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8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13835 Wednesday DECEMBER 16, 2020 Azar 26, 1399 Jumada Al Awwal’ Al 1, 1442 Zarif condemns U.S. Iran’s Saravi wins Mismanagement, Greatest Islamic computer sanctions on neighboring bronze at Individual overexploitation threat game “Ambassador of Love” Turkey Page 2 World Cup Page 3 Persian Gulf ecosystem Page 7 produced in Iran Page 8

Iran’s missile program ‘a thorn in See page 3 eyes of enemies’, says defense chief TEHRAN — Defense Minister Amir Hatami He also said the budget of the Organiza- has said Iran’s defensive missile program tion of Defensive Innovation and Research is “a thorn in the eyes of the enemies”, has witnessed a 256 percent increase. with Iran strengthening its missile power In the aftermath of the assassination day by day. of top Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhriza- “But [our] martyrdom culture is [Iran’s] deh, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution number one progress, and a nation that said that two important issues should be has a culture of martyrdom cannot be put on the agenda by all those involved, dominated,” Brigadier General Hatami Hatami stated. said in remarks on Tuesday. Continued on page 2

Waste-to-energy plant to come on stream in northern Iran TEHRAN – A waste-to-energy plant will be Shiraz, and Mashhad. officially inaugurated on Thursday in the city Establishing Noshahr plant as the first of Noshahr, northern Mazandaran province. one in the northern part of the country A waste-to-energy plant is a waste man- started in 2011, with the aim of processing agement facility that combusts wastes to 200 tons of waste produced in Noshahr, produce electricity. This type of power plant Chalous and Kelardasht counties and gen- is also called a trash-to-energy, municipal erating about three megawatts of electricity waste incineration, energy recovery, or per hour on a land area of about 2 hectares, resource recovery plant. which was supposed to be operational Iran currently has five waste-to-energy within a maximum of 2 years. plants operating in the cities of Tehran, Continued on page 7

Energy projects worth over $63m inaugurated in 3 provinces 11 Europeans’ JCPOA TEHRAN – Numerous energy projects well as increasing the capacity of a power worth over 2.67 trillion rials (about $63.5 plant, were inaugurated through video million) were inaugurated in three prov- conferences in Khorasan Razavi, Semnan

Illustration by Bahman Vakhshour inces in the 32nd week of the Energy Min- and Kordestan provinces. istry’s A-B-Iran program, IRNA reported. Of the mentioned projects, eight were commitments reneged on In a ceremony attended by the Energy put into operation in Khorasan Razavi Minister Reza Ardakanian, 14 projects province, five were in Semnan and the including the establishment of some elec- other one was inaugurated in Kordestan

Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ tricity transmission lines, solar and wind province. farms, and small-scale power plants, as Continued on page 4

ACL title; so close, Economic Diplomacy: Poland can be Iran’s Hackers breach U.S. agencies, Homeland so far gateway to Europe market Security a reported target

BY MASOUD HOSSEIN BY RAMIN MEHMANPARAST land and water borders The U.S. Department of Homeland Security to immediately stop using SolarWinds Orion ersepolis of Iran football club TEHRAN - European countries have great ca- - Having huge oil and gas resources was the third federal department to be targeted IT products following reports that hackers had are so close to their first ever pacities for economic cooperation with Iran, - Having high quality and cheap raw materials in a major cyberattack, U.S. media reported used a recent update to gain access to internal title in the AFC Champions and while Iran can have a serious participation - Having educated and specialized manpower Monday, a day after Washington revealed the communications. P in supplying Europe’s energy needs, it would - Existence of cheap labor hack which may have been coordinated by a “We urge all our partners -- in the public and League but they have to pass a hurdle on Saturday when the team also be possible for the country to benefit from - Low costs of transferring materials and foreign government. private sectors -- to assess their exposure to this will meet Ulsan Hyundai at the Al such relations for attracting investment and manufactured goods to neighboring countries The Washington Post cited unnamed officials compromise and to secure their networks,” said Janoub Stadium. transferring technical knowledge and supplying due to geographical location who said that the DHS -- which is in charge of CISA Acting Director Brandon Wales. The Iranian Reds have reached its required machinery. On the other hand, Poland, being located protecting the country from attacks both online SolarWinds over the weekend admitted that hack- AFC Champions League final for the On the other hand, European countries are looking in the center of Europe, seems to be a suitable and off -- had been added to a growing list of ers had exploited a backdoor in an update of some second time in three years, aiming for new markets due to market saturation in their point for Iranian traders to enter European targets in the attack, including the Treasury of its software released between March and June. to end a 27-year continental tro- region and are fiercely competing with each other markets. In addition, more than five hundred and Commerce departments. The hacks are part of a wider campaign that phy drought for the Iranian clubs. to develop their business and economic activities, years of historical relations between the two A statement from DHS Monday did not con- also hit major cybersecurity firm FireEye, which No Iranian team have won the title for which the 500-million market in the West and countries and good memories of Poles from Iran firm the report, saying only that it was “aware of said its own defenses had been breached by since 1992/93 when PAS of Tehran Central Asia region is particularly attractive. considering the country’s support for Poland’s cyber breaches across the federal government sophisticated attackers who stole tools used claimed the Asian Club Champion- Iran, as a stable and safe country with a pop- independence, as well as sheltering of more than and working closely with our partners in the to test customers’ computer systems. ship trophy. ulation of eighty-three million, is located in the 120,000 Poles during World War II in Iran, have public and private sector on the federal response.” FireEye said it suspected the attack was Now, Persepolis want to be the first heart of this market of five hundred million, provided a good cultural and political context for The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security state-sponsored, and warned it could have affected Iranian team to be crowned as champions which has the following comparative advantages: the development of relations with this country. Agency (CISA), which is attached to the DHS, numerous high profile targets across the globe. in the AFC Champions League. - Neighborhood with fifteen countries through Continued on page 4 on Sunday said it had ordered federal agencies Continued on page 5 Persepolis have a tough task ahead since the South Korean are a strong team who are well-equipped to win the most coveted Studying inscriptions from Islamic World necessary to realize Greater Iran, linguist says “Let us not make title for the second time after eight years. Persepolis coach Yahya Golmohamma- TEHRAN – Studying historical inscriptions, which As the historical inscriptions in Samarkand periods, especially the Timurid-era (1370–1507), our enemies happy”: di is well aware of the strength of Ulsan are native to cities of the Islamic World, is nec- (now in Uzbekistan) could reveal important knowl- as most of this dynasty’s rulers were masters in Hyundai. essary to better realize Greater Iran, a linguist edge and information on Iranian culture, history, art and calligraphy, he added. Turkish attorney “Ulsan are a strong team and deserved and cultural heritage expert has said. and art, a research project was commenced on “The Timurids paid special attention to art and to be in the final match. They are a disci- “One of the necessities of studies in the field them by Iranian experts and scholars, he explained. architecture to fulfill the cultural and artistic goals, BY MOHAMMAD MAZHARI plined team and play an attacking foot- of cultural heritage and Iranian culture is to The project aimed at identifying the inscriptions of while religion played a key role in all their artworks as TEHRAN – Calling for a regional alliance that includes ball,” he said. “We will be without three identify and study the historical inscriptions of historical places and monuments of Samarkand related well.” He also noted that building countless mosques, Iran and Turkey, a Turkish lawyer invites Ankara key players (Issa Alekasir, Vahid Amiri the cities in the Islamic world, mostly the ones to the Islamic eras, introducing and promoting them schools, and holy shrines as well as ordering religious and Tehran “not to make the enemies happy” over and Ehsan Pahlevan) in this match but that were once a part of ancient Iran,” Nader as well as preparing a list of them, Karimian stated. manuscripts and inscriptions to the masters of the minor issues or misunderstandings that may arise. we want to lift the trophy, that’s why we Karimian said during a meeting at Linguistic Samarkand inscriptions were one of the most time were part of the Timurid’s cultural agenda. A contraversy started on Thursday after Turkish are here.” Research Institute on Monday. important art forms during different historical Continued on page 6 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recited epic poems Persepolis, as the most decorated Ira- that sparked widespread outrage in Iran, with many nian team in the domestic competitions, Iranian officials strongly rejecting any territorial have won the league’s title in the past four claims against Iran. years and it shows that how strong they However, the dispute was settled when Turkish are. In the 2018, they could win the ACL Tehran National Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called his Ira- title for the first time in front of their nian counterpart Javad Zarif on Saturday evening fans at the Azadi Stadium but Japanese Sculpture to assure him that his country respects the Islamic team Kashima Antlers beat them 2-0 on Republic of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. aggregate. Lawyer Onur Sinan Güzaltan tells the Tehran Times “Our players are full of motivation Biennial kicks off that “We need to underline the statements from the and we have to fight until the end if we Turkish presidential spokesman Omer Celik’s after TEHRAN – The 8th edition of the Tehran want to win the title. Persepolis want the poem crisis ‘let us not make our enemies happy’.” National Sculpture Biennial was inaugu- to make their fans happy and the match Sinan notes that Turkey and Iran are two major rated at the Vahadat Hall and the Rudaki against Ulsan will be an opportunity to neighbors with a rich history and deep ties “who Open-Air Theater on Monday. make our dreams come true,” Golmo- have lived in peace for nearly 400 years.” The biennial is organized by the Asso- hammadi said. “Cooperation and mutual respect have always ciation of Iranian Sculptors and the Visual Football mad nation has not won a a the top priority” he adds. Arts Office of Iran’s Ministry of Culture title for many years and Persepolis can The following is the text of the interview: and Islamic Guidance. end the years-long wait as an Iranian What is your opinion about the poem that Speaking at the opening ceremony, the representative. Mr. Erdogan recited at the Baku parade? Deputy Culture Minister for Artistic Affairs Football is everything for the Iranian What was his purpose and why was it mis- Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini said that the fans and title can sends them into a joyous understood? Visual Arts Office is determined to hold A: Turkey and Iran are two major countries with celebration. Asghar Khamseh two to four events every year, and this year, Persepolis are not a wealthy team but solid-state traditions, and two neighbors who have despite the pandemic, the programs are they are always playing their hearts out lived in peace for nearly 400 years since the Treaty

IRNA / being held one after the other. and it could be the trump card for the of Qasr-e Shirin (Zuhab) was signed in 1639. Continued on page 8 Iranian team. Continued on page 5 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 16, 2020

Zarif condemns U.S. sanctions Rouhani says Trump’s anti-Iran on neighboring Turkey

