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8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13918 Wednesday APRIL 14, 2021 Farvardin 25, 1400 Ramadan 1, 1442

Zarif says EU aim to reach Israeli ship attacked losing relevance ACL final for third time: near UAE: Congratulations Page 2 Golmohammadi Page 3 Al-Mayadeen Page 5 on Ramadan arrival

We will avenge sabotage in Natanz in starts enriching the aggressor’s land, says government - Government spokesman Noting that Iran reserves the right said on Tuesday that Iran will retaliate to take action against the perpetrators against the sabotage attack on the Natanz of the attack, he said, “Iran, while con- nuclear facility in the right time at the demning this move, urges the interna- aggressor’s land. tional community to respond to this uranium to 60% purity Speaking at his weekly press briefing, nuclear terrorism. To thwart this goal, Ali Rabiei condemned the terrorist act the Iranian government will continue See page 2 at the Natanz nuclear site and stressed to seriously pursue the development that “action against the Natanz nuclear of nuclear technology and work to lift site shows the defeat of the enemies of sanctions.” Iran’s industrial and political progresses.” Continued on page 2

Foreign investment in industrial, trade sectors up nearly 190% in a year TEHRAN - The Ministry of Industry, Min- 82 foreign investment projects with a total ing and Trade has approved 158 foreign investment of $854 million in calendar investment projects valued at about $2.469 year 1398. billion in the past Iranian calendar year Of the total number of investment 1399 (ended on March 20), up 189 percent projects in the past year, 90.5 percent compared to its preceding year. (143 projects) was the share of industry According to the latest data released sector, 4.4 percent (seven projects) was the by the ministry, the number of approved share of mining sector, while trade-related projects has also increased 92 percent in projects accounted for 5.1 percent (eight the previous year. projects) of the total figure. The Industry Ministry had approved Continued on page 4

TEHRAN – During his visit to Iran, Russian the need for Syria to return to “the Arab Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed family,” i.e the Arab League. regional issues with high-level Iranian of- Speaking at a Monday joint press confer- ficials amid heightened tensions between ence with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Iran and Israel over a sabotage operation Shoukry, Lavrov said, “I can reaffirm our Russian FM discusses that targeted a key Iranian nuclear facility. strong conviction that Syria must return The top Russian diplomat met on to the Arab family and fully reinstate its Tuesday with his Iranian counterpart Arab League membership. This kind of regional issues in Tehran and Iranian issue cannot be resolved overnight given President . His stay in the differences and emotions that have Tehran was part of a regional tour that accumulated over many years. included Egypt, where Lavrov underlined Continued on page 3 president.ir

Lion-dragon From mazy bazaars to nomadic lands: Wright shooting: Minneapolis erupts in another alliance: a serious visit Iran in a slow, no-tech fashion night of protests threat to U.S. TEHRAN – Hiking along the southern coasts of Many tourism insiders believe that traversing Protesters have clashed with police for the some protesters away. the Caspian Sea, discovering secret side streets in a the country equals an endless charm, as it em- second night in the suburb of the U.S. city of According to al Jazeera, a long line of police influence in region tiny Iranian village, walking through labyrinthine braces so many diverse cultures and landscapes, Minneapolis following the killing of a Black man in riot gear, rhythmically pushing their clubs bazaars, or roaming down a rain forest path to saying something like this: “Forget the VIP cars during a traffic stop, with police calling the fatal in front of them, began slowly forcing back the BY EBRAHIM FALLAHI rural cottages are some of the most memorable and become adept at slow travel by discovering shooting an “accident”. remaining crowds. he signing of a 25-year coop- experiences can happen only on foot. Iran through walking tours. There are many Officials have said that the shooting death on “Move back!” the police chanted. “Hands up! eration document between Walking is the ultimate in slow travel. It is one stunning mosques and pristine deserts!” or “The Sunday of 20-year-old Daunte Wright was “an Don’t shoot!” the crowd chanted back. By late Iran and China has become of the cleanest pleasures of traveling, offering ex- country has so much to offer if you thoroughly accidental discharge”, adding that the officer had Monday, only a few dozen protesters remained. T ercise, fresh air, and an intimate perspective of the visit every nook and cranny.” apparently intended to fire a Taser, not a handgun. Law enforcement agencies had stepped up the subject of debates by many po- litical and economic experts and surroundings. Walking tours, including self-guided Traditionally, one of the most popular ways to The shooting sparked unrest in an area al- their presence across the Minneapolis area scholars and even ordinary people walks, have long been attracted international and visit a city is to experience it on foot. Whatever their ready on edge because of the trial of the first after Sunday night violence. all over Iran. domestic travelers interested in exploring their size, most historical cities, towns, and villages in Iran of four police officers charged over the killing The number of Minnesota National Guard The agreement, dubbed the Compre- destination in a slow, no-tech fashion: on foot. are best appreciated by walking, as their century-old of another Black man, George Floyd, last year. troops was expected to more than double to hensive Strategic Partnership, covers co- Packed with over 5,000 years of history, Iran city centers were first conceived to wander around. Hundreds of protesters faced off against police more than 1,000 by Monday night. operation in a variety of areas including is a destination that any avid traveler must ex- Take Isfahan, for instance: a masterpiece of in Brooklyn Center after nightfall on Monday, ‘Difference between plastic and metal’ politics, economic, security, defense, cul- perience at least once in their lifetime. From Safavid-era architecture popularly known as “half and hours after a dusk-to-dawn curfew was an- Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon ture, agriculture, science, oil and energy, the ancient Persian Empire to the Zoroastrian of the world”. Numerous craftspeople are boasting nounced by the governor. When the protesters earlier on Monday released body camera footage infrastructure, ICT, and health. temples, the countless mosques, and even the skills in the amazing bazaars, producing beautiful refused to disperse, police began firing tear gas that showed the officer shouting at Wright as The main issue that has caused contro- modern cities like Tehran, there is so much to handicrafts with copper, woods, ceramics, and wool. canisters and flash-bang grenades, sending police tried to arrest him. versies over this agreement is whether it is see that one visit will not be enough. Continued on page 6 clouds wafting over the crowd and chasing Continued on page 5 aimed at colonizing the Iranian economy by the Chinese or it is truly an opportunity for equal prosperity for both sides. To answer this question, several points Iranian children’s cinema, simple but not easy to portrait Iran-China partnership is must be taken into consideration, like how BY SAMANEH ABOUTALEBI Some Iranian filmmakers have exploited this qual- about children, a film lover needs to watch, whether a combined battle against this agreement is going to affect the Iranian It is deceptively simple to make a film about children, ity to the fullest, leading to their worldwide success. a child or an adult. economy in the future? what is in it for but it is one of the most popular subjects for directors. However, most of these Iranian films by popular “Bashu, the Little Stranger” (Bahram Washington: columnist Cuteness and affection have always been an filmmakers, target children and are made about Beizai, 1989) the two sides? What are the agreement’s BY MOHAMMAD ALI SAKI integral part of the world of children. This awe-in- them and with them, but they are not necessarily “Bashu” as an anti-war masterpiece has a simple consequences for Iran’s political and eco- TEHRAN - A Pakistani columnist says that Iran-Chi- spiring quality catches the audience’s attention made for them. story. It depicts the story of Bashu, a southern Iranian nomic rivals? What does this partnership na partnership pact represents a combined battle and could be a key factor in the success of a film. Many awards, accolades, and global acceptance boy who, after losing his family during the Iran-Iraq entail regarding the Iran-U.S. relations? against Washington. Centering on children’s vulnerability could have been won by these films during national war, runs away in search of refuge and is taken in by Iran and China “The Iran-China comprehensive strategic partner- raise the level of empathy and sympathy of people and international events and they have been well Naii, a woman living with her two young children in China is Iran’s leading trade partner ship means a lot for Beijing and Tehran that seems who tend to be more alarmed when a child is received worldwide. a village in the northern part of the country. and was one of the top customers of Iranian a combined battle against Washington,” Zafar Iqbal involved in a particular situation. The following is a list of the top Iranian films Continued on page 8 oil before the U.S. reimposed unilateral Yousafzai tells the Tehran Times. sanctions in 2018 when President Donald Yousafzai, the author of “The Troubled Triangle: Trump abandoned a multilateral nuclear the U.S.-Pakistan Relations under the Taliban’s Shad- agreement with Tehran. ow”, also says that “except China, other countries of Even after the re-imposition of the the region can’t go against the U.S. sanctions, thus U.S. sanctions, China has taken serious it makes China a better partner for Iran to export measures for challenging Washington’s its oil and gas to its markets.” hostile policies towards Iran and has tried On March 27, Iran and China signed a comprehen- to maintain its economic relations with sive long-term cooperation document with the aim the Islamic Republic as much as possi- of cementing their economic and political alliance as ble. The Asian country has often spoken both countries. The partnership, which is envisioned out against U.S. sanctions on Iran and Tulip festival to significantly expand the two countries’ economic contested them. cooperation, is seen to be a great blow to Washing- Signing the partnership agreement ton’s efforts to suppress the Iranian economy and with Iran is yet another a big step taken underway therefore it has raised concerns in the United States. by the Asian powerhouse in undermining Apart from economic cooperation, many predict Washington’s policies in the region. the partnership would include security and military “Our relations with Iran will not be in Arak collaboration between Iran and China. affected by the current situation, but will

“The agreement also calls for security cooperation be permanent and strategic,” Chinese For- The third festival of tulips kicked off in the city of Arak, central Iran, on Monday. More and an intelligence partnership,” according to Yousafzai. eign Minister Wang Yi had said ahead of Following is the text of the interview: the signing ceremony. than 120,000 tulips in 43 varieties along with violet flowers and ornamental shrubs What is the importance of the 25-year strategic “Relations between the two countries partnership between China and Iran? How can have now reached the level of strategic have been prepared on a land measuring

Behnam Yousefi it impact the region, including Iran’s neighbors? partnership and China seeks to compre- 8,000 square meters. However, people are not allowed to The Iran-China comprehensive strategic partner- hensively improve relations with Iran,” ship means a lot for Beijing and Tehran that seems Wang said. Mehr/ participate in the festival due to the coro- navirus pandemic. a combined battle against Washington. Continued on page 4 Continued on page 5 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS APRIL 14 2021

