ganization (SEO). startups, isSecurities andExchangeOr announced their strong supportforthe supports aswell. more recognized, theyarereceiving more role intheeconomyarebeingmore and in thecountry. competing withsomelargecompanies devel been have they anymore,while startups arenotsomesmallcompanies in awaythatmanyoftheestablished the nationaleconomyandforpeople, nificance of this role. officials are constantly stressing the sig in IrantherecentyearsandIranian cially injobcreationhasbeenunderlined of startupsinthenationaleconomyspe societies. the entrepreneurshipin support encourages possible timeisveryimportant, assuch to reachtheirsettargetsattheshortest startups andlayingthegroundforthem governments. now receivingmoresupportsformthe the economies, andtherefore, theyare becoming somekeydrivingforcesfor countries’ economies. Theyare, infact, their importanceisincreasinginthe the recentyearsindicatesthathow investment makinginthestartups manpower. the spotlight, astheyaresetupbysuch economic growthforthem. veloping suchsourceofcreativitycanbring know thathowmuchsupportingandde societies isundeniableandthecountries innovative manpowerplayinthemodern C for startups financing platform Capital market,a oped somuchthattheyarecurrently paid highattention. ofacountryandshouldbe asset ble most valua so itisconsideredthe creation,job for capacity high with File photo Health MinisterSaeedNamaki While the startupsandtheirimportant While Like inmanyothercountries,therole The governments’all-outsupporttothe In thisregard, thestartupscomeunder creativeand the role that Today, the One oftheorganizations, thathave “Startup” isnowafamiliarnamein A lookattheglobalrisingtrendof trial for human vaccine ready COVID-19 Homegrown economy and an economy andaneconomy economy lar ofaknowledge-based reative manpoweristhepil Headof theTehranTimes ARTICLE Economy Desk Mahnaz Abdi U.S. orders U.S. secure by following Region won’tbe

4 WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM ------3 against theNationalAssemblywhichisledby and theruleoflaw”. Itaccusedthemofacting strictive measuresfor“underminingdemocracy leading officials to its list has been given 72 hours to pack her bags. Venezuelan officials with sanctions. country,the hoursafterEUhitseveralmore leaveto Union’sambassador European the dered Venezuela’s PresidentNicolásMadurohasor IRNA/ Marziyeh Mousavi On MondaytheEuropeanCouncil The ambassador, IsabelBrilhantePedrosa, has madenotable achievements: commander Department ofEnvironment’sprotection unit changed itsnametocurrentone. changed activities inthecountry. In1971theorganization an organization overseeing hunting and fishing Iran, established in 1956. Later, it developed into of themostnotableachievements. in conflicts over the past 20 months were some seizure, andthefactthatnorangershavedied an annual 300-percent rise in illegal weapons forces, providingrangerswithhigh-techfacilities, of training constantly for ists, takingmeasures held onTuesday. environmental defendersinapressconference theand unit achievements oftheprotection ment ofEnvironment(DOE), elaboratedon mander oftheprotectionunitDepart TEHRAN – By FaranakBakhtiari 12 Pages To preserve the existing biodiversityoverexisting the preserve To Amendment ofgunlawsforenvironmental The DOEwasinitiallytheHuntingClubof Price50,000Rials Jamshid MohabbatKhani, com- Maduro EUambassador after expels sanctions imposes Brussels

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I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS JULY 1, 2020 E3 believes U.S. has no legal right to trigger Croatian FM says nuclear deal should be preserved UN sanctions snapback: Iran’s diplomat POLITICAL TEHRAN – Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan deskGrlic-Radman said on Monday that the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, is a great achievement of POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iran’s to ruin the JCPOA and its achievements,” diplomacy that must be preserved. deskAmbassador to London he said. During a meeting with Parviz Hamid Baeidinejad has said that France, The U.S. is no longer a party to the nucle- Esmaeili, the Iranians ambas- Germany and the United Kingdom, known ar deal, JCPOA, as Donald Trump officially sador to Croatia, Grlic-Radman as E3, believe that the United States has no declared the U.S. withdrawal from the mul- also called for expansion of re- legal right to trigger a so-called snapback of tilateral agreement in May 2018. lations in various areas with all UN sanctions on Iran. According to international law, the U.S. Tehran. “[U.S. Secretary of States Mike] Pompeo no longer has the right to call for the return For his part, Esmaeili said has repeatedly threatened to trigger snapback of UN sanctions. the two countries are deter- mechanism if the [UN] Security Council does On June 9, European Union foreign policy mined to expand ties. not support arms embargo on Iran. The three chief Josep Borrell said the United States has Elsewhere, the ambassador European countries believe that the United clearly withdrawn from Iran nuclear deal said the European Union has States has no legal right to take such action,” and could no longer claim to be a party to been formed based on “multi- he tweeted on Monday. the agreement. lateralism, talks and collective Britain, France and Germany, three coun- “The United States has withdrawn from participation” and that the Is- tries party to the nuclear deal, said on June 19 the JCPOA, and now they cannot claim that lamic Republic favors the EU’s they would not back U.S. efforts to unilaterally they are still part of the JCPOA in order to deal independence. trigger the reimposition of United Nations with this issue from the JCPOA agreement. In videoconference with the sanctions on Iran, but said they wanted talks They withdraw. It’s clear. They withdraw,” non-European ambassadors in Croatia in May, Esmaeili urged with Tehran over its decision to remove cap in Berlin. U.S. President Donald Trump’s admin- Borrell said. the EU to support the nuclear deal. on its nuclear program. “We remain committed to the JCPOA and, istration has threatened that it may seek to Iran has signaled if arms embargo is ex- “The European Union’s united voice in support for multi- “We firmly believe that any unilateral in order to preserve it, urge Iran to reverse all trigger a snapback of all sanctions on Iran tended it may quit the JCPOA. It has also lateralism and the JCPOA must turn into united determination attempt to trigger UN sanctions snapback measures inconsistent with the agreement if attempts to extend the arms embargo fail. threatened that if UN sanctions are returned and act,” he said. would have serious adverse consequences in and return to full compliance without delay,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousa- it may withdraw from the NPT. The ambassador said that the EU has so far played a positive the UN Security Council,” the foreign min- they said, according to Reuters. vi said in a press conference on Monday that Iran removed limits on its nuclear activities role in supporting the JCPOA politically, yet it is needed that isters of the three European countries said The United States has stepped up calls Iran plans to take two or three actions if the after waiting for a full year. The decision was political support is translated into action. in a statement. for the extension of UN arms embargo on arms embargo is extended. taken after the Europeans failed to compen- “Only in this way, the European Union can be a support for “We would not support such a decision, Iran since April. Mousavi also said that the U.S. has vio- sate for the U.S. sanctions on Iran. However, international diplomacy, peace, and cooperation,” the diplomat which would be incompatible with our cur- Under the UN Security Council Resolution lated the JCPOA and has no right to trigger Iran has said if the Europeans honor their pointed out. rent efforts to preserve the JCPOA (the Iran 2231, which endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal, snapback of all sanctions. commitments to the JCPOA, it will imme- U.S. President Donald Trump quit the multilateral nuclear nuclear deal),” they said after discussing Iran the arms embargo on Iran expires in October. “The United States is not in the position diately reverse its decision. deal in May 2018 and introduced the harshest ever sanctions on Iran as part of his administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. The U.S. move was in violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the JCPOA. China reiterates opposition to extension Under the JCPOA, Iran promised to put limits on its nucle- ar activities in exchange for the termination of economic and financial sanctions. of Iran’s arms embargo In May 2019, exactly one year after the U.S. unilaterally quit the POLITICAL TEHRAN – Chinese Foreign Ministry has threatened that it may seek to trigger a snapback of deal and imposed sanctions on Iran, Tehran began to gradually deskspokesman Zhao Lijian has reiterated all sanctions on Iran if its attempts to extend the arms reduce its commitments under the JCPOA to both retaliate for Beijing’s opposition to extension of an arms embargo embargo fail. Washington’s departure and Europeans’ failure to honor their on Iran. China’s UN mission wrote in a tweet in May that the commitments. Based on the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, U.S. has “no right” to extend arms embargo on Iran “let On January 5, Iran took a fifth and last step in reducing its China opposes the United States’ efforts to put pressure alone to trigger” a return of all UN sanctions on Tehran. commitments and said it would no longer observe any opera- on the UN Security Council to extend arms embargo on “It has no right to extend an arms embargo on Iran, let tional limitations on its nuclear industry, whether concerning Iran, he told during a press conference on Tuesday, IRNA alone to trigger snapback,” China’s UN mission tweeted. the capacity and level of uranium enrichment, the volume of reported. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharo- stockpiled uranium or research and development. However, He noted that all agreements of the Security Council, va said in May that Washington’s plans to introduce an Iran has insisted if the Europeans honor their obligations it will including removal of arms embargo, must be implemented. indefinite arms embargo against Iran have no prospects. immediately reverse its decisions. The United States has stepped up calls for the extension “The stubborn shattering of the JCPOA through new Iran’s move is in line with paragraph 36 of the JCPOA. of a UN arms embargo on Iran since April. anti-Iranian ideas, which include the proposal to impose genuine full commitment to the nuclear deal, will continue President Hassan Rouhani said on May 6 that Iran will re- Under the UN Security Council’s 2231 resolution, which an indefinite arms embargo against Iran, simply does not to fight for its preservation and sustainable implemen- turn to full implementation of the JCPOA if other signatories endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal, the arms embargo ex- honor the United States. It is clear that this course has no tation, she said. do the same. pires in October. prospects,” Zakharova said at a briefing, Sputnik reported. “There should be no doubt about this in Washington,” Josep Borrell, the EU foreign policy chief, said in December The U.S. President Donald Trump administration Those members of the JCPOA, who have maintained a she asserted. 2019 that the signatories to the nuclear deal should adopt a united stance to preserve the deal. Iran’s special envoy meets Ukrainian plane crash dossier to be sent to court after Taliban political bureau chief in Doha investigations: Armed Forces Judicial Organization chief POLITICAL TEHRAN — Head of the there in other high profile cases of crashes. Concerning the cause of the incident, 1 According to the Associated Press, U.S. Secretary of deskJudicial Organization During a meeting with the families of a the military prosecutor said the possibili- State Mike Pompeo and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar held a of the Armed Forces said on Tuesday that number of the plane crash victims on Monday, ty of harmful interference, including laser video conference late on Monday in which Pompeo pressed the extensive investigations have been carried Gholamabbas Torki, the military prosecutor beam and electromagnetic radiation, on the Taliban to reduce violence in Afghanistan and discussed ways of out over the Ukrainian plane crash incident for Tehran Province, said the incident was Ukrainian plane has been ruled out, and the moving a peace deal signed between the U.S. and the Taliban in and the dossier will be sent to court after the result of human error on the part of the initial expert explanation so far indicates February forward, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen tweeted. investigations are completed. air defense unit’s operator, ruling out the that there was no explosion at the time of “We have carried out extensive investiga- possibility of a cyberattack or any other type the crash. tions in this dossier and have reached good of sabotage. Underlining that no evidence of cyber results,” Shokrollah Bahrami told reporters. He said investigations carried out thus and any other form of electronic attack, Bahrami also noted that the families of far into the incident indicate the occurrence external disturbances in defense and mis- the victims will receive financial compen- of a number of human errors on the part sile systems, and infiltration of systems or sation for the incident. of the operator who fired two missiles at networks [by possible hackers] has so far The Ukrainian passenger plane, with 176 the plane. been found, Torki said, “We have not found people aboard, was mistaken for an invading According to Press TV, he added that any evidence of a possible act of sabotage missile. The tragic incident happened a few a mobile air defense unit was responsible and espionage on the aircraft.” hours after Iran fired missiles at a U.S. air Iran’s experts will lead the investigation for the downing, because its operator had “The traces of missile fragments are ob- base in western Iraq in retaliation for the and the decoding will be done under the failed to determine the direction of north vious on the fuselage. The plane exploded January 3 assassination of General Qas- Iranian team’s supervision and guidance. correctly and, as such, identified the aircraft when it hit the ground and its parts were sem Soleimani. Following the retaliation Other countries which are related to this re- as a target, which was approaching Tehran scattered within a large radius from the crash attack, the Iranian military had been put grettable incident can dispatch delegations from northwest. site, which caused us problems in terms of The call comes as the U.S. peace envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, on high alert. to France as observers.” Another error, the judicial official said, collecting the parts and preserving the scene.” is touring the region in efforts to advance the deal. He was The victims of the crash included 82 Ira- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was that the operator did not wait for his The judicial official said, “On the same in Uzbekistan on Tuesday and was expected in the Pakistani nians, 63 Iranian-Canadians, 11 Ukrainians, had announced on June 22 that Iran will superiors’ command after sending a mes- night (January 8) a number of people who capital, Islamabad, later in the day or on Wednesday, and was 10 Swedes, four Afghans, three Germans, send the black boxes to France. sage to the command center and fired the were manning the air defense system and also to travel to Doha, Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a and three British nationals. “The Islamic Republic of Iran will send missile on his own decision. their superiors were summoned as defend- political office. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Inter- the black box of the Ukrainian airplane to “In the Ukrainian plane crash, no order ants, and an extensive investigation was national and Legal Affairs Mohsen Bahar- France in the coming few days in order to was given [by military commanders to the carried out that night following which one vand said on Sunday that France will start read its information,” Zarif said in a phone mobile unit] to fire [at the target] and when of the defendants was arrested.” U.S. bullying JCPOA parties decoding black boxes of the Ukrainian plane. call with Canadian Foreign Minister Fran- the incident happened, all air defense units “In the investigation process, five other “Decoding black box of the Ukrainian cois-Philippe Champagne. were in the position of ‘restricted fire’ rather people were indicted as defendants, who to violate it: Iran’s FM plane will start in France on July 20 un- France’s BEA air accident investigation than ‘fire at will,’” Torki said. were arrested on the court’s order. Then agency is known internationally as one of the TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad der supervision of an Iranian team,” IRNA “The blatant mistake made here was that three of the defendants were released on bail leading agencies in the world for reading flight Javad Zarif slammed the U.S. for bullying the parties to quoted Baharvand as saying. the operator embarked on firing [missiles] after conducting appropriate investigations. recorders, and black boxes have been sent the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers He added, “The Islamic Republic of without waiting for permission.” Currently, three people are in custody.” to violate the international accord. “The U.S. isn’t merely violating JCPOA and bullying others to do so, too. It also has dishonor of being first in UN history to punish law-abiding countries for NOT violating a Security Iran to host virtual Syria talks with Russia, Turkey on Wed. Council res. I will present Iran’s case to the Council @ abt (Press TV) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will host Earlier, on June 15, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad noon ET, Tues,” Zarif tweeted late on Monday. a virtual conference with his Russian and Turkish counter- Javad Zarif had said that the presidential meeting would The Iranian top diplomat is scheduled to address a virtual parts on the situation in Syria and the Arab country’s peace be held to facilitate peace in Syria within the framework of meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday in order process on Wednesday. the Astana peace process. to highlight the full implementation of Resolution 2231. In a post on his Twitter account on Tuesday, the Iranian Iran, Russia, and Turkey have been leading a peace The Resolution 2231 is a UN Security Council resolution Presidential Office’s Deputy Chief for Communications and process for Syria known as the Astana process, because that enshrined the nuclear deal between Tehran and world Information Alireza Moezi said the extraordinary meeting Kazakhstan’s capital, Nur-Sultan, formerly called Astana, powers, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan among Presidents Rouhani of Iran, Vladimir Putin of Rus- originally hosted its meetings. of Action (JCPOA), after it was concluded in 2015. sia, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey would be held On the auspices of the three countries, the Syrian gov- As one of the achievements of the deal, endorsed by on Wednesday. ernment and opposition reached a first deal in 2017 and a the Resolution 2231, the UN’s arms embargo against the He added that the participants would “discuss regional second one in 2019. Islamic Republic of Iran is to be lifted by October 2020. and international developments pertaining to Syria.” While the two deals have helped significantly reduce However, the U.S. is trying to prevent the removal of the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said the video fighting in Syria, the conflict has not entirely ended, due in arms embargo, even though it is no longer a JCPOA partner conference would see Putin, Rouhani, and Erdogan make large part to Turkish failure to separate terrorists from what after it withdrew from the deal in 2018 and re-imposed “three [public] statements” before discussing Syria in private. peace would be the first of its kind since September, and it calls “moderate” opposition groups in Idlib and Ankara’s the nuclear sanctions against Iran that had been lifted as Peskov said the call would take place around 1100 GMT. would come as the conflict in the Arab country has entered dispatch of thousands of troops and heavy military hardware per the accord. The talks among the three guarantor states for Syrian its 10th year. into the Syrian province to back the militants. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2020 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Region won’t be secure by following U.S. Envoy predicts U.S. isolation at UN Security orders, Tehran tells S. Arabia, Bahrain Council meeting Tehran lashes out at Saudi Arabia, Bahrain for backing Washington’s anti-Iran stance POLITICAL TEHRAN — Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s deskambassador to the United Nations, has predicted POLITICAL TEHRAN — Foreign U.S. isolation at the UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday. deskMinistry spokesman Takht-Ravanchi said Washington’s efforts to extend an arms Abbas Mousavi has strongly criticized embargo against Iran is in complete contradiction with the UN Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for supporting resolution 2231, IRNA reported on Tuesday. Washington’s anti-Iran stance, saying sta- The international community is after implementation of the bility and security will not be established JCPOA and observing Resolution 2231, the ambassador stressed, in the region through obeying the orders adding that the UN chief and many world leaders have repeatedly of the United States. expressed their willingness to witness the implementation of the “The only way to create stability and secu- 2015 nuclear deal. rity in the region is changing hostile behaviors Such willingness indicates that the world is against the U.S. and moving toward regional cooperation,” stance on the issue, the senior diplomat noted. Mousavi said on Tuesday, IRNA reported. Iran and six world powers, including the U.S., UK, France, He criticized certain regional countries Russia, China and Germany, signed a landmark nuclear agree- that back the U.S. demand that the United ment, officially called the JCPOA, on July 14, 2015. Nations extends arms embargo on the Is- However, the U.S. under Donald Trump withdrew unilaterally lamic Republic. from the deal on May 8, 2018, and imposed sanctions on Iran at Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs the highest level of its kind. Adel Al-Jubeir and U.S. special representative The United States has for Iran Brian Hook on Monday called on stepped up calls for the exten- Ridiculously, the international community to extend the sion of a UN arms embargo the U.S. claims UN embargo on sales of weapons to Iran, on Iran since April. that it is still a accusing Iran of sponsoring terrorism. Under the UN Security Speaking during a joint press conference Council’s 2231 resolution, member of the in Riyadh, Al-Jubeir said Saudi and U.S. pol- which endorsed the 2015 2015 deal and icies on Iran are identical. nuclear deal, the arms em- can re-impose “We both see Iran as a grave danger not bargo expires in October. only to regional stability, but international Foreign Ministry spokesman Mousavi says it is “very surprising that The Trump administra- sanctions on stability,” he said. tion has threatened that it countries such as Saudi Arabia, which, themselves are a source of Iran based on “We believe that Iran is the chief spon- may seek to trigger a snap- resolution 2231, sor of terrorism and that the international terrorism and extremism and have fueled instability in the region back of all sanctions on Iran community has to be more firm in dealing by supporting terrorist groups like al-Qaeda for years, are leveling if its attempts to extend the while all know with the Iranians and their proxies.” arms embargo fail. that Washington Mousavi said it is “very surprising that groundless accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which On the U.S. move to ex- countries such as Saudi Arabia, which, them- has rid the region of terrorist groups with its responsible behavior.” tend the arms embargo on is no longer selves are a source of terrorism and extremism Iran, the Iranian diplomat a JCPOA and have fueled instability in the region by weapons, including drones and missiles, rity Council to extend the arms embargo on Trump will be facing prosecution even after said it is an unprecedent- participant, supporting terrorist groups like al-Qaeda for which the Saudis claim to have been sup- Iran before it expires,” read the statement. his term as president. ed event that a member of years, are leveling groundless accusations plied by Iran to the Houthis in Yemen to be The UN arms embargo on Iran, which In response, Hook said that Iran’s issuance the UN Security council act Takht-Ravanchi against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which used against Saudi Arabia. was imposed 13 years ago, is due to expire of an arrest warrant for the U.S. president against a resolution founded stresses. has rid the region of terrorist groups with Hook said, “The weapons that we see here in October under United Nations Security is a “propaganda stunt”. by itself. its responsible behavior.” today ... are all the evidence we need that the Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231 that endorsed “Our assessment is that Interpol does not By pursuing such a policy, the U.S. is after causing chaos in U.S. envoy Hook visited Saudi Arabia as arms embargo on Iran must not be lifted. We the country›s 2015 nuclear deal. intervene and issue Red Notices that are based the international order, he added. part of a Mideast tour. Earlier, he paid a visit need to ensure that Iran has a harder time Tensions remain high between Iran and on a political nature,” he said. Takht-Ravanchi also said he believes the United States pursues to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the U.S.-allied spreading deadly weapons.” the United States, leading many to fear that “This is a political nature. This has annihilation of the JCPOA. United Arab Emirates. “This is a fraction of the kind of deadly a war may be just around the corner. nothing to do with national security, in- Ridiculously, the U.S. claims that it is still a member of the Referring to Hook’s trip to the region, arms that have made their way not only Earlier on Monday, Tehran said it has ternational peace or promoting stability ... 2015 deal and can re-impose sanctions on Iran based on resolu- Mousavi said the countries supporting the here to Saudi Arabia, but around the Middle asked Interpol to arrest U.S. President Donald It is a propaganda stunt that no-one takes tion 2231, while all know that Washington is no longer a JCPOA U.S. stance are “those that have, for more than East, so this is the right time for the Secu- Trump at the top of a list of individuals who seriously,” Hook said. participant, he stressed. five years, been killing thousands of people, rity Council to do the right and necessary are responsible for the assassination of Iran’s On January 3, Trump ordered airstrikes Meanwhile, on June 19, France, Germany and the United including Yemeni women and children.” thing,” he added. top general Qassem Soleimani. that martyred General Soleimani and Abu Kingdom said in a joint statement that the European Union’s “It is time that these countries gave Later in the day, Hook traveled to Manama, “36 individuals who cooperated, collabo- Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command embargoes on conventional arms exports and missile tech- up injudicious remarks and blind obe- where he issued a joint anti-Iran statement rated, and participated in the assassination of of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), nology to Iran will remain in force until 2023. dience to the U.S., which is the symbol with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Hajj Qassem, including political and military in Baghdad’s international airport. “The E3 remain committed to fully implementing resolution of oppression and injustice in the world, bin Rashid al-Zayani. authorities of the U.S. and other countries, In the early hours of January 8, the IRGC 2231 by which the JCPOA has been endorsed in 2015. However, and came to realize that security cannot “In recognizing the grave threat posed by have been identified,” Tehran Prosecutor fired dozens of ballistic missiles at a military we believe that the planned lifting of the UN conventional arms be ensured with obedience to the United Iranian arms transfers in the region, and in General Ali Alqasi-Mehr said, airbase hosting U.S. forces in Iraq as part of embargo established by Resolution 2231 next October would have States,” he stated. Bahrain specifically, the United States and Their arrest warrant has been issued and its promised “tough revenge” for the U.S. major implications for regional security and stability. We recall The Riyadh conference also displayed Bahrain call upon the United Nations Secu- announced to Interpol, he said, adding that terrorist attack. that the EU embargoes on conventional arms exports and missile technology will remain in force until 2023,” said the statement published by the UK Foreign Ministry website. The statement added, “We wish to address the issue in close IRGC commander: Iran able to bring Iran holds meeting on U.S. coordination with Russia and China as remaining participants to more consecutive defeats to U.S. assassination of General Soleimani the JCPOA, as well as with all other Security Council Members, as well as other key stakeholders. We will be guided by these objectives: upholding the authority and integrity of the UN Secu- rity Council and working toward regional security and stability.”

