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Harry andMeghanMarkle’sprob life.”his throughout made he comments offensive many the of whitewash a was Philip wasincrediblyexcessiveandalso many, thecoverageofdeathPrince channel andBBCradiostations. a seriesofmirrored specialprograms. across bothBBCOneandTwotorun clear itsschedules ing thecorporationto April 9th, 2021, attheageof99,prompt programming. published intheUKabouttelevision complaints, thehighestnumberever Duke ofEdinburghhasdrawn110,000 true balanceandobjectivity.” encouraging critical thinking and offering simply shapingpublicopinion, ratherthan of role the play they truthfully, things on unfortunately, often, ratherthanreporting tain an incredible amount of influence and ing that,mainstreamplatformsstillmain Times. the poet,tells performance and activist Sudan,a political royal family,”Richard the to manyissues, includinghowtheycover comes it when neutral from and uncritical N activist racial society: a so-calledpost- Britain farfrom society. post-racial is farfromaso-called writer saysBritain London-based PARIS: APro-PalestineProtestorgetshit bypolicewatercanonastry tobreakupademonstrationinsolidaritywith Palestine Getty Images It’s clear for many people that as well as It’s clearformanypeoplethataswell What is your commentonPrince However, accordingtoSudan, “for The coveragealsotookoverthenews Prince PhilipdiedatWindsorCastleon The BBC’scoverageofthedeath “Whilesocialmediaiscertainlychang ofthemediaremainswholly “Much lostthe‘public opinion’ BY REZAMOSHFEGH comes to the royal family,to the a comes it uncritical when are media British oting thatmostofthe to Palestinians opinion’ battlefield Israel lostthe‘public battlefield toPalestinians battlefield Continued onpage5 WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM - - - - - Page 2 province being considered to be added to the to added be to considered being province TEHRAN – TheSafavid-era(1501-1736)Khan TEHRAN as sayingonTuesday. World Heritagelist, CHTNquotedJalilJabari pared forapossibleinscriptionontheUNESCO shortlist ofhistoricalIraniancaravanseraispre- preserved, theprovincialtourismchiefhassaid. of WestAzarbaijanisplannedtoberestoredand northwestern provinceCaravanserai inKhoy,the IRNA/ Marziyeh Mousavi Safavid-era caravanserai to caravanserai undergo restorationSafavid-era for registration UNESCO possible 8 Pages It isoneofthethreecaravanseraisin in Tehran INOTEX 2021underway at theexhibitionrepresentingtheirlatestachieve parks,technology andinvestorswillsetupbooths ment opportunitiestothem. investment forstartupsandintroduceinvest theeventwhichisaimedtoattract will attend havevisitedtheexhibition. people companies andstartupsmorethan60,000 the eventhostedover1,850 Iranianandforeign investors.editions,tional Duringthepastnine companiesanddomesticorinterna between knowledge,technical aswellpartnerships ply ofinnovationandtechnology,exchange held bothvirtually andin-persononMay18-21. at TehranPermanentInternationalFairground. Technology Exhibition(INOTEX2021)isunderway TEHRAN –The10thInternationalInnovationand It isexpectedthatmorethan20,000 people hasbecomeaplatformforthesup INOTEX Over 300 companies, startupaccelerators, The event, observing healthprotocols, is Price50,000Rials 1.00EURO Alekno win medalatTokyo: No guaranteeto 4.00AED Page 3 - - - - across thecountrytomakeashortlistintermsof assessing suchmonumentsthatarescattered on theUNESCOWorld Heritagelist. inscription possible a for caravansaries historical isdevelopingadossierforselectionofits official added. conserved andrepairedassoonpossible, the 43rdyear In 2019, thetourismministryannouncedthat This iswhythehistoricalstructuremustbe In thisregard, culturalheritageexpertsare projects orstart-ups. technological in invest to opportunity the to manufacturers, andalsointroducesinvestors ing customersoftechnologyproductstotheir in additiontoconnect medium-sized industries introduce thelatesttechnologiestolargeand for innovationandtechnology, whichseeksto inthepresenceofjudgesandinvestors. other event,the startupownerscompetedwitheach in ordertoattractinvestorsbyholdingmeetings. opportunity fortheentrepreneursandstartupowners and opportunitiesoftheinnovationecosystem. challenges on held sessions speakers Stage,the INOTEX the At ecosystem. startup a of demands be heldduring thefour-dayevent. ments,with morethan30hours’eventsto side Established in2012,INOTEXisaplatform Different sections of INOTEX meet the different At theINOTEXPeach,anothersectionof an Café provided Sarmayeh named section A No.13946

Wednesday

MAY 19, 2021 19, in Ardebil Giant kilim unveiled - ners oftheyard. and stablesbehindthemwithdoorsinthecor rooms wereconstructedaroundthecourtyard supported byelevatedload-bearingwalls. Guest building.the Theyoftenhadmassiveportals a groupoftravelers andseari(orsara)means ing “caravan” with“serai”.Thefirststandfor their architecture, historicalandculturalvalues.

Caravanserai isacompoundwordcombin Ordibehesht29,1400 with Palestine Yemenis holdmassiveralliesinsolidarity sistance forcestoIsraelcollapsedtheso-called the Century” he said, “Missiles fired by the Re regime ofIsrael, ance movement in the fight against the usurper solidarity withthePalestinianpeopleandResist Sana’a stagedalarge-scalerallytoshowtheir line.” arereadytohelpSaudiArabiainthis “Yemen with itsplanestofreePalestine, emphasizing Houthi, calledtheSaudi-ledcoalitionforgoing Political CouncilofYemenMohammedAlial- Resistance movement, amemberofSupreme eni capitalSana’ainsupporttothePalestinian aggression, Almasirahreported. tinian resistanceagainsttheZionistregime’s Pales with solidarity in Sana’a capital in the Thousands ofYemenisorganizedamassiverally enthusiasm inthe society. age whohave helped improvehopeand and girlsbetween 18and35yearsof as wellsocialinnovation. philanthropy, altruism, self-confidence, youth whohave endeavored topromote in TehranonTuesdaywithhonoring the Eternal InnovativeYouthAwardwas held The closingceremonyoftheNational Innovative In alarge-scalerallyheldonMondayinYem Pointing totheAmerican-Zionist“Dealof Thousands ofpeopleinYemen’s capital The organizersalso appreciatedboys I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y Page 6 wraps up National Eternal Award Youth See page3 See

Continued onpage6 Shawwal

7, 1442 Over $761m allocated for emergency TEHRAN -IsmailHaniyeh, TEHRAN – Oscar-nominated TEHRAN –Oscar-nominated occupiers against Al-Quds,the against occupiers brutal crimes oftheZionist in Palestine. Israeli regimeiscommitting ing himoftheatrocities Seyed AliKhamenei, inform Revolution ofIran, Ayatollah to theLeader oftheIslamic ical Bureau, hassentaletter chairman oftheHamasPolit made duringIAAdirectorBah was to thedepartment Majidi Iranian AcademyofArts(IAA). of theCinemaDepartmentat director the as selected been has Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi inaugurating newprojectsin year (startedonMarch21). in thecurrentIraniancalendar shortage severewater facing supply inprovinces thatare million) foremergencywater of 32 trillionrials(about$761.2 allocation the announced has RezaArdakanian Minister Energy Iranian – TEHRAN Cinema Department’s president The decisiontoappoint inaceremonyfor Speaking Haniyeh described the described Haniyeh Director MajidMajidinamed - - water supplyindryregions at IranianAcademy ofArt Hamas sendsletter to Ayatollah Khamenei - - - - clusively totheJews hated theirreligion.hated to materialismcreated bynon-religiousJewswho nationalism, religion to from is thetransformation explains: “Zionismisonlyaround 100yearsold. It the Biblicalclaim, JewishRabbi YisroelDovidWeiss landofPalestineinthename religion.the Asfor led bynon-religiousJews who intendedtooccupy parts oftheworld, Zionismwas apoliticalmovement used two major justifications for occupying Palestine: Zionists The favor. their in tide the 1940s,turned of theJewsinEurope,especiallyGermany of thebiblical“promisedland”andpersecution course of history forever. The Zionist justification tion of1917”announcedbytheBritish,changed “Balfour Declara the and century 19th the in Europe evictions. However, theriseofmodernZionismin to confiscating each other’s properties or large-scale instances of clashes in different times, it never led were there Palestine.Although in peace in lived of Mea’raj. Mohammad ascendedtoheaven onthenight Muslims, thisistheplacefromwhereProphet was born, preachedandwascrucified. Forthe this istheplacewhereMessiah, Jesus Christ, of ProphetSolomonstood.FortheChristians Christianity andIslam. that tracetheirrootstoProphetAbraham: Judaism, sacredtoallthreereligions Palestine isconsidered does itbelong? Palestine, towhom For thepracticingJewsin Palestine aswellother b. ThepersecutionoftheJewsin Europe a. TheBiblicalclaimofPalestinebelongingex centuries theJews,For ChristiansandMuslims For theJews, thisistheplacewheretemple region, headded. regime andfoiledtheirmaliciousgoalsinthe the plansofUnitedStatesandZionist thisresistancemovementisagainst because Resistance Movement (Hamas)aterrorist ian people.” that conveyeditsmessagetothePalestin presence ofYemenipeopleintoday’srally gime, hesaid, “We appreciatethemassive re Zionist the against Ummah Islamic the firmly stoodattheforefrontofdefending Houthi noted. by thePalestinianresistancegroups,al- nations mustcountertheseattacksandstand and territoriestheArabIslamic Al-Aqsa Mosqueandtheoccupiedlands “Deal oftheCentury”inpractice. BY ANTHONYMATHEWJACOB need is met export until domestic No COVID-19vaccine Emphasizing thatPalestinianpeoplehave The Zionistregime’s forcesareattacking Saudi Arabiaterms PalestinianIslamic - - - Organization ofIran. mer directoroftheCinema mad-Mehdi Heidarian, for- sanctities, Palestinian peopleand the occupyingregimeagainst the andcrimesof aggression the of escalation the to due that Information Center. to thePalestinian according 1948 occupiedterritories, the Mosque,Gaza and Al-Aqsa Sheikh Jarrahneighborhood, the IAA announced on Tuesday. on the IAAannounced filmmaker, the with meeting man Namvar-Motlaq’srecent in suchregions.” ply ofwaterforpeopleliving going toensuresustainedsup programs in dry provinces is programs indry ing emergencywatersupply resources forimplement of rials trillion “Approving32 said:Tuesday,Ardakanian istry’s A-B-Iranschemeon seventh weekofthemin the In the letter, Haniyehstated In theletter, Majidi replacedMoham Page 7 Continued onpage8 Continued onpage5 Continued onpage4 Continued onpage3 ------I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS MAY 19, 2021