Araghchi heads for Vienna for nuclear deal talks Iran starts enriching

POLITICAL THERAN — Iranian Deputy Foreign Min- deskister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Vienna on Tuesday to continue talks with the P4 + 1 group for a possible uranium to 60% purity revival of the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran and the P4 + 1 group held nuclear deal talks in Vienna POLITICAL TEHRAN — Abbas on April 6 and 9. The next round of talks will be resumed on deskAraghchi, Iran’s deputy Wednesday, April 14. foreign minister, announced in Vienna The P4+1 and Iran are negotiating to examine a possible on Tuesday that Iran has sent a letter to U.S. return to the JCPOA under the Biden administration. the IAEA informing the body that the Is- As top Iran’s negotiator, Araghchi has repeatedly stated that lamic Republic intends to start enriching there is no “step by step” agreement to restore the JCPOA. He uranium to up to 60% purity. has said Iran will return to full compliance with the JCPOA Araghchi broke the story as he visited only after the U.S. has lifted all the sanctions verifiably. Vienna on Tuesday for nuclear deal talks The talks are being done within the framework of the JCPO with P4 + 1 group, which is set to start Joint Commission which is led by the European Union. on Thursday. Addition of centrifuges at Natanz Iran and P4+1 nuclear deal nuclear site. Kamalvandi Araghchi Salehi Abbas Araghchi emphasized that an- decision to enrich uranium up to 60%, “From tonight, the executive prepa- sabotage act at Natanz on Sunday, it can talks delayed other 1,000 centrifuges with 50% more stating that the process will start on rations for 60% enrichment will begin in maintain pressure on them. capacity will be added to the existing ma- Tuesday night. Natanz. 60% uranium is used to make a Iran definitely moving towards POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Deputy Foreign Min- chines in Natanz, in addition to replacing “By the order of the President, the variety of radiopharmaceuticals,” spokes- 60% enrichment, says Salehi deskister Abbas Araghchi informed the press the the damaged machines. Atomic Energy Organization (of Iran) it man for Atomic Energy Organization of “Replaced centrifuges are among the talks between Iran and P4+1 group for a possible revival of In a speech to the Assembly of Experts was instructed to launch a 60% uranium Iran said. most advanced centrifuges, and we are the 2015 nuclear deal are postponed to Thursday as one the last year, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khame- production line in the amount required “Tonight, the new IR1 centrifuges will definitely moving towards 60% enrich- EU delegate members is diagnosed with COVID-19. nei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution within the framework of Article 1 of replace the broken ones, and the new IR1s ment,” said , the head of Araghchi stressed that health protocols must be followed stressed, “The Islamic Republic will not the law on Strategic Action for Lifting will have a capacity of 50% more than the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran. and it is the number one priority of the delegates. back down from its rational position on Sanctions, approved by the parliament,” the previous ones.” Kamalvandi noted. “The emergency power supply of Naz- the nuclear issue, and according to the Kamalvandi said. It should be noted that 60% enriched anz facility is currently connected and interests and needs of the country, it will He stated that in this regard, the DIQ uranium is used in the production of mo- the main power supply will be connected Iranian ambassador go as far as 60% enrichment as needed.” (Design Information Questionnaire) was lybdenum to be used in the manufacture in the coming days,” he stated. congratulates Iraqis on IAEA was informed of Iran’s de- immediately submitted to the Interna- of radiopharmaceuticals. He also stated that damaged centri- cision to enrich 60% uranium, says tional Atomic Energy Agency, and the Based on the timing, Iran’s declara- fuges replaced with the most advanced Ramadan arrival AEOI spokesman executive preparations for this work tion of 60 percent enrichment seemed to centrifuges. Behrouz Kamalvandi spoke with will begin in the enrichment facility on be an attempt to send a message to the “Each and every centrifuge is being POLITICAL TEHRAN — In a message on Tuesday Iraj state News Agency (IRNA) on Tuesday Tuesday night. He said that additional global powers with whom it is negotiating inspected and damaged centrifuges will deskMasjedi, the Iranian ambassador in Baghdad, afternoon, revealing details about Iran’s information will be released soon. about its nuclear program that, after the be replaced,” Salehi said. congratulated the Iraqi government and people on the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. Masjedi wished health and happiness to the two brotherly nations of Iran and Iraq, and wished progress and comfort to the two friendly and neighboring countries. Zarif says EU losing relevance In a part of his message, he wished the two countries to expand constructive relations in all economic, political and The way to deal with Iran is not nuclear terrorism, Zarif says cultural fields. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Mo- lifted and verified Iran will overturn its remedial measures. which is under the supervision of the IAEA, they ignore these desk The holy month of Ramadan starts on Wednesday. hammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday strongly “Slowly Iran will also take action after verification, and issues very softly and at the same time act against the Iranian condemned EU’s passiveness towards the sabotage act in we have no problem returning to fulfilling our obligations,” military authorities,” Zarif regretted. the Natanz nuclear facility, stating that the European Union Zarif reiterated. “Great shame for Europe” Senior Iranian, Russian must be ashamed of itself and promised that Iran’s nuclear ‘Sabotage and sanctions won’t give U.S. tools for Foreign Minister Zarif also said it is “great shame” for industry will come back stronger. pressure in nuclear deal talks’ Europe that it follows the policies pursued by most extremist diplomats consult on Syria “When Mr. Trump came to power, Iran used only IR1 Zarif added, “Americans need to know that neither sanc- groups in the U.S. and Israel. and Yemen centrifuge, today it operates a chain of IR6 centrifuges,” Zarif tions nor sabotage will give them the tools to negotiate, and These events prove to the world that the European Union said during a joint press conference with Russian Foreign they need to know that these actions will make things more “has no place in the world”, he said, adding, “The European POLITICAL TEHRAN — Ali Asghar Khaji, a senior ad- Minister Sergey Lavrov in Tehran. difficult for them.” Union is not only following the policies of the United States, deskvisor to Iranian foreign minister on special Zarif reminded the current U.S. government that the Zarif also urged the U.S. to provide a list of all sanctions but also the most extremist groups within the United States political affairs, met on Tuesday with Russian Deputy Foreign “maximum pressure” policy against Iran does not work. it has imposed on Iran. and the Zionist regime, and I think this is a great shame for Minister and Putin’s Special Representative for the Middle “And Americans should not forget that when Donald Reportedly the U.S. imposed 1,600 sanctions on Iran Europe.” East and Africa, Mikhail Bogdanov, discussing issues in West Trump took office, Iran had 300kgs of enriched uranium, under different designations. He said the Foreign Ministry will definitely deal with this Asia, especially developments in Syria and Yemen. while now we have more than 4000kgs of enriched urani- “If the United States wants to be able to return to the action by the EU, announcing that Iran is considering the Bogdanov was visiting Tehran along with Russian Foreign um,” Zarif stated. JCPOA, it must lift all sanctions and provide a list of all possibility of imposing sanctions on Europeans who were Minister Sergey Lavrov. Noting that Iran will come back stronger after sabotage sanctions,” the chief diplomat said. involved in “this illegal move”. During the meeting, the two diplomats pointed to the recent at the Natanz electricity grid, Zarif said, “Before the recent He added, “According to the JCPOA, it is the duty of the He said the European Union is not morally in a superior consultations with the Syrian government and UN Special terrorist attack, 5,000 IR1 centrifuges were enriching (ura- United States to provide a list of sanctions.” position in respect in terms of upholding human rights. envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, stressing the importance of nium) in Natanz. After the recent terrorist attack, we will “EU losing relevance” “Europe should know that it is not in a moral superior national dialogue in Syria within the framework Constitu- definitely go back to more advanced centrifuges.” The minister then shifted to European Union’s Monday position and cannot preach to the world, a Europe in which tional Committee. The high-ranking diplomat emphasized action in boycotting a number of Iranian military and ju- xenophobia and anti-Islamism have created terrible conditions The Syrian Constitutional Committee is a UN-facilitated after 42 years of testing the Iranian people, the Americans dicial officials. for Muslims. This Europe has neither the reputation nor the constituent assembly process that seeks to reconcile the Syrian should have understood that the way to deal with Iran is not “In recent years, the European Union has shown that it position to boycott the Iranian authorities.” government and the opposition in the context of the Syrian making threats. is gradually losing its relevance in international relations Zarif expresses hope production of Sputnik V peace process. It seeks to amend the current or adopting a “The way to deal with Iran is not nuclear terrorism,” the by failing to meet its obligations and succumbing to U.S. vaccine will start in Iran new constitution for Syria. minister remarked. pressure.” Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif expressed hope that with Syria is also set to hold presidential elections on April 16-17. In remarks at the Parliament National security and For- Zarif went on to bash the EU for their shameful position the agreement reached between Tehran and Moscow pro- Khaji and Bogdanov said the elections in Syria is a matter eign Policy Committee on Monday Zarif called the sabotage in regard to sabotage in Natanz along with sanctioning a duction of Sputnik V vaccine will start in Iran. of law, which is based on the current Syrian constitution. They at Natanz nuclear terrorism. number of Iranian officials, saying the EU should condemn He also expressed hope that it will be possible for Iran to said the Syrian constitution must be respected in the elections. The Iranian foreign minister also thanked Russia for the U.S. “terrorist threat” against the food and medicine buy more vaccines from Russia to meet its needs. In the meeting the sides also discussed the latest devel- its position against the sabotage in the facility, and put an security of more than 82 million Iranians. Iran-Russia at “highest level of interaction,” opments in Yemen, the need for national dialogue with the emphasis on the need for continued cooperation between Iran has called U.S. illegal sanctions imposed during the Lavrov says cooperation of the United Nations and support by other in- Tehran and Moscow. Trump presidency as examples of “economic terrorism” and For his part, Lavrov said that Tehran and Moscow have ternational actors. He also urged the United States to return to its obligations “medical terrorism”. reached the “highest level of interaction” in bilateral relations. under the JCPOA without delay and to lift all sanctions on Iran. So far, the EU has avoided to condemn sabotage in Natanz, He also said that in his Monday talks with Zarif the two Iran has been insisting that the U.S. must lift all sanctions just saying the incident “might be a destructive action” amid parties discussed the prospects of bilateral cooperation in Senior MP reveals more in one step and that their lifting should verified. nuclear deal talks with Iran. political, trade, economic, human rights and other fields with details about sabotage Official in Iran has been insisting that if all sanctions are “Instead of what happened at Iran’s enrichment complex, a primary focus on joint projects in the field of energy transfer. at Natanz We will avenge sabotage in Natanz in the aggressor’s land, says government POLITICAL TEHRAN — The head of the Parliament’s deskEnergy Committee said on Monday that the 1 Rabiei said that this sabotage action of sabotage and terrorism and the ongoing acts against the interests of the nation.” we will help ensure and spread peace and sabotage act at the Natanz nuclear facility’s electricity and is intended to prevent the country’s develop- diplomatic process.” Noting that the aim of such destruction security in the world and the region.” cable distribution system was related to emergency power ment on the one hand and successful negoti- On a question about the details of Sunday’s was to attack both Iran’s technical and po- Addressing the enemies of the Islamic batteries. ations to lift the cruel sanctions on the other. sabotage in the Natanz site and the extent of litical capabilities, he added, “They seek to Republic, the government spokesman said, Regarding the Sunday electricity malfunction due to a The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran the damage, he said, “On Sunday, a sabotage weaken the spirit of the enthusiastic youth “We will not allow you to continue your dis- sabotage at the Natanz nuclear site, Fereydoun Abbasi said, has assured that a large part of the damage occurred in the power supply cable to the in the nuclear industry and create despair graceful life, which, like a parasite, you can “We have an electricity substation at the Natanz site, from caused by the sabotage will be restored in centrifuge machine system. This is not an and hopelessness in the people, but we will only continue in an insecure environment.” where electricity goes to the basement, which is about 40, a short period of time and more advanced external attack and the location of sabotage definitely respond firmly.” According to Rabiei, there is very strong ev- 50 meters underground. That place was built in a sturdy technologies will be used in the reconstruction is well-known. The damage can be repaired He stated that Iran is pursuing a three-fold idence that the Zionist regime has a hand in fashion, and was located underground and so that air and according to the agreed decision. quickly and the passionate personnel of the response to such evil actions. this incident. missile attacks could not destroy this place.” He reminded, “It is clear to us that the root Atomic Energy Organization are working “First, we have reserved our right to act Citing the reasons that Israel was behind He went on to explain different types of sabotage by the of this terrorist act is the anger of the Zionist around the clock.” against the perpetrators, commanders and the sabotage, he said, “First of all, the officials enemy, from cyber-attacks to sabotage being done by the enemies against the efforts of the members He confirmed that it was decided to install consultants (of the sabotage), and warning of this regime express their joy with two-sided enemy agents, or by sending in defective equipment in five of the JCPOA to fully revive this agreement IR6 centrifuges instead of IR1 centrifuges, Israel that, ‘this punishment will be carried statements because they are afraid of a decisive to ten years. He then explained that when there is a sturdy, in recent weeks, and its ultimate goal is to pointing that the new and more advanced out in the land of the aggressor’.” response from Iran.” underground construction, that could not be destroyed by prevent the continuation of this constructive centrifuges will work like a clock. Rabiei said Iran’s second response is de- He also lightened the mood with some good air or missile attacks, the enemy resorts to evil methods like diplomatic process.” “Certainly, the purpose of these destruc- velopment and expansion of peaceful nuclear news, saying that the Ministry of Intelligence the sort occurred at the Natanz nuclear site. The government spokesman stressed that tions was to disable the centrifuges, and I activities. and the counterintelligence specialists have The act of sabotage at the Natanz nuclear plant occurred Iran will retaliate at the appropriate time and declare today that, based on a national decision, He said Iran’s third answer is in the po- arrested several assassination and sabotage on Sunday, prompting a wave of international and domestic with proportionate intensity but “we will not the wheel of our centrifuges will spin forever.” litical field by lifting the sanctions and put- teams affiliated with the Israeli security ser- reactions. allow the enemies to achieve their political Emphasizing that the main purpose of the ting more efforts to secure the rights of the vices in recent months after the martyrdom Qatar’s foreign minister strongly has condemned the in- goals.” sabotage is political in order to prevent the Iranian people. of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, and now their case cident, calling it “a dangerous and destructive action” that He added, “We expect all parties to the Iranian people from achieving their rights in “We will thwart the goals of the terrorists. is under judicial investigation. could intensify tension in the region and leave negative im- JCPOA, as well as the U.S. government, the world, Rabiei said, “Experience shows us We will not fall into the trap of provocative “The traitor to the nation has been iden- pacts on the region’s stability. which considers itself a fan of diplomacy, that whenever we take effective steps in the operations of the enemy of Iran. We will con- tified and his identity has been determined The European Union stated on Monday that the incident to condemn this attack and to declare their world, strategic enemy of Iran and its people tinue on the right path in the international and the necessary measures are being taken,” “might be a destructive action” amid nuclear talks with Iran, commitment to the contrast between acts are viciously committing cowardly terrorist community. We will break the sanctions and Rabiei said. calling any efforts to stop the negotiations “unacceptable.” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, whose country is a member of the Vienna talks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, also said on Monday that “what we are currently hearing Youth Union of Turkey condemns terrorist act at Natanz site from Tehran, especially from Natanz, is not a positive thing POLITICAL TEHRAN — In a letter in Iran, thanking Tehran for continuing to for propagating sabotage at the Natanz site nation to stand up to imperialist sanctions,” for the negotiations.” deskto the Beautiful Peace’s enrich uranium. as “incident”, calling for condemnation of the Gencer wrote. In remarks on Monday, Mojtaba Zolnour, a senior Iranian International Institute for Human Rights, In the letter to Saman Niazi, vice president act by international authorities. Youth Union of Turkey is an organization MP, said Israel had a role in the sabotage “but we also don’t the Youth Union of Turkey has condemned of the Beautiful Peace institute, union president “Iran’s determination to develop nuclear founded in 2006. It contains 65 student clubs see the U.S. as innocent.” the terrorist act at the Natanz nuclear site Yildirim Gencer bashed the Western media technology is a sign of the country’s determi- and societies from over 40 Turkish universities. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y APRIL 14, 2021 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS Russian FM discusses Persepolis aim to reach ACL final for third time: Golmohammadi regional issues in Tehran SPORTSTEHRAN – Persepolis football team head deskcoach says that they will be aiming to qualify for the AFC Champions League 1 We sense that our consistent calls to comprehensive dialogue and mutual respect, for the third time. create the necessary conditions for resolving and taking into account the interests and The Iranian giants are scheduled to meet Al Wahda from it are meeting with an increasingly engaged concerns of all parties,” the statement quoted in Group E opener on Wednesday. and positive response. I can reaffirm that this Lavrov as saying at a meeting with Zarif. Golmohammadi’s side head into the tournament hav- is precisely the takeaway from our recent visit Russia presented its initiative to the UN in ing assumed top spot in the Iran Professional League and to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates 2019 as tensions soared in the region following they will be eager to maintain their form in the continental and Qatar.” the unilateral withdrawal of U.S. President showpiece. The Russian foreign minister said he Donald Trump from the Iran nuclear deal. Persepolis hold a better head to head record, with the discussed this issue in detail in Cairo and At that time, the Russian initiative was dis- Iranian club winning twice in 2017, while Al Wahda’s last heard everyone he talked to say that restoring tributed as an official document approved victory against them was back in 2011. Syria’s membership in the Arab League has by the United Nations. Russia’s state news Persepolis, having lost the 2018 and 2020 AFC Cham- “critical advantages” for both Syria and the agency TASS published some of the initia- pions League finals, are well-prepared to face Al Wahda, Arab League. tive’s contents shortly after it was distributed the coach said. However, despite Arab willingness to bring in the UN. “We know that there is a difficult task ahead of us since Syria back to the Arab League, Russian efforts According to TASS, Russia’s concept of all the teams in the group want to book a place in the next in this regard have achieved little success due collective security calls for creating a security stage. We are ready for the six matches in the group stage to the U.S. far-reaching economic sanctions system that would enhance consultations be- and I hope we can make our fans happy,” Golmohammadi on Syria, commonly known as the Caesar Act. tween countries in the region and outside of it. said in the pre-match news conference. The U.S. has effectively vetoed all political “Practical work on launching the process “We are motivated and ready for the competition and I and diplomatic efforts by some of its Arab of creating a security system in the Persian have to say we have a generation of the players who fight to allies, particularly the United Arab Emirates, Gulf may be started by holding bilateral and win and this is our strong point. The players are concentrat- to return Syria to the Arab fold. multilateral consultations between interest- ing to book a place in the final for a third time,” he added. In March, during a visit by Lavrov to the ed parties, including countries both within “I hope we advance to the next stage as the group winners. UAE, Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Ab- the region and outside of it, UN Security Al Wahda are a good team and the match against them will dullah bin Zayed complained that the U.S. States to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, its obligations in the framework of the deal,” Council, LAS [League of Arab States], OIC not be an easy game for us,” Golmohammadi stated. Caesar Act hinders Syria’s return to the Arab officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Lavrov pointed out, adding, “Any additional [Organization of Islamic Cooperation], GCC League. Plan of Action (JCPOA). documents on various issues, including re- [Persian Gulf Cooperation Council],” the The Russian efforts to return Syria to the “Moscow considers the unconditional, gional or military development, can be exam- document said. Italian volleyball coach Totolo Arab League seem to be part of the Kremlin’s complete return of the United States to the ined separately outside the framework of the Tensions soared in the Persian Gulf re- vision for peace and stability in the broader JCPOA by implementing the UN Security nuclear deal in order to ensure the security gion following Trump’s withdrawal from the arrives in Iran West Asia region. In Tehran, Lavrov discussed Council Resolution 2231 as the only solution JCPOA. Normalization deals between Israel of the region and the Persian Gulf with the SPORTSTEHRAN – Italian volleyball coach To- the Syrian issue while outlining Russia’s new and some Arab states in the region further to the problem,” the Russian foreign min- presence of regional countries.” deskmaso Totolo arrived in Tehran, capital of concept for peace in the Persian Gulf region. escalated the tensions as Iran warned these ister as quoted by the Iranian presidency’s The top Russian diplomat once again Iran Tuesday morning. In addition to usual bilateral issues, the Arab states against giving Israel a foothold website as saying. presented Russia’s initiative of “collective Totolo is Vladimir Alekno’s assistant in Iran national Russian foreign minister held detailed talks on its doorstep. The chief Russian diplomat opposed the security.” volleyball team. on regional issues that seem to be in keeping During his meeting with Lavrov, President U.S. and European demands to expand the The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a The 55-year-old Italian analyst has already worked as with what he pursued in Cairo. Rouhani underlined the need for Tehran and JCPOA and said other thorny issues should statement that Lavrov presented a collective Serbia men’s national volleyball assistant. During his meeting with President Rou- Moscow to continue cooperation to resolve be addressed separately in what appeared to security initiative in the Persian Gulf. Russian coach Alekno will also travel to Tehran within hani, Lavrov said, “Iran and Russia share regional crises and problems but said that be a new Russian initiative to achieve stability “Russia has proposed a collective secu- the next few days. common and close goals in regional and “inviting the Zionist regime [Israel], as a in the Persian Gulf region. rity initiative with the Persian Gulf, and it Iran are training in Tehran’s Azadi Hall as part of prepa- international cooperation.” destabilizing and tension-promoting ele- “In our opinion, it is completely useless continuously adheres to the premise that ration for the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League and He was referring to the recent nuclear ment, to enter the Persian Gulf region is a to ask Iran to accept new conditions within overcoming accumulated differences in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. talks in Vienna and the desire by the United dangerous step.” the framework of the deal or to act beyond Persian Gulf region is possible only through The Persians are grouped with hosts Japan, Poland, It- aly, Canada and Venezuela in Pool A at Tokyo 2020. The other pool comprises of Brazil, the U.S., Russia, Argentina, Zarif writes to UN chief on Natanz, accuses Israel of derailing nuclear deal talks France and Tunisia. POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister over the sabotage and its perpetrators is underway.” Iran aims to be among deskMohammad Javad Zarif wrote a letter But Zarif underlined that the Israelis did everything to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sab- in their power to derail the nuclear negotiations between top countries in 2020 otage at the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, accusing Iran and the West. Israel of pursuing policies aimed at disrupting nuclear “It must however be borne in mind that since the Paralympics: official deal talks between Iran and the West. beginning of the negotiations of the Joint Comprehensive SPORTSTEHRAN – Iran’s National Paralympic “I am writing to inform you that in the early morning Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2013, the Israeli regime has deskCommittee (NPC) peresident Mahmoud hours of 11 April 2021, a dangerous, reckless sabotage at missed no opportunity to torpedo the negotiations and, Khosravi Vafa said that they want to be among top 10 coun- the electricity distribution network of the Natanz Fuel following the conclusion of the Plan and its unanimous tries at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Enrichment Plant caused a blackout and the disrup- endorsement by the Security Council in resolution 2231 Iran came 15th at the previous edition in Rio, winning tion of the operations of this sensitive nuclear facility (2015), it has made every effort—shamelessly in a public eight gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals. which has been under IAEA safeguards and extensive way—to prevent its successful implementation and The Iranian delegation had finished in 11th place at the monitoring. The timely and professional containment its restoration after the recent U.S. election,” he said. 2012 Paralympic Games in London. measures adopted by the highly dedicated management Iran and the P4+1 resumed nuclear talks over how Khosravi Vafa once again emphasized that they are going and staff of the NFEP and Iranian Atomic Energy Or- to revive the JCPOA. To this end, the JCPOA Joint to finish among top 10 in Tokyo. ganization averted what could have become a human Commission held several meetings in Vienna. The lat- “We’ve earned 53 quota places so far. We will participate at and environmental catastrophe,” Zarif wrote. est meeting of the Commission, a group comprised the Tokyo 2020 with fewer athletes but we send the athletes Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesman for the Atomic of Iran and the P4+1 responsible for overseeing the to further destabilize our already tense region,” the who have chance to win the medal,” Khosravi Vafa said. Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), told Iranian news implementation of the deal, was held on April 9. chief Iranian diplomat said. “We aim to be among top 10 countries. I am sure it’s not outlets on Sunday that the electricity distribution grid During the meeting, participants received a report He added, “The Islamic Republic of Iran reserves out of reach because we will send our very well-prepared of Natanz has been damaged due to an incident that from the two newly-established expert groups, which its right under international law to take all necessary athletes to the Games,” he added. later turned out to be an act of sabotage. were put together on April 7 to conduct technical talks measures to protect and defend its citizens, interests The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games have been rescheduled Iran pointed the finger at Israel. Saeed Khatibzadeh, over how to revive the JCPOA and what measures are and installations against any terrorist or disruptive to take place between 24 August and 5 September 2021. spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, described the needed to be done by Iran and the U.S. in this regard. acts. During the past 42 years, pressure, economic A record 4,400 Para athletes from more than 160 countries sabotage as a “trap” set by Israel to disrupt the process One of the groups is tasked with specifying the sanctions warfare and terrorism—in most of its forms and man- will compete in 540 events across 22 sports, which will be of lifting U.S. sanctions on Iran, saying that Iran will that the U.S. should lift to revive the deal while the ifestations—have all failed to dent our resolve, shake held at 21 venues in Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba and Shizuoka not fall into this “deceitful trap.” Israel, Khatibzadeh other is discussing how to reverse the nuclear meas- or disrupt our progress in science and technology, or prefectures. vowed, should know that Iran will retaliate at the proper ures taken by Iran in response to the U.S. withdrawal compel us to submit to the whims of the arrogant forces time and place. from the JCPOA. and their stooges.” Zarif also placed the blame on Israel in his first The sabotage occurred amid a charged atmosphere Zarif says “even most advanced” will be in- Iran starts COVID-19 response to the sabotage. Commenting on the sab- prevailing in Vienna. During the Vienna talks, Iran stalled at Natanz otage at the Natanz plant, he said the Israelis want demanded that the U.S. lift at least 1,600 sanctions all Zarif also suggested that Iran will replace the dam- vaccinations for Olympians to disrupt the ongoing nuclear talks in Vienna. The at once, something that the U.S. rejected. American aged centrifuges at Natanz with “even most advanced” chief Iranian diplomat said, “The Zionists want to officials interpreted this demand as Iranian “intransi- machines. SPORTSTEHRAN – Iranian athletes, who will take revenge on the Iranian people for their success gence,” warning that this so-called intransigence will “This most recent cowardly act of nuclear terrorism deskparticipate at the 2020 Olympic Games, in lifting the cruel sanctions, but we will not allow lead the talks to a deadlock. will only strengthen our determination to march forward are be eligible to jump the queue for the COVID-19 vaccines. this and we will take revenge for these actions from Analysts and officials in Iran believe that the sabo- and to replace all the damaged centrifuges with even The vaccination started on Tuesday in Tehran, capital the Zionists themselves.” tage happened when Iran showed some resistance in more advanced and sophisticated machines. Even the of Iran. Underlining the need for Iranian people and officials Vienna, thus suggesting a link between what happened most insane criminals will finally—and soon—realize A total of 58 Olympic berths have been secured by Iranian to avoid falling in the “deceitful trap set by the Zionist in Vienna and Natanz. Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary that they must never threaten Iranians,” he said. athletes in 12 sports so far, and there are still more spots regime,” Zarif reiterated that the political and military of the Expediency Council, said the Natanz incident is Following the sabotage, several Iranian officials to grab for the country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. officials of the Zionist regime had explicitly stated that still under investigation, but Iranian officials don’t rule underlined the need to install advanced centrifuges The Paralympians were vaccinated against COVID-19 at they would not allow progress in lifting the cruel sanc- out American participation in the Natanz sabotage. instead of those that were damaged due to the sabotage. the Iran Sports Federation for the Disabled headquarters tions and now they think that they will achieve their “Iran is investigating the Natanz incident and the “All the centrifuges knocked out due to this incident last week. goal, but the Zionists will get their answer in further investigation has not finished. So, there is no official were of IR1 type and they will be replaced with advanced Iran on Tuesday reported a record 24,760 new COV- nuclear progress, according to state news agency IRNA. conclusion on what happened at Natanz. But a U.S. role centrifuges. The Islamic Republic now has the ability at ID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the country’s total “Sabotage in nuclear site is a war crime” in the incident cannot be ruled out given Washington’s the highest level to replace these [damaged centrifuges] infections to 2,118,212 cases. In his letter, Zarif described the Natanz sabotage as behavior toward Iran,” Rezaei told the Tehran Times. with the most advanced ones,” Saeed Khatibzadeh said The daily death toll rose to 291, the highest since Dec. 9, to a “war crime,” which must not go unpunished given its Rezaei told the Tehran Times that the Americans on Monday during his weekly presser. bring the total to 65,055, Sima Sadat Lari, spokeswoman for high risk of releasing dangerous materials. want to restrain Iran’s nuclear enrichment capability Mojtaba Zolnour, the head of the Iranian Parliament’s the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, said. “The deliberate targeting of a highly sensitive safe- while retaining economic sanctions. Therefore, he said, National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, also A total of 1,729,293 people have recovered from the disease guarded nuclear facility—with the high risk of potential they were likely implicated in what happened at the said the damaged centrifuges will be replaced with or been discharged from hospitals across the country, while release of radioactive material—constitutes reckless Natanz nuclear plant as the sabotage serves American the more advanced IR6 centrifuges, which have the 4,481 remain in intensive care units, she noted. criminal nuclear terrorism. Considering the possible interest. capacity of enriching 6 to 7 tons of uranium per year. indiscriminate human and environmental consequences In his letter, Zarif stopped short of accusing the At the end of his letter, Zarif called on the Biden of this international crime, those who planned, ordered, U.S. of playing a role in the Natanz sabotage, but he administration to lift all the sanctions imposed by its Ebrahim Sadeghi no longer participated and carried out this cowardly act committed pointed to the past Israeli-American joint efforts to predecessor. Saipa Coach a grave war crime; one that must not go unpunished. derail Iran’s nuclear program. “If the United States wants to avert the drastic con- Any power with knowledge of, or acquiescence in, this “Recalling the long record of the Israeli regime in sequences of foolish gambles by its terrorist stooges, it SPORTSTEHRAN – Saipa head coach Ebrahim act must also be held accountable as an accomplice to sabotage operations against our peaceful nuclear activ- must cease forthwith to consider unlawful measures— deskSadeghi stepped down as his role following a this war crime,” the Iranian foreign minister noted. ities—including the cowardly assassination of several whether economic terrorism perpetrated by Trump 1-0 loss to Mes Rafsanjan in Iran Professional League (IPL). He added, “While several officials of the Israeli re- Iranian nuclear and other scientists in the past years (and continued by the current U.S. administration) or Saipa sit 13th in the IPL table, two points ahead of rel- gime have since autumn of 2020 publicly and openly (A/65/622–S/2010/634, A/66/656–S/2012/27 and the recent nuclear terrorism—as negotiating leverage egation zone. threatened to carry out such operations to prevent the S/2020/1148) as well as the joint U.S.-Israeli cyber op- and remove all sanctions imposed, re-imposed or rela- Sadeghi was named as Saipa coach in May 2019 as Ali restoration of the JCPOA , and many Israeli and west- eration against Iran’s nuclear facilities through the use beled since the adoption of the JCPOA. Iran will, after Daei’s replacement but has failed to meet the expectations ern media outlets tacitly confirmed (and even boasted of a malicious computer worm known as Stuxnet—the timely verification of the aforementioned, respond by in the current season. about) the complicity of Israeli war criminals in this international community must strongly condemn this stopping all remedial measures—which will now take Mehdi Pashazadeh, Ali Karimi, Omid Ravankhah and latest terrorist act, Iran is refraining from any final act of nuclear terrorism and hold the culprits and their a significant upward leap following this latest terrorist Mohsen Bayatinia are shortlisted to lead the team until the judgement as to the culprit while a thorough investigation accomplices accountable for the act; one that threatens sabotage,” Zarif stated. end of the season. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY APRIL 14, 2021 Foreign investment Water, electricity projects worth $122.5m inaugurated in 3 provinces in industrial, trade

