Mehr Vision|No.7|January 2017 Point-Blank Shot at Peace Page 2 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Contents

Who benefits from assassination of Russian Ambassador? 3 Beyond assassination of Russian amb.; west implicated 5 Salafis, ISIL probably behind Karlov assassination 6

ISA real threat to JCPOA 8 US attempt to ‘bilateralize’ multilateral intl. accords doomed to failure 9 Israel ties not in favor of Azerbaijan Republic 12 Aoun presidency, another rebalancing step in region 13 Riyadh awarded UNHRC seat for bombing region 14 The devil’s advocates in region 16

Politics Article 99 of UN Charter and Ban Ki-Moon’s Beleaguered Legacy in ME 19 3 Persian Gulf islands inseparable parts of Iran 21 Pakistan seeking peaceful solution to Kashmir dispute 22 Media war most common Cold War tool to defeat enemies 25

Clear testament to Tehran-Moscow deep ties 27 Iran, China deepening military ties 28 Iran-ASEAN ties flourishing 30 New chapter of ties between Iran, Vietnam 31 Iran, Belgium ties at a new turning point 32 Tehran, Bangkok set for ‘New Page’ in ties 34 Slovenia after fostering ties with Iran 35 Tehran, Caracas eye boosted ties in future 37 Mehr Vision Achievement of Zarif’s Lebanon, east Europe tour 38 Iran Foreign Relations Iran Foreign Managing Director: Ali Asgari Iran expanding cooperation with emerging economies 40

Editorial Board: JCPOA serves Iran’s interest as oil supplier 43 Seyed Amir Hassan Dehghani, Mohammad Ghaderi, HamidReza JCPOA key for import of hybrid vehicles, reducing air pollution 44 Gholamzadeh Global oil giants return to Iran 46 Report: Germany’s Hermes in Iran 48 Editorial Coordinator: Saudi Arabia OPEC spoiler by reneging on vows 50 Marjohn Sheikhi Economy Corruption, cronyism and flawed supervision: banes of banking system 51 Contributors: Mina Ahmadi, Maryam Azish, Tehran Short filmfest. brings together diverse perspectives 54 Somayeh Khomarbaghi, Lachin Rezaian, Islamic music has still long way to go: Danish Muslim singer 56 Marjohn Sheikhi, Parnaz Talebi, Maryam Khormbaghi,Hossein Azari, ‘Lucerail’ seeks to evoke feelings not pose questions 58 Mohammad Ghaderi, Kamran Ghaderi Rayagada authorities flawed: Narges Kalbasi 59 Culture Azar, Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh, To celebrate Hafiz is to celebrate love, humanity 61 Samad Habibi, Javad Heirannia, Ali Kavoosi, Abbas Torabi, Peyman Yazdani, Mehdi Zolfaghari Prospects of IoT to transform modern life 63

Art Director: Mahboubeh Azizi US rigged system set Trump up for failure 66 Trump ‘to learn how Washington works with lobbies’ 69 Phone: +98-21-43051350 Email: [email protected] With wiser counsel, Trump’s views on Iran to temper for better ties 70 Trump cannot unilaterally renegotiate JCPOA 72 Address: No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Dossier Trump to offer Taipei to Beijing ‘on silver platter’ 73 Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran

Mehr Vision welcomes contributions by News in Vision 74 readers which can be sent via email. Cover Story Page 3 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Who benefits from assassination of Russian Ambassador? By: Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh

Assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov was a shock on Monday night the news of which went quickly viral on the web and social networks.