ELECTION WIRE Prominent candidates MP: U.S. must guarantee introduced

POLITICAL TEHRAN — As the registration for the deskJune 18 presidential elections closed on sanction removal Saturday, the Tehran Times has decided to provide respectful readers with brief introductions of prominent presidential candidates. This series of introduction will continue tomorrow. ‘Rushing in verification of sanctions removal would result in continuation of sanctions’ POLITICAL TEHRAN — Seyyed He added, “On the other hand, suppose Known to the public as former president, Mahmoud Ah- deskMahmoud Nabavian, the that the banking embargo on Iran is lifted, madinejad was born in 1956. He was president from 2005 representative of Tehran in the parliament, all ships carrying oil must have insurance, in to 2013 for two consecutive four-year terms. says that a verification of sanctions removal which case, the Americans say that we did not Ahmadinejad served in positions such as governor of Ardebil is not possible in a short term and the United promise you to lift the insurance embargo.” (1993 to 1997), and mayor of Tehran (2003-2005). He got States must guarantee that it will lift all Underlining removal of all sanctions, the post of mayor after he was elected as a city councilor from sanctions on Iran. particularly those related to SWIFT, the MP the metropolis of Tehran in 2003. In that year, principlists “Sanctions should be lifted together, not said that the verification in his view is that won all the council seats in Tehran. that the Americans lift one of our sanctions all sanctions on Iran, including oil, banking, During his 2005 election campaign, he used populist today and lift another one a few months transportation, nuclear and missile, should techniques to attract the low-income communities. later if they so wish,” Nabavian said in be lifted. Considered as a brand-new politician, he has his own an interview with the “Our traders must be able to do their oil ideology known as “Ahmadinejadism.” published on Tuesday. and non-oil exchanges as well,” he stressed. He registered for the June presidential elections, saying Nabavian also said that the negotiation He said that Iran insists that the interests that he is entering the race due to an insistence by the people. over the return of the U.S. to the Joint of the Iranian people must be secured and Masoud Pezeshkian Comprehensive Plan of Action is that sanctions be lifted in full, that all the Masoud Pezeshkian is a reformist, who served as former first “unnecessary” as the it did not negotiate with world’s banks be able to transact with Iran, deputy parliament speaker in the two previous parliaments. Iran or the JCPOA Joint Commission when that any of Iran’s oil and non-oil exports Currently he is serving as the representative of Tabriz in it withdrew from the multilateral agreement. be facilitated, and that Iranian merchants the parliament. Born in 1954, he was also minister of health “The International Atomic Energy Agency report to the parliament and say that they from 2001 to 2005. verified that Iran was committed to its JCPOA Iran.” and that we can sell two million barrels of oil. have no problem in this regard. Pezeshkian is a heart surgeon and an academic member obligations 15 times,” he stated. Stating that the lifting of sanctions must In the next stage, it is necessary for the money “Verification of these issues takes at least of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences at the present time. The Trump administration withdrew be verified, he said it should not be in a way from the sale of oil to enter the country. In 6 months,” he predicted. He is also a member of Iran-Turkey Friendship society from the JCPOA, the official name for that the Americans say that the sanctions on this situation, the Americans will definitely Nabavian reiterated that a hasty in the parliament. the 2015 nuclear deal, in May 2018. His Iran have been lifted and that the Islamic say that we said that the sanctions on the verification means nothing but a continuation The MP has stated it is necessary to approve the FATF, administration’s move was foolish in terms Republic should accept it without verification. sale of Iranian oil have been lifted and we of sanctions. comparing it to FIFA establishment. Yet, he proposed Iran of diplomacy, and ethics. He then moved on to exemplify the did not talk about the lifting of the banking In that case only one or two banks will to create a domestic anti-money laundering system similar The MP said, “The is verification process, saying, “I need to give sanctions! Accordingly, the lifting of the oil have ties with Iran, or that only $5 billion to the FATF. following ‘negotiations for negotiations’ an example. Suppose the United States say embargo without the lifting of the banking of Iran’s blocked money is released, which Pezeshkian defends free market and fair and a just tax policy, and seeks to gain advantage from that sanctions on Iranian oil have been lifted embargo is of no use to us and is ineffective.” will be of no value, he stated. system. He has said that he will create a well-founded tax system if elected president. He has also proposed an interesting issue, suggesting to give provinces more authorities to run their affairs. He has declined to comment on the Joint Comprehensive Palestine is again a focus of ‘global moral campaign’, Iran says Plan of Action (the JCPOA), the official name for the 2015 POLITICAL TEHRAN— Speaking at his weekly uphold the rights of these oppressed peoples in accordance pressures from the United States, he said the next elected nuclear deal. deskpress briefing on Tuesday, Ali Rabiei, with international law and norms,” he reiterated. government should enjoy the support of the majority. The heart surgeon has also frequently criticized South the Iranian government spokesman, responded to the ‘Spokesman thanks Leader for clarifying speech’ Pointing to other advantages of a high voter turnout, Korea, saying that Iran has created a lucrative market for recent atrocities of the Israeli regime in Gaza, saying that Elsewhere in his remarks, Rabiei began to respond to the spokesman said, “In a world of emerging regional de- the Koreans, whereas they don’t give Iran’s oil money back. the Palestine issue has once again turned into a “global questions about the elections. velopments and a new world order, a government that is Pezeshkian says the FATF is a necessity, noting that with- moral campaign”. He began his remarks by thanking the Leader about his not backed by the majority will not be able to position itself out the FATF Iran cannot do trades with regional countries “The Zionist regime is shamelessly committing its crimes enlightening speech on May 12, saying, “These days, the in the best interests of Iran, since gaining Iran’s worthy and neighbors. against the oppressed people of Palestine in a violent and country has entered the election atmosphere. Regarding position in the region and the world today requires a high His slogan is “Honesty, justice, and fairness.” aggressive manner, ignoring the most basic global principles, the elections, I would first like to express my gratitude for level of social asset, which requires maximum participation Rostam Ghasemi treaties and resolutions,” he lamented. the enlightening statements of the Leader of the (Islamic) of the people in electing the next president.” Born in 1964, Rostam Ghasemi served as minister of oil The spokesman said now everyone can see the support Revolution. This approach should be an example for all Rabiei also noted that a strong involvement in interna- in the Ahmadinejad administration. for justice and freedom of the Palestinian people from five institutions that somehow influence the election process. tional arena requires a strong government, and a strong After the Iran-Iraq war, he joined the Khatam-al Anbia continents. He declared maximum participation as the first priority of government “will be achieved through high participation.” troops in Bushehr, the Guards’ engineering and construction “Today, as the global conscience has awaken to this bar- all those involved and the nation.” The upcoming presidential elections will be held on June 18. Company. barism in the 21st century, we continue to stand with the Referring to the difficult conditions in the society due to Council will announce the names of the He was director of the Khatam-al Anbiya Construction Palestinian people in support of this global cause and to the coronavirus pandemic, sanctions, the ensuing economic final candidates after careful screening on May 27. Headquarters from 2007 to 2011. On 26 July 2011, he was nominated as oil minister by Ahmadinejad to succeed Masoud Mir Kazemi. He is one of the persons included on the Resistance is only approach to end Iran’s advances in aircraft engine highlighted sanction list. Prior to his registration for the upcoming presidential apartheid in Palestine: veteran politician by top general elections, he said he will extend his hand to all Iranians whose POLITICAL TEHRAN — The chief of once again demonstrated its ineptitude as a POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian manufacturing advanced aerial engines “hearts beat for Iran” with “different political persuasions” desk desk to help make the country economically prosperous. Iran’s Strategic Council on result of sabotage by the U.S. and pro-Zionist scientists have made due to the efforts of its experts and scien- He says that Iran should change what he calls “imploring Foreign Policy Kamal Kharrazi suggested on nations,” he noted. significant progress in designing and man- tists, he added, noting that thousands of diplomacy” to “diplomacy of power”. Tuesday that resistance is the primary tactic He said what is happening in Palestine ufacturing engines used in various aircraft aircraft, drones, and missiles in Iran have Ghasemi also says that the United States “must return to put an end to the crimes of the apartheid today is not solely an Islamic or Arab issue. and missiles, according to Major General been equipped with homegrown engines. to the JCPOA without any preconditions.” Zionist regime in Palestine. The veteran politician stated that recog- Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Chief of Staff The senior commander also highlight- In his April 20 press conference, he also said lifting sanc- “The only way to thoroughly defeat this nizing Palestinian wishes is the only answer to of the Iranian Armed Forces. ed that all advancements in the defense tions is a “first priority” and making sanctions ineffective criminal regime and transform its apartheid the country’s problems, saying the prevailing During a visit to a factory producing industry have taken place in the face of comes next. government into a democratic one is to main- notion in the world today is to end the apartheid homegrown “Owj” turbojet engines, General harsh foreign sanctions. “Now removing sanctions is the first priority and making tain the Palestinian people’s resistance and Zionist rule in Palestine and establishing a Bagheri said Iran is now among a select Iranian officials have frequently stated them ineffective is the next priority. If I want to negotiate, I that the world’s freedom-seekers support single democratic administration. group of countries in the world with the that the country will not hesitate to devel- will strengthen the country’s economy,” Ghasemi pointed out. Palestinians in their battles,” Kharrazi re- To end more than seven decades of blood- knowledge to manufacture engines for ae- op its military capabilities, particularly its The former director of the IRGC construction unit says, marked on Tuesday. shed and violence in the occupied territories, rial vehicles that are at the cutting-edge missile industry, which is solely for de- “I see no ban on having relations with all countries in the The former foreign minister also said, Iran has suggested holding a referendum with of technology. fensive purposes, and that Iran’s defense world except the Zionist regime.” “The Security Council has the participation of all native inhabitants. Iran has fully matured in designing and capabilities will never be negotiated. On the issue of corruption, Ghasemi says it is necessary to counter corruption and creating a transparent atmosphere to develop the economy. He says he has a plan to overcome the “difficult living Health must be a top priority in the Iran nuclear deal: The Lancet conditions” but his major plan is to restructure state in- Unilateral U.S. in recent years have been continue to surge given the inadequate vaccination levels of the under any sanction regime. Given the impact of current sanc- stitutions. harsh on the health and lives of Iranians, The Lancet wrote in population. Despite compelling evidence on the harsh effect on tions on citizens’ health, immediate action is needed to review a commentary on May 17. health, the sanction-implementing agencies have always stated barriers to the equitable access of people to medicines and Many scholars have reported that sanctions markedly de- they did not target people’s health and that essential medicines medical supplies. teriorate people’s health. and equipment are exempt from the embargo. In parallel with the task force work, we recommend the Restrictions on financial transactions and trade undermine Following President Biden’s inauguration, a new round formation of an additional group to identify immediate meas- Zaribafan quits election race access to basic needs such as food, medicine, and medical sup- of negotiations on returning to the Iran nuclear deal has be- ures to reduce the impact of sanctions on health. For example, plies. Moreover, the impacts of sanctions on the economy have gun. Two task forces have been defined in the preliminary protecting certain banking channels through specific financial in favor of Raisi decreased the ability of Iranians to pay for life-saving services. negotiations: one to return sanctions imposed during the institutions could facilitate the provision of medicines and Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic has multiplied the Trump administration and the other to return Iran to the health-related products. Immediate policies are required to POLITICAL TEHRAN — Masoud Zaribafan, a former desk negative impact of the sanctions. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action commitments. Experi- alleviate the negative effects of sanctions to save lives in Iran. MP who registered to run for the upcoming Iran is seeing the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, ence of previous negotiations has shown that reaching any Agreements on health should be on a shorter timeline than presidential elections, released a statement on Tuesday saying with a daily death toll of more than 360 people, as of May 13, agreement can take months. One area of mutual agreement other disrupted issues that might require longer and more that he is withdrawing his candidacy in favor of Judiciary 2021, according to WHO. Case numbers and mortality might is that people’s health, as a human right, must be preserved serious negotiations. Chief Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi. In his statement, Zaribafan said by seeking the views of experts and consultations with friends he reached the con- clusion that his withdrawal from the election race will help Iranian Army holds cyber defense drill Parliament: All sanctions must be lifted people elect a “visionary” president. It is expected that more principlist candidates to withdraw POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Irani- POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iran’s aration or categorization of the sanctions from the election race in the coming days in favor of Raisi, deskan Army staged a digital desklawmakers on Tuesday that would result in a continuation of part thereby raising his chances at the June 18 elections. defense exercise on Tuesday to prepare for ruled out any classification of sanctions whose of economic constraints against the Irani- potential cyberattacks. termination is being discussed in the JCPOA an people and prevention or disruption of Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, Dep- talks in Vienna, emphasizing that nothing will economic benefits.” Hossein Mar’ashi uty Chief of the Army for Coordination change unless all sanctions against Iran are The lawmakers stated unequivocally that appointed as Jahangiri Affairs, stated that the drill, dubbed Fath-1 lifted in a verifiable and irreversible manner. U.S. sanctions must be fully, verifiably, and (Conquest-1), was intended at strengthening efforts will be made to close the loopholes. In a statement about the JCPOA nego- irreversibly lifted, and that failure to do so campaign manager the Army’s cyber defense capabilities and “With the war exercises we will stage tiations released on Tuesday, 200 Iranian would imply that no sanctions were lifted. testing cyber threat response methods. soon, God willing, we will lessen and elim- parliamentarians signed a statement high- An acceptance of a number of remaining POLITICAL TEHRAN— Hossein Mar’ashi, a senior He went on to say that cyber defense inate the weaknesses in dealing with cyber lighted that the main condition for Tehran’s sanctions would imply their legitimacy, the deskmember of the Servants of Construction has evolved into the fifth dimension of the threats,” he explained. return to the JCPOA commitments is the “real MPs alerted. Party (SCP), was introduced on Tuesday as Es’haq Jahangiri’s battlefield, with a key role in improving According to the rear admiral, several cessation of all sanctions and their thorough Earlier this month, the National Security campaign manager. the Army’s combat capabilities. hundred young Army officers have organized verification.” and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian After more consultations with his staff, Jahangiri elected According to the commander, the cyber cells on the platform of local and foreign The statement noted that the criterion Parliament warned that if the negotiating Fatemeh Pahlavani as his spokesperson and secretary of the drill included numerous techniques devised systems to carry out cyber defense oper- for evaluating the results of the Vienna talks parties failed to reach an agreement on the policymaking council, and Mohammad Rahbari as senior by the young personnel. ations during the exercise. is economic benefits for the Iranian nation revival of the JCPOA by May 24, the Iranian assistant. He added, “We have a lot of strong points The General Staff of the Iranian Armed from the 2015 nuclear deal, the common Parliament’s nuclear ratification would take The presidential campaigns will begin on May 28, a day in the drill and strive to improve them.” Forces warned in August 2020 that cyber name for the Joint Comprehensive Plan effect, according to which the IAEA would after the announces the names of the qual- The rear admiral announced that in cy- threats from any state, group, or individual of Action. be given no access to data recorded at the ified presidential candidates. ber war drills that the Army will hold soon against Iran would be dealt with decisively. “The Parliament will not accept any sep- country’s nuclear sites. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MAY 19, 2021 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS Israel lost the ‘public opinion’ No guarantee to win medal at Tokyo: Alekno battlefield to Palestinians SPORTSTEHRAN - Iran national volleyball team head deskcoach Vladimir Alekno says that there is no POLITICAL TEHRAN – Israel is fac- and thereby pushing Israel to stop them. guarantee they will climb the podium at this year’s Olympic Games. desking a full-blown campaign The campaign has successfully made the Iran have been drawn along with Japan, Poland, Italy, Canada of criticism over the atrocities it is committing Palestinian voice heard around the world. and in Pool A of the 2020 Olympic Games. Pool B against civilians in Gaza and elsewhere in “For the first time, mass media can’t consists of Brazil, the U.S., Russia, Argentina, France and Tunisia. Palestine, and this is partly because Pales- control the narrative around Palestine. No In a news conference held in Tehran, capital of Iran, Alekno tinians, along with other freedom-loving one can hide the abuse from social media. said they will do their best to win the first-ever medal at the activists across the globe, are doing their Our phones have become our biggest weap- Olympics but there is no guarantee it will happen. utmost to present a clear picture of what’s ons. The power is shifting right before our happening on the ground. eyes,” tweeted Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, 29, the “Why do we deserve this? What did we do Palestinian-Jordanian-American founder of for this?” asked a 10-year-old grieving girl in MuslimGirl.com, whose posts on the topic front of the rubble of a building demolished have been ubiquitous across social media by an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip. “It’s over the past week, according to The New not fair,” she said in a video that went viral on York Times. social media platforms while shedding heart- “It feels different this time, it definitely breaking tears. The short video, published by does,” she told the Times. Middle East Eye on , was viewed more This happened because Israeli crimes can than 12.8 million times, reflecting a widespread no longer be hidden. They are so egregious sympathy with the Palestinian people. that no one can ignore them. For example, The video was only one piece in the mul- Israel failed to provide a shred of evidence that ti-pronged campaign of the Palestinian people, campaign of terror against the Palestinians has called for de-escalation but did nothing al-Jalaa tower was housing members of Hamas. who seem to have broken with their traditional without achieving any success. to pressure Israel to stop its carnage cam- That’s why Israel resorted to misinfor- political leaders in the West Bank. Israel’s continued bombardment and paign in Gaza. This was evident from the mation. Ofir Gendelman, a spokesman for “First of all, I have to say I will not promise to win a medal Since the early days of the holy month of repression against the Palestinians did not Biden administration’s decision to dispatch Netanyahu, posted a video on Twitter pur- at the Olympics and only charlatan coaches do that. I am a vol- Ramadan, Palestinians began to peaceful- prevent them from continuing their quest a low-ranking diplomat to the region. portedly showing militants launch rocket leyball coach for 25 years but I never promised to win a medal ly push back against Israel after it imposed for freedom. On Tuesday, all Palestinians in But the growing support for Palestine and attacks at Israelis from densely populated in a tournament. We will make our best to make the Iranians new bans on public activities in occupied Israel, occupied East Jerusalem and the West criticism against Israel in the world pushed civilian areas. But said happy,” Alekno said. East Jerusalem in what appeared to be a Bank shuttered their shops and businesses the Biden administration to do more to put the video was neither from Gaza nor from The Russian coach has most recently worked at Zenit Kazan preparatory measure to pave the way for in a first general strike in decades. The strike an end to Israeli atrocities. President Biden this week. In fact, it was from 2018. but he says there is difference between Iran volleyball team and evicting Palestinian families from the homes was particularly outstanding in Arab towns spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister The misinformation may explain why the Russian club. in Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. and cities inside Israel, which had been calm Benjamin Netanyahu and urged him to end Israel is falling into disrepute even among “Iranian team are technically good but they are not physically However, Israel moved ahead with its con- and silent in the not-so-distant past. strikes on Gaza for the first time since the Jews. A landmark study of U.S. Jews by the strong as Russia and Poland are. There is no enough time and I’d troversial, inhumane decision to evict the But the so-called Israeli Arabs are making Israeli air raids began. American news web- Pew Research Center has demonstrated that rather prepare the players mentally for the Games. Palestinian families and replace them with it clear that they are an integral part of the site Axios quoted an Israeli official as saying young American Jews are increasingly likely “We’ve analyzed the Iran league competition and I have to say extremist Jews, something that enraged Palestinian people and cause. Over the past that the Biden administration hadn’t given to say they have less emotional attachment the Iranian players use float serve but they must use jump float the Palestinians and hundreds of millions weeks, Palestinians from the Jordan River Israel a deadline for reaching a ceasefire but to Israel. According to the study, the level serve in the big matches. I think we are weak in reception and of people around the world. to the Mediterranean Sea have staged angry had been stressing on Monday that it was of connection of U.S. Jews with Israel is on need to work to solve the problem,” the Russian coach added. Right from the start, Palestinians, espe- protests against Israeli racist policies. reaching the end of its ability to hold back the decline among younger Jews. Under coaching of Alekno, Russia won a gold and bronze cially the youth, showed a great deal of unity The Palestinian struggle for freedom rever- international pressure on Israel over the The level of connection to Israel in 2020 is medal in 2012 and 2008 Olympic Games, respectively. Now, he and sympathy with each other all over Pal- berated across the globe, causing freedom-lov- Gaza operation. significantly lower for the younger generation, says the Tokyo 2020 will be his last Olympics as a coach. estine. In Gaza, people took to the streets to ing activists to hold huge demonstrations in The American turnabout came after Pal- with only 48% of those aged 18-29 saying “To bid farewell to volleyball is very hard for me since I’ve protest against the Israeli evictions and when almost all big Western cities. estinians and their supporters mounted a they have an emotional attachment to Israel, spent 40 years of my life working in the sport. It’s very tempting their voice was not heard, they responded to The overwhelming support for Palestine campaign, both on social media and the and 51% saying they have little or no such to participate in Olympics for the fourth time but I need some the Israeli misconduct. Israel intensified its has put the Biden administration in a bind. It streets, to shed light on the Israeli crimes connection, The Jerusalem Post reported. rest after the Games. I cannot work with half of my energy and prefer to work as a technical manager in a Russian team,” Alekno went on to say. Hamas sends letter to Ayatollah Khamenei “We have talked to Argentina and France coaches to play friendly matches in Tokyo. The matches will be held as part of 1 “we established extensive contacts with various Iranian foreign minister on the latest situation in the occu- infrastructure in Gaza—including power and water sup- preparation for the Olympic Games ahead of the event,” Alekno said. parties and asked them to prevent the advancement of pied territories and the usurping Zionist regime’s attacks ply—is effectively destroyed. We are facing blatant and Iran volleyball team will take part at the 2021 FIVB Volleyball the enemy’s crimes and sinister goals and warned that against Palestinians as well as the Palestinian people who systematic violations of human rights, humanitarian law Nations League (VNL) in Rimini, Italy and Alekno says that the these crimes will certainly not go unanswered by the are resisting with all their power. and international law.” tournament can be a good preparatory event for the Olympics. Palestinian people and Resistance.” During the phone call, Haniyeh also asked Foreign Minister He added, “The massacre of Palestinian children today “We have a chance to field our young players in the VNL. The He stated that the insistence of the criminal leaders Zarif for Iran’s support for the Palestinian people’s resistance. follows the purported ‘normalization.’ This criminal and competition can prepare us for the Olympics. Several players have of the Zionist regime on continuing their aggression The Iranian foreign minister, in turn, reaffirmed Iran’s genocidal regime has once again proven that friendly ges- a bright future in Iran volleyball. Javad Karimi and Amirhos- against the nation, the land and the sanctities of Pales- solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine, and con- tures only aggravate its atrocities. The sole aim of Israel’s sein Esfandiar must change their mentality if they want to be tine, required a decisive and legitimate response by the demned the usurping and brutish Zionist regime’s measures hypocritical gestures is to divide Muslims and isolate the successful. Saber Kazemi and Bardia Saadat will have a bright Resistance in the Gaza Strip. against the fasting people of Palestine as well as its attack people of Palestine. Make no mistake: Israel only under- future,” Alekno concluded. Haniyeh noted that today the criminal enemy, with the against Al-Aqsa Mosque and martyring and wounding de- stands the language of resistance and the people of Palestine deadliest internationally banned weapons, commits the fenseless worshippers. are fully entitled to the right to defend themselves and most barbaric crimes against the people of Gaza around Zarif reiterated Iran’s all-out support for the legitimate to defy the bullying of this racist regime. These barbaric Esteghlal face Zob Ahan in must- the clock, as well as the most heinous crimes against the rights of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause. acts have proven once again that the only peaceful path to demonstrators in al-Quds (Jerusalem), the West Bank He also briefed Haniyeh on his consultations with Turk- peace in Palestine is the holding of a referendum among win game: Hazfi Cup ish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on supporting the all residents of Palestine, including displaced Palestinians and the 1948 occupied territories. SPORTS Palestinian people’s resistance at the United Nations and and refugees.” TEHRAN – Esteghlal football team will host Haniyeh pointed out that in the face of these incessant deskZob Ahan in Iran’s Hazfi Cup Round of 16 on crimes, “we call for immediate action and mobilization of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The chief Iranian diplomat also said that the Palestinian A few hours earlier, Zarif had spoken with his Turkish question is not only an Arab or Islamic issue, but also an Wednesday. The match will be held 10 days after the Blues suf- Islamic, Arab and international positions in order to take fered a 2-0 home loss to Zob Ahan in Iran Professional League. decisive positions and force the Zionist enemy to stop its counterpart about the latest status of the Holy Quds and international dilemma. He said the international community the developments in the occupied territories. has a duty to stop the Israeli atrocities. Esteghlal also lost to archrivals Persepolis 1-0 on Friday and crimes against the besieged people of Gaza, to stop any ag- the match against Zob Ahan is a must-win game for them. gression against the residents of Jerusalem and its sanctities, The OIC held a virtual emergency meeting of foreign “It must not be forgotten that Palestine is not only an ministers on Sunday. During the meeting, Zarif said, “We Arab or Islamic issue, but also an international dilemma. The On the other hand, Zob Ahan are struggling to escape the and to put an end to any aggression against Al-Aqsa Mosque relegation zone and winning Hazfi Cup title means that they and the Palestinian worshipers inside it.” witness the most heinous crimes being perpetrated against our crimes committed against the innocent Palestinian people brothers and sisters by Zionist forces in occupied Palestine.” over decades weigh heavy on the conscience of humanity. can book a place in the next season’s AFC Champions League. This was the second letter sent by the chief of Hamas Esteghlal have defeated Zob Ahan three times in Hazfi Cup Political Bureau to the Leader in about ten days. Zarif noted, “Innocent men, women and children are The international community, therefore, has a duty to con- being massacred by the deadliest and most sophisticat- demn the Israeli regime in the strongest terms and compel and lost two times. Haniyeh also spoke by phone with the Iranian Foreign The match will be held in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. Minister at the start of Israeli ed weapons. Homes are being demolished while their it to end the destruction and siege of Gaza,” the foreign residents are trapped inside. Whatever remains of the minister pointed out. The Iran’s Hazfi Cup was founded in 1975 and Esteghlal are aggression against the Palestinian people. He briefed the the most successful club with seven titles, followed by Persepolis who have won six titles. Draw in full: Zarif slams American arms sales to Israel amid Gaza war *Zob Ahan v Esteghlal *Persepolis v Shahin Bandar Ameri “The world is watching as Israel and its enabler show their ugly faces” *Tractor v Aluminum * Khooshe Talaei v Sepahan POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian For- ington Post reported on Monday. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Tex.), who also The U.S. blocked a joint statement by the *Gol Gohar v Pars Jonoubi deskeign Minister Mohammad Citing three sources familiar with the matter, sits on the committee, echoed Omar’s con- Security Council on Palestine. On Monday, *Qashqai v Foolad Javad Zarif has criticized the U.S. for selling the American newspaper said Congress was cerns about the “timing of this weapons sale” the Council held a virtual meeting to discuss *Nassaji v Malavan state-of-the-art arms to Israel while it con- officially notified of the proposed sale on May 5. and the “message it will send to Israel and the situation in Palestine. During the meeting, *Kheybar Khorramabad v Sanat Naft tinues to bombard civilians in the Gaza Strip. The move aroused concerns in Congress the world about the urgency of a cease fire, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi blamed The top Iranian diplomat said these arms sales about the U.S. providing support for the Israeli and the open questions about the legality the U.S. for blocking the issuance of a joint showed the “ugly faces” of the U.S. and Israel. regime amid a deadly war on Gaza. of Israel’s military strikes that have killed statement by the Council. Zorya eye to sign Sayyadmanesh “As U.S.-made munitions rain down on “It would be appalling for the Biden Ad- civilians in Gaza.” “China has been working with the relevant on permanent deal innocent Palestinians, U.S. gives another ministration to go through with $735 million “The United States government must not countries to draft a Security Council press $735M in ‘precision’ missiles to Israel to kill in precision-guided weaponry to Netanyahu exacerbate this horrific violence. The Amer- statement. Regrettably, however, the Security SPORTSTEHRAN – Ukrainian football club Zorya more children with more precision. Then U.S. without any strings attached in the wake of ican people expect Congress to take a hard Council has not been able to speak in one voice deskLuhansk are going to sign Iranian international blocks the mildest possible UNSC statement. escalating violence and attacks on civilians,” look at how military aid and weapon sales till today because of the obstruction by one winger Allahyar Sayyadmanesh on permanent deal. The world is watching as Israel & its enabler Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a member of are used and ensure that human rights are single country. We call upon the United States The 21-year-old player joined Zorya on a loan deal in October show their ugly faces,” Zarif said on Twitter. the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said upheld,” Castro said in a statement. to shoulder its due responsibilities, take a just 2020. Zarif was referring to the Biden admin- in a statement Monday, responding to The Meanwhile, the Biden administration position and, together with the majority of the He penned a five-year deal with Fenerbahce in July 20219 istration’s approval of a new arms sale deal Washington Post’s reporting. “If this goes prevented the UN Security Council from international community, support the Security however didn’t live up to the expectations. with Israel. The Biden administration has through this will be seen as a green light for issuing a statement on the Gaza crisis, sig- Council in easing the situation, rebuilding The forward was a member of Iran football team who qualified approved the sale of $735 million in preci- continued escalation and will undercut any naling that its support for Israel was not trust and advancing political settlement,” for the 2017 FIFA U 17 World Cup quarter-final in India. sion-guided weapons to Israel, The Wash- attempts at brokering a ceasefire.” limited to arms sales. the top Chinese diplomat said. Now, the Turkish media reports suggest that Zorya want to sign Sayyadmanesh on a permanent deal. Zarif holds high-level talks in Italy Al Ahli eye Esteghlal star POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister and medium-sized enterprises of both countries. their mutual cooperation beyond the current level. deskMohammad Javad Zarif held meetings The Iranian top diplomat called for the removal of exist- Zarif also met with the Vatican’s Prime Minister Cardinal Mehdi Ghaedi with a number of high-ranking Italian officials during his ing barriers and preparing the ground to enter a new era of Pietro Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop tour of several European countries. cooperation between the two sides, especially in economy. Paul Gallagher in the Vatican City. During the Monday meeting, SPORTSTEHRAN — Super Stars League outfit Al Ahli desk In continuation of his meetings in Italy and the Vatican, Zarif went on to highlight the dangerous situation in the the latest developments in Iran’s bilateral relations with the have set their sight to sign Esteghlal iconic Zarif met with Paolo Petrocelli, the chairman of the Foreign region caused by Israel’s moves, and condemned Tel Aviv’s Vatican as well as the situation of the region were discussed. forward Mehdi Ghaedi. Policy Committee of the Italian Senate, at the residence of acts of violence against Palestinian people. Foreign Minister Zarif briefed the Vatican’s prime minister The Qatari club has previously negotiated with Persepolis the Iranian ambassador in Rome, according to a statement He also expounded on Tehran’s stance on the situation and secretary for relations with states on Iran’s view of the defender Hossein Kanaanizadegan. issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. in Yemen and Afghanistan. developments pertaining to the JCPOA, the Persian Gulf Qatar-based Al-Sharq newspaper has reported that Iranian In the meeting, Zarif touched upon the 160-year-old re- The senior Italian parliamentarian, in turn, underscored region, Palestine, West Asia, and Afghanistan. midfielder Omid Ebrahimi wants to join Al Wakra and Al Ahli lations between Tehran and Rome, describing as positive the significance of Tehran-Rome ties while expressing an The Vatican’s prime minister, in turn, expressed hope will sign Ghaedi as Ebrahimi’s replacement. Iran-Italy cooperation in different areas, particularly in the interest in boosting mutual parliamentary relations. for further consultations with the Islamic Republic of Iran Ghaedi played a key role in Esteghlal’s success in the 2021 economic domain as well as collaboration between small He added the two countries have the potential to promote on issues of mutual interest in different fields. AFC Champions League Group Stage (West). I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY MAY 19, 2021

