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8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13904 Sunday MARCH 14, 2021 Esfand 24, 1399 Rajab 30, 1442

Persons with military Skocic protests AFC over Free medical services “The Sand Wolf” background can stand choosing Bahrain as for people aged hunts Iran’s Flying as candidates Page 2 Group C host Page 3 over 65 Page 7 Turtle Page 8

Iranian heavy crude oil price rises 11.5% in February: OPEC TEHRAN- Iranian heavy oil price increased in the previous year’s same period. $6.28 in February to register an 11.5-per- The report put Iranian crude output for Illogical presence cent rise compared to the previous month, February at 2.12 million barrels per day according to OPEC’s latest monthly report. indicating a 35,000-bpd increase compared See page 3 Iran sold its heavy crude oil at $60.66 to the figure for the previous month. U.S. faces trouble justifying presence in Iraq per barrel in the mentioned month, com- Based on OPEC data, the country’s av- pared to January’s $54.38 per barrel, IRIB erage crude output in the fourth quarter reported. of 2020 stood at 1.993 million barrels According to the report, the country’s per day indicating a near 45,000-bpd average heavy crude price was $57.52 from rise compared to the figure for the third the beginning of 2021 up to the report’s quarter of the year. publishing day, in comparison to $57.97 Continued on page 4

Gen. Soleimani mourners, former traceur: World Press Photo Awards nominee pics TEHRAN – Images of a former traceur and mer professional traceur – practitioner of mourning ceremony for General Qassem parkour – who lives in the Iranian town of Soleimani by Iranian photographers have Gachsaran. He fell in a parkour competition received nominations at the 2021 World seven years ago, injuring the spinal cord Press Photo Awards. in his neck. His injury when he fell was The photo series “Thoughts of Flight” so severe that he could only blink, and by Fereshteh Eslahi has been nominated doctors said he wouldn’t even be able to in the 2021 sports stories category. sit in a wheelchair. The series depicts Saeid Ramin, a for- Continued on page 8

TEHRAN – The first domestically manu- Through the project, the 25 to 30 factured subway train was unveiled during percent share of domestic companies in a ceremony on Saturday, with 85 percent designing, manufacturing, and supplying of the parts developed and made inside subway train parts has increased to 85 the country, ISNA reported. percent, Ali Emam, head of Tehran Urban In June 2019, a memorandum of un- and Suburban Railway Company said. derstanding was signed between the Vice The national train was produced by 18 National subway train Presidency for Science and Technology, knowledge-based companies and based Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway Com- on the experience of the last 20 years in pany, and the Innovation and Prosperity the production of three generations of Fund to complete the subway train project subway cars, he noted. developed despite sanctions under an 18-month contract. Continued on page 7 hamshahrionline

AFC’s clear Campaign launched to promote handicrafts U.S. “ceasefire plan” meant to prolong Yemen’s favoritism as Noruz gifts descent into turmoil: Ansarullah

BY FARROKH HESABI TEHRAN – The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, dition on a fresh new year symbolizes wealth, The spokesman for Yemen’s popular Houthi ade. We would then welcome the measure. he Asian Football Confeder- Handicrafts, and Tourism has launched a social prosperity, fertility, or luck. Perhaps the most Ansarullah movement has dismissed the U.S. Aggression and siege against Yemen have ation (AFC) has chosen Bah- campaign for using domestic handicrafts as gifts enduring image of Noruz is about socializing, proposal for a nationwide ceasefire in the war-torn not stopped even for a single day over the rain as host of FIFA World to celebrate Noruz, the Iranian New Year. deepening family bonds, and meeting up with country, saying the plan would plunge Yemen past six years, so what is the U.S. concept T For more than a year, the coronavirus pan- old friends mostly in their homes. further into turmoil. of ceasing fire or breaking the siege?” Ab- Cup qualifiers in Group C and the decision is a clear favoritism which demic has ruined hundreds of thousands of Last May, the deputy tourism minister Pouya “The U.S. plan doesn’t include breaking the dul-Salam added. has deeply wounded 85-million ar- jobs in the country including those related to Mahmoudian noted that due to the outbreak of siege or ceasing fire. It is actually a detour which The Ansarullah spokesman said the U.S. dent football fans in Iran. craftspeople. The campaign, according to ad- coronavirus, suitcase exports of handicrafts were would lead to a resumption of a (Saudi) block- presentation of Saudi conditions as a so-called Thursday, 11th March marked the vocates, is intended to create a change and to completely stopped since the month of Esfand ade diplomatically,” Mohammed Abdul-Salam peace plan once again proved that Washington first anniversary of the World Health help the handicrafts sector to emerge from a (the last month of the year), and official exports said in an interview with Yemen’s al-Masirah explicitly supports the Saudi war and blockade Organization’s declaration of COVID-19 prolonged recession. of handicrafts experienced a steep decline. “Some television Friday evening. against Yemen. a global pandemic. On making that dra- Tehran province directorate of the Cultural 295 fields of handicrafts are currently practiced “One of the conditions presented in the He further noted that what the U.S. special matic announcement, WHO’s Director Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism has adopted across Iran with more than two million peo- initiative is to determine the destinations of envoy on Yemen, Tim Lenderking, presented General Tedros Adhanom emphasized a motto, which is translated into “I will give ple engaging, majority of whom are women… flights departing Sana’a airport, and for the was a plot to plunge the Arab state further into that “Pandemic” was not a word to use handicrafts as gift this Noruz”. “Citizens are Handicrafts also play an important role in the coalition of aggression to issue flight per- turmoil. lightly or carelessly. asked to use handicrafts as a beautiful and last- economy in our rural villages,” she said. mits. This means they are not licensed here “It is unacceptable for an American envoy With that announcement life as we ing Noruz gift to support the employment of Over the past couple of years, dozens of in Sana’a,” he said. to present a plan which is inferior to that of knew it, changed. One-third of the whole craftspeople,” Parham Janfeshan, who presides high-quality Iranian handicrafts have been “If they were serious to stop the aggres- the United Nations special envoy for Yemen world went into lockdown. What did not over the directorate, said on Saturday. honored with the UNESCO Seal of Excellence. sion and siege, they would have declared (Martin Griffiths),” Abdul-Salam said. deem essential came to a complete halt, From ancient times to today, gift-giving tra- Continued on page 6 a complete end to hostilities and block- Continued on page 5 with sports and football amongst those. All forms of domestic and international football at all levels stopped. The Asian Iranian ship hit in terror attack in Mediterranean “Greater Kurdistan” Football Confederation’s joint FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 / AFC Asian Cup China TEHRAN - One of the cargo ships of the Islamic A small fire broke out in the aftermath of through relevant international institutions to an impossible dream: 2023 matches, scheduled on the two FIFA Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) has been the explosion, which was quickly put out by identify the perpetrators. dates in March 2020 were put on ice. The slightly damaged after it was targeted by a terrorist the crew members, Qiasi said, according to On Thursday, a report by The Wall Street KRG representative attack en route to Europe in the Mediterranean Press TV. Journal claimed the Israeli regime had been AFC has since tried to reschedule the last BY MOHAMMAD MAZHARI Sea earlier this week, the company says. The ship, the spokesman added, “will con- involved in a clandestine campaign of attacks four rounds of their eight qualifying groups TEHRAN – Describing the “Greater Kurdistan” idea The container ship, named Shahr-e Kord, tinue on its route after damage assessments on Iranian ships carrying oil and arms to Syria to no avail and lost 12 FIFA dates, including as impossible, the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Govern- was hit as it was traveling in the high seas on and repair.” since 2019. the March 2021 window. ment (KRG) representative in Tehran emphasizes Wednesday, IRISL spokesman Ali Qiasi told Such acts of terror are a clear example of na- The Israeli attacks started in late 2019 and The continent’s governing body decided that this idea is like a far-fetched dream. Nour News on Friday. val piracy and runs counter to the international targeted both Iranian vessels, and other ships to consult with its member associations “The map of “Greater Kurdistan” may be the desire The official said the vessel’s hull sustained law on the safety of commercial vessels, he said, with Iranian cargo, the report claimed, citing in mid-February to make a “collective de- of some Kurdish parties, but putting it into practice slight damage, but those aboard were unharmed. pledging that the country will pursue the case “U.S. and regional officials.” cision” to wrap up the first round group and unification of all Kurds is impossible and is more stage in a centralized format in June to like a dream because the geography of Kurdistan is tackle travel restrictions for national teams divided into four regional countries: Iraq, Iran, Turkey criss-crossing Asia. and Syria,” Nazim Dabbagh tells the Tehran Times. However, the Iranian football fans were On Wednesday, the KRG had revealed samples weary of this decision as even ahead of the Horse racing of a proposed postage stamp to be printed on the official AFC announcement of matches to occasion of the Pope’s visit earlier this month. The be played centrally, they had seen messages competition stamp was said to have depicted a map that included across Arabic social media platforms that provinces in Iran, Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Bahrain had secured the rights to host the The stamp in question raised eyebrows in the region, final eight matches in Group C, an act of held in causing tensions between the Iraqi Kurdish Regional utter injustice if it were to materialize. Government and a number of regional countries. Iran along with other seeded teams had Gonbad-e The stamp was published to commemorate the played three away games and one home recent four-day papal visit to Iraq that included a game against the lowest seeded team in foray into Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, on their group. If Australia, China, Japan, Kavus the third day.

Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and TEHRAN – The 16th week of the horse Following is the text of the interview with Nazim The United Arab Emirates could secure racing competition was held in Gonbad-e Dabbagh: the approval of their own country’s health Kavus in Iran’s northeastern province of What is the Kurdistan Regional Govern- authorities, they would be designated as Golestan on Friday. ment’s official position (KRG) regarding the hosts, by virtue of the spirit of “Fair Play”. A total of 58 horse riders participated controversial stamps issued on the occasion Much to the horror of the Iranian fans, in the race. of Pope Francis’s historic visit to Iraq? AFC handed over the hosting rights to The Gonbad-e Kavus competition was A: Regarding the photos of the stamps that were their rivals, Bahrain, under the pretext of Ali Asghar Ghezelsafloo held behind closed doors due to CIOVID-19 circulated recently, the KRG spokesman and a num- sanctions and the fact that AFC and their restrictions. ber of other Kurdish officials explained that these commercial partners would not be able to Gonbad-e Kavus has a long history of stamps don’t reflect the official stance of the KRG, operate in Iran, a completely false pretext. IRNA/ holding the competitions. not to mention that they are not applicable project. Continued on page 3 Continued on page 5 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS MARCH 14, 2021