No fatalities in terrorist attack on IRGC forces in southwest Iran: MP

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Representative of the people of deskZahedan in the parliament has confirmed the news of a terrorist attack in the border province of Sistan-Balouch- estan in southeast Iran, saying the attack did not result in fatalities. “The attack was carried out by the Jaish al-Zolm when two vehicles containing forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps were passing a road, but it did not have any fatalities,” Fada-Hos- sein Maleki said, according to the IRIB news. Maleki referred to the terrorist Jaish al-Adel group (the so-called TEHRAN (FNA) — Commander of the to the world are now collapsing and the TEHRAN (Tasnim) — Iran’s Foreign them on the basis of undeniable proof and Soldiers of Justice) as Jaish al-Zolm (Soldiers of Suppression). Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) U.S. is tearing apart the image that it had Ministry hosted a meeting on the U.S. evidence, and the entire (Iranian) Estab- Maleki explained that two bombs were planted on the sides Major General Hossein Salami said that created for itself,” General Salami said. assassination of top Iranian commander lishment will not desist in its efforts until of a road, one of which went off when the vehicles were passing. despite all sanctions and pressures, Iran Also, in May, General Salami underlined Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani. those individuals are brought to justice,” “With the grace of God, this terrorist attack did not have any fatalities, can inflict a series of defeats on the U.S. Iran’s eye-catching progress in production In the Monday gathering, hosted by he added. and only the regional Guards’ commander was injured,” he added. in multiple fields. of different military equipment, and said Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Inter- “Apart from the individuals involved “We have defeated the world arrogance, the country will never surrender to enemies. national and Legal Affairs and attended by in the crime, and considering that the spearheaded by the U.S., under the condi- General Salami made the remarks, representatives of political, legal, security, crime has been an action against our tions of sanctions and problems imposed addressing a ceremony to deliver over military, and judicial organizations, the national sovereignty and security, the Ruhollah Zam faces death on us by the enemies; today, they are facing 100 speed boats to the IRGC Navy in the latest developments surrounding the case government of the U.S. and a number of fundamental problems and we can make Persian Gulf. of the assassination of Lt. General Qassem countries whose territory has been used sentence for ‘corruption on earth’ them face more serial defeats,” General He hailed Iran’s significant progress in Soleimani were discussed. for committing that crime have interna- Salami said, addressing a ceremony in the defense sector, warning that the Islamic Speaking about the topics raised in tional responsibility and must be held 1 It also posted a photo of Zam in custody, under which it Tehran on Tuesday. Republic will give crushing response to the meeting, Iranian Deputy Foreign accountable for their action in violation was written: “This is just the beginning”. He also referred to Iran’s great successes enemies if threatened. Minister for International and Legal of the international law, as we will be and progress despite enemies’ psychological “The Islamic Republic has the determi- Affairs Mohsen Baharvand said, “Today, pursuing the issue in the international warfare against the country, and said, “We nation. We will not bow to enemies. We will the coordination meeting was held at the circles and organizations. have no other option but growing strong.” not retreat. Progress is the nature of our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thank God, “Immediately after the U.S. committed In relevant remarks earlier this month, work. Defense is our logic in war but not in the honorable Judiciary is working on that crime, the Ministry of Foreign Af- General Salami referred to the recent the sense of passivity against the enemy. the case day and night and is studying fairs has taken the international political protest rallies across the U.S., saying Our operations and tactics are offensive the evidence that has been gathered. Our measures and has conveyed the Iranian that Washington’s power was decreasing and we have shown it in the battlefield,” intelligence and security forces have people and government’s protest to the earlier than expected. General Salami said. so far detected around forty American international organizations, including the “Today, we are witnessing the early and The IRGC commander said that a key individuals who have somehow had a United Nations, the Security Council, and rapid decline of our big enemies, specially portion of Iran’s maritime power is still role in the assassination, including the the other relevant international organi- the U.S.,” General Salami said, addressing “unknown” to others. ones that ordered, aided and abetted the zations, calling on them to take action in a ceremony in Tehran. “The most important and dangerous crime. Some other individuals, including this regard proportional to the area of their He added that while the U.S. was able part of this power is unknown. Our en- a number of operators of the American responsibilities respectively. to conceal its real face before the public emies will see this power the day when drones, have not been identified yet, but “We have also held meetings with many opinion in recent years, today its crimes they pursue an evil intention against this this will happen soon.” countries and have informed them about Back in December 2017, Telegram blocked Amad News for have been disclosed in a way that the land. On that day, they will get to see the “Today, we coordinated efforts to han- details of the crime, and we are weighing encouraging violence after a request by the Iranian Minister of American people, themselves, set fire at real firepower of our forces at the sea and dle the work more rapidly, and after the plans to further pursue (the case) at the Communications and Information Technology . the U.S. flag. in the sky, and the battlefield will turn remaining American and non-American international level in order to follow it up However, Zam resumed his activities by launching a new “All symbols used by the U.S. to in- into a hell for the enemies of Iran and individuals with a role in the assassination more by any means possible with new in- channel called Seday-e Mardom, which is translated as “voice troduce itself and display an unreal face Islam,” he warned. are detected, the judge will soon indict formation and evidence.” of the people”. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY JULY 1, 2020

Stock market listing to be New domestically- eased for private companies ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran Chamber of Commerce, Indus- made wagons, desktries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), Iranian Association of Internal Audits (IAIA), Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), and Iran’s over-the-counter (OTC) market, known as Iran Fara Bourse (IFB), signed a memorandum of understanding locomotives join (MOU) on Tuesday for launching a single-window system to accelerate the process of private companies’ acceptance to the stock market, IRIB reported. railway fleet

1 According to the official, the number Railway fleet has received three groups of new locomotives and wagons added to the of new wagons and locomotives since the railway fleet in the first three months of the beginning of the current Iranian year, the current calendar year (March 20-June 20) has first of which was on April 29 when 56 units Meanwhile, in late December 2019, RAI cel- namely, Wagon Pars, Iranian Rail Industries increased by 78 percent compared to the same worth 1.25 trillion rials (about $29.76 mil- ebrated the addition of 243 domestically-made Development Company, and Foolad Derakhshan period last year. lion) were added to the country’s rail fleet; wagons and locomotives to the country’s fleet. Arak Company. The new additions included 53 freight wag- in the second phase, 30 units worth 1.44 Valued at 3.4 trillion rials (about $80.9 Back in September 2019, another 213 do- ons, two passenger wagons, and two locomo- trillion rials (about $34.28 million) were million), the mentioned wagons and locomo- mestically-made wagons and locomotives had tives, as well as eight reconstructed wagons. added on May 19. tives were made by three different companies been added to the country’s fleet.

The signing ceremony was attended by Finance and Eco- Capital market, a financing platform for startups is the year of “Surge in Production”. nomic Affairs Minister Farhad Dejpasand, ICCIMA Head Gho- 1 In a meeting with the chairman of the Fund When the status of production is planned to be elevated, lam-Hossein Shafeie, Head of Iran’s Securities and Exchange for Innovation and Prosperity on May 20, SEO Head some new and innovative ideas are surely required, and Organization (SEO) Hasan Qalibaf, Managing Director of Hassan Qalibaf-Asl said, “We are ready to put the mod- it again highlights the important role of the startups. TSE Ali Sahraei and IFB Managing Director Amir Hamouni. els proposed by this fund into action and remove any Fortunately, the capital market recently moving in The MOU is aimed at creating a single portal for evalu- possible problem in this due.” a path of unpresented growth and development has ating, assessing and monitoring the financial and technical “We will investigate the proposed models and make the laid the ground for more and better financing which situation of private sector companies for approving their necessary changes in a way to facilitate the entrance of is a proper opportunity for the startups to secure their entrance into the capital market. startups to the capital market”, the SEO head reiterated. required funds. As reported, the term of this memorandum is one year Also in a press conference on June 22, the official said, Welcoming the new ideas for promotion of domestic and will be extended if the parties agree. “We are creating the proper condition for the startups, production, the economy sector is also supporting the Speaking in the ceremony, Dejpasand also announced the and we are also planning to introduce an index for them companies that initiate the innovative ideas, and a major establishment of the country’s real estate stock exchange in in the stock market.” way of support is through the capital market. the coming week. As previously announced, the mentioned index will As reported on Friday, some special tax exemptions According to the official, the Economy Ministry is finalizing be introduced in the current Iranian calendar year (ends for the startups to sell ownership shares directly to the and some other incentives have been agreed to be offered the issue with the SEO and the first meeting in this regard on March 2021). qualified investors will be a great step especially now to the companies that are accepted to the stock market has already been held. While entrance of the startups in the capital market that strengthening domestic production has become a in the current Iranian calendar year. Noting that 12 major sectors are involved in the real es- indicates that they have passed their high-risk time and serious target in the country. And, as the stock market plans to introduce the afore- tate market, the official added: “Many organizations, such also shows that they have transparent financial state- In a bid to nullify the U.S. sanctions, Iran is determined mentioned index for the startups in this year, a strong as the Mostazafan Foundation, Foundation of Martyrs and ments, their presence in this market encourages the to boost its domestic production and achieve more and presence of these companies in this market is expected Veterans Affairs, Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order Head- other companies of this kind to do so and also attracts more self-reliance. The previous Iranian year was named to be a contributing factor for boosting domestic pro- quarters, Social Security and the Islamic Azad University the trust of the traditional investors. the year of “Pickup in Production” and the current year duction and bringing economic growth for the country. have announced their readiness to put their properties on The stock market providing a regulated marketplace this market.” Iranian government has been encouraging the country’s private sector to join the capital market to retract public Commodities worth $60m exported TEDPIX notches record high investments into the market. Last week, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyed Ali from Maku free zone in a year of 1.5m points Khamenei agreed with a plan for offering special tax exemp- tions and incentives to the companies that are accepted to the stock market in the current Iranian calendar year. Although the Iranian stock market is a newly developed market and people have only recently gotten acquainted with its activities, this market has been booming in recent years. In the past Iranian year 1398, the performance of the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), which is the main stock mar- ket of Iran, was unprecedented, as its main index, TEDPIX, which had closed at 178,000 points at the end of the calendar year 1397, climbed to 512,000 points at the end of last year. Many domestic companies have already offered their shares in the market, while much more are getting ready to join. Private sector should be axis of economy: VP