ECONOMY TEHRAN – Six major water and electricity deskprojects worth 5.145 trillion rials (about $122.5 sectors up nearly million) were put into operation through a video conference in three provinces to mark the second week of the third phase of the Energy Ministry’s A-B-Iran program. The mentioned projects including electricity supply projects, a 190% in a year water treatment plant, some water supply projects in rural areas, and a rubber dam were inaugurated in Khuzestan, Mazandaran 1 The highest volume of foreign in- China, Germany, the United Arab Emir- and -Baluchestan provinces, IRNA reported. vestment approved in the industry, mining, ates (UAE), Canada, and Austria were the Out of the mentioned six projects, three projects were put into and trade sectors in the period under review top five countries with the highest vol- of approved foreign investment. As previously reported by the Industry operation in Khuzestan Province, two projects were in Sistan-Bal- were in the categories of chemical materials ume of investment, while, Khuzestan, Afghanistan, Turkey, China, Germany, Ministry, Iran expects a 10-fold increase of uchestan Province and one project was inaugurated in Mazandaran and products, base metals, paper and paper Sistan-Baluchestan, Fars, Hormozgan, and the United Arab Emirates were also the foreign investment in the industry and min- Province. products, as well as transportation logistic and East Azarbaijan provinces were the top five investors in terms of the number of ing sectors by the end of the Sixth Five-Year activities, respectively. top five provinces in terms of the volume approved projects. National Development Plan (March 2022).