For the “sanctions team”, Guardian Council: Persons with military Iranian clock is not ticking By Azin Sahabi background can stand as candidates TEHRAN — In an exclusive interview on March 11, former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, who served as one of Washington’s POLITICAL TEHRAN — Abbas However, Kadkhodaee said, support for key nuclear negotiators, told CNBC: “Time is running out for the desk United States to engage in meaningful diplomacy with Iran…” Ali Kadkhodaee, the a political faction or party in elections by With Iran’s presidential elections in June, Moniz, co-chair spokesperson for Iran’s Guardian Council, military personnel is definitely banned. and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative think tank, says: “I confirmed on Saturday that persons with The next presidential election in Iran would expect a hiatus while the new Iranian administration gets military background are entitled to run in will be held in June simultaneously with organized.” elections, saying the performance of the council elections. Like most of the American analysts, Moniz, a professor of oversight council shows this in the previous Candidates hoping to run in the elections physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), believes rounds of elections. are to apply in early April for approval. The that the Iranian principlists (conservatives) will lead in the June “There has been no legal ban for per- competence of candidates must be confirmed presidential elections, and should this happen, the already down- sons with military background in different the oversight Guardian Council. the-heel nuclear deal would be much more complicated to manage. (election) rounds,” Kadkhodaee told a press So far, two military figures have expressed Moniz who appeared as Iran’s Ali Akbar Salehi counterpart conference. readiness to run for the president. General to work out the technical aspects of the JCPOA in 2015, warns: “Mere nomination in elections is not Hossein Dehghan, a former Islamic Revolu- “There are probably just about 10 weeks left for some serious legally banned,” he added. tion Guard Corps commander and defense diplomacy. There’s a pretty short fuse here to get something done The spokesman was openly referring to minister, who now servs as a military adviser before the Iranian elections will naturally call for a bit of a reset.” some former military figures like Mohsen to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatol- Against this backdrop, it appears that the Biden administra- Rezaee, the former IRGC chief, who ran for lah Seyed Ali Khamenei, has announced tion neither intends to rush to a deal with Tehran nor slows its president more than once. Also, Mohammad he will run for the presidential post. Also, pace due to Iran’s imminent elections. State Department Iran Esmaeil Kowsari, a former IRGC official, was Saeed Mohammad, who headed the Khatam envoy Rob Malley clarified on Wednesday that elections “are elected to the eighth and ninth parliaments al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters, has not a factor” in likely nuclear talks. (2008-2016). resigned to run in the presidential elections. Parliament seeking to lessen sanctions impact: Qalibaf POLITICAL TEHRAN — Mohammad Baqer Qali- that inflation has unsettled the masses. deskbaf, the Parliament speaker, on Saturday In January, he emphasized what matters is the lifting stressed the need to lift economic sanctions against Iran, of sanctions, adding that a U.S. return to the Joint Com- giving assurances that the parliament is endeavoring to prehensive Plan of Action (the JCPOA) is not important. reduce the impacts of U.S. embargoes. “The JCPOA is not a sacred agreement. It is just a deal to “While the Majlis (Parliament) has any opportunity to lift sanctions under the conditions accepted by the Islamic lift the sanctions on its agenda, it considers preparing the Republic,” Qalibaf noted. ground to nullify the sanctions as its main strategy,” Fars “It does not matter for us if the U.S. returns to the JCPOA, quoted Qalibaf as saying. what matters is the practical and tangible lifting of sanctions.” Pointing to the measures adopted by the Parliament to He noted Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution thwart sanctions, the senior MP said, “The Majlis is reforming Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has “clarified the roadmap for all the structure of the country’s next year budget to control officials to fulfill the demands of people.” inflation and create more jobs.” “It became clear to everyone that the main strategy in In his first interview since taking office, Malley, one of the Iran’s next year begins on March 21. the face of the enemy is to nullify sanctions, which is also a Germany - have been following the United States’ wick- American negotiators in the JCPOA talks, told Axios: “The pace Speaking in a congress in Tabriz, Qalibaf also said the prelude to the lifting of sanctions,” the speaker said, adding ed policies against Iran, the speaker said, “The Western will be determined by how far we can get consistent with defending parliament plans to reform the budget structure within the Iran must increase its power in different sectors, including front should know that it must recognize the rights of the U.S. national security interests.” next four years. the nuclear industry. Iranian people; or else, it should be prepared to pay the Undoubtedly, while Biden seems quite determined to swiftly Elsewhere in his remarks, the Parliament speaker said Warning that the EU troika – Britain, France and proportionate price.” reverse the process Donald Trump conducted towards the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the timeline is anyone’s guess. Commenting on Malley’s recent expressions, Sanam Vakil, deputy head of the Middle East (West Asia) North Africa program at Chatham House, says Malley’s comments are primarily geared Zarif’s letter to EU’s Borrell contains no plans: Foreign Ministry toward a domestic U.S. audience. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Saeed ments is to correct its mistakes with regards to paign” geared to extract Iranian concessions She explains that Malley tries to signal those seriously op- deskKhatibzadeh, the Iranian breaching the JCPOA and imposing sanctions via “extortion.” posed to a revival of the JCPOA at home that the administration Foreign Ministry spokesman, confirms that on Iran, the spokesman explained. The letter begins by reiterating Iran’s “full “intends to take a tougher approach. But it doesn’t mean that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif According to amwaj.media, Iran’s chief commitment” to the JCPOA and its “read- they are not going to be mindful of the potential political tran- has sent a letter to Josep Borrell, the EU diplomat has slammed U.S. Secretary of iness to immediately return to full imple- sitions inside Iran.” coordinator for the joint commission of the State Anthony Blinken for making “any fu- mentation.” However, it says a reversal to Moniz also expresses concerns about Iran’s parliamentary law 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the ture progress more difficult” amid continued full compliance with the deal hinges on the to suspend the Additional Protocol to the NPT which allows snap Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). deadlock over the JCPOA. Biden administration’s “full removal of all inspections. Such a law, which is in line with Paragraph 36 of the On Saturday, he noted, “In a bid to elab- Zarif also criticized the Biden adminis- sanctions imposed, re-imposed or re-labeled” JCPOA, obligates the Iranian government to stop implementing orate on the Islamic Republic of Iran’s posi- tration’s approach to the Obama-era deal, since Trump took office in January 2017. some nuclear commitments in retaliation for the abrogation of tions on developments related to the JCPOA, saying that “offering engagement with Iran Questioning the U.S. insistence on Iran the nuclear deal by Washington and introduction of maximum the foreign minister of our country sent a does not reflect a change of policy,” noting being the first party to return to full compli- pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic. letter on March 12, 2021 to Josep Borrell, that former president Donald Trump “was ance, Zarif charged that “seeking to remove Meanwhile, Moniz welcomes the three months agreement the coordinator for the Joint Commission Khatibzadeh said. also prepared to engage.” Zarif additionally an effect without eliminating the cause...can between the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) and of the JCPOA.” The letter makes it clear that the first step accused Europe of plotting with the U.S. to never work.” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) made on Feb. “Of course, Dr. Zarif has sent several letters for the U.S. to fully comply with its commit- instigate “a misinformation propaganda cam- Importantly, Zarif stated that the Biden 21 which followed the parliamentary law. He says: “I think the to Mr. Borrell and, earlier, to Ms. Mogherini administration is “boxing itself into a po- first step will not be a full restoration of the agreement on either regarding the JCPOA, and this latest letter sition that can make it impossible to make side, but both sides can take some big steps very early on to set has been written and sent within the same “Seeking to remove an effect without progress,” arguing that “statements such as the stage for succeeding steps.” framework,” he remarked. the one made by Secretary Blinken in Con- Iran has rejected an offer from the European Union to restart eliminating the cause...can never work,” Zarif “This letter explains the Islamic Republic gress this week makes any future progress nuclear talks with the Biden team, insisting that no talks are tells the Biden team in the letter to Borrell. of Iran’s attitude and contains no plans,” more difficult.” needed for a U.S. return to the nuclear deal that Donald Trump ditched in May 2018. Describing Iran’s decision to reject talks as a “negotiating strategy, frankly, not working”, Moniz underlines: “I think what it’s done is actually narrowed the political space on both sides Congress may impede Biden’s administration to save JCPOA for an agreement to be reached in a short time.” POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Biden administration other fronts - on the ballistic missiles, on the its influ- Indeed, the deep-rooted mistrust between Tehran and Wash- deskis caught between critics in Congress and ence in the region - you know that just going back to the ington besides domestic politics in both capitals foment reluctance European allies over rejoining the JCPOA to restrict Iran’s JCPOA is really a difficult proposition,” Menendez said. by each side to take the first move to rekindle the nuclear deal. nuclear program without accepting Tehran’s demands The Times reported other Senate Democrats have In this context, making any arrangement between Iran and the for financial relief, according to the New York Times. proposed legislation to address Iran’s missile program U.S. before August can be considered a remote prospect. Three weeks ago, as a sign of both good faith and dip- “after such time that all sides return to their commit- Therefore, Henry Rome, a regional analyst at Eurasia Group lomatic pressure, the United States suggested to return ments.” Meanwhile, Iran’s leaders have warned that says “What’s far more important to the survival of the JCPOA to nuclear negotiations with Iran, however, the American expanding the accord is a nonstarter, and European and U.S.-Iran relations is what happens on June 18.” newspaper said, “The double-edged overture fell flat: diplomats worry that widening it in the delicate talks June 18 is the date for presidential elections in Iran. Iran refused to meet without first receiving financial will damage the entire effort. Notwithstanding Moniz’s concerns about shortage of time for incentives, and the Biden administration made clear, as “Once we do the first step, then we can continue, or diplomacy, some American analysts believe that regardless of any the White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, start talking about other pending issues,” Mr. Borrell political affiliation of Iran’s future president, Rouhani’s successor put it, that ‘the ball is in their court.’” said at the Atlantic Council, a policy center. “But if you will hardly have any incentives to honor the commitments he The Times reminded diplomats from Britain, France start talking about the pending issues in the beginning, makes. Thus, they claim the possibility that an agreement made and Germany have since demanded Iran to accept a return or part of our commitments for their partial re- you will never restart.” under Rouhani may not last, is it actually essential to broker a joint European-American invitation on Feb. 18 to begin turn,” he added. Trita Parsi, the founder of the National Iranian deal before the new president takes office in Tehran. informal talks and wrote, “Officials from China and Rus- The American newspaper claimed Biden has his own American Council and executive vice president of the Besides, some experts emphasize that rather than being ob- sia have taken a more sympathetic approach in asking reasons for taking a wait-and-see approach toward talks Quincy Institute, a policy center that advocates military sessed with Iranian domestic politics, Biden’s administration Tehran in recent days to return to talks. President Has- and emphasized, “He appears torn between allies in Eu- restraint, said both Iran and the United States would should be mindful of the dynamics. In their point of view, while san Rouhani of Iran discussed the delicate diplomacy rope and critics in Congress over broadening the nuclear “have to swallow some pride and pay a political cost” if looking beyond the Rouhani administration in terms of nuclear in a phone call with Prime Minister Boris Johnson of accord to also limit Iran’s ballistic missiles program and negotiations were to restart. diplomacy is wise, linking the fate of such a talk to the likely Britain on Wednesday and President Emmanuel Macron its support for proxy militias across the Middle East Pointing to the advantages of the JCPOA for Iran, the future status of Rouhani’s nuclear team would not serve the of France last week.” (West Asia).” American newspaper acknowledged, “The accord had American interests. “We have to use this window of opportunity,” Josep Though many senior administration officials had ne- secured for Tehran billions of dollars in sanctions relief Accusing Iran of conducting aggressive regional policies, Moniz Borrell Fontelles, the European Union’s top foreign pol- gotiated the nuclear deal while working for President before the Trump administration reneged, shutting down stresses that Iran’s activities are a “major, major challenge to the icy official, told an Atlantic Council forum on Feb. 23. Barack Obama, and still support it, they also say they Iran’s oil exports and sending its weakened economy United States and its friends in the region.” He adds: “Whether Still, two rounds of shuttle diplomacy by Rafael Grossi, are unwilling to compromise further — particularly as into a tailspin. That reinforced Tehran’s suspicion that it’s Saudi Arabia’s oil supply chain, or whether it’s Israel’s se- the director general of the International Atomic Energy Iran persistently tests Mr. Biden’s limits, the New York dealing with the United States was a mistake.” curity, especially with regard to Lebanon and southwest Syria, Agency (IAEA), have rescued the nuclear deal. By con- Times wrote. Yet it is widely believed, by diplomats and experts alike I believe that the JCPOA is probably a necessary step on the way vincing Iran last month to allow inspectors to visit its “Do we expect that before we give them sanctions that Rouhani and Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad to further discussions to resolve those critical regional issues.” nuclear facilities, Grossi kept Tehran from crossing a relief that they will verifiably either be in full compliance Javad Zarif, want to secure sanctions relief by getting In a piece of opinion in Boston Globe on March 27, 2018, diplomatic red line. with the JCPOA or be on a negotiated path toward full nuclear negotiations well on their way before Iran’s Moniz pointed out that when negotiating nuclear disarmament The Times said Iran’s leaders are wary of the United compliance?” Representative Brad Sherman, Democrat change of power, the Times claimed. with the former Soviet Union, President Ronald Reagan invoked States again reneging on its diplomatic assurances and of California, asked Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken Regarding good-faith efforts by Biden’s administration, “trust, but verify”. However, for the American side at 2015 nuclear said, “They have insisted they will not go back to the on Wednesday during a House hearing, referring to the last month, the United States lifted travel restrictions talks with Iran, the North Star was and must be “Don’t trust, and nuclear negotiating table until President Biden begins nuclear accord. Blinken said, “Yes”. on Iranian officials visiting the United Nations head- verify, verify, verify.” lifting harsh sanctions that the Trump administration The demands for a broader deal to address other quarters in New York, and dropped its demand that the In fact, the Iran team at the Oval Office is slowly but smartly imposed when it withdrew from the deal in May 2018.” Iranian issues echoes the Trump administration’s goals United Nations Security Council enforce international taking shape. Now, sanctions expert Richard Nephew, a member “America was first in breaking with the agreement of a pressure campaign against Iran, the paper said. But sanctions against Iran. of the U.S. negotiating team at the JCPOA talks, serves as Mal- and it should be the first to return to it,” Mr. Rouhani Biden’s pursuit to “lengthen and strengthen” the deal Ultimately, the Times concluded, “Despite the im- ley’s deputy. Also, Jarrett Blanc, who led the implementation of said on Wednesday during a cabinet meeting in Tehran. is also calculated to satisfy Democratic critics of the passe, American and European diplomats said informal the deal under Obama is another figure and more members are “America should know that we are ready to imple- JCPOA, according to the Times. talks could begin in coming weeks. When they do, it is expected to be added. This implies that perhaps, in Washington’s ment the agreement. We are ready to implement it full Among them is Senator Bob Menendez, Democrat expected that the United States and Iran could agree “sanctions team” calculations to hit the big time in reviving the in return for full and parts in return for parts. We are of New Jersey and chairman of the Foreign Relations to take simultaneous steps toward coming back into JCPOA, “time” factor does not play a critical role. ready to return to our full commitments for their full Committee. “Iran’s continuous engagement on so many compliance with the 2015 accord.” I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 14, 2021 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS AFC’s clear favoritism Illogical presence 1 The rights of this stage of the qualifiers in Asia, as per AFC’s own directive belong to each host nation and as such they had no commercial function at any of the 97 matches, including U.S. faces trouble justifying presence in Iraq Iran’s home tie against Cambodia in October 2019, and will not have any business to conduct in the remaining 63 matches of the POLITICAL TEHRAN – With the Ira- found a new justification for its presence: first round group stage. desk qi people and politicians “Shia-backed militias.” Of the eight seeded nations, six have secured their hosting ramping up their efforts to expel American In a March 3 press briefing, Pentagon rights, but not Iran and Australia. The Australian authorities forces from their country, the United States Press Secretary John Kirby accused these did not sanction the staging of Group B in their country either. makes renewed efforts to concoct a plan to unspecified groups of firing rockets on the The Iranian fans, who had feared that this decision would be justify its illegal presence in the West Asian American forces in Iraq, adding that the U.S. made in the dark corridors of power and away from the proper region, particularly Iraq. remains focused on these groups. due diligence, have proven right. The Iranian football author- The U.S. has a relatively large number of “We›ve long been open and honest about ities alerted AFC of their concerns that they would be the only troops stationed in Iraq that had been sent the threats that these -- that arise from these seeded team not receiving the hosting rights, based on credible to the country allegedly to combat terrorism, rocket attacks that are being perpetrated by evidence. The AFC did not respond to their letter of Sunday, namely the Daesh terrorist group, which oc- some Shia-backed militia,” Kirby said, adding, March 7. Tasnim News Agency who had followed online chatters cupied large swathes of western Iraq in 2014. “We›re focused on these -- the Shia-backed also sent a query to AFC’s Media department for a comment. Following the emergence of Daesh, the militias that continue to put at risk and to Neither the federation nor the news agency received even an U.S. claimed that the main mission of their continue to threaten our people and our Iraqi acknowledgement, let alone a proper response. forces in Iraq was to fend off Daesh, although partners.” Was AFC’s so-called “consultation process” with their mem- Iraqi leaders at the time of Daesh›s emergence Kirby’s clumsy claim drew criticism from ber associations in mid-February just a show? It seems to have cast doubt on that mission. In fact, some of critics including those in America. They called been. Next time the AFC displays that “Fair Play” flag at any these leaders even accused the Americans on him to clarify the exact meaning of “Shia- of their competitions under the watchful eyes of their Bahraini of dereliction of duty for failing to help Iraq backed militias.” He couldn’t. Because there President - Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa - should realize in the face of Daesh. said that the U.S. created Daesh. they claim that they are fighting the Daesh.” is no such thing as Shia-backed militias in how hollow that slogan would sound and look. A slogan, like the Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Ma- “It was America that created the Daesh and With help from Iran, the Iraqis ultimately Iraq. There are groups that are part of Iraq’s word Pandemic that cannot be used lightly or carelessly. liki said that the U.S. stopped short of helping this has been acknowledged by the Americans trounced Daesh and restored stability. They official armed forces that want the U.S. to This “endemic injustice” and clear favoritism of Sheikh Sal- the Iraqis during the war against Daesh, which themselves. It is not us who are making this called on the U.S. to withdraw its forces from withdraw its forces. Of course, some of these man’s own home country has deeply wounded 85-million ardent had occupied large territories of Iraq when claim. Rather, this has been acknowledged Iraq as their presence is of little help to Iraq. critics tend to falsely say that there are “Iran- football fans in Iran, arguably the most passionate across the al-Maliki was ruling the country. both by the one who created it and by the one The Iraqi Parliament passed a law earlier last backed militias.” But they are wrong too. world. FIFA will need to interfere and save the face of Asian “Daesh has come [to Iraq] because they who was his rival. They themselves created year obligating the government to pursue the Iran has said time and again that it has Football before the world game that it governs. [Americans] stopped all types of military that group. And then they have built military withdrawal of American troops. However, the no military presence in Iraq. Instead, it only support to Iraq and undercut the foundation bases in Iraq and Syria using the excuse that U.S. refused to respect the will of the Iraqi has an advisory role in Iraq and Syria. Aya- of the Iraqi army,” the former prime minister the Daesh is present in those countries and people and kept insisting on continuing its tollah Khamenei said Iran’s presence in Iraq famously said. “Washington told the Iraqi that they are going to fight them,” the Leader military presence in Iraq. and Syria is advisory and at the invitation of Skocic protests AFC over choosing delegation as long as al-Maliki is in power, said in a recent speech on the occasion of Now that Daesh has almost completely these countries. But “the Americans cruelly they will not give weapons to Baghdad to Eid al-Mab›ath. disappeared, the Iraqis see no good reason for entered Iraq and Syria and established mil- Bahrain as Group C host fight Daesh. This is all while Iran and Russia Pointing to some of the examples of the the continuation of the U.S. military presence. itary bases,” the Leader lamented. SPORTSTEHRAN – Iran national football team have opened their arms depots to Baghdad U.S. helping Daesh, the Leader added, “They Therefore, they have called on the U.S. to The U.S. military presence in Iraq and deskhead coach Dragan Skocic is not satisfied in support of the Iraqi army and the Popular provide Daesh with modern, advanced, me- withdraw its forces. Facing Iraqi opposition, Syria is not grounded in any logic and its with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s decision over Mobilization Forces [PMF].” dia tools. They also give them money, allow the U.S. now struggles to find new justifica- futile efforts to cook up logic for it will only choosing Bahrain as host of Group C of the 2022 World Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of them to sell Syrian oil and tell them to use tions for its unsolicited military presence. further expose the illogicality of the American Cup qualifiers. the Islamic Revolution of Iran, also recently the money for their goals. At the same time, In the latest effort in this regard, the U.S. presence in the region. Bahrain was chosen as centralized venue for the competition in Group C by AFC on Friday but the Croatian coach says that Bahrain had been previously determined as host. Iran rejects ‘baseless’ Israeli human rights allegation at UN The matches are scheduled POLITICAL TEHRAN – A senior Iranian diplomat has According to Baghaei Hamaneh, the rule of law makes These states, he added, are accused of widespread human to take place from May 31 to deskresponded to Israeli accusations against up the basis for promoting human rights and protecting the rights violations across the world through exporting weap- June 15, 2021. Iran was orig- Iran by describing them as “baseless.” foundations of freedom. ons to aggressor countries and adopting unilateral policies inally scheduled to host three Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh, Iran’s permanent ambas- The Iranian envoy also expressed regret that some gov- towards developing countries. matches out of four remaining sador to the UN office in Geneva, called on the United ernments focus on weakening the rule of law in developing Tensions have been on the rise between Iran and Israel matches before coronavirus Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to avoid po- countries by targeting their judicial systems under the pretext over the past years. The Wall Street Journal has recently shut down the competitions. liticization after Israel used the platform to level human of defending human rights. reported that Israel has targeted at least 12 vessels linked “In the video conference rights accusations against Iran. No country or group of states should consider that to Iran since 2019. According to the American newspaper, held on Feb. 14, I told Shin Addressing the 46th regular session of the Human they have the right to dictate their priorities and ideals to these ships were mostly carrying Iranian oil. Mangil, AFC Competitions Rights Council on Friday, Baghaei Hamaneh said the others, the Iranian envoy said, stressing that the world’s Iran has not reacted to this allegation. Director, all decisions have regime occupying Jerusalem al-Quds has no right to countries can freely choose their governments as well On Friday, Iran announced that an Iranian merchant been already taken and the comment on the noble issue of human rights in Iran, as judicial, legal and economic systems according to the ship was targeted with an “explosive object” in the Med- conference is useless,” Sko- according to Press TV. principle of independent action. iterranean. cic posted on his Instagram The remarks came after the Israeli mission in Geneva He further called on the UN Human Rights Council Ali Ghiasian, a spokesman for the Shipping Company of account. tweeted, “Today, during the Item 4 General Debate, where to distance itself from politicization, double standards the Islamic Republic of Iran, said in an exclusive interview “They wanted to hear our opinions but I think everything HRC46 discusses situations which require its attention, we and stereotypes. with Nournews that “part of the ship›s hull was damaged after was already determined because when we were discussing about repeated our call for @UN_HRC to focus on Iran.” Baghaei Hamaneh also criticized Canada, Australia, an explosive device hit the Iranian container ship Shahre- the holding the matches in April or postponing them to June, a The Iranian ambassador pointed out that the Is- Britain, Denmark, the U.S., France, Switzerland, the kord on Wednesday, March 11, in international waters in message suddenly appeared on the screen in which the matches raeli regime is best described under the United Na- Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Sweden for accusing the Mediterranean Sea.” would surely be held in June. tions General Assembly Resolution 3379, adopted on others of rights violations while pretending as if no one “This vessel, which belongs to the Container Transpor- “In the session which was held to talk about the postpone- November 10, 1975. In Resolution 3379, Israel was was aware of their own contradictory performance both tation of Iran›s shipping company, was on its way from Iran ment of the matches, the Bahrain’s representative, without any declared a racist regime. inside and outside their countries. to Europe,” the Iranian official continued. introduction, talked about the hosting the remaining matches and it was the thing that surprised me the most. “Furthermore, I don’t understand why the matches were post- poned for one year. When we talk about the safety and wellbeing Biden should pursue ‘power of reason’ with Iran: diplomat of the players, the strict observance of health protocols is my pri- ority but the coronavirus is no longer a new issue. In my opinion, POLITICAL TEHRAN — Hossein he added. Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, crimes against humanity. the AFC has gained experience about holding the competitions deskAmir-Abdollahian, the The tweet came amid a diplomatic row Majid Takht-Ravanchi, said on Friday that “In order to combat food insecurity in the over the past year. special aide to the speaker of the Iranian between Tehran and Washington over the illegal sanctions have prevented millions of world, it is necessary to lift siege and sanc- “I insistently wanted the AFC representatives to emulate the Parliament on international affairs, has called 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the people all over the world from accessing the tions and foster international cooperation,” various competitions in Europe and they told me, “You don’t on U.S. President Joe Biden to learn from Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Covid-19 vaccine. Takht-Ravanchi said via videoconference realize the diversity of the Asian continent.” Now, with this de- history and pursue the “power of reason” Iran has called on the U.S. to lift the sanc- “Only together and through an inclusive to a meeting of the UN Security Council on cision, I am fully aware of the diversity among the continents. when dealing with Iran. tions it imposed on Iran following the White global approach we can defeat the pan- Thursday that discussed how conflict and Very weird behavior. “Mr. @JoeBiden should learn lesson from House withdrawal from the JCPOA and then demic. Illegal unilateral sanctions have food security are interlinked. “In my opinion, the AFC should have found a solution that history. With great nation of Iran, one must return to it. However, the U.S. has refused prevented hundreds of millions of people “The current number of people at risk of equality benefits everyone - not one team - and made a decision talk with power of reason, not with coercion. to lift the sanctions, saying that it was up to worldwide from accessing the #COVID19 hunger and food insecurity in the world is according to the spirit of sport. But in the end, all the teams have Under force & threats, Iran won’t negotiate Iran to make the first move toward reviving vaccine. End illegal sanctions immediately alarming, which has made it essential and to face us and we will undoubtedly have a strong presence and with U.S. The @WhiteHouse needs to talk the nuclear deal. to save lives,” he tweeted. urgent to deal with this challenge,” he added. surpass this situation,” Skocic concluded. first with its polarized society,” Amir-Abdol- ‘ End illegal sanctions immediately Earlier on Thursday, the ambassador de- Takht-Ravanchi then highlighted the Iran will have to meet table-toppers Iraq, Bahrain, Hong Kong lahian said in a tweet on Friday. to save lives’ nounced sanctions as inhumane, immoral and right to food is the fundamental right of and Cambodia. The special aide also said that the U.S. Apart from the deal, Iran also has said illegal, saying their far-reaching, devastating everyone to be free from hunger and malnu- sanctions on Iran are coming to an end. that the sanctions have impeded its efforts and long-term consequences are as brutal trition under any circumstances, whether “Sanction against Iran is on its deathbed,” to combat the coronavirus pandemic. and vicious as terrorism, war crimes and in peace or war. Bahman Group reclaim Iran International double standard made Iran cautious about talks: women’s basketball league title SPORTSTEHRAN – Bahman Group basketball team deskdefended their title at the Iran’s women’s former Italian diplomat basketball league on Friday. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Marco Carnelos, a former in exchange for an end to international sanctions. “By advocating the inclusion of Iran’s ballistic missiles Bahman Group defeated Mahram 87-63 in the final match deskItalian diplomat, has said that the interna- “While Iran complied with the deal, duly certified by the in a new agreement, they fail to explain how it has been pos- of the league. tional community is following a double standard in dealing IAEA, sanctions relief never fully materialised - and in May sible for Iran to significantly improve its missiles and make “We lost the match since our team didn’t play as we ex- with Iran and this has made the country wary of rejoining 2018, the US withdrew from the agreement and adopted them so much more threatening in just a few years, while it pected,” Mahram coach Nika Beiklikli said after the match. the 2015 nuclear deal. new, unprecedentedly harsh sanctions against Iran. The was subjected to the most punishing sanctions regime ever “As an Iranian woman, I am proud of our league. There Carnelos drew a comparison between Iran and Israel UK, France, Germany and the EU tried to keep the deal conceived. Their focus on the missiles is a massive indictment is a bright future ahead for the Iranian women basketball in terms of having transparent cooperation with relevant on track - but ultimately, to avoid US wrath and damaging of their own sanctions’ effectiveness. The US and European players,” she added. international agencies. secondary sanctions, they abstained from economic activity silence on such a contradictory and embarrassing stance Narsina Tehran finished in third place and Palayesh Naft “Israel, having never signed the NPT and being the only with Iran, maintaining the sanctions de facto and further might be understandable; much less so the deafening one Abadan came fourth. Middle Eastern nation to unofficially develop a military nu- damaging Iran’s economy and trust,” Carnelos wrote. maintained by western media,” he continued. The 2020-21 season brought 13 teams together in two groups. clear programme, should have been closely monitored,” He added, “Less than three years later, and while US The former Italian diplomat also pointed to the oft-re- wrote the former diplomat in an article for the Middle East President Joe Biden has announced his intention to re-enter peated claim that Iran’s influence in the region is “malign.” Eye website. “Not a chance. For historical reasons and oth- the nuclear deal, a new narrative about the nature of the “As to Iran’s alleged ‘malign and destabilising activities’ Esteghlal complete signing of ers somewhat related to US foreign policy, Israel’s nuclear Iranian threat is being advanced by the US and Israel, in the region, the Holy Gospel may be useful: ‘Let he who is programme has always been a taboo for the international echoed in some European chancelleries. The nuclear deal without sin cast the first stone.’ Assessing the recent history Arman Ramezani community, and it remains so to this day.” is being deemed obsolete and in need of renegotiation, of the Middle East, Iran is certainly not alone in this endeav- Carnelos added, “Meanwhile, this has been ‘compensated’ mainly because it does not address two important issues: our. Putting temporarily aside the mother of all regional SPORTSTEHRAN – Esteghlal football club have com- for by an international mobilisation against the nuclear pro- Iran’s ballistic-missile programme and its “malign and destabilising activities, the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, is deskpleted the signing of Persepolis forward Arman gramme of Iran - a state that signed the NPT and voluntarily destabilising activities” in the region. As to the first ob- it sound to assume that Iran will accept putting its conduct Ramezani on Saturday. implemented its Additional Protocol, enabling unannounced jection, ballistic missiles were never part of the nuclear under negotiation, while its regional rivals remain free to Ramezani joined Persepolis in September but failed to score and intrusive inspections to monitor compliance. While this deal’s core business - and incidentally, they were already continue business as usual, often aimed at damaging its a single goal for the team. is called realpolitik, to many, it sounds like double standards. deployed across the region, not just in Iran, when the deal own interests? Again, it is called realpolitik, but it sounds The 29-year-old striker has penned an 18-month deal with The last six years of Iran’s nuclear saga are well known.” was negotiated and signed.” to many like double standards,” carnelos continued. Esteghlal. According to the former diplomat, Iran, by signing the 2015 According to Carnelos, those highlighting Iran’s ballistic Facing international double standards, Iran will be cau- Ramezani started his playing career in Malavan in 2011 and nuclear deal – officially known as the Joint Comprehensive missile threat are also staunch supporters of sanctions, the tious about rejoining the agreement after the US broke it has also played at Saipa, Mes Rafsanjan and Oxin Alborz. Plan of Action (JCPOA)-, accepted limits on its programme so-called “maximum pressure policy.” with impunity, he said. The details of the fee contract have not been revealed. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY MARCH 14, 2021 Iranian heavy crude TEDPIX gains 22,000 points on Saturday ECONOMY TEHRAN — TEDPIX, the main index of Teh- oil price rises 11.5% deskran Stock Exchange (TSE), rose 22,554 points to 1.229 million on Saturday, which is the first day of Iranian calendar week. Over 8.478 billion securities worth 80.423 trillion rials (about $1.914 billion) were traded at the TSE on Saturday. in February: OPEC