ECONOMY TEHRAN – Es’haq Jahangiri, Iran’s first deskvice-president, said on Monday that the ECONOMY TEHRAN — Value of Persian Gulf and the second one was Qeshm ECONOMY TEHRAN — TEDPIX, rials (about $12 billion) during the first desk private sector must be the base of the country’s economy, deskexports from Maku Free Free Trade Zone established the year after the main index of Teh- quarter of the current Iranian calendar the portal of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines Trade-Industrial Zone in Iran’s northwestern on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. ran Stock Exchange (TSE), hit a new record year (March 20-June 20). and Agriculture (ICCIMA) reported. province of West Azarbaijan hit $60 million Some five other free trade zones have high on Tuesday, as it exceeded 1.5 million Hasan Qalibaf-Asl also said, “It is while Speaking in a meeting with the ICCIMA board of directors, in the past Iranian calendar year (ended on been also established in the country since points, Tasnim news agency reported. the total amount of liquidity entered into Jahangiri emphasized that the government is making serious March 19), the managing director of Maku then, including Chabahar in southeastern The index gained 64,911 points to this market stood at 300 trillion rials (about efforts to support the private sector, adding: “I believe that Free Zone Organization told IRIB. Sistan-Baluchestan Province, Arvand in 1.546, as 5.799 billion securities worth $7.14 billion) during the past year.” the private sector should be literally the axis of the coun- Mohammadreza Abdolrahimi referred southwestern Khuzestan Province, An- 100.35 trillion rials (about $2.38 billion) The official further noted that the high try’s economy, and the government is trying to empower to the target of boosting the exports from zali in northern Gilan Province, Aras in were traded through 1.546 million deals amount of liquidity that is entering the the private sector.” the free zones by ten percent and said Maku East-Azarbaijan Province and Maku in at the TSE. capital market has provided some good free zone has increased the exports by eight West-Azarbaijan Province, both in the As reported, Persian Gulf Petrochemical opportunity for this market. percent. northwest of the country. Industries Company, Mobarakeh Steel Under the current condition, the status Saying that there are many capacities Considering the important role that Company, and National Iranian Copper of the parallel markets such as the markets for production and exports in this zone, the the free trade zones play in promoting the Industry Company were the major contrib- of foreign currency, gold, and housing official reiterated that boosting investment country’s export and employment, Iran utors to the jump of TEDPIX on Tuesday. seems to has a noticeable effect on the making in Maku will expand the exports is seriously pursuing development of its While the past Iranian calendar year unprecedented growth in the stock market. especially to the neighboring countries. existing zones and establishment of new (ended on March 19) was full of success While this condition, which has made As Maku is among the most newly-es- zones as well. for the TSE, the market is also preserving investment making in the stock market a tablished and also the largest free zones of More development measures in this field its successful performance in the current more profitable choice for the investors, has the country, there is a high need for creation have been taking since the U.S. re-imposi- year, and the noticeable point in this due been a contributing factor for the growth of infrastructure in this zone, he further tion of sanctions on the Iranian economy is that the other economic sectors are ex- in the stock market in the present year; it stressed. in November 2018, as Iran is reducing its periencing some declining trend due to began in the past year and is still affecting Maku is one of the seven major free dependence on the oil income while elevating the coronavirus pandemic. the capital market. zones of Iran. its domestic production and non-oil exports. We have been witnessing new record This status of the parallel markets is First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri (L) and ICCIMA Head Establishment of free trade zones in Iran Although the sanctions have disrupted highs continuously posted by the exchange predicted to continue, regarding the sanc- Gholam-Hossein Shafeie dates back to the Iranian calendar year 1368 Iran’s economic activities, they could not since the year start, and climbing to the tions condition and some other factors Stressing the important role of the private sector in the (March 1989- March 1990) following the fall impede the development of Iranian free peak of one million points, something al- affecting the national economy, and as the country’s economic growth, the official noted that the pri- in the country’s oil income in the preceding zones; in fact, the development of these most unbelievable just some time ago, Iranian people are getting more acquaint- vate sector should also cooperate with the government in year which prompted the government to zones has been even accelerated. came true in early May. ed with the stock market activities, and its efforts to provide the country’s foreign currency needs. promote the non-oil exports. Many strides made for increasing In a press conference on Monday, the as this market is being developed more Emphasizing the importance of ICCIMA as the connecting The first two free trade zones of Iran activities in the free zones have played a head of Iran’s Securities and Exchange and more and attracting more investors, link between the country’s private sector and the government, were established in the south of the coun- significant part in boosting the country’s Organization (SEO) announced that the higher jumps and new record highs are the first vice president said: “The chamber of commerce try. The first one was Kish Free Trade Zone non-oil exports and brought prosperity in amount of liquidity absorbed by Iran’s also expected for the TSE index in the represents the country’s private sector, and we expect you established in 1368 on Kish Island in the the other economic sectors. capital market has reached 500 trillion current year. to hold talks with various government bodies and provide them with operational solutions to solve the problems that the country’s exporters, importers and producers are facing.” He further called on the ICCIMA board of directors to CBI approves Afghan bank for opening branch in Chabahar explore solutions for the currency problems of the country’s ECONOMY TEHRAN – Central Bank of Iran (CBI) between the two countries and can act as a financial chan- hadn’t named the bank. exporters and importers, in their meetings with the Central deskhas approved Afghanistan’s Ghazanfar nel,” Salimi added. Back in February, the Secretary General of Iran-Afghan- Bank of Iran (CBI) officials, and to take necessary measures Bank to open a branch in southeastern Chabahar Port, Noting that India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran would istan Joint Chamber of Commerce Mozafar Alikhani had to remove the obstacles ahead. ILNA reported on Tuesday, quoting the head of Iran-Af- have a stronger trade relationship through this bank, the announced that two Afghan banks were to open branches In the meeting, representatives of the private sector also ghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce. official said: “Fortunately, the port of Chabahar is exempted in Chabahar. underlined the exporters’ concerns and problems and offered According to Hossein Salimi, the Afghan bank requested from the U.S. sanctions, and with the prosperity of the port, Iran and Afghanistan have strong economic ties and solutions to address them. the establishment of a branch in Chabahar to facilitate Afghan traders have become very active in this region.” many Afghan traders are familiar with the patterns of trade Jahangiri had earlier said “The government needs private trade between Iran and Afghanistan and the government According to Salimi, the bank would provide service and consumption in Iran. sector for progress and development in the country.” has granted the bank its approval and necessary permits to both Iranian and Afghan companies which are active Afghanistan is a major export destination of Iranian He said that the government fully supports the private and licenses have been issued. in bilateral trade between the two nations. products, and as Iran is seriously pursuing the objective sector, saying “The government should place even more im- “Currently, we have some problems in transferring cur- Last week, Iran’s Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian of boosting non-oil exports to its neighbors, making the portance on the country’s private sector which is the major rency and trade with Afghanistan, and the establishment confirmed that an Afghan bank would open its branch in exporters acquainted with this country’s markets is an driving force behind the economy.” of this branch would be a great help to the trade exchanges Chabahar Free Trade Zone soon. The minister, however, agenda. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2020 ENERGY 5

Tehran Refinery to go through OPEC has cut oil output by 1.25m bpd in June, says annual overhaul next week Petro: Logistics OPEC has cut oil output in June by 1.25 million barrels per day (bpd) from May levels as it works to implement a supply restraint ENERGY TEHRAN – Tehran Hydrogen Unit, replacement of damaged agreement with Russia and other allies, according to estimates desk Refinery’s annual parts of the 2V-409 tower, as well as from tanker-tracking company Petro-Logistics. overhaul program, which was postponed replacement of pig tailings, and repair of OPEC and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, agreed to cut due to the outbreak of coronavirus, is the roof insulation of the Hydrogen Unit supply by a record 9.7 million bpd from May 1 to offset an oil price set to begin in the upcoming week in are among the major operations that are and demand slump triggered by the coronavirus crisis. OPEC’s accordance with health protocols, head of set to be carried out in this 28-day program. share of the cut is 6.084 million bpd. the refinery’s Planning, Maintenance and To accelerate the process, 500 additional “Excluding Iran, Libya and Venezuela, which are not part of Repair Department said on Tuesday. experienced personnel will be participating in the curtailment agreement, OPEC-10 supply remains about 1.55 As reported by IRNA, the overhaul this year’s operations under the supervision million bpd away from full compliance,” Petro-Logistics said in of Isomax and North Hydrogen units is of the company’s main employees. an email. planned for 28 working days beginning As reported, the IsoMax No. 2 Unit, with “Iraq, Nigeria and Kuwait are the main countries that have from Wednesday, July 15, Mohammad- a nominal capacity of 15,000 barrels per lowered their supply since May, with more limited cuts by Saudi Baqer Feizabadi said. day, converts the Isofide from the vacuum Arabia, the UAE and Angola.” According to Feizabadi, all the operations distillation tower into high-value, high- will be carried out in complete compliance quality products. This unit converts the with health and safety standards including received feedstock through a nickel catalyst Iraq lowers June oil exports, using face mask by the workforce, as well into light gases, liquefied petroleum gas, as regular disinfection of caravans, public light and heavy naphtha, jet fuel and high- still pumps above OPEC+ target places, and work sites. quality gas oil. He noted that the overhaul program Also, Hydrogen Unit No. 2 has a nominal Iraq’s oil exports have fallen by almost nine percent or 310,000 was scheduled to begin sooner, but due capacity of one million cubic meters per day. barrels per day (bpd) in June, loading data and industry sources to the outbreak of the coronavirus and the implementation of this year’s plan was Recharging the catalysts of the reactors The feedstock for this unit is supplied by gases showed, suggesting OPEC’s second-largest producer has delivered the need to comply with health protocols postponed. of Isomax Unit and reformer furnace of from catalytic converters and natural gas. about three-fifths of its pledge in an OPEC-led supply cut deal. Southern Iraqi exports in the first 28 days of June averaged 2.90 million bpd, tanker tracker Petro-Logistics, Refinitiv Eikon and an industry source found. That is down 200,000 bpd from May’s official southern exports figure. Developing Persian Gulf fields to avert South Pars output fall “This is the lowest level of Basra exports in five years,” Dan- TEHRAN (Shana) — As Iran’s Petropars South Pars platforms. iel Gerber, chief executive of Petro-Logistics, told Reuters. “But starts developing Phase 11 of the giant South Except for Platform A and Platform C of Iraq still needs to cut by a further 300,000 bpd to achieve full Pars gas field with a view to making first -re SP12, its gas production currently stands compliance.” covery in 2021, Iran would be soon completing at 82 mcf/d and 230 mcf/d, respectively. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and development of all phases of this offshore When new platforms of SP11, SP13, SP14 allies, known as OPEC+, began a record supply-cutting deal in field which it shares with neighboring Qatar. and SP22-24 come online, the initial drop will May to bolster oil prices hammered by the coronavirus crisis. Iraq South Pars saw its output reach 700 mc- not be tangible, but after five years, Iran will is cutting output by 1.06 million bpd under the deal. m/d in 2019 and Minister of Petroleum Bijan reach a point where such decline in output Zanganeh’s promise of Iran outperforming would matter. Qatar in South Pars recovery came true. SP12 output falling Now, in a bid to guarantee sustained pro- Pressure fall-off in SP12 will be faster than duction from South Pars that supplies more that of other phases. Like many other oil than 75% of Iran’s gas, pressure fall-off in and gas fields, South Pars is a non-homog- coming years has to be avoided. enous field with its own specific reservoir Mohammad Meshkinfam, CEO of Pars Oil thickness and features. In the central parts and Gas Company (POGC), has said devel- of the field, gas layers are thicker, while oping other fields in the Persian Gulf would the reservoir rock is more suitable for gas help avoid a sudden drop in the South Pars between platforms are among short-term mcm/d by 2019. Relying on this volume of storage and transmission. However, as we production rate in coming years. solutions, while concentration on the devel- production, Iran did not have to worry about approach the phases closer to the reservoir, Reservoir pressure fall-off and reduced opment of blocks surrounding South Pars any gas supply cut in recent years. The country the gas column will become less thick while output in South Pars is unavoidable in coming is a long-term solution. even envisaged exporting gas and producing the reservoir features will be weaker. On the The June figures imply Iraq is making progress, but has yet years. Therefore, POGC, which is tasked with Based on the planning made, the gas liquefied natural gas (LNG). basis of this rule and based on information to fulfil its pledge completely. Iraq has told OPEC+ it will make developing Persian Gulf gas fields, has to reme- produced in Belal field whose development Pressure fall-off is a natural phenomenon. gained from the appraisal wells drilled in up for over-production in May and June through larger cuts in dy the situation. Apart from South Pars; North agreement was signed with Petropars last Preventive measures are needed now. Drop SP12, it was forecast from the very begin- later months. Pars, Farzad A, Farzad B, Golshan, Ferdowsi, year, and the gas produced in Phase 1 of the in production in this field; however, may not ning that production from the platforms In May, Iraq delivered 38 percent of its pledged cut, a Reuters Kish and Belal are the fields that POGC is Kish gas field would be transmitted to the be tangible enough. of this phase would happen in a shorter survey found, much lower than top exporter Saudi Arabia. If tasked with their development. However, the platforms of SP12 to offset possible production Gas recovery from south Pars is based period of time. exports in June hold steady, adherence has risen to 60 percent, point with developing all these blocks is that cut in this phase. on the gas expansion mechanism. In other SP12 was officially inaugurated in 2014. based on Reuters calculations. some of them are jointly-owned with other Furthermore, comprehensive studies and words, gas production from this reservoir It has since been producing gas. However, “Down yes, but not anywhere near the quota,” the industry countries and therefore maximum recovery planning have been under way to guarantee would be synonymous with a gradual decline Meshkinfam has said as gas production from source said of Iraq’s June exports. from them would be highly significant for the sustainable gas production at South Pars. Infill in the reservoir pressure, which is natural Platform C of SP12 is nearing its end, this The south is the main outlet for Iraq’s crude, so a good part of Petroleum Ministry. Sustainable production drilling, installing compressors, extending in all gas reservoirs. However, such natural platform would be detached from this cur- its OPEC+ cut should show up in lower exports. for at least 25 years has to be guaranteed offshore pipelines and building new platforms and sustained decline in the gas pressure rent location to be installed in SP11 in 2021. Iraq says it is in the country’s interest to comply with this from now. are among options. would continue until it reaches the minimum Furthermore, the gas produced at SP12 would deal. Baghdad was reluctant to join previous OPEC-led supply National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) South Pars holds 14.2 tcm gas, i.e. 8% of pressure needed for the transfer of gas from be transferred to the onshore refinery of this cut efforts that began in 2017, and was at times OPEC’s least envisages a short and a long-term solution the world total gas reserves, and 18 billion sea to onshore refinery. After that, due to phase through connecting this platform to compliant member. to prevent pressure fall-off in the reservoir barrels of condensate. Iran holds a 15% share the impossibility of any further decline in the existing offshore pipeline. Exports from northern Iraq have also fallen in June. So far, total and guarantee sustainable production in the in this field. pressure, gas production will start falling Meshkinfam has reiterated that the re- northern exports are about 370,000 bpd, down about 110,000 South Pars field. Until 2013, Iran was producing below 300 until the well stops producing. maining seven wells would be drilled after the bpd from May, tanker data shows. Acid job, perforation, workover of wells, mcm/d of gas from its sector of the joint field. Meshkinfam said that pressure fall-off operation of production platform so that the This would be in line with Iraq’s request to Kurdish authorities drilling new wells, and laying new pipes However, Iran brought its production to 700 started ever since production began in all envisaged 1bcf/d output would materialize. to export a maximum of 370,000 bpd in June. NTT to join Japan’s OPEC secretary general: oil not out of the woods just yet renewable-energy sector with The oil markets are not “out of the woods” just global oil inventories. the oil markets would have headed toward to the five-year average. $9b investment yet, OPEC’s Secretary General Mohammad “One of the major concerns of the industry a “total crush.” This time around, the measures OPEC is Barkindo told a virtual panel organized by was that as a result of the double shock on Barkindo said that according to prelim- taking to drawdown the inventories are more Japanese telecommunications group Nippon Telegraph & Telephone the Canada-UAE Business Council, cited by supply and demand, the industry was going inary numbers, the total inventory build in dramatic, as the group pledged to cut its pro- will enter the country’s market for renewable energy, investing The National. to exhaust storage capacity, both onshore and the region was 1.3 billion barrels above the duction across May and June, and then again in more than 1 trillion yen ($9.3 billion) by 2030 to boost capacity The UAE’s Energy Minister Suhail Al Maz- probably offshore,” Barkindo said, after oil five-year industry average, compared to 403 July. But compliance to the production quotas and establish its own transmission network, Nikkei has learned. rouei, also on the panel, echoed the sentiment, prices crashed in April as lockdowns stymied million barrels above the five year average are still just 87 percent, thanks to laggards According to Nikkei, NTT aims to generate 7.5 million kilo- saying that the oil industry was “still in the demand and taxed available storage constraints during the last oil market downturn between such as Nigeria and Iraq, who have promised watts of electricity -- the equivalent of 12 percent of the nation’s woods.” all over the world—both onshore and offshore. 2014 and 2016. to make up for any overages after the rest of renewable-energy capacity as of 2019. The sober statement comes even as OPEC Barkindo added that had the available stor- Back then, Barkindo added, it took four OPEC has completed their production cuts The former state telecom monopoly becomes the first company has taken unprecedented action to draw down age capacity been allowed to be exhausted, years to drawdown the oil inventories back at the end of July. with the ability to operate on a national scale to enter Japan’s power distribution market since it was fully deregulated in 2016. As renewable energy gains momentum worldwide, the entry of deep-pocketed NTT alters the competitive dynamics. Tighter markets end lucrative oil trade Investing close to $1 billion a year until 2025, NTT will expand By Tsvetana Paraskova wild rush for chartering oil tankers, either for floating storage its current power generation capability 25-fold. Once complete, incentivized by the super contango, or for the record volumes the company would have more generating capacity than regional From a super contango in April, the Brent Crude futures curve has of Saudi oil that flooded the market in April. provider Shikoku Electric Power, which powers all of Japan’s flattened and flipped to backwardation for the nearest months, Floating storage has started to recede from record-highs in smallest main island. wiping out was is seen as one of the most lucrative oil trades Pro- April in almost every region as demand began to recover from NTT will sell directly to customers. Most of the company’s duction cuts from Saudi Arabia to the U.S. shale patch, combined the record plunge. 7,300 telephone exchanges nationwide will be used as “mini gen- with recovering oil demand, have changed in recent weeks the According to estimates from the International Energy Agency erators” and be equipped with storage batteries for renewable oil futures curve more to the liking of the OPEC+ group. (IEA), floating storage of crude oil dropped in May by 6.4 million energy. From there, power will be provided to factories and offices From a super contango in April, the Brent Crude futures barrels to 165.8 million barrels, from its all-time high of 172.2 nearby through existing grids or NTT’s own lines. curve has flattened and flipped to backwardation for the nearest million barrels in April. NTT will team up with Mitsubishi Corp. to serve more than months, wiping out the most significant financial incentive for Estimates by Bloomberg showed earlier this month that 14,000 convenience stores operated by Lawson, a subsidiary oil trading houses to profit from the price structure a when oil floating storage of North Sea oil had started to shrink as most of the trading house. demand crashes. of Europe lifted their lockdowns. NTT will also develop large solar and offshore wind power During the ‘peak lockdown’ period when every major economy demand. Bank of America (BofA) Global Research, for example, Tanker operator International Seaways said last week that plants. Group electricity unit NTT Anode Energy will lead and except China was under lockdown in late March and early April, sees inventories in most regions beginning to draw down in the it estimates 160-180 million barrels are being stored on ships expand the operations. the oil market was in a state of super contango. In this market second half of this year, and the full Brent futures curve could currently. The strong oil contango earlier this year made it prof- Japanese regional utilities have priority for use of existing situation, front-month prices were much lower than prices in flip by the end of the year to backwardation. itable to store oil, “creating a demand for time chartered ships transmission lines, creating a barrier to entry. NTT will get future months, pointing to a crude oil oversupply and making A backwardated futures curve is definitely the preferred for storage, further reducing ship supply and increasing rates,” around this by creating its own transmission network. storing oil for future sales profitable. Traders rushed to charter market structure for OPEC and its allies, which rely on higher the tanker operator said in a presentation to its annual meeting NTT sees new business opportunities from combining existing supertankers for floating storage for several months to a year front-month prices to help draw down excess inventories and of stockholders. communications data with data on electricity use. Renewable so they could sell the oil at higher prices later. record floating storage, which would push oil prices higher if In recent weeks, however, the contango has decreased, and energy also offers a new pillar of business at a time when its In the middle of June, production cuts and an uptick in oil demand continues to improve. the short-term floating storage of crude oil is declining, Inter- mainstay communications operations face slow growth. demand helped the Brent Crude price structure flip to backwar- At the same time, the new shape of the oil futures curve is national Seaways notes. The target of 7.5 million kilowatts of renewable energy dation, signaling a tightening of the physical oil market. already discouraging what was the most lucrative trade in the oil For tanker owners, the vanishing of the contango and the significantly exceeds the 2 million kilowatts to 3 million kilowatts Backwardation – the opposite of contango – is the market market two months ago at the peak of the demand loss. record cuts from OPEC+ is bad news for tanker demand and that Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings plans to develop by situation that typically occurs at times of market deficit. In back- “Quite simply the contango is no longer there, so it does not rates. They knew that the super trades with the super contango the early 2030s. NTT’s current generating capacity is 300,000 wardation, prices for front-month contracts are higher than the make any economic sense to enter into a new floating storage would not last long and would have to eventually face a new kilowatts. ones further out in time. trade, unless the deal was locked in when the contango was suffi- market reality with OPEC+ withholding supply to decrease the Meeting NTT’s target would help Japan toward its goal of Backwardation is currently only seen for the next two to three cient to cover freight costs,” Richard Matthews, an analyst who glut and increase oil prices. having renewables make up 22 percent to 24 percent of its power months, but analysts expect the full Brent futures curve to be monitors the trade at E.A. Gibson Shipbrokers, told Bloomberg. For OPEC+ and for tanker operators alike, continuous demand generation mix. It may disrupt the dominance of existing electric in backwardation by the end of the year thanks to recovering This new phase in the oil market is in stark contrast to the recovery would be excellent news – if it holds. companies and ultimately lead to lower energy costs. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 ADVERTISEMENTS JULY 1, 2020

