail Gorbachev, who was the last leader of the former Soviet Union, in the relation of all regional countries, particularly with all counties regarding the reconstruction process of has called on U.S. President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart between Tehran and Baku. the Karabakh region after the liberation of the region. Vladimir Putin to resolve their differences through negotiation and Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan share, to a large Referring to the liberation of some parts of Iran and work towards further restrictions on nuclear weapons as part of extent, the same history, religion, and culture. Azerbaijan border areas which were under long-term efforts to “avoid nuclear war.” Besides historical and cultural commonalities of the two occupation, Azeri Parliamentarian said that besides Gorbachev said in an interview with the Russian Interfax countries, Iran recognized Azerbaijan’s independence in Karabakh Azeri side wants full-scale cooperation with news agency on Saturday that the two leaders, who spoke by 1991, and diplomatic relations between the two countries Iran in reconstructing border areas in order to achieve phone after Biden’s inauguration last month, should meet and were established in 1992. Both countries are full members more positive results. discuss to push for further arms curbs. of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the He stressed, “Iran has always been our good neighbor “I believe that it is imperative that the presidents meet. Ex- organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). and partner and we enjoy good cultural and historical com- perience shows that it is necessary to meet and negotiate,” the Commonalities and joint interests of the two countries ties. Relations between the two neighboring countries have monalities, so we would like to see Iranian government and 89-year-old former Soviet leader said. have functioned as the driving engine of the two countries’ gradually but significantly improved since 2013. companies’ participation in the reconstruction of Karabakh. “It is clear that the main thing is to avoid nuclear war. Since such a problem must be avoided, it is impossible to solve it alone, it is necessary to meet. If the desire to achieve disarmament and to strengthen security prevails, so much Vast majority of terror victims are Muslims: scholar can be accomplished,” he added. Tensions escalated between the two sides under former U.S. 1 Trump promised to make America Asia) and makes reconciliation and peace but in other countries and communities. president Donald Trump, fuelled by allegations of sweeping cyber- great again and rescue the U.S. from China harder to attain. This is the value of cultural and educational attacks and a litany of other disagreements over security-related and migrants; Brexit promised to allow What does push people to turn to exchanges. I see great value in events like matters and nuclear arms control. the U.K. to ‹take back control› and rescue racist groups or parties in Europe? the Arabesque season at the Kennedy Center British people from Brussels. The same I am a great believer in the power of in Washington DC or the Iranian art show pattern is repeated with different visions economics to drive extremes and the ob- at the British museum, which shows the Resistance News by leaders promising to make Turkey, servation of the Roman poet Ovid that ‹in region›s beauty and heritage and disrupts Hungary, Poland, the Philippines, China prosperity no altars smoke.› I suspect that as the demonization. More than 150 settlers defile and a dozen other places› great again.› and when prosperity returns, the extremes How do you see the future of Mus- What are the main reasons for op- will recede. Of course, that is the moment lims in Britain? What is the current Al-Aqsa courtyards position to immigrants or religious to work for the real reconciliation that can status of Muslims in the country? minorities by right-wing parties? be a hedge against a return to extremes. I know that the headlines are always INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN— Dozens of Jewish settlers stormed Migration to Europe has increased in How can the world confront an- negative at the moment, but there are also deskon Sunday morning the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque recent years, and the overlap of an anti-re- ti-Islamism? positive indicators of change. When I was under Israeli police protection. action to this migration with political dif- I think that there is a need to talk about political capital by leaders who have a a boy, it was impossible to imagine some Media and local sources said that 153 Jewish extremists broke ficulties in the Middle East (West Asia) all extremes in religion and politics. We vested interest in perpetuating conflict. of the things we have today, like Muslim into the Al-Aqsa Mosque. gave the far-right an ideal scapegoat in need to acknowledge the way in which The most hopeful thing is when people members of parliament, Muslim ambassa- The so-called Temple Groups had called for mass desecration Muslims. It is true that there have been acts demonization of enemies is used to build can connect with others like themselves dors, Muslim lawyers, Muslim entertainers of the holy Islamic site as part of celebrations of the so-called of terror perpetrated by extremist people and sportsmen and women. What would Purim Jewish festival, which started on Sunday. professing the Muslim faith. The tragedy “Migration to Europe has increased in recent Uncle Napoleon say? This is not a British Al-Aqsa Mosque is witnessing daily, except on Fridays is that the vast majority of victims of these years, and the overlap of an anti-reaction trick but a sign of real change and of hope and Saturdays, incursions and violations by settlers acts of terror have themselves been also for the future. A better, more inclusive and the occupation police in two shifts in the morning Muslims. Responding to terror with exag- to this migration with political difficulties society and a more tolerant wider-world and evening. gerated Islamophobic rhetoric rather than in the Middle East (West Asia) gave the far- will require effort and patience. The first The frequency of these incursions increases during the solid police action plays into the hands of step must be to listen and not to assume period of Jewish festivals, during which restricted measures the extremists in the Middle East (West right an ideal scapegoat in Muslims.” we know how the other side feels. are imposed on the entry of Palestinians to the Mosque. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM MARCH 1, 2021

Tourism, transport ministers ink Istakhr, once capital of the Sasanian MOU to boost maritime tourism