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Foreign Minister Mohammad deskJavad Zarif has denounced the recent U.S. sanctions against Turkey, highlighting the fact that Iran attaches actions were based on his illusions great importance to its neighbors. “U.S. addiction to sanctions and contempt for international POLITICAL TEHRAN — President that he intends to rejoin the pact. law at full display again,” Zarif tweeted on Tuesday. deskHassan Rouhani has cen- “Even though the economic war has inflicted “We strongly condemn recent U.S. sanctions against Turkey sured his outgoing American counterpart, a lot of damage, especially on public livelihoods, and stand with its people and government,” he added. saying Donald Trump’s actions against the the architects of the sanctions and warmongers It came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump implemented Islamic Republic were based on his illusions. who thought Iran’s economy would collapse in penalties against Turkey for its purchase of a Russian missile “Trump did not recognize the capabilities of the short term are leaving the White House,” defense system more than a year ago. the Islamic Republic of Iran at all and acted on Rouhani remarked. his own illusions,” Rouhani said at a meeting “This is while the Iranian nation has proudly of the government’s economic coordination emerged victorious in an all-out economic war headquarters in Tehran on Tuesday, ISNA stronger than ever,” he added. reported. Following Biden’s victory in the U.S. presi- He said the nation’s resistance in the face of dential election, Iran has reiterated its stance that sanctions and the failure of Trump’s economic it will not renegotiate the terms of the JCPOA. war against Iran proved “great realities” to the President Rouhani said on Monday that world and to Iran’s foes. Iran will not accept any precondition for the Rouhani urged Iran’s enemies to abandon reactivation of the JCPOA. the wrong and failed policy of sanctions against “Either all implement or do not implement Tehran once and for all. the JCPOA. If all implement it we also imple- According to President Rouhani, Trump’s ment it,” he said. defeat in the November presidential election was He also said the economic war waged by the mainly the result of his failure in the economic Trump administration has been a total failure. war on Iran in addition to his other foreign “One of the goals that the [Iranian] ad- The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Treasury, targeted Tur- policy failures. ministration pursues is to defeat sanctions ... key’s defense procurement agency, known as the Presidency of The U.S., under Trump, unleashed the because Trump’s economic war has failed and Defense Industries, and its senior officials, including its president. “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran “Even though the economic war has inflicted the entire world has owned up to this [fact],” Turkey acquired the missile defense system, known as the in 2018, when it unilaterally left the 2015 mul- Rouhani said. S-400, in July 2019. The purchase violated a sweeping sanctions tilateral nuclear agreement, officially known a lot of damage, especially on public “The whole world is putting pressure on the law passed in 2017 in the House and Senate to push the U.S. as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action livelihoods, the architects of the sanctions United States to return to the JCPOA, so that government toward a tougher stance on Russia. (JCPOA). the deal could be activated again,” the presi- Zarif’s rebuke of the U.S. sanctions came days after Turkish However, with the defeat of Trump in the and warmongers who thought Iran’s dent said, adding, “One of the main services of President President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recited a poem with November 3 presidential election, hopes were economy would collapse in the short term are the 12th [Iranian] administration …was that separatist sentiments that caused anger among Iranians. raised over a possible revival of the JCPOA under leaving the White House,” Rouhani states. it used all in its power to prevent destruction The poem implies that the Azeri-populated Iranian provinces President-elect Joe Biden, who has signaled of the JCPOA.” of Azerbaijan were separated from the Republic of Azerbaijan. “We strongly “Pres. Erdogan was not in- formed that what he ill-recited condemn There’s no difference between Biden and Trump, says Soleimani’s daughter in Baku refers to the forcible recent U.S. separation of areas north of POLITICAL TEHRAN — The victory of Joe Biden U.S. plans in the region, invoking fury in Washington, she said. sanctions desk Aras from Iranian motherland. against the incumbent-President Donald “My father did his job so well and made them so angry. Didn’t he realize that he was against Turkey Trump in the recent U.S. presidential election will not change You are seeing every plan they are making in the Middle undermining the sovereignty and stand with the United States’ Iran policy, says the daughter of Iran’s East is destroyed. Everywhere they are trying to enter and of the Republic of Azerbaijan? assassinated general Qassem Soleimani. hurt Iran they fail. Of course, for them my father is a big NO ONE can talk about OUR its people and “There’s no difference between Biden and Trump, they are monster, but my father is a savior.” beloved Azerbaijan,” Zarif wrote government,” the same guy. They are following the same policy, there’s no On January 3, Trump ordered drone strikes that mar- in a tweet on Friday. Zarif said. difference between them. Trump ordered the killing of my tyred General Soleimani, chief of the IRGC Quds Force, and Later in the day, the Iranian father, but Biden supported that, so there’s no difference,” Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraq’s Foreign Ministry summoned Turkey’s ambassador to protest Zeinab Soleimani told Russia Today in an interview that is Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). Erdogan’s controversial poem. to be aired on Wednesday. In the early hours of January 8, the IRGC attacked Ain According to the Treaty of Gulistan on 24 October 1813, which U.S. President-elect Biden has signaled that he will re-enter al-Assad airbase in western Iraq, where U.S. forces were was signed after the first full-scale 1804-1813 Russo-Persian the United States into the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially stationed, as part of its promised “tough revenge” for the War, what is now Daghestan, eastern Georgia, most of the Re- called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), U.S. terror attack. which was abandoned by Trump in 2018 in pursuit of a Iran has vowed to target whoever had a role in the cow- public of Azerbaijan and parts of northern Iran were ceded to will be stopped, because they killed General Soleimani, the tough economic confrontation with the Islamic republic. ardly assassination of General Soleimani. “This is a serious the Russian Empire. power of the Middle East. But they are so wrong,” she said. Soleimani said Biden’s background leaves a lot of room message,” IRGC Chief Major General Hossein Salami said However, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called “They are so wrong in thinking this will be the end of General for doubt, because it was Barack Obama’s administration back in September. Zarif on Saturday evening to assure him that his country respects Soleimani, this is the beginning.” that facilitated the creation of Daesh (ISIS) terrorist group “These threats are serious and we’re not engaging in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Soleimani also touched upon one of the most recent hostile in West Asia. a war of words,” Salami said, adding, “Rather, we’ll leave During the phone conversation, Cavusoglu underlined the close acts against Iran, namely the killing of Iran’s leading nuclear Moreover, U.S. policy towards Iran has remained pretty everything to the field of action.” and friendly relations between Turkey and Iran, and highlighted scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was assassinated near much the same for decades already, she argued, and the change Zeinab Soleimani, however, believes that her father’s Ankara’s definite policy of good neighborliness. Tehran late in November. Those behind the murder are of the figurehead in the White House does not really matter. assassination did not constitute a victory for the U.S., but He also assured Zarif that Erdogan fully respects Iran’s na- certainly “not human”, given how the scientist was slain in “The problem we have with America is their policy, this will actually backfired. It invoked more anger and hatred towards tional sovereignty and territorial integrity. cold blood for merely working for his country, she asserted. not change. They are the same people, with the same mind, Washington in Iran, as well as in other countries of the Cavusoglu explained that President Erdogan had not been “They’ve killed him so easily in his own country in front the same way. And each one is worse than the other one.” region. The killing has made more people want to follow in aware of the sensitivities surrounding the lines he recited in Baku of… his wife,” she said. “How dare they come to our country Trump’s decision to order the assassination of General Soleimani’s steps and fight the U.S., she warned. and associated the poem only with Lachin and Karabakh, which and kill people so easily in the street?” Soleimani stemmed from the fact that her father jeopardized “After killing my father, America thought that everything is why he recited it in the recent event in Azerbaijan. On November 27, the convoy of Fakhrizadeh suddenly came under attack on a highway in the small city of Absard “The problem we have with America is their policy, this will in Damavand County, about 40 kilometers east of the capital Iran’s missile program ‘a not change. They are the same people, with the same mind, Tehran. The scientist lost his life during the attack. thorn in eyes of enemies’, the same way. And each one is worse than the other one,” Iranian officials were quick to point the finger at Israel, which has carried out many assassination operations against says defense chief says Zeinab Soleimani. Iranian nuclear scientists over the past decade.