Second Announcement TEHRAN TIMES Call for public tender (First/Second publish) N.I.O.C One Stages tender Modern Stadium of Subject of Tender: P/F: “MCCOY (FARR)” HYDRAULIC POWER TONG National Iranian 1399.1627 Drilling Company Tender descriptions: Registration No. through Iran’s Leading Martyrs of Khuzestan Tender No. Estimated value The Tender holder national electronic /Indent No. (Rial) tendering system International Daily National Iranian Tender No.: FP/04-98/189

8/222/485 Indent No.: 08-22-9845104 18.730.000.000 Football Club (KSC) Drilling Company Qualitative evaluation of tenderers

Qualification process will be done in plain mode in offers opening session according to presentation of valid practice certificate / legal documents (certificate of corporation/ supply announcement up to latest Advertising Dept Method changes) which should be related to tender subject.

Purchasing & Submitting

The distribution of the documents will be started one day after the publishing of second advertisement and ended on the following tenth day thereof ( closing date ( : July 12 / 2020)

Tender Hall No.:113, 1st floor, Foreign Procurement Dept., National Iranian Drilling Distribution Place Company, Airport square, Ahwaz, IRAN 061-34148656 -06134148615 Document Distribution  by Company Submitting one original Bank Fund Receipt in the amount of 190,000 Iranian Rials under account number 4001114004020491( Shaba No. IR Submitting Method 520100004001114004020491) in name of “NIDC Incomes Centralized Fund” issued by I.R. of Iran Central Bank. Submitting format Request for the purpose of receiving Tender Documents.  35Days after the last time of Purchasing ( .closing date August 17 / Closing date 2020 Documents  The envelopes will be opened At 9:00 a.m On August 18 / 2020 Receiving Method Hall No. 107, 1stfloor, Tender Committee, Operation building, National Tel: Address Iranian Drilling Company, Airport square, Ahwaz, IRAN. Tel: +98-61-34148580 +98-61-34148569 021 -430 51 430 Tender Guarantee Value of 937.000.000Rial 5,070 / Euro guarantee Bank guarantees or guarantees issued by non-bank institutions that obtain activity license from the central bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Type of Submitting one original Bank Fund Receipt under account number 4001114006376636 ( Shaba No. IR guarantee 350100004001114006376636) in name of “NIDC saving account” by the central bank of Islamic Republic of Iran. Duration of Tender Guarantee and quotation should be valid for 90 days and extendable maximum for one time in credit & initial validity duration. quotation

( Foreign Procurement Dept.) More of this & other tenders are accessible by click on: www.nidc.ir http://sapp.ir/nidc_pr تهران تایمز نوبت دوم 99/4/11

430 51 430

Advertising Dept: [email protected] I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2020 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 7

U.S. is one of the most aggressive countries Israel land grab bid in disarray amid coalition rift, in modern era: Lebanese academic waning U.S. support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s highly-contentious By Mohammad Mazhari Arab states are undemocratic and their history is full of scheme to annex parts of the occupied Palestinian territory oppression against opponents let alone protest racism in appears to be in disarray as his key coalition partner Benny TEHRAN – A Lebanese political researcher believes that the U.S., the researcher says. Ganz and a group of U.S. lawmakers signal their opposition the United States is one of the “most aggressive” regimes “Since the Arab regimes are undemocratic, they are not to the move. in the modern world. unfamiliar with the suppression methods and using violence Netanyahu has set July 1 as the date to begin moving forward “The U.S. is one of the most aggressive countries that has against their opponents,” Aboud points out. with the plan to impose the Tel Aviv regime’s “sovereignty” waged wars against other nations in modern era, and the However, he says, silence toward racism and indifference over about a third of the West Bank, including settlements structure of the American system is based on repression, toward the death of George Floyd was not just limited to and the fertile Jordan Valley. domination, abolition and controlling other nations,” Tariq Arab countries. Gantz said, fighting the coronavirus pandemic, and its Aboud tells the Tehran Times. “We saw this terrible silence towards systematic racism economic fallout should precede any political decisions The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq (in the U.S.) which is not limited to the Arab regimes. We regarding the West Bank. in 2003. It has also slapped the harshest sanctions in history also witness many regimes that claim to defend democracy Gantz said fighting the coronavirus pandemic, and its against Iran in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal which is in Europe and elsewhere, are sitting on the fence.” economic fallout should take precedence over any political endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Since his arrival at the White House, Trump’s approach decisions regarding the West Bank. The current U.S. president has also deepened racial rift toward Arab states has been degrading and sometimes insulting. in the American society through his inflammatory remarks Aboud also says the United States under Donald Trump and decisions. The country has been the scene of anti-racism cannot even be trusted as an ally. protests since May 25 when a black American, named George “You can’t bet on Trump as an ally. What happened recently Floyd, was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis. to Egypt on the Grand Renaissance Dam (al-Nahda Dam) “The regulations allow the white people to dominate and crisis showed clearly that the Americans have no allies,” the control other segments of the U.S. population; the colored, Lebanese researcher comments. immigrants, and others,” Tariq says. “For Egypt to be left alone to face its problems and pre- The discrimination against the blacks dates back to cen- venting it from the waters of the Nile, which is a life matter turies ago. It dates back to the time when the United States for the Egyptian people, reflect Washington’s policies in was established. cials in the world also condemned police brutality against the belittling its allies, even if it considers them allies,” according “What is happening in America is a historical accumula- people of color. However, certain countries, including Arab to Tarq Aboud. tion of discrimination against the people of color, as racism rulers who are supported by Washington, remained silent. Answering a question about possibility of reform in Arab is deep-rooted in the American political system, and even Aboud says certain countries in the Arab world have ac- countries, Aboud says, “The Arab peoples have been repressed in the constitution,” Aboud explains. quiesced to the U.S. hegemony and do not dare to challenge in the course of history, in a way that they have lost initia- A source in Gantz’s party quoted him as telling a U.S. According to the Lebanese academic, Washington also Washington. tives for reform, and what happened in the so-called ‘Arab delegation, made up of American Ambassador to Israel David supports repressive regimes in the third world, including “It comes in the natural context, because many Arab re- Spring’ in 2011, accumulated despair rather than improve Friedman, White House Special Envoy Avi Berkowitz and those in Latin America and even in Africa. gimes have accepted American hegemony, and they have the situation.” mapping expert Scott Leigh, on Monday that the July 1 target People in certain cities across the world held rallies in no authority to oppose American administration,” Aboud He argues that the “civil wars in both Yemen and Libya and date was “not sacred.” protest against the death of George Floyd. Some senior offi- remarks. the war on Syria have formed a terrible image of uprisings.” “The only holy thing at the moment is getting people back into the workforce and taking care of coronavirus,” Gantz was quoted as saying. “Before making any political moves, we need to help the public to get back to earning a living with Attack on Hashd Al-Shaabi base was a propaganda act: al-Nujaba dignity.” In his Monday comments As the deadline “Such mistakes can push the country towards an unknown destiny” Elsewhere, Netanyahu admitted the “complicated” draws close, TEHRAN — On Thursday night, the Iraqi other big mistake that was possible to lead to Parliament of Iraq, and according to Article nature of the West Bank Israeli minister Counter-Terrorism Service, in coordination a confrontation between security forces in a 61 of the Iraqi Constitution, such agreements annexation, Israel’s Kan with the U.S. embassy, attacked the base of the critical time when the Coronavirus pandemic reached upon in these negotiations should public broadcaster reported. of military Brigade 45 of Hashd Al-Shaabi run by Kataib is being spread, Turkish forces have violated necessarily be confirmed and passed by the “I have a positive and affairs Benny Hizbollah resistance forces and arrested a the Iraqi sovereignty and occupied some parts Iraqi Parliament. topical line of communication Gantz, who number of them. of Iraq. The collapse of the economic status And some crises are being created in- with the Americans, and when Following the Iraqi society’s fury over should also be added to these two issues that tentionally upon the Americans’ request so I have something to report, heads the Blue the action and fierce reactions by the Iraqi are in line with the wishes of the American that they can intervene in Iraqi affairs and I’ll report [it],” he said. “This and White political and security circles, the forces were forces, which are both occupiers and illegiti- legitimize their presence in Iraq by exploiting is a complicated process released on Monday, al-Nujaba’s Centre for mate due to the ratification of the Parliament. such internal situations. with lots of diplomatic and party, suggested Communications and Media Affairs in Iran The big and evident contradiction here is Confrontation with the Hashd Al-Shaabi by security considerations that on Monday that reported. that some people claim Iraq needs the supports any faction bears some heavy consequences; I can’t get into. We said that the annexation Nasr al-Shimmari, the spokesman for the of the U.S.; however, the occupiers ask Iraqi Hashd Al-Shaabi enjoys a high status among [annexation] would be after al-Nujaba Islamic Resistance Movement, told forces to protect them against the attacks of the Iraqi people; it has gotten an ideological July 1.” plan should the Mehr news agency that the Thursday attack the Resistance. A question that arises here is and popular place in Iraq due to its history Donald Trump gave be postponed lacked the characteristics of a military action. that if the American occupiers are unable to replete with martyrdom and sacrifices. Tel Aviv the green light for “It was an operation against the Hashd defend themselves, how can they maintain forces both before occupation of Iraq in 2011 Therefore, the Resistance will be continued the land grab in his self- while Israel is al-Shaabi logistic base that only included 13 Iraqi security?! and following their return under the pretext against the Americans in any conditions, and proclaimed “deal of the dealing with military forces acting as guards,” al-Shim- In sum, it should be stressed that a big mis- of the fight against the ISIS in 2014. Besides, the U.S. will have to leave Iraq. It is a practical century,” which was unveiled the coronavirus mari said. take was committed against Hashd Al-Shaabi Kataib is a group that has had a fixed and and realistic goal for us. in January to legitimize Noting that the operation was carried out that has returned dignity and sovereignty to firm position negating the occupiers, and it Together with some internal mercenar- Israel’s occupation re-drawing outbreak. with use of 20 armored vehicles, al-Shimmari Iraq with a caravan of martyrs and sacrificing avoids participation in any political process ies in Iraq, the U.S. is attempting to push the West Asia map. reiterated, “We believe that this act was a big blood. Such mistakes can push the country in Iraq until the Americans intervene in this exit of the American forces from Iraq to the However, the U.S. has remained undecided on whether to mistake that could lead to the confrontation towards an unknown destiny. procedure. margins (what is passed and confirmed by formally support the annexation measure sought by Netanyahu between security forces, and the repeat of The bases of Kataib Hizbollah are However, today, and in dealing with the the Parliament). This issue has also intended under the current circumstances. such mistake can push the country towards continuously struck by Americans. Why do attack against Kataib Hizbollah, we all regard to marginalize the role of Hashd Al-Shaabi A senior White House official told NBC News on Sunday an unknown destiny.” Americans are worried about the settlement ourselves as the soldiers of this resistant, mu- in the fight against terrorism. How do you that Friedman, Berkowitz, and Leigh held several days of On the strategic negotiations between the of the Resistance forces in the Syrian-Iraqi jahid, and brave group. Furthermore, we will see this issue? meetings in Washington that also involved Jared Kushner, U.S. and Iraq, he said, “Indeed, it is a play for borders in the al-Anbar governorate? stand by it until all the American occupying A: The case of the presence of the American Trump’s son-in-law, and senior adviser on the matter. legitimizing the presence of the American A: From the American perspective, the forces are expelled from Iraq. forces in Iraq will be neither forgotten nor “There is yet no final decision on the next steps for occupation forces. It is also an attempt to IPMF and Iraqi Islamic Resistance groups are It seems that within strategic negotia- closed unless they fully retreat from all Iraqi implementing the Trump plan,” the source said. circumvent the Iraqi Parliament’s enactment a part of the Resistance Axis and are increas- tions with Iraq the U.S. is seeking to achieve lands. This futile act of media propaganda and U.S. lawmakers threaten Israel with conditional aid on the expulsion of all foreign forces from ingly expanding. Thereby, Americans have its desired results to debilitate the Hashd the voices bought by the U.S. never demon- In another development on Monday, a group of U.S. Iraq and putting an end to the international become focused on the Iraqi-Syrian borders Al-Shaabi. However, this can lead to a big strate the will of the Iraqi public. lawmakers voiced concerns about the planned annexation, coalition formed under the pretext of the fight and the expansion of their military bases in sedition in Iraq that would undermine the Iraqis are a Muslim nation with a history calling for using a “combination of pressure and incentives” against Daesh.” these areas. Nonetheless, this approach is Iraqi security forces. Through such a plan, replete with dignity and respect, and they host to prevent it, including imposing conditions on American The deputy secretary-general of al-Nujaba raised from their stupidity, as even the Sadd- the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service will also no occupier under any pretext. The experience military aid to Israel. also said, “This futile act of media propagan- am regime failed to fully control Iraqi-Syrian suffer a great damage. In your opinion, what of 2003 to 2011 has no difference with the The letter addressed to da and the voices bought by the U.S. never borders despite his high level of dominance, is the chief purpose of the U.S.? current presence of the American occupiers U.S. Secretary of State Mike The discussions, demonstrate the will of the Iraqi public.” and thus Americans never manage to achieve A: The strategic talks between the U.S. and in Iraq, and the Resistance that managed to Pompeo is signed by Vermont which took Iraq is a play for legitimizing the presence of The text of the interview is as follows: this target. push thousand times more forces out of Iraq Senator Bernie Sanders as place prior to As you know, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism But, the reason for Kataib Hizbollah being the American occupation forces. It is also an can certainly do this again. well as Representatives forces recently attacked one of Hashd Al-Shaa- attacked more than other groups is that this attempt to circumvent the Iraqi Parliament’s Sheikh Akram al-Kaabi, the secre- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of the trio’s trip bi’s bases, an attack that the Americans were group controls a vast operational region in the enactment on the expulsion of all foreign forces tary-general of al-Nujaba, in response to New York, Pramila Jayapal to Israel, were informed of. What is your assessment of this border areas, a fact that worries and enrages from Iraq and putting an end to the interna- the arrest of Hashd Al-Shaabi by Coun- of Washington, Rashida move, and why was such a decision made? American occupiers. However, it shouldn’t tional coalition formed under the pretext of ter-Terrorism Service said, “You revealed Tlaib of Michigan and Betty “productive” A: Initially, it should be emphasized that be forgotten that Kataib Hizbollah is one of the fight against Daesh. Still, such attempts your orientation, and thus you had better McCollum of Minnesota. but what happened on Friday in Baghdad can’t be the principal groups fighting the American are nothing against the law passed by the have no illusion.” In your view, who is the Should the Israeli inconclusive, he called a military attack. Yet, it was solely an target of these statements, what countries government move forward operation against a logistic back-up base of “The big and evident contradiction here or people? with the planned annexation said, alluding to Hashd Al_Shaabi in which 13 military forces is that some people claim Iraq needs the A: The principal target of these statements with this administration’s concerns about were present. They were acting as guards. On is the embassy of the American occupiers and supports of the U.S. Yet it raises a question acquiescence, we will work how the Israeli the other hand, this operation was carried out the circle close to the prime minister, the media to ensure non-recognition using a large number of forces, including 20 that when the American occupiers are circle that can do nothing but executing some as well as pursue conditions annexation armored forces, and finally, all the forces in unable to defend themselves, how can they media plans, and the one that pays no attention on the $3.8 billion in U.S. could affect the base were arrested. maintain the Iraqi security?!” to the sanitary, security and economic crises military funding to Israel, But our assessment of this act reveals an- that the country is entangled with. including human rights Trump’s Middle conditions,” it added. East plan. The letter also threatened “withholding funds for the off-shore procurement of Israeli weapons equal to or exceeding the amount the Israeli government Trump comes under fire as U.S. virus death toll passes 126,000 spends annually to fund settlements, as well as the policies The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gyms, and movie theaters for at least 30 days. and to see the impacts of the Governor’s new face-covering and practices that sustain and enable them.” has reported 2,545,250 cases of new coronavirus and said that Nearly 20 states paused or rolled back the reopening of directive.” Jordan reiterates opposition the number of deaths had risen to 126,369 as of Monday night. businesses due to a rapid rise in coronavirus cases. Nearly half of U.S. virus deaths recorded in Separately on Monday, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman The United States recorded at least 42,000 coronavirus California counties are dialing back plans to reopen some care facilities Safadi once again condemned the Israeli annexation plan in infections in the 24 hours to Monday as the country confronts businesses after observing an increase in hospitalizations and According to the latest count from the Kaiser Family telephone conversations with his European counterparts. a rapid surge in the respiratory disease known as COVID-19. a decrease in compliance with social distancing guidelines. Foundation, long-term care facilities, and similar institutions Safadi and Belgian Foreign Minister Philippe Goffin Several state governors have reimposed lockdowns on “We will take action to close bars wineries and brewer- account for 45% of coronavirus deaths in the United States. discussed over phone efforts to reach an effective international businesses such as restaurants and bars as the White House ies that do not serve food beginning midnight Wednesday The survey found more than 52,000 deaths occurred stance to prevent the Israeli measure and protect the peace claimed the rise in cases is due to record levels on “expanded morning,” San Diego County’s Public Health Officer Wilma in nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, memory care process, according to a statement released by Jordanian testing” and not community spread. Wooten said Monday. “Now more than ever, it is vital that facilities, adult care centers, or other long-term care facilities Foreign Ministry. In California, Los Angeles, which has become a new epicenter we all take precautions to guide our personal and collective in 40 states, plus Washington, DC. Goffin, for his part, stressed Belgium’s rejection of the in the pandemic as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations health.” KFF’s survey finds more than 10,000 facilities in 43 states annexation plan and commitment to the so-called two-state surge, reported an “alarming” one-day surge in America’s Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak paused the state’s reopening, plus Washington, DC, have confirmed cases of Covid-19. framework as “the only means to reach an end to the conflict.” second-largest city that put it over 100,000 cases. with his office saying the governor “will sign an emergency According to the data, the states with the highest number In another phone call, Safadi exchanged views with his Los Angeles county closed all beaches for the Independence directive extending the length of Phase 2 through the end of deaths in nursing homes were New York, New Jersey, Spanish counterpart, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, on the need to Day holiday weekend due to the startling rise in coronavirus of July, due to the trends in COVID-19 infection rates, the Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. intensify attempts aimed at halting the Israeli annexation. rates in the county, while the state of Arizona closes bars, time needed for expanded contact tracing to identify trends, (Source: Press TV) (Source: Press TV) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 HERITAGE & TOURISM JULY 1, 2020