1 He also expressed hope that constructing seaside hotels on the northern and southern coasts and bringing the international Empire, undergoes restoration cruise ships would also boost maritime tourism in the country. For his part, Eslami said that having a well-organized program TOURISM TEHRAN — A fresh ar- very frequently. These light-green vessels for the development of beaches and the use of marine recreation deskchaeological season has were not only of very high quality but also is a priority for the transport ministry. commenced on the southern Iranian city manifested a unique method of pottery mak- of Istakhr, which was briefly served as the ing. The upper and lower halves, with their first capital of the mighty Sasanian Empire sculptured decorations, were always molded from 224 to 226 CE. separately; the two halves, often showing the Istakhr (also spelled Estakhr) is located same pattern, were then joined together. in the vicinity of the UNESCO-registered Also from the Islamic period, but less fre- Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the quent, are pitchers with floral designs in red, Achaemenid Empire (c. 550–330 BC). yellow, and black. Unfortunately, excavations Similar archaeological projects, concerning of the site produced only a few of the famous the documentation and restoration of the and very rare lusterware vessels with their ancient city, have been carried out over the metallic sheen over a golden-yellowish body. past couple of years due to the significance of There is considerable controversy about this Istakhr, IRNA quoted Hamid Fadaei, director pottery and whether it was produced in Iran of the World Heritage, as saying on Sunday. or imported from Mesopotamia. Over the past couple of years, the Islamic Republic has made Improving the old access routes as well Among other finds were clay figurines of various efforts to exploit maritime tourism potential by devel- as establishing new routes to the historical animals. There were also stone and bronze oping hospitality infrastructures, diversifying sea routes, and works of the area and setting up a restora- objects, such as lamps, small vessels, and drawing private sector investors along its vast southern coasts. tion workshop are parts of the project, the several utensils used in daily life. Also found Prosperous maritime tourism could help the county to meet official added. were objects of iridescent glass and personal its ambitious target of attracting 20 million annual tourists by The project is being supported by a team ornaments ranging from clay to gold. 2025. It also keeps an eye on tourism developments in the Cas- of archaeologists, cultural heritage experts, Today, Istakhr is nothing but a plain full pian Sea in the north. and restoration specialists, and a center for of sherds, scattered architectural remains, them is being created, he added. situated near Persepolis, the capital of the the first Arab attack in c.644, but was captured and a few ruins. The walled-in area measured Hop-on hop-off busses reach From one point of view, its history stretches Achaemenids, it allowed the new Sasanian and sacked in c.650. Although the site was 1,400 x 650 meters and was surrounded by a back to 224 CE, when a Persian nobleman dynasty to identify itself with a glorious past. not abandoned, most people moved to Shiraz ditch that was connected to the river Pulvar. Kish Island named Ardashir, son of Papak, son of Sasan, The builders of Istakhr often reused archi- (which was founded in 684). Once, as an Under the Sasanians, Iranian art expe- dethroned the lawful ruler in Persia, Artabanus tectural elements from the monuments of Islamic town, it was enclosed by fortification rienced a general renaissance. Architecture TOURISM TEHRAN – With only weeks to the Irani- IV, king of the Parthian Empire. Persepolis. The Achaemenid royal tombs of walls with rounded towers. often took grandiose proportions, such as deskan New Year, several double-decker hop-on, As one of his residences, according to Naqsh-e Rostam are not far from Istakhr too. Among the kinds of pottery excavated from the palaces at Ctesiphon, Firouzabad, and hop-off busses have recently been transferred to Kish Island in livius.org, the new ruler chose Istakhr: The city, which had strong walls, repulsed the Islamic stratum, molded ware is found Saravan. the Persian Gulf. Recently added to the Kish transport fleet, the vehicles are set to offer tens of hop-on, hop-off access to touristic places of the Island, Mehr reported. Over the past couple of decades, the coral Kish Island has Iran to introduce new art destinations become a beach resort where visitors can swim, shop, and sam- HERITAGE TEHRAN – World cities and villages In January 2020, the cities of Shiraz, Malayer, and ple a laid-back and relatively liberated local lifestyle. It is home deskof handicrafts, as well as those nation- Zanjan and the village of Qassemabad were designated to free-trade-zone status, with ever-growing hotels, shopping ally registered, are planned to be promoted to new art by the WCC- Asia Pacific Region, putting Iran’s number centers, apartment blocks, and retail complexes. destinations, according to Iran’s Ministry of Cultural of world crafts cities and villages from ten to 14. Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts. Shiraz was named a “world city of [diverse] handi- “The cited cities and villages are planned to be intro- crafts”. Malayer was made a global hub for woodcarving duced as ‘art destinations’ to domestic and international and carved-wood furniture. Zanjan gained the title of a travelers,” IRNA quoted Pouya Mahmoudian, the deputy “world city of filigree”. And Qassemabad village, which for handicrafts of the ministry, as saying on Saturday. is nationally known for its traditional costumes, was also Referring to the national register of 52 cities and promoted to a world hub of handicrafts. Chador Shab, a villages of handicrafts, and the inscription of 11 cities kind of homemade outer-garment for women, was, however, and three villages of handicrafts by the World Crafts the main subject for the WCC assessment for the village. Council, Mahmoudian said: “Those handicrafts should Iran exported $523 million worth of handicrafts during be introduced to more tourists…. We try to introduce the calendar year 1398 (ended March 19, 2020). Of the fig- these areas as destinations and targets for domestic and ure, some $273 million worth of handicrafts were exported foreign tourists.” officially through customs, and about $250 million was With 14 entries, Iran ranks first globally for the num- earned via suitcase trade (allowed for customs-free and Ceramics, pottery vessels, handwoven cloths as well as Amongst the Persian Gulf islands, Kish is famed as the more ber of cities and villages registered by the World Crafts tax-free transfer) through various provinces, according personal ornamentations with precious and semi-precious luxurious and developed. Except for its unique nature such as Council, as China with seven entries, Chile with four, and to data provided by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, gemstones are traditionally exported to Iraq, Afghanistan, waters and shallow beaches, the tourist attractions of this charming India with three ones come next. Tourism and Handicrafts. Germany, the U.S., the