TEDPIX drops 1000 points Electricity projects worth $80m on Tuesday

ECONOMY TEHRAN — TEDPIX, the main index of deskTehran Stock Exchange (TSE), lost 1,111 put into operation in 3 provinces points to 1.173 million on Tuesday. Over 4.891 billion securities worth 33.132 trillion rials ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iranian En- ages the entire power grid, including power (about $788.8 million) were traded at the TSE on Tuesday. deskergy Minister Reza Arda- plants, transmission lines, and substations The first market’s index fell 921 points, and the second kanian inaugurated 10 electricity projects throughout the country. market’s index dropped 1,874 points. worth 3.36 trillion rials ($80 million) in In the last week of the previous Iranian TEDPIX had gained 11,000 points, or one percent, in 10 provinces on Tuesday, in the seventh calendar year (which was the last week of the past Iranian calendar week (ended on Friday). week of the ministry’s A-B-Iran program in the second phase of the A-B-Iran scheme) the current Iranian calendar year (started Ardakanian had inaugurated several new on March 21). systems for improving services in the water The said projects were put into operation and electricity sectors. in Fars, Kerman, and Kermanshah provinces The mentioned systems were put into through video conference, IRIB reported. operation in various areas including re- Two solar power plants, some substa- source consumption improvement, asset tions, and improvement and development utilization, human resource management, of electricity network facilities were among financial resources management, and re- the inaugurated projects. forming work processes in order to create The first phase of the A-B-Iran program transparency and to facilitate and accel- (the acronyms A and B stand for water and erate affairs while eliminating possible electricity in Persian) was initiated in the bottlenecks. Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended on March A smart system for improving the Energy 19, 2020), during which 220 major projects Ministry’s support and emergency centers with a total investment of 335.6 trillion rials called Homa, as well as a new customer (about $7.99 billion) were put into operation services system called Chavoush were also across the country. among the launched systems. In the second phase of the program that officially started in early April and like the new dispatching center which is using A mechanized network monitoring was carried out in the previous Iranian previous phases, this year, too, the Energy the world’s latest technologies in Energy system called Sanam was also put into Earlier this month, Market Analyst Rouzbeh Shariati calendar year (ended on March 20) 250 Ministry is planning to inaugurate numerous Management System (EMS), Supervisory operation; this system is aimed at moni- said that TEDPIX, the main index of water and energy projects worth 500 trillion water and electricity projects in various Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), toring the electricity networks of various (TSE), is going to improve over the next 1.5 months in rials (about $11.9 billion) were inaugurated provinces every week. and Wide Area Management System and provinces in order to reduce electricity comparison to the first 1.5 months of the current Iranian in several provinces. Last week, Ardakanian had inaugu- Control (WAMS) systems. losses and improve the efficiency of the calendar year. The third phase of the program was rated the national electricity network’s The National Dispatching Center man- country’s power network. Shariati noted that reaching a possible agreement on the nuclear deal, the stability of the national currency, as well as the less attractive situation of the parallel markets are the important factors that would contribute to the improvement of the capital market. Over $761m allocated for emergency water supply in dry regions Unprecedented fluctuations in the Iranian stock market 1 According to Ardakanian, the decline in rainfalls the framework of the mentioned program in the current over the past few months have led shareholders, experts, during the current water year (started in September 2020) Iranian calendar year. and scholars to call for the government to increase its has also caused a 3,200-megawatt decrease in the country’s The official put the total investment made in the men- support for the market, some shareholders want the gov- electricity production. tioned projects at 80 trillion rials (about $1.9 billion) and ernment to guarantee the return of their stocks, some The minister called on people and authorities to mon- expressed hope that like the previous phases, this phase of believe providing infrastructure is the best way to help itor electricity and water consumption by households and the program will also be completed as scheduled. this market. government entities in order to pass the summer’s peak Four dams, several power plants, some water and sewage consumption period without any shortages. treatment plants and numerous rural water supply projects Greenhouse area to be He pointed to the current year as the driest year over the are among the projects that are going to be implemented in past 50 years and stressed the need for taking consumption the current year under the framework of A-B-Iran program. doubled in Ardebil province management programs seriously. Marking the seventh week of the A-B-Iran scheme in The official further mentioned the significance of the the current year, Ardakanian, on Tuesday, inaugurated 10 in 2 years ministry’s A-B-Iran program, saying that a total of 290 energy projects worth $80 million in three different prov- major energy projects are going to be implemented under inces through video conference. ECONOMY TEHRAN— The area under greenhouse deskfarming will be doubled in Ardebil prov- ince, in the northwest of Iran, in two years, according to a provincial official. Khalil Nikshad, the head of the province’s Agriculture Govt. pays over $18.3 billion in a year to compensate for pandemic damages Department, also said that the greenhouse area in the ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iranian gov- of facilities, while 14 trillion rials (about rates. province is anticipated to reach 350 hectares by the end deskernment spent a total of $333.3 million) was also provided as live- The government spent 20 trillion rials of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2022). 770 trillion rials (about $18.33 billion) to lihood packages. (about $476.1 million) on unemployment He further announced that permits have been issued compensate for the negative impacts of the Some 46 trillion rials (about $1.095 insurance to support the unemployed and for the establishment of 70 greenhouses in the province. coronavirus pandemic on people’s livelihood billion) was also paid in the form of mort- also 170 trillion rials (about $4.04 billion) Due to the water shortage and drought crisis in dif- and businesses and to support the country’s gage loans. was allocated to support the medical sector. ferent parts of the province and the 80-percent decrease healthcare sector during the previous Ira- According to government officials, the Regarding the businesses, direct tax in rainfall in recent months, it is necessary to develop nian calendar year (ended on March 20). support packages for households were pro- collection was halted in the previous year greenhouses in the province, the official noted. Providing various facilities to households vided for those without fixed-income who up to January 2021, and also for issuing or In the last four years, the development of green- in two stages, paying benefits to workers live in red zones. renewing business licenses, natural persons houses has taken a growing trend, so that 15 hectares unemployed during the pandemic, special Nearly 30 million people benefit from the or economic units didn’t need to obtain a of active greenhouses has now reached more than 115 support for the medical, tourism, culture, art, mentioned support plan, Vice President for tax payment certificate. hectares, the head of the province’s Agriculture De- sports, and youth sectors, paying mortgage Economic Affairs Like many other countries around the partment underlined. and low-cost employment-based loans to said back in November 2020. world, the Iranian economy was also severely corona-affected businesses, extension of the by the government in the mentioned year. As for businesses, 89 trillion rials (about affected by the coronavirus pandemic, while deadline for payment of duties, taxes, and As reported by IRNA, of the abovemen- $.11 billion) was provided to certain busi- the country was also under heavy pressure tax debts, providing livelihood packages for tioned figure, 495 trillion rials (about $11.7 nesses as well as transportation companies from the U.S. sanction on various economic families, etc. were among the measures taken billion) was paid to households in the form in terms of bank facilities with low-interest sectors.

Exports from Yazd province rises 7% in a year ECONOMY TEHRAN— Over 3.98 million tons of and coronavirus pandemic. deskgoods was exported from Yazd province, Iran’s non-oil export was 112 million tons valued at $34.5 in the center of Iran, in the past Iranian calendar year (end- billion, and that of import was 34.4 million tons worth ed on March 20), which was seven percent more than the $38.5 billion in the past year, the official added. figure of its preceding year, a provincial official announced. Among the country’s non-oil export destinations, China Mohammad-Hossein Salmani, the director-general of was the first, with importing $8.9 billion worth of products, the province’s customs department, put the value of annual Iraq was the second with importing $7.3 billion, the United exports from the province at $380.258 million. Arab Emirates the third with importing $4.6 billion, Turkey He named ceramic tiles, hydrocarbons, building glass, the fourth with importing $2.5 billion, and Afghanistan the glassware, petrochemicals and agricultural products includ- fifth with importing $2.2 billion, Mir-Ashrafi announced, While the agriculture sector plays a significant role ing pomegranate seeds, pistachios and pistachio kernels and named gasoline, natural gas, polyethylene, propane, in the promotion of the Iranian economy, drought in as the main exported items and Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and pistachio as Iran’s major exported products during recent years has prevented this sector from being de- Pakistan, the (UAE), Azerbaijan, the past year. veloped as expected. , Armenia, Turkey, Thailand, , and India He further named Iran’s top sources of non-oil imports To tackle this condition, the Agriculture Ministry has as the major export destinations. in the said time, as China with exporting $9.7 billion worth taken some measures and defined some programs, such The official further stated that 56,730 tons of commodities Customs Administration (IRICA), the value of Iran’s non- of products to the Islamic Republic, the UAE with $9.6 as the improvement of irrigation systems. valued at $193.958 million were imported to the province oil trade stood at $73 billion in the past year. billion, Turkey with $4.3 billion, India with $2.1 billion, One of the major programs that the ministry has in the past year, and named raw materials, spare parts, and Mehdi Mir-Ashrafi also put the weight of non-oil trade at and Germany with $1.8 billion, respectively, and mentioned defined and is seriously pursuing is the development machinery as the major imported goods. 146.4 million tons, and said that the figure shows a 25-mil- corn, cellphone, rice, oil meal and oil seeds, wheat, and raw of greenhouses throughout the country. As announced by the head of Islamic Republic of Iran lion-ton annual decline, which is the result of sanctions oil as the major imported items. As reported, 80 percent of the country’s greenhouse fruits and vegetables are exported. The significance of boosting agricultural export is obvious when taking the country’s recent approach to boost non-oil exports into account. The development ICCIMA policy package aims to increase economic growth of greenhouses is a very fruitful measure in this due. ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran Cham- future President should be to accelerate the tensions in are some Production of products in the greenhouses is today one deskber of Commerce, Indus- country’s economic growth in a sustainable, of the major demands of the private sector of the most profitable methods in the agriculture sectors tries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) has stable, and comprehensive manner. highlighted in the ICCIMA’s proposal for of the countries, in a way that they have defined it as prepared a package of proposals, aiming to Emphasizing the challenges of the coun- the next government. one of their major production strategies because while help the next government boost the national try’s economy, such as water and environ- Privatization, managing the forex market, greenhouses provide stable production of high-quality economy. mental problems, budget deficit, inflation, development of non-oil exports, completing products, developing them is a proper way for tackling ICCIMA Research Center on Tuesday unemployment, etc., the ICCIMA Research semi-finished projects, eliminating redundant drought and for optimal use of water resources. published a comprehensive report on the Center package emphasizes that the country bureaucracy, and fighting against corruption In Iran, the need for the development of greenhouses major elements of the mentioned package will face even more complex issues in the next were also among the issues addressed in the is now highly recognized, as the country is seriously which also contains the economic demands decade if the current issues are not resolved. mentioned proposal. following up on two main objectives of strengthening of the country’s private sector. The said policy package offers practical Iran’s next presidential elections will be domestic production to achieve self-reliance, and boost- ICCIMA Head Gholam-Hossein Shafeie solutions for preventing the above-mentioned held on June 18, 2021, according to the dep- ing non-oil exports. had previously announced the preparation issues both currently and in the future. uty interior minister in charge of elections. Under Iran’s law, an incumbent presi- While many supportive measures are being taken to of the mentioned package during the 14th Curbing inflation, restoring people’s trust Candidates hoping to run in the next elec- dent cannot run for a third term if he has this end, Iran should also benefit from the experiences meeting of the ICCIMA board of directors. in the system, providing accurate and honest tions began applying since earlier this month already served for two consecutive terms of those countries that enjoy significant achievements According to Shafeie, from the perspective statistical-analytical reports on the coun- for approval. The final list is to be announced in office. Rouhani was first elected in 2013 and progresses in the field of greenhouses. of the private sector, the first priority of the try’s economic condition, and controlling by the Guardian Council in early June. and reelected four years later. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MAY 19, 2021 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5