1 OPEC Basket prices also rose over its oil production over the past few months 12.3 percent to $61.49 a barrel in February, following the recent developments in the up $6.71 from January. White House and also the recovery of the In its report, OPEC has put the average global markets from the negative impacts global demand for oil in 2021 at 96.270 of the coronavirus pandemic. million barrels per day, which is 5.89 mil- Earlier in February, Fitch Solutions In- lion barrels more than the figure for 2020. corporation, a subsidiary of Fitch Ratings, In addition to the devastating impacts which is one of the U.S.’s three biggest credit of the coronavirus pandemic on the global rating agencies, forecasted a 6.8-percent oil industry which resulted in the drastic growth for Iranian oil exports in 2021 if the fall in oil prices, the Iranian oil industry U.S comes back to the 2015 nuclear deal. “The prospects for the Iranian oil sector U.S. into the Iranian nuclear deal, paving has also been under pressure from the U.S. In one of its latest reports dubbed “Iran have brightened significantly following Joe the way for a roll-back of secondary sanc- efforts to isolate the country by re-imposing Oil and Gas Report”, Fitch also saw the Is- Biden’s victory in the U.S. presidential elec- tions and recovery of around 2.0 million The first market’s index rose 18,176 points, and the second sanctions. lamic Republic’s crude oil exports double tion on November 3. President Biden has barrels per day (bpd) in oil production,” market’s index increased 39,842 points. The country however has been ramping up in 2022 compared to 2020. indicated that he will seek to re-enter the the report said. After several weeks of decline, growth finally returned to the TSE, Iran’s major stock exchange, as TEDPIX rose 2.4 percent during the past Iranian calendar week. The index closed at 1.206 million points on Wednesday (the last working day of the week). PBO, Tehran municipality ink MOU to renovate public transport fleet ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iranian Planning and Budget In December 2020, President Hassan Rouhani had em- deskOrganization (PBO) and Tehran munici- phasized the need to modernize and develop the country’s Operation to install Jask pality on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding public transport fleet, and called for the necessary measures (MOU) for renovating 31 subway trains and 10,000 public to be taken in this regard. oil terminal’s 1st SPM taxis. “To achieve the goals of the country’s comprehensive system started The MOU was signed by PBO Head Mohammad-Baqer transportation plans and to provide desirable services to Nobakht and Tehran Mayor Pirouz Hanachi, IRIB reported. citizens, the country needs to add new fleet.” ECONOMY TEHRAN — The operation for the installation As reported, over 100 trillion rials (about $2.3 billion) is The Iranian transport and urban development minister deskof the first single point mooring (SPM) system allocated only for the renovation of the mentioned 10,000 had also said in February 2020, that the modernization of the of the Jask crude oil export terminal was started, the operator of taxis. country’s transportation fleet should continue in the form Jask oil terminal project in southern Iran announced. On the same day, Tehran Urban and Suburban Railway of a smart movement and bureaucratic processes should Vahid Maleki also said that this project has an over 90 percent Operation Company also signed an MOU with Tehran Wagon be minimized in this regard. progress in the early stage, Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC) Company for cooperation in building 105 wagons for the “The transport ministry has fulfilled all its commitments published on its website. capital city’s urban railway fleet. regarding the completion of a comprehensive transport The construction of the mentioned SPM system had been Tehran municipality had previously signed an MOU with system.” Mohammad Eslami said. completed and the SPM was loaded to be shipped toward its Iran Khodro car manufacturing company to meet part of In September 2019, the Iranian deputy transport minister designated point in the Gulf of Oman waters in mid-February. the transport fleet’s need for 3,000 buses. said the National Development Fund (NDF) of Iran allocated “Tehran needs 3,000 buses to reduce waiting times at $1.6 billion for renovating the country’s transportation fleet. Maleki put the capacity of this SPM system at 7,000 cubic PBO Head Mohammad-Baqer Nobakht (L) exchanges signed stops so that we will try to achieve this goal”, Hanachi had “Upon President Rouhani’s directive, National De- meters per hour (equivalent to one million barrels per day) and MOU documents with Tehran Mayor Pirouz Hanachi in said in June 2020. velopment Fund will soon provide nearly $1.6 billion to said: “Soon, with the installation of this offshore structure at a Tehran on Saturday. distance of approximately six kilometers from Makran coast, the The Iranian government has been implementing several renovate the transportation fleet,” Shahram Adamnejad early phase of this project will go operational.” programs, including the renovation of the public transpor- for reducing the country’s fuel consumption and also for said in a gathering of the country’s professional transport As the country’s second major oil terminal, Jask terminal is tation fleet and increasing the number of dual-fuel cars, reducing air pollution in big cities. organizations. under construction by Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC) on 60 hectares of land and with nearly €260 million of investment. Industry ministry to implement new program to promote investment ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iranian ductive investments based on competitive tified and selected to implement important deskIndustry, Mining, and advantages and completing the value chain projects; 39 of these companies are active in Trade Ministry is going to implement a new in various industries,” Zarandi said. the petrochemical and chemical sectors, 21 program dubbed “Resilient Economy with Considering the technical, financial, and companies are in the non-metallic sector, Top Enterprises” for promoting investment effective executive records of large and suc- 20 companies in the mining sector and 20 in the country’s industrial sectors, Deputy cessful companies in the field of production companies are active in the manufacturing Industry Minister Saeed Zarandi said. and export, their role in the realization of of machinery,” Zarandi explained. According to Zarandi, the Industry Minis- this goal is of special importance, he added. The official noted that for each one of the try has been identifying pioneering industries According to the official, every year, the mentioned companies, a certain project has and promoting the establishment of public country’s top companies are ranked according been defined and a memorandum of under- joint-stock companies over the past two years to their performance in the fields of production standing (MOU) will be signed with them to for guiding public capitals towards such in- and export, job creation, and value-added, determine their obligations regarding the dustries, as the first stage of the mentioned and 100 main companies of the current year fulfillment of their investments. program. IRIB reported. have already been identified. The first of the mentioned MOUs is going According to Maleki, this SPM system and its accessories, In the second stage, the ministry is en- “We believe that the country’s economic “This ranking is done among the country’s to be signed between the Industry Ministry including floating and submersible hoses, weigh nearly 800 tons couraging the country’s top enterprises to development, in line with the policies of the industrial, trade, and mining companies, and five investors this week, according to and are installed and fixed to the seafloor at a depth of 48 meters. participate in the country’s investment arena, resilient economy, requires increasing pro- and finally the top 100 companies are iden- the official. Meanwhile, as announced by Maleki on February 20, the con- struction of the second 36-inch offshore oil pipeline of the Jask terminal, which will be connected to the SPM, had been completed. According to Maleki, the construction of the mentioned pipeline was started immediately after the completion of the Tehran, Islamabad moving towards expansion of trade first pipeline in late January and the project was completed on ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Minister of coronavirus over the past year, the official said: “We consider Friday on schedule. deskFinance and Economic Affairs Hassan these conditions as an opportunity for Iran and Pakistan According to the official, the capacity of this SPM system is Abqari has said that Iran and Pakistan are working to- to improve their previous level of trade relations; we are 7,000 cubic meters per hour (equivalent to one million barrels gether to remove the obstacles in the way of expanding determined to move forward to resolve some issues related per day). mutual trade. to financial and banking exchange.” As the country’s second major oil terminal, Jask terminal is “Ways to address exchange and banking problems In the meeting with Abdul Hafiz Sheikh, the two sides under construction by POGC on 60 hectares of land and with have been identified and pursued by the two countries’ had also discussed the issues related to the impact of COV- nearly €260 million of investment. governments,” Abqari who is also the Head of the Islamic ID-19 pandemic on the two countries’ trade. In line with the development of the mentioned oil terminal, Republic of Iran Foreign Investment Company (IFIC) told During the discussions, Sheikh informed Iran’s Depu- a pipeline project, dubbed the Goreh-Jask oil transfer project, is IRNA on Saturday. ty Economy Minister about his country’s comprehensive also underway which is going to provide Iran with an alternative Abqari, who traveled to Islamabad on Friday to meet economic reform program that is aimed at achieving sus- route for the country’s crude oil exports that are currently carried with Pakistani officials and discuss economic relations, tainable economic development. out through the Strait of Hormuz. pointed to the positive measures taken by the Pakistani Considering Pakistan’s relatively large consumer market, According to the deputy director of the project in Petroleum government, saying: “Fortunately, relations between the expansion of trade with the country and boosting exports to Engineering and Development Company (PEDEC) the progress two countries are at a very good level under the govern- its market has become one of Iran’s priorities in recent years. of the first phase of the strategic Goreh-Jask oil pipeline project ment of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, and we According to Abqari the major focus of the governments Iran’s exports to Pakistan in the past Iranian calendar has also surpassed 70 percent. are hopeful about the outcomes of these mutual efforts.” of Iran and Pakistan is the expansion of trade, especially year (ended on March 19) stood at $1.18 billion, but in the Ali Jafarzadeh said that such progress promises that the pro- The official noted that Iran and Pakistan have a joint ven- in border areas. meantime, financial and banking problems have still created ject will be completed by the end of the current Iranian calendar ture company, 50 percent of which is owned by the Iranian He noted that this issue was addressed in a meeting with obstacles in the way of trade relations with this country. year (March 20). government and the other 50 percent by the Pakistani side. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh, Minister of Finance and Revenues of Earlier this month, the two sides have held an online Despite the tough condition created by the sanctions and also “The company is in a good condition and the works Pakistan in Islamabad on Friday. meeting to discuss issues related to developing border trade coronavirus outbreak, this strategic project will be completed at pertaining to the financial and credit institutions of the two Referring to the new conditions facing trade and eco- and reached an agreement to establish the two countries’ the scheduled time, he underscored. sides are conducted through this joint venture” he added. nomic relations of countries due to the outbreak of the first joint border market. Jafarzadeh announced the supply of more than 96 percent of the parts and equipment of this project from domestic sources and said: “This is an all-Iranian project and a high percentage of items required for this national project is supplied by the do- mestic companies.” Export from Bushehr ports rises 11% Back in December 2020, the managing director of PEDEC had ECONOMY TEHRAN — As an- of the current government’s incumbency U.S. sanctions we tried to rely on domestic announced that the implementation of Goreh-Jask project by desknounced by transport (early August). capacities and managed to keep the ports domestic contractors has saved the country over €500 million. and urban development minister, exports Mohammad Rastad put the current active and the country’s imports and ex- Touraj Dehqani said that the implementation of the project from the ports of Bushehr province, in loading and unloading capacity of the ports afloat.” so far has created direct jobs for 8,000 people while providing the southwest of Iran, has increased 11 country’s ports at 250 million tons. The capacity, infrastructure, and equip- indirect job opportunities for over 15,000 people as well. percent during the first 11 months of the “We have signed 300 contracts with the ment of the ports have made it possible Dehqani stated that the first phase of this project with a capacity current Iranian calendar year (March private sector for conducting development for them to be able to load and unload to transfer over 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day will be ready 20, 2020 – February 18, 2021), as com- projects including the construction of struc- goods in accordance with international different types of ships and vessels to be able for operation by the end of the current Iranian calendar year. pared with the corresponding period in tures, equipment, and even infrastructure standards, he stressed. to dock and load or unload their cargoes. So far, more than 780 kilometers (km) of pipes have been the past year. in ports,” Rastad said. “For all kinds of goods and all types of “Today, we have no problems regarding delivered to the site and more than 400 km of piping has been Mohammad Eslami made the remarks According to the official the private vessels, including light to heavy goods and the loading and unloading of basic goods, carried out, the official said at the time. when praising the good performance of the sector has currently invested over 160 also super-sized commodities and vessels, bulk goods, and containers in the country’s According to the plan, the entire pipeline, which is about country’s ports despite the sanctions limi- trillion rials (about $3.8 billion) in the there are berths and special terminals in ports, and the commodity owners are not 1,000 kilometers, will be installed, tested, and operational by tations and also the coronavirus pandemic. country’s ports. the country that can provide the necessary obliged to pay demurrage charges (dam- the yearend, he added. As announced last month by the head of Mentioning the restrictions created by services,” Rastad added. ages for delayed unloading and loading) Goreh-Jask project, which is aimed at expanding the oil transport Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO), the U.S. sanctions in the country’s ports The official put the total length of the to ships because of port operations, and capacity in the south of the country to one million barrels a day, the capacity of Iranian ports is expected and maritime activities, the official said: Iranian port wharves at 39 kilometers, this shows how standard the Iranian ports was inaugurated in late June 2020 by President Hassan Rouhani. to increase to 280 million tons by the end “In all areas which were affected by the saying that this has made it possible for are,” the PMO head added. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 14, 2021 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5