UK, and other countries. island are due to its rich historical background as well as kind and hospitable people. The pristine and beautiful nature, the meeting of land and sea, the clear sky, the pleasant air, and the pleasurable reverberation Iran suspends flights to and from 32 countries over coronavirus of the waves create such a sense of calm that one cannot even TOURISM TEHRAN – Iran has de- Iran, passengers, who have stayed in one of and Iranian citizens will need to self-isolate distinguish between imagination and reality. deskcided to suspend all flights the cited countries for more than four hours for 14 days. to and from 32 countries including South Af- within a maximum of two weeks before the The worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has Yazd’s centuries-old cemetery rica, Argentina, Brazil, Mozambique, Peru, date of travel, will not be able to enter the brought the world to a standstill, and tour- and Zimbabwe over the discovery of a new Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice.” ism has been the worst affected of all major restoration works begin variant of the coronavirus. Earlier this month, Iran announced it would economic sectors. On Sunday, Mohammad Hassan Zibakhsh, reduce the validity of negative COVID-19 PCR World tourist arrivals fell by 72% over the HERITAGE TEHRAN — The centuries-old cemetery of the spokesman of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organ- test results from 96 hours to 72 hours for first ten months of 2020, according to data deskJuy-e Horhor in the central province of Yazd ization (CAO), announced that all flights to inbound and outbound passengers. compiled by the World Tourism Organization has undergone some rehabilitation work, a provincial tourism and from 32 countries have been suspend- The new regulation replaced a role that (UNWTO) in December. official has said. ed due to the latest decision of the National required to bar passengers from boarding Restrictions on travel, low consumer con- The restoration project aims at preserving the historical site, Headquarters for Coronavirus Control, IRIB if they do not have a negative COVID test fidence, and a global struggle to contain the which has recently been inscribed on the National Heritage list, reported. Guinea, Lesotho, Guyana, Malawi, Maurita- within 96 hours of departure. coronavirus pandemic are amongst factors Mohammadreza Falahati announced on Sunday. The new restrictions also limit travels nia, Mauritania, Rwanda, Sicily, Suriname, All passengers are subject to the medical contributing to the worst year on record in The project involves strengthening walls and rooftops using between the Islamic Republic and England, Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Zambia. screening on arrival, and if they are suspected the history of tourism. Iran has also suffered cob material as well as repairing the lower parts of walls of the Angola, Bolivia, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Regarding the admission status of travelers of having the disease, non-Iranian national- the same fate as its foreign arrivals plunged tombs in the cemetery, the official added. Verde, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Repub- from countries with special conditions, the ities will be quarantined at a place specified 72% during the first eight months of 2020 Although the cemetery dates back to centuries ago, the struc- lic of the Congo, Ecuador, Eswatini, French official said: “For direct or indirect flights to by the Health Ministry at their own expense when compared to 2019. tures and some mausoleums inside it belong to the Qajar-era (1789–1925), he explained. Ardebil could be Iran’s next tourism hub, minister says TOURISM TEHRAN — Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tour- during the winter season to the province and make it the winter deskism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar tourism hub of the country. Mounesan has said that Ardebil province has immense potential In December 2019, provincial tourism chief Nader Fallahi to become the next tourism hub of the country. announced that the objective to launch tourism projects is to The development of infrastructures, which is currently provide tourists from all over the world and domestic tourists taking place in Ardebil, could facilitate this region’s transfor- as well with the opportunity to use these facilities and select mation into a new tourism hub, IRNA quoted Mounesan as Ardebil as their prime destination. saying on Friday. Sprawling on a high, windswept plateau, Ardebil is well- The implementation of tourism-related projects worth 40 known for having lush natural beauties, hospitable people, trillion rials ($952 million at the official exchange rate of 42,000 and its silk and carpet trade tradition. It is also home to the rials per dollar) shows the decisive decision of the province’s UNESCO-registered Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine tourism officials for the development in this field, he explained. Ensemble. The completion of the mentioned projects will add capacity The province is freezing in winter and mild in summer, to the tourism sector of the country, the minister noted. ganization (ECO) tourism capital program. attracting thousands every year. The capital city of Ardebil He also expressed hope that the province would become Last April tourism authorities of the province announced is usually recorded as one of the coldest cities in the country Juy-e Horhor belongs to both Muslims and Jews with two a duly deserving host of the 2023 Economic Cooperation Or- that they have developed extensive plans to draw more tourists in winter. different entrance gates on the north and south sides. There are several graves of scientists, mystics, literati, and clergymen from different historical eras in the cemetery. Although there are currently no burials in the Muslim sec- ‘Kordestan holds potential to be nature tourism hub’ tion of the cemetery, the Jewish section, with its 22,000 square TOURISM TEHRAN –The western common border with neighboring Iraq, the realm of travel expect such a branch of tourism It is a subset of a larger industry called rural meters of area, still retains its use, and religious services are also deskprovince of Kordestan could official explained. development will end and possibly reverse tourism that includes resorts, off-site farmers’ performed there apart from burying the dead. be developed into a dynamic hub for nature Nature-based tourism is any type of the trend of migration from villages to cities markets, non-profit agricultural tours, and In July 2017, the historical structure of the city of Yazd was tourism due to its beautiful and pristine land- tourism that relies on experiences di- by creating sustainable jobs and prosperity other leisure and hospitality businesses that named a UNESCO World Heritage. Wedged between the northern scape, the deputy tourism minister has said. rectly related to natural attractions and for local communities. attract visitors to the countryside. Dasht-e