IranAir to launch Bojnurd- Excavation sheds new light on Ashgabat service TOURISM TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier, IranAir, is going mysterious capital of Medes in Ecbatana deskto operate round flights connecting Bojnurd, the capital of northeastern North Khorasan province to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, IRNA reported on Monday. 1 were unearthed during the 22nd archaeologi- cal season recently carried out in Tepe Hegmataneh (also known as Ecbatana) …. In this season we seem to have succeeded to answer an old question: ‘Are there any signs of the Median period in Hegmataneh?’ Yes, we have dis- covered relatively satisfying signs of Median architecture and pottery,” ISNA quoted senior Iranian archaeologist Mehrdad Malekzadeh as saying on Tuesday. The 70-day archaeological season came to an end late in June aimed at exploring and re-examining the stratig- raphy of the hill, to shed a new light on its lowest layers which are deemed to be related to the [early] settlement on Hegmataneh hill and the foundation of its [ruined] fortress and towers, the archaeologist explained. The Greek historian Herodotus described the city in the 5th century BC as being surrounded by seven concentric walls. Ecbatana was captured from the Median ruler Asty- “In a yesterday meeting held between provincial officials, Ira- ages by the Persian king Cyrus the Great in 550 BC, and it nAir’s managing director and its board of directors, round flights was taken from the last Achaemenian ruler by Alexander between Ashgabat and Bojnurd were finalized based on one of the Great in 330 BC. the memoranda of understanding the two countries signed last “We focused on exploring a place in front of the cur- year,” Governor-General Mohammad-Ali Shojaei said on Tuesday. rent and temporary Hegmataneh Museum, where French Though North Khorasan province may not be the first choice experts had opened a workshop in 1913, known as the of travelers but its tourism is getting momentum. For the time Chaal Shotor (“Camel’s Hole”), we carved three trenches being, some 150 eco-lodges are active across the northeastern measuring 2.5 by 2.5 meters…. and at a depth of 320 cm, province to serve nature lovers, holidaymakers, and sightseers. we found the remains of a stone wall.” Most foreign tourists pass straight through North Khorasan in “We realized that this wall appeared about four meters transit between Mashhad and Gorgan, but if one has time to lower than the architectural relics that [Iranian architects] explore, it’s worth diverting south from the capital, Bojnurd, Dr. M.R. Sarraf and Dr. Masoud Azarnoush had excavated towards its pristine villages and natural settings. in Hegmataneh in previous archaeological seasons,” he said. “Dr. Sarraf did not go below that surface level he had worked on, and Dr. Azarnoush also believed that the first Abpakhsh projected to be ridge of architectural remains in Hegmataneh hill was named national city staring (in that specific location), while we managed to show circuit of the wall around Athens; and of the first circle cedar and cypress wood, which was covered with silver and that there are relics about four meters below that surface.” the battlements are white, of the second black, of the third gold. The roof tiles, columns and ceilings were plated with of wickerwork According to a scientific article co-authored by Azarnoush, crimson, of the fourth blue, of the fifth red: thus are the silver and gold. He adds that the palace was stripped of its Tepe Hegmataneh, which located in the eastern edge of battlements of all the circles colored with various tints, precious metals in the invasion of the Macedonian king TOURISM TEHRAN – Abpakhsh, a small city in Dasht- Central Zagros mountain range, faces some tricky ques- and the two last have their battlements one of them over- Alexander the Great, and that the rest was seized during deskestan county, southwestern Bushehr province, tions: When and by the order of whom, a “Standard Ar- laid with silver and the other with gold. These walls then the reigns of Antigonus and Seleucus. Later, Ecbatana is planned to be named as the national city of wickerwork, pro- chitectural Pattern (SAP)” was built there? Or, what was Deioces built for himself and round his palace, and the was one of the capitals of the Seleucid and the Parthian vincial tourism chief Mohammad-Hossein Arastuzadeh said on the function of SAP? people he commanded to dwell round about the wall.” Empires, sometimes called Epiphaneia. Tuesday, CHTN reported. French Assyriologist Charles Fossey (1869 – 1946) According to the Greek historian Xenophon of Athens With the outbreak of World War I, the archaeological directed the first excavation in Tepe Hegmateneh for six (c.430-c.355), Ecbatana became the summer residence of excavations were stopped at Ecbatana. The first Iranian months in 1913. Erich Friedrich Schmidt (1897 – 1964), the Achaemenid kings. Their palace is described by the expedition worked in Tepe Hegmataneh for 11 successive who was a German and American-naturalized archaeol- Greek historian Polybius of Megalopolis. He writes that the seasons under supervision of Sarraf from 1983 to 2000, ogist, took some aerial photos from Hamedan between city was richer and more beautiful than all other cities in these excavations led to discovering some parts of an enclo- 1935 and 1937. the world; although it had no wall, the palace, built on an sure and SAP in central, southern and western workshops. “Specialized tests, such as radiocarbon dating, have artificial terrace, according to Livius, a website on ancient Sarraf could not find reliable answers for the already not been performed on the newly excavated materials history written and maintained since 1996 by the Dutch mentioned questions. Second round of excavation (12th yet, and by performing physical and chemical tests, we historian Jona Lendering. to 15th seasons) was undertaken by Azarnoush for four can express with a more reliable coefficient of the history An inscription, unearthed in 2000, indications that seasons from 2004 to 2008, the aim of these excavations of the obtained cultural materials,” Malekzadeh added. Achaemenid king Artaxerxes II Mnemon (404-358) built a was “to clarify the dating and stratigraphically sequence Regarding the importance of Tepe Hegmataneh, Male- terrace with columns in Ecbatana. Some twelve kilometers of the site”. kzadeh noted “Hegmataneh hill is one of the most important southwest of Hamadan is Gandj Nameh, where Darius Ecbatana is deemed to be remaining a riddle, wrapped archeological sites [of the ancient times] such as Rome, I and his son Xerxes had inscriptions cut into the rock. in a mystery, for decades or even centuries to come as the Athens, Alexandria and Babylon.” Polybius, a Greek historian of the Hellenistic period site of the ancient city lies partly within the modern city of Herodotus writes: “Deioces bade them build for him noted for his work The Histories, tells that the builders used Hamadan, which has never been excavated before. a palace worthy of the royal dignity and strengthen him with a guard of spearmen. And the Medes did so: for they built him a large and strong palace in that part of the land According to ancient Greek writers, Ecbatana was founded Having the most palm trees in the province, which provides which he told them [...]. He built large and strong walls, in about 678 BC by Deioces, who was the first king of the the raw materials, and practicality of products make wickerwork those which are now called Ecbatana, standing in circles Medes. The city was subsequently the summer residence one of the popular handicrafts fields in the province, he added. one within the other. And this wall is so contrived that one Abpakhsh wickerwork has also gained the National Seal of circle is higher than the next by the height of the battle- of the Achaemenian kings and one of the residences of Excellence and the products are exported to Persian Gulf littoral ments alone. And to some extent, I suppose, the nature the Parthian kings. It is deemed to be remaining a riddle, states via suitcase trade (allowed for customs-free and tax-free of the ground, seeing that it is on a hill, assists towards transfer), the official explained. this end; but much more was it produced by art, since the wrapped in a mystery, for decades or even centuries to come Various Iranian cities and villages have been named as national circles are in all seven in number. And within the last circle as the site of the ancient city lies partly within the modern hubs of handicrafts. are the royal palace and the treasure-houses. city of Hamadan, which has never been excavated before. The cities of Zanjan for filigree, Kashan for traditional textile, The largest of these walls is in size about equal to the Iranshahr for needlework, Abadeh for wood carving, and the village of Fash for crafting indigenous musical instruments are among them. Five properties added to national heritage list Ancient relics of Iran: Vase HERITAGE TEHRAN – Five natural spots and soleum of one of the companions of Sultan Sahak, a decorated with bulls and desklandscapes have recently been in- Kurdish religious leader. scribed on the national heritage list, IRNA reported Vizhdarvan Valley is popular for its pristine nature horses in high relief on Tuesday. and eye-catching view and is located near the beautiful The properties are located in the provinces of West Cham Gordalan dam. (Part: 1/2) Azarbaijan, Ardebil, Ilam, and Kermanshah in north- Situated on the heights of Manesht mount, Talisman (Louvre museum) — This bronze vase is decorated with two friezes western and western parts of the country, said Mostafa cave was identified in 1990. The cave is a habitat for of animals whose forequarters are projected in high relief. The up- Purali a senior official with the Ministry of Cultural predators in the region. per frieze shows reclining bulls, the lower frieze, horses. This type Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts. The list also includes Khoranj stones in Piranshahr of decoration already existed in the Jemdet Nasr period and in the Registering these properties on the national herit- County, West Azerbaijan province, which are huge, early 2nd millennium in the same region, on vases made of bitumen age list is the first step to protect and preserve them, standing stones with unique shapes, and old Juniper mastic. Another possible influence lies in northern Iran, at Marlik, the official added. trees, a kind of evergreen tree which is prevented from where pots made of precious metal were crafted in similar fashion. Baba Yadegar trees in Kermanshah province, and being cut off, in Shamsabad village, Ardebil province. A decoration of horses and bulls Vizhdarvan Valley and Talisman cave, both in Ilam Having an opulent tourist circuit with 24 UNESCO The decoration of this cylin- province have been inscribed on the list. World Heritage sites, Iran seeks to acquire a greater drical bronze vase is composed Located in Rijab region, Baba Yadegar is a mau- share of the global tourism industry by 2025. of two levels: on the lower level, a frieze of four walking horses, on the upper level a frieze of four reclining bulls. The bulls lie facing left, their tails pulled Avaj holds potential to become a tourism hub up over their backs. Their bodies TOURISM TEHRAN – Avaj city wonderfully restored caravanserai-turned- are shown in profile, with their deskin the northwestern arts precinct, some quirky museums and a heads turned to the right. The province of Qazvin has the potential to handful of decent eating options. For most four horses, with short, thick become one of the tourism hubs of the travelers, Qazvin is also primarily the staging manes, harnessed and with a country, the governor-general of the province point for excursions to the famous Castles of little bell around their necks, has said. the Assassins and trekking in the sensational walk in the opposite direction, With several hot mineral springs, Avaj Alamut Valley. from left to right. The heads and has the capacity to become a spa region, Also known as the castle of the Assassins, necks of these eight animals are CHTN quoted Hedayatollah Jamalipur as the 12th-century Alamut castle is nested on in high relief and sculpted using saying on Monday. top of a peak. It was once a shelter for the the repoussé technique. At the top and bottom of the vase is a cable Creating tourism infrastructure and followers of Hasan-e Sabbah (1070–1124) motif, also executed in repoussé. attracting investors are needed to reach who was a spiritual leader of an Islamic sect. Earlier examples dating from the early second mil- this goal, the official added. In the early 1930s, British-Italian explorer lennium He also noted that Qazvin province as and travel writer Freya Stark described her The first vases decorated with animal friezes in high relief were well as other provinces in the country has exploration of the place in her book “The made in the Jemet Nasr period (ca 3000 BC) in Mesopotamia, nota- numerous tourist attractions, which need Valleys of the Assassins”. bly in Uruk. In Elam, a number of items of ancient tableware (early to be promoted properly. Qazvin is also home to one of the biggest 2nd millennium) also feature animals sculpted in more or less high Based on ancient relics found in historical roofed caravanserais of the country, Sa’d- relief, depending on the part of the body represented. sites of the city, Avaj dates back to the Medes al Saltaneh caravanserai. Dating back to This is particularly the case of certain vases in bitumen mastic, period (9th to 7th centuries BC). the Qajar era, it’s a place for discovering several specimens of which are in the Louvre Museum, including a Besides its hot spas, the city enjoys tens of Hojreh or shops, cafes, yards, and mouflon-shaped bowl (sb2740). This vase is decorated in similar several natural sights as well as historical a stunning mosque. It’s a place for visitors fashion, with three mouflons. Two of the sheep’s heads are sculpted monuments including Shahdareh waterfall, towers, and Avaj suspension bridge. Persian Empire, under Safavids, from 1548 who want to experience the culture, culinary in high relief, the rest of their bodies in low relief. Ghaleh Kord cave, Mount Aqdagh, Kharaqan Qazvin was once capital the mighty to 98. It is a major tourist destination with a and hospitality of Iran. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2020 SOCIETY 9

