WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y

8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13829 Wednesday DECEMBER 9, 2020 Azar 19, 1399 Rabi’ Al thani 23, 1442 Zarif advises regional Jordan Burroughs Iranian university Architect Amirali states to exclude West misses competing students runner-up Sardar-Afkhami in regional talks Page 2 in Iran Page 3 at IMC 2020 Page 7 dies at 91 Page 8

Iran completely self-sufficient in building freight wagons Iran stands up against TEHRAN – Iranian railway industry has systems for freight wagons. become completely self-reliant in man- “For the first time this year, national ufacturing freight wagons, Head of the (domestically-made) wheels will move on Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (known the national rail,” the official said. as RAI) Saeed Rasouli said. Mentioning the launch of a system for Speaking in an unveiling ceremony for introducing the needs of the country’s railway transatlantic bullying domestically-made wagon brake system industry to domestic manufacturers and and wheels on Tuesday, Rasouli announced companies producing parts for the railway that RAI is going to sign a contract with transportation industry, the official noted domestic manufacturers for the purchase that so far 4,600 parts have been requested See page 3 of 500 monoblock wheels and 500 brake on this website. Continued on page 4

Rouhani: Astana peace talks can protect Syrian territorial integrity TEHRAN — President Hassan Rouhani Rouhani said during a meeting with visiting on Tuesday hailed the Astana peace talks, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad. which aims to end the Syrian conflict, Mekdad arrived in Tehran on Sun- saying the peace process can preserve the day evening in his first visit to Iran since interests and territorial integrity of Syria. assuming office after the demise of his “The Tehran-Damascus relations were predecessor Walid Muallem. established after the victory of the Islamic Rouhani terms Syria as a ‘strategic ally’ Revolution of Iran and during the lifetime Rouhani pledged that the Islamic Re- of Imam [Khomeini] and Mr. Hafez Assad, public will stand by the Syrian people and and today, with the will and decision of government wholeheartedly, describing the officials of the two countries, these Syria as a “strategic ally”. relations continue to be strengthened,” Continued on page 2

Art elites to attend Tehran Afghanistan Art Week TEHRAN — A large number of Afghan festival will be attended by Iranian National artists and cultural figures will attend the Commission for UNESCO director Hojja- Afghanistan Art Week in Tehran next week tollah Ayyubi, Afghanistan Ambassador to hold panel discussions and showcase Abdolghafur Lival and Kabul University their works in a weeklong virtual festival. Chancellor Mohammad Osman Babury. The event will be organized with the The joint literature and culture between

collaboration of the Iranian National Iran and Afghanistan will be discussed

AFP Commission for UNESCO. during the opening day. On its opening day on December 12, the Continued on page 8

Why lodging at Ayatollah Khamenei saw “important fault line” within Afghan civilian deaths from U.S. air raids rose a caravanserai is JCPOA: George Washington University professor by more than 300 percent a must-do in Iran? BY JAVAD HEIRANNIA quantity to him. They are people with much expe- Deaths of Afghan civilians in air raids carried The Afghan Air Force (AAF), Crawford wrote, TEHRAN — A professor of international busi- rience. They are not controversial. By that I mean out by the United States and its allies “increased is now “harming more Afghan civilians than at BY AFSHIN MAJLESI ness at the George Washington University says they are not people who have extreme views on dramatically” since 2017 when Washington any time in its history”. magine a place so serene in the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali anything that I know of. Because they have held loosened its criteria and escalated attacks on She said that in the first six months of 2020, heart of the ancient Silk Road(s) Khamenei was right that he “was not enthusiastic” important positions before, they are unlikely to the Taliban, according to a report released 86 Afghan civilians were killed and 103 in- Iwhere you can plunge into a forgot- about the 2015 nuclear agreement because he have any skeleton in their closet. So they would on Monday. jured in AAF air raids. In the three subsequent ten age while staying for a day or two. noticed “its important fault line”. pass their FBI background checks and would be The number of civilians killed annually in months, as Afghan-Taliban talks continued You may conjure up the hustle and In an important with the Tehran Times, Hossein confirmed by the Senate no matter who controls U.S. and coalition air attacks soared by 330 in Doha, the toll intensified, with 70 civilians bustle of the merchants selling their Askari says the Leader “warned the president of the Senate in January 2021. percent to some 700 civilians in 2019, said Neta killed and 90 injured. goods, bargaining on prices, telling Iran about U.S. duplicity and advised caution.” Q: What will be the approach of Biden’s foreign C Crawford, co-director of the Costs of War She urged a negotiated ceasefire while their long-lived journey to one another Askari also says, “Iran must rely on its policy team toward West Asia (Middle East)? Project at Brown University. More civilians died the two sides discuss a deal, to avoid more while their animals chew on hay amid own defensive capabilities and support of its A: While Biden will continue America’s sup- in 2019 than any other year since the beginning civilian injuries. massive portals, elevated load-bearing long-proven allies.” port for Israel as its closest ally in the region of war in 2001, according to the report. But with the U.S. accelerating the withdrawal walls, rooms encircling the courtyard, Following is the text of the interview: and almost in the entire world, I believe that The U.S. pulled back on air raids after strik- of its troops, some worry that the Taliban could a heavy-doored gateway, and the tran- Q: Biden has introduced his foreign policy Biden will not continue Trump’s over the top ing an agreement with the Taliban in February take advantage to further pressure Kabul’s forces, quility of the surrounding nature! team. Antony Blinken has been named secre- and blind support. Biden is more pragmatic. Yes, 2020. But the Afghan Armed Forces stepped up sparking reprisals. Yes, this is one of the 999 caravan- tary of state and Jake Sullivan national security he wants the support of the Jewish lobby and their own as they entered talks with the rebels. “Unless there is a ceasefire, both sides will serais the legendary Persian king Shah advisor. What is your assessment of this team? their campaign donations but he does not want While total deaths from air attacks has fallen, continue trying to gain a tactical advantage while Abbas built to shelter and provide food A: These are people who have worked closely the U.S. foreign policy to be dictated by Israel. attacks are now coming from Kabul’s forces and negotiations are under way. The toll on civilian and safety to merchants, traders, trave- with Biden for a number of years. They are a known Continued on page 2 have accelerated in recent months. lives is likely to increase,” Crawford wrote. lers, and pilgrims beyond reasons such as desert, heat, star-studded sky, and tired travelers or in fact, caravanners. In today’s modern world, trave- The only way to prevent Israeli terror is to strike back hard: analyst FAO to support ling is more centered around annual BY MOHAMMAD MAZHARI three U.S. officials, including two intelligence says. “But if Israel sees too great of a risk, it will back off.” Iran to ensure holidays and can be fairly well pre- TEHRAN — A British political analyst, Robert Robert officials, as saying Israel was behind the attack. This is the text of the interview: dicted but in the past travelers- or, Inlakesh, believes that the only way to confront “The only way to prevent Israel from continuing Q: How do you assess the assassination of the sustainable healthy caravanners- who had to take long Israel and its terror attacks is to respond back. to commit acts of terror is to strike back hard,” Iranian nuclear scientist and its repercussions? journeys crossing rough roads for On November 27, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a Inlakesh tells the Tehran Times. A: Such an assassination, which evidence strongly biodiverse soils days to reach their destination and senior Iranian expert specialized in nuclear tech- Citing an example, Inlakesh says when in suggests was committed by Israel, would constitute thus, they needed roadside inns to nology, was assassinated in a terrorist attack in 218 Syria decided to respond to the Israeli ag- being labeled a ‘State-sponsored act of terror’ on TEHRAN — The Food and Agriculture Organiza- rest and recover and get ready for the the Abe-Sard region of Damavand County, about gression in the Golan Heights, Israel stopped foreign soil. If the attack is to be assumed to be Israeli tion of the United Nations (FAO) representative rest of their trip. 40 kilometers northeast of Tehran. Iran has said targeting Syria for several months. in the making, as has been asserted by President to Iran Gerold Bödeker, reaffirms the Organi- Caravanserai is a compound word Israel is directly responsible for the assassination “Israel calculates the risk factor into its approach Rouhani, this is effectively an act of war against Iran. zation’s stance to support Iran in developing combining “caravan” with “sara”. The of the scientist. The New York Times also quoted when conducting these illegal operations,” Inlakesh Continued on page 5 and adopting policies and programs promoting first stand for a group of travelers and sustainable agricultural systems and nurturing sara means the building. Iran’s ear- soil biodiversity. liest caravanserais were built during In partnership with the Ministry of Agricul- the Achaemenid era (550 -330 BC). ture, FAO commemorated World Soil Day 2020, Centuries later, when Shah Abbas I underscoring the prominence of soil biodiversity assumed power from 1588 – to 1629, and its central role in sustaining life on Earth he ordered the construction of network and securing food and nutrition security. caravanserais across the country. At the virtual event co-hosted on Monday, A caravanserai was usually con- Bödeker reiterated that FAO, as the lead UN agen- structed outside the walls of a town or cy promoting sustainable agricultural systems, village. The structure is quadrangular Autumn snow stands ready to support the country to further in form and is enclosed by a massive develop and implement agro-ecological practices wall that has small windows near the to ensuring sustainable healthy biodiverse soils. top and only a few narrow air holes adds beauty He also said that how the quality and health near the bottom. Inside, the ground of soils to a large extent determine agricultural floor consists of a central court sur- to nature production and sustainability, environmental rounded by a cloister-like arcade, quality and consequently affects plants, animals, which is in turn surrounded by cel- People are walking at a park in the north- and human health. lular storerooms. central city of Hamedan as snowfall “Improving soil biodiversity is vital to ensuring The ground floor is connected by has adorned the city environment. soil health and future food and nutrition secu- broad, open, stone stairways to a sec- According to meteorological maps, rity,” emphasized FAO Representative, adding ond story that is ringed by a somewhat precipitation in Iran is expected to “Healthy biodiverse soils, as the largest store lighter arcade, which gives access to meet normal or lower than normal of terrestrial carbon, play an important role in Iman Hamikhah many small rooms. The court is open to averages over autumn. The country climate change mitigation by carbon sequestra- the sky and has a well with a fountain will be facing a cold winter with heavy tion and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions basin in its center. Mehr/ snowfalls this year. in the atmosphere.” Continued on page 6 Continued on page 7 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 9, 2020

Zarif advises regional states to Rouhani: Astana peace talks can exclude West in regional talks