Kavir and the southern Dasht-e Lut on a flat plain, the However, the province is needed to be includes ecotourism, adventure tourism, Agritourism and nature-tourism enter- Experts say each eco-lodge unit generates oasis city enjoys a very harmonious public-religious architecture promoted more properly in the fields of extractive tourism, wildlife tourism, and prises might include outdoor recreation jobs for seven to eight people on average so that dates from different eras. nature tourism and cultural tourism, Vali nature retreats. (fishing, hunting, wildlife study, horseback that the scheme could create 160,000 jobs. With its winding lanes, forest of badgirs (wind catchers), mud- Teymouri announced on Friday. Eco and nature-based tourists seek and riding), educational experiences (cannery The Islamic Republic announced in 2018 brick houses, atmospheric alleyways, and centuries of history, Baneh, Marivan, and the provincial capital expect a high level of service and product tours, cooking classes, or tea or coffee tast- that 2,000 eco-lodges would be constructed Yazd is a delightful place to stay, referring to as a ‘don’t miss’ Sanandaj are among the most popular tourist directly related to natural attractions, and ing), entertainment (harvest festivals or across the country until 2021. Having a very destination by almost all travel associates in the region. and travel destinations, which require further they are willing to pay for it. They deliver barn dances), hospitality services (farm diverse natural setting, Iran offers varied Yazd Jameh Mosque, Dowlatabad Garden, the Yazd Atash elaborate introduction, the official added. more economic benefits than other tourists stays, guided tours, or outfitter services), excursions to nature lovers. Sightseers may Behram, also known as Atashkadeh-e Yazd, Towers of Silence, Kordestan can play a significant role in because they spend more and stay longer. and on-farm direct sales (u-pick operations live with a nomad or rural family or enjoy and adjacent desert landscape are among its tourist sites. attracting foreign tourists considering its Iranian officials and policymakers in the or roadside stands). an independent stay. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 1, 2021 SOCIETY 7

‘Feast of charity’ to be held Magnitude 4.4 quake rattles northwestern Iran

SOCIETY TEHRAN — A 4.4-magnitude earthquake virtually amid pandemic deskstruck near the city of Sarab, northwestern East Azarbaijan province, on Sunday morning. SOCIETY TEHRAN — ‘Feast of the longest night of the year, Sadeh Festival deskcharity’, a campaign held and Chaharshanbeh Souri - in praise of the prior to the Iranian New Year celebration spring, are examples of such ceremonies each year helping families having a hard that were affected by the pandemic. time addressing their essential needs, will This year, people lost the opportunity be held virtually this year nationwide due to celebrate the big occasions as always in to the COVID-19 pandemic. gatherings, from Noruz to different festi- The nationwide event opens annually a vals or religious ceremonies which all held few days before the Iranian New Year, start- avoiding gatherings. ing usually on March 21, and lasts for three The outbreak reached its peak concur- days soliciting contributions to help those rent with the Iranian New Year celebration underprivileged who can barely afford a living. (March 21, 2020), making Noruz different The event also aims at encouraging hu- from years and even centuries ago. manitarian efforts and altruistic behaviors However, in Sizdah Bedar, people The tremor was recorded at 8:47 a.m. local time, at a shallow among the public. were also asked to stay at home and resist depth of 7 kilometers below the surface. Unlike all the previous years that many picnicking outdoor to break the chain of No injuries or fatalities have been reported so far. people referred to schools and mosques to coronavirus transmission, and they were There are 13 villages with a total population of more than provide deprived families with cash handouts, successful in curbing the disease. 8,000 within 10 kilometers radius of the epicenter. commodities, or clothes, this year, coronavirus Sizdah Bedar, also known as Nature Day, changed the event to an online contribution is an Iranian festival held annually on the preventing gatherings. thirteenth day of Farvardin, the first month This year, the charity celebration will be of the Iranian calendar (falling on April 1 World still ‘very far’ from held on March 3, with the cooperation of a this year), during which Iranians reconcile virtual education system called SHAD; and Last [Iranian calendar] year (March ty in society. Particularly encouraging the with nature by spending time in resorts, meeting climate goals, UN warns on March 4 by setting up a fundraising base 2019-March 2020), some 75,000 centers youngsters to practice giving even though gardens, and natural areas. It marks the Countries must submit tougher climate plans this year if the world in the main squares of each city and on March collecting donations have been established this brings no advantage to them would result end of the Noruz holidays in Iran. is to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, the UN has warned. 5 in Friday prayers. in the country thanks to the Imam Khomeini in bringing up a caring generation. In the light of the global pandemic, Under the Paris Agreement, countries pledged to keep global Also, the SMS system, different applica- Relief Foundation. Social distancing replaces big gath- Christmas was also celebrated virtually, warming to “well below” 2C above pre-industrial levels, with the tions, and websites are other ways to partic- Such charity events would certainly en- erings unlike usual gatherings, among Iranian aspiration of limiting temperatures to 1.5C. ipate in the celebration. courage altruistic behaviors and generosi- Noruz, Yalda Night - which takes place on Christians. As part of the deal, all countries were due to submit revised climate plans, which are known as “nationally determined con- tributions” (NDCs), by the end of 2020. Charity foundation opens up 180,000 jobs for the deprived However, a progress report from the UN finds that only 75 “parties” – which includes individual countries and the SOCIETY TEHRAN — Barekat Charity Foun- and improving living standards and livelihoods, has also European Union – met the 31 December deadline. These deskdation, affiliated to Headquarters for led to reverse migration in these areas, he further noted. countries represent just 30 per cent of global greenhouse Executing the Order of the Imam, has generated 180,000 Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Imam gas emissions. jobs for the people residing in deprived areas since the was founded in 1989. In the Iranian calendar year, 1386 And the UN’s analysis of these plans finds that, when con- beginning of this year (March 20, 2020), the founda- (March 2017-March 2018) Barekat Charity Foundation- the sidered together, they would see emissions fall