Lion-dragon alliance: a serious threat to U.S. influence in region 1 The accord also brings Iran into China’s Belt which is accounted for by the Chinese exports. and Road Initiative, a multi-trillion-dollar infrastructure So, China might act cautiously when it comes to the scheme intended to stretch from East Asia to Europe. implementation of the agreement in the future in order Iran and the U.S. to guard its interests in the American market. When assessing the Iran-China comprehensive part- In such an atmosphere, Iran must try to create a con- nership agreement, the first and foremost issue to be con- dition for maximizing the benefits of the mentioned part- sidered is that this agreement has seriously undermined nership by providing the necessary bases for the attraction U.S. leverage over Iran in the nuclear negotiations and of investment by all the country’s foreign trade partners has lessened American influence in the region. including the Chinese. The U.S. has been trying to isolate Iran by imposing Final thoughts The first phase of the A-B-Iran program (the acronyms A and B unprecedented sanctions on various sectors of the country’s All being said, the one certain thing about the partnership stand for water and electricity in Persian) was initiated in the Ira- economy in the hope to bring Tehran to bend to Wash- between Iran and China is that it can be currently consid- nian calendar year 1398 (ended on March 19, 2020), during which ington’s wishes. ered as great leverage for Iran to use against Washington’s 220 major projects with a total investment of 335.6 trillion rials Iran, however, has been strongly withstanding the and totalism. hostile policies. (about $7.99 billion) were put into operation across the country. pressures and following new strategies for promoting a China-U.S. relations This agreement is just a roadmap for future cooperation In the second phase of the program that was carried out in the resilient economy, has embarked on a journey for devel- Another important issue that is needed to be considered and the real benefits or drawbacks of this partnership will previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20) 250 water oping domestic production and reducing reliance on oil. with regard to the Iran-China partnership is the extent of be cleared when new deals are signed under its framework and energy projects worth 500 trillion rials (about $11.9 billion) Reaching this long-term partnership with China has trade between the United States and China and the impact in the long-run. were inaugurated in several provinces. further cemented the Islamic Republic’s position against of Washington’s sanctions on this cooperation. So, all we can say is that it is too early to judge its merits The third phase of the program was officially started on April the U.S. in the region, opening a new window for the coun- According to official reports, the trade between the U.S. or disadvantages, and we cannot see how it will turn out 6 and like the previous phases, this year, too, the Energy Ministry try to further gear up for battling the U.S.’s unilateralism and China reaches more than $700 billion a year, most of until it is implemented. is planning to inaugurate numerous water and electricity projects in various provinces every week. In the first week of the third phase, Iranian Energy Minister inaugurated five major electricity projects worth 29 Over 7m tons of goods transited Electricity bills increase 33% for high trillion rials (about $690.4 million) across the country to mark the beginning of the third phase of the ministry’s A-B-Iran program. through Iran consuming subscribers The inaugurated projects comprised of 8,142 sub-projects ECONOMY TEHRAN – Some ECONOMY TEHRAN — The the number of high-consuming subscribers including numerous electricity supply projects, as well as power desk7.532 million tons of deskmanaging director of across the country by 6.1 percent. network modification and optimization projects. commodities were transited through Iran in Iran’s Power Generation and Distribution According to TAVANIR, this program the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on Company (TAVANIR) announced a called “Power of Hope”, was aimed to change 37 idle industrial units March 20) despite the restrictions created by 33-percent increase in electricity prices the attitudes of household consumers the coronavirus pandemic, the spokesman for high consuming subscribers who will towards the proper use of energy resources revived in Qom province of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs not reduce their consumption by the next and consequently protect the environment. Administration (IRICA) announced. Iranian calendar month Ordibehesht (begins The Energy Ministry started the ECONOMY TEHRAN — As announced by a provincial According to Ruhollah Latifi, transit of on April 20). implementation of the mentioned program deskofficial, 37 idle industrial units were revived in goods via Iran declined only 67 tons or 0.8 Mohammad-Hassan Motevalizadeh in mid-August 2020. Iran’s central Qom province during the past Iranian calendar year percent compared to the preceding year province with 188,000 tons, Astara in said the increase in electricity prices will In late August 2020, Iranian Energy (ended on March 20). 1398 (March 2019-March 2020). Gilan province with 156,000 tons and be done according to the government’s Minister Reza Ardakanian had announced Azizollah Qorbani, the director general of economic affairs co- The mentioned volume of transit was Bandar Lengeh in Hormozgan province decree in recent years. that the Power of Hope program was ordination office of Qom governorate, said that reviving these units achieved despite the fact that the figure with 139,000 tons of transited goods, were He said that based on the “power of expected to reduce the country’s electricity has created jobs for 605 persons. was expected to fall significantly in the the country’s top 10 customs in terms of Hope” program the electricity subscribers consumption by 10 percent. According to the official, 35 idle units are also planned to come said year. the volume of transits. are categorized in three groups of high “This program will be implemented to back to the production cycle in the present year. Back in July 2020, Mostafa Ayati, the Considering its geographical location, consuming, normal consuming and both reward low-consuming subscribers As announced by Deputy Industry, Mining, and Trade Minister director-general of IRICA’s Transit Bu- Iran can play a significant role in the transit low consuming, adding that after the and to encourage others to consume Mehdi Sadeqi Niaraki, 1,500 idle industrial units have been revived reau had announced that the transit of of goods in the region and benefit a lot from implementation of this program seven less and it is expected to reduce power in the country during the past year. commodities through Iran was expected its status in this due. To take full advantage million low-consuming subscribers were consumption by 10 percent,” Ardakanian According to Niaraki, over 6,500 new industrial units were also to fall 30 percent in the mentioned year. of its location for transit, the country has subject to a 100-percent discount, and the said in a press conference on the occasion established across the country during the mentioned year which As reported, Shahid Rajaei Special many plans underway and, on the agenda, number of the high consuming subscribers of the Government Week (August 23-29, created jobs for over 121,000 people. Zone in Hormozgan province with 3.305 to boost its transit capacity. was decreased by six percent. 2020). Touching upon the Industry Ministry’s plans for the realization of million tons, Bazargan in West Azarbai- Some of these plans include developing He said, “Since the start of this program The minister noted that according to a the motto of the current year which is named the year of “Production: jan province with 703,000 tons, Bashmaq Iran’s largest container port, Shahid Rajaee in last August, the subscribers have had cabinet decision, all the subscribers that support and the elimination of obstacles” by the Leader of the Islamic in Kurdistan province with 687,000 tons, Port in the southern province of Hormozgan, some good cooperation with us, and we hope cooperated well with the Energy Ministry’s Revolution, the official said: “In the year that has been dedicated to Sarakhs in Khorasan Razavi with 457,000 and also Chabahar Port in the southeast that the hot season coming this cooperation consumption management programs this the production sector by the Leader of the revolution, the orienta- tons, Imam Khomeini Port in Khuzestan of the country, connecting the ports to the will increase.” summer are to be awarded. tion of all government organizations and executive bodies should province with 447,000 tons, Bileh Savar in railway network, development of transit via Implementation of a program by the “To do so, home subscribers were divided be towards supporting the country’s industrial and mining units.” Ardabil province with 337,000 tons, Jolfa railway, and also some customs measures Iranian Energy Ministry for rewarding into three categories, which include low- in East Azarbaijan province with 312,000 such as improving transit procedures in efficient electricity subscribers with a 100 consumers, normal-consumers, and high- thousand tons, Razi in West Azarbaijan the customs offices. percent discount on their bills, has reduced consumers,” he said.

Tax on luxury houses, cars to be imposed since late May ECONOMY TEHRAN — The head of Iran National be received in the fifth Iranian calendar month of Mordad deskTax Administration (INTA) said that the (July 23 – August 22), and added that this tax will be half taxes on the luxury houses and cars will be imposed since the the value of the monthly rent of the property. third Iranian calendar month Khordad (begins in May 21). Parsa had announced in early February that the Omid-Ali Parsa said that the people subject to taxes on regulations for the tax on houses and luxury cars would luxury cars and houses will be identified by then and this be announced soon, adding that this annual tax has been issue will be notified to them. collected and a heavy fine has been imposed on those who Niaraki pointed to a 40-percent increase in the issuance of estab- Speaking on the sidelines of the deregulation board run away from it. lishment licenses for industrial units in the previous year, saying: “The meeting, the official added, “According to the budget law, Back in last October, Transport and Urban Development number of establishment licenses increased to more than 36,000 houses worth more than 100 billion rials (about $2.38 Minister Mohammad Eslami had said that the ministry last year, which shows that people are encouraged to invest in the million) will be taxed this year.” has referred a list of 194,000 vacant housing units to Iran productive sectors.” Also, for luxury cars, if the total value of the cars of a National Tax Administration to be taxed under the new He also mentioned an 85-percent rise in the allocation of land person and his/her children under 18 years of age is more vacancy tax law. for establishing industrial units across the country and noted that than 10 billion rials (about $238,095) it will be subject The minister said that the owners of these houses have over 4,500 hectares of land were handed over to applicants in the to tax, he added. been informed in this regard via receiving SMSs. previous calendar year. Meanwhile, the deputy transport and urban development households for housing planning.” In September 2020, Mahmoudzadeh had said that in According to the official, there are over 46,000 small and me- minister said last week that the vacancy taxes are planned to Saying that any tax levied on vacant homes goes directly the first stage of the implementation of the program for dium-sized industrial units in Iran’s industrial parks and zones, of be deposited in the National Housing Fund to be allocated to the National Housing Fund and is used as a facility for collecting tax from the country’s vacant housing units, only them about 9,200 units are inactive. for supplying homes for the low-income people. the housing of the low-income people, the official said that units belonging to natural persons are targeted. Iran’s industrial parks play a significant role in making the country Mahmoud Mahmoudzadeh said, “The real estate and it is a mistake to think that the government has created The Iranian parliament (Majlis) had approved the double- independent through boosting production, which is a major strategy housing system is a basic measure to identify the housing this system to increase tax revenues. urgency plan of the vacancy tax law in mid-July 2020. of Iran to combat the U.S. sanctions. situation of the country. The goal is not just taxes, but the In late March, the head of Iran National Tax Administration The mentioned plan is mainly aimed at lowering the In fact, strengthening domestic production to achieve self-reli- main program is to identify the living conditions of the announced that that the first taxes on vacant houses will housing rental rate in the country. ance is the most important program that Iran is following up in its industry sector in a bid to nullify the effects of the U.S. sanctions on its economy. In this due, the current Iranian calendar year (began on March 21) has been named the year of “Production: support and the elimination Growth returns to stock market of obstacles”, and all governmental bodies, as well as the private ECONOMY TEHRAN — After several and the second market’s index went up 30,980 vestment in the Iranian stock market and In this regard, Vice Chairman of the Board sector, are moving in line with the materialization of this motto. deskdays of drops, TEDPIX, the points. to invest through intermediary tools like of Directors at Tehran Stock Exchange Javad Regarding its significant role in the realization of the mentioned main index of Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), TEDPIX had risen eight percent in the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to prevent Eshqi-Nejad said the “exit strategy” is the worse goal, the Industry, Mining, and Trade Ministry has already defined climbed on Tuesday. last week of the past Iranian calendar year possible losses in the current Iranian calendar course of action that a shareholder can take. its main programs for supporting domestic production in the cur- The index rose 18,457 points to 1.244 mil- (ended on March 20). year (began on March 21). “For some hasty shareholders, exiting the rent year. lion, as 6.973 billion securities worth 51.605 The index increased 101,000 points to They also advise shareholders to avoid market is their first choice after any fluctua- In this regard, the development of industrial parks and support- trillion rials (about $1.228 billion) were traded 1.307 million in that week. impulsive decisions for quitting the market tion, while we have repeatedly stated that this ing the units located in these areas is one of the major programs at the TSE. Market analysts and experts suggest rattled by the surprising fluctuations in the is the worst type of strategy in this market,” underway by the ministry. The first market’s index rose 15,343 points, investors to focus more on long-term in- stock market in the previous year. Eshqi-Nejad told IRNA. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y APRIL 14, 2021 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5