“Greater Kurdistan” an impossible U.S. “ceasefire plan” meant to prolong Yemen’s descent into turmoil: Ansarullah dream: KRG representative 1 He said there is no real change towards ending the Saudi war and lifting the siege, stressing that such 1 Indeed, the stamp design was pro�- four regional countries: Iraq, Iran, Turkey matters lie in the hands of the other side. posed by a number of Christian artists to the and Syria. Each of these countries has its “They want us to respond through dialogue to what they KRG Ministry of Communications; however, own distinct characteristics. have not achieved by means of war and siege. Everyone must it did not meet endorsement by the KRG. Today, we face delicate circumstances realize such a fact,” the senior Ansarullah official added. KRG spokesman Jotyar Adel told report- where we need to solve our problems and Abdul-Salam also rejected as “a big lie” the U.S. envoy’s ers that Iraq’s Kurdish region adheres to the ensure the Kurds’ rights and security with- allegations that humanitarian aid deliveries have not been Iraqi constitution and geographical unity. in the framework of the constitution of the distributed among the needy Yemenis, stating that the Therefore, this is an arbitrary act by some country in which they live. The Kurds are coalition of aggression illegally impounds Yemen-bound who have no connection with the Kurdish the partner of the Iraqi state and brothers of oil vessels irrespective of the fact they all have acquired officials and is not approved by the KRG, their Shia, Sunni and Arab fellows. international permits beforehand. especially given the geographical and political Which sides would benefit from “We have accepted all conditions proposed by other conditions of the Kurdistan region of Iraq. conflicts between the Kurdistan region parties to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance. What do you think of the main and the regional states, especially the Having found no excuse to continue the blockade, they are reasons and consequences of such central Iraqi government? alleging aid deliveries have not reached those in need,” the an action? Those who seek to destabilize the region Ansarullah spokesman said. We saw the consequences and reactions, are the most beneficiary side of these tensions. Houthi: Trust in U.S. comes from actions, not both from the Turkish government and its By magnifying the problems or tension words parties as well as Iran. between the Kurds with Iran and Turkey and A member of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council said The Turkish government condemned this even with Iraq’s central government, these Ansarullah is ready to return to the negotiating table with action and the spokesman for Iran’s Foreign On the one hand, I think that in the cur- feel that they are partners in the Iraqi state. parties want to fish in troubled water. a serious goal of ending the conflict, but it must first see Ministry expressed Tehran’s position objecting rent situation, we should be more careful The alleged map of “Greater Kurdis- Understanding the current situation, the concrete steps from the administration of U.S. President to the Iraqi government. and just pursue the rights and aspirations tan” includes parts of Iran, Turkey and Kurdish leaders and people must not allow Joe Biden. Both countries (Iran and Turkey) expressed of the Kurdish people within the framework Syria. What will be the repercussions enemies of security and stability in the re- “Trust must be achieved through decision-making. So objection to the Iraqi government over the of the Iraqi constitution. of such an idea on the KRG’s ties with gion to take advantage of the differences and far, we have not seen any concrete decisions being made,” stamp, and these objections are reminiscent On the one hand, we must admit that its neighbors, especially as this idea cause turmoil and concern about the Kurds. he added. of what happened when the KRG held a ref- there is no chance to alleviate the problems is facing serious opposition from the The Kurds are distributed in four countries He noted that President Biden was a member of former erendum on seceding from Iraq. without the approval and support of neigh- central Iraqi government? of the region, so these countries’ security U.S. president Barack Obama’s administration, which de- The Turkish government and parties boring countries and cooperation with the The map of “Greater Kurdistan” may be the and stability. clared at the time that Washington was joining the Saudi-led denounced this move, and spokesman for Iraqi government. desire of some Kurdish parties, but putting We should avoid any interference in the coalition against Yemen. Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Saeed Khatibzadeh, On the other hand, the Iraqi government it into practice and unification of all Kurds is regional countries’ internal affairs, as the “They also gave the green light to the coalition to continue explained Tehran’s stance regarding the con- must abide by the constitution to satisfy the impossible and is more like a dream because territorial integrity and prosperity of these massacre in our country and agreed to it,” Houthi added. troversial stamps. demands of Kurds, then the Kurdish people the geography of Kurdistan is divided into countries are important to the KRG. “Washington must drop Saudi conditions” Abdul-Malik al-Ajri, a member of Ansarullah’s political bureau, said on Friday that his movement views the U.S. ceasefire proposal in favor of Saudi Arabia, and would The U.S. system could very well collapse if reforms are not instituted immediately not accept it. “The U.S. special envoy on Yemen [Tim] Lenderking By Abayomi Azikiwe predecessor of the AU. It will be important for progressive has presented proposals to end the war and has called on elements within the international community to continue Ansarullah to respond,” Ajri wrote in a post published on The U.S. has been experiencing various social developments their condemnation of U.S. foreign policy related to race his Twitter page. in recent years. There were several factors which have led to relations and Washington’s dealing with developing coun- “The truth is what he has offered is the same as Saudi the existing social crisis in the U.S. The failure of the capitalist tries, particularly those holding anti-imperialist sentiments. Arabia’s conditions for a ceasefire. Linderking should system to provide adequate jobs, incomes and amenities to I think the established political structure in the U.S. know in case such suggestions were acceptable, we would tens of millions of people while the ruling class is becoming is not able to cope up with these challenges and solve the have directly received them from Saudi Arabia. There wealthier, inherently weakened national institutions. When social problems. The system needs a complete overhaul. was then no need for the U.S. envoy to repeat Saudis’ the pandemic hit during 2020, the economic impact was The profit motive in economics cannot be maintained if the narrative.” catastrophic. Then rather than adequately addressing the aim of the government is to seek stability. The longer the Lenderking: Ansarullah’s ability is undeniable fact problems, the Trump administration sought to ignore the capitalist and imperialist system is in operation the world The top U.S. diplomat for Yemen on Friday touched on increasing impoverishment and uncertainty, which fuelled will know no peace. the role of Ansarullah and said its ability is a straightfor- anger and righteous discontent. The U.S. system could very well collapse if reforms are ward fact. The mass demonstrations and rebellions across the country not instituted immediately. Even with substantial reforms, Lenderking said during a webinar with the Atlantic beginning in May 2020, further exposed the contradictions there are structural weaknesses and contradictions which Abayomi Azikiwe is the editor of the Pan-African News Council think tank that the movement is a “significant between the foreign policy rhetoric of the U.S. as being a will not go away if a new system is not brought into existence. Wire. Azikiwe is a graduate of Wayne State University in player” in Yemen and it needs to be acknowledged. leader in international human rights, where in reality the However, even if the American system is in decline, it could Detroit. He has worked for several decades in solidarity with “I don’t think you can operate by denying that reality,” police and vigilante killings of African American and Latin continue to function for many years to come causing havoc various liberation movements and progressive governments he said, claiming that the U.S. “never said the Houthis American peoples suggest just the opposite. It was amaz- domestically and internationally. For example, ancient Rome in Africa, the Caribbean and other geo-political regions. have no role in Yemen.” ing to witness the United Nations Human Rights Council took several centuries to be completely stripped of its power. Lenderking, who recently returned from a three-week holding hearings on racist violence in the U.S. This event Even with the collapse becoming inevitable, it did not pre- 1940s to eliminate its strength as an imperialist power. A trip to the region, added that Washington is looking for was held at the aegis of the African Union (AU) utilizing a vent the invasion of the Horn of Africa during the late 19th similar historical trajectory could occur in relationship to the Ansarullah’s response to its peace plan. resolution submitted by Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik Shabazz) century and North Africa in the early 20th century. Fascism the U.S. if the people domestically and internationally are “I will return immediately when the Houthis are pre- and adopted during his intervention at the July 1964 second arose out of the desire of Mussolini to rebuild Rome as an capable of eliminating imperialism as a continuing threat pared to talk,” Lenderking noted. summit of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the imperialist state. It would take the defeat of Fascism in the to humanity. Five Chinese companies Ex-Advisor to Saudi Finance Ministry: U.S. to help bin Nayef, bin Abdulaziz to oust MBS pose threat to U.S. national