1 “First, the following up of this crime and the definitive punishment of its perpetrators, and second, the pursuit of the martyr’s scientific and technical efforts,” added the general. Fakhrizadeh, a prominent scientist, was assassinated on No- President receives credentials from seven new ambassadors vember 27 at 14:30, when his convoy came under attack on a POLITICAL TEHRAN — President highway in the small city of Absard in Damavand County, about deskHassan Rouhani on Tues- 40 kilometers east of the capital Tehran. day received credentials of the new ambas- sadors of seven countries to Tehran, namely Syria, Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, Uganda and Tunisia. Iran to stand by Syrian nation, government In his meeting with Syria’s new Ambassador to Tehran Shafiq Dayoub, Rouhani said Iran Aikawa Kazutoshi Pongprapapant Shafiq Dayoub Mohammad Tezikoba Ronny Prasetyo Alejandro Ponte Samir al-Mansour will stand by the Syrian nation and government Pongprapapant, for this part, said his coun- tion between companies from the two countries. ba, Uganda’s newly-appointed ambassador, until their final victory against terrorism, the try is determined to strengthen ties with Iran The president also expressed the hope that Rouhani described the Tehran-Kampala return of refugees and the reconstruction of in areas that meet mutual interests. Tehran-Mexico City relations would expand relations as friendly and developing. the war-torn country. Thailand asks for the increased presence further. He said Iran is ready to transfer its sci- He described the Iran-Syria relations as of Thai students in Iran to study in different The Mexican ambassador hailed Iran as entific experiences to Uganda as a friendly strategic and friendly, saying the Islamic Re- fields, he said. a friendly country and an ally of his country. country, adding that Iranian companies Iranian officials were quick to point the finger at Israel, which public of Iran has always supported the Syri- Rouhani calls for increased pres- “Mexico has made every effort to expand can also have a more active presence in has carried out many assassination operations against Iranian nu- an people in defending the truth and fighting ence of Japanese companies in Iran cooperation and improve bilateral ties with Uganda. clear scientists over the past decade. Foreign Minister Mohammad terrorism until the final victory. Speaking with the newly-appointed Japa- Iran,” he added. Mohammad Tzikuba, for his part, said Javad Zarif said in a tweet on the day of the assassination that the Rouhani also expressed his condolences on nese ambassador Aikawa Kazutoshi, the pres- President says Iran, Indonesia Uganda is after expanding cooperation with attack was carried out with “serious indications of Israeli role.” the death of the late Syrian Foreign Minister ident emphasized the necessity of accelerating represent moderate Islam Iran in all fields and considering the great Since then, several Iranian officials have vowed to take revenge Walid Muallem and lauded his efforts to bol- the implementation of ties, and for unfreezing Meeting with Indonesian Ambassador to scientific and technical progress of Iran, against Israel. ster relations between Tehran and Damascus. of Iran’s assets in Japanese banks. Tehran Ronny Prasetyo Yuliantoro, President Uganda wants a more active presence of Elsewhere in his remarks, Hatami said the enemy’s aim was to The president pledged to continue efforts to Rouhani said Tehran welcomes expansion Rouhani highlighted Iran’s will to increase Iranian companies in Uganda. disrupt to process of scientific movement and the speed of progress help fully establish stability and peace in Syria. of cooperation with Tokyo in different fields, cooperation and develop economic, cultur- Tunisia can be Iran’s gateway of the Islamic Republic in the field of new technologies. For his part, the Syrian envoy said his expressing hopes to see a change in ties in the al, scientific and technological relations with to African countries “The enemy was well aware of our significant progress in emerg- country wants to preserve all the valuable new atmosphere and an increased presence Indonesia. In another meeting with the new Tuni- ing and innovative areas, therefore, with this action, it tried to achievements that have been realized in the of Japanese companies in Iran. Rouhani also pointed to his visit to Indonesia sian Ambassador Samir al-Mansour, the weaken the morale of the people and undercut Iran’s security past four decades in bilateral relations. For his part, the Japanese ambassador and his meetings with the country’s ulema, Iranian president lauded the positive stance and power,” he pointed out. He also thanked the Iranian people and stressed that Tokyo is firm to boost coopera- saying the kind of Islam that is followed by of Tunisia toward Iran and its support in He added that since Fakhrizadeh’s assassination, all of the government for their support for the Syrian tion with Tehran in fields of mutual interest. Iran and Indonesia is based on “the principles the international forums, especially in the employees and managers of the Defense Ministry have became people. The envoy said Iran and Japan have always of moderation and generosity”. face of the U.S. government’s sanctions. determined to continue the martyr’s path. Iran ready to enhance ties with been good partners, adding that the imple- Yuliantoro, for his part, reiterated the In- He said that Tunisia, as a Muslim country In remarks two weeks ago, Hatami warned that Fakhrizadeh’s Bangkok mentation of previous deals will create vast donesian president’s emphasis on expanding in North Africa, can be a gateway for Iran assassination will not go unanswered. Rouhani told the new Thai Ambassador opportunities for strengthening relations. the two countries’ relations in all fields, mutual to African countries. “We will pursue the perpetrators till the end and we will follow Worawoot Pongprapapant that Iran is ready Tehran ready to deepen trade ties cooperation and the continued presence of Al-Mansour also emphasized that his the order of the Commander-in-Chief (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei),” to enhance bilateral ties with Bangkok in dif- with Mexico Iranian and Indonesian companies in the two country has a strong will to develop com- he said ferent fields. In the meeting with the new ambassador of countries, the implementation of joint projects, prehensive ties with Iran as a friendly, The defense minister warned the countries that sponsor terrorism He said great potential exist for enhanc- Mexico to Tehran, Guillermo Alejandro Ponte, and using new opportunities for cooperation. brotherly and Muslim country. that the Islamic Republic has always dealt with terrorists “as we ing the level of bilateral ties, hoping for the Rouhani voiced Iran’s readiness to deepen Iran ready to transfer scientific He added that Tunisia can serve as a did in the region in Syria and Iraq, along with the governments realization of these potentials during the new trade and industrial ties with Mexico. experiences to Uganda platform for Iran’s relations with Europe and nations and the armed forces of those countries.” ambassador’s term. He underscored the importance of coopera- In the meeting with Mohammad Teziko- and Africa. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 16, 2020 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS 11 Europeans’ JCPOA commitments Iran’s Saravi wins bronze at Individual World Cup that were reneged on SPORTSTEHRAN — Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler deskMohammadhadi Saravi claimed a bronze medal at the Individual World POLITICAL TEHRAN — As the did nothing for Iran, according to the Leader. Cup Monday night. desk European signatories to Ayatollah Khamenei said in July 2020 He defeated Bulgarian the 2015 nuclear deal move to turn the heat that Iran has told the Europeans to do this Kiril Milov by VPO, 3-0 in on Iran by trying to widen the scope of the and that after Trump’s withdrawal from the bronze medal match at nuclear deal, a publication close to the of- the JCPOA but the Europeans did nothing the 97kg category. fice of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution for Iran. Musa Evloev from Russia put the spotlight on the Leader’s remarks “The Europeans did nothing. And their shut out Alex Gergo Szoke on the European non-compliance with the last initiative was a nonsense plaything called from Hungary to win gold at nuclear deal. INSTEX, which of course did not bear fruit. this weight category. The publication, Khatt-e Hezbollah (the In a nutshell, the INSTEX means that Iran Artur Omarov from Czech Hezbollah Line), said Europe has effectively gives its money [blocked] in other places to Republic also won a bronze af- withdrawn from the nuclear deal, officially so-and-so Europeans – France and Britain ter beating Uzur Dzhuzupbekov known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of for instance - and they buy the goods they from Kyrgyzstan by VPO1, 4-1. Action (JCPOA). see appropriate and then send the goods to Another Iranian Greco-Ro- First of all, the publications quoted the Iran. This is the meaning of INSTEX, which man wrestler Hossein Nouri Leader as questioning European compliance is in itself a wrong and detrimental thing. took part in the competition in Belgrade, Serbia but failed to with the JCPOA. But they fell short of even launching this win a medal at the 87kg. “Do you notice Europe? And how did they mechanism,” the Leader said. act on the issue of the JCPOA and their com- Some Iranian officials have strongly crit- mitments? Now, it’s interesting that they icized the European inaction on the JCPOA reiterate all the time that ‘we are committed during the Trump administration and even Graham Potter on what he to the JCPOA.’ What is the compliance of an attempt to renegotiate the nuclear deal and Iranian officials, including Ayatollah called for Europe to compensate Iran for Germany, France and Britain? Someone address other issues such as Iran’s defensive Khamenei, have strongly responded to the the losses that were caused by the Trump told Alireza Jahanbakhsh should ask that how are you committed [to missile program and the country’s influence new European demands, underling that the sanctions while ruling out any prospect of SPORTSTEHRAN —Albion head coach Graham Potter the JCPOA]? What kind of commitment do in the region. The European coordination E3 had no rights to discuss Iran’s missiles broader negotiations with the incoming U.S. desk you have to the JCPOA? Which commitment in this regard has substantially intensified and its regional influence. During his latest administration of Joe Biden. has revealed what he told Alireza Jahanbakhsh did you comply with?” Ayatollah Seyed Ali after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidential meeting with the heads of the three branches Alireza Salimi, a member of the Iranian after he was taken off in the defeat to Leicester. Khamenei said in a mid-May, 2019 speech, election in early November. The E3 foreign of the government, Ayatollah Khamenei Parliament’s presiding board, has urged the The winger made his first start in the league this season against according to Khatt-e Hezbollah. ministers held a meeting in Germany to co- called on the E3 to stop demanding nego- United States and Europe to compensate Iran the Foxes, the Argus reported. Nearly two months after that speech, the ordinate their positions on Iran. Following tiations on Iran’s defensive missiles and for the losses it incurred following Washing- Jahanbakhsh saw his shot from the edge of the box saved by Leader once again castigated the Europeans this meeting, German Foreign Minister Heiko its influence in the region. ton’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal Kasper Schmeichel and also set up Danny Welbeck, whose effort for their non-compliance with the JCPOA, Maas made remarks that were indicative of “The Europeans are constantly taking and the Europeans’ failure to honor their was saved by the Leicester keeper. saying that the Europeans have reneged on a possibly new European policy toward Iran. stances against Iran. While they are mak- commitments as well. He was replaced by Steven Alzate in the 55th minute. 11 commitments under the nuclear deal. One that seeks to achieve what Trump failed ing the most improper interferences in the “The withdrawal of the United States Potter then hugged him and whispered something in his ear The Leader said in mid-July 2019, “Ac- to achieve through the so-called “maximum region’s issues, they tell us not to interfere from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and he explained what those words were: “I told him he did well cording to our honorable foreign minister, pressure” campaign. in the region. And while France and Britain (JCPOA) and the non-fulfillment of JCPOA in a tough team situation. He started the game well, with some Europe had 11 commitments under the JCPOA “A return to the previous agreement will possess destructive nuclear missiles and commitments by the Europeans have caused good attacking moments. none of which were implemented by Europe…. not suffice anyway. There will have to be a Germany is moving in this direction, they damage of between 150 and 200 billion dollars “I know he has been frustrated and he has been fighting to try What about us? We have implemented our kind of ‘nuclear agreement plus,’ which is tell us not to possess missiles,” the Leader to our country,” the lawmaker said. to get into the team. It was just that type of message.” JCPOA commitments and beyond. But now also in our interest. We have clear expecta- pointed out. Meanwhile, other lawmakers have said that we started to reduce our commitments tions of Iran: no nuclear weapons, but also Directly addressing the Europeans, Aya- that Iran’s missile program is not negotiable. in response to them, they say from a bullying no ballistic missile program that threatens tollah Khamenei added, “What business is “Iran’s missile and defense capability are Ulsan Hyundai can beat position that ‘Wow, why do you reduce your the entire region. Iran also needs to play a it of yours. Correct yourself first and then not negotiable at all,” Mahmoud Abbasza- commitments?’ O, insolent guys, you had 11 different role in the region,” Maas said in an make remarks.” deh Meshkini, a member of the Parliament’s Persepolis: Yoon Bit-Garam commitments but you complied with none interview with the German magazine, Der Although Iran’s criticism of Europe intensi- National Security and Foreign Policy Com- of them. So why do you ask us to comply Spiegel. He added, “We need this agreement fied after the E3 called for missile negotiations, mittee, has said. SPORTSTEHRAN — Ulsan Hyundai playmaker with our commitments? Now we have just precisely because we distrust Iran. I have tensions in Iran-Europe relations have never Iran-Europe tensions have even wors- deskYoon Bit-Garam says they can win the AFC started to reduce our commitments and this already coordinated with my French and subsided in the years after U.S. President’s ened in recent days after the E3 denounced Champions League final. process will certainly continue.” British counterparts on this.” Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the JCPOA the execution of Rouhollah Zam, the He believes that momentum is with his side going into the 2020 The European signatories to the JCPOA Before Maas, the French presidency also on May 8, 2018. Iran has always called on the operator of the Amad News website and AFC Champions League final against Iran’s Persepolis on Saturday. – France, Germany and the UK (E3) – have had said that Iran’s missile issue should be E3 to compensate it for the damage Trump the eponymous channel on the Telegram South Korean Ulsan Hyundai defeated Japan’s Vissel Kobe ramped up pressure on Iran in recent weeks in addressed in future talks. caused to its economy. But the Europeans messaging app. 2-1 in the competition’s semi-final on Sunday. “I have a great memory facing an Iranian team here in Qatar, but for me it is more about the atmosphere and the attitude of the team than individual moments,” Yoon told the-afc.com. Trump’s pressure campaign against Iran failed: former WH official “We have one game to go and if we can keep a positive attitude like we did against Vissel and give everything on the pitch, we POLITICAL TEHRAN — U.S. President Donald any Biden’s effort to rejoin the JCPOA. can win the AFC Champions League final,” he added. deskTrump has sought to reach a new deal “The timing of this assassination was very questionable,” with Iran through exerting pressure on it but he failed Hippel pointed out, adding, “The timing of the assassination to get any deal with Iran, former assistant director for shows that the aim is to make things more complicated National Security in the White House Office of Science for the Biden administration. Israel has carried out other Ulsan, Persepolis second and Technology Policy has said. assassinations in the past that seemed to seek to complicate “Trump wanted to reach a better deal with Iran through things for the Obama administration.” Korean-Iranian encounter maximum pressure, but he failed. [Joe] Biden also seeks According to Hippel, Trump and Israel, both have sought in ACL Final to secure a better deal with Iran but he wants to do so on to provoke Iran to prevent the return to the JCPOA. the basis of the current deal or the JCPOA,” Frank Von On November 27 at 14:30, the convoy of Fakhrizadeh The match between Ulsan Hyundai and Persepolis will be second Hippel told Iran’s state news agency IRNA, referring to an suddenly came under attack on a highway in the small city Korean-Iranian encounter in the AFC Champions League final. acronym for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known this promise will be hard. In a recent interview with The of Absard in Damavand County, about 40 kilometers east When the two teams face off in the 2020 AFC Champions as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). New York Times’ columnist Thomas Friedman, Biden of the capital Tehran. The scientist lost his life during the League final in Doha on Saturday, it marks just the second time He added, “This is the difference between Trump and addressed a variety of domestic and foreign policy issues, attack. Iranian officials were quick to point the finger at clubs from their respective nations have met at this stage in the Biden.” including the nuclear deal, which President Donald Trump Israel, which has carried out many assassination opera- tournament’s history, the first coming a decade ago. According to Hippel, Trump did everything in his quit on May 8, 2018. tions against Iranian nuclear scientists over the past decade. As the clock ticks down towards Asian club football’s highly power to make the survival of the JCPOA impossible. Asked whether he still stands by his views on the deal Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet on anticipated showpiece event, the-AFC.com rolls back the clock “He imposed various sanctions, including non-nuclear that he expressed in the op-ed for CNN, Biden answered, the day of the assassination that the attack was carried out 10 years to when teams from Korea Republic and Iran first faced sanctions, to complicate the return to the JCPOA,” Hippel “It’s going to be hard, but yeah.” with “serious indications of Israeli role.” Since then, several off in the AFC Champions League final: a memorable encounter said, noting that the Trump administration has imposed Biden reiterated this position in a recent interview with Iranian officials have vowed to take revenge against Israel. between Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Zob Ahan, where the Korean terrorism-related sanctions that will make Biden’s return CNN in which he said that he thinks he will have “very dif- “All think tanks and all enemies of Iran should know team won the match 3-1 at the National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan. to the Iran nuclear deal difficult. ficult” issues dealing with Iran. well that the Iranian nation and the country’s authorities The Tehran giants return for Saturday’s final of the 2020 edition During his election campaign, U.S. President-elect Joe “He [Trump] has pulled out to get something tougher, and are more courageous and zealous than to let this criminal looking to go one better than Zob Ahan and want to become the Biden announced that he will return to the Iran nuclear deal what have they done? They’ve increased the ability for them act go unanswered. The relevant authorities will respond to first Iranian winners in the AFC Champions League era. if he wins the U.S. presidential election. to have nuclear material. They’re moving closer to the ability this crime at the proper time,” President Hassan Rouhani Ulsan, meanwhile, will be hoping that this second Korean-Iranian “I will offer Tehran a credible path back to diplomacy. If to be able to have enough material for a nuclear weapon. And said following the assassination. encounter goes exactly the same as the first meeting 10 years ago. Iran returns to strict compliance with the nuclear deal, the there’s the missile issues,” Biden said, adding, “All those things, But Rouhani also said that Iran will not fall into the “trap” Korean clubs would go on to appear in the AFC Champions United States would rejoin the agreement as a starting point I think, are going to be very difficult. But I know one thing: We of the enemies. League final four more times (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2016), winning for follow-on negotiations. With our allies, we will work to cannot do this alone. And that’s why we have to be part of a “The Iranian nation is wiser and smarter than to fall in 2012 with Ulsan and 2016 with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. strengthen and extend the nuclear deal’s provisions, while larger group, dealing not only with Iran, but with Russia, with in the trap of the Zionists (Israel). They are after chaos For teams from Iran, the sole representative at Asian club also addressing other issues of concern,” Biden said in a China and a whole range of other issues.” and sedition. They should understand that we know their football’s grandest stage since then was Persepolis in 2018. September op-ed for CNN. Hippel said the assassination of top Iranian nuclear sci- plans and they will not achieve their ominous goals,” (Source: the-afc) After the election, Biden said that making good on entist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was aimed to further harden the Iranian president said.

Tehran confers on sports JCPOA talks will go ahead as planned: EU diplomat coop. with Baghdad, Doha POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Euro- Iran-Europe business forum that was unlikely to impinge on Iran-Europe rela- deskpean Union-Iran talks due to be held through webinar during tions. MNA — The President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) on the 2015 nuclear deal will go ahead as December 14-16 but was postponed in “A court has reviewed the [Zam] case of the Islamic Republic of Iran Reza Salehi Amiri met and held planned despite the controversy over the the wake of Zam’s execution. The business and issued the verdict. We act in the frame- talks with his Iraqi and Qatari counterparts in Muscat on the execution of Rouhollah Zam, an EU for- forum was collaboratively by Iran’s Trade work of our regulations,” Rouhani noted, sidelines of OCA General Assembly. eign service spokesman said, according to Promotion Organization (TPO) and the adding, “I see it as unlikely that the case In his Tuesday meeting with Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports Euobserver. European Union (EU). will damage Iran and Europe relations.” Adnan Dirjal and the President of National Olympic Committee The Joint Commission of the Joint Com- The EU has condemned the execution of Earlier this week, Seyed Abbas Aragh- of Iraq Raad Hammoudi, Salehi Amiri emphasized the full im- prehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) plans Zam, a move that prompted Iran to summon chi, the deputy foreign minister of Iran for plementation of Iran-Iraq MoU. to meet in Vienna on Wednesday, Iran and two European ambassadors – French and political affairs, announced that that the tive Josep Borrell by the Secretary General “The Ministry of Sports and even all sports federations of the EU said. However, after the execution German – to Iran in protest over denouncing Joint Commission will hold a meeting at of the European External Action Service Iran are ready to provide assistance and support to our friend of Amad News operator Rouhollah Zam, the execution. the level of deputy ministers and political Helga Maria Schmid and will be attended and neighbor country of Iraq ... and we will take the necessary there have been rumors that the JCPOA In a statement on Saturday, the French directors of the 4+1 (France, Russia, China, by the representatives of E3+2 countries action in various areas such as software, consulting and training talks may be postponed or canceled. Foreign Ministry condemned “in the strong- the UK and Germany). The meeting will be (China, France, Germany, Russia, United upon request,” the Iranian official said. But the EU foreign service said that est possible terms” the execution of Zam, held via videoconference. Araghchi said he Kingdom) and Iran,” the EU statement said. Iraqi sports officials, for their turn, thanked Iran for its support Wednesday’s JCPOA talks, covering imple- calling it an “unacceptable act that goes will represent Iran in the meeting. According to the statement, the meeting and called for closer cooperation among the sports bodies of the mentation details, will go ahead as planned against the country’s international com- In late November, the European Union will discuss ways to preserve the 2015 Iran two countries. In his meeting with the President of the National despite Zam’s execution. mitments.” External Action Service said in a statement nuclear deal. Olympic Committee of Qatar Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al “I wouldn’t mix the two issues,” the EU The European countries also refused that the meeting will be held in Vienna. “Participants will discuss ongoing work Thani, on the same day, Salehi Amiri noted that political and spokesman said on Monday, adding, “You to participate in the business forum due “A meeting of the Joint Commission of to preserve the JCPOA and how to ensure economic relations between Iran and Qatar have always been cannot connect it [the JCPOA], or link it, or to the execution. But the boycott doesn’t the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action the full and effective implementation of at a good level and will expand over time. even compare it with the objectives of the seem to include the nuclear talks with Iran. (JCPOA) will take place in Vienna on 16 the agreement by all sides, including in “Also, in the sports sector, considering the very high capacities [postponed EU business] forum.” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said December. The Joint Commission will be preparation of exchanges at Ministerial of Qatar.... we hope that we will be able to develop and expand The spokesman was referring to the on Monday that the execution of Zam was chaired on behalf of EU High Representa- Level,” the statement said. mutual relations day by day,” he added. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 16, 2020