Losing Iran won’t help Biden in his Wright shooting: Minneapolis erupts in China policy: Turkish academic another night of protests 1 By Mohammad Mazhari the U.S. is empowering Iran and this “I’ll Tase you! I’ll Tase you! Taser! Taser! Taser!” she can will pose a threat to Arab states in the be heard saying. She draws her weapon after the man breaks TEHRAN — Losing Turkey and Iran (Persian) Gulf. free from police outside his car and gets back behind the wheel. will not help Joe Biden to contain China, Iran will indeed gain significant lever- After firing a single shot from her handgun, the car speeds says Mustafa Caner, a Turkish academic. age in the context of its competition with away and the officer is heard saying, “Holy sh*t! I shot him.” “To contain Chinese economic power other regional powers by coming to terms Gannon commented: “This appears to me, from what I viewed and and expansion, Biden should get along with JCPOA parties. Lifting the sanctions the officers’ reaction and distress immediately after, that this was an with other important states,” Caner, the will hugely benefit Iran’s economy and accidental discharge that resulted in the tragic death of Mr.Wright.” research assistant in the Middle East In- that will fuel Iran’s regional instruments But Wright’s brother, Dallas Bryant, told about 100 people stitute at Sakarya University, tells the in the simplest terms. Israel also fears gathered for a candlelight vigil on Monday evening that his brother Tehran Times. the same development. (Persian) Gulf sounded scared during the phone call, and questioned how the Former President Donald Trump’s states and Israel can limit and delay the officer could mistake a gun for a Taser. Iran policy was an abject failure, applying agreement. Especially, Israel can use “You know the difference between plastic and metal. We all maximum pressure to minimal benefit. sabotages and assassinations in this know it,” he said. The United States withdrew from the Iran regard. However, they cannot prevent nuclear deal and ratcheted up sanctions the deal from happening. on Tehran. How do you evaluate the 25-year Iran and remaining parties in the partnership between Iran and Chi- Taliban refuse to attend Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action na? Why do Americans are worried Afghan talks in Turkey if have started talks in Vienna to revitalize about the partnership? the 2015 nuclear pact. I think the deal is a clear message to held this week However, pundits say, Biden is too slow the U.S. that the clock is ticking and it to restore the deal, warning his window should expedite the nuclear deal process The Taliban will not attend a meeting on the Afghan peace of opportunity is closing. respectful position, Washington has to was no picnic for Turkey. The latest U.S. before it is too late. The Iran-China deal process in Turkey if it took place this week, the armed group’s Tehran recently inked a 25-year com- fuel multilateralism, empower interna- sanctions against Turkey was imposed is a framework agreement so far. The spokesman said. prehensive strategic partnership with Chi- tional organizations, make diplomacy in December 2020 when Trump was in details have not been revealed and it has Turkey is hosting a crucial meeting this month to be attended na which raised concerns in Washington. work and accommodate its rhetoric with power. Harboring Fetullah Gulen, the not come to the Iranian Parliament yet. by the United Nations and Qatar as part of a United States-backed In this regard the Turkish academ- concordant actions. Without fostering mastermind of the failed coup attempt That makes me think that it could be a push to see a peace agreement between Afghanistan’s warring ic notes that “losing Iran will not help multilateralism, the U.S.-EU rapproche- in 2016, and supporting PKK/YPG ter- strategy to make the U.S. more careful and sides finalized. Biden to confront China’s expansionist ment cannot be fulfilled. rorists in Syria are the two unacceptable quicker in its steps towards Iran. Because According to al Jazeera, diplomats and officials briefed on the policies.” It seems that after Biden took the faults of Washington against Turkey. If Iran has other options. And losing Iran matter said it was planned to take place over 10 days from April Following is the text of the interview: reign in the White House in January Turkey wanted to fill the U.S. gap with will not help Biden to confront China’s 16, though the date had not been finalized or officially announced. How do you see the Biden admin- Turkey has lost its importance for Israel, it would have done that long ago. expansionist policies. “We can’t take part in Turkey’s conference on 16 April as istration’s policies from confronting America. Some media outlets also Possible Turkey-Israel rapprochement How does Turkey regard Chinese discussions on attending the conference are under way,” Tal- China and Russia to rapprochement claim that Turkey is approaching is primarily about Eastern Mediterrane- Belt and Road Initiative? How can iban spokesman Mohammed Naeem said in a message sent with the EU? Can Biden curb Chi- Israel to fill this gap. Is that right? an and relevant regional issues. Positive it strengthen countries’ ties in the to news agencies. nese economic expansion? It is not Turkey that lost its position messages are coming from both sides. region? While no date for the Turkey conference has been set, time is running I think Biden has lots of powerful but Israel. Israel had been enjoying full However, this rapprochement will not A: Turkey’s approach towards “the Belt out on a May 1 deadline for the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from challenges ahead of him and he has not support from the Trump administration. clear both countries’ differences on many and Road Initiative” is rather positive. Afghanistan in keeping with a deal the administration of former US shown that he is capable of dealing with Declaring Jerusalem as the so-called subjects, i.e., Iran nuclear issue, and the Ankara supports the initiative and feels President Donald Trump made with the Taliban more than a year ago. them yet. For instance, Washington does capital of Israel, legitimizing Israel’s Israel-Palestine conflict. Turkey has always glad to be a part of it. Connecting coun- not provide enough support for Ukraine occupation in Palestine with so-called defended the peaceful nuclear rights of tries together in terms of their economy, against Russia. Kremlin is increasing its “peace” plans, and Israel’s normalization Iran and criticized U.S. sanctions. Turkey will strengthen both their economy and influence both in the Middle East (West with some Arab states were realized with will continue to do so. political ties. By creating an economic Russia calls U.S. an Asia) and East Europe. Biden is not in- Washington’s backing. With Biden coming What will be the possible effects dependency between countries, the belt adversary, warns its tervening in. Apart from that, to contain to power, Israel partially lost that sup- of Iran’s talks with other nuclear and road initiative will prevent conflicts Chinese economic power and expansion, port. Washington and Tel Aviv’s Middle deal parties on regional balances? and boost diplomacy. It will also contrib- warships to avoid Crimea Biden should get along with other im- East (West Asia) prospects differed. For Can Israel and Saudi Arabia hamper ute to cultural interactions and enlarge portant states. Losing Turkey and Iran example, Biden wants to settle with Iran the negotiation process? different groups and people’s visions Russia on Tuesday called the United States an adversary and will not help him to contain China. The and Netanyahu challenges it. First of all, some (Persian) Gulf coun- toward each other. Underdeveloped told U.S. warships to stay well away from Crimea “for their own U.S. still acts as “the Great Arbiter of the On the other hand, Turkey-U.S. re- tries are strongly opposing a deal between countries will enjoy a great deal of the good”, calling their deployment in the Black Sea a provocation World”, however it is lacking an adequate lations have been problematic since the Iran and other parties. The reason for project since it will help them to enhance designed to test Russian nerves. legitimacy ground. In order to regain its Obama administration. Trump’s era also that they think by lifting the sanctions, their economy. “The United States is our adversary and does everything it can to undermine Russia’s position on the world stage,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was cited as saying by Russian news agencies. Israeli ship attacked near UAE: Al-Mayadeen “We do not see any other elements in their approach. Those are our conclusions,” they quoted him as saying. The comment An Israeli ship called the Hyperion affiliated The attack came just two days after a sabotage was a sharp break with the usual language from Moscow, which with the Israeli PCC company was attacked near attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. has often referred to the United States in the past as “a partner”. the shores of the Fujairah emirate in the United The incident also comes after two strikes on Israeli Moscow annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and two U.S. Arab Emirates on Tuesday, according to the Al- vessels in the region and reports of dozens of earlier warships are due to arrive in the Black Sea this week amid an Mayadeen news. strikes carried out by Israel in locations ranging escalation in fighting in eastern Ukraine where government forces Data available on MarineTraffic.com showed the from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. have battled Russian-backed separatists in a conflict Kyiv says Hyperion, a vehicle carrier sailing under the flag In March, The Jerusalem Post’s sister publica- has killed 14,000 people. of the Bahamas, stopped off the coast of Fujairah. tion Maariv reported that dozens of Iranian ships The vessel is associated with the Israeli Ray had been attacked by Israel throughout West Asia, Shipping company, the same company that owns after The Wall Street Journal reported that a doz- the vessel that was hit in February. en Iranian oil tankers headed to Syria had been Japan to release The IDF declined to comment on the reports. attacked by Israel. contaminated Fukushima water into sea after treatment

Iran-China partnership is a combined battle against Washington: columnist Japan will release more than 1 million tons of contaminated water 1 Both counties are less or more are UK-based Centre for Economics and were often viewed in isolation from each from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea, the under the U.S. sanctions and competition. Business Research (CEBR) said China’s other. Land connectivity, for example, government said on Tuesday, a move China called “extremely Iran needs market for its oil and gas while “skilful” management of Covid-19 would was viewed exclusively through the lens of irresponsible”, while South Korea summoned Tokyo’s ambas- China needs large amount of energy for boost its relative growth compared to driveable roads and multi-lane highways, sador in Seoul to protest. its huge industry. Except China, other the U.S. and Europe in coming years. without any consideration for maritime The first release of water will take place in about two years, countries of the region can’t go against On the other hand, the U.S. economy transport capacity. Throughout the Asian giving plant operator Tokyo Electric Power time to begin filtering the U.S. sanctions, thus it makes China a has been hit hard by the world’s worst region, and particularly in relation to the water to remove harmful isotopes, build infrastructure and better partner for Iran to export its oil and coronavirus epidemic in terms of sheer the land-locked countries of South and acquire regulatory approval. gas to its markets. Besides, it will bring numbers. , the focus was mainly on Japan has argued the water release is necessary to press ahead Chinese investment to Iran which will As for as a clash between Washington land-based links. with the complex decommissioning of the plant after it was crip- help boost its sanctions-crippled econo- and Beijing is concerned, it is certain Is Pakistan ready to play a key pled by a 2011 earthquake and tsunami. It says similarly filtered my. The U.S. latest sanctions following where they may fall in the Thucydides role in regional economy? What water is routinely released from nuclear plants around the world. scrapping the JCPOA, Iran’s economy Initiative (BRI) to reflect the fact that trap. China has shown the ability and are the challenges and opportu- Nearly 1.3 million tons of contaminated water, or enough to is quite in tatters. Apart from economic it will connect Asia, Europe, and Afri- the intention to increasingly close its nities when it comes to Pakistan’s fill about 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools, is stored in huge gains, this partnership than can convert ca along five maritime and land routes. power gap with the United States both economy and infrastructure? tanks at the plant at an annual cost of about 100 billion yen to a security alliance in future will serve This includes two South Asian economic economically and militarily. The eco- Pakistan has achieved steady growth ($912.66 million) -- and space is running out. both the states interests against its ad- corridors: Bangladesh-China-India-My- nomic competition is global while the since 2013 in the aftermath of a credit “Releasing the ... treated water is an unavoidable task to de- versary — the U.S. Apart from economic anmar (BCIM) and China-Pakistan military competition is regional where facility agreement with the IMF. Eco- commission the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant and cooperation, the agreement also calls (CPEC). As a result, China is actively China wants to secure its backyards like nomic growth slowed in 2019 due to reconstruct the Fukushima area,” Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga for security cooperation and an intelli- seeking to further improve its trade Western Pacific from the U.S. military measures taken by the authorities to said of the process that will take decades to complete. gence partnership. Most importantly, relations with South Asia. Deeper con- threats. In the geopolitical hotspots of address macroeconomic imbalances. it projects an image of Iran’s strength nectivity, once achieved under the BRI, the South and East China Seas, Beijing In 2020, Pakistan’s economy collapsed Resistance News and represents an attempt to break out will boost the development and commer- seems to be putting into practice Sun due to the COVID-19 outbreak, report- of the diplomatic isolation imposed by cial aspirations of South Asia’s lagging Tzu’s stratagem of subduing the enemy ing a negative growth balance of 0.4%. Mishaal elected new leader the United States. economies, and open up new markets without fighting. Without becoming in- According to the IMF’s October 2020 How do you assess China’s ties for China. As for as China’s reliability for volved a kinetic form of war, where U.S. forecast, growth is expected to resume of Hamas abroad, Abu with Asian countries economically? Iran is concerned so international poli- military firepower would be currently in 2021, estimated at 1% of GDP, and Is China a reliable partner for a tics spin around interests. And secondly hard to match, Beijing has attempted stabilise in 2022 at 4%. In its most re- Marzouk his deputy country such as Iran? history matters in this regard. Having to militarize the geopolitical space in cent January 2021 update of the World China has deep economic relations convergence if interests, Iran hopes that the western Pacific and make it costlier Economic Outlook, the IMF revised its INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN- he Hamas Movement has an- desk with Asian countries. Markets all over the China will potentially tip the balance for the United States to stay the course. GDP growth projections for Pakistan to nounced the election of Khaled Mishaal as its world including South Asia are dumped in its favor. Moreover, Iranian officials What are the effects of the Chi- 1.5% in 2021 and 4% in 2022 (represent- leader abroad and Mousa Abu Marzouk as his deputy. with the Chinese goods. China is the larg- appear to believe that China’s interests nese Belt and Road Initiative on ing a difference from the October 2020 In a statement, Hamas said that its leadership abroad was est trade partners of many of the Asian are closely tied to Iran. the region? WEO projections of 0.5% ain 2021). While able to hold the internal elections for over a month to choose its countries including Japan with whom Do you predict China can eco- China’s Belt and Road Initiative domestic economic activity is expected new Shura Council and convene it in the presence of its members. China’s trade value is around $400 billion. nomically surpass the U.S. in com- (BRI) ill have profound impacts on the to rebound as blocking measures are re- It added that such elections are held by the Movement peri- China is steadily laying the groundwork ing years? Do you also foresee a region’s geo-political and geo-economic moved, Pakistan’s short-term economic odically in all areas of its presence abroad. for its ambitious ‘One Belt, One Road’ clash over the Chinese power? situation. Beyond its more obvious im- outlook is subdued. However, the revenue The Movement asked Almighty Allah (God) to help Mishaal and (OBOR) program. Given that it is an Reports by economic experts say Chi- pacts, the BRI has also influenced several Pakistan is receiving from the oversees Abu Marzouk successfully assume the tasks they were entrusted expansive regional infrastructure and na is set to overtake the United States other aspects indirectly, including the Pakistanis are substantial and more than with and carry the resistance banner until the liberation of Palestine. connectivity initiative, the dismantling as the world’s largest economy a few overall regional order, infrastructure $2 billion per month consecutively in In this regard, head of Hamas’s political bureau Ismail Haneyya of trade barriers throughout the OBOR years earlier than anticipated due to financing, and the nature of trade ties the last ten months which is stabilizing phoned Khaled Mishaal and congratulated him for winning the region is important. China realizes this, the coronavirus pandemic. The latest between many regional states. The most Pakistani economy. Nonetheless, serious confidence of his comrades who elected him as head of the Move- and has been actively pursuing free trade GDP reports show that of the U.S. fell important geo-economic impact of the measure needed to be adopted to help ment abroad. agreements with all key stakeholders. by 2.3% in 2020, while China’s grew by BRI relates to connectivity. Previously, sustain the economy and the inflation Haneyya also phoned Abu Marzouk and congratulated him OBOR is now labeled the Belt and Road 2.3% amid the Corona pandemic. The different modes of regional connectivity in the country. on his election as deputy head of Hamas abroad. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM APRIL 14, 2021