Homegrown COVID-19 vaccine Voluminous Taxus baccata spotted in Hyrcanian Forest

SOCIETY TEHRAN — The thickest-ever Taxus bacca- ready for human trial deskta L. (European yew) in Iran, which is said to be one of the most voluminous in the world, has been found in SOCIETY TEHRAN — Iran will the northern Hyrcanian Forest. desksoon start human trial The tree is 192 centimeters in diameter, 30 meters in height, and of a domestically-produced vaccine for the is some 1,200 years old, said Mohammad-Sadeq Tahmasbpour, coronavirus, Health Minister Saeed Namaki the head of the natural resources and watershed management said on Tuesday. department of the city of Babol, Mazandaran province. “Iran has taken very effective measures Taxus baccata L. is a tertiary relict in the region and a long-lived towards producing a vaccine for COVID-19 dioecious tree with high ecological and economic importance in and will test the vaccine on humans in the Hyrcanian Forest. the near future,” IRNA quoted Namaki There are eight Taxus species and two hybrids in the world as saying. and Taxus baccata L. is the single representative in Iran, according “I have followed up on producing the vac- to the Journal of Medicinal Plants. cine by Iranian scientists closely over the Certain compounds found in the bark of yew trees have been past four months. The animal testing of the discovered to have efficacy as anti-cancer agents. vaccine has been made successfully and the Spanning from the south of Azerbaijan to about 850 km clinical trial phase of the human testing will eastward to the provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan, start soon,” he explained. the Hyrcanian Forest are witnesses of the ancient forests of the Sourena Sattari, Vice President for Sci- world estimated to be survived for a long period spanning 35 ence and Technology, said in April that two and 50 million years. types of diagnostic kits are now mass-pro- Due to their vast expanses, the Hyrcanian Forest has a signif- duced by Iranian knowledge-based com- icant impact on oxygen production and natural air purification. panies. The first one is the RT-PCR tests, It contains very rich ecosystems due to the particular orograph- 8 million of which are being produced per ic and climatic situation (precipitation rich, warm-temperate, month while the other is serology-based high moisture from the Caspian Sea and damming effect of the tests that a total of 400,000 are being Alborz Mountain range). manufactured monthly and is expected The forest contains the most important and significant natural to reach up to 2 million. habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity with 69 At present, 40 advanced ventilators are mammal species and 304 bird species, including those containing manufactured daily in the medical equipment Health Minister Saeed Namaki threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point sector, he explained. someone who is critically ill. of Medical Sciences vice-chancellor, shopping centers, private companies, and of view of science or conservation. It also contains superlative Knowledge-based companies can pro- In an attempt to slow down the spread said that “People’s cooperation in pre- even government offices, subways and buses. natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and duce any medicine effective in countering of the coronavirus, the national headquar- venting the transmission of coronavirus Over the past 24 hours, 2,457 new cases aesthetic importance. coronavirus or approved by the scientific ters for coronavirus fight has approved that has decreased, and this will increase the of COVID-19 were identified in the coun- committee within a week to 10 days, he noted. wearing face masks in public and crowded incidence of disease and the number of try, of which 1,435 were hospitalized, Health Plasma therapy has so far reduced corona- places is compulsory. hospitalizations and will cause problems Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said virus deaths in Iran by 40 percent as experts People must wear face masks indoors or for the treatment system.” on Tuesday, adding that the total number Alpacas may hold key in the country have discovered a life-saving in gatherings, from July 5 to 21. And if neces- Referring to the increase in the preva- of patients in the country reached 227,662. method for those recovering from COVID-19. sary, the plan will be extended until August. lence of the virus, he noted that “Using a Unfortunately, 147 patients lost their lives to immunity against Convalescent plasma therapy allows some- Using a face mask prevents coronavirus mask and observing social distancing are the over the past 24 hours. coronavirus, researchers say one who has recovered from a coronavirus transmission up to 80 percent, Sadat Lari said. most important factors in preventing corona, The total number of COVID-19 deaths in which is unfortunately not observed in large the country reached 10,817, she said. infection to donate their blood plasma to Alireza Delavari, Tehran University Tiny antibodies found in alpacas could hold the key to neutralising the virus that causes Covid-19 and aid in suppressing a second wave of infections, scientists have said. Department of Environment’s protection unit has made notable achievements: commander A study carried out by scientists in Sweden and South Africa 1 Over 90% of wildfire set unintentionally and violators have been arrested. have used the tiny antibodies, which are roughly a tenth of the Mohabbat Khani pointing out that wildfires are Violators should be warned that we are monitoring size of a normal antibody and called nanobodies, from an alpaca mostly caused by unintentional human error, said cyberspace for environmental crimes and making cy- named Tyson to prevent the virus from “binding” or infecting a that over 90 percent of wildfires are ignited by humans berspace unsafe for them, he emphasized. person, the Independent reported. unintentionally while setting fires in nature, smoking, Illegal weapons seizure increased by 300% Tyson, a 12-year-old alpaca in Germany, was immunised with and releasing plastic and glass containers. compared to last year virus proteins by scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Stock- Some 10 percent of the wildfires are anthropogenic This year, detection of illegal fishing has increased holm. Earlier this month, the team isolated the nanobodies from that most of the arsonists are arrested, he highlighted. by 751 percent, detection of illegal bird hunting by 201 Tyson’s blood that bind to the same part of the virus as human Rangers to be equipped with high-tech facilities percent, and mammal hunting by 41 percent, he said, antibodies and could block the infection. Mohabbat Khani went on to say that installing cam- noting that this shows that protection and control Gerald McInerney, head of the team at the Swedish insti- eras on rangers’ uniform is another plan that can be measures are promoted. tute, told Reuters: “We know that it is the antibodies that are directed effective in documenting while helping the defenders Also, dealing with poachers before the crime has to the same very, very precise part of the virus that are important to prove conflicts with poachers to the judiciary, he increased by 70 percent and dealing with the illegal and that is what we have engineered with this antibody from Tyson. highlighted. trade of wildlife has increased by 108 percent, he added. “In principle, all the evidence would suggest it will work very He explained about the establishment of a wireless He went on to emphasize that illegal weapon seizure well in humans, but it is a very complex system.” system, saying that the new wireless devices have a per 1,000 hectares. was one of the main obsessions so that it increased by The nanobody “directly interferes” with the Covid-19 virus’ GPS that can be used to track and monitor the forces We are falling short of some 5,000 rangers, as 8,500 300 percent compared to the last year. ability to infect a host by targeting its “spikes”, therefore “potently” in the event of an accident, and the rangers can contact rangers are needed to protect the country’s natural 1,654 hectares of protected areas affected neutralising it, according to The Telegraph. all the country’s police stations. resources and environment, however, there are 3,200 by bushfire this year The authors of the research, from the department of Micro- The system will be launched this year so that all rangers working in the country, he explained. Pointing to the damage caused by recent fires, he biology, Tumour and Cell Biology at Karolinska, wrote: “The 644 wildlife protection stations will be connected Last year, some 250 rangers were employed to meet said that “during the first three months of this year, current coronavirus pandemic has drastic consequences for the online, he noted. a part of the need, and we plan to increase the number 56 wildfires occurred in protected areas and burnt world’s population, and vaccines, antibodies or antivirals are Stating that the DOE is also trying to promote pro- of employment, he stated. some 1,654 hectares. urgently needed. tection in the maritime areas, he noted that “to do this, He went on to state that 50 marine rangers will Meanwhile, during the same period, 82 fires oc- “Neutralising antibodies can block virus entry at an early step we will soon launch air monitoring system over the soon be recruited and trained, then they will be active curred in 620 hectares of protected areas, indicating of infection and potentially protect individuals that are at high maritime areas and wetlands in the country.” in 7 provinces. that the number of fires has decreased but the area risk of developing severe disease. Fishermen’s boats are generally faster than the mar- Referring to the recent fires haunted the southern involved in the fire has almost tripled, he lamented. “When available, specific antiviral drugs or antibody therapies itime rangers’ boats, which is why we have a problem and southwestern protected areas of the country, he Amendment of gun laws for environmen- will be used to protect individuals at risk and their widespread use preventing crime, and we have prioritized equipping stated that blowers have proven effective both for talists will allow immunologically naive populations to exit lockdown the boats, he emphasized. preventative fire control and for extinguishing fires Referring to the amendment of the laws on the use more safely,” they added. Last year, a number of cars were provided to the so that 50 blowers were provided to the rangers in of weapons for the rangers in armed conflicts, he said stations, but since rangers are often chasing the poach- the past two days. “Before, the rangers hold weapons only to survive, ers, the vehicles must be replaced, which is on the And another 150 will be delivered to the ranger but now the environmental defenders are allowed to WORDS IN THE NEWS agenda, he also said. stations over the next two weeks, he noted. use weapons.” We have so far trained 1,800 rangers through online Cyber police cooperation made social media He stressed that the use of weapons is the last resort Sydney Riot courses, he said. unsafe for environmental criminals and only when the lives of defenders are in danger and Lack of rangers to be compensated to some Cyber police have been cooperating with the DOE to it must be proven that there has been no other way to (February 16, 2004) extent monitor and deal with environmental crimes in cyber- save the life of the ranger. Aboriginal residents in the district of Redfurn in Sydney, Australia Criticizing the lack of workforce for environmental space along with combating animal abuse, he noted. If two rangers encounter offenders and one does rioted after the death of a teenager. They believed the police were protection, he said that the number of rangers in Iran He also said that over the past three months, we have not have a weapon and his life is in danger, the other responsible for the death of a 17 year old boy Thomas Hickey. is one-tenth of the global standard, which is a ranger followed up on 100 cases of environmental violations ranger who has a weapon can defend his colleague, Redfern has been at the heart of Sydney’s Aboriginal commu- for every 12,000 hectares, while it should be a ranger in cyberspace, and so far 50 of which have been filed he concluded. nity for generations. Large sections of property, known locally as the Block, were bought with the help of the federal government in the early 1970s. The inner city district is within sight of the centre of Sydney. Over the years thousands of people came ENGLISH IN USE from all corners of this vast continent looking for work and to meet up with relatives and friends. LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION The disturbances have come against a backdrop of widespread poverty and a dependency on welfare in many native communities across the country. Aborigines are the most disadvantaged group in Australia. They die on average twenty years younger than Iran will defeat COVID-19, we their white counterparts and suffer disproportionately .high rates of ill health, imprisonment and unemployment سفیر چین: باور داریم ایران بر بحران کرونا believe: Chinese envoy Large numbers of people have self-destructed through the abuse of alcohol and drugs. غلبه خواهد کرد Chinese Ambassador in Iran, Chang Hua, has said he believes that Iran Relations between the police and many young Aborigines are would overcome the crisis of coronavirus outbreak. often strained at the best of times. What is certain is this ســفیر جمهــوری خلــق چیــن در تهــران ابــراز امیــدواری کــرد ایــران بــر بحــران شــیوع ویــروس کرونــا غلبــه violent episode will be a major setback for efforts to improve خواهــد کــرد. -We believe that by sending humanitarian aid, Iran will overcome the cri“ .relations between black and white Australians بــه گــزارش ایرنــا، چانــگ هــوا روز دوشــنبه در حاشــیه دیــدار بــا محمودرضــا پیــروی دبیــرکل جمعیــت هــال sis,” he said in a meeting with Mahmoud Reza Peyravi, secretary general Words احمــر ایــران گفــت: مــا بــاور داریــم کــه بــا ارســال کمــک هــای انساندوســتانه از ســوی دوســتان دولــت ایــران از .of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, IRNA reported The envoy praised Iran’s Red Crescent Society as the first organization Aboriginal: a member of one of the tribes which were living in بحــران ایــن بیمــاری عبــور خواهــد کــرد. affiliated with the Red Cross and the Red Crescent societies which sent Australia when Europeans arrived inner city district: an area inside the city دیپلمــات ارشــد چیــن در ادامــه ضمــن قدردانــی از جمعیــت هــال احمــر ایــران بــه عنــوان نخســتین ســازمان .humanitarian shipments of aid to the Chinese people all corners of this vast continent: all parts of Australia (a country بشردوســتانه عضــو جمعیــت هــای ملــی صلیــب ســرخ و هــال احمــر کــه محمولــه هــای کمــک را بــرای مــردم A delegation of Chinese medical experts arrived in Tehran on Saturday with (which is also a continent چیــن ارســال کــرد، گفــت: مــا هــم بــا شــدت گرفتــن ویــروس کرونــا در کنــار ایــران هســتیم. .a cargo of aid to help combat the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19 have come against a backdrop: happened at a time when there is white counterparts: white people similar in age and other characteristics PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM disproportionately high rates: surprisingly and unreason- ably large amounts “cryo-, cry-” Nail somebody down Cream of the crop self-destructed: destroyed themselves, became ill and died Meaning: freezing or cold Meaning: to force someone to say clearly what they Explanation: the best people or things in a particu- strained: pushed beyond normal limits For example: You can return to most normal ac- want or what they intend to do lar group what is certain is: a phrase used to introduce a fact tivities the day after cryosurger. For example: Before they repair the car, nail them For example: As usual, the cream of the crop of this major setback: a major setback is something that makes your down to a price. year’s graduates were offered the best jobs. position worse than before (Source: BBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 INTERNATIONAL JULY 1, 2020 From pandering to Putin to abusing allies and ignoring his Maduro expels EU ambassador after Brussels own advisers, Trump’s phone calls alarm U.S. officials imposes sanctions Trump was ‘near-sadistic’ in phone calls with female world leaders 1 Those on the list include Luis Parra, who heads an assembly In hundreds of highly classified phone heads of state, including Saudi Arabia›s rival to the one headed by Guaidó. calls with foreign heads of state, President autocratic royal heir Mohammed bin Sal- Earlier this month Venezuela’s Supreme Court, which is loyal Donald Trump was so consistently unpre- man and North Korean dictator Kim Jong to Maduro, created a new elections commission which critics pared for discussion of serious issues, so Un, about his own wealth, genius, «great» say is stacked with the president’s supporters. It comes ahead often outplayed in his conversations with accomplishments as President, and the of parliamentary elections expected this year. powerful leaders like Russian President «idiocy» of his Oval Office predecessors, Last year Juan Guaidó declared himself interim president Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Re- according to the sources. and has been backed by the EU and the United States. cep Erdogan, and so abusive to leaders of According to CNN, in his conversations The EU decision brings to 36 the total number of Venezuelan America›s principal allies, that the calls with both Putin and Erdogan, Trump took individuals under sanctions, which includes a travel ban and a helped convince some senior U.S. officials special delight in trashing former Presidents freeze on assets. -- including his former secretaries of state George W. Bush and Barack Obama and European leaders said they would “continue working to foster and defense, two national security advisers suggested that dealing directly with him a peaceful democratic solution in Venezuela, through inclusive and his longest-serving chief of staff -- that -- Trump -- would be far more fruitful than and credible legislative elections”. the President himself posed a danger to during previous administrations. «They The EU first introduced measures against Venezuela in the national security of the United States, didn›t know BS,» he said of Bush and November 2017, which it said were not designed to harm the according to White House and intelligence Obama -- one of several derisive tropes country’s population. officials intimately familiar with the contents the sources said he favored when discuss- Venezuela is a once-wealthy oil nation experiencing a declining of the conversations. ing his predecessors with the Turkish and economic and political crisis that has driven roughly five million The calls caused former top Trump dep- Russian leaders. people from the country amid shortages of basic goods, soaring uties -- including national security advisers The full, detailed picture drawn by CN- inflation and broken hospitals. H.R. McMaster and John Bolton, Defense N›s sources of Trump›s phone calls with While the United States has led the push to oust Nicolás Maduro Secretary James Mattis, Secretary of State foreign leaders is consistent with the basic with sanctions, leaders in Europe and Canada have also thrown Rex Tillerson, and White House chief of advisers considered the national interest. telephone discussions with an individual tenor and some substantive elements of a their support behind Guaidó, in a coalition of nearly 60 nations. staff John Kelly, as well as intelligence These officials› concerns about the head of state were with Erdogan, who limited number of calls described by former However, Maduro remains in power with control over the officials -- to conclude that the President calls, and particularly Trump›s deference sometimes phoned the White House at national security adviser John Bolton in his military and international support from allies including China, was often «delusional,» as two sources put to Putin, take on new resonance with re- least twice a week and was put through book, «The Room Where It Happened.» Russia, Iran and Cuba. it, in his dealings with foreign leaders. The ports the President may have learned in directly to the President on standing orders But the calls described to CNN cover a far sources said there was little evidence that March that Russia had offered the Taliban from Trump, according to the sources. longer period than Bolton›s tenure, are the President became more skillful or com- bounties to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan Meanwhile, the President regularly bullied much more comprehensive — and seemingly Anti-racism protests petent in his telephone conversations with -- and yet took no action. CNN›s sources and demeaned the leaders of America›s more damning -- in their sweep. most heads of state over time. Rather, he said there were calls between Putin and principal allies, especially two women: Like Bolton, CNN›s sources said that the continue across U.S. continued to believe that he could either Trump about Trump›s desire to end the telling Prime Minister Theresa May of the President seemed to continually conflate charm, jawbone or bully almost any for- American military presence in Afghanistan United Kingdom she was weak and lacked his own personal interests -- especially for 1 The bill will now go to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, a eign leader into capitulating to his will, and but they mentioned no discussion of the courage; and telling German Chancellor purposes of re-election and revenge against Republican, who has said he would sign it into law. Renae Eze, a often pursued goals more attuned to his supposed Taliban bounties. Angela Merkel that she was «stupid.» perceived critics and political enemies -- spokesperson for Reeves, told CNN Monday “once the Legislature own agenda than what many of his senior By far the greatest number of Trump›s Trump incessantly boasted to his fellow with the national interest. sends the final bill to his desk and he’s had the opportunity to review it, Governor Reeves will sign the bill in the coming days.” The legislation -- which cleared the state House in a 91-23 vote DR Congo violence displaces over China passes Hong Kong and the state Senate with a 37-14 vote -- comes as Mississippi lawmakers have been weighing a change to their flag for weeks one million in six months: UN security law amid ongoing racial justice protests across the country. The flag, first adopted in 1894, has red, white and blue stripes with the Confederate battle emblem in the corner, CNN reported. The bill establishes a commission to develop a new flag design without the Confederate emblem that includes the phrase “In God, We Trust.” Mississippi state voters would then vote on the new design this November. State Rep. Jeramey Anderson, a Democrat from Moss Point, applauded its passage Sunday as a “historic moment.” “I thank those who came before us, who with courage and resolve nurtured the Civil Rights Movement that helped bring us to this day,” he tweeted. “What a beautiful moment of unity.” That message was echoed by Democratic state Rep. Zakiya Summers, who tweeted, “I just through the deuces to the state flag that’s at the entrance of the house chamber!” And NAACP president Derrick Johnson told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Sunday evening, “This is a long time coming.” “Finally, Mississippi decided to be one of the 50 states, and not the one state standing alone still bearing the emblem of a segregated society,” he said. More than one million people have been villages,” it said in a statement. China passed a sweeping national security The United States, Britain, the Euro- Sunday’s vote came after the Mississippi House and Senate passed forced to flee their homes in the vio- It said the attacks were mainly in Djugu law for Hong Kong Tuesday. pean Union and the United Nations rights a resolution on Saturday to begin the process of changing the flag. lence-ravaged eastern Democratic Republic Territory in Ituri province; in Fizi and The legislation was unanimously ap- watchdog have all voiced fears the law could of Congo (DRC) since the start of the year, Mwenga Territories in South Kivu prov- proved by China’s rubber-stamp parliament, be used to stifle criticism of Beijing, which the UN said Tuesday. ince; and Masisi and Rutshuru Territories little more than six weeks after it was first wields similar laws on the authoritarian The UNHCR, the United Nations’ in North Kivu province. unveiled, Daily Star reported. mainland to crush dissent. Johnson says COVID-19 has refugee agency, voiced alarm at an in- “Violence has displaced more than “It marks the end of Hong Kong that The law bypassed Hong Kong’s fractious creasing number of attacks by armed one million people in the last six months the world knew before,” prominent legislature and the wording was kept secret been a disaster for Britain groups on displaced civilians, saying it in these areas,” the refugee agency said. democracy campaigner Joshua Wong from the city’s 7.5 million inhabitants. was “appalled” by the surging violence< The UNHCR urged the authorities in tweeted as his political party Demosisto There was no formal announcement British Prime Minister Boris Johnson acknowledged Monday that AFP reported. the DRC to strengthen the police and mil- announced it was disbanding. from Beijing on the passage of the law. the coronavirus pandemic has been a “disaster” for Britain, as he “In the last eight weeks, UNHCR and its itary presence in the east “to improve the “With sweeping powers and ill-defined Instead the news filtered out via pro-Bei- announced a spending splurge designed to get the country - and partners have recorded multiple attacks by security situation and hold the perpetrators law, the city will turn into a #secretpo- jing politicians and local media outlets his faltering Conservative government - back on track. armed groups on displacement sites and accountable”. licestate.” in Hong Kong. As the UK emerges from a three-month lockdown, Johnson has lined up big-money pledges on schools, housing and infra- structure, in an attempt to move on from an outbreak that has left more than 43,000 Britons dead - the worst confirmed death Taliban reaffirm commitment to U.S. deal in Pompeo call toll in Europe, Ap reported. The Taliban reaffirmed their commitment to a February Afghan government, Washington and the militants said “This has been a disaster,” Johnson acknowledged Monday. deal to draw down the war in Afghanistan during a call with they would refrain from attacking each other. “Let’s not mince our words. I mean, this has been an absolute U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the group’s spokes- The Taliban spokesman said Baradar and Pompeo dis- nightmare for the country and the country’s gone through a man has said. cussed concerns about the deal, including intra-Afghan talks profound shock. The discussion came as U.S. President Donald Trump and the release of 5,000 imprisoned insurgents. “But in those moments, you have the opportunity to change faces mounting pressure to explain why he did nothing “We are committed to starting intra-Afghan talks,” Baradar and to do things better,” he told Times Radio. “This is a moment after being reportedly told that Russian spies had of- told Pompeo, blaming the hold-up on the delayed release now to give our country the skills, the infrastructure, the long- fered and paid cash to Taliban-linked militants for killing of prisoners, according to Shaheen. term investment that we need.” American soldiers. The Afghan government in Kabul has said it has freed The Taliban have denied that their fighters received any nearly 4,000 Taliban prisoners so far in a bid to kickstart Russian bounties, and the group’s Qatar-based chief nego- the negotiations. Resistance News tiator Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar reiterated their pledge Pompeo acknowledged the Taliban had refrained from not to strike against the U.S. attacking urban centers and military bases under the deal, Israeli army carries out Baradar told Pompeo that “according to the agreement, because the intelligence underpinning it was unverified. but called on them to do more to reduce overall violence, we do not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against the U.S. But another report from the Times Monday said the according to Shaheen. limited incursion into and other countries”, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen president had received a report about the alleged Russian Violence had dropped across much of the country after southeast of Gaza said Monday in a statement on Twitter. bounties as early as February. the Taliban offered a brief ceasefire to mark the Islamic Eid The New York Times, citing anonymous officials, had That month, the United States had pledged to withdraw al-Fitr festival last month, but officials say the insurgents INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN— Israeli army heavy-duty vehicles reported last week that Trump had been told about the all its troops from Afghanistan by mid-2021 in return for have stepped up attacks in recent weeks. deskon Wednesday morning infiltrated limitedly alleged Russian bounties but he did nothing in response. security guarantees in a bid to pave the way for negotiations Most attacks by the Taliban have targeted Afghan security into the northeast of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip under Trump denied being informed of the assessment while between warring sides. forces, although there are regular police reports that civilians protection from other military units. the White House said the claim had been kept from him Under the landmark agreement, which excluded the have been killed in roadside bomb blasts. According to local sources, six bulldozers escorted by other army vehicles advanced from an Israeli military post behind the border fence towards agricultural plots of land in the east of Abasan town. Lebanon warns Israel over ‘dangerous’ gas exploration bid Soon later, the vehicles embarked on carrying out bulldozing Lebanon President Michel Aoun has as Lebanon will not allow any violations of been developing a number of offshore gas international companies to carry out ex- and digging activities in the area, amid sporadic gunfire. warned Israel against its “extremely its internationally-recognized territorial deposits in the Mediterranean Sea. ploratory drilling in Lebanon’s Block 4 dangerous” bid to explore oil and gas waters, especially in the Exclusive Eco- Reportedly, Israel had been avoiding and Block 9 and determine whether they on Lebanon’s maritime border, parts of nomic Zone where Block 9 — which will be granting licenses for the exploration of contain oil and gas reserves. KAN: Netanyahu may which are claimed by the regime, saying explored by Lebanon within a month — is Block 72, fearing it could lead to a new Israeli authorities, who claim sover- the Arab country will not allow any vio- located,” Aoun said Monday. conflict with Lebanon. eignty over Block 9, reacted angrily to postpone annexation plan lation of its territorial waters. The Lebanese president further called According to Press TV, in February 2018, the announcement. Aoun’s warning came a day after Is- for the country’s Supreme Defense Council Lebanon said it had signed gas exploration In January, Israel signed a deal with INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN— Israeli premier Benjamin Net- rael approved a license for oil and gas to meet on Tuesday to discuss the devel- and production contracts for two energy Greece and Cyprus to build a pipeline deskanyahu is likely to postpone his West Bank exploration in “Block 72,” located close opment at the southern border. blocks, including Block 9, with a consortium channeling natural gas from the eastern annexation plan which he already announced his intent to launch to the Block 9 gas fields, where Beirut Lebanese lawmaker Kassem Hachem of France’s Total, Italian Eni and Russia’s Mediterranean to Europe, despite objec- in July 1, according to Israel’s KAN channel. is set to begin explorations for natural described the Israeli decision as “piracy” Novatek oil and gas companies. tions from Turkey. Netanyahu implied the possibility of such decision during a gas and oil soon. and a “declaration of war” on Lebanon, The two sides nearly came to blows over Israel and Lebanon have further been recent meeting attended by members of the Likud party, KAN said. “Block 72” sits along the disputed calling for action at “all levels” to “put an Beirut’s offshore oil and gas exploration engaged in a rift over Israel’s occupation The Israeli premier were cited as saying during the meeting 860-kilometer line of waters that separate end to these aggressive intentions on our projects. of Shebaa Farms, a small strip of land at that there were political and security considerations behind his the Lebanese from Israeli-held territories. homeland.” Back in December 2017, Beirut had the intersection of the Lebanese-Syrian decision not to launch the plan in July. “This will complicate the situation further Israel relies heavily on gas and has long granted licenses to a consortium of three border and the Golan Heights. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 1, 2020 SPORTS 11