by just one per tion’s head has said. social arm of the organization- with the aim of promoting cent by 2030, when compared to levels in 2010. This is far The foundation supports launching 60,000 job plans social justice was established. below the level of reduction needed by 2030 to put the world which resulted in 180,000 direct and indirect jobs across Socio-economic empowerment of communities by on track to limiting global warming to 1.5C by the end of the the country, IRNA quoted Amir Hossein Madani as encouraging entrepreneurship prioritizing breadwinner century, the UN said. saying on Sunday. women, developing infrastructures such as water supply A landmark report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Some 276 cities and 7,575 villages in 31 provinces of and power grids, building roads, constructing schools Change (IPCC), the global authority on climate science, found the country are covered by the employment plans of the and increasing educational spaces, promoting health that emissions would need to decline by around 45 per cent Barakat Foundation, he stated. for all, granting non-repayable loans and insurance by 2030, when compared to 2010 levels, to give the world the The total number of job creation projects that the foun- especially in less developed areas and regions most greatest chance at limiting global warming to 1.5C. dation has so far implemented across the country reached The implementation of job creation projects in deprived affected by 1980s war and natural disasters are of the UN chief Antonio Guterres said the interim report should 100,000, which has created 300,000 jobs, he also said. rural areas, in addition to economic and social empowerment priorities of the charity foundation. signal “a red alert for our planet”. “2021 is a make or break year to confront the global climate emergency,” he said in a statement. “The science is clear, to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C, we must cut global emission by Second Iranian COVID-19 vaccine enters clinical trial 45 per cent by 2030 from 2010 levels. “Today’s [report] shows governments are nowhere close to 1 He went on to say that the vaccine to COVID-19 vaccines, is also on the agenda. New cases and mortalities the level of ambition needed to limit climate change to 1.5C and was produced according to the instructions COVIRAN BAREKAT, the first corona- In a press briefing on Sunday, Health meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.” of the World Health Organization, adding, virus vaccine made by Iranian researchers Ministry’s spokesperson Sima-Sadat Lari The report highlights that the world’s biggest emitters, in Razi Institute started making vaccines in of the Headquarters for Executing the confirmed 8,010 new cases of COVID-19 infec- particular, must significantly raise their ambition this year if March 2020 and used the recombinant Order of the Imam, was unveiled and tion, raising the total number of infections to the world is to meet its climate goals, he added. protein-based method, which is one of the injected into three volunteers during a 1,631,169. She added that 1,393,125 patients Just two of the world’s 18 largest emitters came forward with safest vaccines. ceremony on December 29, 2020; which have so far recovered, but 3,732 remain in more ambitious climate plans by the end of 2020, the report Mass vaccination will soon start the second phase of the critical conditions of the disease. says. This includes the UK and the EU. Some major emitters Iran started mass vaccination with clinical trial. During the past 24 hours, 93 patients have submitted new climate plans that were no more or even less Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, with the On January 27, Health Minister Saeed lost their lives, bringing the total number of ambitious than their previous pledges, researchers previously priority given to medical staff, the elderly, Namaki said that there are four different ways deaths to 60,073, she added. told The Independent. and people with underlying diseases; and to supply the coronavirus vaccine, includ- So far, 10,853,008 COVID-19 diagnostic An upcoming round of UN climate talks known as Cop26, is also going to be co-produced by the two ing direct purchase from a foreign country, production of the vaccine. tests have been performed in the country. which are to be held in Glasgow in November, will provide a key countries. procurement from the World Health Organ- He emphasized that Iran will soon be one Lari noted that currently, 11 cities are at high- opportunity for raising climate ambition. Importing vaccine from COVAX, a global ization’s COVAX facility, a joint production of the world’s important manufacturers of risk “red” zones, 32 cities in medium-risk “orange” Alok Sharma, the UK minister who has been appointed initiative to ensure rapid and equitable access with a Cuban company as well as domestic the COVID-19 vaccine. zones, 251 cities in low-risk “yellow” zones. Cop26 president, said the UN’s findings should “serve as an urgent call to action”. “I am asking all countries, particularly major emitters, to submit ambitious 2030 emission reduction targets,” he said. Rapid COVID-19 testing in Ahvaz underway Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of the UN Frame- work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said that 1 coronavirus pandemic in the southwestern Khuzestan On February 13, President Hassan Rouhani empha- With the spread of the UK mutated variant of the progress report should be viewed as a “snapshot” rather province, IRNA quoted the province’s governor-general, sized the necessity for people to follow health protocols, the virus in the province, some officials suggested than “a full picture”. Qassem Soleimani-Dashtaki, as saying on February 22. as a new wave of coronavirus may hit the country within that all the cities should be completely locked This is because many countries said that they faced difficulties More than 300 Iraqi nationals cross Chazzabeh and the next two months. down, but unfortunately some businesses have meeting the 2020 deadline due to challenges posed by the Covid Shalamcheh borders on a daily basis, he said, adding He called on the people to observe the hygiene prin- remained opened, putting the city in a dangerous pandemic, she said. She added that a second NDC progress report that the issue has contributed to a rise in the number ciples, insisting that anyone who enters the country situation. will be released before Cop26. of coronavirus cases. should undergo the COVID-19 test. “We should all join Khuzestan is in a dangerous situation with 11 high- “This report shows that current levels of climate ambition are So that Iran has closed five crossing points with Iraq hands to prevent the fourth wave of the outbreak,” risk “red” cities and 8 medium-risk “orange” cities. very far from putting us on a pathway that will meet our Paris to prevent the spread of the UK variant of coronavirus. he asserted. Iraqi nationals visiting Iran have worsened the Agreement goals,” she said.