By Zahra Mirzafarjouyan his agenda in West Asia. The decisionmakers in the sanctioned country Arabia, from one side he asks Saudi Ara- security: FCC Last week, the U.S. imposed visa restric- may even benefit through smuggling and other bia to stop the war against the Yemeni TEHRAN — Hossein Askari, Professor of tions on 76 Saudis who are believed to have questionable activities. But the premise of people but from the other side, Biden The U.S. has declared more restrictions on five Chinese Business and International Affairs at GWU been engaged in threatening dissidents sanctions is precisely that by causing pain on reaffirms its commitment to defend companies, including the Huawei tech giant, amid Wash- believes that rather than imposing serious overseas, including but not limited to the the average person, the government will be the country. He also releases a report ington’s war on Chinese telecommunication firms, over sanctions on Saudi Arabia, the U.S. will in- Khashoggi killing. But Saudi Crown Prince forced to change its policies. The best sanction on Saudi rulers’ role in slaughtering national threat allegations. stead help and support bin Nayef and bin Mohammed bin Salman has not been directly is the well-targeted sanction that directly Khashoggi but from the other side, Bid- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) an- Abdulaziz to oust MBS. targeted by Washington, despite an intelli- affects the decisionmakers. But such sanctions en doesn’t take any serious measures nounced that the companies including Huawei “have been It has been almost two months since the gence report finding that he approved an are tough to find. In the end, I believe that to punish the ones having hand in the found to pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security.” inauguration of the U.S. government, but operation to capture or kill journalist Jamal sanctions have a big blowback. The country murder. How do you assess the U.S. “This list provides meaningful guidance that will en- U.S. President Joe Biden has not yet fulfilled Khashoggi in 2018. that sends sanctions, in this case, the United new administration’s policy towards sure that as next-generation networks are built across the one of his most important election promis- To know more about these issues, we States, will spawn a lot of enemies for itself. Riyadh? Is there any difference between country, they do not repeat the mistakes of the past or es - to return to the Joint Comprehensive reached out to Professor Hossein Askari, Innocent people who suffer and who even Biden’s policy and Trump’s? It seems use equipment or services that will pose a threat to U.S. Plan of Action (JCPOA), known commonly Economist, Emeritus Professor of Business lose loved ones as a result of sanctions will that both Biden and Trump have been national security or the security and safety of Americans,” as the Iran nuclear deal and lift sanctions on and International Affairs at George Wash- remember as in the case of an unjust war. using Yemen and the Khashoggi cases said acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Iran. But on the other hand, he set a series of ington University. Following is the text of Interestingly, the United States used to as a tool to get more economic advan- Last year, the FCC designated Huawei and ZTE Corp as preconditions despite the fact the previous the interview with him: attack the Arab embargo of Israel. Saying tages. What do you think of this? “a national security threat to communications networks.” U.S. administration has left the deal, not Richard Nephew is known as the it was illegal and against international law. I believe that Biden genuinely detests The declaration barred U.S. firms from tapping an Iran. Biden said that the United States will architects of U.S. sanctions against Now the U.S. imposes more sanctions than the Saudi regime and especially MBS. But $8.3 billion government fund to purchase equipment not lift sanctions against Iran as a means to Iran. Some in Iran believe that he has all other countries in the world combined. please remember that on the one hand, in- from the companies. resuming negotiations, and Tehran needs to joined Biden’s administration because What hypocrisy! fluential Americans have personal contracts In August 2020, the U.S. government issued regulations stop its uranium enrichment activities first. the administration intends to tough- Biden had promised to return to (lobbyists) with the Saudi government and barring agencies from buying goods or services from any Meanwhile, Biden selected some officials en sanction against Iran which will be JCPOA before taking office. But after he directly with the al-Sauds. Also, there are of the five Chinese companies. with experience in Iran issues to implement contrary to President Biden’s previous took office, he set a series of precondi- American corporate interests in Saudi Ara- And in 2019, Washington placed Huawei, Hikvision his strategy for Iran, and the last person he promises. On the other hand, some tions despite the fact that the one who bia. On the other hand, Iran is vilified by and other companies on its economic blacklist. chose was Richard Nephew, who is named as believe his return to the U.S. adminis- left the deal was the U.S., not Iran. How Israel, the Jewish lobby and the American Former U.S. President Donald Trump has blacklisted the “architect of the oppressive sanctions”. tration means the sanctions are going do you assess these contradictory acts? media. Again, I must emphasize that Iran Huawei to block the company from getting any U.S. tel- From May 2011 to January 2013, Nephew to be softer. What do you think of this? Well before he was running to be President does not help its own cause across the world ecom equipment contracts and prevent the transfer of served as the director for Iran at the National The real architect of U.S. sanctions on Iran and the JCPOA was the Obama Administra- and especially in the United States with its American technology to the Chinese firm. Security Council, where he oversaw the expan- was Stuart Levy, the former Undersecretary tion’s, of which he was the Vice President, rhetoric and actions. His administration accused Huawei of providing Beijing sion of U.S. sanctions on Iran before the nuclear of the U.S. Treasury for Terrorism and Fi- signature foreign policy success. So, he So, while I don’t agree with Biden I see with a way to spy on communications from the countries deal in 2015. Some believe that his appointment nancial Intelligence. He was the person who wanted to restore this policy’s success. But where he is coming from. He needs Congres- that use its products and services. as deputy to Robert Malley, who was criticized saw how financial sanctions were the most in the meantime, Trump and his Israeli allies sional support for his agenda and being soft The Chinese tech firm, however, said that the restrictions for being too soft on Iran, attempts to strike a effective weapon. Before him, sanctions were demonized Iran—its missile program and on Iran will not help him in the U.S. Congress. are “part of an attempt to irrevocably damage Huawei’s balance on the State Department team. not effective. Levy developed the framework support of its allies in the region. Let me also But I would agree that the U.S. and special reputation and its business for reasons related to com- Nephew’s experiences about Iran have for policymakers. I don’t think that Nephew add that Iran has not helped its cause, such interest groups, that is companies and lobby- petition rather than law enforcement.” led to differing views about his presence on added anything to what Levy and his team as violent verbal threats against Israel that ists, are and will use these two cases to extract The company called the racketeering accusation “a Biden’s team and the impact he could have on developed. His appointment has nothing to don’t help Iran’s international image. And more money out of MBS and Saudi Arabia. contrived repackaging of a handful of civil allegations advancing the White House’s policies toward do with how tough or easy sanctions will be Iran has not managed its economy well. So, Let me add a footnote. At the time when that are almost 20 years old.” Iran. The views are that Nephew has both the under Biden. Nephew just has some under- it was obvious to any thinking person that MBS arrested Mohammad bin Nayef, I said The latest development on Washington’s war on Chinese ability to increase and decrease sanctions; standing of the history of sanctions on Iran Biden would step back and demand many of that MBS will in time be overthrown because companies comes as the administration of President Joe Because he himself was involved in designing that will be useful to the Biden Administration the same things that Trump had initiated. It he has broken the cardinal rule of King Ab- Biden is reinforcing a hard line on exports to Huawei. the sanctions against Iran. as it moves ahead. is now a poker game. And I advise Iran to play dulaziz—that is to follow seniority in family In a 24-page national security document, his adminis- Regarding Biden policies toward Riyadh, As everybody knows sanctions mostly its hand carefully. Don’t fall into the same trap rule and not plotting against one another. I tration described China as “the only competitor potentially some experts believe that the U.S. President is harm people rather than governments as before. Namely giving up a great deal on its said at the time that some members of the capable of combining its economic, diplomatic, military, caught between “two opposing forces” when it and decision-makers. From your point nuclear program that was not immediately al-Sauds would overthrow MBS with the help and technological power to mount a sustained challenge comes to Saudi Arabia. During his presiden- of view is resorting to sanctions as a recoverable while getting sanctions relief that of the United States. Today, I believe that to a stable and open international system.” tial campaign, Biden said the White House tool for achieving political goals that could be immediately re-imposed. It was not this will happen under Biden’s presidency. In the face of “challenges from China and Russia,” the would make Riyadh the “pariah that they hurt severely usual people is moral? a symmetrical deal. Iranian negotiators have Rather than imposing serious sanctions on document said, the U.S. military would shift its emphasis are” and hold the kingdom accountable on A: I agree totally that sanctions invariably some good cards now that they should not Saudi Arabia, the U.S. will instead help and away from “unneeded legacy platforms and weapons sys- human rights issues. However, Biden now cause more harm to the average citizen and throw away for little relief. support Muhammad bin Nayef and Ahmed tems to free up resources for investments” in cutting-edge sees that Riyadh’s support is important for especially the poorest members of society. Regarding Biden’s policy towards Saudi bin Abdulaziz to oust MBS. Wait and see! technologies. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM MARCH 14, 2021