Iranian handicrafts: From mazy bazaars to nomadic lands: calligraphy of Qazvin

HERITAGE TEHRAN – Calligraphy is widely deemed deskas one of the most revered arts throughout visit Iran in a slow, no-tech fashion the history of Iran. According to Iranian legends, calligraphy was invented by Tahmuras, the third king of the Pishdadian 1 You can also skip cities to be con- dynasty. A walking tour in its narrow alleys yields a unique opportunity to nected with another aspect of Iran. Yes, It has been recited in the Book of King (Shahnameh) by the some of the most memorable walking illustrious poet Ferdowsi that after the demons were captivated listen to the stories behind this Iranian heritage. While in Shiraz, local guides experiences in Iran could take place by Tahmuras, they asked for mercy and in return, they taught beyond the city walls. Iran has an him calligraphy. At the beginning of the Islamic Era, the formal help to revive the traditions by showing visitors the old and forgotten jobs of incredible nature, offering trekking alphabet of Iran was a kind of Pahlavi called “Farsi-e Miyaneh” experiences in the green peaks of the or . the bazaar. Here, a woman is sewing “Giveh”, northern Gilan province, climbing the oldest type of handwoven Iranian Asia’s second-highest volcano Mount shoes; over there, a man is repairing Damavand, or experiencing both snow- old books in its old shop, while his capped mountains and dunes in two neighbor quietly prepares nuts with days, nearby Shirkooh, in central Iran. saffron and salt all day long. Crossing Yet, the most authentic and moving the threshold of their old shops with walking adventures in Iran are without a walking tour would be a priceless a doubt sharing the lives of nomads. For opportunity to meet with the last rep- centuries, Iranian tribes have walked resentative of these ancient jobs before between their summer pastures and they become part of the past. winter quarters in the mountainous From another point of view, bazaars areas, taking with them all their be- are also synonyms of foods, with their longings. unmissable colorful stalls of vegetables, Accompanying nomads during their herbs, and spices. Yet, most of these migration, even for a day or two, maybe a ingredients might be mysterious to a lifetime experience. It will undoubtedly foreign eye. any Iranian city. From Tehran to Shiraz, participating produce a rare insight into the culture It is possible to pierce the mystery of But for those who wish to have in a cooking class allows discovering of these ethnic groups. According to Visit Iran, the scientific, literature, and polit- No matter you visit a Shahsavan ical texts were written in Pahlavi and only religious texts were Persian cookery, and getting familiar insights into the authentic Persian local cuisine far from the usual res- with the concept of hot and cold natures culture, adding a cooking workshop taurants. For instance, in the town of or a Qashqai tribe, the point is that written in the alphabet. After the conquest of Iran by in the twenty-first century, you will the Arab world and their cultural influence, and due to technical in food, through joining a walking tour to a walking tour seems to be a must. Taft, near Yazd, there is an eco-lodge in the bazaars of Tehran, Shiraz, Yazd, Some believe that Persian cuisine is managed by a Zoroastrian couple, leave behind you all technologies and shortcomings of the Pahlavi alphabet, Pahlavi was replaced modern life, to feel a nomadic life and by Kufic in many cities of Iran. It was during 14th and 15th or Isfahan. Not only it’s an opportunity the soul of the country and meals are which aims to share their traditions to discover dozens of unique local in- a cheerful moment beloved by every with tourists, through cooking work- their herds and a taste of the most au- centuries that Ta’liq, Nasta’liq, and Shekasteh Nasta’liq were thentic Iran. developed by the Iranian. gredients, but it’s also a chance to taste Iranian family. shops performed in a pomegranate field. the Iranian street foods and delicacies, Experts say for travelers who are They were enhanced in the 16th and 17th centuries and reached reasonably fit and enjoy being out in perfection in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today very few people in some traditional bakery known only People watching and even mingling with by locals and shopkeepers. the open air, walking trips offer several write in Ta’liq, but Nasta’liq and Shekasteh Nasta’liq are both them in the bazaars is one of the best ways benefits. Traveling on foot is the best very common and prominent. Persian-Islamic calligraphy is People watching and even mingling with them in the bazaars is one of the to take the pulse of the country. Bazaars way to get a close-up look at a local one of the flourishing arts mesmerizing both eyes and ears. As landscape and culture, whether you’re if the written words are met by the eyes, read by the heart, and best ways to take the pulse of the coun- have traditionally been major economic try. Bazaars have traditionally been strolling down cobblestone streets or heard by the ears, arousing the two feelings. and social centers in any Iranian city. hiking along forest paths. It is quite certain that calligraphy did not reach perfection, major economic and social centers in not in a fraction of a second, but years of practicing, hard work, and innovation of many artists have resulted in its high position as a form of art. Calligraphy is categorized as one of the fields of Fine Arts. The practitioner, based on the taste of the buyer, may use handmade, marble, plain, or colorful papers that are Relic attributed to Neo-Assyrian king discovered in western Iran also chosen inappropriate with the text. The finished work can TEHRAN – Iranian archaeologists Armenian highlands, and with Syria and Palestine. be illuminated too. HERITAGE deskhave discovered a portion of a roy- By and large, these were the conquests made by This art is mostly used to write copies of the holy Quran, book al memorial inscription, which is attributed to a Tiglath-pileser III. Sargon’s problem was not only to of the poets, or famous sayings of the elder. One of the greatest Neo-Assyrian king, in western Iran. maintain the status quo but to make further conquests masters of Nasta’liq who played the most important part in its “During an excavation project in Qabaq Tappeh to prove the might of the god Ashur, the national perfection was Mir Emad from Qazvin. He is considered one of Kermanshah province, a team of Iranian archae- god of the Assyrian empire. of the most celebrated calligraphists of Islamic calligraphy. In ologists has unearthed a portion of a royal memorial Assyria was a kingdom of northern addition to Mir Emad, artists such as Mirza Mohammad Hosein inscription, which is attributed to Sargon II, who was that became the center of one of the great empires Emad ol-Ketab Qazvini, who famously designed “Besmellah (In the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire,” ISNA quoted of the ancient Middle East. It was located in what is the name of God) in the form of Tughra bird for the first time), archaeologists Sajad Alibeigi, who leads the survey, now northern Iraq and southeastern Turkey. Abd ol-Majid Taleqani and Malek Mohammad Qazvini have as saying on Monday. Assyria was a dependency of Babylonia and later all helped for the city of Qazvin to be known as the calligraphy However, the royal inscription, which bears 23 of the kingdom during most of the 2nd mil- capital of Iran. lines of writing in cuneiform, is so far deemed as the lennium BC. It emerged as an independent state in most significant discovery of the survey, according the 14th century BC, and in the subsequent period Mirror work in Fars to the archaeologist. it became a major power in Mesopotamia, Armenia, III, Sargon II, , and —united “Qabaq Tappeh was once an important and ex- and sometimes in northern Syria. Assyrian power most of the Middle East, from Egypt to the Persian TEHRAN (Tasnim) — Mirror works not only enhance tensive settlement inhabited at least from the third declined after the death of Tukulti-Ninurta I (c. 1208 Gulf, under Assyrian rule. decorations of architecture but also illuminates the space millennium BC to the Islamic era,” Alibeigi noted. BC). It was restored briefly in the 11th century BC by The last great Assyrian ruler was , by multiplying the reflection of the light. It is considered as Sargon II, (reigned 721–705 BC) extended and Tiglath-pileser I, but during the following period, but his last years and the period following his death, the Iranian’s last innovation in the field of architecture and consolidated the conquests of his presumed father, both Assyria and its rivals were preoccupied with the in 627 BC, are obscure. The state was finally de- internal decoration. Since many glass artifacts belonging to Tiglath-pileser III. Upon his accession to the throne, incursions of the seminomadic Aramaeans. stroyed by a Chaldean-Median coalition in 612–609 the Parthian and Sassanid dynasties have been discovered, he was faced immediately with three major problems: According to Britannica, the Assyrian kings began BC. Famous for their cruelty and fighting prowess, it has been concluded that glasswork has also been practiced dealing with the Chaldean and Aramaean chieftain- a new period of expansion in the 9th century BC, and the Assyrians were also monumental builders, as from a long ago. ships in the southern parts of Babylonia, with the from the mid-8th to the late 7th century BC, a series shown by archaeological sites at Nineveh, Ashur, kingdom of Urartu and the peoples to the north in the of strong Assyrian kings—among them Tiglath-pileser and Nimrud.

Sarab-e Qandil: a puzzling Sassanid bas-relief in southern Iran HERITAGE TEHRAN — Sarab-e impression of lightness, of aerial movement. Berghe and Aerinck, therefore, think that deskQandil (literary meaning The king appears to wear his winged crown the relief can be attributed to Bahram II. “Ice-cold Spring”), is one of many reliefs and jewels. His left hand is on the top of However, Lewitt-Tawill maintains that the in southern Iran, which may still bear his sword. His right hand is open, waiting relief represents and the goddess, untold stories. Its isolation from frequented for the gift. The composition shows the the prince being . roads might explain its excellent state of royal figure at the center of the panel, the Soon after Bahram II, the son and conservation: it was not accessible for queen is on his right, the prince being on successor of was enthroned, he vandals. his left/back. was forced to defend his position against Situated near the modern city of Kazerun Although this relief is generally attributed a brother, Hormizd, viceroy of the eastern in Fars province, the Sassanid-era (224- to Bahram II, the lack of an inscription makes provinces. 651 CE) relief has a quadrangular frame, that experts couldn’t be completely certain. The Sassanid era is of very high importance In Iranian culture mirror and water have been symbols of carved on an isolated rock beside the bed of two characters look at each other, while a The main arguments for identification with in the history of Iran. Under Sassanids, purity, fortune, honesty, and light. The use of mirrors may a river, without having been much eroded prince (probably their son, the future king Bahram II lay in the fact that he is the only Persian art and architecture experienced relate to this very symbolism. In the 19th-century mirror or damaged by the water. Bahram III) holds a ring of power. Sasanian king who showed his queen on a general renaissance. Architecture often works gained popularity. Fine mirror vases were made in It depicts a queen offering a lotus flower The carving is well-executed; special coins, and that the female figure might took grandiose proportions such as palaces Germany and then sent to Iran. Iranian could simply cut to her husband [widely believed to be the attention has been paid to the clothes, which appear to be dressed more like a queen at , Firuzabad, and Sarvestan that the vases into mosaics of their desired forms and use them. Iranian king Bahram II (r.276-293)]. The show beautiful and fine details, giving an and not a goddess. Scholars like Vanden are amongst highlights of the ensemble. In the beginning, a common practice in mirror works was to install one-piece panels of the mirror in the building. One example is the “Chehel Sotoun (literally Forty Columns)” palace in Isfahan. In the past, a mirror was installed over one of the entrances, so large that the reflection of the people Archaeological museum to open near mighty Bam citadel passing through the entrance was quite visible. However, HERITAGE TEHRAN – An archaeological muse- and which continue to function till the present time. the size of the pieces gradually grew smaller. deskum is to be established near the adobe According to UNESCO, Arg-e Bam is the most rep- By the end of the 19th century, mirrors were used in Bam citadel, which is a mighty UNESCO-registered resentative example of a fortified medieval town built small triangles, diamond, or hexagonal pieces. Also, Iranian site in southeast Iran. in vernacular technique using mud layers (Chineh), architects used convex glasses that were turned to mirror. In “The museum will be dedicated to the history and sun-dried mud bricks (khesht), and vaulted and domed the Qajar dynasty, a new style of architecture was born, even archaeological achievements of Bam and its Cultural structures. though the architects were following the trends that were Landscape,” CHTN quoted the director of the World Bam and its Cultural Landscape represents an out- common in the Safavid dynasty. But generally, architecture Heritage site, as saying on Tuesday. standing example of an ancient fortified settlement is considered to have declined. It was only during the reign of The museum is expected to open by the end of the that developed around the Iranian central plateau and Naser al-Din of Qajar that western art trends influenced current Iranian calendar year, the official added. is an exceptional testimony to the development of a Iranian art, and architecture and applied arts such as stucco, The property of Bam and its Cultural Landscape is trading settlement in the desert environment of the mirror work and mosaics improved. At that time, mirror located on the southern edge of the Iranian high pla- Central Asian region. This impressive construction works were greatly used to ornate royal buildings and also teau, in Kerman province, close to the Pakistan border undoubtedly represents the climax and is the most shrines. The origins of the citadel of Bam (“Arg-e Bam”), important achievement of its type not only in the area That is why mirror work grew in Qajar, and fascinating can be traced back to the Achaemenid period (6th to of Bam but also in a much wider cultural region of ornate in forms of Muqarnas, arabesque, and also painting 4th centuries BC) and even beyond. The heyday of the Western Asia. and calligraphy on the mirror was created. “Mirror Hall” citadel was from the 7th to 11th centuries, being at the focus of a vast cultural landscape, which is marked The cultural landscape of Bam is an important rep- of Golestan Palace, or “Shams-ol-Emarat” are only two crossroads of important trade routes and known for by a series of forts and citadels, now in ruins. The resentation of the interaction between man and nature examples of many unmatched works of art that remained the production of silk and cotton garments. existence of life in the oasis was based on the under- and retains a rich resource of ancient canalizations, today. Shiraz, Isfahan, and Tehran are the major centers The citadel, which contains the governor’s quarters ground irrigation canals, the qanats, of which Bam settlements, and forts as landmarks and as tangible of mirror works of Iran. and the fortified residential area, forms the central has preserved some of the earliest evidence in Iran evidence of the evolution of the area. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y APRIL 14, 2021 SOCIETY 7