Cleaning materials export up 14% in 8 months yr/yr Uzbekistan eager for investment

ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s value of the cleaning deskmaterials export rose 14 percent during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March in Iran’s Chabahar port 20-November 20), compared to the same period of time in the past year, an official with Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran, India, working group be formed with representatives announced. desk Neda Ataei, the secretary and Uzbekistan held an of Iran and Uzbekistan to carefully review the of TPO’s desk of chemical and online meeting on cooperation in Iran’s programs and prepare operational plans for cellulose products, announced Chabahar Port on Monday, during which Uzbekistan’s presence in Chabahar’s Shahid that 185,000 tons of cleaning the Uzbek side expressed willingness for co- Beheshti port. materials worth $76 million have operation in Chabahar Port’s development Chabahar Port, the only Iranian ocean been exported from the coun- projects, IRIB reported. port, is a strategic port with unique oppor- try in the eight-month period, The meeting was jointly chaired by Iran’s tunities that can attract investments from indicating a seven-percent rise Deputy Transport Minister Shahram Ad- Iranian and foreign private sectors. in weight. amnejad, India’s secretary (shipping) Sanjeev India currently operates one of the ter- She further underscored that Ranjan, and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Transport minals of Chabahar port and offers loading Iran has become a big produc- Minister D. Dehkanov. and unloading services in the mentioned er of cleaning materials in the According to Deputy Transport Minister terminal. region, and mentioned Iraq, Shahram Adamnejad, Uzbekistan is eager The strategic project has been given a Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turk- for using the transportation and logistics waiver from sanctions imposed by the U.S. menistan, Azerbaijan, china, capacities of Chabahar port for developing on Iran. Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and its economic activities in the region. The development of the Chabahar Port is India as the major export des- During the meeting, the participants also important for the economic development of tinations of Iran’s cleaning materials. discussed joint use of the port for trade and regional countries and in this regard endors- As announced by the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran transit purposes and to enhance regional ing regional agreements with neighboring Customs Administration (IRICA), Iran has exported 75 million connectivity. countries is of significant importance for tons of non-oil products worth $21.5 billion during the first eight “Chabahar port is a safe and very con- Iran so that it can increase its transit share months of the current Iranian calendar year. venient port for the transit purposes, and to connect the shores of the Indian Ocean infrastructure and facilities provided in Iran’s top five non-oil export destinations during this period neighboring countries and the countries in port,” Adamnejad said. to Russia, northern Central Asia, and the Chabahar port and suggested that a joint were Iraq with over $5.3 billion worth of exports, China with the region can benefit from investing in this For his part, Dehkanov also praised the Caucasus. the same amount, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with over $2.7 billion, and Turkey with $1.6 billion as well as Afghanistan with $1.5 billion. Economic Diplomacy: Poland can be Iran’s gateway to Europe Copper anode output rises 16% 1 Another feature of Poland is that this country’s in Iran and the re-export of the mentioned products economic conditions are complementary to the economic to countries in the region, which will both generate ECONOMY TEHRAN — Production of the copper anode in situation in Iran. Poland needs energy resources, oil income for the two sides and help create jobs, espe- deskIran has risen 16 percent during the first eight products, petrochemical products, steel and copper cially in free zones. months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-November and other metals, building stones, nuts and some ag- The existence of advanced dairy industries in Poland 20), from the same period of time in the previous year. ricultural products, etc., and in return the country is a and the saturation of the European market have dou- As reported, 235,379 tons of the product has been produced major producer of mining and agriculture machinery, bled Iran’s attractiveness for Polish dairy companies in the eight-month period of this year. metal furnaces, wagons and locomotives, electric buses, to both invest in joint ventures with Iranian parties Copper anode production stood at 30,287 tons in the eight medicine and medical equipment, etc., which provide and to consider exporting products produced in Iran month of the present year, rising 44 percent from the output in favorable conditions for the further development of to neighboring countries. the same month of the previous year. economic relations between the two countries. Furthermore, given the advanced capabilities of In early May, four development projects worth 40 trillion rials Iran can export its petrochemical products to the Poland in the production of medicine and medical (about $952.3 million) were inaugurated in the copper sector of whole of Europe through Poland and replace Saudi equipment and Iran’s production of pharmaceutical Kerman Province in the southeast of Iran. Arabia in this market. at very competitive prices, cooperation between the The country can also be the best alternative to two countries in this sector can be another impor- Russia in supplying oil and gas to this country, espe- tant subject of economic diplomacy between the two cially since the characteristics of the Iranian oil are In the metal industry, Poland can also be a good countries. compatible with Polish refineries, and on the other partner for Iran, the presence of metal ores and steel In the field of animal husbandry, Poland can be a hand, due to sharp political differences between Poland industries in the Islamic Republic and the ability to good partner for Iran and play a serious role in the and Russia, they seek to reduce energy dependence produce furnaces and machinery needed by this in- development of this sector in Iran by transferring mod- on that country. dustry in Poland, provides a good opportunity for ern technologies and the supply of related machinery. In the Polish mining sector, the country is a design- cooperation and joint investment. The possibility of cooperation in the defense indus- er and manufacturer of mining machinery and has As for the railway transport sector, both in the west- try is another important issue of economic relations advanced technology in the field of exploration and east corridor and the north-south corridor, Poland between the two countries that needs to be pursued extraction at a depth of 1,500 meters. This situation can have a very effective cooperation with Iran and be and given serious attention. for Iran, which has more than one million square a good partner for the country in providing rail, and Poland can also be a good market for exporting kilometers of land suitable for mineral exploration, production lines for wagons and locomotives. Polish technical and engineering services and the medical and is trying to cut reliance on oil and become an oil- wagon and locomotive factories are ready to invest sector. Of course, this cooperation requires further President Hassan Rouhani put the projects into operation free economy, can provide very favorable conditions and set up production lines with the participation consideration and signing of relevant agreements. through video conference. for cooperation. of the Iranian side in Iran. This cooperation would Scientific and academic cooperation is another The projects inaugurated in Khatoon Abad Copper Complex Regarding the agricultural machinery, Iran is im- be very significant since development of the railway suitable field in Iran-Poland relations, and linking included increasing the capacity of copper smelting in the com- plementing serious strategies for mechanization of the infrastructure, is one of the important priorities for this cooperation with industry, mining, medicine and plex, building a copper concentrate storage, construction of a agriculture sector, and Poland can be a great partner to Iran considering its strategic position, which is located agriculture will lead to desirable results. sulfuric acid production plant, and an oxygen supplying unit. supply the required machinery, and this cooperation at the intersection of the North-south and East-west In general, Poland can be a gateway for Iran to By putting the first project into operation, the complex’s capacity can lead to joint investment and factories producing corridors. enter the European market, and the Islamic Republic for producing copper anode rises by 50 percent to 120,000 tons, these machines in Iran. Even considering the great Another economic feature of Iran and Poland is can reciprocally provide Poland with access to the and the country’s copper smelting capacity rose to 400,000 tons. needs of the region, Iran can also become an exporter the possibility of cooperation and participation in very attractive market with a five hundred million Iran has seen its copper exports doubled in the past Iranian of such machinery in this very attractive market. the production of various wood and metal products population in the region. calendar year despite a series of bitter sanctions imposed by the United States aimed at hampering the Islamic Republic’s trade of lucrative metals. A senior official at Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), Iran’s Iran-Pakistan online business forum to be held next week largest metals and mining holding, has said that the value of ECONOMY TEHRAN — In a bid trade exchanges. and the Energy Ministry held talks with exports for main copper products reached more than $1 billion deskto expand trade rela- The two sides criticized the incompati- their Pakistani counterparts to discuss over the past year. tions between Iran and Pakistan, Teh- bility of the volume of trade between Iran a variety of issues including electricity ran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Pakistan with the capacities and po- exports, and maritime, road, and rail Energy projects worth over Mines, and Agriculture (TCCIMA), and tentials of the two countries and called for transportation cooperation. Karachi Chamber of Commerce and boosting trade relations to over $5 billion. The TPO head had visited Pakistan $63m inaugurated in 3 provinces Industry (KCCI) will hold an Iran-Pa- Pakistan has a relatively large con- along with a high-ranking delegation kistan business forum via webinar on sumer market with a population of over headed by Foreign Minister Mohammad 1 As reported, the mentioned projects have been put into December 22. 200 million. Javad Zarif. operation with the aim of increasing the reliability of the electricity The online forum will cover issues re- According to the World Trade Organi- Iran’s exports to Pakistan in the past network, reducing unwanted blackouts, supplying electricity to lated to bilateral cooperation in the fields zation, imports constitute over 66 percent Iranian calendar year (ended on March the Mehr housing projects, increasing the country’s electricity of energy, tourism, transportation, food Head of Lahore Chamber of Commerce of Pakistan’s trade. 19) was $1.18 billion, but in the mean- generation capacity, managing water and gas consumption, and and medicine, agriculture, health, leather and Industry Tariq Misbah, and TCCIMA Expansion of trade with Pakistan, and time, financial and banking problems providing electricity to 45 rural households. and garments. Deputy Head for International Affairs He- boosting exports to this neighbor is one have still created obstacles in the way of TCCIMA has also held a webinar on samedin Hallaj were among the attendees of Iran’s priorities. trade relations with this country. the expansion of trade with Pakistan in to this online event. In a visit to Pakistan in mid-Novem- And although due to the banking and collaboration with Lahore Chamber of During the webinar, the two sides un- ber, Head of Iran’s Trade Promotion financial problems, barter trade with Commerce and Industry on December 9. derlined the problems caused by the U.S. Organization (TPO) Hamid Zadboum Pakistan is still emphasized by Iran; ex- In the webinar, which was attended sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic met with Pakistan’s deputy economic perts and those active in the economic by the officials and representatives of the in the economic relations between the two affairs minister to discuss the expansion fields believe that Iran should seriously two countries’ private sectors, the two countries and stressed the need for using of trade ties with the neighboring country. pursue the idea of a bilateral joint bank sides discussed ways for the expansion barter trade, removal of non-tariff bar- In the meeting, the representatives of with Pakistan, while taking trade facil- of trade ties. riers, the expansion of cross-border and the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Ministry itation measures in line with signing TCCIMA Head Masoud Khansari, preferential trade as ways of increasing of Transport and Urban Development, agreements.