Campaign launched to Iranian, French experts to discuss promote handicrafts as Noruz gifts 1 With 14 entries, Iran ranks first globally for ways to expand cultural heritage ties the number of cities and villages registered by the World Crafts Council, as China with seven entries, Chile with TOURISM TEHRAN – Panels tion of objects handcrafted by Qajar-era four, and India with three ones come next. In late January, deskof Iranian and French (1785-1925) talented Iranian court from the cities of Shiraz, Malayer, and Zanjan and the village scholars are scheduled to discuss ways March to July of the same year. of Qassemabad were designated by the WCC- Asia Pacific to strengthen cultural heritage ties in an Iran is home to one of the world’s Region, putting Iran’s number of world crafts cities and online seminar, Mehr reported on Saturday. oldest continuous major civilizations, villages from ten to 14. Organized by Franco-Iranian Center embracing settlements dating back to in close collaboration with the Louvre 4000 BC. The name of Iran, formerly Museum the webinar will be held on known as Persia, mostly conjures up the March 18, the report added. first Persian Empire, ruled by the Achae- Iranian scholars Ruhollah Shirazi and menids (550 – 330 BC) and sites such Arezou Rasouli as well as the Director as Pasargadae and Persepolis. However, of Islamic Arts at the Louvre Yannick there are tens of prehistorical sites as Lintz, Director of Louvre Oriental An- the Burnt City in Sistan-Baluchestan, tiquities Department Ariane Thomas, Tepe Sialk in Kashan, Susa and Chogha and several French scholars and arche- Zanbil in the Khuzestan province, and ologists including Rocco Rante, Julien Ecbatana in Hamedan which predate the Cuni, Jean-Claude Voisin, and Sebastien Achaemenid period. Gondet are scheduled to give speeches From a wider point of view, Iranian during the session. history can be divided into Pre-Islamic In 2018, Louvre lent art to Tehran and Islamic eras. The Medes unified Iran Museugoers visit Persian collections at Louvre for an ‘unprecedented’ show, which was as a nation and empire in 625 BC. The held at the National Museum of Iran. works including 2,400-year-old Egyptian Greek, Egyptian and Mesopotamian cul- Islamic conquest of Persia (633–656) The show was the first large-scale exhi- sphinx, a bust of Roman emperor Marcus ture, as well as objects from ancient Iran. that put an end to the mighty Sassanid bition by a major Western museum in Aurelius and drawings by Rembrandt and In parallel with the Tehran exhibition, Empire (224–651) was a turning point Iran exported $523 million worth of handicrafts during the country, putting on show some 50 Delacroix, and other artifacts linked to the Louvre-Lens presented a vast collec- in the history of the nation. the past calendar year 1398 (ended March 19, 2020). Of the figure, some $273 million worth of handicrafts were exported officially through customs, and about $250 million was earned via suitcase trade (allowed for customs-free and New plan to save site of the first millennium BC tax-free transfer) through various provinces, according to data provided by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism TOURISM TEHRAN – A demarcation project has date back to the 1st millennium BC, however, there are rem- and Handicrafts. Ceramics, pottery vessels, handwoven deskbeen commenced on the ancient hill of nants of artifacts from the Middle Ages to the Islamic eras. cloths as well as personal ornamentations with precious Qaleh Bolandeh, which its antiquity is estimated to date Over 340 historical sites and monuments have been and semi-precious gemstones are traditionally exported back to the first millennium BC. The site is situated in the identified across Malayer, of which about 200 properties to Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, the U.S., the UK, and other small village of Aznav near Malayer. have been inscribed on the National Heritage list. countries. The project aims at preventing further destruction The ancient city is named a global hub for woodcarving and damage to the site as well as eliminating threats of and carved-wood furniture by the World Crafts Council - land-grabbing, illegal construction, or unauthorized ex- Asia Pacific Region (WCC-APR). Discover bizarre place of cavations, according to Malayer’s tourism chief. Malayer is home to over 4,000 furniture workshops in However, there are some residential buildings around which more than 8,000 wood masters and some 25,000 worship in northwest Iran the historical site, which need to be taken into account, crafters are engaged. Ebrahim Jalili announced on Saturday. Although the art had been practiced in Malayer for a HERITAGE TEHRAN – The creation of rock ar- Archeological excavations and surveys are scheduled long time ago, it is about a half-century that it has gained desk chitecture across the Iranian plateau is to be conducted on the ancient hill after the completion prosperity in the region. influenced by the religious, geographical, and political of the demarcation project, the official added. Currently, more than 60 percent of the furniture and Known in classical times as Ecbatana, Hamedan was atmosphere of their time. The ancient hill of Qaleh Bolandeh is planned to be woodcarving products in Iran are reportedly produced in one of the ancient world’s greatest cities. Pitifully little Ghadamgah, which is the main focus of this article, is inscribed on the National Heritage list in near future, he Malayer and they are sent to various Iranian cities or being remains from antiquity, but significant parts of the city a millennia-old subterranean temple that was repurposed explained. exported to Central Asian countries, Persian Gulf littoral center are given over to excavations, and there’s a scattering to be a mosque. The temple is said to be a place of worship Located in Hamedan province, the hill is estimated to states, Turkey, and Iraq amongst some others. of historical curiosities. where the ancient Mithraism rituals were observed before the advent of Islam. The place of worship, which sometimes is referred to as a cave, is situated at the upstream of Ghadamgah’s graveyard, near Badamyar village, from the environs of Volunteers prepare UNESCO-registered Soltaniyeh, surroundings for Noruz Azarshahr in the northwestern West Azarbaijan province. TOURISM TEHRAN – The UNE- protecting historical monuments, Amir as Muhammad Khodabandeh, who was It is located some 200 meters from a historical cemetery deskSCO-tagged Soltaniyeh Arjmand announced on Saturday. the eighth Ilkhanid dynasty ruler from of the same name. Dome and its surroundings in northwestern Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, 1304 to 1316. Apart from being called a temple, mosque, or a cave, Zanjan province have been cleaned by some the cleaning project wasn’t undertaken last According to UNESCO, the mausoleum’s the dwelling is of high importance in terms of architec- locals and history buffs in preparation for year, but this year in collaboration with interior decoration is so outstanding that ture as well as cultural and anthropological values. It the Iranian New Year, which begins on NGOs, the project was conducted under scholars like A.U. Pope have described the was recorded in a list of the country’s natural cultural March 21. strict health protocols to strengthen social building as “anticipating the Taj Mahal”. heritage with register number 779 in the Iranian calendar It is a cultural and symbolic movement vitality and hope, the official added. The UN cultural body has it that the year 1347 (1968). that has taken place in historical sites across Dominating the skyline, the 14th-centu- Mausoleum of Oljaytu is an essential link the country since 2016 to welcome Noruz, ry Gonbad-e (“The Dome of”) Soltaniyeh, and key monument in the development of the provincial tourism chief has said. is highly recognized as an architectural Islamic architecture in central and western The project’s objective is to create culture masterpiece particularly due to its inno- Asia. The fairly large dome is the earliest and to encourage members of local commu- vative double-shelled dome and elaborate extant example of its type in the country nities, non-governmental organizations, interior decoration. The monument is, in and became an important reference for the and citizens to take part in preserving and fact, the mausoleum of Oljaitu, also known later development of the Islamic dome.

Sassanid monuments restored in southwestern Iran TOURISM TEHRAN – A restoration project has located to the project which aimed at strengthening deskrecently been completed on some of the and repairing the shrine, as a part of the historical historical monuments inside the ancient city of Belad texture of the city. Shapur in the southwestern province of Kohgiluyeh Inscribed on the National Heritage list in 1985, the and Boyer-Ahmad. ancient city of Belad Shapur is one of the top tourist A budget of 20 billion rials ($476,000 at the of- sites of the province. The city was built at the time of ficial exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) was Shapur I, also known as Shapur the Great, (reigned Currently named Azarshahr Mosque, by many locals, allocated to the project, the provincial tourism chief 241 CE–272), the second king of the Sassanid Dynasty. the structure is a travel destination as well, attracting has announced. Despite all the destruction that took place in this thousands of visitors to the region per annum. The restoration project aimed to revive and preserve historical city in different eras, with an area of more According to the sanctity of mountains and rocks in the ancient city while enhancing its tourism infra- than 45 hectares, it is currently considered as one of the ancient religions, especially in Mithraism, valuable structure, Majid Safai said on Saturday. the largest historical structures in the country in terms temples and places of worship have emerged in the moun- Restoring Baft Caravanserai and repairing Mork of size and number of historical buildings. tains. Their obvious characteristic is circular dome-shaped Mosque were part of the project, along with purchasing Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province is known spaces; simplicity, the arrangement of spaces, and the several buildings inside the ancient city to be added to for its nomads and nomadic life. Sightseers may live way of creating light that corresponds with the tradition the city’s historical texture, the official added. with a nomadic or rural family for a while or enjoy an of Mithraism in Iran. Back in December, a new round of restoration work independent stay and assist them with day-to-day life. Mehr Temple in Maragheh, Dashkasan in Zanjan, and was commenced on the Safavid-era (1501–1736) holy Shapur, which is also called Dehdasht. It also opens up an opportunity to feel rustic routines, Ghadamgah Temple in Azarshahr are the rock temples shrine of Imamzadeh Jaber in the ancient city of Belad A budget of 400 million rials ($9,500) was al- their agriculture, traditions, arts, and culture. in the northwest of Iran that signs and symbols on them indicate the performance of Mithraism duties in these temples. The outside perspective of the Ghadamgah temple is very modest and at the first glance may not even attract D-8 conferences discuss impact of coronavirus on member states the attention of passersby. This perspective is a small TOURISM TEHRAN – Member a loss of some 220 trillion rials (about there is hope that the beginning of mass opening beneath a rock shelter. deskstates of the D-8 Organ- $5.2 billion at the official exchange rate vaccination against the coronavirus will The main area of Ghadamgah is one of the coolest and ization for Economic Cooperation, also of 42,000 rials per dollar) since the out- provide better conditions for tourism most attractive spaces that can be thought about in an known as Developing-8, on Wednesday break of the coronavirus pandemic, Cul- and businesses related to this sector, he ancient edifice. This space that is drilled in the cave is discussed the impact of coronavirus on the tural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts explained. a cone with a base diameter of 15 to 15.70 meters. Cone tourism sector as well as ways to rebound. Minister said in late Feburary. “Iran’s Last November, the Islamic Repiblic an- height is 12.30 meters and the diameter of the light well Furthermore, the participants also tourism has suffered some 220 trillion nounced it would consider abolishing visa is 105 cm. The walls have been cut regularly from the discussed several issues regarding the rials due to corona pandemic so far…. rules for passport holders from the group bottom to the top of the cone. global impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and we hope that with the production of of D-8 countries. D-8 citizens will not need The main area of the Qadamgah Temple is one of the in West Asia and outside of the region, in domestic vaccines, tourism will flourish visas for trade or medical purposes, Iran’s coolest and most attractive spaces that can be thought line with the rapid changes in the political, in 1400 [the new Iranian calendar year deputy tourism minister Vali Teymouri about as an ancient edifice. This space that is drilled in the economic, educational, and social spheres. which begins on March 21],” Ali-Asghar said. The official, however, did not provide cave is a cone with a base diameter of 15 to 15.70 meters. The event also witnessed research papers Mounesan said. more detail on further proceedings, while Cone height is 12.30 meters and the diameter of the light and articles from the universities of the “Over 1.5 million jobs have been lost in he was addressing an online conference Heads of State/Government on June 15, well is 105 cm. The walls have been cut regularly from the D-8 Member States such as Indonesia, the tourism sector of Iran due to the COV- attended by the member states. 1997. The objectives of the D-8 Organi- bottom to the top of the cone. Iran, Malaysia, Turkey. ID-19 disease…. Many of the tourism-in- D-8, also known as Developing-8, is an zation for Economic Cooperation are to Such structures are mostly formed by dominated empires The Third Meeting of the Senior Offi- siders are now unemployed or they are organization for development cooperation improve member states’ position in the of the time. Sometimes a place of worship has continued cials on Tourism Cooperation was host- staying at home,” Mounesan announced last among the following countries: Bangladesh, global economy, diversify and create new to be served in later periods but it has been changed in ed virtually by the Federal Ministry of December. Despite the toughest economic Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, opportunities in trade relations, enhance its functions. Experts say one of the reasons that have Information and Culture of Nigeria on pressures and sanctions, the government Pakistan, and Turkey. The establishment participation in decision-making at the attracted man to mountain and rock cliffs in different March 9 and 10. has provided good support to all sectors of D-8 was announced officially through international level, and improve stand- schools was the religious traditions of the community. Iran’s tourism industry has suffered of tourism, the minister said. However, the Istanbul Declaration of Summit of ards of living. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 14, 2021 SOCIETY 7