Palestine, to whom does it belong? Resistance groups thank 1 The reason why they use the name 750,000 Palestinians were displaced and Ayatollah Khamenei for Israel, the Star of David, hijacking, stealing rendered refugees. On the one hand, Pal- the identity of Judaism and the Jewish estinians were displaced and forced into his firm stance on people is in order to gain a legitimacy for refugee camps, and on the other hand Jew- supporting Palestine their existence that should lead people ish migration to Israel was systematically to say, ‘oh, it is God given to them’ and encouraged and implemented. Several Palestinian resistance groups have written separate that they should use fear and intimidate Till today, Israel follows the policy of letters to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali people from speaking out against their racial segregation, religious persecution, Khamenei, thanking him for his firm stances on supporting the actions because they will call those that subjugation and harassment while con- cause of Palestine, which were expressed in the Leader’s speech do anti-Semitic; it couldn’t be anything tinuing to deny Palestinian refugees their on the occasion of International Quds Day. further from the Truth.” right to return home. Israeli settlement In their letters and messages on Monday, five Palestinian resist- During one of his TV appearances, British on Palestinian lands continues unabated, ance groups and movements lauded the position taken by the Islamic MP George Galloway was told that Israel and so does the deliberate displacement Republic and Ayatollah Khamenei on supporting the resistance of the (occupied Palestine) belongs to the Jews of native Palestinians. Palestinian people and rejecting the recognition of the Zionist regime. because ‘they were persecuted in Germany,’ Israel is an entity built on the Zionist The groups stressed their resolve to continue anti-Israel resistance to which he replied “The British gave the ideology of ethno-religious supremacy, until the final freedom of Jerusalem al-Quds, noting that statements land of one people (Palestinians) to another apartheid, occupation, settler colonialism made by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution during his Quds Day people (Zionist Jews) to compensate for the and ethnic cleansing. The Israeli regime ap- speech delineate the roadmap to the liberation of Palestine. fault of a third people (Nazi Germany).” proves and encourages Jewish settlements The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), The Nakba in the occupied Palestine on a daily basis. Fatah al-Intifada group, Palestinian Popular Struggle Front and The Zionists, under the auspices of This is the blood-stained history that Israel the Palestinian Forces Coalition commended the role of Iran as the British empire, orchestrated one and its lackeys do not want you to know. All the axis of unity and resistance among Muslim countries. that they want you to know is: “The Israelis the largest migrations in history; a large Anthony Mathew Jacob is author and political analyst specializing in the Middle East They hailed the role of Iran’s top anti-terror commander, are “KILLED” by Palestinians and the Pal- number of Jews escaping Nazi Germany and Indian subcontinent. His articles have appeared in the Tehran Times, Press TV, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated estinians merely “DIE” to Israeli attempts were settled in Palestine leading to a sharp countercurrents.org and many other media outlets. alongside his companions in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in January rise in Jewish population in the region. at “SELF-DEFENCE.” The “OCCUPIER” is 2020, in keeping the Palestinian cause alive. When the WWII ended, the UN General All that they (the Tel Aviv regime and called the “VICTIM” and the real “VICTIM” In his address on the occasion of the International Quds Day, Assembly passed a resolution calling for is called a “TERRORIST”. Ayatollah Khamenei said Israel is not a country but a terrorist the partition of Palestine between Arabs its lackeys) want you to know is: “The Despite all the propaganda, disinforma- base against the people of Palestine and other Muslim nations. and Jews. This gave birth to ‘state of Israel’ Israelis are “KILLED” by Palestinians tion and manipulation, the truth is easy to “Since the first day, the Zionists turned the usurped Palestine into a on November 29, 1947. and the Palestinians merely “DIE” to discern, Palestine belongs to the Palestinians. terrorist base. Israel is not a country, rather it is a terrorist camp against Subsequently, Israel emerged victorious Israel cannot expect the Christians and the the Palestinian nation and other Muslim nations,” the Leader said. in a war with neighboring Arab states and Israeli attempts at “SELF-DEFENCE.” The Muslims to give up their land because the Ayatollah Khamenei added that the issue of Palestine con- confiscated more land than the initial UN “OCCUPIER” is called the “VICTIM” and the Jewish scriptures (according to Zionists) tinues to be the most important and active issue for the Islamic plan. The Palestinians called it “Al Naqba” asks them to do so, or because the Jews were Ummah collectively. meaning “the Catastrophe” as more than real “VICTIM” is called a “TERRORIST”. persecuted in Europe. “The policies of the oppressive and cruel capitalism have driven a people out of their homes, their homeland and their ancestral roots and instead, it has installed a terrorist regime and has housed a foreign people therein,” he said. Britain far from a so-called post-racial society: activist “Fighting against this despotic regime is fighting against op- pression and terrorism. And this is a collective responsibility,” 1 a great deal of money, in reality still promoting the idea of many offensive comments he made throughout his life. And, of course, the Prince Andrew scandal and Ayatollah Khamenei added. questions about his association with Jeffrey Epstein simply the British empire abroad. The BBC received more than 100 000 complaints about refuse to go away. Meghan revealed ‘concerns’ within the royal family the endless rolling coverage of Prince Philip, and again, To what extent do the royal family and the queen about her baby’s skin color. Isn’t it a case of racism? some might argue it was used to try to revitalize the image have influence on Britain’s political sphere? A: In my opinion, it is absolutely a case of racism, and of the royal family, which has undoubtedly been damaged Israeli army launches Although the royal family and the queen do have polit- it wouldn’t be the first time that we have heard claims of over the last few months. ical power, the prime minister has to ask permission from racism made about the royal family. If the skin color of Could you update us on how the media in coun- artillery towards the queen to form a government, and the queen must also the baby was no issue, then why was the question asked, if tries like the UK and the U.S. are mainstream and, The Israeli army said it launched artillery towards Lebanon on greenlight laws and in theory, has the power to dismiss indeed it was asked? The image of the royal family plays an to some extent, shape peoples’ tastes and choices? Monday in response to rocket fire from the neighboring country members of government, the influence they have is largely important role in Britain and whatever people might say, A: Much of the media remains wholly uncritical and neutral that failed to hit the Jewish state. symbolic. But the power of that symbolism should not be Britain is far from a so-called post-racial society. when it comes to many issues, including how they cover the “Six failed launch attempts were identified from Lebanon that underestimated. Prince Harry for example and others play What are the official protocols for announcing the royal family. While social media is certainly changing that, did not cross into Israeli territory,” the army said in a statement. a key role in bolstering the image of the armed forces, while death of a senior royal family member in the UK? How mainstream platforms still maintain an incredible amount “Artillery forces fired toward the sources of the launches.” many people of whatever economic standing, still believe in did it work for BBC channels when it comes to the of influence and unfortunately, often, rather than reporting A Lebanese military source told AFP three rockets had been the idea that the royal family represent and are part of so- death of Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II? on things truthfully, they play the role of simply shaping fired from Southern Lebanon towards Israel. called British values, while others of course would argue that For many, the coverage of the death of Prince Philip public opinion, rather than encouraging critical thinking “Three Grad-type rockets were fired from the Shebaa Farms they are an out of touch institution which cost the taxpayer was incredibly excessive and also was a whitewash of the and offering true balance and objectivity. area,”, the Lebanese military source said. “The situation in the area is now calm,” tweeted the UN peace- keeping mission in southern Lebanon, which is in contact with Ilhan Omar: ‘Delay in ceasefire has caused the slaughter of children’ both countries, several hours after the rocket fire. Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar responded to port for a ceasefire, tweeting, “Finally!! Our “Now Biden has to push for an end to the flattening a high-rise building that housed It is the second time rockets have been launched from Leb- U.S. President ’s Monday night delay in supporting a ceasefire has caused occupation,” she continued. the offices of international media outlets. anese territory towards Israel since Israel bombarded the Gaza conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin the slaughter of children and destruction Israeli warplanes pounded the Gaza Strip, The bombardments — for a week — fed Strip over the last week. Netanyahu in which he expressed his sup- of lives.” killing tens of children in refugee camps and fears of a return to all-out war on Gaza. A source close to Israel’s arch-enemy said the Leb- anese Shiite group had no link to the incident. Protests have also been held against Israel’s air campaign on Gaza, with a Lebanese demonstrator killed by Israeli fire last The fallacy of the colonial ‘right to self-defense’ week during a rally in the border area. The Israeli army said Monday that in recent days it had “spotted By Patrick Gathara including by committing mass murder. The history of senting the violence as a conflict between two sides with African colonization is littered with the corpses and mass equal claims to security and land. It ignores that the Pal- a number of Lebanese suspects approaching the security fence.” The violence convulsing the Middle East (West Asia) has graves of those who dared to resist the militarily superior estinians are engaged in a struggle for national liberation Over 200 people have been killed since the latest escalation produced heart-rending images and statistics. As I write Europeans. against a decades-long illegal and immoral occupation, in the Israel-Palestine conflict. this, at least 160 people, the vast majority of them Pales- In her book, the British Gulag, historian Caroline El- and the imposition of a regime of racial and ethnic dis- Israel launched air strikes last Monday claiming that the strikes tinians, including at least 41 children – the vast majority kins describes a “murderous campaign” by the British in crimination which Human Rights Watch, in a report the were in response to rocket fire from Hamas towards Jerusalem. Palestinian – have been killed as the Israeli military carries colonial Kenya following the 1950s Mau peasant uprising, media pointedly refuses to bring up, says fits the definition That was in response to bloody Israeli police action at the out bombing raids in densely populated Gaza and armed including the establishment of concentration camps for of the international crime of apartheid. flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, as well as Palestinian groups hurl rockets at Israeli cities. Meanwhile, 1.5 million Kikuyu civilians and a brutal system of torture In interviews, Israeli spokespeople repeatedly stress a crackdown on protests against the planned Israeli expulsion of inter-communal violence has broken out across Israel. camps that may have claimed the lives of tens, perhaps the difficulty that Israel’s self-declared “most moral army Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood In response, Western governments, led by U.S. President hundreds, of thousands of those suspected to have pledged in the world” has in finding and killing what are in essence in annexed east Jerusalem. Joe Biden, have been quick to unequivocally condemn themselves to the rebellion. Palestinian resistance leaders, who, they say, are hiding Palestinian groups for the rocket barrages, but have been The idea that imperial land grabbers have the right to behind civilians. Resistance News much more circumspect about condemning Israel’s attack terrorize, brutalize, torture and murder those whose land The Western press is happy to accept that the leaders of on Palestinian civilians. they steal under the rubric of “self-defense” flies in the Hamas and other groups are legitimate targets, and with Lukewarm expressions of “dismay” and “grave concern” at face of UN General Assembly Resolution 37/43 of 1982 it, the implication that while its tactics may be somewhat Ramallah rises up in arms in Palestinian deaths have been interspersed with declarations which recognized “the legitimacy of the struggle of peoples unsavory, Israel is nonetheless waging a legitimate war. of “unwavering support for Israel’s security and for Israel’s for independence, territorial integrity, national unity and Uncritically accepting this framing makes Western media support of Gaza legitimate right to defend itself”. They have also included liberation from colonial and foreign domination and for- complicit in the delegitimization of Palestinian resistance to INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN – Palestinian armed groups start holding appeals for “moral clarity”, implying that the actions of Pal- eign occupation by all available means, including armed colonial domination and dispossession by the Israeli state. deskprotests in the city of Ramallah in the Israeli-oc- estinian groups, though causing a tiny fraction of the death struggle”. That resolution specifically reaffirmed this right As Ocasio-Cortez pointed out, regurgitating the line cupied West Bank in support of their fellow Palestinians in the Gaza and destruction that Israeli bombardment has wreaked, in the case of the Palestinian struggle. that “Israel has a right to defend itself” without including Strip, who have come under a hugely deadly escalation by Tel Aviv. were nonetheless much more objectionable. Thus, today in Gaza, rather than seeking “moral clarity”, the context of oppression simply excuses and legitimates The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a coalition of Palestinian armed While some progressive politicians – such as U.S. con- the West is using moral obfuscation to justify attacks on even more oppression. But she should have gone further. groups in the West Bank, announced the decision on Monday. gresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – have pointed out a refugee population by a colonial power that has evict- If Western media, politicians and diplomats truly seek They said they were holding the protests in solidarity with the the hypocrisy of a blanket assertion of the Israeli right to ed them from their land, blockades them in what is, in moral clarity, it behooves them to reject outright as gas- resistance groups in Gaza, where a total of 212 people, including self-defense, even they have balked at outright rejection essence, an open-air prison, and then claims the right to lighting and bothsidesism, the outrageous proposition 61 children and 36 women, have been martyred and 1,400 others of Israeli justifications. do so in peace and quiet. that colonial states such as Israel have a right to defend been injured during the escalation. Colonial occupiers have long claimed a “right” to defend When Western media speaks of a “cycle of escalation”, themselves from those they oppress. The West Bank-based groups said they had been absent from themselves from the resistance of native communities, it equates oppression to the resistance to oppression, pre- (Source: Aljazeera) the battle against the occupying regime for long, but were now springing back into action. They also warned the Israeli regime about the dire consequence of their actions. The Israeli regime’s latest attacks have attacked the central Recent escalation reflecting Netanyahu’s efforts to remain in power: professor and northern parts of the Gaza Strip. The regime intensified its attacks against Gaza last Monday after By Mohammad Mazhari fighter jets bombing several buildings and into broader questions about terrorism and the territory rose in protest against the regime’s weeks-long violations roads in a vital part of Gaza City. missiles from Gaza.” against Palestinians in the West Bank, especially the holy city of al-Quds. TEHRAN – A professor of international According to Israeli authorities, the of- The escalation is the most intense since The violations have seen Israeli forces and illegal settlers politics at Lancaster University says that fensive began late on Monday in response the seven-week 2014 Israeli war on Gaza. attacking Palestinian worshipers and protesters for weeks. The the recent escalation in Palestine reflects to rockets fired by Hamas. Many Arab monarchies who decided to forces once attacked thousands of Palestinian worshipers on the Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to secure his Anger has been growing over the forced normalize their ties with Israel through the al-Aqsa Mosque’s compound in al-Quds’ Old City and tried to base in power. expulsion of Palestinian families from the Abraham Accords are now facing questions evict Palestinians from the city’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood on “The escalation is a perfect storm of issues, occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of about their move. another occasion. Most recently, a Palestinian was killed during reflecting Netanyahu’s efforts to secure his Sheikh Jarrah, who have been facing multi- “Many Arab countries are in a difficult the forces’ attack on the al-Arroub refugee camp located north base after recent elections, but also to capitalize ple court cases filed against them by several position with regard to Israel,” the director of the city of al-Khalil (Hebron) in the West Bank. on wider Arab support stemming from the pro-settler organizations since 1972. of SEPAD (the Sectarianism, Proxies and Palestinian resistance targets Israeli forces’ gathering Abraham accords. This has meant that the The Israeli aggression met massive anger De-Sectarianization Project) remarks. to conflicts in West Asia, especially Palestine, Also on Monday, the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance move- Palestinian cause is increasingly abandoned,” all around the world, from Britain to streets “A number have normalized relations Mabon says that “under Biden, it is unclear ment of Hamas’ military wing, meanwhile, said it had targeted a Simon Mabon tells the Tehran Times. in Pakistan. with Israel, notably through the signing of as to what the U.S. role will be in the Israel gathering of Israeli forces near the city of Sderot in the southern Palestinian health authorities say the Gaza “In the UK, there is widespread anger the Abraham Accords, which has led to the Palestine conflict.” part of the occupied territories, in its latest bout of retaliation death toll includes more than 60 children as at the treatment with Palestinians in Israel marginalization of the Palestinian cause in “Biden has thus far been occupied with the against the Israeli regime’s incessant atrocities. Israel’s bombardment enters its second week. and the occupied territories,” Mabon notes. an effort to cultivate better economic, tech- Iranian nuclear deal and war in Yemen. His Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades staged the counterattack against Days of heavy bombardment on the Gaza “Yet mainstream media narratives nological and security ties.” failure to engage with Israel Palestine cannot an area known as Nir Am near Sderot. Reports also showed that Strip intensified on Tuesday, with Israeli about Sheikh Jarrah have been subsumed Asked about the U.S. role when it comes continue,” according to British academic. Sderot itself had also come under retaliatory rocket fire. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM MAY 19, 2021