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Mo- deskhammad Javad Zarif has advised the Arab protect Syrian territorial integrity countries in the Persian Gulf region to exclude the West in re- gional talks, saying the U.S. and European powers are the causes 1 He said confronting the Zionist Ghalibaf slams Israel as a source of problems in West Asia. regime and terrorism was a “common goal of regional instability “Dear neighbors, why ask US/E3 for inclusion in talks with of the two countries”, adding, “There is no Late on Monday, Mekdad also met with Iran when: a) There won’t be ANY talks about OUR region with doubt that we must continue our resistance Majlis Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. them as they’re the problem themselves. b) We can speak directly and perseverance until the complete annihi- During the meeting, Ghalibaf condemned about our region without outside meddling,” Zarif wrote in a lation of terrorists from the region.” the Israeli regime as a source of instability tweet on Tuesday. The president drew a comparison between in the region. He added that “Hormuz Peace Endeavor (#HOPE) is still terrorism and sanctions, saying both are in- “As long as the occupying terrorist regime on the table.” tended to put pressure on the legitimate and of al-Quds is present, there will be no sustain- Zarif also posted a similar tweet in Arabic earlier in the day. independent nations and governments of able security in the region,” Ghalibaf said. “We are always ready for talks with our neighbors. The pro- the region. Pointing to recent normalization deals posals, such as the 1986 regional security, the 2016 regional “We fully understand the situation of the between Israel and some regional countries, dialogue forum and the 2019 Hormuz Peace Initiative, show Syrian people in the face of sanctions, because Ghalibaf called on the Muslim world to stand this,” the chief diplomat remarked. we have experienced the worst sanctions in up to the U.S.-backed normalizations and The remarks came days after Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal the last three years,” he added. condemn such moves as an “abominable act”. bin Farhan Al Saud said the Persian Gulf countries must be The Syrian foreign minister, for his part, He said that only through resistance the “consulted” before the United States restores the Iran nuclear described the Tehran-Damascus relations Islamic community will emerge victorious deal under the incoming administration of Joe Biden. as one of the most valuable and honorable against the enemies. “Primarily what we expect is that we are fully consulted, that political relations in the world. The speaker added that resistance, to- we and our other regional friends are fully consulted in what goes “We believe that other countries should gether with the Astana peace talks, can lead on vis-à-vis the negotiations with Iran,” he told AFP on the side- learn how to build a real relationship and protecting the Zionist regime and expanding with Syria in its reconstruction process. to sustainable peace and security in Syria lines of a security conference in Bahrain’s Manama on Saturday. friendship and how such friendly ties can the Daesh terrorist cells in the region. He said the enemy has not refrained from and the region. The Saudi foreign minister also said such consultation would be continued strongly,” he added. “The evil presence of the United States in any action against the Iranian nation, adding, For his part, Mekdad expressed his condo- be the only path towards a “sustainable” agreement. ‘U.S. after looting Syria’s oil,’ says the region must end,” he asserted. “This has also been the case with regard to lences over the assassination of Fakhrizadeh, top security official He lauded Syria for its resistance against Syria in recent years.” who was martyred near Tehran on Novem- Europe failed to meet Iran’s Mekdad also met with secretary of Iran’s the Zionist regime’s occupation and expan- Hatami also referred to the cowardly as- ber 27. Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) sionism and highlighted the importance of sassination of Iran’s top anti-terror general “The assassination of Martyr General JCPOA expectations, says Ali Shamkhani and Defense Minister Amir deepening Tehran-Damascus ties. Qassem Soleimani earlier this year and the Soleimani and Dr. Fakhrizadeh once again Hatami separately on Tuesday. Hatami: Iran firm to continue assassination of Iran’s top nuclear scientist exposed the true face of the Zionist regime senior MP Shamkhani said during his meeting with cooperation in Syria reconstruction Mohsen Fakhrizadeh late in November, saying and the U.S. as sponsors of terrorism,” he the chief Syrian diplomat that the U.S.’s pres- Brigadier General Hatami underlined such hostile actions are taken by the enemy said, adding that the targeted killings were POLITICAL TEHRAN — A top Iranian legislator said on ence in Syria is aimed at looting Syria’s oil, Iran’s strong will to continue to cooperate out of desperation. “not something that can be easily overlooked.” deskTuesday that Europe has not met Iran’s ex- pectations in salvaging the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear agreement. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has fulfilled all its obligations in accordance with Barjam (Persian acronym for the JCPOA), Biden advisor sees chance for revival of Iran deal but the other side, while several years have passed, has evaded POLITICAL TEHRAN — Jake Sullivan, U.S. Presi- negotiate a new deal. its duties,” Mojtaba said Zonnour, who chairs the Parliament’s deskdent-elect Joe Biden’s nominee for national “We are in a dangerous situation,” Sullivan said, according National Security and Foreign Policy Committee. security adviser, has voiced guarded optimism for restoring to Bloomberg. “Therefore, the unilateral continuation of the obligations [by the Iran nuclear pact. “They have enriched more uranium,” he said, making an Iran] is not acceptable,” he added. Speaking on Monday at the Wall Street Journal CEO Summit, implicit reference to a decades-long claim by Western powers Zonnour made the remarks in a meeting with Hans-Udo Muzel, Sullivan emphasized that any progress toward preserving or that Iran is trying to make nuclear weapons. the German ambassador to Tehran. even enhancing the deal forged during the Obama adminis- “We just walked away, we’re alone,” Sullivan said. tration would depend on international cooperation. He added that Biden’s goal was to get Iran “to come back U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the into compliance,” with the agreement, the product of lengthy nuclear agreement on May 8, 2018. He then implemented negotiations between the Tehran government and six world a “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran to press it to powers, a move that would put Iran’s “program back in a box.” Ayatollah Khamenei saw “important fault line” within JCPOA: George Washington University professor “It (JCPOA) was not a balanced deal” The JCPOA was signed between Iran, six world powers - the 1 I believe that he sees the Pew Re- and pieces of paper mean little and it is raw U.S., the UK, France, Russia, China, Germany - and the European search polls about U.S. standing in the Middle “The Speaker of Iran’s parliament, power that dictates. Union in July 2015. The pact was ditched by U.S. President Donald East and realizes that this strategy that will not Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, summed Looking to the future, what should Iran Trump in 2018 in pursuit of a “maximum pressure” campaign be the best long-term approach for the U.S. or be doing in order to be in a better position against Iran. Israel. Having said this, there is little he will up Iran’s problem well. Namely, Iran’s in the future? Trump’s withdrawal came while Iran was in full compliance do about the location of the U.S. embassy in fate rests in Pasteur (location of Iran’s A: The Speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mo- with the treaty. Jerusalem or the Palestinian land annexed President) and Bahrestan (location of hammad Bagher Ghalibaf, summed up Iran’s Biden’s victory in the November 3 presidential election has by Israel during the Trump era. problem well. Namely, Iran’s fate rests in raised hopes over the prospects of a re-entry into the JCPOA by When it comes to the Arab countries, there Parliament).” Pasteur (location of Iran’s President) and the incoming U.S. administration. will be a very clear and noticeable shift in Bahrestan (location of Parliament). Iran’s Zonnour also said he believes that if European countries such U.S. policy. Arab dictators—especially MBS Not just to one of them but if most support a Iran’s policymakers is that they cannot forget economy has been mismanaged ever since as Germany take practical steps in fulfilling their commitments and Sisi— will no longer get a free pass in position, he is likely to take their advice. But what Iran had to suffer after Saddam Hussein’s the end of the Iran-Iraq War. Yes, sanctions under the JCPOA, stand up to the United States’ greed, and act what they do internally or in the region. U.S. note the role of John Kerry. Yes, he is to be invasion. The world, including Iran’s Arab have had an effect but much more damage responsibly toward the atrocities being committed in West Asia, support will be much more conditional. The the Climate Tsar, but he will also influence neighbors, supported the invader. Iran was has come from mismanagement. I have said the world would become a much more secure place. wings of the ruler of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Middle East policy more than you may think. defenseless. Iran cannot afford to be in such the same for 30 years. Just look at South The German ambassador, for his part, expressed satisfaction Abu Dhabi will be clipped. They will have to Barack Obama has told the Washington a position ever again. Guarantees by the US Korea. Its economy was a fraction of Iran’s with the constructive talks between the representatives of the change course, more human rights at home Post that Biden intends to join the nuclear deal for Iran’s security are not worth anything as in 1979 and today it is four times that of Iranian and German parliaments in recent years. and less brazen and costly human adventures soon after taking office. You opinion please? its withdrawal from the JCPOA has shown. Iran’s. Policies matter. Iran cannot blame “As Iran’s Parliament plays a significant role in all developments, in the region. I believe that Biden will be more A: Well, the restoration of the JCPOA is Iran must rely on its own defensive capabilities all its problems on sanctions. It would have therefore, we welcome expanding cooperation between the two sympathetic to Iraq’s needs. He will not send tough today and will become more difficult and support of its long-proven allies. been much easier for Iran if it had started parliaments,” Ambassador Muzel said according to a translation thousands of troops to Iraq but will support with the passage of time. Iran could enrich Don’t forget, U.S. withdrawal from the much-needed reforms in 1989. Sadly, it never of his remarks. them with more advisors and more financial more uranium. Iran’s economy could deterio- JCPOA has caused Iran much harm—both did. But it is never too late. With a strong He said Germany supports the implementation of the JCPOA, support but at the same time he will try put rate further and cause more pain for Iranians. economic losses and in human lives. Moreover, economy, Iran could face external pressures adding that the strict implementation of the agreement by all more distance between Iraq and Iran. Iran could be closer to nuclear breakout if it the U.S. assassinated General Soleimani. Iran much better and have more support at home. parties will ensure the interests of all member countries. Leaving the details of the JCPOA aside so chose. All these would make restoration must seek appropriate compensation for these Israel’s Netanyahu recently visited Earlier this month, remarks by German Foreign minister Heiko for the moment, as I am sure you will get to of JCPOA more difficult than it already is. in the negotiations and so state right from Saudi Arabia and met with Saudi Crown Maas caused anger on the Iranian side. Maas told weekly Der it later, Biden will do all he can to improve Will Biden simply go back to the agree- the start. Some have suggested Iran should Prince Mohammed bin Salman, although Spiegel that it was in the interest of the U.S. and Europeans to relations with Iran. Yes, get the JCPOA back ment like, or have the conditions changed? approach the U.S. first. In my opinion, abso- Riyadh has denied the visit. What is MBS’s reach a broader agreement with Tehran. on track but much more—to establish diplo- A: Unfortunately not. Trump and his al- lutely not as this would be a sign of weakness. goal in warming up to Israel? “A return to the previous agreement will not be adequate in any matic relations with Iran in his term of office. lies, both in the U.S., in Israel and in Arab Looking back on the agreement and A: Saudi Arabia has had a free hand with case,” he said, referring to the 2015 nuclear agreement. He will want to do this not only to cement countries, have raised new conditions and what has transpired since, what advice do Trump. Knowing how the Al-Sauds operate, “There should be a kind of a ‘nuclear agreement plus’ deal, Obama’s legacy but to achieve what six U.S. muddied the waters. Namely, Iran’s defensive you have to offer to Iran? I would bet that MBS has given or pledged which is also in the interest of us,” Maas added. president have been unable to do since 1980. missile program, Iran’s support of its allies A: Let’s be honest. Ayatollah Khamenei much financial reward to Trump-Kushner. Maas expressed hope that Biden would change Washington’s For peace in the Middle East, he will need in the region and Iran’s domestic conditions. was right. He was not enthusiastic about So Trump has gone along with his excesses— policy on Iran after taking office next month, and pave the way a Palestinian homeland and an Iran that is These new conditions are basically intended the JCPOA. He saw its important fault line. murdering Jamal Khashoggi, indiscriminate for talks on the nuclear deal. welcomed by the U.S. and Europe and whose to leave Iran defenseless and encroach on its He warned the president of Iran about U.S. bombing of civilians in Yemen, mass arrests “It is important to send out a signal, which would be decisive, on rights have been restored and respected. sovereignty. These are all the result of Israel duplicity and advised caution. But Rouhani in Saudi Arabia and more. But MBS sees whether or not the United States would relax economic sanctions Blinken had spoken about Iran’s com- and Saudi Arabia’s pressures on the U.S. So and Zarif wanted economic relief. So they that this party is over. So how can he keep on Iran. Both sides should move forward, come closer. Time is mitment to the JCPOA but European countries basically Biden’s opening gambit will be for signed on. They did not take economic posi- Washington’s support? Through Israel. running out because Iran will have presidential elections next did not fulfill their obligations. To what extent Iran to go back to the JCPOA and give up any tions that would benefit Iran no matter what That’s his new approach. It is plan B. So year,” he said. can his personality influence Biden’s foreign enriched uranium since the U.S. withdraw- happened in the future. They were more he told Bahrain and the UAE to warm up to Iran has strongly rejected any possibility of renegotiation with policy toward Iran? al, withdraw its support for its allies in the concerned with the immediate result. And Israel to pave the way. Now he wants to at the other parties to the JCPOA over the deal’s terms and conditions. A: I think Biden has his own views. He is not region, give up its missile and other military most important, it was an asymmetric deal. least have a personal, if not public, agree- In remarks on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed like Trump to be led by the nose by Kushner programs and to do what it is told to do like Iran undertook irreversible positions such ment with Israel to keep his Washington Khatibzadeh said Iran’s stance regarding the JCPOA is “fixed” and Netanyahu. He will listen to his advisors. the Arab countries of the PGCC. Needless to as giving up the bulk of its enriched uranium support intact. and “unchanged”. say, Iran will not accept this opening offer and pouring concrete into its heavy water He told a presser that the nuclear accord has already been “With a strong and will bargain hard and this time will be reactor while the U.S. gave some measured “Sanctions negotiated, signed and inserted into the UN Security Council economy, Iran ready to walk away from a bad deal. sanction relief that could be easily reversed, have had an Resolution 2231. U.S. policymakers don’t appreciate the or snapped back, if it chose to do so. It was effect but much Iran will not renegotiate something that has already been ne- could face external mindset of the Iranian mindset, especially not a balanced deal. Iran’s negotiators did gotiated, the spokesman asserted. pressures much of those who determine Iran’s foreign policy. not have sufficient appreciation of econom- more damage Will Iran go back to the agreement or ics and finance and relied heavily on U.S. better and have more have the conditions changed for Iran? assurances and the multilateral nature of has come from Embassy of Japan in Tehran support at home.” A: Absolutely not. If what I know about the deal. But in international affairs, words mismanagement.” intends to employ a staff with the qualifications Supreme Court upholds Ruhollah Zam’s death sentence POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iran’s Supreme Court has ruling issued by the Islamic Revolution Court has been charged with “corruption on the earth”, a term used to described in the website: deskupheld the death sentence against Ru- approved by the Supreme Court,” Judiciary spokesman describe capital crimes within the Islamic Republic’s hollah Zam, the operator behind the Amad News website Gholamhossein Esmaili said on Tuesday, according to judicial system. www.ir.emb-japan.go.jp and Telegram channel. Mehr. Through his news website, Zam provoked violence in “The Supreme Court has considered this case and the Earlier this year, Esmaili announced that Zam was the December 2017 protests. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 9, 2020 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Israel wouldn’t have assassinated Iranian SPORTS Jordan Burroughs misses competing in Iran