Iran’s oil output up 39,000 bpd in November: OPEC A-B-Iran program (the acronyms A and B stand for water ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran produced 1.986 mil- The country’s average heavy crude price was $39.98 since and electricity in Persian) was initiated in the previous Iranian desklion barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil in the beginning of 2020 up to the report’s publishing date, in calendar year (ended on March 19), during which the minister November, registering a 39,000-bpd increase compared comparison to $61.68 in the previous year’s same period. made 31 trips to various provinces for inaugurating over 220 to the previous month, according to OPEC’s latest monthly OPEC Basket prices also rose 6.3 percent to $42.99 a major projects with a total investment of 335.6 trillion rials (about report published on Monday. barrel in November, up $2.66 from October. $7.99 billion). Based on secondary sources, Iran had produced 1.947 Based on the OPEC data, the cartel’s oil production Since the beginning of the second phase of the scheme in the million bpd of crude oil in October. increased by 707,000 barrels per day in November and current Iranian calendar year (started on March 20), every week The report put average Iranian crude output for the third the total production of the members of this organization several energy projects have gone operational across the country. quarter of 2020 at 1.942 million barrels per day indicating reached 25.109 million barrels per day. Earlier this month during the 31st week of the A-B-Program, a near 7,000-bpd fall compared to the figure for the second OPEC oil production in the previous month stood at Ardakanian said: “In the second phase of the program 250 projects quarter of 2020. 24.402 million barrels per day. are going to be inaugurated by the end of the current Iranian The country’s heavy crude oil prices also increased $2.64 In addition to the devastating impacts of the coronavirus calendar year (March 20, 2021) of which so far 154 have gone in November to register a 46.6-percent rise compared to the pandemic on the global oil industry which resulted in the operational.” previous month, according to the OPEC report. drastic fall in oil prices, the Iranian oil industry has also The official noted that a total of 500 trillion rials (about $11.9 Iran sold its heavy crude oil at $42.88 per barrel in the been under pressure from the U.S. efforts to isolate the billion) of investment will be made in the mentioned 250 projects. mentioned month, compared to October’s $40.24 per barrel. country by re-imposing sanctions. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 16, 2020 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5 Words from readers “Let us not make our enemies My name is Khalida Jarrar! I was on Feb. 9, 1963, in Nablus, Palestine. I married my college mate Ghassan and we have two daugh- ters: Yaffa and Suha. I was arrested many times by the Israeli Occupation Forces happy”: Turkish attorney (IOF). Several of those arrests resulted in me being held under the Administrative Detention Act (ADA). ADA is a proce- dure that allows the Israeli military to hold only Palestinian 1 Although there have been dis- region had been hoping for the election prisoners indefinitely on secret evidence without charging putes between these two states through the of Joe Biden instead of Trump before the them or allowing them to stand trial. It is renewable every 6 course of history, cooperation and mutual elections. Especially some opposition months indefinitely, a practice that was not even deployed respect have always been a top priority. parties in Turkey have welcomed Biden’s during the Nazi era. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend- election win. I have been also charged and convicted of “incitement” by ed the ceremonies of Nagorno-Karabakh’s We have also read some articles, praising an Israeli military court, and sentenced to 15 months in pris- liberation from the occupation of Arme- Biden’s election win, in connection with on of which I served 6 months before I was released after an nia, which had been backed by Western the nuclear deal with Iran. international campaign on my behalf. Incitement is a Mickey imperialism. During his speech in the History is full of examples of why Atlantic Mouse charge Israel uses against any Palestinian who dares ceremonies, he proposed a six-country imperialism can never be trusted. to challenge the occupation. platform for the issues in the Caucasus, The leadership that has tried to find a I am currently being held in administrative detention at which Turkey, Iran, Russia, Georgia, Azer- middle way or a deal with imperialism has one of the Israeli concentration camps, after being kidnapped baijan, and even Armenia, if they could also blown apart in our region. by the IOF at my home in Ramallah, in October 2019. manage to change their political attitudes, We know that Biden plans to work with “If I broke the law, Israel must put me on trial and prove that could join the platform. the staff from the Obama administration. I committed a crime. If, on the other hand, the reason for my Unfortunately, instead of paying atten- Although a facade of softening towards detention is RETALIATION, then THE BASIC ELEMENT OF tion to this proposal to unite West Asia, West Asia was presented during the Obama DEMOCRACY requires Israel must release me immediately.” firestorms were blown over a poem that administration, the result was blood and THE OCCUPATION GET TO GO! Erdogan read during his speech, and the tears once more, throughout the region LONG LIVE PALESTINE! important point sadly got ignored. and especially in Syria. Mahmoud El-Yousseph Some people expected to create a fire- It was only the methodology that changed USAF Retired Veteran storm between Ankara and Tehran over with the Obama, Trump, and Biden ad- Westerville, OhiO such a simple issue, the “poem about the ministrations, but the final goal of the U.S. Aras River”, but after the statements made government towards some separatists who just like similar groups in Iran. imperialism would still be to rule over West by conscientious officials from both coun- believe in Greater Azerbaijan? The main body of these groups consists Asia by destabilizing it. Putin congratulates tries, it was announced to the world that A: Turkey, as a neighbor, respects Iran’s of Atlantic supporters, and/or those who Those who hope the United States will there was a misunderstanding and that the territorial integrity and national sovereignty. look at the world from a sectarian point change policy are horribly wrong. Joe Biden on U.S. 400 years of friendship would continue. The Republic of Turkey has never pursued of view. There are countries in the region that We must understand very well that the a policy that targets to disrupt the Iranian The way to neutralize these groups would have taken action together during the As- election victory be through even deeper cooperation between tana process, which led to some important possible winners of the cooperation between territorial integrity, in its entire history. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday congratulated Ankara and Tehran. achievements regarding the Syrian crisis. Turkey and Iran, would not only be these On the contrary, Ankara has mostly pur- Joe Biden on his victory in the U.S. presidential election, The good relations between the two coun- It is possible to implement the same two countries but also the entire West Asia, sued a policy that prioritizes the internal after Biden won the state-by-state Electoral College vote that tries and the unchanging border for 400 mechanism in the Caucasus today. while a possible dispute between the two stability of Iran. officially determines the U.S. presidency, the Kremlin said. years are the clear signs that the Turkish President Erdogan’s proposal for a countries will only be in favor of the United And recently on the issue of the nucle- The Kremlin had said it would wait for the official results government and the Turkish nation, do six-country platform in Baku can be con- States and Israel. ar deal, the Turkish government, together of the election before commenting on its outcome, even as not have the slightest problem with the sidered in this context. What was the Turkish media’s impres- with the Brazilian government, played as other nations congratulated Biden on the win in the days territorial integrity of Iran. On the other hand, we can see that the sion of the Iranian reaction to Erdogan’s a mediator that protected Iranian inter- after the Nov. 3 vote. Misunderstandings such as this poem imperialist siege in the Eastern Mediter- poem recitation in the Baku parade? ests in the international arena and tried “For my part, I am ready for interaction and contact with crisis make it much easier for the United ranean has been growing and Israel, which A: The poem that President Erdogan to put an end to the imperialist approach you,” the Kremlin cited Putin as saying in a statement. States, Israel and their sectarian puppets now has the support of the West, wants to read was not perceived as a threat towards towards Iran. “Putin wished the president-elect every success and ex- to infiltrate and cause friction between gather the Arab countries under the name the Iranian territorial integrity in Turkey. And the fact that Turkey has contin- pressed confidence that Russia and the United States, which Ankara and Tehran. of “normalization”, and put them into an However, when there were some harsh ued its trade activities with Iran despite have a special responsibility for global security and stability, We know that Israel really hopes the anti-Turkey and anti-Iran camp. accusations from some Iranian groups, it all international pressures and embargoes, could, despite their differences, really help to solve the many Ankara-Tehran relations to collapse, with The nations of West Asia can only retaliate immediately woke up some groups in Tur- could also be seen as an indication of the problems and challenges facing the world,” the Kremlin said. key, that have been uncomfortable with the goodwill and the willingness of Turkey to all their hearts. to this unholy alliance of the imperialist Ankara-Tehran cooperation. cooperate. We need to underline the statements powers with their own alliance. However, the Turkish government has Turkey, which has been fighting against from the Turkish presidential spokesman Turkey and Iran are the main dynamics French police protest managed to ease down the situation by the American puppet PKK terrorist organ- Omer Celik after the poem crisis “let us not of a possible regional alliance. Of course, making some constructive explanations. ization for nearly four decades, is pursuing make our enemies happy”. we must not forget our northern neighbor, against Emmanuel And the overall mood has finally eased a policy against any movements that want And we are also sure that the Iranian Russia. down in the media after the government to partition and weaken the countries of officials know that the winners of a possible If we manage to act as a united front, at Macron’s security bill officials and other key politicians in Turkey the region, as part of the imperialist plans. dispute with Turkey would be the United least in our policies against imperialism, After weeks of continuous protests by the locals in France, have explained the situation clearly. Why are some think tanks in Turkey, States and Israel. our region may be fully stabilized from the the French police has also taken to streets to raise their voices As this small crisis shows us that those such as Iram, associated with anti-Iranian Given Biden’s recent remarks about Caucasus to the Eastern Mediterranean against the proposed changes in the new security bill. who want the Ankara-Tehran relations to and separatist activists? Erdogan, how do you see the relationship and the Middle East (West Asia). Police officers in the capital city, Paris, organized a rally to deteriorate are those who play in the hands Unfortunately, there are some groups between Turkey and the United States Otherwise, some radical nationalist and denounce the French President Emmanuel Macron and stood of the pro-Atlantic supporters. in Turkey that are not comfortable with during the Biden era? sectarian perspectives will make it easier outside the iconic Place de l’Etoile in their official uniforms. What is the position of the Turkish the cooperation between Turkey and Iran, A: We can see that some groups in the for imperialism to rule over our region. The roads surrounding the area illuminated with the blue lights of their police cars as the officers stood peacefully while chanting slogans against the government’s decision. These protests were organized to denounce Macron’s re- Soleimani entered Gaza to repel Israeli attacks, blockade: activist cent hit at the local police alleging them of being harsher and questioning their policing. He had also vowed to personally By Mohammad Ali Haghshenas out of the UN human rights commission and at a certain intervene in the matter if things do not get better. He had point the warmongering John Bolton threatened the ICC TEHRAN – Firas Al Najim, a Canada-based human rights penned a letter explaining his plans of bringing reforms in international criminal court with sanctions if they were training in a few key areas, mainly: police training, supervi- activist, points to the role of Martyr Lieutenant General investigated for war crimes in Afghanistan or elsewhere. Ghasem Soleimani in the fight against terrorism in West sion, resources, video footage of interventions, inspections, This is the type of lawless and careless American system and relations with the wider population. Asia, and his support for Palestinian resistance. we are dealing with. The U.S. regime assassinated Iranian top military com- How do you see Soleimani’s role in fighting against mander, General Soleimani, on January 3, 2020, in violation U.S. and Saudi backed terrorism? Hackers breach U.S. of all the international norms and regulations. A: Soleimani was a very successful commander and Nearly one year on, Mehr News Agency has reached out defender of the holy Middle Eastern (West Asian) region. agencies, Homeland to the head of Canadian Defenders for Human Rights Firas He was in the forefront in the 2006 Lebanon vs Zionist Al Najim to further discuss the role of Martyr Soleimani occupation battle that had a great resolution of having Security a reported target in West Asia. all the Lebanese prisoners of war released and the Israeli 1 “This campaign may have begun as early as Spring “Soleimani entered Gaza several times and helped to illegitimate regime was never humiliated to this high of a 2020 and is currently ongoing,” FireEye said in a blog post. build the underground tunnels that assisted the resistance level before in its history. The content the hackers have sought to steal -- and how to respond strongly to the Israeli aggression,” Al Najim said. Soleimani also was at the forefront in securing Syria from successful they have been -- is not known at this time. Here is the full text of the interview: the global terrorist organizations that were backed by the the maps that opened the doors of all resistance to join “We believe this is nation-state activity at significant scale, How do you assess the U.S. act based on interna- American- Saudi evil regimes. He also assisted in securing hands in from Lebanon to Palestine to Syria to Iraq and aimed at both the government and private sector,” said IT tional law? the holy shrine of the Prophet Muhammad’s granddaughter the list goes on. The united resistance that will one day giant Microsoft, which is also investigating, in a blog post. A: The U.S. regime and specifically the Trump admin- Lady Zainab in the capital of Syria Damascus. Soleimani enter and liberate holy occupied Palestine as he predicted While Microsoft refrained from naming a country, several istration breached international law without any remorse concluded his life in the grand battle against the ISIL terror- in many of his sermons. Soleimani entered Gaza several U.S. media pointed the finger at the Russian group “APT29”, or regret by killing General Ghasem Soleimani who was ists that had gained strong grounds in Iraq and massacred times and helped to build the underground tunnels that also known as “Cozy Bear.” invited to Iraq through legal Iraqi channels. Governments many Iraqis. Soleimani was the main engineer in liberating assisted the resistance to respond strongly to the Israeli According to the Washington Post, the group is part of of Iraq and Iran had mutual security agreements and this and securing Iraq and that includes the northern mainly aggressions. Moscow’s intelligence services, and hacked servers at the was fully violated by the U.S. attack targeting the agreement populated Kurdish areas and this has also been stated by This was confirmed by the Hamas representative in State Department and the White House during the Obama and also killing one of the most important Iraqi gener- Massoud Barzani. Lebanon Ahmed Abdul Hadi and it was sealed when the administration. als in the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) Abu Mahdi How do you see his role in defusing the U.S. plots to leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh, the democratically elect- The Russian Embassy in the United States categorically al-Muhandis who had led the battle against the terrorist redraw the map of the region? ed government of Gaza, flew to Tehran after Soleimani’s denied the accusations in a statement on Facebook. organization ISIL, aka Daesh. A: The American-engineered and -backed terrorism was martyrdom and during the sermon said loudly and boldly Muhandis was also part of the democratic political sys- defeated by Soleimani and his companions and they felt that Ghasem Soleimani is the martyr of Al Quds meaning tem in Iraq and the PMU was also voted in by the majority they had reached a point of despair that they had to kill the martyr of Jerusalem. We at CD4HR pray for justice R esistance N ews of parliament to be included as a wing of the Iraqi armed him in a cowardly way and this also exposed their nature. for those great martyrs and that can only be achieved by forces. Also, it’s important to mention that the U.S. pulled Soleimani broke the evil Sykes-Picot Agreement and redraw prosecuting the perpetrators of this Great War crime. Hamas: We’ll continue to hold the resistance banner Israel to build 8,300 settler units over next 20 years: Report in Palestine Israel reportedly approves construction Earlier this year, U.S. President Donald Going at its current rate, the Israeli INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — The Hamas Movement has of a whopping 8,300 settler units in the Trump said he agreed with the regime’s regime would have turned “the West Bank deskaffirmed that it will remain faithful to the occupied West Bank through a 20-year “annexing” the areas on which the settle- by 2045 into a new Galilee,” the bureau Palestinian people’s rights and constants at all levels and project that practically enables annexa- ments have been built. warned, referring to an area located in the will keep standing as “an impregnable wall in the face of all tion of the Palestinian land on which the Tel Aviv, though, supposedly shelved north of the occupied territories. attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause.” structures are to be built. the annexation plan amid international The regime’s building projects involves In a press release on the occasion of its founding anniver- The Palestinian Wafa news agency car- outcry. creating “a large settlement belt” around sary, Hamas said it would continue “its struggle against the ried the report on Tuesday, citing infor- According to the National Bureau for al-Quds, it said. Israeli occupation until the liberation of Palestine from the mation announced earlier by the Arab48 Defending Land and Resisting Settlements Palestinian want the holy city’s eastern sea to the river.” news website. (NBPRS) of the Palestine Liberation Or- part to serve as the capital of their future It added that it would continue to hold the banner of the The project would get off the ground their heads on “seized Palestinian land ganization (PLO) umbrella group, however, state, while he occupying regime lays claim resistance on the land of Palestine and work side by side with next year and last until 2040 involving extending from Beit Safafa neighborhood such ambitious building projects, in effect, to its entirety. other revolutionaries on achieving the Palestinian people’s industrial, commercial, and residential to al-Walaja village.” realize the regime’s annexation purposes. Trump has endorsed the Israeli claim aspirations for freedom, return and liberation. facilities, including towers running as high Israel occupied the West Bank during The regime has just allegedly frozen and relocated the American Embassy from “Jerusalem, the capital, will remain the jewel in the crown as 30 stories, in areas lying south of the a war in 1967 and has, ever since, been the annexation march in a gesture aimed Tel Aviv to the city in a move that used of Palestine, the center of the conflict with the occupation and holy occupied city of Jerusalem al-Quds. dotting the Palestinian territory with il- “to deceive the public opinion and the in- to be avoided by all of his predecessors. the continuing inspiration for the Palestinian revolution,” Wafa said the facilities were to rear legal settlements. ternational community.” (Source: Press TV) Hamas underlined. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM DECEMBER 16, 2020 Studying inscriptions from Islamic World Manuchehri’s mausoleum added to national heritage list necessary to realize Greater Iran, linguist says TOURISM TEHRAN – The mud-brick mausoleum of deskthe 11th-century Persian poet Manuchehri Damghani has recently been inscribed on the national heritage list. 1 Another speaker at the meet- early 6th century BC. The Urartians were Known as the “poet of nature”, Manuchehri was a creative poet, ing, Maryam Dana said that several metal succeeded in the area in the 6th century who is said to have invented the form of musammat (stanzaic artifacts related to Urartu, an ancient BC by the Armenians. poems) in Persian poetry. His mausoleum is located in Damghan, kingdom, have been found in Iran that Urartu, an ancient country of southwest north-central province of Semnan. their designs and patterns show many Asia centered in the mountainous region The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism details about the art, culture, religion, southeast of the Black Sea and southwest announced the inscription on Monday in a letter to the gover- and life of people of the time. of the Caspian Sea. Today the region is nor-general of the province, IRNA reported. Dana, who is a faculty member of Iran’s divided among Armenia, eastern Turkey, Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and and northwestern Iran. As mentioned Tourism, also noted that the metal belts in Assyrian sources from the early 13th belong to this historical era, being kept in century BC, Urartu enjoyed considerable Reza Abbasi Museum, depict patterns of political power in the Middle East in the mythical or real animals, plants, or human. 9th and 8th centuries BC. The Timurid dynasty, self-designated According to Encyclopedia Iranica, the as Gurkani, was a Sunni Muslim dynasty territory of the ancient kingdom of Urartu or clan of Turco-Mongol origin descended extended over the modern frontiers of from the warlord Timur (also known as Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and the Republic of Tamerlane). Armenia. Its center was the Armenian In the realm of architecture, accord- highland between Lake Van, Lake Urmia, ing to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the similarly, with painting and stucco relief dramatic, intense style was unequaled in and Lake Sevan. Urartian archeological Timurids drew on and developed many further enriching the effect. Persian manuscript illustration. finds in modern Iran including castles, Seljuq traditions. Turquoise and blue tiles The schools of miniature painting in The Urartu kingdom rose to power settlements, water channels and other forming intricate linear and geometric Shiraz, Tabriz, and Harat flourished under in the mid-9th century BC, but it went water constructions, rock chambers, patterns decorated the facades of buildings. the Timurids. Among the artists gathered into a gradual decline and was eventually rock graves, stelae, rock inscriptions, Sometimes the interior was decorated at Herat was Behzad (died c. 1525), whose conquered by the Iranian Medes in the and building inscriptions. Although very little is known of his life, his poetry shows an encyclopedic familiarity with Arabic and Persian verse which was presumably acquired in youth. The British modernist poet Basil Bunting published adap- Project aims to conserve Seymareh ruins, architectural elements tions of several Manuchehri’s poems from 1939 onwards, and a HERITAGE TEHRAN – A fresh conservation Sassanid-era (224 CE–651). Archeological findings little of Manuhehri’s sound-patterning seems to have influenced deskproject will soon commence on arrays show that the city included about 5,000 houses with Bunting’s English verse. of the centuries-old ruins and architectural elements, some modern aspects like a water distribution system The main population centers of Semnan province lie along which are scattered across Seymareh, an ancient city through clay pipes and underground sewers. The city the ancient Silk Road (and modern-day Imam Reza Express- located in Ilam province, the provincial tourism chief was destroyed and deserted after a huge earthquake way), linking Rey (Tehran) with Khorasan (Mashhad). While announced on Monday. around 950 BC. few visitors spend much time in the area, driving through you “A budget of 6.5 billion rials (about $154,000 at The remnants of the city were inscribed on the can easily seek out several well-preserved caravanserais (notably the official rate of 42,000 rials) has been allocated national heritage list in 1931. Dehnamak and Ahowan), cisterns (the Cafe Abenbar in Garmsar to the project that also touches upon agricultural Darreh Shahr was once the summer capital of Elam- is a special treat) and ruined mud citadels (Padeh is lumpy but lands situated within the ancient town,” Abdolmalek ites, a pre-Iranian civilization dated from 2700 to fascinating). The large, bustling cities of Semnan, Damghan, and Shanbehzadeh said. 539 BC. The city also enjoyed centuries of prosperity Shahrud (Bastam) all have a small selection of historic buildings “Seymareh is the largest ancient site in Ilam province… during the Sassanid era. and Semnan has a fine old covered bazaar. and it is located on the southeastern outskirts of the Darreh Shahr and its surrounding regions boast modern town of Dareh Shahr,” the official explained. vestiges of Sassanid constructions such as arches, Qajar-era cistern to undergo Believed to be flourished on remnants of the Elam- ceilings, alleys, and passages that follow a specific ite capital, Madaktu, Seymareh dates back to the order of urban development criteria of the time. restoration