Kazemi wins FIBA Dunk of the Veteran ski founder Abbaskhan dies

SPORTS TEHRAN — Iranian ski founder and coach Decade bracket deskKhalil Abbaskhan died on Tuesday. SPORTS TEHRAN — Arsalan He passed away at the age of 100 in Tehran. deskKazemi of Iran has claimed the FIBA Dunk of the Decade crown after his high-flying entry from the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tourna- ment 2016 emerged victorious in the interactive fan voting. The interactive bracket featured 32 entries from across all FIBA regions and a wide range of global and continental national team com- petitions, with a total of 699,188 votes cast over the period of 20 days, FIBA reported. Having received 80,658 votes for 55.8 percent in the Final matchup, Kazemi’s dunk over Ioannis Bourousis bested another highly popular candidate, Angola star Carlos Morais, Abbaskhan built chairlift at the ski resort Abali, northeast of who had the backing of 63,887 supporters Tehran and Darband, north of Tehran. for 44.2 percent. The officials of Iran Ski Federation had unveiled his bust in On his path to overall victory, Kazemi Darband in April in recognition of his outstanding services to ski. eliminated Norvel Pelle of Lebanon, Rui Tehran Times extends deepest sympathy to Abbaskhan’s Hachimura of Japan and Gabe Norwood family, loved ones, and friends over his demise. of the Philippines in the Asian Conference before knocking out Rafael Mineiro of Brazil in the Semi-Final. A runner-up in the overall standings, Iran volleyball mourns Carlos Morais’ windmill dunk from FIBA AfroBasket 2013 claimed the top honors in the passing of Ahmad Africa, while Rafael Mineiro and Kristaps Miraninejhad Porzingis won the regional conferences in Americas and Europe, respectively. SPORTS TEHRAN — Ex-Iran volleyball player Ahmad Fans participating in the voting had a deskMiraninejhad passed away on Tuesday. chance to win an official Molten game ball He died at the age of 74. from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, Miraninejhad represented Iran in the world’s army compe- with the winner of the sweepstakes to be titions in 70’s. confirmed shortly. Islamic Republic of Iran Volleyball Federation (IRIVF) ex- pressed sympathy with Miraninejhad’s family, loved ones, and friends over his demise. Jesus Candelas appointed Iran futsal Esteghlal slip up in IPL technical director title race Masoud Shojaei to return to Panionios?