scientist without U.S. consent: expert SPORTS TEHRAN — The 2012 Olympic wrestling deskchampion Jordan Burroughs said that he POLITICAL TEHRAN — Philip organization and everything it does. has missed competing in Iran. deskGiraldi, the executive It’s paying of inside the Beltway power director of the Council for the National brokers proved so successful that it was Interest, has said in an analysis that the removed from the State Department White House green-lighted Israel’s plan terrorist list in 2012 by Hillary Clinton to assassinate prominent Iranian nuclear even though it had killed Americans scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. in the 1970s. MEK also finds favor in In an essay titled “A Killing in Iran: Who Washington because it is used by Israel Gains From Yet Another Assassination?” as a resource for anti-Iranian terrorism and published on the Information Clear- acts currently, including assassinations ing House, Giraldi closed examined the carried out in Tehran. Israel, in fact, assassination of Fakhrizadeh and those directs most terrorist acts carried out behind it. He started with the reactions by MEK inside Iran.” in the U.S. to the assassination. The executive director of the Council “It is not often that one can agree with for the National Interest also pointed to the pronouncements made by former Cen- the possible cooperation among Israel, tral Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director MEK, and the U.S. in assassinating the John Brennan, but his tweeted comment Iranian nuclear scientist. on the killing of Iranian scientist Mohsen “So those are the players and, at first He traveled to Iranian city Kermanshah in February 2017 Fakhrizadeh suggesting that the incident glance, one might reasonably come to to participate at the Wrestling World Cup and was welcomed ‘…was a criminal act & highly reckless. It the Ockham’s razor conclusion, i.e. that by the Iranian fans. risks lethal retaliation & a new round of Israel ordered MEK to kill Fakhrizadeh, “Miss my days competing in Iran. Some of the most incred- regional conflict. Iranian leaders would be an order which was then executed. But ible wrestling fans in the world,” Jordan Burroughs shared wise to wait for the return of responsible that would be to ignore some of the pol- on his Instagram story. American leadership on the global stage itics currently playing out in Washing- The 74kg wrestler, who has never lost to an Iranian wrestler, & to resist the urge to respond against ton. First of all, Israel would not have lauded the Iranian fans after the competition in an interview perceived culprits’ was both restrained scientists over the past decade. Foreign ‘national defense’ strategy. In addition to carried out the high-level assassination with gq.com. and reasonable. Or it was at least so until Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a the Iranians, at least seventy Palestinians without the consent of the White House. “Donald Trump and I have very different views on Iranians. sentence two, which was clearly intended tweet on the day of the assassination that have been assassinated.” Indeed, U.S. intelligence resources might I am confident that if he ever visited the country, he’d learn a lot to attack Donald Trump and praise the the attack was carried out with “serious The expert said, “Though Israel has well have played a key role in locating about the people and come back to the States with a newfound incoming Joe Biden administration, which indications of Israeli role.” Since then, clearly ordered the assassinations, it the Iranian scientist. Second, the Trump appreciation for the Persians,” Burroughs said. Brennan just might be seeking to join,” several Iranian officials have vowed to is generally believed that the actual administration has clearly adopted a wrote Giraldi. take revenge against Israel. preparation for the attacks have been policy of “maximum pressure” against Giraldi, a former CIA intelligence of- Giraldi also pointed to the alleged kill- carried out by Mojahedin e Khalq Iran, which has included strangling the ficer, added, “Bearing in mind that John ing of an al-Qaeda leader in Iran, saying or MEK, a Marxist cult that came into country’s economy through sanctions, Great pleasure to play in Brennan was the guiding hand behind this claim has been used to justify U.S. prominence at the time of the Iranian condoning Israeli attacks in Syria and President Barack Obama’s kill lists of pressure on Iran. revolution against the Shah. It is gen- elsewhere, and destabilizing moves, to CEV Champions League: Americans who were marked for death “The claim that Iran has been harboring erally regarded as a terrorist group that include assassinations, designed to make by drone it is difficult to understand what al-Qaeda is already being used by the Trump once was virulently anti-American and the nation’s leadership both vulnerable Ebadipour moral high ground he seeks to occupy in White House to justify increased pressure killed a number of U.S. officials. MEK and nervous. It is the application of an on Iran and it might possibly even serve is a curious hybrid creature in any SPORTSTEHRAN — Iranian outside hitter Milad the slaying of Fakhrizadeh. Brennan, who Israeli strategic doctrine referred to as desk was a leading critic of Trump and who as part of a casus belli,” the expert wrote. event in that it pretends to be an “Campaigns Between Wars,” meaning Ebadipour says that to play in the 2020–21 may have led the clandestine effort to The assassination of Fakhrizadeh came alternative government option for constant aggression to erode an enemy’s CEV Champions League is a great pleasure for him. undermine his election and term in office, just two weeks after the alleged killing Iran even though it is despised by ability to fight without actually crossing The 27-year-old player is a member of Polish team Skra subsequently found himself in an exchange of the al-Qaeda leader, which, according nearly all Iranians. At the same time, a line that would start a shooting war,” Belchatów. They have been drawn in Pool A along with polish of tweets with Republican Senator from to Giraldi, was meant to send a message it is greatly loved by the Washington Giraldi said, noting that a direct role by team Zaksa, Belgium’s Lindemans Aalst and Fenerbahçe Texas Ted Cruz which degenerated into to Iran. Establishment,” which would like to U.S. in the assassination of Fakhrizadeh Istanbul from Turkey. a trading of insults. Cruz responded ‘It’s “The claim that Fakhrizadeh was in see the Iran government deposed and should not be ruled out. “It’s always a great pleasure to play in the Champions bizarre to see a former head of the CIA charge of a secret Iranian weapons pro- replaced by something more amenable “A direct role by the Trump adminis- League. Unfortunately, in the previous season we failed consistently side with Iranian zealots who gram, made regularly by Israel and the to Western and Israeli worldviews. tration in the assassination should not be to participate in the competition, but in the PlusLiga com- chant ‘Death to America.’ And reflexively U.S., is not generally believed by most He added, “MEK is run like a cult ruled out as it is clearly seeking to harden petition we won promotion to the current edition. We will condemn Israel. Does Joe Biden agree?’ authorities. Iran is a signatory to the by its leader Maryam Rajavi, with a Iranian antipathy towards any new compre- play with the best teams in Europe. On Tuesday we start This produced a riposte by Brennan that Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which number of rules that restrict and con- hensive arms control or nuclear agreement the competition with strong teams. We’ll see how it goes,” ‘It is typical for you to mischaracterize nuclear armed Israel is not, and its facil- trol the behavior of its members. One with the incoming Biden team. Trump Ebadipour told the Skra Belchatów’s website. my comment. Your lawless attitude & ities are subject to regular unannounced commentary likens membership in himself reportedly raised the possibility of “We will play with great respect to other teams, but we simple-minded approach to serious na- inspections,” Giraldi noted, adding that MEK to a modern-day equivalent of bombing Iran earlier this month, though must not forget about ourselves. We are also a great team tional security matters demonstrate that the January assassination of Qods Force slavery. The group currently operates out he was talked out of it by his national se- with great players and we have shown it many times. On you are unworthy to represent the good commander General Qassem Soleimani of a secretive, heavily guarded 84-acre curity team, but the Israeli Army mean- Tuesday we are starting the battle and we will fight until people of Texas.’ ” was also meant to send a message to Iran. compound in Albania that is covertly while is on alert in case of an American the very end,” he added. On November 27 at 14:30, nearly 10 Giraldi said, “Whatever programs supported by the United States, as well attack. There are confirmed reports that people attacked the convoy of Fakhrizadeh Fakhrizadeh and Soleimani were in- as through a ‘political wing’ front office B-52 bombers, capable of deploying the on a highway in the small city of Absard in volved in will continue without them. in Paris, where it refers to itself as the 30,000 pound penetrator bombs that can Alireza Mansourian no Damavand County, about 40 kilometers Nevertheless, assassination of Iranians National Council of Resistance of Iran. destroy targets deep underground, have east of the capital Tehran. The scientist linked to the country’s former and current MEK, which is financially supported been sent to the Middle East [West Asia], longer Tractor coach lost his life during the attack while his nuclear program has been Israeli policy by Saudi Arabia, stages events in the presumably to Qatar where the U.S. has bodyguards were severely injured. Iranian since 2010. As many as a dozen Iranian United States in Europe where it gener- its principal airbase in the region. They SPORTSTEHRAN — Alireza Mansourian was sacked officials were quick to point the finger at scientists and technicians reportedly have ously pays politicians like John Bolton, would presumably be used against Iran’s deskas Tractor coach following poor results in the Israel, which has carried out many assassi- been killed. So-called ‘targeted killings’ Rudy Giuliani and Elaine Chao to make main nuclear development site at Natanz,” Iranian top flight team. nation operations against Iranian nuclear have been a regular feature of Israel’s fifteen-minute speeches praising the Giraldi pointed out. Under guidance of the Mansourian, Tractor have won just one out of five matches. Tractor, who have never won Iran Professional League (IPL), sit 12th in the table. Iran stands up against transatlantic bullying The Tabriz based club’s officials parted company with the 49-year-old coach on Tuesday. POLITICAL TEHRAN — As the European trio - ed out in a press briefing that the Iranian nuclear ing the JCPOA, and countries like Germany have desk Former Tractor coach Saket Elhami is a candidate to take France, Germany, and the UK – are program has reached a dangerous stage, and that not even been able to meet their commitments,” charge of the team. Tractor will have to participate at the 2021 pushing for expanding the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, would not be the case if Iran continued to respect its Khatibzadeh pointed out. AFC Champions League. Iranian experts and officials reiterate that Tehran obligations stipulated in the 2015 nuclear agreement. Iran is unlikely to accept Europe’s demand to will not only not negotiate over its defensive mis- The official also said any subsequent negotiations expand the JCPOA, according to Alireza Sheikh sile program and regional influence it will also not with Tehran should expand to include the ballistic Attar, Iran’s former ambassador to Germany and renegotiate the nuclear deal. missile program, regional policy, and what he called an expert on Iran-Europe relations. AFC declares Iran matches “In our view, the JCPOA negotiations are over and “interference in the affairs of other countries.” “Europe’s calls for broader negotiations with Iran there are no plans for new negotiations that need In the weeks after the U.S. election, the E3 foreign are nothing new. Since the 2000s, the E3 have been dates at 2022 World Cup to be restructured. The only thing left today is the ministers also held a trilateral meeting in Germany pursuing the same goal. They, and the Americans return of all parties to their obligations under the to coordinate their positions on Iran. After the in later times, have sought to bully Iran, which re- qualifiers agreement, and this is not a complicated matter,” meeting, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas sulted in Iran resisting them all,” Sheikh Attar told MNA — The dates of the remaining four games of Iran in the Ali Rabiei, the Iranian government’s spokesman, made remarks that were indicative of a possibly the Tehran Times. second round of qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 said on Tuesday. new European policy toward Iran. One that seeks According to the former diplomat, the Europeans AFC Asian Cup have been announced by AFC. Despite European calls to expand the nuclear to achieve what Trump failed to achieve through are concerned about Iran getting stronger. The new announcement of the Asian Football Confederation deal, Iranian officials have made it clear that the the so-called “maximum pressure” campaign. “The Europeans are worried about Iran getting comes nearly one year after the qualifiers were postponed by the defense capabilities of Iran are not negotiable at “A return to the previous agreement will not suf- stronger. They are not worried about Iran’s nuclear body due to the COVID-19 outbreak. all. Moreover, the officials also ruled out any pros- fice anyway. There will have to be a kind of ‘nuclear program, because the Europeans themselves know Dragan Skocic’s team will take on Hong Kong on March 25, pect of renegotiating the nuclear deal from which agreement plus,’ which is also in our interest. We very well that Iran is not after acquiring nuclear 2021, before facing Cambodia five days later. the Trump administration withdrew illegally more have clear expectations of Iran: no nuclear weapons, weapons because this is not Iran’s strategy. The The Persian Leopards will then lock horns with Bahrain on than two years ago. but also no ballistic missile program that threatens Europeans are worried about the strength of the June 7 and Iraq on June 15. The nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint the entire region. Iran also needs to play a different Islamic Republic as an idea, not as a country with Iran sit third in the Group C of the qualifiers with six points Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has been a role in the region,” Maas said in an interview with specific borders. An idea that is the legacy of the late while Iraq and Bahrain lead the table with 11 and 9 points, point of contention between the United States and the German magazine, Der Spiegel. He added, “We Imam Khomeini and inspiring. The whole region respectively. Iran over the past few years. U.S. President Donald need this agreement precisely because we distrust of West Asia has been affected by the victory of the Iran need to win the four remaining matches for a confident Trump withdrew from the deal by claiming that Iran. I have already coordinated with my French Islamic Revolution of Iran. The Revolution’s influ- berth to the next round but it may also win the quota by winning it was “the worst deal ever.” He imposed sweep- and British counterparts on this.” ence reached Palestine, and then Syria and Iraq,” the nine more points. ing economic sanctions on Iran after quitting the Iran hit back at the chief German diplomat, saying former Iranian ambassador to Germany pointed out. binding deal and called for a “better deal” with Iran that Europe should know its position and capacities. Iran has made it clear at the highest levels that that would include, inter alia, the country’s missile Iran also believes that the European trio (E3) have the European signatories to the JCPOA have no program and its activities in the region. failed to honor their commitments under the JCPOA. right to demand negotiations on Tehran’s regional Esteghlal star Ghaedi fit for On the other hand, Iran strongly rejected the And Iran is wary of any new talks with the West influence and its defensive missile program as well. Trump administration’s calls for new talks, saying due to its experience reneging on the nuclear deal. During his latest meeting with the heads of the three Shahr Khodro match it will not renegotiate what it has negotiated before. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatib- branches of the government, Leader of the Islamic Meanwhile, the European countries have called for zadeh has responded to the German foreign minister’s Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei called on Tasnim — Esteghlal superstar forward Mehdi Ghaedi has not preserving the JCPOA as the only way to keep a remarks, saying Iran will not renegotiate the JCPOA. the E3 to stop demanding negotiations on Iran’s sustained an injury and could be fit for his team’s match against close watch on Iran’s nuclear activities. But this Speaking at a regular press conference on Monday, missiles and its influence in the region. Shahr Khodro next week. seems to have changed after Joe Biden won the U.S. the spokesman said, “Iran’s position on the JCPOA “The Europeans are constantly taking stances In the final minutes of the match against Sanat Naft, he suf- presidential election in November. As leading U.S. is firm and unchanged. JCPOA was negotiated once; against Iran. While they are making the most im- fered a foot injury and media reports suggested that he could be news media organizations began projecting Biden this agreement was the result of Iran’s resistance, proper interferences in the region’s issues, they tell ruled out for several weeks. to win the election, the E3 changed its tone on Iran, it was signed and it is included in Resolution 2231. us not to interfere in the region. And while France MRI showed that the player has no problem and can play openly demanding broader negotiations with Iran Iran will not renegotiate what was once negotiated, and Britain possess destructive nuclear missiles against Shahr Khodro next week. while keeping the JCPOA. nor will the binding nature of Resolution 2231 be and Germany is moving in this direction, they tell Esteghlal have missed several players in the Iran Professional Shortly after the U.S. election, the French pres- diminished.” us not to possess missiles,” the Leader pointed out. League current season due to the injury and Ghaedi’s absence idency called for broader negotiation with Iran “One of the parties that did not fulfill its obligations Directly addressing the Europeans, Ayatollah could be a big blow to the team. that includes Iran’s regional role and its missiles, was the European parties. The European Union Khamenei added, “What business is it of yours. Esteghlal played against Sanat Naft without Cheick Diabate, according to press reports. A French official point- foreign policy chief is responsible for implement- Correct yourself first and then make remarks.” Masoud Rigi, Farshid Esmaeili and Vouria Ghafouri. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 9, 2020