TACI’s roadside assistance Safavid-era caravanserai to undergo app unveiled restoration for possible UNESCO registration TOURISM TEHRAN – The Touring & Automobile Club of deskthe Islamic Republic of Iran (TACI) has recently unveiled an application for its previously-established Roadside 1 Iran’s earliest caravanserais were Qabus ibn Wushmagir, are among the other Assistance Services. built during the Achaemenid era (550 -330 UNESCO-designated sites in Iran. “Software application for TACI’s Roadside Assistance Services BC). Centuries later, when Shah Abbas I as- West Azarbaijan embraces a variety of has been introduced to increase road safety in mobility, and fa- sumed power from 1588 – to 1629, he ordered lush natural sceneries, cultural heritage sites, cilitating multilateral connection and communication between the construction of network caravanserais and museums including the UNESCO sites repair centers, rescuers, members, and customers,” the club across the country. of Takht-e Soleyman and Qareh Klise (St. announced on Tuesday. Such roadside inns were originally built in Thaddeus Monastery), Teppe Hasanlu, and various epochs along ancient caravan routes the ruined Bastam Citadel. in the Muslim world to shelter people, their The region has been the seat of several goods, and animals. The former Silk Roads ancient civilizations. It formed part of Urartu may be the most famous example dotted by and later of Media. In the 4th century BC, it caravanserais. was conquered by Alexander the Great and For many travelers to Iran, staying in or was named Atropatene after one of Alexan- even visiting a centuries-old caravanserai, der’s generals, Atropates, who established a can be a wide experience; they have an op- small kingdom there. The area returned to the portunity to feel the past, a time travel back Persian (Iranian) rule under the Sasanians into a forgotten age! in the 3rd century CE. The Arabs controlled Iran ranks 10th in the world in terms of Azerbaijan from the 7th century until Turk- the number of historical monuments and ish nomads overran it in the 11th century. sites registered on the UNESCO World Thenceforth the inhabitants of the region were Heritage list. Turkish speakers. The region was overrun by Before the Islamic Revolution, Persepolis, which “Arg-e Bam” (Bam Citadel) represents inscription carved on a limestone cliff, lav- the Mongols in the 13th century, and, under “By exploiting this application, the speed of relief operations Naghsh-e Jahan Square, and Choghaznabil an outstanding example of an ancient fortified ish “Golestan Palace” in downtown Tehran the ruler Hulegu, Azarbaijan became the has improved compared to the past. Moreover, the trust in assis- were the only three UNESCO-listed monu- settlement, is located in Kerman province. which is a masterpiece of the Qajar era (1789 center of a Mongol empire extending from tance services and related costs has been increased.” ments, but today the number has been in- “Bisotun” in western Kermanshah prov- to 1925), and millennium-old “Gonbad-e Syria on the west to the Oxus River (now The service was initially established in 1968 to provide relief creased this number to 24 historical sites, of ince, which is notable for its Achaemenid-era Qabus” which is a mudbrick tomb tower for the Amu Darya) on the east. services (towing and repair) for road travelers in Iran. TACI has deployed local rescuers and has created representative branches in most provinces to expand its services. According to the club, a total of 60000 subscribed to the dif- ferent types of roadside assistance membership scheme in 2020. Quake inflicts damage to historical sites in northeast Iran TACI uses a large network of provincial rescue call centers TOURISM TEHRAN – A medium-sized earth- Hadi Mohammadpur announced on Tuesday. According to Lonely Planet, most foreign tourists with the dial numbers 09629 and 0216423, and the radio com- deskquake struck Jajarm in the northeast- While assessing the harm is still ongoing, the inves- pass straight through North Khorasan in transit be- munication system (wireless), contractive garages, representative ern province of North Khorasan on Monday, causing tigations have revealed some minor harm and cracks tween Mashhad and Gorgan, but if you have time to agents, rescuers, and the operation supervision and inspection relatively minor damage to several historic and heritage in some historical sites including Jafar-Abad Castle explore, it’s worth diverting south from the capital, teams throughout the country. sites in the region, a local tourism official has said. and Darband Holy Shrine so far, the official added. Bojnurd, towards Esfarayen, famed for its wrestling This enables it to provide roadside assistance services in the A group of assessors and cultural heritage experts Experts believe though the northeastern province tournaments, the remarkable citadel of Belqays and shortest possible time to its members or customers 24-hours a day. have been dispatched to the damaged areas after the may not be the first choice of travelers, its tourism the partly preserved stepped village of Roein some 5.5 magnitude quake to investigate possible damages, industry is getting momentum. 20km north. UNESCO-registered Golestan hosts philatelic exhibit Giant kilim unveiled in Ardebil HERITAGE TEHRAN – A philatelic exhibition, featur- HERITAGE TEHRAN — A giant der Fallahi and several cultural officials. woven in most places where pile rugs are weave. desking the Qajar era (1789–1925) stamps, related deskkilim carpet was un- “Namin is considered as a national hub of made. The term is applied both general- The kilims are often woven on narrow documents, equipment, and accessories, opened on Tuesday at veiled on Sunday in the city of Namin, kilim weaving, and this field of handicrafts ly and specifically, with the former use looms, and two mirror-image pieces are the UNESCO-registered Golestan Palace in downtown Tehran. northwestern Ardebil province. has been practiced mostly by female crafters referring to virtually any rug-like fabric sewn together along the long edge to pro- The exhibit kicked off concurrent with the International Mu- Measuring 24 square meters, the as their source of income,” Behnamju said. that does not have a pile. duce the completed kilim. The vertical seum Day intending to revive the memories of postal nostalgia, handwoven flooring went on show at a He also expressed hope that kilim weav- When used specifically the term refers color junctions involve a discontinuity of according to organizers. local handicrafts exhibition attended by ing would receive more support and be to a more limited number of techniques, the wefts, the colored yarns that produce A destination for domestic the province’s governor-general Akbar promoted more properly. including slit tapestry, warp sharing, and the design. At these boundaries, there are and international travelers, Behnamju, provincial tourism chief Na- Kilim is a pileless floor covering hand- various forms of interlocking tapestry small slits in the fabric. Golestan Palace is located in the heart and historic core of Tehran. The palace complex is one of the oldest in the Iranian capital, originally built during Archaeological survey EMBASSY OF PAKISTAN the Safavid dynasty (1501–1736) in the historic walled city. begins on 4,500-year- Following extensions and PAKISTAN EMBASSY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AND COLLEGE, TEHRAN additions, it received its most old Hirbodan hill characteristic features in the www.pisctehran.com 19th century, when the palace HERITAGE TEHRAN – A team of archae- complex was selected as the royal deskologists has commenced work on residence and seat of power by Iran’s Hirbodan hill, which is estimated to date Accountant/Admin officer REQUIRED the Qajar ruling family (1789- from some 4,500 years ago. 1925). At present, the Golestan “According to the head of the excavation team, Palace complex consists of eight key palace structures mostly based on data collected from archaeological trenches, Embassy of Pakistan invites applications (Pakistani / Iranian National) for the used as museums and the eponymous gardens, a green shared the hill is associated with the Elamite civilization center of the complex, surrounded by an outer wall with gates. and dates some 4500 years,” a local tourism official following vacant post for the Pakistan Embassy International School & College, UNESCO has it that the complex exemplifies architectural and has said, CHTN reported. artistic achievements of the Qajar era including the introduction Tehran. of European motifs and styles into Persian arts.