Media reports suggest that Panionios is going to re-sign Iranian midfielder Masoud Shojaei. Shojaei was a member of Panionios in 2016-17 before joining AEK Athens. The 36-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Tractor, has reportedly been linked with a return to Panionios. Shojaei was absent in the match against Nassaji, where Tractor suffered a 1-0 home defeat in Tabriz. (Source: SDNA)

Vahid Amiri sidelined for a month with hamstring injury

Tasnim — Persepolis football team midfielder Vahid Amiri has been sidelined for a month due to the hamstring injury. SPORTS TEHRAN — Span- Championship after losing to Japan. SPORTS TEHRAN — Esteghlal In Isfahan, Sepahan defeated Gol Gohar Amiri was forced to leave the field in the match against Paykan desk desk iard Jesus Candelas Ex-Iran captain Mohammadreza Hey- football team missed 2-0 thanks to goals from Mohammadreza in the 35th minute after suffering a hamstring injury. has been named as technical director of darian has been also appointed as Iran two crucial points as they were held to a Hosseini and Mohammad Karimi. He will be sidelined for the next four weeks. Iran national futsal team. assistant coach. 1-1 draw against Saipa in Iran Professional Sepahan moved to second place with Persepolis lead the table of the Iran Professional League (IPL) In the technical committee meeting held Iran, as the most decorated Asian team, League (IPL) Monday night. 40 points. with 50 points, 10 points above Sepahan. in Iran Football Federation headquarters prepare for the 2020 AFC Futsal Cham- Masoud Rigi put the Blues into the Foolad also jumped to third place af- on Tuesday, the Spaniard was appointed pionship in Turkmenistan. lead in the 15th minute but just before ter beating Machine Sazi 2-1 in Ahvaz. to take the role. The 2020 AFC Futsal Championship the interval Farshid Bagheri scored an Babak Moradi gave the visiting team a The 62-year-old coach had already worked will be the 16th edition of the AFC Futsal own goal. lead just four minutes into the match Masoud Shojaei to return to as head coach in Iran futsal team but he parted Championship, the biennial internation- Esteghlal moved down to fifth place but Farshad Ahmadzadeh levelled the company with the team due to financial issues. al futsal championship organized by the with 37 points, 13 points adrift of score in the 16th minute. Panionios? Under tutelage of Candelas, Iran fin- Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for leaders Persepolis with eight games Brazilian striker Luciano Pereira Mendes ished runners-up in the 2014 AFC Futsal the men’s national teams of Asia. remaining. scored the winner in the 65th minute. Media reports suggest that Panionios is going to re-sign Iranian midfielder Masoud Shojaei. Shojaei was a member of Panionios in 2016-17 before joining AEK Athens. If Ajax want Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Brighton should sell The 36-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Tractor, The transfer rumor mill sprang into life over the weekend ing a loose cannon, the same number of goals he managed has reportedly been linked with a return to Panionios. with Ajax being linked with a summer move for Brighton to score. One goal per suspension. The problem wasn’t Shojaei was absent in the match against Nassaji, where Tractor & Hove Albion winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Brighton, Florin. suffered a 1-0 home defeat in Tabriz. Ajax boss Marc Overmars views Jahanbakhsh as the Compare that to Jahanbakhsh, who hasn’t had a bad (Source: SDNA) perfect replacement for Chelsea-bound Hakim Ziyech, word to say about the Albion. He’s patiently waited for according to reports from Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. his chance under Potter and when he got it, scored a A return to the Eredivisie would present a way for Jahan- goal that left him so overcome with emotion that he bakhsh to end his Brighton nightmare. Since signing from burst into tears. Former Colombia, Costa AZ Alkmaar for a club record £17 million in the summer of Even now, when he cannot break into Potter’s extended 2018, the Iranian international has managed just two goals 20-man matchday squad, he doesn’t complain. Those reports Rica boss Pinto to coach UAE and one assist in 33 games. about Ajax’s interest are attached with quotes which say Jorge Luis Pinto, best known for leading Costa Rica to the FIFA Graham Potter has used Jahanbakhsh just 10 times this that although Jahanbakhsh is frustrated, he still wants to World Cup quarter-finals, is set to take over the United Arab season, eight Premier League appearances and two cup make it work at Brighton. A first class attitude, right there. Emirates national team. matches. Since the Premier League restarted after lock- under Jahanbakhsh’s Brighton career, but it hasn’t really It is the professionalism of Alireza Jahanbakhsh during The 67-year-old Colombian will sign a two-year deal which down, Jahanbakhsh has failed to make Potter’s matchday happened. his time at Brighton which means that the club should would lead up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Finals, local squad despite the increase to nine substitutes. Clearly, the Scoring an overhead kick does not suddenly turn you be willing to listen to offers, whether they be from Ajax media reported after the United Arab Emirates Football Asso- Brighton boss does not rate him. into a future Ballon d’Or winner as a lot of Brighton fans or elsewhere. ciation said the deal had been given a green light. Which is why if Ajax do make an offer for Alireza Jahan- seem to think, as those of us who witnessed Tommy Fraser What might stop the Albion from doing so is the massive bakhsh, Brighton should sell. There is little point in keeping away at Hereford United in 2009 can testament to. loss that they are certain to make. No other Premier League a player who so obviously does not figure in a manager’s Jahanbakhsh wouldn’t be the first big money signing side would be interested in Jahanbakhsh based on his per- plans, especially one who deserves a shot at first team football from the Netherlands to struggle in England and he prob- formances at the Amex and few clubs on the continent will elsewhere for his exemplary attitude. ably won’t be the last. offer anywhere near the £17 million that Brighton played. The debate over Jahanbakhsh’s ability will no doubt There is something about the gulf in standard between Take Ajax for example. Their transfer record is £14.63 rage long after he leaves the Albion. The facts are that the Eredivisie and the Premier League that makes it par- million and they have only paid over £10 million for eight he has contributed towards three goals in his 35 game ticularly hard for strikers to adapt. Ricky van Wolfswinkel, players in their history. Brighton career, which works out at a cost of £5.66 mil- Vincent Janssen, Memphis Depay and, er, Jurgen Locadia They are the richest club in the Eredivisie and yet they lion per involvement. are testament to that. won’t be offering close to enough money for Brighton not He didn’t register a single goal or assist under Chris What cannot be in doubt however is Jahanbakhsh’s to make a huge loss on Jahanbakhsh. Hughton in the 2018-19 season, which some supporters dedication, attitude and commitment. Which explains why It isn’t Jahanbakhsh’s fault that the Albion paid £17 put down to Hughton’s negative tactics. even his harshest critics over the past two years – and we million for him. And it isn’t Jahanbakhsh’s fault that they They believed that a more attack-minded boss such were definitely one of those when it came to his on-pitch did so in the transfer window following a huge outlay on Pinto has won league titles with clubs in Colombia, Peru, Costa as Potter would draw the sort of form from Jahanbakhsh contribution – would be hard pushed not to wish him well Locadia with plenty of warning signs about signing players Rica and Venezuela, but won global recognition by guiding Costa which saw him score 21 times in the Eredivisie for AZ wherever he goes next. from the Netherlands – see Locadia, Danny Holla, Elvis Rica to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals in 2014. Alkmaar in 2017-18. When Jahanbakhsh finally got the monkey goal off his Manu and Roland Bergkamp. Pinto was hailed after a run which ended with a penalty shoot- Instead, Potter didn’t give Jahanbakhsh a minute back against the Cherries, he sunk to his knees and cried. Jahanbakhsh should not be kept at the Amex just because out defeat by the Netherlands, after winning a tough group, of league football until the Premier League campaign That is how much scoring a Premier League goal meant to Brighton don’t want his departure to highlight more failings beating Uruguay and Italy and drawing with England. reached December. him. Even Ebenezer Scrooge would have been touched. in their transfer business. UAE are currently fourth in Group G of the Asian Qualifiers His first start then came on December 28th and he As his Brighton career failed to take off and he sat watch- He has been too much of a professional with a brilliant for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China marked the occasion with the opener against Plucky Little ing from the stands, it would have been easy for Jahan- attitude to deserve that. If Potter doesn’t rate Alireza Jahna- 2023. Only the group winners are guaranteed progress to the Bournemouth, before scoring that stunning overhead bakhsh to give up. He could have sat around collecting his bakhsh, then Brighton should sell to someone who will give final round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. kick against Chelsea to win the Premier League Goal of hefty wage packet and do nothing to try and turnaround him the shot at first team football that he deserves. And he Pinto replaces Serbia’s Ivan Jovanovic, who had been on a short- the Month award for January. his Brighton career. would go with all our blessings. term deal when the coronavirus lockdown saw the UAE release him. There had been hope that might belatedly light a fire Never mind that he spent six games suspended for be- (Source: WeAreBrighton.com) (Source: AFP) Prayer Times Noon:13:08 Evening: 20:45 Dawn: 4:07 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 5:53 (tomorrow) JULY 1, 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 Anthology of poems on Commander Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Qassem Soleimani published Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 CULTURE TEHRAN — An Webmaster: [email protected] deskanthology of poems on Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 Commander Qassem Soleimani named “The Phoenix of Quds” has recently been Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 published. Published by the Khate Moqaddam No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran Publishing House in Tehran, the collection P.o. Box: 14155-4843 features poems by Alireza Qazveh, Zip Code: 1599814713 Mohammadreza Tahmasbi, Ali Davudi, Mehdi Jandar and dozens of other Iranian poets. “Just hours after the martyrdom of Hajji Qassem, we came together to do something for him,” poet Kazem Rostami, one of the poets whose poems have been published in the book, has said in a statement. “At that time, everybody wanted to do something to express his/her abhorrence and regret for the terrorist act and the loss GUIDE TO of Hajji Qassem,” he added. SPIRITUAL AWAKENING “All we had were the language of poetry and rhythmic words. We began our work and ‘The Phoenix of Quds’ was the outcome There are two kinds of people who are greedy of the union,” he stated. and never satisfied: seekers of learning and He said that none of the poets can say that he/she could have been able to describe lovers of the world. perfectly the depth of the tragedy, and added, Imam Ali (AS) “However, we did our best and selected the best compositions to be published in the book.” Lieutenant-General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, the overseas arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, was assassinated during a U.S. air raid in (AS) Art series on Imam Reza Baghdad on January 3. A poster for the anthology of poems on Commander Qassem Soleimani “The Phoenix of Quds”. introduced

1 A selection of eight plays on the life story of Imam Book City to discuss Shams’s views on Plays by Persian writer Gholamhossein Reza (AS) and his teachings was another collection that Ghazali brothers Saedi published in Turkish was unveiled. The plays have been written by Nader Borhani-Marand, Ayyub Aqakhani, Hossein Fadai-Hossein and several other renowned playwrights. A book bearing a selection of photos from several festivals on Imam Reza (AS) was also introduced at the ceremony. Speaking at the event, Deputy Culture Minister for Artistic Affairs Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini said that the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad represents a great example of Islamic Iranian art. He also said that the Imam Reza Foundation, which was established by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, has been a major center for art and cultural activities over the past two decades. The foundation has held over 30 festivals over the past two years, he said, and added, “The festival tries to introduce many young talents and support many valuable artworks.” Director of the foundation Mahmudreza Barazesh for his part said that the foundation aims to introduce the sacred words in the form of artworks to society. He added that the album bears a portion of the musical culture of the country, which will remain as part of the This combination photo shows portraits of the Persian mystic brothers intangible heritage for the next generations. Majd ad-Din Abu al-Fotuh Ahmad Ghazali and Abu Hamid Muhammad Cover of the Turkish translation of Iranian writer Gholamhossein Saedi ibn Muhammad Ghazali. plays “Dictation and Angle” by Aidin Sardarinia. CULTURE TEHRAN — The Book into a poet. The Divan of Shams is a true CULTURE TEHRAN — Saedi’s short story collection “Mourners of Daniel Graham’s “Presocratic deskCity Institute in Tehran translation of his experiences into poetry. deskRenowned Iranian Bayal” translated by Hashem Khosroshahi. on Wednesday is scheduled to hold a Shams, whose tomb is located in writer Gholamhossein Saedi’s plays The book is about the dark adventure of Philosophy” published in webinar that will discuss the Persian mystic the northwestern Iranian town of “Dictation” and “Angle” have been a single village. The stories are considered Persian Shams-i Tabrizi’s views on the Persian Khoy, commented in his writings about published in Turkish in Istanbul. the first examples of magical realism in mystic brothers Abu Hamid Muhammad philosophers, poets and mystics who The plays have been released by Totem Iranian literature and storytelling. CULTURE TEHRAN – A Persian translation of ibn Muhammad Ghazali and Majd ad-Din lived a long time ago, among which were Publications in one book titled “Dikte ve Saedi (1936-1985) was a psychiatrist, desk“Presocratic Philosophy: Essays in Honor Abu al-Fotuh Ahmad Ghazali. the Ghazali brothers Muhammad and Kose” (“Dictation and Angle”). The Iranian editor and a dramatist who wrote under of Alexander Mourelatos” written by American author Daniel W. The webinar will begin at 4 pm on Ahmad. Turkish literature scholar Aidin Sardarinia the pseudonym, “Gowhar Morad”. Graham has been published in Persian by Amirkabir Publications. instagram.com/bookcityculturalcenter/ and Muhammad (1058-1111) was a Muslim is the translator of the plays. The project Saedi was born into a middle-class The book has been translated into Persian by Behnaz Hassan Bokhari, the director of the Iranian theologian, mystic, law specialist, rationalist is part of Sardarinia’s MA thesis. family and was raised in the city of Dehkordi. Society of Cultural Works and Luminaries, is and spiritualist of Persian descent. The two plays bear political themes. Tabriz where he began his literary This book presents some of the most recent trends and among the scholars selected to deliver speechs. One of his greatest works is “Ihya Ulum “Dictation” is full of political sentences career as he pursued his education, developments in Presocratic scholarship. A wide range of Shams was the mentor of the Persian al-Din” (“The Revival of the Religious dictated to a student, while the student culminating in a medical degree from topics are covered, from the metaphysical to the moral to mystic and poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi, who Sciences”), which is about Sufism and Islam. resists writing the sentences and his Tabriz University in 1961. the methodological, as met him during his journeys to Syria. Ahmad is best known in the history resistance is portrayed in the play. He composed some poems, only a few of well as a broad a range of He was deeply influenced by Shams of Sufism for his ideas on love, expressed “Angle” is full of characters with a which were published. He also collaborated authors: from recognized during their second visit in Konya. For primarily in the celebrated work entitled variety of different thoughts and opinions in the translation of some works. figures such as Heraclitus months, the two men constantly interacted, “Sawaneh”. who are delivering their lectures at an “The World’s Best Dad”, “An Eye and Parmenides to and, as a result, Rumi neglected his disciples Shams described Muhammad’s intersection. The garbage scattered in for an Eye”, “The Flower Hamlet” and Sophistic thinkers whose and family, who could not tolerate the scientific methodology as “unparalleled” the street and the people gathered in the “Housewarming” are some of Saedi’s works. place has traditionally close relationship. and his writings “as perfect as the sun’s area and the dialogues between them A collection of plays by Saedi entitled been marginalized, such One night in 1247, Shams disappeared light.” He also called Ahmad the king of bear interesting social topics. “Bright House” has already been translated as Gorgias and the author forever. This experience turned Rumi the luminaries of his time. The publisher has previously published into Arabic. of the Dissoi Logoi. Several of the pieces are concerned with the later reception and influence of the Presocratics on ancient Animated movie “Pink House” philosophy, an area of study important both for the light criticizes social media addiction it sheds on our evidence for ARTTEHRAN — “Pink House”, an published by the DEFC on Tuesday. Presocratic thought and for deskanimated movie produced at the “I’ve met people who have become mentally Front cover of the Persian ver- understanding the philosophical Documentary and Experimental Film Center (DEFC), ill due to problematic social media use, and sion of American author Daniel power of their ideas. criticizes social media overuse. consequently, they’ve felt a need to receive W. Graham’s book “Presocratic Drawing together Directed by Nazila Rajaieh, the 2D animation is treatment in psychiatric hospitals. As a result, Philosophy: Essays in Honor of contributions from about a girl who loses herself under the shadow of the idea of making the animation came into my Alexander Mourelatos”. distinguished authorities social media addiction. mind,” she added. and internationally acclaimed scholars of ancient philosophy, “Today, I see how much the use of the Internet has Rajaieh has spent a year making the short movie A scene from the DEFC animated short “Pink House” this book offers new challenges to traditional interpretations become epidemic,” Rajaieh said in a press release she has co-written with her sister, Farnaz. by Nazila Rajaieh. in some areas of Presocratic philosophy and finds new support for traditional interpretations in other areas. Graham has been teaching Socrates for 35 years, first at Grinnell College, then at Rice University, and for most of his career at Brigham Young University, where he has been Iran biennial of ceramic art to resume after 9-year hiatus department chair and is currently the Abraham Owen Smoot ARTTEHRAN — The 11th we support artworks created by the artists. inner self,” she said. Professor of Philosophy. deskNational Biennial of Anyway, we know that we will be having a Another member of the council, Farzad He has been a visiting fellow at Clare Hall, Cambridge Contemporary Iranian Ceramic Art will hard year ahead, but it will be accompanied Faraji, pointed to the last edition of the University, and a visiting professor at Yale University. resume after a nine-year hiatus at Tehran’s by a schedule full of events.” biennial held in 2011 and said, “We know The recipient of two NEH fellowships, he has published Niavaran Cultural Center in October. Manijeh Armin, a member of the that we will be confronting new outlooks eight books (in ten volumes) with leading academic presses, The organizers, including Visual Arts Office policymaking council of the biennial, said, this year after a nine-year hiatus, and we one of which was named one of the best books of 2010 in the director Hadi Mozaffari and the director of “The central theme of the biennial is self- have tried to prepare the necessary grounds Times Literary Supplement, and authored over one hundred the event, Hirbod Hemmat-Azad, attended analysis. For artists, the term ‘self’ possesses for all different outlooks, and we know that scholarly articles in journals of philosophy, classics, history a press conference on Monday to brief the multidimensional concepts, and invites them self-analysis will help artists show their real of ideas, and history of science, as well as in scholarly books. Art aficionados visit the 10th Nation- media about the biennial. to return to their inner self.” selves and real talents.” He does research in eight languages, has lectured around al Biennial of Contemporary Iranian Mozaffari said that the country needs more “What is important in this biennial is that All the ceramists are asked to attend the the world, and is the president of the International Association Ceramic Art at the Niavaran Cultural hope and excitement during the pandemic and each artist makes use of the contemporary event, which will open on October 30 at the for Presocratic Studies. Center in Tehran in 2011. home quarantine, and added, “That is why experience to create an artwork from the center and will be running for one month.