UNDP praises Iran for National subway train developed despite sanctions

1 In the proposed plan, the cost of production was estimated at €20 million, while it cost €12 million, so that, it caused €8 refugee support million currency saving, he stated. It is scheduled to mass-produce the train after obtaining the SOCIETY TEHRAN – Iran has al- Afghan refugees and 28,268 Iraqi refugees, financial resources, he concluded. deskways been praised by the according to the UNHCR. During this ceremony, two more stations on Tehran Metro world for being committed to global policies One of the largest and most protracted Line 6 were also inaugurated. in providing financial assistance and support urban refugee populations in the world is Tehran metro line 6 covering 32 kilometers of the capital consists to vulnerable groups and refugees, Claudio living in Iran; about 97 percent of refugees of 30 stations, which are equipped with proper air conditioning Providas, United Nations Development Pro- live in urban and semi-urban areas, while systems, escalators, and fire extinguishing systems, and are also gram representative to Iran said. three percent are residing in 20 refugee re- accessible for physically challenged people. The line connects He made the remarks in a meeting with sorts run by the UNHCR’s main government southwestern Tehran to northwestern parts of the capital. the head of the Welfare Organization, Va- counterpart. Tehran subway system consists of five operational lines, stretch- hid Qobadi-Dana, in Tehran on Friday, Undocumented Afghans have access to ing to 170 kilometers, and lines 6 and 7 are under construction. IRNA reported. free primary health services and similarly The lines link south to north, east to west, and are gradually Given the Welfare Organization’s excellent free COVID-19 related testing, treatment, covering more neighborhoods. By completing the two aforemen- performance, we allocated about 26 percent and hospitalization, just like nationals. tioned lines 70 kilometers will be added to the current railways. of the total budget allocated to Iran by the In Iran, UNHCR is seeking $16.2 million UNDP since 2005, amounting to $21 million, for its COVID-19 emergency, while requires to this organization, Providas added. an additional $98.7 million to support Iran in Expressing appreciation to the Wel- maintaining and sustaining its commendable Covid probably emerged fare Organization for its services to the inclusive refugee policies, under the umbrella vulnerable groups, elderly and disabled, of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees. from wildlife trade, not a lab, he said that the efforts made in the fight Education, health for foreign na- against AIDS among vulnerable groups tionals say WHO experts are one of the important achievements of Organization has been able to make good A total of 1.4 trillion rials (nearly $35 Many of the refugees living in Iran are World Health Organisation (WHO) scientists say they the organization’s mobile clinics. use of this social capacity. million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) the second and third generation, according have found no evidence that Covid-19 leaked from a Chi- The UNDP, in collaboration with other Earlier in March, a memorandum of un- have been allocated in this regard, which to the UNHCR. nese laboratory, and instead it was probably caused by international partners based in Tehran, is derstanding signed between the Health In- increased by 20 percent compared to the There are 40,000 Afghan students in the the wildlife trade. working to help vulnerable social groups, surance Organization and the United Nations previous phase. country, according to the official report, 17,000 The four WHO experts who carried out a month-long including women heads of households and High Commissioner for Refugees, to cover Two million foreign nationals re- of them are graduated, while the unofficial investigation in China insisted there was nothing that proved needy families across the country, and is 120,000 vulnerable refugees with insurance. siding in Iran report is estimated at 26,000. the disease was deliberately developed. determined to improve the health system, With its implementation, the number of Deputy Interior Minister Javad Naserian Some 47,000 people were trained and And they called for the threat of pandemics to be treated provide medical equipment, and purchase refugees covered by social insurance ser- said last week that about one million doc- 10 percent of legal refugees were covered by with the same seriousness as terrorism after the 11 Sep- items from Iranian companies to support vices has increased by 20 percent in Iran, umented foreign nationals are residing in social insurance with the help of the UNHCR, tember 2001 attacks. domestic production. as 120,000 foreign nationals will be under Iran, and perhaps another one million are and other foreign nationals can pay for health The scientists said in a Chatham House briefing that He praised the role of the Welfare Or- the insurance coverage. illegally living in the country. insurance like Iranians. they found links between the live-animal market in Wuhan, ganization in supporting non-governmental This measure aims to provide medical At the end of 2018, Iran hosted close to one In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, un- where people first fell ill, and regions where bats had viruses. organizations and considering the expan- services in the form of a comprehensive million refugees, making it the sixth-largest documented Afghans have access to free Peter Daszak, a zoologist and president of EcoHealth sion of their activities, noting that the role basic package (outpatient, inpatient, and refugee host country in the world. The country primary health services and similarly free Alliance, which works to prevent pandemics, said: “There of NGOs in raising awareness, especially in temporary hospitalization) for one year to was also the eighth largest refugee-hosting COVID-19 related testing, treatment, and was a conduit from Wuhan to the provinces in South Chi- times of crisis, is important and the Welfare the foreign nationals. country in the world in 2019, hosting 951,142 hospitalization, just like nationals. na, where the closest relative viruses to [the coronavirus] are found in bats.” Free medical services for people aged over 65 considered an emergency, and the increase in hospital beds, “Currently, over 17,800 Health Houses are providing ser- the accommodation of specialist physicians in hospitals, and vices to 28 million villagers nationwide, with a workforce of deprived areas were among the important measures taken. 31,000, he highlighted, adding, 6,642 family physicians and With increasing access to healthcare, 11 million Irani- 5,852 rural midwives are working in 2,794 comprehensive ans who did not have any health insurance coverage were rural health care centers. covered by public insurance. Therefore, 98 percent of the country’s rural population Iran’s commitment to universal health coverage is covered by the PHC system,” he noted. The healthcare network in rural areas of the country is A similar system is providing primary care in urban and called Health House, which is under the supervision of a suburban areas by Health Posts with community-based rural comprehensive health center, Mohammad Hossein health care workers (called “Moragheb-e-Salamat”), each SOCIETY TEHRAN – Patients over the age of Nicknam, Immunologist in Tehran University of Medical of whom is tasked with offering services to about 2,500 desk65 can receive free inpatient services in Sciences said in June 2020. people, Nicknam explained. Dr Daszak said the wildlife trade was the most likely state-run hospitals across the country, IRIB news agency Each health center takes control over five Health Hous- “There is also an urban comprehensive health center explanation of how Covid-19 arrived in Wuhan. reported on Saturday. es,” Nicknam explained. which supervises three Health Posts, he noted, adding, some The WHO scientists and their Chinese counterparts The plan was launched on Saturday nationwide, and will “With the efforts of Behvarz (healthcare providers), pri- 5,343 health posts and 2,723 health centers are active across considered the most likely explanation was that the virus cover 46 million people, Farhad Khodaei, an official with mary care including, preventive care, health promotion, the country, with 24,000 healthcare practitioners. crossed into domesticated or farmed animals, he added. the Social Security Organization said. screening, and basic medical services for the predefined Pointing out that 93 percent of the urban residents are The world will find out “fairly soon, within the next few In May 2014, a healthcare reform plan, aiming at decreasing conditions, are provided to the rural residents with an ap- covered by the health networks in the country, he said years” what started the pandemic, he predicted. It typically the out-of-pocket expenses for the patients, promoting natural proximate population of 1,000 people. that 3,987 physicians and 1,2032 health care providers takes many years to pinpoint the animal reservoir of outbreaks. birth, and supporting underprivileged patients suffering While complicated cases or those with more severe (dentists, nurses, midwives, and health professionals The team are due to release a report next week on the from rare or incurable diseases, was launched in the country. symptoms are sent to the comprehensive health center, in the fields of environmental health, nutrition, mental initial conclusions of their mission to Wuhan. Increased access to medicine and treatment was among and emergency patients are referred to the provincial health, etc.) provide services to 54 million people,” he Marion Koopmans, head of viroscience at University the achievements of the plan. In the first, treatment was hospitals,” he said. also explained. Medical Centre Rotterdam, said they visited the three laboratories closest to the Huanan market in Wuhan, and scrutinised their protocols and research, among other issues. Disposable plastic face masks pose huge environmental risks, “We concluded that it’s extremely unlikely there was a lab incident,” she said. China has faced claims that the Wuhan Institute of Vi- with 3 million used a minute, researchers warn rology could be the suspected source of the Covid-19 virus. The huge demand for face masks in the year a growing environmental threat and are which is estimated to be 43 billion per month.” (smaller than 1 micrometer). Dr Daszak called for the threat of pandemics to be treated since the coronavirus pandemic has swept the urging action to prevent it from becoming But they said unlike plastic bottles, Last summer marine biologists warned that with the same seriousness as terrorism after the 9/11 attacks. globe has resulted in enormous production the next plastic problem. of which approximately 25 per cent are improper disposal of pandemic-related waste “We don’t put enough energy into forecasting pandemics of disposable masks, but it is now feared that Environmental toxicologist Elvis Genbo recycled, there is no official guidance on meant there could soon be “more masks than and working out where the next ones are going to come from undisposed of properly, they pose a major Xu from the University of Southern Denmark mask recycling, making them more likely jellyfish” in the Mediterranean Sea. and what it might be, whereas we do that with hurricanes threat to the natural world. and professor Zhiyong Jason Ren, an expert to be disposed of in inappropriate ways, French politician Eric Pauget, who rep- and typhoons and all the rest of it,” hesaid. Recent studies estimate around the world in civil and environmental engineering at the researchers said. resents the department of Alpes-Maritimes, He added: “After 9/11, we put in place a mechanism to humans are now using a mind-boggling 129 Princeton University, said: “Disposable If not disposed of for recycling, like other said: “The friable polypropylene nanoparticles track every single phone call into the US, and the minute billion face masks every month. Taking 31 masks are plastic products, that cannot be plastic waste, disposable masks can end up making up these masks which protect humans, there’s a rumour on the web or on these phone calls of an days in a month that is an average usage readily biodegraded but may fragment into in the environment, freshwater systems, risk lastingly affecting our ecosystems and attack, the network is disrupted prior to the attack. of 2.8 million masks a minute being used smaller plastic particles, namely micro- and and oceans, where weathering can generate their biodiversity.” “That’s the kind of change or shift in thinking we need across the planet. nanoplastics that widespread in ecosystems. a large number of micro-sized particles The scientists now warn that the composi- for pandemics, I believe.” Researchers now warn the huge volume “The enormous production of disposable (smaller than 5mm) in a matter of weeks tion of the masks means they breakdown into Dr Daszak said: “Let’s look at where wildlife are inter- of mask, with their plastic composition, pose masks is on a similar scale as plastic bottles, and further fragment into nanoplastics dangerous micro-sized particles very quickly. acting with livestock and people, and see what is out there and try and find out what threats could emerge in future.” ENGLISH IN USE LET’S LEARN PERSIAN LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION (Part 145) (Source: saadifoundation.ir)

فرسایش ساالنه ۲ میلیارد تن خاک در ایران billion tons of soil erodes 2 annually in Iran: expert کارشــناس محیــط زیســت و گیــاه شــناس گفــت: ســاالنه ۲ میلیــارد تــن خــاک در ایــران بــه دلیــل تغییــر کاربــری زمیــن، کشــت دیــم و چــرای بــی رویــه فرســایش م ی شــود. ,Iran loses 2 billion tons of soil per year as a result of land use changes بــه گزارش خبرنگار حــوزه محیــط زیســت گروه اجتماعــی باشــگاه خبرنــگاران جــوان، rainfed agriculture, and overgrazing, Hossein Akhani, environmental and botanical expert has announced. حســین آخانی اظهــار کــرد: : برخــی زم انهــا بــرای حمایــت از کشــاورزی اجــازه Sometimes, to support agriculture, land use changes permits are“ تغییرکاربــری بــه زمیــن داده م یشــود، امــا غافــل از ایــن هســتیم کــه بــه دلیــل ناپایداری ”,issued, while being unaware of its dire consequences on the soil خاک دههــا برابرخســارت ناشــی از آن را بایــد تحمــل کنیــم. .he lamented, YJC reported on Saturday وی بیــان کــرد: ایــران ده درصــد کل فرســایش خــاک جهــان را دارد و ایــن بــه دلیــل Iran is responsible for the loss of 10 percent of the world’s total“ soil erosion per year due to unsustainable agriculture, overgrazing, کشــاورزی ناپایــدار، چــرای بــی ریــه، از بیــن بــردن شــبکه هیدرولوژیــک )منابــع destruction of natural reservoirs (interconnected sources of water تامیــن کننــده آب از طریــق شــبکه رودخانــه و زیــر زمینــی کــه هــردو بــا هــم در ,supply such as rivers crossing the mountains),” he said, regretting ارتبــاط هســتند(، انســان بــا دخالتهــای بــی رویــه از جمله ســد ســازی و حفــر humans with uncontrolled interference, such as damping numerous چــاه منجــر بــه بــر هــم خــوردن ایــن ارتباطهــا شــده اســت وباعــث نرســیدن آب بــه wells have led to the collapse of these connections and prevented water from reaching some regions of the country. مناطــق مختلــف ایــران شــود. Prayer Times Noon:12:13 Evening: 17:52 Dawn: 6:29 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:15 (tomorrow) MARCH 14, 2021 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh Gen. Soleimani mourners, former traceur: Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 World Press Photo Awards nominee pics Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 1 Saeid couldn’t afford extended Tavakolian is a self-taught Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 hospital treatment, but with the help of photojournalist and documentary Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 his family, he improvised rehabilitation photographer, working with Magnum equipment in his yard, and despite Photos. Her photo has been nominated the doctors’ predictions, was able to in the General News category. Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 regain the mobility of his hands. Saeid General Soleimani was assassinated regained more of his abilities, and is along with a number of his comrades No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran now able to manage a wheelchair. He at Baghdad airport in a U.S. airstrike. P.o. Box: 14155-4843 still likes to do things other people Millions of Iranians attended his Zip Code: 1599814713 are afraid of. funeral ceremonies. The Leader of the Eslahi is a graduate of the University Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali of Tehran with a master’s degree in Khamenei called him a living martyr of theater art, and has been working as the revolution before his assassination. a photojournalist with Iranian news The winners of the World Press Photo agencies since 2014. of the Year and the World Press Photo Newsha Tavakolian’s single photo Story of the Year awards receive prizes shows women mourning during a of €5,000 each. commemoration service for Lieutenant- The winners of the 2021 Photo Contest General Qassem Soleimani in Tehran and the 2021 Digital Storytelling Contest GUIDE TO on 4 January, 2020 just one day after This photo by Newsha Tavakolian has been nominated at the 2021 World will be announced on April 15 during an SPIRITUAL AWAKENING his assassination. Press Photo Awards in the General News category. online awards ceremony.