8-month exports to Arab Energy projects worth over partners exceed $8.5b

ECONOMY TEHRAN – The value of Iran’s exports to its deskArab trade partners in the region reached $8.565 $135m inaugurated in 3 provinces billion in the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-November 20), Farzad Piltan, the director-general of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO)’s Office of Arabian and ECONOMY TEHRAN – Numerous supply projects to 39 cities and villages. desk African Countries, said. energy projects worth over A 2.5-MW small-scale power plant and According to Piltan, the value of Iran’s total non-oil trade during 5.69 trillion rials (about $135.4 million) were several other development and improvement the first five months of the current stood at $21.5 billion. inaugurated in three provinces in the 31st projects were also inaugurated in Ilam. The mentioned trade partners include Iraq, the United Arab week of the Energy Ministry’s A-B-Iran A-B-Iran program (the acronyms A and Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Syria, and Bahrain. program, IRNA reported. B stand for water and electricity in Persian) Among Iran’s top trade partners, Iraq was ranked the second In a ceremony attended by the Energy was initiated in the previous Iranian calendar export destination with about $5.3 billion worth of goods exported Minister Reza Ardakanian, projects including year (ended on March 19), during which the to the country, followed by UAE, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar. the establishment of some electricity minister made 31 trips to various provinces Other Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Yemen transmission lines, some substations, water for inaugurating over 220 major projects (from the Persian Gulf region) and Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon supply to rural areas, and a small-scale with a total investment of 335.6 trillion rials (from West Asia) were not included in the list of the top 20 Iranian power plant were inaugurated through video (about $7.99 billion). export destinations during the period under review, the official said. conferences in Tehran, Ilam, and Golestan Since the beginning of the second phase Iran’s trade data also show that during the first eight months of provinces. of the scheme in the current Iranian calendar the current year, about $13.377 billion worth of commodities were Of the mentioned projects, eight were year (started on March 20), every week several exported to 15 neighboring countries, of which about $8.57 billion put into operation in Ilam province, eight energy projects have gone operational across were exported to the Arab neighbors. were in Golestan and the other one was the country. Among the country’s neighbors, Iraq and the UAE were ranked inaugurated in Tehran. Back in August, Ardakanian said that in first and second, followed by Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar which were Water supply to 43 villages was the only the second phase of the A-B-Iran scheme ranked 9th, 10th, and 11th (after Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, project inaugurated in Tehran province, which 250 projects are going to be inaugurated Azerbaijan, and Russia), and Bahrain which was ranked 14th (after provided a population of more than 14,000 by the end of the current Iranian calendar Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan). households with sustainable drinking water. year (March 20, 2021). Iran’s top three non-oil export destinations during this period The inaugurated projects of Golestan The official noted that a total of 500 trillion were China, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). include a 25-megawatt (MW) small scale of 28 electricity distribution lines, increasing as well as improvement and optimization rials (about $11.9 billion) of investment will Saudi Arabia was still the last in the list of the neighboring trade generator, modification, and optimization Gorgan transmission substation capacity, of stations, transmission lines, and water be made in the mentioned 250 projects. partners with zero any trade exchange. The total value of Iran’s non-oil trade during the first eight months of the current year reached $44.6 billion, according to Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) Mehdi Iran completely self-sufficient in building freight wagons Mirashrafi. In the mentioned eight months, Iran imported $23.1 billion worth 1 The development of the railway sector is one In June 2018, the first domestically-manufactured of goods, while the exports stood at $21.5 billion. of the macro policies of the Iranian government as it has rail tracks (known as National Rail) were handed over been emphasized by the general policies of the Sixth Five- to RAI by Isfahan Steel Company. Year National Development Plan (2016-2021). In terms of domestic manufacturing of wagons and Steel ingot production rises In this regard, the railway industry has been strongly locomotives, last year the railway fleet received 213 do- seeking self-sufficiency after the U.S. imposed a new round mestically-made wagons and locomotives in September, 8% in 8 months on year of sanctions on the Iranian economy and the imports of and 243 wagons and locomotives in December. high-quality equipment and parts have become more difficult. Also, in the current Iranian calendar year (started ECONOMY TEHRAN — Production of steel ingot in Iran in- on March 20) the national railway fleet has constantly desk As a result, the domestic manufacturing of parts and creased eight percent during the first eight months of equipment, rail tracks, wagons, and locomotives has received new domestically-made locomotives and wagons. the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-November 20) compared been put on the agenda for many Iranian companies So far, the railway fleet has received over 800 do- to the same period of time in the past year. and self-reliance is now being witnessed in many of the mestically-made locomotives and wagons in eight stages Over 19 million tons of steel ingot was produced during the eight- mentioned sectors. during the current Iranian calendar year. month period of the present year. Production of steel ingot in Iran is expected to surpass 30 million tons in the current Iranian calendar year (ends on March 20, 2021), Deputy Industry, Mining, and Trade Minister Darioush Esmaili has announced. Substitution of livestock feed inputs declines corn imports by 3m tons Saying that Iran is currently the world’s 10th biggest steel producer, ECONOMY TEHRAN — The imple- providing foreign exchange for the import vious year. the official underscored that the country is planning to rise to 8th place deskmentation of a plan for of alternative seeds, contract cultivation According to the Iran Feed and Grain by the Iranian calendar year 1404 (starts in March 2025). reducing dependence on imports of livestock, to ensure the sale of products produced by Importers Union (IFGIU), some 9.5 mil- He said the Industry Ministry has it on the agenda to increase the poultry, and aquatic inputs, in a one-year the farmer, providing credit and facilities lion tons of the mentioned products were country’s steel ingot production to 55 million tons by 2025, for which project, the volume of imported corn and to the farmers and guaranteed purchase imported into the country in the previous 160 million tons of iron ore is required annually. soybean meal decreased by three million tons of these products. year’s same seven months. “Given the country’s 2.8-billion-ton iron ore reserves, we need new and 400,000 tons, respectively, an official Recently, the Agriculture Ministry an- The total value of imports of livestock explorations in this field, because when the annual steel ingot production with the Iranian Agriculture Ministry said. nounced that despite the trade limitations inputs in the said period stood at over $2.377 capacity reaches 55 million tons, the current production levels of iron According to Director-General of the in the country, the required livestock feed billion, 18 percent less than the same period ore can only supply the industry for 12 to 13 years,” the official stated. Agriculture Ministry’s Grains and Essential inputs are provided to all meat and poul- last year in which $2.903 billion worth of He further noted that over 90 million tons of iron ore were produced Goods Department Faramak Aziz-Karimi, try chains in the country, and there are such products were imported. in the country during the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on the mentioned plan has been implemented no restrictions in terms of providing and During the first seven months of this March 19) of which only seven percent was exported. to substitute corn with other alternative ommendation of the Animal Science Re- delivering inputs to the producers. year, 5,849,809 tons of corn worth $1.412 The reduction in the exports of iron ore came as the Leader of the crops such as millet, sorghum, triticale, search Institute of IRAN (ASRI) and the Iran imported 8.5 million tons of animal billion was imported into the country, an Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei has urged the gov- vetch, soybean oil, and its meal, cotton researchers in this field, Aziz-Karimi said. feed inputs in the first seven months of increase of 20 percent in terms of weight ernment to prevent the exports of raw minerals in order to be processed meal, sesame, canola, and sunflower. Mentioning some of the requirements for the current Iranian calendar year (March and 17 percent in terms of value, compared in the country for making products with more added value. As IRNA reported, the mentioned the implementation of this plan, including 20-October 21), down 10 percent compared to 4,869,460 million worth $1.206 billion Following the leader’s remarks, the government levied a 25-per- program has been prepared on the rec- allocation of seed and machinery subsidies, to the corresponding period in the pre- in the same period of last year. cent duty on the exports of raw minerals (especially iron ore) since late September 2019. The industry ministry believes that the duty is going to encourage the production of more processed minerals such as pellets and concentrate instead of selling the raw minerals. Over 23,000 tons of shrimp farmed in Bushehr Province Industry, Mining, and Trade Ministry has announced that pro- ECONOMY TEHRAN — The director-general of fish- Khoun-Mirzaei said it is while the planned figure was duction of iron ore concentrate in Iran reached 47.306 million tons deskeries department of Bushehr Province, 1.25 million tons, and underscored that this amount of in the previous Iranian calendar year, registering a four-percent rise in southwest Iran, announced that 23,608 tons of shrimp output was achieved despite the sanctions and related compared to the preceding year. has been farmed in the province since the beginning of the difficulties in the previous year. Iran’s export of steel products in the past Iranian calendar year rose current Iranian calendar year (March 20). The official noted that the output, which was more than 27 percent compared to its preceding year. Ali Bazdar said that the output in the mentioned time the projected amount, was achieved through the help of As reported, the country’s major steel producers managed to export span shows a 10-percent growth year on year. research sectors as well as the ground laid by the private about 7.33 million tons of the products in the previous year. The official put the annual farmed shrimp output of sector. According to Esmaili, 10 years ago Iran exported more than 20 the province at 21,767 tons in the past Iranian year, and Referring to the high quality of Iran’s fishery products, million tons of unprocessed iron ore and the figure fell to a maximum said Bushehr accounted for over 60 percent of the farmed the head of IFO said that these products were sold easily of six million tons last year. shrimp output in the country. in the export markets. Meanwhile, the recent data provided by Trade Map website showed According to Bazdar, 90 percent of the province’s In mid-January, he had also said that new export desti- that Iran was ranked 19th among the world’s top steel ingot exporters farmed shrimp is exported to China, Russia, and Persian nations have welcomed Iran’s high-quality fishery products in 2019. Gulf littoral states, which in addition to bringing foreign in the past Iranian calendar year. The country ranked 53rd among 195 countries in the exports of currency, it plays some important role in job creation and “New markets including China, South Korea, and the steel products. economic prosperity in the region. Eurasian Union nations have opened up for Iranian fishery Iran exported $312 million and $252 million worth of crude steel the fishing output. In early September, Iran Fisheries Organization (IFO) products in this year”, Khoun-Mirzaei said at the time. and steel products in the mentioned year, respectively. Khoun-Mirzaei said the country’s fishery export stood Head Nabiollah Khoun-Mirzaei said that the country’s annual at 146,000 tons worth $538.9 million in the past Iranian “Based on the negotiations and agreements signed shrimp farming is anticipated to reach 52,000 tons in the year, while the import was 29,000 tons valued at $98.9 between Iran and China by the minister of agriculture, Exports from Hamedan current Iranian calendar year (ends on March 20, 2021). million, so Iran’s fishery trade balance was $440 million the Chinese fishery market has been opened to Iranian The official also said that 12,000 hectares of land have in the previous year. products. The Eurasian nations and South Korean markets Province increases 18% been used for shrimp farming in the current year. He further announced that 233,059 persons are cur- have also welcomed Iranian fishery products and have the Through the government’s supportive measures and rently working in the country’s fishery sector. potential for exports,” the official explained. ECONOMY TEHRAN — The value of exports from Hamed- creation of required infrastructures, the country’s fishery The official has previously said that Iran’s annual fishery According to the deputy head of Fishery Organization deskan Province, west-central Iran, has increased 18 output has reached 1.282 million tons in the present year, production is anticipated to reach 1.5 million tons in the Hossein Ali Abdolhay, some 12 aquatic species are already percent during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar which is a considerable figure, the IFO head further noted. current Iranian calendar year. bred in Iran and the figure is planned to reach 17 by the year (March 20-November 20), compared to the same period of time He went on to say that of the mentioned figure, 526,729 He put the country’s fishery output at 1.28 million tons end of the Sixth Five-Year National Development Plan in the past year, according to a provincial official. tons was related to aquafarming, and 755,728 tons was in the past year. (March 2021). Hamidreza Matin, the head of the province’s industry, mining, and trade department, said 339,156 tons of commodities valued at $89.124 million have been exported from the province during the mentioned eight-month, while the figure was $75.497 million in the same period of time in the past year. Public transportation fleet to be renovated The official mentioned industrial, petrochemical, and agricultural ECONOMY TEHRAN – The Min- pandemic due to the proper investments Further in the meeting, the solutions “The transport ministry has fulfilled all products, as well as minerals, and handicrafts as the major products deskistry of Interior is going made in strengthening and developing proposed by the Ministry of Interior re- its commitments regarding the completion exported to 36 countries, and said that chemical and petrochemical to formulate an executive mechanism for infrastructure in the past two years and garding the modernization of the country’s of a comprehensive transport system.” products accounted for 55 percent of the exports during the men- modernizing the country’s public trans- the country is on the verge of returning public transport fleet were discussed and Mohammad Eslami said. tioned period of time. port fleet, in collaboration with the Oil to the path of stability and growth. it was decided that according to the mech- In September 2019, the Iranian deputy Matin also announced that 3,700 tons of commodities valued at Ministry, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Referring to the need to modernize anisms provided, the public transport fleet transport minister said the National De- $12 million have been imported to the province during the first eight and the Industry, Mining and Trade Min- and develop the country’s public trans- would be renovated by supplying parts velopment Fund (NDF) of Iran allocated months of the present year. istry, Shana reported. port fleet, Rouhani underlined the nec- and also by adding new buses to this fleet. $1.6 billion for renovating the country’s As announced by the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Cus- The decision was made at a meeting of essary measures that should be taken for Back in February, the Iranian trans- transportation fleet. toms Administration (IRICA), the value of Iran’s non-oil trade during the government’s economic coordination providing the required parts for public port and urban development minister “Upon President Rouhani’s directive, the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year reached headquarters held on Tuesday. vehicles, saying: “To achieve the goals had said that the modernization of the National Development Fund will soon $44.6 billion. Speaking in the meeting, President of the country’s comprehensive trans- country’s transportation fleet should con- provide nearly $1.6 billion to renovate the Mehdi Mirashrafi has said that in the mentioned eight months, Hassan Rouhani noted that the country’s portation plans and to provide desirable tinue in the form of a smart movement transportation fleet,” Shahram Adamne- Iran imported $23.1 billion worth of goods, while the exports stood economy was able to withstand severe services to citizens, the country needs and bureaucratic processes should be jad said in a gathering of the country’s at $21.5 billion. shocks resulted from sanctions and the to add new fleet.” minimized in this regard. professional transport organizations. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 9, 2020 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5