Iran’s fight against drugs continues Annual budget for forest protection doubles despite sanctions, pandemic 1 Last year, about 47,000 hectares of damaged forests were covered by a development and reforestation plan, he said. SOCIETY TEHRAN – Iran has Iran’s anti-narcotics measures According to the measures taken to reduce wood smuggling deskcarried on a battle against Iran seized some 1,000 tons of narcotics in the northern forests of the country, last year compared to the narcotics in spite of being highly affected by in the Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended same period a year before, wood logging decreased by 30 percent cruel sanctions and COVID-19 pandemic, March 20, 2020), putting the country in and the number of discoveries by 20 percent. Eskandar Momeni, the director of head- first place in the world, Momeni said in Mansour explained that today, inside the protected forests, we quarters for the fight against narcotics, said. July 2020. are witnessing a decrease in the level of density, which needs to Iran has received the least possible as- After the Islamic Revolution (in 1979), be controlled, and by implementing the Hyrcanian forest aerial sistance and cooperation in the global fight 3,800 were martyred, 12,000 were wounded surveys, the destruction of northern forests can be prevented. against narcotics while facing the most op- and disabled in the fight against drug traf- Currently, the first phase will be piloted on about 100 km, and pressive U.S. sanctions and unilateral coercive ficking, Momeni announced. it is planned to expand the project to all northern forests and a measures in supplying equipment and forces The United Nations Office on Drugs and year later to all forests across the country, he stated. for this global fight, he lamented. Crime (UNODC) has praised Iran’s efforts The proposed budget amounted to about 24.357 quadrillion He went on to note that the issue of coun- to fight against narcotics trafficking on the rials (about $580 billion), with a 20-percent rise from last year’s ternarcotic is no exception to the consequences occasion of International Day Against Drug budget. of COVID-19 disease, and all current programs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Supplying basic goods, treatment, and medical equipment; and activities in this area have been affected The organization also officially announced securing livelihood; supporting production and employment; by the current situation. that the world’s first place in the discovery of promoting and supporting non-oil exports and knowledge-based Last year (March 2020 – March 2021), opium, heroin, and morphine belongs to Iran. companies are the focal points of the bill. amid the pandemic, Iran has participated According to UNODC, Iran remains one of in more than 20 regional and international the major transit routes for drug trafficking events online, in cooperation with the UN- from Afghanistan to European countries and ODC office in Tehran, he highlighted, IRNA has had a leading role at the global level in Airborne plastic pollution reported on Tuesday. Iran seized some 1,000 tons of narcotics the drug-control campaigns. ‘spiralling around the globe’, The counter-narcotics agencies and UNODC World Drug Report 2020 es- police forces succeeded in detecting about in the Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended timates that in 2018, 91 percent of world study finds 1,150 tons of various types of narcotics by March 20, 2020), putting the country in first opium, 48 percent of the world morphine, strengthening the mechanisms for monitoring and 26 percent of the world heroin were Microplastic pollution is now “spiralling around the globe”, ac- and exchanging information between the place in the world. seized by Iran. cording to a study of airborne plastic particles. responsible organizations. percent compared to 2019, he noted, adding, This success has been achieved with the Iran’s drug control efforts led to the seizure The researchers said human pollution has led to a global This volume of discoveries is a new and some 90 percent of the substances found were martyrdom of 10 law enforcement and coun- of 266 tons of different types of drugs during plastic cycle, akin to natural processes such as the carbon cycle, unprecedented record in the fight against opium, 26 percent heroin, and 48 percent ter-narcotics forces in the global front against the period of April-June 2020, a 20 percent with plastic moving through the atmosphere, oceans and land. drugs, which shows a growth of about 41 morphine. drug transit, he further stated. increase compared to the same period in 2019. The result is the “plastification” of the planet, said one scientist. The analysis calls plastic pollution one of the most pressing environmental issues of the 21st century. It indicates that the billions of tonnes of plastic discarded into the oceans and land National health week aims at “building a fairer, healthier world” and being broken down into tiny pieces are being thrown back into the air by road traffic and winds over seas and farmland. SOCIETY TEHRAN – The national health week The health ministry has assigned each day of the week People are already known to breathe, drink and eat microplastics desk will be celebrated on April 21-27 under with a special theme as follows: and the other research suggests levels of pollution will continue the theme of “building a fairer, healthier world”, concurrent Wednesday, April 21: Supporting health advocates for to rise rapidly. The scientists said this “raises questions on the with the World Health Day, IRNA reported on Tuesday. building a fairer and healthier world impact of accumulating plastics in the atmosphere on human April 7 of each year marks the celebration of World Health Thursday, April 22: Social participation, empathy, and health. The inhalation of particles can be irritating to lung tissue Day. From its inception at the First Health Assembly in 1948 national harmony for building a fairer and healthier world and lead to serious diseases.” and since taking effect in 1950, the celebration has aimed Friday, April 23: Religious teachings and linking religious Prof Natalie Mahowald, at Cornell University in the US and to create awareness of a specific health theme to highlight a institutions to build a fairer and healthier world part of the research team, said: “What we’re seeing right now is priority area of concern for the World Health Organization. Saturday, April 24: Improving the system of health the accumulation of mismanaged plastics just going up. Some In recent years, countries in the Western Pacific have care network and primary health care to build a fairer and people think it’s going to increase by tenfold [per decade]. experienced rapid economic growth, migration, and - healthier world “But maybe we could solve this before it becomes a huge prob- banization. This created opportunities for better lives for Sunday, April 25: Media, education, and culture to build lem, if we manage our plastics better, before they accumulate in many but left others behind. The COVID-19 pandemic has a fairer and healthier world the environment and swirl around everywhere.” undercut recent health gains, pushed more people into Monday, April 26: Research, Technology, support, and She said clearing up ocean plastic could help reduce the amount poverty and food insecurity, and amplified gender, social a fairer, healthier world for everyone”, to ensure that all disruption of production to build a fairer and healthier world that gets thrown back up into the atmosphere, and that more and health inequities. people are able to access quality health services depending Tuesday, April 27: Inter-sectoral partnerships and social biodegradable plastics could be part of the solution. So that, this year, the day focuses on a theme of “Building on their needs and values within their communities. responsibility to build a fairer and healthier world. The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examined airborne microplastics, which have been far less studied than plastic in oceans and rivers. The team had more than 300 samples of airborne microplastics Carbon dioxide levels in atmosphere reach record high from 11 sites across the western US, the best dataset available globally. These were the basis for atmospheric modelling that Concentrations of climate-warming car- Last year’s annual average figure was record high was completely expected. estimated the contribution from different sources, the first such bon dioxide in the atmosphere have hit 413.94ppm – with 2021’s level forecast “Emissions may have been reduced but study to do so. record highs, despite a dip in emissions to be about 416.3ppm. we are still emitting lots of carbon dioxide, Virtually none of the airborne microplastics came directly from during the Covid pandemic, scientists Carbon dioxide levels in the atmos- and so its atmospheric concentration is plastic being discarded in cities and towns, the scientists found, have said. phere fluctuate slightly during the year, bound to go up – and will continue to do but were the result of road traffic and winds across oceans and The latest measurements from the dropping as some is absorbed during the so until we get to somewhere near net-zero farmland whipping up plastic particles already in the environment. long-running recording station at Mau- spring and summer by plants growing in emissions. “We thought population centres would be a much better source, na Loa Observatory, Hawaii, show global the northern hemisphere, before it rises “Our path to net zero is obvious, chal- obviously, but it just didn’t work out that way,” Mahowald said. levels of carbon dioxide are 50% above again in autumn and winter. lenging and necessary – and we must get “Resuspension [of microplastics] makes the most sense with what they were when the Industrial Rev- But the long-term trend in rising con- on with the transition urgently,” he said. this set of data.” olution began in Britain. centrations of carbon dioxide is caused Prof Simon Lewis, from University They found that roads were the dominant factor in the western The data released by the Scripps In- by human activity, mainly through the College London, said: “It is easy to forget US, linked to about 85% of the microplastics in the air. These are stitution of Oceanography, University of burning of fossil fuels and also from de- just how much and just how fast fossil likely to include particles from tyres and brake pads on vehicles, California San Diego, shows atmospheric forestation, the Met Office said. ence body, the Intergovernmental Panel fuel emissions are affecting our planet. and plastics from litter that had been ground down. The oceans concentrations of the greenhouse gas in Global emissions reduced temporarily on Climate Change warns that to halt glob- “It took over 200 years to increase were estimated to be the source of about 10% of the airborne March averaged 417.14 parts per million in 2020 as a result of a drop in transport al warming at 1.5C – beyond which the the amount of carbon dioxide in the at- plastics in western US, and soils 5%. (ppm), a new record high. use and economic activity as the corona- worst impacts of rising temperatures are mosphere by 25%, and just 30 years to The researchers extended their modelling work to a global The UK’s Met Office predicts month- virus pandemic struck. expected – global emissions will need to reach 50% above pre-industrial levels. level and this suggested that while roads are also likely to be the ly concentrations of carbon dioxide, the But the emissions reduction in 2020 reach net zero by around 2050, or sooner. This dramatic change is like a human dominant driver of airborne plastics in Europe, South America main driver of rising temperatures and was not enough to substantially affect the Reaching net zero involves cutting meteorite hitting Earth.” and Australia, plastic particles blown up from fields may be a the climate crisis, will peak in 2021 at buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmos- emissions to as near to zero as possible But he added: “If countries make plans much bigger factor in Africa and Asia. about 419.5 ppm. phere, which continues to rise. and taking steps such as planting trees to now to put society on a path of sustained The modelling showed that smaller microplastics can remain The previous record for monthly car- Much larger, longer-term reductions absorb any remaining pollution. and dramatic cuts to emissions from today, in the atmosphere for a week, long enough to be blown across bon dioxide concentrations at Mauna Loa in emissions will be required to slow or Commenting on the latest data, Prof we can avoid ever-rising emissions and continents. It also showed plastic pollution will be falling on in the Scripps dataset was 417.10ppm in stop the rise, the Met Office warned. Martin Siegert, of the Grantham Institute, the dangerously accelerating impacts of Antarctica. May 2020. Projections from the UN’s climate sci- Imperial College London, said the new climate change.” The scientists said the lack of observations in many parts of the world meant there were significant uncertainties in their es- timates. Their work shows in particular a lack of data on plastics in the air above the oceans. They said work to understand the ENGLISH IN USE sources and consequences of microplastics in the atmosphere should be a priority. Prof Andreas Stohl, at the Norwegian Institute for Air Re- LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION search and not part of the study team, said: “What humans have been doing for decades now is what I call a ‘plastification’ of the landscape and oceans. افغانســتان از همــکاری ایــران بــرای مــداوای Afghanistan thanks Iran for free services to refugees during COVID-19 LET’S LEARN PERSIAN (Part 158) (Source: saadifoundation.ir) مهاجــران مبتــا بــه کرونــا قدردانــی کــرد Afghanistan has appreciated Iran for offering health and وزارت امــور خارجــه افغانســتان از کمــک و همــکاری جمهــوری اســامی ایــران بــه treatment services to Afghan refugees infected with coronavirus مهاجــران افغانــی مبتــا بــه ویــروس کرونــا و مــداوای رایــگان آنهــا قدردانــی کــرد. .free of charge وزارت امــور خارجــه افغانســتان روز شــنبه در اطلعی ــهای اعــام کــرد: مراتــب امتنــان و The Afghan Foreign Ministry in a statement on Saturday announced سپاســگزاری خــود را از جمهــوری اســامی ایــران در رابطــه بــه اقدامــات بشردوســتانه آن its gratitude and appreciation to Iran for its humanitarian efforts کشــور دربــاره رســیدگی بــه مهاجریــن افغــان درآن کشــور ابــراز مــیدارد. .to address the issue of Afghan refugees in the country All measures, especially the recent decree by the Iranian president در ایــن اطلعیــه آمــده اســت: تمــام اقدامــات بــه ویــژه صــدور حکــم اخیــر رئیــس to provide free medical treatment to Afghan refugees in Iranian جمهــوری ایــران بــرای درمــان رایــگان مهاجــران افغــان در بیمارســتان هــای دولتــی public hospitals, have assured the Afghan government, IRNA ایــران موجــب خاطــر جمعــی رهبــری دولــت افغانســتان شــد. .reported on Sunday براســاس اطلعیــه وزارت خارجــه افغانســتان، ایجــاد تســهیلت در رفــت و آمــد According to the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing ک امیونهــای ترانزیتــی و فراهــم آوری مســاعدت هــای الزم بهداشــتی بــرای مهاجــران transportation services to transit trucks and providing the necessary health assistance to vulnerable Afghan nationals در مناطــق آســیب پذیــر آن کشــور اقداماتــی هســتند کــه از جانــب دولــت افغانســتان are among the measures that are highly appreciated. بــه چشــم قدردانــی نگریســته میشــوند. Prayer Times Noon:13:05 Evening: 19:54 Dawn: 5:03 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:32 (tomorrow) APRIL 14, 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 “Apostasy” writer Vahid Yaminpur crowned Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Islamic Revolution Artist of the Year Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 ARTTEHRAN – Author more revolutionary works.” Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 deskVahid Yaminpur The Islamic Revolution Artist of the Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 was named on Monday the Islamic Year was announced on the closing day Revolution Artist of the Year. of the Islamic Revolution Art Week. He received the title for “Apostasy”, The weeklong festival is organized Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 an alternate history novel about the by the Art Bureau of every year Islamic Revolution, as well as for his to commemorate the martyrdom No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran travelogue of Japan “The Jinja Monk”. anniversary of documentarian Morteza P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Director and screenwriter Jalil Avini who was martyred by a landmine Zip Code: 1599814713 Saman, poets Afshin Ala and in 1993 during his trip to the former Ali-Mohammad Moaddab, and Iran-Iraq war zone in southwestern graphic artist Mohammadreza Iran while making the documentary Doostmohammadi were other nominees “A City in the Sky” about the fall of of the of the title. Khorramshahr and the liberation of Speaking at a ceremony organized at the southwestern Iranian city during the Art Bureau of the Islamic Ideology the Iran-Iraq war. Dissemination Organization (IIDO), He became famous for “The Yaminpur said, “This honor is so Narration of Triumph” and was called great that I am not sure if I deserve “the master of martyred writers” by GUIDE TO it; I don’t let the title deceive me… By his colleagues and war veterans due SPIRITUAL AWAKENING this title, they want to encourage us Author Vahid Yaminpur accepts the award for the Islamic Revolution Artist of the Year to the fervent narrations he wrote for to increase our efforts in creation of at the Art Bureau on April 12, 2021. (Mehr/Saeidreza Razavi) his documentaries. Be afraid of nothing but sins. Prophet Muhammad (S) Iranian children’s cinema, simple but not easy to portrait goes to school, and give them to Ali in the afternoon world, the didactic lessons of the movie seem more when his classes begin. There’s not quite enough time, obvious to Iranian audiences than to Western eyes. however, and although Ali races across the city every “The Runner” (Amir Naderi, 1984) “Doctor Nice” introduced to day to meet his sister, he’s continually late, so he tries New York-based Iranian filmmaker Amir Naderi’s a new way to win a new pair of shoes. acclaimed drama “The Runner” is perhaps the first Iranian children Majidi’s classic family film received a nomination feature film of Iranian New Wave cinema after the for the best foreign-language film in 1999, becoming revolution, with an unconventional structure, that CULTURE TEHRAN – Children’s book writer Valeri the first Iranian film ever nominated for an Oscar. deliberately rejects all the traditional film principles, desk Gorbachev’s “Doctor Nice” has been pub- “The Color of Paradise” (Majid Majidi, 1999) from narrative to basic cinematic. lished in Persian. Following the success of his previous film “Children of The film is about Amiru, an impoverished boy who Cheshmeh is the publisher of the book translated into Persian Heaven”, Majidi decided to continue with the children-cen- has lost his home during the war. He spends his days by Shiva Hariri. tered movies. working odd jobs until he realizes that the only way A favorite childhood game is “The Color of Paradise” depicts a visually impaired he could fulfill his dreams is by enrolling in school. given fresh appeal in this warm, boy, Mohammad, who returns home to spend his hol- In school, he has conflicts with other students. He humorous picture book. iday. Mohammad doesn’t let his lack of sight hinder decides to participate in a competition to see who can It was a busy day at Doctor A scene from “The Runner” by Iranian director Amir Naderi him. Indeed, his heightened remaining senses make say the whole alphabet in one breath to earn others Nice’s office. The waiting room 1 Despite their linguistic, ethnic, and racial differ- him even more receptive to the world around him. respect. was full of patients with vari- ences, neighbors’ gossip, and the economic challenge Young Mohammad’s optimism, however, is not “Where Is the Friend’s House?” (Abbas ous winter ailments—from Mrs. of feeding a new family member, Naii accepts Bashu shared by his widowed father, a bitter man who sees Kiarostami, 1987) Pig’s frostbitten nose to the goat and prepares to convince her disabled husband when the boy’s condition as nothing but a liability, especially Last but not least is definitely late Iranian master kids’ headaches, caused by their he arrives home from a work-related trip. as it pertains to his desire to marry the village beauty. Abbas Kiarostami’s “Where Is the Friend’s House?”. head-butting style of hockey play. The touching acclaimed drama, however, carries Through some magnificent, colorful, vivid scenes, The film is the first of three interrelated films in Never fear, Doctor Nice subtle undertones about human emotions like love, the director tries to depict how the world is experienced Abbas Kiarostami’s “Koker trilogy”, named after the comes up with the perfect cures acceptance, loneliness, and unfamiliarity. through touch and sound by the blind boy. northern Iranian village where the films are set, which for them all. In the surprise end- In 1999, “Bashu, the Little Stranger” was voted “Birth of a Butterfly” (Mojtaba Raei, 1997) is followed by “Life and Nothing More” and “Under ing, readers meet the real Doctor the best Iranian movie of all time by a poll of 150 “Birth of a Butterfly” is a collection of three simple the Olive Trees”. Nice — an imaginative little boy, movie experts. stories, which capture the audience’s emotions. “Where Is the Friend’s House?” draws its title from playing doctor to his roomful of “Children of Heaven” (Majid Majidi, 1998) The stories are linked together by themes of intense a mystical poem by Iranian poet and painter Sohrab Front cover of the Persian stuffed animals. “Children of Heaven” is about the hard life of a emotions, faith, loss, isolation, spiritual transforma- Sephehri (1928–1980), and echoes the equivocal journey translation of children’s book Gorbachev’s cozy, comforting nine-year-old boy but it is free of cynicism without tion, and children. undertaken in the poem. writer Valeri Gorbachev’s story will warm the coldest win- becoming idealistic. The first story is about a stern father banishing his The film is about eight-year-old Ahmad, who mistak- “Doctor Nice”. ter day and help allay children’s The charming movie tries to draw the audience young son from the household to spare him the sight of enly takes his friend ’s fears about visiting the doctor. into the warm and hopeful world it creates. his dying mother; the second follows the good deeds of notebook home after school one day. To save his friend Gorbachev is the author and illustrator of a number of children’s The film is about a young boy, Ali, who accidentally a devout disabled boy left at home when his family visit from the overly strict teacher’s harsh punishment, he books, both in the United States and Europe, including “Nicky And lets her sister’s pink shoes get thrown away by a bin a religious shrine; and the third shows the dilemma in starts a journey to return the notebook, zigzagging The Big Bad Wolves” and “Where Is the Apple Pie?” collector. which a teacher finds himself when local villagers are through landscapes, maze-like alleyways, and a host Gorbachev immigrated to the United States from the Ukraine Worried to tell their parents about such a signifi- eager to believe he possesses spiritual powers. of unhelpful people along the way. in 1991 and now lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York. cant loss for a poor family, they conspire to share Ali’s Although the scenes of the pristine nature in Iranian The film was well-received at the time and it has shoes. Zahra will wear them in the morning, when she rural areas could capture audiences’ eyes all over the stayed one of the most popular works by Kiarostami. “Recreation” to compete in Alicante Film Festival Book on ‘Political Digital Gaming’ published in Iran ARTTEHRAN — “Recreation” by Iranian director CULTURE TEHRAN — The Na- introduced as a new course in Iranian The book has been authored with the deskNavid Nikkhah-Azad will go on screen at the desktional Computer Games universities, an addition to the already approach of integrating diplomacy with short film section of the 18th edition of the Alicante Film Festival, Foundation has published a new book on existing ‘Gaming’ course which is currently digital games while providing the prerequi- which will begin in the Spanish city on May 29. ‘Political Digital Gaming’ with a focus on being delivered nationally as a field of sites for further research in the future. The The film tells the story of Sahar, a rebel who decides to run away diplomacy in computer gaming. study. The new field will allow students authors believe that the capacity of games from school, disguise herself and go to a football game. The authors of the book consist of to focus more on research and critical to indoctrinate hyper-textual, cultural, The film is competing with 11 shorts including “Will I” by Vladimir Akbar Nasrollahi, dean of the Faculty approaches in digital gaming. religious, and social ideologies is both Koptsev from Russia, “Taxi” by Isaak Gracia from Mexico, “Mi- of Communication Sciences and Media The book’s preface also introduces extensive and widespread, and the threats rage” by Sil van der Woerd from the Netherlands, “The crossing” Studies at the Islamic Azad University, the book as the first-ever Iranian pub- and opportunities of this media should by Edio Raven from Venezuela, and “Closer” by Gerrit Magnus and Farzaneh Sharifi, director of the eral theories ranging from terminology lication in the field of political digital be accepted reciprocally and utilized to Beduhn from Germany. National Institute for Gaming. identification to chronological studies gaming, providing a theoretical basis provide an “authoritative representation” The star of “Recreation”, Mojan Kordi, won the award for the The book is based on Sharifi’s thesis with an analytical study on games created and a complete collection of opinions against “misrepresentation”. best performance at the 33rd Living Skies Student Film Festival entitled “A Representation of the Amer- in the categories of politics and culture. and observations of domestic and in- Documented interviews with a number in Canada for her role earlier in March. ican Media’s Diplomacy in the Digital The preface of the book outlines the ternational researchers in this field. The of game analysts, university professors, Alicante Film Festival will come to an end on June 5. Cultural Industry: A Case Study of the purposes of the publication as a means book is based on extensive research on and game researchers, as well as their “Call of Duty” Game from 2007 to 2014” to enhance university students’ vision in the “Call of Duty” game and provides insights into the “Call of Duty” game and which was authored in 7 chapters on the the field of digital studies in order to pave an analysis and a modeled conclusion similar games, are among the sections “Solar Eclipse” nominated for concept of digital games, exploring sev- the way for ‘Digital Game Studies’ to be of the research findings. covered in Chapter 7 of this book. Côté Court Festival