The best among you is the one who doesn’t harm others with his tongue and hands. “The Sand Wolf” hunts Iran’s Flying Turtle 9th edition of the Flying Turtle Awards. This book folds out into a single panorama that takes the Prophet Muhammad (S) The Book City Institute and the Children’s Literature reader from India to Ecuador and from Iceland to Romania. Studies Periodical are the organizers of the Flying Turtle An innovative format and a breathtaking concept meet in Awards, which are presented annually to top children’s this trip around the world and back again. books in Iran. “Confessions of an Imaginary Friend” by American Winners were honored virtually on the Book City Institute’s writer Michelle Cuevas is another winner of a silver prize. Intl. Neyanban Festival wrap-up Instagram on Friday. The book has been translated into Persian by Zahra honors veteran performers “The Sand Wolf” contains a number of warm-hearted, Chupankareh. The story is about Jacques Papier and his poetic stories about a friendship between a boy and a sister, who are hated by everybody. When he comes across a ARTTEHRAN – The International Neyanban sand wolf. cowgirl at the park who informs him that he’s an imaginary deskFestival was brought to an end on Friday Published by Parian, the collection has been translated friend just like her, Jacques’s world is forever changed. evening on Kish Island, honoring a number of Iranian veterans into Persian by Namdar Nasser-Qasri. A Persian translation of Sam Gayton’s “The Snow and masters of neyanban (bagpipe). Lind attended an exhibition named “Traces of the North, Merchant” by Sara Qanavati also won a silver prize. The veterans included Tahmasb Borji, Karim Edrispur, Bahram This combination photo shows the front covers of Nordic Days in Tehran” at the Iranian Artists Forum in June The story is about an alchemist who peddles a new magical Mehrbakhsh, Sohrab Mashhadizadeh, Ali Ramashk, Ahmad-Ali the Persian translation of Asa Lind’s book series 2019, reading an excerpt from the book series. invention and the key that could unlock Lettie Peppercorn’s Sharafi and Pulad Qahreman. “The Sand Wolf”. The jury of the Flying Turtle Awards also honored four family secrets in this quirky tale of self-discovery, family other books with silver prizes. and friendship. CULTURE TEHRAN – The Persian translation of One of the books was “Panorama: A Foldout Book” co- Alireza Golduzian won a silver prize for his illustrations deskSwedish children’s book writer Asa Lind’s written by Fani Marceau and Joëlle Jolivet. The book has for a Persian translation of Palestinian poet Mahmoud book series “The Sand Wolf” has won the gold prize of the been rendered into Persian by Mohammad-Nasser Modudi. Darwish’s “Think of Others” by Hossein Mottaqi. Iranian movies line up for Hong Kong festival ARTTEHRAN – The 45th four hundred people inside, most of whom faces difficulties. deskedition of the Hong Kong were burned alive. Forty years have passed, “Radiography of a Family”, is literally an International Film Festival has selected a and in contemporary Iran, four individuals X-ray of a family. The film received the IDFA lineup of Iranian movies to go on screen in also decide to burn down a cinema. Their Award for Best Feature-Length Documentary. Musicians from Hungary perform at the International its World Cinema section. intended target is a theater showing a film “Son-Mother” tells the story of Leila, a Neyanban Festival on the Kish Island on March 12, 2021. The lineup includes “180º Rule” by about an unearthed, unexploded missile. single mother who lives in the poverty of (Mehr/ Mahmud Khakbaz) Farnush Samadi, “Careless Crime” by Shahram The film has been screened at several today’s Iran. The factory where she works is Mokri, “No Choice” by Reza Dormishian, major international festivals and won several facing a crisis and jobs are in danger. Kazem, The honoring ceremony followed by solo performances by “Son-Mother” by Mahnaz Mohammadi and awards, including the best original screenplay the factory bus driver, proposes to Leila, but veterans and masters. “The Wasteland” by Ahmad Bahrami. award at the Venice festival and the Silver only under certain conditions. When Leila In addition, bagpipe players Richard Patkos and Andor Vegh In addition, “District Terminal”, a co- Hugo of the jury at the Chicago International loses her job, she must face a difficult decision from Hungary, as well as Sylvain Barou and Yann Ewen L’Haridon production between Iran and Germany Film Festival. – whether to accept Kazem’s proposal, which from France were honored at the closing ceremony of the festival, by directors Bardia Yadegari and Ehsan Co-written by Nasim Ahmadpur and would save her from poverty, but would also which was held to promote the Persian instrument that is most Mirhosseini and “Radiography of a A scene from Shahram Mokri’s drama Mokri, the film also won the award for best force her to abandon her son. In the end, it common in southern Iran. Family”, a co-production of Norway, Iran “Careless Crime”. screenplay at the 19th Dhaka International will be him who will have to decide. Also among the Iranian honorees were Alireza Yunsezadeh, Omid and Switzerland by Firuzeh Khosrovani, will Film Festival in Bangladesh. “The Wasteland” is about an old brick Ali Nazarpur, Purya Mirzai Maqsud, Farzad Sharfai, Amir Tangsiri, suddenly forbids her to attend the event also be screened at the event, which will go without him, she makes a decision that “District Terminal” is about a junkie poet manufacturing factory that is going to be Mohsen Asakereh, Danial Daneshvar, Farid Jazayeri, Hassan Ebrahimi, online from April 1 to 12. named Peyman who attempts to finish a shut down, and all that matters to the factory Saleh Ahmadpur, Arash Nadi, Heidar Salmani and Hossein Sangsar. sets her on the painful path of atonement. “180º Rule” tells the story of Sara, a school “Careless Crime” goes back forty years to poem, where his city of Tehran falls prey to supervisor is to keep his lover unharmed. Speaking at the ceremony, deputy director of the Kish Tourism teacher whom her students love and who is pollution and a lethal virus. The film won the Orizzonti award for Department Khosro Neshan expressed happiness over establishing the uprising to overthrow the Shah’s regime in married to Hamed. As her family gets ready Iran, when protestors set fire to movie theaters “No Choice” centers on a 16-year-old best film at the 77th Venice Film Festival an international festival, hoping that it would lead to holding a to attend a wedding in northern Iran, an homeless girl who repeatedly works as a in September, while it also received the Fai better and much more developed festival in the coming years. as a way of showing opposition to Western unforeseen obligation falls on Hamed and culture. Many cinemas were burned down. In surrogate mother for money. A human rights Persona Lavoro Ambiente Foundation Award He added that the coronavirus restrictions were certainly a derails their plans. When Sara’s husband attorney tries to rescue her, but inevitably of the festival. big obstacle for the festival, however, they are happy the festival one tragic case, a theater was set on fire with could inject some happiness into the island. Director says Dutch theatergoers not offended by “Zero” Siobhan Dowd’s “The ARTTEHRAN – Iranian director Arvand “This play is a protest against the double standard toward deskDashtaray, whose latest production “Zero” emigrants, and I thought that it might be deemed offensive London Eye Mystery” was live streamed for Dutch theatergoers last week, said by Dutch theatergoers, but this was not the case, and the appears in Persian that they have not deemed the play on migration issues play was really helpful,” Dashtaray said. offensive to their culture. The play is a co-production between the Virgule Film & CULTURE TEHRAN – A Persian translation of Siobhan The play written by Shahab Mehraban was staged at the Performing Arts Company in Tehran and STET, the English deskDowd’s “The London Eye Mystery” has recently Koninklijke Schouwburg, a theater in the city center of The Theatre in The Hague. been published by Peydayesh Publications. Hague, on March 5. Robin Steegman is the actor of the monologue, which is The book has been translated into Persian by Arezoo Moqaddas. Speaking to the Persian service of ISNA on Saturday, about how human identity has been reduced to numbers, When Ted and Kat watched their cousin Salim get on board Dashtaray said that the play is a monologue trilogy that the companies have written in a statement for the play. the London Eye, he turned and waved before getting on. After half criticizes the double standard of the world, and Europe in “We are valued by the number of followers or the number an hour it landed and everyone trooped off, but not Salim. Where particular, toward emigrants. of re-tweets we get. What happens if these numbers no could he have gone? How on earth could he have disappeared “In the first episode, the play revolves around a Turkish longer count? What if we find ourselves without a number? into thin air? actor who lives in the Netherlands, the second episode is “The performance aims to highlight how boxed in we Since the police are having about a Dutch actor in Iran, and the third part centers on a have all become by numbers, rules and regulations we have no luck finding him, Ted Dutchman who has chosen to live in Iran,” he stated. created ourselves. Who dares to question the validity of and Kat become sleuthing He noted that the trilogy also embodies a thin layer these? Who dares to defy their inner police voice and self- Iranian directed Arvand Dashtaray in an partners. Despite their prickly of Sophocles’ features, Oedipus and Antigone, and censorship? Who dares to find their inner Antigone and undated photo. relationship, they overcome Euripides’ Medea. dives in to rewrite the game?” their differences to follow a trail of clues across London in a desperate bid to find their cousin. And ultimately it falls Brazil’s “10 Seconds to Win” named best at Tehran Intl. FICTS Festival upon Ted, whose brain works in TEHRAN – “10 by Recep Bozgoz from Turkey was named choice award. its own very unique way, to find ART deskSeconds to Win” (“10 the best short film. The organizers also honored former the key to the mystery. Segundos para Vencer”), a feature film Winners of the national section were head coach of Iran’s national football team Front cover of the Persian Siobhan lived in Oxford directed by Jose Alvarenga from Brazil was next honored. Heshmat Mohajerani, radio anchor Masud translation of “The London Eye with her husband, Geoff, before named the best feature in the international “Tsunami” by producer Ali Sartippi Oskui and actor Jamshid Hashempur with Mystery” by Siobhan Dowd. tragically dying from cancer in category of the 12th Tehran International received the award for best feature, while lifetime achievement awards at the closing August 2007, aged 47. She was both an extraordinary writer and FICTS Festival, the organizers announced director Milad Sadr-Ameli received the best ceremony. They also paid tribute to actor an extraordinary person. on Thursday. director award, and actor Bahram Radan and former footballer Ali Ansarian who Her first novel, “A Swift Pure Cry”, won the Branford Boase “10 Seconds to Win” centers on the was named the best actor. died of COVID-19 last month. Award, the Eilis Dillon Award, was shortlisted for the Carnegie famous and poor Brazilian boxer world “Tsunami” is about Iranian taekwondo The Federation Internationale Cinema Medal and the Booktrust Teenage Prize. champion Eder Jofre, who tries to deal competitor Morteza Nejadi who agrees Television Sportifs (FICTS) is the organizer Her second novel, “The London Eye Mystery”, won the 2007 with his personal life and the obligations to be defeated in the 2002 Olympics for “10 Seconds to Win” by Jose Alvarenga. of the sports film festival, which is a part NASEN & TES Special Educational Needs Children’s Book Award. of a world class athlete with the mentoring political reasons, and then loses everything Sorayya Qasemi also received the award of the World FICTS Challenge that runs In March 2008, the book was shortlisted for the prestigious of his trainer and father Kid Jofre. in his personal and professional life. After for best actress for her role in the film in 16 countries around the world. Children’s Books Ireland Bisto Awards. Winners of the 12th edition of the festival eight years, he is called back for another “Douch” by director Amir Mashahdi Abbas. The Iranian edition of the festival is Siobhan’s third novel, “Bog Child”, was the first book to be were honored at the closing ceremony that attempt on the national team, but he must The award for best documentary was held in collaboration with Iran’s National posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal in 2008. took place at the Enqelab Sports Complex. face a stubborn, young world champion given to “On Foot in Time” by Azam Najafian Olympic and Paralympic Committee, The award-winning novel “A Monster Calls” by Patrick Ness “The Bull of Pallonetto”, a documentary named Behdad Moqimi who is also known and Ali Mohammad Qasemi. Iran’s Ministry of Sports and Youth, was based on an idea of Siobhan’s. Her novella, “The Ransom of by Luigi Barletta from Italy, received the as Tsunami. But there is turmoil in his The TV program “120” by producer Adel IRIB, Cinema Organization of Iran and Dond”, was published in 2013, illustrated throughout by Pam Smy. best documentary award, and “Ronaldo” personal life, too. Ferdowsipur received the best people’s Qeshm Free Zone Organization.