The only way to prevent Israeli Biden chooses retired general Lloyd Austin as defense chief

Joe Biden has chosen retired General Lloyd Austin, who oversaw terror is to strike back hard: analyst U.S. forces in the Middle East under President Barack Obama, to be his defense secretary. 1 Historically the only way to prevent Israel from due to the roughly 500 Brits who had been murdered by Austin, who would be the continuing to commit acts of terror is to strike back hard. Zionist terrorist militias. But after Israel became an ally first Black U.S. secretary of In the case of Syria, when in 2018 they chose to respond to against the Arab countries, working for imperial interests, defense, was a surprise pick Israel in the illegally occupied Golan Heights, Israel stopped Israel became “their baby” as Yasser Arafat once said. As over Michele Flournoy, a for- striking Syria for around 5 months following this instance. for the U.S., they have always had a love affair with their mer top Defense Department Even in the Gaza Strip Hamas have made great strides settler-colonial, white supremacist brethren, a love affair official who was considered the towards deterring frequent Israeli attacks, due to their will- only strengthens in the years preceding the June 1967 war. leading contender for the job. ingness to respond strongly to Israeli aggression. The double standards we see in the Western media are Flournoy would have been the Israel calculates the risk factor into its approach when by design, it is Orientalism at work. The fact that Israel is first woman defense secretary, conducting these illegal operations, the Israelis wish to hold able to violate more UN Security Council resolutions than Reuters reported. onto something they call their “deterrence capacity”. But if any country in history and has been condemned more than The news was first reported Israel sees too great of a risk, it will back off. any other country, yet still operates in good favor of the by Politico. The appropriate response to this is to deal a large blow to West. This shows us that Western nations don’t believe in Austin, who retired in 2016, Israel, and then they will be deterred from ever committing this news was not received in the way that many in the international law applies to them, or any law for that matter, will need a waiver from Congress such an act again. Even a small battle ensuing with Israel will anti-war camp here would have liked. Many media outlets when it comes to what they do in non-Western Nations. since it has been less than the be enough of a scare to keep them away in the near future, spun this as somehow being a good thing, effectively en- How do you assess the U.S and Israel’s record in required seven years since he especially during the Joe Biden administration’s rule. dorsing an act of terrorism. Anti-war advocates, however, waging wars, especially in West Asia? served. He would be the second Pentagon chief in four years Regarding the assassination, it seems it was a collu- understand well the implications of this act and as with A: Israel has carried out illegal “targeted assassinations”. to need a waiver, after President Donald Trump picked James sion orchestrated by Pompeo, Netanyahu, and Mohammed the illegal assassination of Hajj Qassem Soleimani, wanted Even in the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, Mattis, a retired Marine general, to be his first defense secretary. bin-Salman as they met a couple of days before the terrorist to see de-escalation and weren’t comfortable with these there were Israeli footprints; they were at the very least act. What is your take? types of attacks. notified. Last year they carried out another high profile A: Based upon the information we access regarding the Why does nobody directly condemn Israel for its assassination of Shaheed Baha Abu Atta, a PIJ military Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid meeting in Saudi Arabia, the first confirmed of its kind, it assassination operations all around the world? Suppose commander, in the besieged Gaza Strip and had murdered returns as Kuwait PM seems plausible to believe the assassination may have been another country in West Asia was responsible for the as- his family in the process. discussed; however for now this is just a speculation. What sassination, what would be the reaction of Western media? Israel only exists because of their terrorism and Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah has reappointed we do know however is that Iran was most certainly dis- A: Israel is a settler-colonial entity that is essentially they sustain their existence with terrorism. The Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid Al Sabah as prime minister following cussed during the 2-hour long meeting. an extension of the West. It was built on racism and regime was born of terrorist gangs who massacred general elections, which saw the opposition win almost half of How do you evaluate Western reaction to this as- ethnic cleansing. The British had until 1956 wished to thousands of people and assassinated peacemak- the parliament’s seats. sassination? bomb Israel’s air force as (London) was hesitant to even ers, as well as UN diplomats. Without terrorism, The emir on Tuesday asked Sheikh Sabah to nominate members A: Unfortunately Western populations have been ex- recognize Israel when it first declared independence. Brit- there would be no Israel. Terror is what the children of a new cabinet for approval, state media reported. posed to such an excess of anti-Iran war propaganda that ain prior to the Suez Crisis was relatively critical of Israel, of Gaza and the West Bank feel, it’s all by design. Members of the Al Sabah ruling family, in power for the past 250 years, retain full control over key government and executive posts. Sheikh Sabah’s cabinet resigned on Sunday in a routine pro- cedure after the elections. Academic predicts Biden would continue to support S. Arabia militarily According to the results announced by the electoral commis- sion on state TV on Sunday, candidates belonging to or leaning By Mohammad Ali Saki “Biden has said that he would like to a closer look. In my discussions with U.S. toward the opposition won 24 seats in the 50-seat National As- revive the JCPOA. There will certainly be officials, a principal reason that it was not sembly, up from 16 in the previous parliament. TEHRAN – An Assistant Professor from opposition to that among Republicans, taken seriously in Washington was that the The polls were the first since Sheikh Nawaf was sworn in as Coastal Carolina University (CCU) rules who still have significant power in Con- written proposal was conveyed without the new emir of Kuwait in September following the death of his out any major change in U.S. military sup- gress and in public discourse, but it would official markings and because Iran’s leaders half-brother, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah, at the age of 91. port for Saudi Arabia under Joe Biden’s be unfortunate if Iran refused to engage did not offer any other public or private presidency as the kingdom has been a Biden at a high level,” Ferrero suggests. outreach about achieving a diplomatic close U.S. ally for several decades. On how can Iran trust the U.S again breakthrough. There was concern that Yemeni army launches drone “Saudi Arabia has been a close ally for while Trump unilaterally withdrew from it did not adequately reflect the views of several decades, so I would not expect the nuclear deal and imposed sweeping the Supreme Leader.” attack against Saudi positions any major changes in the U.S. position,” sanctions on Iran and Europeans stood While Iran cooperated with the U.S. Christopher J. Ferrero tells the Tehran idly by, he says, “I can understand Iranian after the September 11 attacks, President The Yemeni army, backed by popular committees, has launched times. frustration about the different attitudes George W. Bush branded Iran as part of a fresh drone attack against the positions of the Saudi-led coa- The United States is the biggest arms between Democrats and Republicans.” the axis of evil. lition, whose war on Yemen’s Ansarullah movement has killed supplier to Saudi Arabia. Ferrero argues Americans also have However, from Coastal Carolina Uni- thousands of civilians since 2015. Though the academic says he does such a mentality toward Iranians. versity says, “Clearer and more credible The Saudi-led coalition’s spokesman, Turki al-Maliki, con- not know “anything about the specifics “This is the same dynamic Americans communication by Tehran of a roadmap firmed the drone attack, but claimed that the coalition forces of future arms deals with the Saudis” but see when they look at Iran. They see “mod- to improve relations may stand a good have managed to intercept the unmanned aerial vehicle. “military support will continue in one form erates” and “hardliners” and tend to doubt JCPOA was not written based on trust. chance of success in 2021 because this The UAE’s Al-Khaleej newspaper quoted Maliki as saying that or another.” that Iran’s moderates can really achieve It was only based on verification. Under time, a Democratic administration will the drone attack had been launched against southern regions He adds Saudi Arabia and Israel are any meaningful change. They fear that the the agreement Iran was obliged to put be in power. In 2003, President Bush’s of Saudi Arabia. Washington’s “longstanding allies regard- hardliners will just reverse any short-term limits on its nuclear activities in exchange administration featured many officials According to Press TV, Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah forces less of who occupies the White House.” reforms that the moderates implement.” for termination of financial and economic who favored regime change in Tehran. The had targeted Saudi positions with three drones last week. Riyadh However, he predicts, Biden “will be There is deficit trust between Tehran sanctions. Democratic Party is far less interested in claims it has shot all of them down. more likely than Trump to pressure allies and Washington and this view is shared “I do not agree with the decision to overthrowing the Islamic Republic than With the intensification of the coalition attacks against civilian like Israel and Saudi Arabia on issues such by the professor from Coastal Carolina withdraw from the JCPOA. The U.S. signed the Republican Party. Iran should seize areas of Yemen, the popular committees and the Yemeni army as human rights.” University. an agreement focused on nuclear affairs; the opportunity for something bigger than have resumed their deterring and defensive attacks deep inside The Saudi-led war on Yemen has caused “Trust is severely lacking in this rela- it should have honored the agreement a new nuclear deal. Moreover, if a more the Saudi territories in recent days. great tragedy. The UN has called it “hu- tionship; this was true even before Trump. because Iran honored the agreement and conservative figure replaces President In late November, the Yemeni army launched a missile attack manity’s greatest preventable disaster”. It is certainly worse now. But there is because it was good for the global nuclear Rouhani in the June election, it may be against the Saudi-led coalition’s Camp Tadawain in Yemen’s On December 1, the United Nations no way to improve the situation without nonproliferation regime,” he points out. easier for Iran to make the sacrifices neces- Ma’rib, killing at least eight Saudi forces. Office for the Coordination of Human- taking more calculated risks in the name The academic suggests now that Biden sary to achieve detente or rapprochement itarian Affairs (OCHA) said the conflict of diplomacy,” Ferrero opines. is going to lead the U.S. administration with Washington. It is often easier for in Yemen has so far claimed the lives of The 2015 nuclear deal was endorsed by it is not advisable to miss “a proposal for the “hardliners” in any country to make R esistance N ews 233,000 people, adding that “this large the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 a grand bargain”. peace with an enemy.” number is unfortunate and unacceptable.” and its violation by the Trump administra- “I think the start of the Biden adminis- He argues better chances have now Hamas holds UNRWA Also, the Israeli crimes in the occu- tion was a violation of international law. tration is an excellent opportunity for all emerged for Tehran-Washington rap- pied territories are notoriously famous. “To Americans, the JCPOA was not to again consider a proposal for a grand prochement, saying, “If the outgoing responsible for reduction Its crimes are separate from its constant enough to build trust. From some Ameri- bargain. Iran floated such a proposal in Trump administration seems to be trying of services to refugees theft of the Palestinian lands. cans’ perspective, Iran violated the spirit 2003; it would have set a framework for to force surrender terms on Iran, a new improved relations by addressing several The professor also says Biden, despite of the JCPOA by engaging in activities grand bargain proposal gives Tehran the INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — Jihad Taha, the Hamas deputy issues including terrorism, human rights, opposition by Republicans, is eager to that continue to impede U.S.-Iranian rec- chance to frame any concessions as part deskpolitical official in Lebanon, held on Monday and regional security.” revitalize the dying nuclear deal – JCPOA onciliation, such as support for Bashar of a bilateral negotiation – not as capit- the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestini- He adds, “From my analysis of the issue, - and argues it is in Iran’s interests not al-Assad and Hezbollah,” the assistant ulation. Ideally, Iran would offer much an Refugees (UNRWA) and its director in Lebanon, Claudio the U.S. was short-sighted in not giving it to reject engagement. professor says. of what it offered in 2003.” Cordone, responsible for reducing the services provided to Palestinian refugees, stressing the continuation of rejecting these decisions. Taha said in an interview with Quds Press, “The reduction China summons U.S. diplomat over sanctions, vows retaliation of services by UNRWA comes in the context of a systematic China summoned the acting top U.S. diplomat in Beijing Wang Yi urged the United States to maintain dialogue at concerns over Beijing’s oppressive policies. policy under trivial pretenses namely the inability to secure on Tuesday to protest U.S. sanctions on Chinese offi- all levels and encourage exchanges between legislators Zheng threatened “reciprocal” retaliation from China. the necessary funding.” cials over Hong Kong, and vowed to take “reciprocal” and other groupings of people. “U.S. barbaric actions will only invoke the intense “The decisions taken by UNRWA on the educational, health retaliation. China criticized the sanctions. Its foreign ministry anger of the Chinese people against anti-China forces and relief levels have exacerbated the humanitarian and so- The United States on Monday imposed financial said on its website on Tuesday that Chinese vice for- in the United States and cause 1.4 billion Chinese peo- cial conditions in the (refugee) camps and other areas where sanctions and a travel ban on 14 Chinese officials over eign minister Zheng Zeguang had summoned the acting ple, including our compatriots in Hong Kong, to fully Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon”, he added. their role in adopting a national security law for Hong representative in the U.S. embassy to express “solemn recognise the U.S. devious intentions and strengthen He indicated that the economic and social conditions in Kong and Beijing’s disqualification last month of elected protest and strong condemnation”. the resolve of the Chinese government in implementing Lebanon had their impact on the Palestinian refugees. This opposition legislators in Hong Kong. In a statement on its website, the U.S. embassy said the Hong Kong National Security Law,” he said. has led to an increase in suffering, an exacerbation of the social This is likely the first time that all 14 vice chairpersons its Chargé d’Affaires Robert Forden told Zheng that Earlier on Tuesday, China’s Hong Kong and Macau situation and an increase in the poverty rates to more than 80 of China’s lawmaking body, the National People’s Con- Beijing has used the law repeatedly to suppress freedom Affairs Office and Chinese foreign ministry’s office of percent. “This requires the international agency to increase gress, have come under U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported. of expression and assembly in Hong Kong and to arrest the commissioner to Hong Kong issued separate con- its services or declare a state of emergency in the Palestinian The sanctions came just after China’s top diplomat Hong Kong residents who have peacefully raised their demnations of the U.S. sanctions. camps rather than reducing the services provided to those refugees”, he elaborated. Taha called on the international agency to launch a distress call to secure the supplies needed by the Palestinian refugees to avoid a humanitarian and social disaster inside the camps. U.S. protests: Judge seeks ‘practical’ not punitive remedies after finding Taha addressed Claudio Cordone, director of UNRWA af- fairs in Lebanon, saying: “If you are unable to shoulder your Portland in contempt of restrictions on less-lethal weapons responsibilities towards the suffering of the refugees by doing your required role then it is better for you to resign.” A federal judge who found the city of Portland aren’t being actively aggressive toward them. systemic racism. The nonprofit had argued judge, occurred when: Officer Brent Taylor The agency’s commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, had in contempt of his restrictions on police use On June 26, the judge barred police from that police violated the court order when fired five shots from his FN303 launcher at said, “The agency is forced to partially postpone the payment of less-lethal impact munitions during a using FN303 and 40MM less-lethal launch- officers fired foam-tipped impact rounds, the legs of someone refusing to let go of an of the salaries of 28,000 employees, including health care night of protests in late June said he wants ers and pepper spray on people engaged in launched smoke grenades and bull-rushed “Abolish the Police” banner with a PVC- workers and teachers, due to lack of funding.” to issue “practical remedies as opposed to passive resistance. The judge’s order also demonstrators with batons and fired tear pipe frame; Taylor fired 10 rounds from the UNRWA, which provides its services to about 5.3 million punitive” ones to help the city avoid repeating urged police to minimize the exposure of gas on June 30. same type of launcher against two people Palestinian refugees, says it suffers from a suffocating financial the violations. pepper spray to anyone not involved in the Hernandez found that Portland police trying to pull a person on roller skates away crisis since the United States, on 23 January, completely frozen U.S. District Judge Marco A. Hernan- demonstrations. violated his restrictions three times on June from police and back into the crowd; and its financial support for the agency. dez has set a hearing for 9 a.m. Jan. 8 to The judge’s order came in response 30 as officers declared an unlawful assembly an unidentified officer fired a less-lethal The agency was established by resolution of the United Na- take arguments from both sides before he to a suit filed by Don’t Shoot Portland, a and tried to push protesters to the east after launcher at a person who tried to pick up tions General Assembly in 1949 and was mandated to provide determines what those remedies will be. Black-led nonprofit that advocates for social they marched to the police union building an unidentified object from the ground. assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees in its five areas He said he wants to make sure police and racial justice in the city, amid nightly in North Portland from Peninsula Park. None of the people were engaged in active of operations, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and the avoid using munitions against people who demonstrations against police brutality and The three violations, according to the aggression, Hernandez found. Gaza Strip until reaching a just solution for Palestinians. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM DECEMBER 9, 2020