ARTTEHRAN— The short film “Solar Eclipse” di- deskrected by Raha Amirfazli and Alireza Ghasemi The modern literature of Iran made its way to the 30th edition of the Côté Court International By Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak In order to be effective, they concluded, literary works Film Festival in France. must be simple in form, direct in language and themat- Throughout the nineteenth century, Iran’s increasing ically relevant to people’s lives. After the Constitutional contacts with the Western world resulted in a series of Movement of 1906, many writers and poets began to ex- radical changes in Iranian society, culture and literature. periment with the ideas that the previous generation had For centuries, Persian literature consisting of a vast expressed. Instead of celebrating the actions of kings and body of predominately poetic works, had remained princes, they wrote qasidahs that commemorated those essentially poems called qasidahs, verse stories and who had lost their lives for the revolution. Rather than romances, and a variety of animal fables often with composing ghazals that would describe the indescribable explicit moral lessons. beauty of the beloved, they wrote ghazals that would instill There were also the Shahnameh, a monumental the love of the motherland in the reader’s heart. Through national epic in verse that enshrined Persian mythology their animal fables and parables they advocated greater and mythical history, the Spiritual Couplets, a great civil and religious freedoms rather than upholding old number of prose histories all of which were consid- virtues of justice on the part of rulers and obedience on the The festival is held every year in the Pantin district of Paris with ered literature because of their formal and stylistic part of their subjects. In prose, a great number of socially the aim of expanding cinematic productions in other languages. characteristics. This great body of literary works had talk of medieval lyrics about doe-eyed beloveds and oriented writings, thinly disguised as travel accounts, his- The synopsis of the film states: “Shortly before the eclipse is been produced for the most part under royal patron- desperate lovers, they argued, was defunct; as was the torical novels, and epistolary debates between religious complete, the reality of the cupbearer’s life changes”. age, and as read by princes, philosophers and other kind of morality taught through the animal fables of conservatives and secular reformers began to appear, “Solar Eclipse” is a joint production of the Iranian company members of the elite. The tradition dictated a rather olden times. and satire became the dominant mode of social criticism. ‘Zel Sheshom’ and the ‘White Star’ which is a film and audiovisual rigid set of rules governing the forms and genres of this The Persian epic called The Shahnameh (Book of In content, the body of Iranian literature written in production company based in France, and the international dis- literature as well as its production and communication Kings), on the other hand, was thought to be a good the first two decades of twentieth century is marked by a tribution of the short film is provided by the ‘Manifest’ Company. in high circles. and useful book because it made Iranians aware of desire to make literature socially relevant and emulate the The Côté Court Association runs the Short Film Festival annually, Gradually, Iran’s exposure to Western cultures their national identity and proud of their ancient glory. literatures of the West. In language and form, however, this inviting film and movie enthusiasts as well as adults and children changed all that. Many nineteenth-century intellectuals Just as the system of government had to be changed literature has an ambivalent character. While its differ- to portray cinema in a short format. Acting as an ambassador for and social critics began to question the stringent rules in order to provide for people’s population in the af- ences with those of classical literature, it remains within the Short Film Festival, the Association has announced on its and regulations to which literature had been subjected. fairs of their country, Iran’s literature also had to be the traditional formal and generic categories. Whereas is official website that the festival has adopted an online setting for They also questioned the propriety and relevance of changed in a way that would make it understandable demonstrates ever bolder departures in subject matter, the Festival and will announce any in-person meetings where the themes and topics of the classical canon to what and enjoyable to the masses of people rather than to it still remains grounded in age-old narrative techniques applicable in order to comply with health protocols and regulations. they sensed to be a new and very different age. All the kings and courtiers. and characterization.