ENGLISH IN USE LET’S LEARN PERSIAN (Part 136) (Source: saadifoundation.ir) LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION

افتتــاح ۱۴۰۰ میلیــارد تومــان پــروژه Educational projects worth $330m آموزشــی to be inaugurated رئیــس ســازمان نوســازی، توســعه و تجهیــز مــدارس کشــور گفــت ۱۰۱۵ پــروژه A total of 1,015 educational projects worth 14 trillion rials آموزشــی بــا اعتبــاری بــه میــزان۱۴۰۰ میلیــارد تومــان در سراســر کشــور بــه ,nearly $330 million) will be inaugurated across the country) Mehrollah Rakhshanimehr, director of the organization for بهرهبــرداری می رســد. renovation, development, and equipment of schools, has بــه گــزارش ایســنا، مهراله رخشــانی مهــر افــزود ایــن پــروژه هــا طــی announced. 10 روز آینــده و بــه مناســبت چهلویکمیــن ســالگرد پیــروزی انقــاب اســامی The projects will be inaugurated by the next 10 days, on the افتتــاح خواهنــد شــد. ,occasion of the 41st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution he stated, ISNA reported on Sunday. بــه گفتــه او، ایــن پــروژه هــا شــامل ۴۱۶۸ کلس درس، ۱۱ اســتخر، و According to Rakhshanimehr, the projects include 4,168 ۳۲ ســالن ورزشــی هســتند. .classrooms, 11 swimming pools, and 32 gyms رخشــانی مهــر ادامــه داد تاکنــون در ســال ۹۸ حــدود ۱۴ هــزار کلس About 14,000 classrooms have been built so far this year درس افتتــاح شــده اســت در حالیکــه در ســال ۹۷ حــدود ۱۰ هــزار started March 21, 2019), compared with some 10,000 last) year, he concluded. red, red colored کلس افتتــاح شــده بــود. brown, brown colored Prayer Times Noon:12:17 Evening: 18:10 Dawn: 5:18 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:33 (tomorrow) MARCH 1, 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 Mobarak festival opens with message calling puppets

Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] representations of ancient myths, future dreams Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 ARTTEHRAN – The 18th platforms providing video on demand (VOD) Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 deskMobarak Puppet Theat- service for films,” secretary of the festival Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 er Festival opened on Sunday with a mes- Mehdi Hajian had said earlier. Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 sage from Deputy Culture Minister for Hajian said that the veteran artists of Pup- Artistic Affairs Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini pet Theater, Iraj Mohammadi and Moham- calling puppets the representations of the mad-Hassan Abuyi Mehrizi, will be honored Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 myths of the past and a visualization of with lifetime achievement awards this year. the dreams of the future. Three books on puppet shows will also No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran “Man is the child of hope, the soul-seeker be published to promote the art of puppet P.o. Box: 14155-4843 looking for immortality. Puppets and dolls theater, he said, adding that several virtual Zip Code: 1599814713 are the children of this worship,” he said. workshops and meetings have also been held “The puppet shows are representations that were warmly received by puppet theater of the myths of the past and visualization artists in the country. of the future. They are made in order to re- A lineup of seven traditional puppet shows member beauties and discover the virtues have also been selected to be performed dur- for a better world built on simplicity and ing the festival. honesty,” he added. The puppet shows have been chosen from The 18th edition of the festival has begun 14 submissions by a selecting board composed with emphasis on personal creativity, and, due of Pupak Azimpur, Shahrzad Mobarhan and to the coronavirus restrictions, many artist Davud Fat’hali Beigi. GUIDE TO and cultural events have gone online, he said. The lineup includes “The Last Autumn SPIRITUAL AWAKENING He also paid tribute to puppet show Deputy Culture Minister for Artistic Affairs Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini (3rd Celebration” by Ali Jabbari, “Salim Khan director Golzar Mohammadi, who was the R) and several cultural officials unveil the poster of the 18th Mobarak Puppet Court” by Zahra Amini, “Salim Khan Court” secretary of the 18th edition of the festival Theater Festival. by Safar-Ali Mohammadzadeh, “Salaman Best way to defend Islam, is to practice and died in March 2020 after months of Theater Festival which opened Sunday. “29 puppet shows from Tehran and 28 and Mobarak” by Mahmud Dehqan Harati, suffering from cancer at the age of 42. The photo section of the festival also from other cities will be performed online “Stay in the Jar” by Amir-Hossein Ensafi, Islam. A lineup of 57 puppet shows will be per- opened on Sunday at the Iranian Artists from February 28 to March 7 available at “Favorite of the Stage” by Hossein Rabiei Prophet Muhammad (S) formed during the 18th Mobarak Puppet Forum under the supervision of Amir Abedi. tiwall, namayeshnet and Hashure, the Iranian and “Korsibazi” by Mohammadreza Azadfar. “The Snow Calls” crowned best at Big Sky “Driving Lessons” wins awards at CineVoyage filmfest Documentary Film Festival result and the gossip that would ensue. She is already tradition and imagination of the American West. ARTTEHRAN – Iranian director Marzieh Riahi’s under enough pressure from her in-laws, although she The artistic vision award in this section was given to desk “Driving Lessons” has won awards in three does still have people on her side, too. “Victoria” by Sofie Benoot, Liesbeth De Ceulaer and Isabelle categories, including best direction and best screenplay, at the “This film depicts community and family with an Tollenaere from Belgium. CineVoyage Film Festival in Mumbai, India. intimacy rarely seen on the big screen, and it uses cinema “Meltdown in Dixie” by Emily Harrold from the USA The film, which was