Why lodging at a Iranian miniature, pilgrimage, ritual, and caravanserai is a must-do in Iran? stringed instrument closer to UNESCO tags 1 The caravanserai was always kept open for all arrivals from early dawn until late in the evening. Some TOURISM TEHRAN – UNESCO origins. caravansaries are of modest architectural merit, with well- deskwill soon be investigat- Oud is a short-neck lute-type, pear-shaped hewn, massive walls and impressive proportions. Their gates ing the possible inscription of four Iranian stringed instrument, which is thought that are often decorated with intricate carving, as is the prayer elements, including the art of miniature and was invented by nomad tribes since it was niche within. the ancient Mehregan Festival, on the world light and mobile. heritage list. Oud’s warm and fluid sound makes it Final decisions will be reached at the 15th a versatile instrument in solo performanc- session of the Intergovernmental Commit- es and showcasing the nuances of Persian tee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible music. It comes in different sizes, Arabic Cultural Heritage, deputy tourism minister ouds have bigger size bodies and Turkish Mohammad-Hassan Talebian announced ones are smaller and Persian ouds usually on Monday. fall in between. Possible inclusion of skills of making and Located in Iran’s West Azarbaijan prov- playing the oud and pilgrimage to the St. ince, the St. Thaddeus Monastery, also known Thaddeus Monastery will also be discussed as the Qareh Klise (“the Black Church”) is one during the session, which will be held on- of the oldest surviving Christian monuments line, over the coronavirus pandemic, from in the country. It is situated in Chaldoran December 14 to 19, he said. county some 20 kilometers from Maku, ad- Due to the limitations of UNESCO for jacent to the borders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, registration of each country’s intangible her- and Turkey. itage, the dossiers of the elements have been The annual ceremony and pilgrimage in the prepared jointly with neighboring countries, St. Thaddeus Monastery is held in mid-July. At night while you are standing on the roof of the isolated the official added. Baptism of children and youngsters along building imagining what it must have been like to see camel Iran is slated to register the art of min- A man plays the oud in an undated photo. with performances of traditional songs and caravans coming across the barren desert while the sun is iature jointly with Turkey, Azerbaijan, and is one of them. dishes, and elements each on behalf of a dances are amongst highlights of the event. disappearing behind the mountains to the west. Uzbekistan; the Mehrgan Festival jointly with Mehregan Festival typically brings to- particular belief. Fruits, vegetables, dried Attendees commemorate the martyrdom Don’t worry about the amenities, there are many ancient Tajikistan, pilgrimage to the St. Thaddeus gether clusters of Iranian Zoroastrians in nuts, sweets, rosewater, grilled lamb meat, of St. Thaddeus, one of the twelve disciples caravansaries, which have been fully restored and equipped Monastery with Armenia; and the skill of celebration of Mithra, an ancient goddess lotus seeds, and silver coins and a scale are killed while he was preaching the Gospel. to be boutique hotels or so. making and playing the oud with Syria, the of friendship, affection, and love. The cele- typically placed, the latter symbolizes au- The legend says a church dedicated to him official explained. brations are usually opened up with keynote tumnal equinox. was first built in 68 CE where Qareh Klise Iranian miniature is a traditional style of speeches by Zoroastrian religious figures and Mehregan falls on the 196th day of the is standing. Webinar to discuss painting that is detailed, colorful, and small officials, followed by Shahnameh recitations, Iranian calendar year that usually equals Thaddeus was an apostle of Christ and the in size, often representing a mythological or exciting contests, and other joyful customaries. October 2 in the Gregorian calendar. The ceremony is rooted in the last supper with landscape conservation religious theme. Due to its long history, Iran A key feature for the event is large spreads festivity was used to be a traditional autumn Jesus Christ on the night of his arrest and around Pasargadae has a rich artistic heritage, and miniature in purple laden with various ingredients, harvest festival with several accounts on its execution by the Roman soldiers.

HERITAGE TEHRAN – An online seminar will be dis- deskcussing today the latest developments in the conservation of sceneries encircling the UNESCO-registered Pasargadae in southern Iran. Gigantic ice storage in northeastern Iran to be restored The event will also review joint projects Iranian archae- TOURISM TEHRAN – Parts of a gigantic tradi- to the high walls of Yakhchal, which cast a shadow that ologists and their French counterparts have carried out desktional Yakhchal (ice storage) in the city kept the water cool. within and around the World Heritage over the past five of Khalilabad, northeastern Khorasan Razavi province will The water turned into ice during the wintertime. Then years, ISNA reported. undergo some rehabilitation works. people cut the ice into many portable parts and put them The restoration project involves repairing the walls in the ice house and covered the surface of the ice with and flooring area of the conical structure, which have been special local grass. damaged due to the recent heavy rains, Khalilabad’s tourism The structure is built high to minimize the contact of chief said on Tuesday. warm air with the ice surface as the warm air floats up- The Qajar-era (1789–1925) Yakhchal is one of the city’s wards. The feature of the ice storage was essential to its icons and holds the potential to become a popular tourist functioning. attraction after being fully restored, Mohammad Javad There were also wells behind the ice storages with a Bolboli explained. connective canal at the bottom of the ice storage to the The project is planned to be implemented in collabo- wells with a slight slope. ration with the municipality, the official added. When people piled up the ice, a little amount of water The historical structure was added to the National remained under the heap of ice. If the water was not re- Heritage list in 2011. moved it would make the rest of the ice melt. By channeling When there was no electricity, no refrigerators, and the water into the well, not only did they prevent the ice cold and tasty water during summer months when the no appliances, people kept a huge amount of water next stored in the ice house from melting, but also they had weather went up to 40 degrees Celsius.

Situated about 50 km north of Persepolis, Pasargadae Fences, sunshades installed to protect Elamite rock arts embraces outstanding examples of the first phase of royal TOURISM TEHRAN – A series of done by cultural heritage experts and ar- could spend weeks exploring. The prov- Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimonies deskfences and sunshades have cheologists to find ways for their proper ince is also a cradle for handicrafts and of Persian civilization. been set up to protect Elamite bas-reliefs carved protection.” arts whose crafters inherited from their Cyrus was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire which on a rock face near Izeh, southwest Iran. Kul-e Farah ancient area was registered preceding generations. at its greatest extent stretched from the Balkans to the Indus A conservation project, which entailed the on the National Heritage list in 1999. Lying at the head of the Persian Gulf Valley, spanning 5.5 million square kilometers. The Persian installation of metal fences, roofing covers, Elam was an ancient pre-Iranian civiliza- and bordering Iraq on the west, Khuzestan king declared the world’s first charter of human rights, also and shielding structures, has recently come tion centered in the far-west and south-west was settled about 6000 BC by a people with known as the Cyrus Cylinder. to an end after almost two decades at Kul-e of what is now modern-day Iran, stretching affinities to the Sumerians, who came from Farah in Khuzestan province, a local tourism from the lowlands of what is now Khuzestan the Zagros Mountains region. Urban centers official announced on Tuesday. and Ilam provinces as well as a small part appeared there nearly contemporaneously A peek into Iranian The prehistorical site, which was prob- of southern Iraq. with the first cities in Mesopotamia in the ably home to an Elamite temple and place ed for the three of the carvings as the rest Izeh is home to three UNESCO World 4th millennium. Khuzestan, according to traditional houses, mansions of worship, includes six bas-relief carvings are located in safer places of the cliff, the Heritage sites of Susa, Tchogha Zanbil, and Encyclopedia Britannica, came to constitute depicting graves, buildings, and a water canal. official said. Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System yet it the heart of the Elamite kingdom, with Susa (Part 3/8) The protective elements were mount- “And, studies and researches are being is a region of raw beauty where its visitors as its capital. HERITAGE TEHRAN – Decoration is equal to the deskword embellishment which means to beautify or add (adding something to something else) as contrasted against trim (to remove something from something else). Semnan to set up bureau to help safeguard historic texture Of course various meanings such as ordering, prepar- TOURISM TEHRAN – The Iranian city of Semnan province’s tourism. ing, establishing, building, etc have been cited for em- deskis to set up a special cultural heritage He also noted that in this situation, tourism business- bellishment. In the general Arabic to Persian dictionary, bureau to bolster the conservation of its historic texture. es that are struggling with the impact of the coronavirus embellishment is defined as “what is used to beautify, The bureau, which will be launched for the first time pandemic need more support. make up”. [across Semnan province], is aimed to protect and revive The main population centers of Semnan province lie historical neighborhoods of the city that add up to some along the ancient Silk Road (and modern-day Imam Reza 350 hectares, provincial tourism chief Mehdi Jamal said Expressway), linking Rey (Tehran) with Khorasan (Mashhad). on Tuesday. While few visitors spend much time in the area, driving The official also noted that the development of the through you can easily seek out several well-preserved tourism sector is the basis for the economic prosperity caravanserais (notably Dehnamak and Ahowan), cisterns of the province, which requires the participation of all (the Cafe Abenbar in Garmsar is a special treat) and ru- executive bodies. ined mud citadels (Padeh is lumpy but fascinating). The Earlier last week, the official announced that the outbreak large, bustling cities of Semnan, Damghan, and Shahrud of the coronavirus has caused one trillion rials (about $24 (Bastam) all have a small selection of historic buildings million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) damage to the and Semnan has a fine old covered bazaar.