HERITAGE TEHRAN – Work to restore a Qajar-era (1789– desk1925) cistern), named Qaleh Bala, is to commence soon in Varamin, southeast Tehran, local tourism chief has said. Qazvin province eyes national registration for letters patent The restoration project is set to refurbish the outer walls of the TOURISM TEHRAN – Qazvin’s to the [then] ruler of Qazvin and is sealed is nestled on top of a peak. It was once a privately-owned cistern, CHTN quoted Zhila Khodadi as saying deskdepartment for tour- with the seal of the Qajar king, the offi- shelter for the followers of Hasan-e Sabbah on Monday. ism and cultural heritage eyes national cial added. (1070–1124) who was a spiritual leader registration for Qajar-era letters patent, Qazvin was once the capital of the of an Islamic sect. In the early 1930s, which are being kept in the west-central mighty Persian Empire, under Safavids, British-Italian explorer and travel writer province. from 1548 to 98. It is a major tourist Freya Stark described her exploration of “Two pieces of letters patent, being destination with a wonderfully restored the place in her book “The Valleys of the kept in the northwestern province of caravanserai-turned-arts precinct, some Assassins”. Qazvin, are prepared to [possibly] be quirky museums, and a handful of decent Qazvin is also home to one of the biggest inscribed on the national heritage list,” eating options. For most travelers, Qazvin roofed caravanserais of the country, Sa’d- deputy provincial tourism chief has said. is also primarily the staging point for al Saltaneh caravanserai. Dating back to The paper documents, which have been excursions to the famous Castles of the the Qajar era, it’s a place for discovering studied and documented by the cultural on Monday. Assassins and trekking in the sensational tens of Hojreh or shops, cafes, yards, and heritage experts, were issued during the One of the handwritten letters is about Alamut Valley. a stunning mosque. It’s a place for visi- reign of Qajar king Nasser ad-Din Shah receiving a pension by one of Qazvin’s Also known as the castle of the As- tors who want to experience the culture, The mudbrick structure, called Ab Anbar in Persian, was once (1821-1900), Ehsan Nurani announced noble families, and the other is addressed sassins, the 12th-century Alamut castle culinary, and hospitality of Iran. one of the main sources of water supply for villagers in the region, the official added. The term Ab-Anbar is common throughout Iran as a designa- tion for roofed underground water cisterns. It associates with water management systems in arid areas that are reliant on permanent Qajar-era bas-relief in Rey to be restored, preserved springs or on seasonal rainwater. TOURISM TEHRAN –The 19th-century rock- ern Tehran. Cheshmeh-Ali, literally meaning Spring Such underground reservoirs or Ab-Anbars are parts of the iconic deskcarved bas-relief in Cheshmeh-Ali, a of Ali, is an underground mineral stream that pours qanat systems, which rely on snow-fed streams flowing down from historical and recreational spot located in the south of into an open-air pool which has long been a traditional surrounding mountains. Tehran and north of Rey, is planned to be restored and destination for sightseers and a recreational center for Qanats, according to UNESCO, provide exceptional testimony preserved within a comprehensive project. the locals. The site is in the neighborhood of the ancient to cultural traditions and civilizations in desert areas with an arid An appropriate budget has been allocated to the Ebn-e Babveyh cemetery, the 12th-century Tughrul climate. project due to the increasing trend of erosion and dam- Tower, the historical Rashkan Castle, and next to the age to the bas-relief, deputy provincial tourism chief aged Rey Castle. A taste of Iran: Khoresht Mast said on Tuesday. During the summertime, Cheshmeh-Ali and its The artwork that overlooks the Cheshmeh Ali pool surroundings are occupied by hundreds of locals who HERITAGE TEHRAN — In Persian cuisine, the term ‘khore- was commissioned by the Qajar king Fath Ali shah came for swimming and having fun. In the past, lo- desksht’ mostly refers to thick, usually sour stews who reigned from 1797 to 1834. Cheshmeh Ali also cals used to clean their rugs and carpets in the pool which are served as main meals alongside a rice dish. contains an archaeological site estimated to date from that is fed by an underground mineral spring, with the So, contrary to what its name suggests, Khoresht Mast (literally the 4 millennium BC. idea that the property of this spring water is good and meaning “yogurt stew”), despite having the name khoresht in the The restoration and preservation project, which aims clean for carpets and make them full lighter color by title, is a bright yellow, sweet dessert and mostly served as a side at repairing damaged parts with proper materials and its mineral water. dish or an appetizer. strengthening the monument using cob material, will be the national heritage list. The national registration of Rey was one of the capital cities of the Parthian commenced before the end of the current Iranian year the thousands-year-old spring will lead to its better empire (3rd century BC–3rd century CE) and it was 1399 (ends on March 20, 2021), Morteza Adibzadeh said. preservation as well as help tourism development in captured by the Muslim Arabs in 641 CE. During the Back in May, Rey’s cultural heritage department the region, he explained. reign of the Muslim caliph al-Mahdi in the 8th centu- director Amir Mosayeb Rahimzadeh announced that From ancient times Cheshmeh-Ali has been a source ry, the city grew in importance until it was rivaled in the historical complex is planned to be inscribed on of vitality to a historical area of the same name in south- western Asia only by Damascus and Baghdad.

Explore Susa; one of the oldest cities in the world (Part 1/3) one of the oldest in the world. temporarily able to incorporate Susa into HERITAGE TEHRAN — On the hill Early Susa his empire. However, the Awan kings deskoverlooking the Susa In this early age, the potters of Susa managed to regain their independence Museum, ancient Persia is unearthed produced ceramics of an unsurpassed and a treaty between Sargon’s grand- at this fascinating UNESCO-listed ar- quality, which they decorated with birds, son Naram-Sin and his colleague in the chaeological site occupying the whole mountain goats, and other animals de- east proves that in the end, mutual re- southern flank of modern Shush. signs. In the fourth millennium (the spect reigned, according to Livius.org; Made from a combination of sugar, rose water, yogurt, saffron, Excavations have established that “Uruk Period”), the city became the a website on ancient history written and onions, egg yolks, turmeric, and crushed lamb neck meat, Khoresht people were living at the acropolis in capital of Elam and was able, at times, maintained since 1996 by the Dutch mast is a traditional dish native to Isfahan. 5000 BC and have shown the existence to challenge the Sumerian and Akkadian historian Jona Lendering. To make it ready, you should first braise and shred the lamb of urban structures about 4000, and we towns in southern Iraq. The kings of Awan even conquered the neck. Yogurt and sugar are simmered inside a separate pot while the can be certain that the town, situated The city itself expanded to the east, kingdom of Anshan, east of the Zagros. shredded meat is slowly added. Once the mixture forms a paste-like on a strip of land between the rivers to that part of the city that is now called This was just the first of several unifica- Neo-Elamite arrowheads; Susa; ca. texture, brewed saffron and rosewater is added, giving our Khoresht Shaour (a tributary of the Karkheh) and the royal city. From written sources, we tions of these two kingdoms; although 1000 BC–ca. 500 BC Mast a gorgeous yellow color and an exotic taste. Put the final product Dez, was already a political center of know that there must have been ziggu- there were periods in which they were in the fridge for 24 hours to chill to create the perfect consistency. some importance. rat. A third part is the artisan’s quarter, separated, the title “king of Susa and later by other Mesopotamian rulers, Before being served, the dish is designed with sliced pistachios Originally similar in scale to Persepo- which was even further to the east. Anshan” was to become common. and still under attack from the Gutians. and almonds and topped with barberries. lis, the city saw countless invasions and The kings of the Awan dynasty are The Awan dynasty collapsed when Still, the city, although claimed by the Iranian cooking can be seen as a metaphor for the country itself: sackings (the Mongols were particularly known to have been the rulers of Elam the Gutians descended from the moun- kings of Larsa, was independent under It’s tart, sweet, fragrant, and vastly complex. It’s one of the world’s thorough), and little upright evidence in the last third of the third millenni- tains and created havoc on the alluvial an Elamite dynasty. However, this was oldest, yet largely obscure, culinary landscapes, with roots dating remains of Darius the Great’s once grand um; they were contemporaries of the plains of Elam and Mesopotamia. Susa not to last forever: king Hammurabi of back to the ancient Persian Empire. capital. The site is over 6000 years old; dynasty of Sargon of Akkad, who was was controlled by king Shulgi of Ur and Babylon (1792-1750) annexed Elam. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 16, 2020 SOCIETY 7