competing in the Professional category, to amplify voices that absolutely need to be heard,” the was named best short documentary. also brought Hossein Neshati the award for best editor, the jury wrote in a statement published on the closing day In the Mini-Doc Competition, the winner was “Eagles”, a organizers have announced. of the festival on Sunday. co-production between Canada and the USA co-directed by A scene from “The Snow Calls” by Marjan Khosravi. The award for best artistic vision in this section went Kristy Guevara-Flanagan and Maite Zubiaurre. ARTTEHRAN – Iranian filmmaker Marjan to “Il Mio Corpo”, a co-production between Switzerland The artistic vision award in the Mini-DOC Competition deskKhosravi’s “The Snow Calls” has been and Italy directed by Michele Pennetta. went to “The Roots Weaver” by Fernando Saldivia from Chile. selected as best feature at the Big Sky Documentary Film “We recognize this film’s bold aesthetic approach which, “A Horse Has More Blood Than a Human” by Abolfazl Festival in Missoula in the northwestern U.S. state of Montana. through both close-ups and nimble movement, evokes Taluni, “Khoniyar’s Children” by Arman Qolipur Dashtaki The film centers on Mina who, after bearing three daughters, the drama and emotion of social realist storytelling. It and “Holy Bread” by Rahim Zabihi were other Iranian films has just one more chance; her next child has to be a boy or demonstrates an intimacy with its subjects that can only be screened at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, however, her husband will marry another woman. achieved through sustained and deliberate collaboration,” they failed to garner any award. That’s the tradition. The very pregnant Mina and her the jury said. The event is organized every year by the Big Sky Film family live in southwestern Iran, where the rules of the “Red Heaven” by Lauren DeFilippo and Katherine Gorringe Institute to support the people who create documentary films, Bakhtiari tribe apply. This time, the expectant mother from the USA won the Big Sky Award in a special category vibrant events, and expand knowledge and conversation decides not to have an ultrasound scan, for fear of the for the films that artistically honor the character, history, around issues that matter. Rendition of “Journey in Blue” tribute to Hans Christian Andersen: Persian translator “Driving Lessons” by Iranian filmmaker Marzieh Riahi. ARTTEHRAN – Shaqayeq In Italy, Germany and France, Andersen and his work wrestles with his own perceived The film also written by Riahi tells the story of Bahareh, a deskQandehari has said that gained recognition and was greatly praised, fate as a stranger in the world, his longing young woman who, according to Iranian law, must have a man her Persian translation of Stig Dalager’s while in his homeland Denmark, he for love, and his religiosity. from among her relatives accompany her on driving lessons so “Journey in Blue: A Novel about Hans encountered harsh criticism, breaking To believe in his own talent to the extent she and her male instructor won’t be alone. Christian Andersen” is a tribute to his heart,” she explained. that Andersen has done and to have lived “Driving Lessons” has been screened in dozens of international the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen is a master of the literary so one-dimensionally has left him socially festivals across the world. Andersen, “a hard-working man who fairytale whose stories achieved wide deficient and isolated. There is also torment, The film won the Barran Award for best fiction film at the had a wonderful life.” renown. He is also the author of plays, although internationally renowned, he was Karama Yemen Human Rights Film Festival in January. “I am sure all of us have read the stories novels, poems, travel books and several rejected in his own country until late in his It was also named best short narrative at the 21st Through of this writer during childhood,” she told the autobiographies. life when a leading Danish literary critic Women’s Eyes International Film Festival (TWE) in Sarasota, Persian service of Honaronline on Sunday. While many of those works are almost discovered his fairytales and confirmed Florida, the U.S. in March 2020. She said that the story of “Journey in unknown outside Denmark, his fairytales their importance to his fellow countrymen. “Minotaur” directed by Jonathan English from Spain was Blue” begins at the time Andersen is on A statue in Central Park, New York are among the most frequently translated As Andersen’s death approaches, his also selected as best film in the Professional category of the his deathbed, taking morphine. commemorating Hans Christian works in all of literary history. memories grow more vivid and material, CineVoyage Film Festival. “One good thing about the book is that Andersen and “The Ugly Duckling”. “Journey in Blue” narrates Andersen on yet at the same time fairytale-like. In this The film also received the awards for best sound engineer the different points about life, fate, mood and “I worked on it for a year.” Qandehari his deathbed. Doses of morphine cause his remarkable novel, Dalager takes the reader and best director of cinematography. spirits of the writer are narrated, the points said and added, “Critics believe the book’s brain to oscillate between dreamy states and on a journey through the mind, body, spirit In the Amateur category, “Cycle” from Poland received which we may not have known beforehand, author, who is Danish himself, has been able fleeting moments of clarity. The complex and works of one of the truly great names the award for best film editing. and help the story go on better,” she noted. to describe the life of Andersen differently.” and elastic mind that drives his personality in world literature. “Bioscope” from Bangladesh won the awards for best film, best direction, best cinematography, best screenplay