Archaeologists shed more light on massive underground city in central Iran HERITAGE TEHRAN – Iranian underway, the official noted. majorly by extraction of space rather than deskarchaeologists have Based on the academic findings, the the addition of mass. Architecture by sub- A view of Yazdani House in Sarayan, South Khorasan province uncovered what they say might be the creation of handmade troglodytic archi- traction rather than addition provides many In Iran, paying attention to the internal spaces of a entrance to a massive underground city tectural sites depends on several factors opportunities that call for comprehensive building has always been of particular interest to architects. located in Taftesh, central Iran. including climatic and geographical con- research and analysis. In huge complex of Persepolis for whose construction “The first signs of access to the main ditions, defense, security, durability, and As there is no obligatory method in all skillful artists and craftsman were brought to Iran, site of the underground city of Tafresh religion, which were deeply tied with the making spaces rather than material cohe- lithographs are a re-enforcing part in internal spaces. were revealed during a recent week of ex- cultural, political, social, and economic sion, there is no priority in constructing Further to being masterpieces of architecture, the mas- cavations,” IRNA quoted Tafresh Governor circumstances. This architecture can be a troglodytic structure, either from the sive Achaemenian palaces in Persepolis and Pasargadae Abdolreza Hajalibeigi as saying on Tuesday. classified into various formal types in terms roof or from the floor. Dealing with stone are particularly important in terms of decorative arts. “The hand-carved underground city is of their external form, internal space, and blocks, rocks, and piles of earth requires a The lithographs in these palaces have been conducted situated under the modern city of Tafresh… function (religious, tombs, residential, variety of tools as an ax, hammer, chisel, with utmost care and attention and the whole nuances are and with an area of ??three hectares it is and shelter). and sledgehammer to shape the interior conventional settlement patterns and written on stone. Further to lithograph, the enamel tile of one of the largest underground areas in The handmade troglodytic architec- space. construction methods and is always can Yazd is also used in decoration of palaces. A case of such Iran and even in West Asia.” ture is a distinctive kind of architecture, In Iran, many magnificent cases of this take advantage of the mountains and use can be found in the picture of immoral soldiers in The first archaeological season was which does not require major construc- architecture have taken place in different valleys on the floor or wall, which is a Shoush. Achaemenian tall pillars ad huge column heads carried out last summer on the under- tion materials and consequently very low regions due to its various climates. This good way to control climate fluctuation were also used for decoration purposes. ground city and the second is currently environmental load since its creation is unique architecture is at odds with the in different regions. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 9, 2020 SOCIETY 7

School renovation budget Iranian university students runner-up at IMC 2020

SOCIETY TEHRAN — The students of Tabriz Univer- desksity won a gold and a silver medal, ranking rises by 21% the second team at the 27th International Mathematics Com- SOCIETY TEHRAN — The nation- charities in Iran. petition for University Students (IMC 2020), held virtually deskal budget bill for the next Iran has many school-building benefac- on July 25-30. [Iranian calendar] year (March 2021-March tors amounting to 650,000 people inside 2022) has foreseen a 21-percent rise for and 1,000 people outside the country. renovation and retrofit of schools. There are some 107,000 schools na- A total of 450 billion rials (nearly $10.7 tionwide with 530,000 classes, 160,000 million the official rate of 42,000 rials) of which are dilapidated, not meeting was proposed for school renovation in safety standards. Some 30 percent of the the budget bill; which is 21 percent higher schools nationwide are old, of which some than that of the previous year, Mehrollah 12 percent must be completely rebuilt and Rakhshanimehr, director of the Organi- 18 percent must be retrofitted. zation for Development, Renovation, and President Hassan Rouhani official- Equipping Schools, said. ly inaugurated some 1,550 educational, The government submitted the draft of training, and welfare projects across the the national budget bill for the next [Iranian country in early-November via video calendar] year to Majlis on December 2. conferencing. The proposed budget amounted to The projects included 1,422 educational about 24.357 quadrillion rials (about $580 places with 8,051 classrooms, 124 training The two-member mathematics team of Tabriz University billion), with a 20-percent rise from the centers, and 4 welfare centers, measuring consisting of Arman Shirdel, a student of Statistics, and Erfan current year’s budget. a total of 1.1 million square meters. Masoumi, a student of Computer Science, won a gold and a silver Supplying basic goods, treatment, and The Organization for Development, medal and got the second position at the IMC 2020. medical equipment; securing livelihood; Renovation, and Equipping Schools start- The competition was held with the participation of 546 students supporting production and employment; ed operating in the Iranian calendar year in 96 teams from different universities of the world. promoting and supporting non-oil exports 107,000 schools need renovation some 30 percent of the country’s schools 1396 (March 2017-March 2018), which The IMC Competition is one of the most prestigious inter- and knowledge-based companies are the nationwide have been constructed by school-building received a budget of 8.5 trillion rials (about national maths competitions at the student level, with teams focal points of the bill. Rakhshanimehr said in August that benefactors; there are 450 school-building $200 million). from the world’s top universities competing every year at the IMC Institute of University College London. The IMC began in 1994 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, with 49 partici- pants, mostly from Bulgaria, and was hosted by Plovdiv University UNICEF welcomes Iran’s step towards protection of stateless people rights “Paisii Hilendarski”. Next year’s competition is organized by University College SOCIETY TEHRAN — UNICEF welcomes the imple- Iranian citizenship if not requested by the mother, then will London and will be hosted by the American University in Bulgaria, deskmentation of the new Iranian nationality be granted Iranian citizenship in case of no security problem. which will take place in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, in July or August. law which enables children born to Iranian mothers and Although Iran is not a party to the UN Conventions on non-Iranian fathers to obtain Iranian nationality. Statelessness, the Government of Iran is taking steps towards “According to official figures, 28,000 children below the prevention and reduction of statelessness in the country. the age of 18 years have filed applications to receive birth While the law does not give mothers and fathers equal FAO to support Iran to certificates and a nationality. The first group obtained rights to confer nationality to their children, it represents their Iranian nationality and Iranian identity booklet significant progress. ensure sustainable healthy (shenasnameh) on November 18. Statelessness: a global issue biodiverse soils “The implementation of this Law is a milestone for the Around the world, stateless people can face a lifetime of protection of the rights of stateless persons in Iran, including exclusion and discrimination and are often denied access 1 Mentioning this year’s theme of World Soil Day 2020 – children. Statelessness can hinder a child’s access to basic to education, health care, and job opportunities – making Keep Soil Alive, Protect Soil Biodiversity –Bödeker added that social services such including healthcare and education. them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. “soil organisms not only can break down or clean up certain “UNICEF welcomes this important development for Worldwide, statelessness affects millions of people, leav- types of pollution but also soil biodiversity is an essential source children on the 31st anniversary of the adoption of the ing them without the basic rights and official recognition of the chemical and genetic resources that are required for the Convention on the Rights of the Child which recognizes children at risk of becoming statelessness are eligible for that most of us take for granted. Some 3.9 million stateless development of new medicines.” the child’s right to acquire nationality in Article 7. Iranian citizenship under a new nationality law, which people appear in the reporting of 78 countries, but UNHCR “UNICEF remains committed to continuing supporting was amended in 2019 to allow children under 18 years believes the true total to be significantly higher. the Government of Iran and partners for promoting child to apply for identity documents. “No child chooses to be stateless,” said Ivo Freijsen, wellbeing in the country.” According to article one of the law, children of Iranian UNHCR Representative in Iran last year. “Without iden- Thet firs children, out of some 10,000 children whose women and non-Iranian men who were born before or after tity and official documents, stateless people are often citizenship applications have so far been accepted, received the law can be an Iranian citizen in case the Iranian mother excluded from society. The Government of Iran is leading their Iranian identity card last month. requested if they have no security problem before the age of 18. by example through its new law. It is a hugely positive According to the Government of Iran, nearly 75,000 These children, after reaching the age of 18, can apply for move for these children and their families.”

Australia to use drones to count every Koala as extinction looms Australia is set to embark on a mass audit of of koala populations will become part of WWF study said. the country’s koala population using drones ministerial meetings. Even before the fires, koala habitats had and detection dogs amid a warning that the Commenting on the koala audit, which been in rapid decline due to land clear- species is “sliding towards extinction”. will cost AUS$2m, Sussan Ley, the Austral- ing for agriculture, urban development, FAO Representative urged all national and international The koala count is part of an AUS$18m ian environment minister, said: “For all our mining and forestry. stakeholders to join hands to facilitate the development and package to protect Australia’s iconic marsu- focus on koalas, scientists are telling us that “That (60,000 figure) is a devastating implementation of policies and programs that promote sustain- pials from multiple threats, including habitat there is a serious lack of data about where number for a species that was already sliding able agricultural systems, dedicate great care to nurturing soil destruction, climate change, disease and car populations actually are, how they are faring towards extinction in Eastern Australia. We biodiversity, increase soil organic matter content, and combat strikes, the Independent reported. and the best ways to help them recover after cannot afford to lose koalas on our watch,” loss of soil through wind and water erosion. Heat-seeking drones and sniffer dogs will the devastating bushfires.” WWF-Australia chief executive Dermot be used to document the koala population, More than 60,000 koalas were killed, in- O’Gorman said in the report. which was estimated in a 2016 study to number jured or displaced in fires that raged across South Australia’s Kangaroo Island was the 329,000. Since then, there have been annu- parts of Australia last summer, a report by worst-hit area for koalas, with some 40,000 LET’S LEARN PERSIAN al bushfires reducing the number further. the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) koalas impacted by the fires, the WWF said. (Part 78) (Source: saadifoundation.ir) The Australian Koala Foundation believes released on Monday estimated. Nearly 11,000 in Victoria and 8,000 in New there could be fewer than 80,000 remaining Those bushfires, which Scott Morrison, South Wales (NSW) were also affected. koalas in eastern Australia by 2050. today – and possibly as few as 43,000. “If the prime minister, dubbed Australia’s “black A NSW parliamentary inquiry in June The organisation’s protection plan in- this rate of decline continues then yes, the summer”, also killed 33 people and razed concluded after a year-long inquiry that cludes a trial of drones to disperse seeds of koala is at risk of extinction,” the group said. over 24 million hectares (59 million acres) koalas in the state could become extinct by eucalyptus trees which provide both food Acoustic surveillance and citizen in the country. 2050 unless the government immediately and shelter for koalas, and the establish- surveys will also be used to locate and Nearly 3 billion native animals would intervened to protect them and their habitat. ment of a fund to encourage landowners count the animals, and annual reporting have been in the path of the bushfires, the The WWF aims to double the number of to create koala safe havens.