Mismanagement, overexploitation Discarded masks infecting oceans as side effect of Covid pandemic threaten Persian Gulf ecosystem The pale blue of a mask is easy to spot among the dry-brown reeds. People walk here along the northern coast of the San Francisco By Faranak Bakhtiari “In the last 30 years, the Persian Gulf Bay, crowding a path that bends to the contour of the shore. At has lost its ability to rebuild due to unsus- the small pebble beach near a park called Blackies Pasture, a TEHRAN – The Persian Gulf ecosystem tainable exploitation. surgical mask is tangled in the marsh at the edge of the Bay. A and biodiversity are being destroyed due to Many species are on the verge of extinction, little further on is another, then another on the other side of the mismanagement, overexploitation, and lack facing a constant and growing threat, and path, waiting to be blown into the sea. of supervision. the main victim of which is human. “I mean this is a high-wealth area and even here you see it,” Criticizing the internal and external threat The decline of indigenous fishing in the said Peter Ottesen, a fit 74-year-old tossing the ball to his black to Persian Gulf biodiversity with domestic south has led to illegal fishing and smuggling. lab, Addie, on a recent clear morning. “It’s now like cigarette and foreign issues, Issa Kalantari, head of Social and economic instability in addition butts or anything else. You see it on the sides of the path, the the Department of Environment (DOE), to ecological instability has become a crisis. sides of the road, and if you don’t see it, you are not looking.” said that “Persian Gulf biodiversity has been Wherever the economic situation is bad, the abandoned due to political conflicts between pressure on natural resources increases, and international institutions.” people turn to illegal fishing and put pres- However, experts believe that the situation sure on the Persian Gulf ecosystem for their of the Persian Gulf is critical and its survival livelihood,” he lamented. is not possible without major changes in the Iran shares five ecological zones with management policies. specific flora from the lowest to the highest Mohammad Reza Fatemi, a marine parts, one of which is the Persian Gulf-Omani ecologist, said that “According to the law, ecological zone. the main custodian of the protection of the The forests of the Persian Gulf-Omani Persian Gulf is the DOE, and users, Ports ecological region include part of the southwest and Maritime Organization, Fisheries Or- and all southern coasts, covering 2,039,963 ganization and Gas Industries, must take hectares. Due to ecological differences, the operational and development measures If adequate financial resources are avail- Mangrove forests and coral reefs of the main vegetation is divided into two territories under the supervision of the DOE.” able for strong surveillance, special satellite Persian Gulf is one of the most biodiverse of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. According to Fatemi, Persian Gulf destruc- devices will be installed on the ships, he said, habitats but is under serious threat. Oil In the Persian Gulf area, which extends tion has long been neglected; 90 percent of adding, currently, trawling is done not only pollution, countless ships and fishing nets from Qasr-e Shirin to the border of Bushehr There is the economic crash, the education gap, the depression of the development activities in this area are by foreigners but also by local fishermen floating on the sea, on the one hand, the and Hormozgan provinces, the plant species solitary life. Now another unwelcome and potentially enduring side done by state-run organizations with a small without strict monitoring. construction of artificial islands in the sur- of Christ’s thorn jujube, Prosopis farcta, and effect of the coronavirus pandemic has emerged: the masks, gloves, share of the private sector. Lack of ecosystem approach, lack of a rounding countries and, most destructively, desert poplar grow. While in the Oman Sea disinfectant wipes and other items of “personal protective equipment” Despite spending lots of domestic and positive and dynamic relationship with mari- the presence of 90 percent of the world’s area, which includes a part of Hormozgan meant to save lives are also polluting the environment. foreign funds, no map has been yet prepared time organizations, and related organization desalination plants in the region, on the province to Sistan-Baluchestan (border of Since the pandemic began early this year, masks have become for the Persian Gulf resources to assess eco- is the main barrier to the protection of the other hand, has created an ecosystem that Iran and Pakistan), Mesquites and acacia a go-to item of the national wardrobe, especially here along the nomic exploitation and development in the Persian Gulf. The DOE cannot monitor the is losing more aquatic species every day. species are the main vegetation covers. California coast where mask-wearing rates are high. But many are Persian Gulf, he lamented. country’s environment with limited forces, Urban and industrial effluents from de- Gum arabic tree, used in the boat careless with the new accessory and, in windy places like many The effects of poor management and equipment, and facilities, he highlighted. salination plants increase the salinity of the production, are scattered in this area. along this state’s 840-mile coast, the masks and other products marine biodiversity in the Persian Gulf He went on to say that in comparison to Persian Gulf, in addition to climate change, Mangrove forests, which consist of two are ending up on sidewalks, skittering into storm drains, blowing can be seen in the development of trawling the Caspian Sea hosting 80 aquatic species, which has destroyed coral reefs as seawater species of grey mangroves and loop-root onto beaches and ending up in the Pacific Ocean and its bays. these days, as fish that should be caught at the Persian Gulf is home to over a thousand gets warmer, while the habitat and breeding mangroves, are also spread in this area. And this is before the state’s traditional rainy season, which depths of 200 to 400 meters are caught at species so far. But the unique habitat is ground of three-quarters of marine species The mangrove forest habitat is located washes urban flotsam and jetsam into the sea. It is due to begin shallower depths, he regretted. being destroyed. is among the coral reefs, he explained. between the tides of the seas. this month, the Independent reported. Many types of masks, including the most common surgical variety, contain plastics that taint ocean ecosystems and disrupt marine food chains. The bottom line is that, in the era of covid-19, Five-year residence for foreign investors in Iran another form of mass-produced human stuff is making its way into places where humans do not live. SOCIETY TEHRAN – Iran issues five-year res- Step towards reducing statelessness desk “Whatever the product may be this is a new, additional plastic idence permits for foreign nationals Although Iran is not a party to the UN Conven- threat,” said Adam Ratner, associate director of the conservation making investments in the country to facilitate their tions on Statelessness, the Government of Iran is education program at the Marine Mammal Center based in the economic activities, Mehdi Mahmoudi, director general taking steps towards the prevention and reduction Marin headlands, which rescues and heals seals, sea lions, otters for foreign nationals and immigrants at the Ministry of of statelessness in the country. and other animals along a 600-mile stretch of California coast. Interior, has announced. In October 2019, the Guardian Council ratified a bill So far, Ratner said, no animals in America have needed to be Within the framework of the procedure of “granting a five- amending the law on conferring citizenship on children rescued after being entangled in personal protective items. It is year residence permit to foreign depositors and investors”, born to an Iranian mother and a foreign father regardless the extent of the pollution that is the primary concern, he said, those citizens who intend to engage in economic activity in of where they are born. given that 25% of the animals they treat already suffer from the Iran can benefit from the possibility of obtaining a five-year According to article one of the law, children of harmful effects of ocean trash. residence permit, he explained. Iranian women and non-Iranian men who were born “We want to see people use masks, we want to see people Situation of foreign nationals in Iran before or after the law can be an Iranian citizen in case use all of the protective equipment and stay healthy,” Ratner Iran is host to one of the largest and most protracted urban the Iranian mother requested if they have no security said. “But now is the time to stop this, and ocean trash knows refugee situations in the world and has provided asylum to received Iranian visas that allow them to live, work or problem before the age of 18. no international borders.” refugees for four decades. study in the country. These children, after reaching the age of 18, can apply for A study published last summer in the journal Environmental The latest official government statistics in 2014, there are There are 40,000 Afghan students in the country, ac- Iranian citizenship if not requested by the mother, then will Science & Technology estimated that 129 billion masks and 65 951,142 Afghan refugees and 28,268 Iraqi refugees living cording to the official report, 17,000 of them are graduated, be granted Iranian citizenship in case of no security problem. billion plastic-containing gloves are used globally each month, in Iran. Many of the refugees living in Iran are the second while the unofficial report is estimated at 26,000. The first children, out of some 10,000 children with “a significant portion” ending up in the world’s oceans. and third generation, according to the UNHCR. Some 47,000 people were trained and 10 percent of legal whose citizenship applications have so far been ac- Along the Pacific Ocean, the world’s largest, the evidence has About 97 percent of refugees live in urban and semi-urban refugees were covered by social insurance with the help of cepted, received their Iranian identity card, known as been literally piling up. areas, while 3 percent are residing in 20 refugee resorts run the UNHCR, and other foreign nationals can pay for health a ‘Shenasnameh’, last month. Each year the California Coastal Commission holds a cleanup by the UNHCR’s main government counterpart. insurance like Iranians. According to the Government of Iran, nearly 75,000 day, drawing thousands of volunteers from San Diego to Eureka. In addition to Afghan refugees, there are about 2.5 In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, undocumented children at risk of becoming statelessness are eligible for The normally one-day event this year was held over the entire million Afghans living in Iran, including those having a Afghans who have access to free primary health services Iranian citizenship under a new nationality law, which month of September, and once completed, the commission re- passport and undocumented Afghans. 450,000 Afghan and similarly free COVID-19 related testing, treatment, and was amended in 2019 to allow children under 18 years to ported that 70,000 pounds of trash were pulled from parks, who did not have identity cards or birth certificates have hospitalization, just like nationals. apply for identity documents. creeks, beaches and other public areas. Waste-to-energy plant to come on stream in northern Iran LET’S LEARN PERSIAN (Part 84) (Source: saadifoundation.ir) 1 So far, about 1.1 trillion rials (about Mazandaran, Golestan, and Gilan has risen or infantile paralysis, and skin lesions are Deputy environment chief Masoud Tajri- $26 million at the official rate of 42,000 sharply to alarming rates, among the diseases caused by solid waste shi has referred to the poor waste disposal rials) have been spent for the construction Sirous Vatankhah, secretary of energy pollution in water, air, and soil. in the coastal cities of the country, saying of this power plant. technologies development headquarters at the On the other hand, a large part of these that “Unfortunately, we face not only the The amount of waste generated in the northern vice-presidency for science and technology, thousand tons of waste is ending up in the problem of identifying a proper place for provinces of the country, neighboring the Caspian told ISNA that there is a significant rela- Caspian Sea and the forests, which can lead waste disposal but sewers being discharged Sea, is snowballing at a rate of over 7,000 tons tionship between the prevalence of various to many changes in the environmental cycles. into all rivers and lakes. a day, holding accountable for 14 percent of the diseases and the amount of waste generation, Moreover, Hossein Niaz Azari, a member In such case, mostly tourists who are litter- total daily 50,000 tons of waste produced in the which must be considered a “danger sign” that of the parliament, said that some 104 aquatic ing the northern coast are blamed, however, country, Khabaronline reported in January 2019. needs urgent measures to contain the issue. species have been living in the Caspian Sea in the the other main reason behind is the lack of In the past few years, the amount of waste Diseases such as tetanus, typhoid, intesti- past years, while most of them have gone extinct proper equipment for waste management produced in the three northern provinces of nal parasites, bloody diarrhea, poliomyelitis due to the high amount of waste entering the sea. and recycling, he added. ENGLISH IN USE LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION

سازمان غذا و دارو با محصوالت تراریخته FDA to penalize manufacturers فاقد برچسب برخورد میکند producing unlabeled GM foods Iran’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will penalize food مدیــرکل فــرآورده هــای غذایــی و آشــامیدنی ســازمان غــذا و دارو، وحیــد مفیــد در گفــت و گــو بــا (manufacturers who have not labeled genetically modified (GM خبرنــگار ایرنــا اعــام کــرد: تمــام محصــوالت تراریختــه در ســطح عرضــه کنتــرل مــی شــوند و در food products, Vahid Mofid, the caretaker of the FDA department صورتــی کــه تراریختــه باشــند امــا برچســب نداشــته باشــند، حتمــاً برخــورد مــی کنیــم. .of food and beverages has announced وی اضافــه کــرد: برخــی محصــوالت در کشــور ماننــد ذرت، ســویا و کلــزا از نــوع تراریختــه All food products containing ingredients derived from GMOs وجــود دارد و فــرآورده هــای غذایــی در صــورت اســتفاده از ایــن محصــوالت تراریختــه بایــد must be labeled, including soybean and corn oil, rapeseed and آن را روی برچســب خــود اعــام کننــد. .cottonseed, he also noted He went on to say that eight laboratories in addition to the Energy مفیــد افــزود: هشــت آزمایشــگاه عــاوه بــر آزمایشــگاه مرجــع در کشــور مــی تواننــد & Power Industries Laboratories Company can test the products تراریختگــی را تعییــن کننــد. .in terms of containing GM organism مدیــرکل فــرآورده هــای غذایــی و آشــامیدنی ســازمان غــذا و دارو گفــت: درج تراریختگــی در Labeling the products is merely done out of respect for the customer برچســب جلــوی ترکیبــات، صرفــاً احتــرام بــه مشــتری و فراهــم کــردن قــدرت انتخــاب بــرای and providing the consumer with different choices and has nothing مص رفکننــده اســت و هیــچ ارتباطــی بــا ایمنــی و ســامت آن فــرآورده نــدارد. .to do with the product’s safety and health, he concluded Prayer Times Noon:11:59 Evening: 17:12 Dawn: 5:37 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:07 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 16, 2020 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 Greatest Islamic computer game Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 “Ambassador of Love” developed in Iran Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 ARTTEHRAN — The Islamic and publisher based in Cary, North Carolina. desk Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 Revolution Center The engine has been used in the world- for Digital Products and Publications – renowned games such as “Gears 5” and MATNA has created an action-adventure “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order”. Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 game named “Ambassador of Love”, whose Emad Rahmani, the writer and the producer called it the largest Iranian-Islamic director of “Ambassador of Love” said, No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran computer game project. “This game enjoys an interactive story and P.o. Box: 14155-4843 “Young skilled game developers of the fascinating graphic design that have been Zip Code: 1599814713 country have completed the largest Iranian- created by a team of expert professionals, Islamic computer game project to fill its and it is really unique among the games gamers with sheer excitement,” Mehdi Jafari produced in the country.” Jozani said in a press release published by Rahmani and his colleagues have MATNA on Tuesday. drawn inspiration from several world- “Ambassador of Love” is a third-person famous games such as “Assassins Creed: action-adventure game that starts with the Origins” and “God of War” to develop journey of Muslim ibn Aqil al-Hashimi (AS), “Ambassador of Love”. the messenger of Imam Hussein (AS), to The game is the first part of a trilogy. Kufa a few days before the Ashura uprising This part is scheduled to be released on GUIDE TO that led to the martyrdom of the Imam and December 20. Other parts will come into SPIRITUAL AWAKENING his companions in 680. Iran’s game market in summer 2021. The game also has an Iranian character MATNA, which is a center affiliated with named Mehran who embarks on a journey the East Azarbaijan branch of the Basij Best way to defend Islam, is to practice Islam. from the Iranian city of Rey to visit Muslim Cyberspace, plans to release an international Prophet Muhammad (S) ibn Aqil (AS) in Kufa. The story of the game A scene from the Iranian computer game “Ambassador of Love”. version of the game with the help of Epic is narrated by Mehran. Games and Steam, an international online Jafari Jozani said that the developers He added that the game has been The team of the developers has used game platform. of the game have spent two years writing developed with the latest modern Unreal Engine 4 to create the game. The The center also plans to release the story, which has been authorized by technologies of the world in the game engine was launched by Epic Games, an “General”, a game whose leading character Tehran National Sculpture relevant Islamic centers. industry. American video game and software developer is Commander Qassem Soleimani. Biennial kicks off Golestan Palace releases film depicting Mozaffar ad-Din Shah’s first visit to Europe 1 “Holding these artistic events shows that art is still active and alive, while they also help the youth to keep more The film was uploaded on the palace’s Instagram and in Iran because it is the first film shot by an Iranian. in contact with the veterans and the masters, which is a website to observe Research Day on the Iranian calendar Adle studied history at the University of Paris, now the praiseworthy action,” he added. in memory of Chahryar Adle, the Iranian historian who Paris Sorbonne University. He also pursued education in He further noted that the biennial has some good points was a professor emeritus of the French National Centre for the archaeology of the Orient and Islamic art history at to mention such as paying due attention to elements of the Scientific Research, Golestan Palace director Afarin Emami the École du Louvre. culture and identity of the country. said in a press release on Tuesday. He received a Ph.D. in the history of Iran and Central Asia. In their research at the storehouses of the palace in He was among the Iranian experts who compiled the 1982, curators discovered three old footages recorded on necessary information to submit to UNESCO to register 38 reels, she said. Persepolis, the Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat and Naqsh-e Jahan Adle started a study on the films and finally sent the reels Square on the World Heritage List. to Paris in 2002 to be restored at the National Centre for He was also the author of many books, including “Teheran Cinema and the Moving Image (CNC). Capitale Bicentenaire”. The outcome was the 56-miniute film that is now available Adle also collaborated with Irfan Habib and Karl M. on the Instagram and website of the palace. Baipakov in writing “History of Civilization in Central Asia”. Qajar king Mozaffar ad-Din Shah (4th L) and a number Scenes of the film, which were shot by Mirza Ebrahim “History of Civilizations of Central Asia VI” was also published of Iranian officials pose in front of a cycling school in Akkasbashi under the auspices of the Gaumont Film Company in by Adle, Anara Tabyshalieva and Mahdavan K. Palat. their visit to Europe. Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, show Mozaffar ad-Din Shah attending On October 5, 2009, Adle was awarded the UNESCO Visitors take photos of a sculpture on view at the 8th edition ARTTEHRAN — Golestan Palace, a a flower festival in Ostend, Belgium on August 18, 1900. Five Continents Medal in recognition of his outstanding of the Tehran National Sculpture Biennial at the Rudaki deskUNESCO-registered site located in Parts of the film also depict the shah watching acrobatics contribution to UNESCO’s General and Regional Histories, Open-Air Theater on December 14, 2020. downtown Tehran, released a film on Tuesday depicting and royal guards on the march, and traveling on the coach a study project in which people in certain regions write (Honaronline/Mohammad Namazi) Iranian Qajar king Mozaffar ad-Din Shah on his first visit in Tehran streets. their own history. Visual Arts Office director Hadi Mozaffari also present at to Europe in 1900. Experts consider this film as marking the advent of cinema He died in Paris in June 2015 at the age of 72. the ceremony said that the pandemic and several other factors caused the transfer of the biennial from the Book Garden in the Abbasabad district in late February to the Vahdat Hall in December. “However, we did our best to hold the festival in collaboration with the sculptors and the Association of Iranian Sculptors,” he said. Iran’s Cinema Vérité opens online in COVID-19 era There have been some changes in this year’s edition, he ARTTEHRAN — The Documentaries on the Islamic Revolution, by Chilean filmmakers, including Francisco said, adding, “The biennial is not a competitive event this year desk14th edition of Cinema the Sacred Defense and resistance in the Bermejo’s documentary “The Other One”, because there was a belief that those who attend the biennial Vérité, Iran’s major international festival region will be competing for the award. will be screened in this section. have been selected from the best and their artworks will be for documentary films, went on stream on Twenty-five films on COVID-19 will also A lineup of world acclaimed documentaries judged by the public later. Saturday with a tribute paid to the celebrated be competing in Cinéma Vérité in a special will be reviewed in the World’s Best section of Also one of the main strategies of the biennial this year is filmmaker Khosro Sinai, a COVID-19 victim. category set up this year to attract attention the 14th edition of the Cinéma Vérité festival. adding a number of curatorial teams to carry out different projects. Due to the pandemic, this year’s Cinéma to this disastrous disease. The lineup includes “Tony Driver” by Ascanio Sahar Salkhi, Hasti Gudarzi, Hamed Dehqan and Bijan Vérité will be held entirely online and the A number of top Iranian and international Petrini from Italy; “The Chilean Building” by Gholnchepur are among the collaborating curators. programs are available on Filimo, TVA and documentarians and critics will be holding Macarena Aguilo and “The Cordillera of Dreams” The biennial will be running until February 9. Hashure, the Iranian platforms providing online workshops and panel discussions by Patricio Guzman, both from Chile; Radu video on demand (VOD) service for films. during the festival. Ciorniciuc’s acclaimed documentary “Acasa, Every day, a number of films will be Participating international figures include My Home” from Romania; and, “A Tunnel”, introduced during the event, while a number of A poster for the 14th edition of the Cinema Betsy A. McLane, Bill Nichols, Andre Singer co-directed by Nino Orjonikidze and Vano Farmers sign poster for top Iranian and international documentarians Vérité festival. and James Bertrand Longley in addition to Arsenishvili from Georgia and Germany. and critics will be holding online workshops the festival. famous Iranian documentarians Mehrdad The World’s Best section of the major doc “On Soil” to warn and panel discussions during the festival. The award has been established by DEFC Oskui and Farhad Varahram. Iranian documentary festival will feature about soil erosion The Documentary and Experimental Film to commemorate martyr Morteza Avini, the In addition, Cinéma Vérité will review a selection of documentaries acclaimed at Center (DEFC) is the main organizer of the event. writer and documentarian who chronicled Chilean documentary cinema during a special 2020 international events across the world. ARTTEHRAN — Iranian filmmaker Mohsen A lineup of 30 documentaries will be the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war known as the program named “Chilean Films Panorama”. The festival will be running totally online deskKhanjahani has taken a poster for his latest competing for the Avini Awards during Sacred Defense in Iran. A number of acclaimed documentaries until December 22. documentary “On Soil” to farms around the country to be signed by farmers in order to draw officials’ attention to the problem of soil erosion. “Yalda” receives nomination in France’s Lumière awards ARTTEHRAN — Iranian drama “Yalda: Nasser’s daughter, Mona, on the country’s most popular deskA Night for Forgiveness” by Masud televised reality show. In front of millions of viewers during Bakhshi has received a nomination in the 26th edition Yalda, the winter solstice celebration, Maryam and Mona of France’s Lumière awards. discover that forgiveness can be difficult as they relive the past. The awards, which are voted on by some 130 international The film also won the Grand Jury Prize in the World correspondents hailing from 40 countries, are France’s Cinema Dramatic section of the Sundance Film Festival in equivalent of the Golden Globes. Park City, Utah in February. The film has been nominated in the Best international The film has also won a special commendation from Co-production category along with “Abou Leila” by Amin Sidi- the 34th Annual Washington DC International Film Boumédiène (Algeria, France), “Adam” by Maryam Touzani Festival in October. (Morocco), “A Son” by Mehdi M. Barsaoui (Tunisia), “The In addition, Masud Bakhshi was crowned best director Man Who Sold His Skin” by Kaouther Ben Hania (France, at the 57th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival in Turkey Tunisia, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia), for his “Yalda: A Night for Forgiveness” in October. A farmer signs a poster for Iranian filmmaker Mohsen “La Llorona” by Jayro Bustamante (Guatemala), and “You Italian director Filippo Meneghetti’s debut feature Khanjahani’s latest documentary “On Soil”. Will Die At 20” by Amjad Abu Alala (Sudan). “Two of Us” leads the nominations in the 26th edition As a co-production between Iran and Norway, “Yalda: of Lumière awards. The documentary, which studies soil erosion in Iran, has A Night for Forgiveness” is about Maryam, a young woman “Yalda: A Night for Forgiveness” by Iranian director In spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has delayed been selected to premiere at the 14th edition of Cinéma Vérité, who has been sentenced to death for murdering her husband, Masud Bakhshi. numerous releases this year, the awards ceremony will take Iran’s major international festival for documentary films that Nasser. Iranian law allows the victim’s family to forgive place on January 19, 2021, in line with previous years. opened on Tuesday. her and spare her life, so Maryam’s fate will be decided by Khanjahani has said that soil erosion has caused the greatest harm to farmers, therefore they have more credibility to warn officials about the issue by their signatures and fingerprints on the poster. He spent two years traveling around the country to research Persian readers find “Neoliberalism” at Iranian bookstores and make his film. CULTURE TEHRAN —A Persian In its heyday during the late 1990s, a viable alternative to neoliberalism? Community Studies, director of the Globalism Khanjahani’s 2018 documentary “The Key” was screened in desktranslation of Manfred neoliberalism emerged as the world’s Exploring the origins, core claims, and Research Centre, and a research leader in numerous Iranian and international events. It is about Seifollah, B. Steger’s “Neoliberalism: A Very Short dominant economic paradigm, stretching various forms of neoliberalism, this very the Global Cities Research Institute at RMIT a guard and keyholder of Tehran’s Azadi Sport Complex. Introduction” has recently been published from the Anglo-American heartlands of short introduction offers a concise and University, Melbourne, Australia. He also made “Yar-e Dabestani-e Man” in 2009 about a popular by Logos Publications in Qom. capitalism to the former communist bloc accessible introduction to one of the most A member of the editorial boards of revolutionary song of the same name. The book has been translated into Persian all the way to the developing regions of debated “isms” of our time. prestigious academic journals such as The 30-minute film contains interviews with the song’s first by Moslem Qorbanbabai. the global South. Steger is a professor of global and “Globalizations” and the “American Political singers, Jamshid Jam and Hamid Shahangian, and also with Anchored in the principles of free- Today, however, neoliberalism has transnational sociology at the University Science Review”, Steger has served as an some political and social figures as well as artists who narrate market economics, “neoliberalism” has been been discredited as the global economy, of Hawaii at Manoa and global professorial academic consultant on globalization for the their memories of this song. associated with such different political leaders built on its principles, has been shaken fellow at the Institute of Culture and Society U.S. State Department and as an advisor to Composed by Mansur Tehrani, “Yar-e Dabestani-e Man” is as Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Bill to its core by the worst financial calamity at Western Sydney University. the American Public Broadcasting Service’s a reminder of the days of the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and Clinton, Tony Blair, Augusto Pinochet and since the 1930s. Is neoliberalism doomed He has previously held executive positions television series, “Heaven on Earth: The Rise remains as one of the symbols of the students’ movements in Iran. Junichiro Koizumi. or will it regain its former status? Is there as the head of the School of International and and Fall of Socialism”.