Legal boundaries defined for No. of Sr. # Position Requirements ancient sites in West Azarbaijan Posts TOURISM TEHRAN - A total of nine historical sites across  Proof of at least 05 years of deskthe northwestern West Azarbaijan province were demarcated during the past Iranian calendar year 1399 experience in Accounting (March 20, 2020-March 21, 2021), CHTN reported. and Administration in Authorities seek to prevent acts such as land grabbing and illegal constructions within the legal limits of the sites, which included reputable organizations archaeological hills and historical churches, the report said. In addition to excavations, the survey is aimed to  Some 1,100 historical relics were also discovered during the determine legal boundaries of the ancient settlement Minimum qualification: several excavations carried out across the province during the through carving and analyzing other trenches being Bachelors in mentioned time, most of which can be visited in the Urmia Museum. carried out under the supervision of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage & Tourism (RICHT). (Accounting/Commerce) Or Hirbodan hill is situated in Darab county of the Accountant/Admin CA/ACCA southern Fars province that was once the heart of 1 1 the Achaemenian Empire ( c. 550–330 BC), which  Higher qualification was stretching from Ethiopia, through Egypt, to Officer Greece, to Anatolia (modern Turkey), Central Asia experience will be preferred and India.  Throughout the late prehistoric periods, Elam Max. Age 45 was closely tied culturally to Mesopotamia. Later,  Fluency in English language perhaps because of domination by the Akkadian dynasty (c. 2334–c. 2154 BC), Elamites adopted (reading, writing, speaking) the Sumero-Akkadian cuneiform script.  Knowledge of Persian will The modern-day provinces of Ilam and Khuzestan were once the seat of power of the Elamite kingdom. be added benefit Elamite language, extinct language spoken by West Azarbaijan embraces a variety of lush natural sceneries, the Elamites in the ancient country of Elam, which cultural heritage sites, and museums including the UNESCO sites included the region from the Mesopotamian plain of Takht-e Soleyman and Qareh Klise (St. Thaddeus Monastery), to the Iranian Plateau. According to Britannica, Teppe Hasanlu, and the ruined Bastam Citadel. Elamite documents from three historical periods The region has been the seat of several ancient civilizations. have been found. The earliest Elamite writings are Applications with complete CV (including e-mail address, postal address and valid It formed part of Urartu and later of Media. In the 4th century in a figurative or pictographic script and date from BC, it was conquered by Alexander the Great and was named the middle of the 3rd millennium BC. phone number) along with documents/experience certificate with a latest passport Atropatene after one of Alexander’s generals, Atropates, who Documents from the second period, which lasted size photograph may be sent to the given e-mail address [email protected] with- established a small kingdom there. The area returned to the from the 16th to the 8th century BC, are written Persian (Iranian) rule under the Sasanians in the 3rd century in cuneiform; the stage of the language found in in 15 days from the advertisement date. Also mention position title in e- mail subject. CE. The Arabs controlled Azerbaijan from the 7th century un- these documents is sometimes called Old Elamite. til Turkish nomads overran it in the 11th century. Thenceforth The last period of Elamite texts is that of the the inhabitants of the region were Turkish speakers. The region reign of the Achaemenian kings of Persia (6th to 4th was overrun by the Mongols in the 13th century, and, under the century BC), who used Elamite, along with Akkadian  Short Listed candidates will be notified on their given e-mail addresses/ phone ruler Hulegu, Azarbaijan became the center of a Mongol empire and Old Persian, in their inscriptions. The language extending from Syria on the west to the Oxus River (now Amu of this period, also written in the cuneiform script, number with time and date of interview. Darya) on the east. is often called New Elamite. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MAY 19, 2021 SOCIETY 7

National campaign to ease The Most Beautiful National Parks in Iran

National parks of Iran are natural treasures that are scattered all around the country with a great variety of climate and geography. water stress in 4 provinces Among the dense forests, spectacular mountains, endless deserts, and ocean cliffs, it is hard to choose the most beautiful national SOCIETY TEHRAN – The Ira- tion of qanats, improving wells and water desk parks in Iran. nian Red Crescent So- quality, filtering and sanitation of reservoirs. Most of Iran’s national parks contain reserves of natural lands ciety (IRCS) will launch a campaign for And the second aspect focuses on health or specific biodiversity. National parks are the safest habitat for the fourth time to solicit public donations issues including health care services, free plant and animal species protected by the government. If you are to ease water stress in four drought-ridden diagnosis, and etc., he explained. a nature lover or interested in wild life, here we will review the most provinces of the country. Based on the latest data published by beautiful, largest, and different national parks in Iran. The long-standing 20-year-old drought National Drought Warning and Moni- in the region is forcing many to have to toring Center affiliated to Iran’s Meteo- We start with the largest and oldest national park in Iran. Golestan provide their water from tank trucks de- rological Organization, since the current National Park or Golestan Forest with an area of about 91 thousand livering water to the areas. crop year (September 23, 2020), South and 895 hectares is located in the east of Golestan province and west The campaign, called Nazr-e Ab (literally Khorasan has received 59.7 millimeters of North Khorasan province. In 1975, this park was registered as meaning water donation), was launched of rainfall while the long-term averages a biosphere reserve among the 50 biosphere reserves in the world three years ago, following the drought crisis are 110.5 millimeters. Last year during in the UNESCO list. Golestan National Park has three different in the southern and southeastern provinces the same period, 156.4 millimeters of types of climate: dry, semi-arid, and semi-humid. Thus Golestan of the country, with the aim of supplying precipitation reported. So that the prov- park has a variety of vegetation from dry steppes to grassy plains fresh water to deprived areas with the help ince is short of rain compared to both and dense forests. of the people and the IRCS. last year and long-run. Golestan national park is full of spectacular mountains and valleys. From June 22 to September 22 in Precipitation in Sistan-Baluchestan Some of the most beautiful ones are the heights of Qaraqon, Tangeh drought-ridden provinces of Sistan-Bal- province decreased to 15.3 millimeters from Gol, Shakha, Yeke Qadam, Qara Gashli, Qofi Ghorchi, and Almeh uchestan, South Khorasan, Kerman, and 165.9 millimeters in the previous water year, valley. The most famous waterfalls of Golestan National Park are Hormozgan, people can participate by demonstrating a 90.8 percent decline. The Aqsu and Jangal waterfalls. Besides, this park is full of spectacular donating bottled water, water tanks or amount also dropped in comparison to the springs and rivers. There are many species of animals identified in cash, nationwide. long-term average of 84.6 mm, being short this national park, including Persian leopards, brown bears, fox- The campaign was first held in August of rain by 81.9 percent. es, jackal, Caspian red deer, cescas, Persian ibex, goitered gazelle. 2018, in the southeastern province of Sis- Hormozgan province also has not met Golestan national park is home to half of Iran’s mammal species. tan-Baluchestan which went into trouble the normal averages, receiving 20.3 mil- Ghomishloo National Park after the Hamoun wetland drained and The long-standing 20-year-old drought in limeters of rain while it reported raining Ghomishloo National Park, with an area of about 86,000 hec- the rainless sky left many in dire need of the region is forcing many to have to provide 303.3 millimeters in the previous water year, tares, is located near the west of . Qomishloo, which means drinking water. showing a 93.3 percent drop, while it also everglade, used to have a humid climate with many reed beds. How- Precipitation has decreased by 50 per- their water from tank trucks delivering experienced rainfall shortage in comparison ever, the climate has now changed to mild and cold winters which is cent compared to last year, so this year water to the areas. to the long-term mean by 93.3 percent. why this region has become a snow-covered mountainous habitat. the project will be implemented more Kerman also received low precipitation Qomishloo wildlife sanctuary has a valuable plant and animal vigorously, Mohammad Nasiri, head of reported on Tuesday. the first one centers on water supply issues compared to both the long-term average wildlife. It is also historically worthwhile due to its castles and mon- the IRCS volunteer organization said, YJC The campaign has two main aspects; including desalination of water, rehabilita- and last year. uments related to the Qajar period. In this national park, you can see animals such as Agama, Persian hedgehog, ram and sheep, boar, caracal, rabbit, green toad. Ghomishloo is also a habitat for birds No COVID-19 vaccine export until domestic need is met such as bees, bats, desert eagle, and black vulture. Nayband National-Marine Park SOCIETY TEHRAN – No homegrown COVID-19 Mokhber stated on April 14. Nayband National Marine Park, with an area of about 46,000 deskvaccine will be exported until the domestic Homegrown vaccines hectares, is located in the south of Bushehr need is fully met, although several countries have asked for Meanwhile, a vaccine developed by the Razi Vaccine and province and near Assaluyeh in the south of Iran. This beautiful purchasing the COVIRAN BAREKAT vaccine, Mohammad Serum Research Institute (Razi Cov Pars) is expected to be- park was registered as the first national marine park in Iran. Nayband Mokhber, the head of the Headquarters for Executing the come the second Iranian-made vaccine to be administered National-Marine Park consists of a valuable and unique collection Order of the Imam, has said. among the population in early August; which started the of plants and animals. One of its most important features is the COVIRAN BAREKAT, the first coronavirus vaccine made clinical trial on February 27. existence of various sandy, coral, and forest beaches. by researchers at the Headquarters for Executing the Order Iran has also successfully completed the first phase of Nayband sandy beaches are home to huge sea turtles. Its dense of the Imam which was unveiled on December 29, 2020, the human trial for Fakhra vaccine, the third domestically forests are also a suitable place for migratory birds and waterfowls started to be mass-produced on March 29. developed COVID-19 vaccine, named after nuclear scientist in winter. As this park has various beaches, it’s one of the most valu- “We have so far produced 300,000 doses of the vaccine, (he was assassinated in November able marine habitats in the Persian Gulf. This habitat includes coral which will reach 1 million doses by the end of the current 2020 near Tehran), that was unveiled and started the clinical complexes, seaweeds, numerous coves, mangrove forests, beautiful month (May 21),” he added. trial on March 16. sandy beaches, rocky shores, and old fig trees of temples that make By June, this number will reach 12 million doses “Osvid-19”, the fourth domestic vaccine produced by Nayband national park the most appropriate place as an ecosystem. per month, and in August, and by September we will Osvah Pharmaceutical Company is also undergoing human Urmia Lake National Park produce 20 to 25 million doses of vaccine, he noted, COVIRAN BAREKAT, the trials, which will also be available in early September. Urmia lake National Park is located in northwestern Iran, YJC reported on Tuesday. New cases and mortalities between the two provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azer- Mokhber went on to explain that the third phase of the first coronavirus vaccine In a press briefing on Tuesday, Health Ministry’s spokes- baijan. Urmia salt lake is the largest salt lake in Iran and an clinical trial started earlier this week by being administrated made by researchers at the person, Sima-Sadat Lari, confirmed 13,930 new cases of appropriate habitat for many faunas. This lake, with an area to 20,000 people, after the satisfactory result is proved, a Headquarters for Executing COVID-19 infection, raising the total number of infections of 5,500 km, has 120 islands, Shahi island was historically the general permit will be issued to start the mass vaccination. to 2,779,415. She added that 2,258,046 patients have so far lake’s largest island. The Urmia lake national park is one of the “We do not think about exporting at all, and our main the Order of the Imam which recovered, but 5,173 remain in critical conditions of the disease. biosphere reserves by the UNESCO. obsession is our people,” he further highlighted. was unveiled on December During the past 24 hours, 310 patients have lost their lives, Urmia Lake National Park, Anzali Lagoon, is the most beautiful At least two European countries and three countries in 29, 2020, started to be mass- bringing the total number of deaths to 77,532, she added. natural habitat of animals in Iran. was once the largest the region are now seeking to negotiate on purchasing vac- So far, 18,285,393 COVID-19 diagnostic tests have been salt-water lake in the West Asia (Middle East). It’s still home to cine, but we will export once the domestic needs are met, produced on March 29. performed in the country. many migratory birds and indigenous animals, including flamingos, white pelicans, egrets, and white head and redhead ducks. Every year this lake attracts hundreds of tourists who bath in the water to take advantage of the therapeutic properties of this salt lake. Iranians donate medical supplies worth $100,000 to Gaza Khojir National Park Khojir National Park is one of Tehran’s province parks. It’s located SOCIETY TEHRAN – The Irani- medical equipment and medicines. estinians protested over the unfair ruling, in the east of Tehran and has an area of about 9,971 hectares. This deskan Red Crescent Socie- Earlier on May 17, Iran’s Emergency as they were forced to leave their homes. park was built-in 1754. After Tehran was chosen as the capital of the ty (IRCS) will send medical supplies and Services Organization announced read- Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa country during the Qajar period, Khojir national park was protected equipment worth $100,000 supplied iness to provide medical treatment for Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, and as a royal sanctuary or royal hunting ground. Then, in 1982, the through public donations to Palestinian the victims of the Zionist regime’s brutal dispersed the Palestinian worshippers else- Supreme Council for Environmental Protection, designated it as people in Gaza. attacks on Gaza. where in East Jerusalem. Israel has been a national park in Iran. Since the beginning of the new crisis in “Iran’s Emergency Services is ready to heavily bombing Gaza since last Monday, Gaza, the Red Crescent Society has begun send medical teams in order to help the in which 212 Palestinians have been killed its activities in defense of civilians, IRNA Gazans wounded in the wake of Israel’s so far, including 61 children and 35 women, LET’S LEARN PERSIAN reported on Tuesday. brutal attacks and it is doing its best to and 1,400 Palestinians were also injured. IRCS will allocate up to $100,000 med- transfer the injured to Iran for treatment The Palestinian resistance has also (Part 186) (Source: saadifoundation.ir) ical equipment in the first phase for the if necessary,” the organization’s head Pir On May 6, the Israeli Supreme Court launched rain rockets in the occupied Gazans, and in the coming days, with the Hossein Kolivand wrote in a letter to Health decided a forced eviction of the Palestinians territories in response to the Israeli ag- help of the benefactors, will provide more Minister . in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem. The Pal- gression and attacks on Gaza.