ENGLISH IN USE LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION

آب تاالب بین المللی »کانی برازان« Kani Barazan international پس از 10 سال سرریز شد wetland overflows after a decade Recent downpours made Kani Barazan international wetland full to رییــس اداره حفاظــت محیــط زیســت مهابــاد گفــت: آب تــاالب بیــن المللــی ,bursting its banks which is unprecedented over the past ten years »کانــی بــرازان« ایــن شهرســتان پــس از 10 ســال و بــر اثــر بــارش هــای .Mahabad chief of department of environment (DOE) has stated مناســب ســرریز شــد. Kani Barazan wetland, located in Mahabad county in northwestern تــاالب بیــن المللــی کانــی بــرازان مهابــاد بــا وســعتی افــزون بــر 910 هکتــار province of West Azarbaijan, was once recorded as the first bird-sighting site in the country. یکــی از مهمتریــن تــاالب هــای اقمــاری جنــوب دریاچــه ارومیــه و بــا ارزش Stretching to 910 hectares, Kani Barazan wetland is home to various تریــن زیســتگاه هــای انــواع پرنــدگان آبــزی و کنــار آبــزی مهاجــر و بومــی در ,bird species including, flamingo, little cormorant, great white pelican شــمال غــرب کشــور بــه شــمار مــی رود. stilt, sternidae, great crested grebe, graylag goose, lesser white-fronted goose, heron, common shelduck and etc. فــاروق ســخنور روز یکشــنبه در گفــت و گــو بــا خبرنــگار ایرنــا اظهــار داشــت: The wetland retains 16 million cubic meters of water, which is already هــم اکنــون ظرفیــت 16 میلیــون مترمکعبــی ایــن تــاالب پــر شــده و بــه صورت .overflowed, IRNA quoted Farooq Sokhanvar as saying on Sunday میانگیــن ســه مترمکعــب آب ورودی آن از ســه دریچــه خروجــی به ســمت ســه ,The overflowed water is entering three wetlands near the Lake Urmia“ تــاالب اقمــاری دریاچــه ارومیــه هدایــت مــی شــود. .as it is part of southern ecology of Lake Urmia,” he further stated By launching the online monitoring station in the wetland, water ســخنور اضافــه کــرد: بــا راه انــدازی ایســتگاه پایــش آنالیــن در ایــن تــاالب level, oxygen, temperature, pressure and humidity of the wetland مولفــه هــای عمــق آب، میــزان اکســیژن، دمــا، فشــار و رطوبــت تــاالب رصــد are recorded and transmitted to aquatic ecosystems department at شــده و بــه صــورت آنالیــن بــه دفتــر تــاالب هــای ایــران ارســال مــی شــود. .the DOE, he highlighted Prayer Times Noon:11:57 Evening: 17:11 Dawn: 5:34 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:03 (tomorrow) DECEMBER 9, 2020 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh Art elites to attend Tehran Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Afghanistan Art Week Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 1 Tehran-based Afghan literati in Modern Fashion”, “Traditional Afghan Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 Mohammad-Sarvar Rajai and Zahra Costumes and Afghan Migrant Women’s Hosseinzadeh and Sweden-based Afghan Employment”, “Genuine Art of Carpet poet Zia Qasemi and his fellow Afghan Weaving in Iran and Afghanistan”, “Afghan Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 literati Qanbarali Tabesh, and Iranian poet Traditional Tile Work” and “Afghan Mohammad-Hossein Ansarinejad will make Traditional Glass-Blowing” will be discussed. No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran speeches. Reza Heidari Shahbidak will host the last P.o. Box: 14155-4843 The second day of the festival is dedicated day of the festival dedicated to photography. Zip Code: 1599814713 to Afghan music. Afghan photographer Ramin Rahman from Composer and singer Aref Jafari, is the host Kabul will be speaking about art photography during this day. Vocalist Vahid Qasemi, who in his country. is also an expert on Afghan folkloric music, The Tehran-based Afghan photojournalist will speak about the history of Afghan music. Jamaleddin Sajjadi will share his experiences California-based Afghan robab virtuoso about the profession as a migrant. Hmayoun Sakhi is scheduled to talk about the In addition, Iranian photographer Nava robab and performances with this instrument. Jamshidi will share his account of traveling Top Iranian robab maker Ahmad Mohammadi to 20 Afghan provinces. will also join this day program, which will be The Afghanistan Art Week will be held on GUIDE TO followed by a speech by Iranian music expert the theme of “My Beloved, Where Are You?” SPIRITUAL AWAKENING Mahbon Makki on “Details about Afghan Music”. The festival will be organized by the The festival will continue on the third day commission and the Embassy of Afghanistan Be not like the hypocrite who, when he talks, tells with a comprehensive overview of Persian to express their sympathy with the victims of lies; when he gives a promise, he breaks it; and calligraphy, which will be hosted by veteran the ISIS terrorist attack on Kabul University when he is trusted, he proves dishonest. calligrapher Mohammad-Hossein Ahmadi. in early November. “Calligraphy and Language”, “New The victims of the ISIS terrorist attack inspired the theme of the art exhibition. Prophet Muhammad (S) Outlooks on Calligraphy and the Graphic Aspect of Calligraphy”, “Afghan Youth’s Strong Several gunmen attacked Kabul University, A poster for the Afghanistan Art Week in Tehran. Desire for Calligraphy Art”, “Calligraphy and shooting at students in their classrooms and Spirituality” and “Place of Calligraphy Art in “Impacts of Art on Afghan Migrants and be discussed during the day and Sediqeh clashing with security forces for hours. the Cultures of the Countries in the Region” Impacts of Taz’hib on the Contemporary Ebrahim, a Mashhad-based Afghan graduate Some of the students had calls from their are the topics to be discussed during this day. Calligraphy” and “Youth’s Regard of Arts” will share her experiences about studying mothers and fathers. One of the victims had Movies from Iran line up for Painting and miniature painting will be are among the subjects that will be scrutinized. graphic design as a migrant. 142 missed calls, and there was a final message Dhaka Intl. Film Festival spotlighted on the fourth day of the festival, The festival on its fifth day will focus on Afghan handicrafts will be examined on that read, “My beloved, where are you?” which will be hosted by Mohammad-Akbar graphic art with the host Mohammad-Musa the sixth day. Mojtaba Shafiq, a Tehran-based The virtual exhibition and festival will By Manijeh Rezapoor Sharifi of the Institute Of Fine Arts in Kabul. Akbari, a painting graduate of the Faculty Afghan cultural and media activist will be be accessible through https://gallery. “Afghan Contemporary Taz’hib of Fine Arts at Kabul University. hosting the panel discussion. irunesco.org and https://www.instagram. TEHRAN — A lineup of 35 Iranian films will be screened at the (Illumination) and New Movements”, Graphic design in Afghanistan will Subjects such as “Afghan Embroideries com/unesco.iran. 19th Dhaka International Film Festival in January 2021. The films will go on screen in different categories of the festival. “The Slaughter House” by Abbas Amini, “Careless Crime” by Shahram Mokri and “Suddenly a Tree” by Safi Yazdanian will Three novels shortlisted for Jalal Literary Awards be competing in the Asian Film Competition. ARTTEHRAN — Three novels have been who lives with his bizarre family in a strange town. The deskshortlisted for the 13th edition of the physical and non-physical defects in Elyas and other Jalal Al-e Ahmad Literary Awards, Iran’s most lucrative central characters of the story symbolize the large number literary honor. of blows from which the small town suffers. The nominees are “Mid-Day Incantations” by Mansur The finalists have been selected by a jury composed of Alimoradi, “Hard Labor” by Mohammad Hanif and “The Javad Afhami, Saeid Tashakkori and Ali Changizi. Imaginative” by Ahmad Hassanzadeh. The organizers have earlier announced the nominees “Mid-Day Incantations” published by Nimaj tells two in the categories of documentation and review. interrelated stories about the central character of the book “From Rey to Damascus”, “Ten-Eighty”, “Absolute in a magical journey to Iran’s Lut Desert and a romantic Value of a Conspiracy”, “My Poor Beloved Country” and life with a stage artist in Tehran. “Gem of Patience” are among the nominations in the Published by Neyestan, “Hard Labor” is about a man documentation category. who takes the readers through the maze of the novel The nominees for the review section are “Mythology by recounting stories about his life, other people and of Love in Iranian Culture”, “Epic of Musayyebnameh”, This photo shows the books and their writers shortlisted in the numerous situations. “History of the Body in Literature”, “Narratology of Drama” novel category of the 13th Jalal Al-e Ahmad Literary Awards. “The Imaginative” is Elyas, an unusual little boy and “Philosophy of the Story of Story”. “The Slaughter House” by Abbas Amini. “Kiarostami and His Missing Cane” by Mahmudreza Sani, “Cinema Shahr-e Qesseh” by Keyvan Ali-Mohammadi, “The Cinéma Vérité to unfold story of Rockfield Studios Black Cat” by Karim Mohammad-Amini, “Amphibious” by ARTTEHRAN — “Rockfield, her job in the local bank to do the books, Vérité will be running totally online from Borzu Niknejad and “The Badger” by Kazem Mollai are entries deskthe Studio on the Farm”, a and they continued farming all the while. December 15 to 22. to the Cinema of the World. This section also features “Hotel UK documentary by Hannah Berryman, will Animals were kicked out of barns and The festival will review the Chilean New Moon”, a co-production between Iran and Japan by go on screen in the World’s Best category of musicians were moved into Nan’s spare documentary cinema during a special Takefumi Tsutsui. the 14th edition of Cinéma Vérité, Iran’s major bedroom. Inadvertently, they’d launched program named “Chilean Films Panorama”. A section named Women Filmmakers will be screening international festival for documentary films. the world’s first independent residential A number of acclaimed documentaries by “Seeking Lost” by Fereshteh Tavakkoli, “Tirishko” by Shakiba The documentary is the unlikely tale of recording studio, Rockfield. Chilean filmmakers, including Francisco Khaleqi, “Fukushima Traveler” by Masumeh Nurmohammadi how two Welsh farming brothers turned their Rockfield’s reputation spread like wildfire, Bermejo’s documentary “The Other One”, Qomi, “The Visit” by Azadeh Musavi, “The Dark Days” by Nilufar dairy farm into one of the most successful quickly garnering international acclaim as the will be screened in this section. Zaman, “Bandar Band” by Manijeh Hekmat and “Interview” recording studios of all time, producing four place where bands wanted to record. From A number of top Iranian and international decades of legendary rock music. Black Sabbath, Hawkwind and Queen, to documentarians and critics will be holding by Hanna Jalali. James Dean Bradfield and Nicky Wire of Fifty years ago, deep in the Welsh Simple Minds, Iggy Pop and Robert Plant, and online workshops and panel discussions “I Am Here!” by Abbas Amini, “Diapason” by Hamed the Manic Street Preachers, who recorded countryside, brothers Kingsley and Charles later Oasis, The Stone Roses, The Charlatans, during the festival. Tehrani, “Dabur” by Saeid Nejati, “Arsu” by Abod Kazemi their album “This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours” Ward were starting out in the family dairy Manic Street Preachers and Coldplay – an Twenty-five films on COVID-19 will also and “Sunless Shadows” by Mehrdad Oskui will go on screen at Rockfield. (Aim) in the Spiritual Section. farming business. But they yearned to do unbelievable roll call of artists have recorded be competing in Cinéma Vérité in the special “The Blue Girl” by Keivan Majidi, “That Night’s Train” something different, they wanted to make their farmhouse and started recording with there over the decades. category set up this year to attract attention by Hamidreza Qotbi, “Born of the Earth” by Mojgan Bayat, music. So they built a studio in the attic of their friends. Kingsley’s new wife, Ann, left Due to the pandemic, this year’s Cinéma to this disastrous disease. “Gando” by Teymur Qaderi and “The Ocean behind the Window” by Babak Nabizadeh are entries to the Children’s Film Session. The Short and Independent Film Section will also be screening Iranian films honored at Salento festival “Witness” by Ali Asgari, “Tale of Ebi” by Hooman Fakhteh, “The ARTTEHRAN — Several Iranian movies have Zayandehrud, the largest river in the Iranian plateau in central Dreamer” by Mehran Hemmatzadeh and “Eye” by Mahshad Vali. deskbeen honored at the Salento International Iran and the impact on people’s lives, especially farmers. In addition, the organizers will hold a retrospective of Iranian Film Festival in Italy. Dira Paes was named the best actress for her role in the filmmaker Puran Derakhshandeh, who is mostly known for her “A Night in Tehran” by Farhad Najafi won the award for Brazilian drama “Pureza” by Renato Barbieri. great attention to major social problems in Iranian society. best feature film of the festival, which took place in Tricase. The best documentary award was also given to “The Hero She is scheduled to attend the festival that will take place New York, Tokyo and Mumbai all have their own nightlife, of the Flock” by Ton van Zantvoort from the Netherlands. in the capital of Bangladesh. and so does Tehran, a nocturnal underworld unlike any other. The documentary is about Stijn who leads his herd of A number of Derakhshandeh’s award-winning movies, including “A Night in Tehran” shows a woman, seeking happiness in sheep with a determined blue-eyed gaze and the appearance “Hush! Girls Don’t Scream”, Little Bird of Happiness”, “Under the chaos of her maddening world. She gets into a taxi one of a lone cowboy, he is one of the last traditional herders in the Smokey Roof”, “Eternal Children” and “Serial Dream”, will night, completely unaware of how her life will change forever. the Netherlands. When he loses his main grazing contract, be reviewed during the festival. The film also brought the award for best photography the situation becomes desperate, but the heroic shepherd for Ruzbeh Raiga. is not the type to give up. In addition, Mohammadreza Hedayati was named the The festival was held in September, however, the best actor for his role in “Simin” directed by Morteza award night for the winners of the 2020 edition of the Architect Amirali Atash-Zamzam. SIFF was scheduled for November, but was canceled Sardar-Afkhami dies at 91 “Simin” investigates the reasons for the drying up of “A Night in Tehran” by Farhad Najafi. due to the pandemic.

ARTTEHRAN — Iranian architect Amirali Sardar- deskAfkhami, whose designs were used in buildings of Tehran’s City Theater Complex Iranian children grow “Wishtree” in their fantasies and the Iranian parliament, has ARTTEHRAN — Iran’s a new family moves in. Not everyone is of the Brave”, continues to be included on died of natural causes in Paris. deskInstitute for Intellectual welcoming, and Red’s experiences as a state reading lists, summer reading lists He was 91. Development of Children and Young Adults wishtree are more important than ever. and class reading lists. Sardar-Afkhami was has recently released a Persian translation The book was originally published Applegate has written three picture born in Tehran in 1929. He of Katherine Applegate’s “Wishtree”. in 2017 by Feiwel & Friends. Iranian books: “The Buffalo Storm”, “The left Tehran for France when The book, which has illustrations by publishers Tirgan and Porteqal Remarkable True Story of Ivan, the he was still studying in high Iranian artist Morteza Yazdani-Asl, has have earlier published other Persian Shopping Mall Gorilla” (often used as a school and continued studying been translated into Persian by Bahareh translations of “Wishtree” by Shaqayeq companion book to The One and Only architecture in Paris. Alizadeh-Sabur. Alipur and Anahita Hazrati. Ivan for younger readers) and “Sometimes He then earned a Ph.D. in The story is about Red, an oak tree who Applegate’s “The One and Only Ivan” You Fly” (published in spring, 2018). For architecture and returned home is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood and “Crenshaw” have also been published beginning readers, Katherine wrote “Roscoe in 1963 and began to teach at “wishtree” — people write their wishes in Persian. Riley Rules”, a seven-book series. the University of Tehran. He on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red’s “The One and Only Ivan” won the 2013 With her husband, Michael Grant, later left teaching and began branches. Along with her crow friend Newbery Medal. “Crenshaw” also spent Katherine co-wrote “Animorphs”, a long- to run his own office. Bongo and other animals who seek refuge over twenty weeks on the New York Times running series that has sold over 35 million Iranian architect Amirali Sard- However, he left Tehran in Red’s hollows, this “wishtree” watches children’s bestseller list. books worldwide. ar-Afkhami in an undated photo. before the Islamic Revolution over the neighborhood. Applegate’s first middle-grade stand- Katherine lives in Marin County, A poster for the Persian translation of to live in France, remaining there. You might say Red has seen it all, until alone novel, the award-winning “Home California with her family. Katherine Applegate’s “Wishtree”.