and best sound design. Iranian troupe restages “True West” at Tehran theater ARTTEHRAN — Iranian director Omid In addition, the screenplay that Austin is pitching to his “The Night Visitor” comes deskSaeidpur is restaging American playwright connection in Hollywood somehow is taken over by Lee Sam Shepard’s play “True West” at Molavi Theater in Tehran. through his pushy con-man tactics, and the brothers find into Iranian bookstores A cast composed of Shadi Amiri, Mohammad Charkhtab themselves forced to cooperate in the creation of a story and Saeidpur is performing the play translated into that will make or break both of their lives. CULTURE TEHRAN — A Persian translation of desk Persian by Amir Amjad. In the process, the conflict between the brothers creates “The Night Visitor: And Other Stories” The troupe performed “True West” earlier at the Tehran a heated situation in which their roles as a successful family by B. Traven has recently been published by Qoqnus Independent Theater in September and October 2020 when man and nomadic drifter are somehow reversed, and each Publications in Tehran. veteran actor Parviz Parastui collaborated with them as the man finds himself admitting that he had somehow always The book has been translated into Persian by Manijeh Araqizad. producer of the production. wished he were in the other’s shoes. The book contains ten of Saeidpur had earlier staged the play at Mirak Academy Shepard was an American artist who worked as an award- Traven’s remarkable short in the northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz in July 2019. winning playwright, writer and actor. stories. Three of them are long Left to right, Mohammadreza Charkhtab, Omid Saeidpur The American classic is a character study that examines and Shadi Amiri perform Sam Shepard’s “True West” His many written works are known for being frank and stories. The setting of “The the relationship between Austin, a screenwriter, and often absurd, as well as for having an authentic sense of the Night Visitor” is a hacienda at Molavi Theater in Tehran on February 15, 2021. his older brother, Lee. (Payamekhabar.ir/A. A. Ezhari) style and sensibility of the gritty modern American West. deep in the Mexican bush It is set in the kitchen of their mother’s home 40 miles He was an actor on stage and in motion pictures; a director where a lonely American east of Los Angeles. Austin is house-sitting while their brother, who proceeds to bully his way into staying at of the stage and screen; author of several books of short recreates in his imagination mother is in Alaska, and there he is confronted by his the house and using Austin’s car. stories, essays and memoirs; and a musician. an eerie world of Indian folk legend. “The Cattle Drive” is a vivid description of a cowboy’s trek Siri Hustvedt’s “Blazing World” published in Persian with a thousand head of cattle across the Mexican plains; it CULTURE TEHRAN – American herself as the force behind three solo shows, you won’t be able to put down. has all the authenticity that desknovelist Siri Hustvedt’s there are those who doubt she is responsible Hustvedt was born in Northfield, Hollywood Westerns lack. “The Blazing World” has recently been for the last exhibition, initially credited to Minnesota. Her father Lloyd Hustvedt was “Macario”, which was published in Persian in Tehran. the acclaimed artist Rune. a professor of Scandinavian literature, and Front cover of the Persian made into a prize-winning Saless is the publisher of the book No one doubts the two artists were involved her mother Ester Vegan emigrated from translation of B. Traven’s motion picture, is a wry translated into Persian by Khojasteh Keyhan. with each other. According to Burden’s journals, Norway at the age of thirty. “The Night Visitor”. Mexican fable about an “The Blazing World” is a brilliant, she and Rune found themselves locked in a She holds a B.A. in history from St. Olaf Indian woodcutter who makes a compact with the devil provocative novel about an artist who, charged and dangerous psychological game College and a Ph.D. in English from Columbia to save his family from starvation. after years of being ignored by the art that ended with the man’s bizarre death. University; her thesis on Charles Dickens Among seven shorter stories, some are based on incidents world, conducts an experiment: she From one of the most ambitious and was entitled “Figures of Dust: A Reading from contemporary Mexican life, others on ancient Indian folk conceals her female identity behind internationally celebrated writers of her of Our Mutual Friend”. legends. All have spontaneity, humor and warmth. three male fronts. generation, Hustvedt’s “The Blazing World” is a Hustvedt has mainly made her name as a The mysterious B. Traven was born in Chicago, spent his youth Presented as a collection of texts, edited and polyphonic tour de force. It is also an intricately novelist, but she has also produced a book of in Germany as an itinerant actor and revolutionary journalist, introduced by a scholar years after the artist’s conceived, diabolical puzzle that addresses the poetry, and has had short stories and essays became a seaman on tramp steamers, settled in Mexico in the early death, the book unfolds through extracts from shaping influences of prejudice, money, fame on various subjects. 1920s, and began recording his experience in novels and stories. Burden’s notebooks and conflicting accounts and desire on what we see in one another. Like her husband Paul Auster, Hustvedt In the United States his best-known novel is “The Treasure from others about her life and work. Emotionally intense, intellectually employs the use of repetitive themes or Front cover of the Persian translation of Siri of the Sierra Madre”. Even after she steps forward to reveal rigorous, ironic and playful, this is a book symbols throughout her work. Hustvedt’s “The Blazing World”.