ENGLISH IN USE LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION Families with multiple births to خانوادههــای دارای چندقلــو کمــک ماهانــه receive monthly allowances معیشــتی می گیرنــد In line with population growth policies, families with triplets در راســتای سیاســت هــای افزایــش جمعیــت، بــه خان وادههــای دارای ســه or more will receive monthly allowances of up to 5 million قلــو بــه بــاال ۵۰۰ هــزار تومــان بــه صــورت ماهانــه بــه عنــوان کمــک هزینــه rials (nearly $120 at the official rate of 42,000 rials), head معیشــتی پرداخــت م ی شــود. .of Welfare Organization has announced بــه گــزارش ایرنــا، وحیــد قبــادی دانا، رییــس ســازمان بهزیســتی روز The allowances would be paid when the children are born till the age of 6, IRNA quoted Vahid Ghobadi Dana as saying جمعه بــا بیــان ایــن کــه کمــک هزینــه از ابتــدای تولــد تــا ۶ ســالگی .on Saturday پرداخــت مــی شــود، ادامــه داد: تعــداد خانــواده هــای دارای فرزنــد ســه Some 17,000 households with three or above births will receive قلــو بــه بــاال نیارمنــد کمــک معیشــتی دولــت، ۱۷ هــزار خانــوار در کل .the government support across the country, he stated کشــور هســتند. He went on to say that since the Iranian calendar year 1393 (March 2014-March 2015) till 1397 (March 2018-March 2019), قبــادی دانــا اظهارداشــت از ســال ۹۳ تــا ۹۷ هــر ســال تقریبــا یــک میلیــون nearly 1.5 million births were registered in the country per و ۵۰۰ هــزار نفــر تولــد ثبــت شــد، و بیــش از ۳ درصــد ایــن تولدهــا دوقلــو year, 3 percent of which have been twins and 0.5 percent بــه بــاال و حــدود نیــم درصــد از آن ســه قلــو بــه باالتــر بــود. .triplets or more Prayer Times Noon:13:01 Evening: 20:16 Dawn: 4:26 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 5:56 (tomorrow) MAY 19, 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 “Asteroid”, “Staging” Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 picked for Fajr Eastern Vista Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 ARTTEHRAN – Iranian May 26 to June 2. Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 deskmovies “Asteroid” and Cinema Salvation will also screen 12 other “Staging” have been selected to be screened films from overseas filmmakers. in Eastern Vista, a section dedicated Among the films are Oscar-winning Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 to Asian filmmakers, at the 38th Fajr Hungarian director Istvan Szabo’s latest International Film Festival. movie “Final Report”, Italian director Claudio No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran Directed by Mehdi Hosseinivand, Noce’s drama “Padrenostro” and Ukrainian- P.o. Box: 14155-4843 “Asteroid” tells the story of Ebrahim, a 12-year- Armenian filmmaker Roman Balayan’s movie Zip Code: 1599814713 old boy who lives in a remote desert village “We Are Here We Are Close”. with his mother and five younger sisters and In addition, Finnish filmmaker Antti brothers. His mother still believes that her J. Jokinen’s romance historical drama husband and elder son who left in search of “Helene”, Bulgarian director Ivaylo Hristov’s work will one day return to the village, as drama “Fear”, Turkish filmmaker Ferit Ebrahim is the only breadwinner in the family. Karahan’s “Brother’s Keeper”, Slovenian “Staging” by Alireza Samadi revolves director Vinko Modernodorfer’s “Deadlock” around a group of people who stage fake and Polish director Piotr Domalewski’s car accidents in a bid to extract money from drama “I Never Cry” have been selected insurance companies. to compete in the event. GUIDE TO Three movies by Iranian filmmakers will Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 SPIRITUAL AWAKENING also be screened in Cinema Salvation, the edition of the festival was canceled, but the official competition of the festival, which organizers have said that this year the 38th is scheduled to take place in Tehran from A scene from “Asteroid” directed by Mehdi Hosseinivand. edition of the festival will be held as planned. Our affairs are attached to the destiny decreed by Allah, even our best plans may lead us to destruction. Imam Ali (AS) Iran’s “Holy Bread” wins awards at Trento Film Festival representation of mountaineering, mountain life Award was given to “Cows on the Roof” by Swiss and mountain people. director Aldo Gugolz. The documentary highlights the dangerous work Gugolz’s film is the story of Fabiano who is haunted Director Majid Majidi of Kurdish Kulbars. by the death of a clandestine Macedonian worker Kulbars are workers who transport heavy goods on who died in a fatal accident. Feeling responsible named Cinema Department’s foot across the Iranian border passing through rocky, for the tragedy, Fabiano’s troublesome life on his president at Iranian steep and slippery mountainous pathways to make a father’s small farm is presented to the viewer as he living to support their families. struggles with debt while his partner’s pregnancy Academy of Art The workers face numerous challenges as they walk adds to his miseries. But despite the difficulties, he along dangerous paths, suffering from injuries as well holds on to his dreams of a simple life surrounded 1 Majidi’s “Children of Heaven” earned Iran’s first Oscar as being shot at by border police, and even dying along by nature and farm animals. nomination in 1999 and his “The Song of Sparrows” was nominated the hazardous route. “Here I Am Again” by Polly Guentcheva from Bulgaria for a Golden Bear award for best film at the Berlin film festival “Holy Bread” narrates the men’s distressing stories won the City of Bolzano Golden Gentian Award for the in 2008. Reza Naji won the with powerful scenes captured by the director’s filming best exploration and adventure film. festival’s Silver Bear for best crew while accompanying the workers for 9 years, The Silver Gentian Award for the best artistic and actor for his role in the film. documenting what can be described as a disclosure of a technical contribution went to “The Last Austrians” by “Holy Bread” directed by Rahim Zabihi. His latest child labor drama group of men whose lives are driven by hunger, poverty Austrian director Lukas Pitscheider. “Sun Children” was Iran’s ARTTEHRAN – Iranian documentary and despair in the lowest margins of the social class. “Chaddr – A River Between Us” by German filmmaker submission to the foreign- desk“Holy Bread” won the Club Alpino Thirteen other films from France, Morocco, Minsu Park won the special jury award, which recounts language film category at Italiano Golden Award and the Peace and Human Switzerland, Italy, Uruguay, Germany, Spain, Ukraine, a girl’s last journey to her school across the mountains the 93rd Academy Awards. Rights Award at the 69th Trento Film Festival in Italy, Austria, Poland, Bulgaria, Greenland, China and Belgium of Kashmir. However, it failed to receive the organizers announced on Sunday. were also screened in the official competition of the The Trento Film Festival, which is one of the oldest a nomination to the shortlist. Directed by Rahim Zabihi, the film received the event. European film festivals focusing on mountain explorations, The movie had its Iranian Club Alpino Italiano Golden Award for its perfect The City of Trento Grand Prix Golden Gentian took place online from May 9 to 16 in Trento. premiere during the 38th Fajr Film Festival in Tehran in February 2020, garnering the Crystal Simorghs for best Pompidou Center to screen “Walking with the Wind” in Director Majid Majidi in an film, script and set design. .undated photo Numerous international events, including the 77th Venice Film Festival, have also screened tribute to the movie. The festival honored the film’s star Ruhollah Zamani ARTTEHRAN – The film expert Nasrin Mirshab, is handling This film shows Golestan Gallery owner with the Marcello Mastroianni Award. deskPompidou Center in Paris the international sales of the documentary. Lili Golestan, painter Aidin Aghdashlu, The 33rd International Film Festival for Children and Youth in plans to screen the documentary “Walking “Abbas Kiarostami, recognized as one of filmmaker Kianush Ayyari, poet Javad Mojabi, Isfahan also awarded Majidi as best director and Zamani as best actor. with the Wind” on June 18 in its tribute to the the greatest ever international filmmaking photographer Maryam Zandi, graphic designer He is the director of the controversial movie “Muhammad celebrated Iranian artist Abbas Kiarostami. authors, has always been a motivational idol Ebrahim Haqiqi and film critic Mohsen Azarm (S), the Messenger of God” about the childhood of the Prophet Directed by Mehdi Shadizadeh in 2019, the of mine and for whom I bear the greatest commenting about Kiarostami. of Islam (S). documentary attempts to portray Kiarostami’s respect,” Shadizadeh has written in a Screening the documentary is part of Majidi made “Beyond the Clouds” in India. The film, which multiple artistic dimensions, and not just statement for his film. Pompidou Center’s program “Where Is Friend is set in the slums of Mumbai, represented India at several those of a filmmaking giant. He added, “However, he was not only Kiarostami?”, which has been underway since international film festivals. Seen through the eyes of a group of a filmmaker, he was also a photographer, May 5 to pay tribute to Kiarostami, who died New director at IAA contemporaries made up of a filmmaker, an poet, painter and woodcutter, aspects of his of cancer on July 5, 2016. Filmmaker Kianush Ayyari in a scene from On March 9, President selected Namvar- artist, a poet, a photographer, a graphic designer, life often overlooked. The program organized in collaboration the documentary “Walking with the Wind”. Motlaq, a comparative literature graduate of Blaise Pascal a film critic and a gallery owner, we realize that “With this film I wanted to show Kiarostami with the French company MK2 Films and attend the sessions reviewing 46 films by University in France, to helm the IAA as a new director of the Kiarostami was himself a poet, photographer, in all his multiple aspects and not just the Kiarostami Foundation will exhibit an Kiarostami in the retrospective. academy, which was established in 1998 “to safeguard national graphic designer, artist and woodcutter all rolled concentrate on his cinematic brilliance. In oeuvre of Kiarostami until July 5. The exhibit also features collections Islamic art and cultural heritage.” into one; a composite artist, and veritable doing so I sought out those who had known The entire works of Kiarostami, from of videos and documents, series of his He is also the dean of the Farshchian University of Iranian- modern-day Renaissance man. him, other artists and filmmakers, in order films to photos and poems, are on view at unpublished photographs, sequences of his Islamic Arts established by the in 2018. Dreamlab Films, the France-based to build up a composite portrait of the man the exhibition. most beautiful films and presentations of his Earlier last week, he also appointed actor Ali Nasirian to the international distributor under Iranian himself.” Numerous guests have been invited to works on classical and contemporary poetry. IAA Drama and Dramatic Literature Department.

Actor Behzad Farahani Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Exhibition to make directorial debut with “A Guest from the to hang works by Iranian artists ARTTEHRAN – Works by eight Iranian artists Future Contest in the U.S. city of Los Angeles in 2020 for his Caribbean” deskhave been selected to be showcased at the illustrations for the book “Machucheh and Crow” written Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Exhibition, which will by Iranian writer Afsaneh Shaban-nejad. ARTTEHRAN — Actor Behzad Farahani, who is open on Thursday. Negin Ehtesabian, Haleh Qorbani, Hassan Amekan, Ali deskalso a prominent stage director, plans to try Mohammad-Ali Bani-Asadi will be competing at the Buzari, Nushin Sadeqian and Mojgan saeidian-Asl are other his hand at directing a romance feature film named “A Guest exhibition with his works for the book “Birds and the Sky” Iranian illustrators participating in the showcase, which from the Caribbean”. written by Farideh Farjam. will run until May 29. The screenplay has also been written by Farahani based on his Published by Iran’s Institute for Intellectual Given the importance of illustrators’ role in adding novel titled “A Guest from the Caribbean - A Night with Castro”. Development Children and Young Adults, the book vitality and vigor to children’s books, Sharjah Children’s Shahram Gilabadi will be the producer of the project, Farahani’s teaches children to tolerate differences. They can also Reading Festival launched the Sharjah Children’s Book publicist announced on Tuesday. learn not to accept coercion. Illustration Exhibition in 2012 with the aim of highlighting “A Guest from the Caribbean” The story of the book is set on a summer day as a flock the magnificent illustrations that can be seen in many is the story of an experienced of birds living together in peace decide to leave their nests outstanding children’s publications. tailor who falls in love with a to search for food. However, a group of other birds having The participants will compete to win the exhibition’s widow whose husband has been a bell around their necks force them not to leave their nests. annual awards, whereby the first winner will receive executed. Works by Mohamad-Hossein (Mason) Matak have also A poster for the book “Birds and the Sky” illustrated $8,000, and second and third will receive $6,000 and Because of his lifelong been selected for the exhibition. by Mohammad-Ali Bani-Asadi that will compete in 4,000 respectively. There are also three incentive awards friendship with her husband, He was among the 12 winners of the Illustrators of the the Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Exhibition. to be granted, each of which amounts to $1,000. the tailor cannot face the thought of betraying his old friend, and the widow’s loyalty to her late husband also becomes another obstacle in triggering the love New Persian translation of Paulo Coelho’s between the surviving couple. In a summary of the novel, “The Archer” comes to bookstores Actor Behzad Farahani (Mehr/ Farahani writes: “This hidden love .)Majid Asgaripur is the unfinished story of many CULTURE TEHRAN – A new bow and arrow but who has since retired build courage, and embrace the unexpected Eastern men and women. One must explore the Eastern philosophy desktranslation of Brazilian from public life, and the boy who comes journey fate has to offer. to find the consequences of such love affairs.” author Paulo Coelho’s “The Archer” has searching for him. The boy has many With the wisdom, generosity, simplicity Farahani, 76, published wrote his latest book “55 Short Stories” been published in Tehran. questions, and in answering them Tetsuya and grace that have made him an international last November. Shurafarin is the publisher of the book illustrates the way of the bow and the tenets bestseller, Coelho provides the framework for A graduate of dramatic arts, he completed his studies in France. translated by Masiha Vasiq. of a meaningful life. a rewarding life: hard work, passion, purpose, He began his acting career in theater and joined cinema with “The Archer” is an inspiring story about a Coelho’s story suggests that living thoughtfulness, the willingness to fail and the screenplay “Journey of Stone” in 1978. young man seeking wisdom from an elder, and without a connection between action and the urge to make a difference. He has also performed numerous plays for radio and television, the practical lessons imparted along the way. soul cannot fulfill, that a life constricted Two more Persian translations of the book and has played leading roles in a number of acclaimed movies Cover of a Persian translation of Brazil- In the book, we meet Tetsuya, a man by fear of rejection or failure is not a life by Sonia Sing and Rafi Rafiei have previously of Iranian cinema over the past few decades. ian author Paulo Coelho’s “The Archer”. once famous for his prodigious gift with a worth living. Instead, one must take risks, been published in Iran.