The video of Officer Mevlut Mert -Al tintas who gunned down the ambassa- dor in cold blood and then began shout- ing out was extraordinarily confusing as the assailant was a special force supposed to protect the diplomat and now he was crying out for long seconds without anyone interrupting him. What people across the world were watching was totally different from any imagina- tion and previous instances of a terrorist attack; it was showing a shocking reality of him. When his country was about to The answer can be all the way around that in world of politics and in the vola- face a coup a few months ago, it was Iran in the United States and its allies who tile region of Middle East, you cannot and Russia who warned him and actually support so-called moderate fighters easily trust or believe whatever you see helped him to bring the coup to a failed against legitimate government of Assad. or whatever things seem out there. This, attempt. Yet he followed his insincere On Monday August 8, former CIA chief however, has always been the case about policy again and played a dangerous Michael Morell appeared on Charlie international politics, but the heinous game on Aleppo. Rose’s program where he made contro- assassination of a diplomat by a special After the failed coup attempt, Erdogan versial remarks. Here is the exact tran- force security officer was a blatant and began cleansing all entities and organiza- script of his words: brazen reminder of it. tions and detained or fired anyone con- Mike Morell: So you don’t want to de- Ankara and Moscow agreed to form nected in one way or the other to Gulen stroy those things, right. You don’t want an investigative committee to go after movement. Therefore, it can be said that to destroy those things. So here’s what I perpetrators of the assassination. The in- the security and military forces in Turkey, think you want to do. I think you want to quiries and inspections of the committee and particularly Special Forces, are all covertly, not openly but covertly, but you might shed more light on the event in fu- loyal to the ruling government and pres- certainly want them to know, you want ture; but for now it is better to review the ident which can lead to the conclusion to covertly tell the moderate opposition situation in the Middle East and between that the government has been behind that you’re supporting to go after -- this is the countries involved in Syria to have a this assassination. a big deal -- to go after the Russians and better image of it and find out whose in- Another way to interpret it is as one the Iranians who are on the ground. They terest are served with this act of terror. of Turkish officials said on Monday after got to pay a price for what they’re do- In fact, Turkish President Recep Tayyip the murder did, connecting him to Gulen ing. Just like we made the Russians pay a Erdogan must be the first person to take movement. But it would translate into price in Afghanistan for what they’re do- lessons from his turned-terrorist officer the bittering fact that despite all arrests ing. We have to make them pay a price. and reconsider whom to trust. It is no and expulsions and pressures, Gulen still We have to make them... secret anymore that Erdogan has taken has loyalists as close to the high-ranking Charlie Rose: By supporting the Mu- wrong stances on Syrian crisis in various officials as Mevlut Mert Altintas. The two jahedin. cases and that he has been trying to en- conclusions can be good reminders to Mike Morell: Yes. We have to make hance his own power in the country and Erdogan to still be careful in its domestic them to want to go home. We have to his country’s in region regardless of the politics which he has long tried to make make them want to have a deal, right, so other players and stakeholders. Once sid- as totalitarian as possible. that’s number one. ing with Arabs and US and once turning Yet Turkey and its president don’t Charlie Rose: Now, how do we do that? toward Russia and another time imped- seem to have any interests by killing Rus- Mike Morell: We ask the moderate ing peace process are changing policies sian ambassador to Ankara. opposition -- we give the moderate op- » Cover Story Page 4 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY position weapons. party documents to weaken them and sent. Will the public know it? Charlie Rose: What is it they want that help Trump win the elections in US. Just Joe Biden: Hope not. they don’t have? a couple of months after Morell, Vice It was in mid-October; only seven Mike Morell: You know, Dave Petrae- President Joe Biden talked to Meet The weeks before President Obama speak- us could tell you exactly what they want. Press to be asked about what Washing- ing to NPR on last Friday again turning to You know, I’m not a military guy. ton intends to do to respond to alleged retaliation to Russian alleged hackings. Charlie Rose: In Afghanistan, it was hackings by Russia. The US president said he is waiting for a military. Chuck Todd: Alright. Final question. final report he has ordered into a range Mike Morell: Right. But I’d give them When-- I talked with Ambassador, former of Russian hacking attacks, but promised the things that they need to both go after Russian Ambassador Mike McFaul. there would be a response. the Assad government, but also to have Joe Biden: Yeah. “I think there is no doubt that when the Iranians and the Russians pay a little Chuck Todd: And-- we talked about any foreign government tries to im- price. When we were in Iraq, the Iranians the idea that every once-- you, you got- pact the integrity of our elections … we were giving weapons to the Shi’a militia ta respond when you, when they’re need to take action,” Obama said. “And who were killing American soldiers, right. hacking. You gotta do something. He we will – at a time and place of our own The Iranians were making us pay a price. described it as a high hard one. Maybe choosing,” he said to the radio host and We need to make the Iranians pay a price just, you know, sort of like in baseball. on the retaliatory measures he asserted in Syria. We need to make the Russians You throw a high hard one to send a mes- that “some of it may be explicit and pub- pay a price. The other thing we need to sage. Why haven’t we sent a message yet licized; some of it may not be.” do... to Putin? The remarks by three American figures Charlie Rose: We make them pay the Joe Biden: We’re sending a message. are not something one can pass by indif- price by killing Russians? Mike Morell: Yes. Charlie Rose: And killing Iranians? Mike Morell: Yes. Covertly. You don’t tell the world about it, right. You don’t stand up at the Pentagon and say we did this. Here’s the other thing I want to do, I want to go after -- I want to go after those things that Assad sees as his per- sonal power base, right. I want to scare Assad. So, I want to -- I want to go after his presidential guard. I want to bomb his offices in the middle of the night. His remarks was so controversial that Charlie Rose decided to have him back on the program about ten days We have the capacity to do it. And-- the ferently. The assassination happened later; “you know, one of the things that message-- only one day before trilateral meeting you’re taught as a young analyst at CIA Chuck Todd: He’ll know it? between foreign ministers and defense is precision of language,” Morell said and Joe Biden: --he’ll know it. And it will ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey which later continued. “Right. So one of the be at the time of our choosing. And un- can be decisive on the fate of current situ- wars that’s going on, right, is the Syrian der the circumstances that have the ation in Syria and Aleppo. A closer relation military, supported by Russia and the greatest impact. Look-- between Turkey and the two other coun- Iranians are fighting the moderate oppo- Chuck Todd: Will it be enough, do tries can be harmful to the policies the sition. And the moderate opposition is you think, that it’ll get him to back off? West is pursuing in Syria and Iraq. already killing -- is already killing Iranians I mean, how concerned are you that the So it won’t be any surprise if western and Syrians. What I said is that’s a good -- country is actually gonna question the forces or their regional allies or even their that’s an OK thing, right, because it puts result of this election? so-called moderate oppositions have pressure on Iran and Russia to try to see Joe Biden: I am not concerned. The been behind the scenes of this terrorist some value in ending this thing political- reason I’m not is we’re working very targeting of late ambassador in Ankara ly. And what I said is we should encour- closely with all the departments of elec- to not only have Russia pay the price of age -- what I wanted to say was that we tions across the country, number one. its achievements in Syria, but also have should encourage the moderate opposi- Number two, the American people are Turkey pay the price of getting closer to tion to continue to do that…” pretty damn resilient. And number three, Iran and Russia. With US presidential elections on the, the capacity to do, to fundamentally the spot and a hot topic all around the alter the election is-- is not what people Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh has done his world, Democrats and Obama adminis- think. And-- I tell you what, to the extent MA in North American Studies and his tration began claiming that Russia had that they do, we will be proportional in focus has been on US policies towards hacked into both Democratic and Repub- what we do. And-- at the-- the Middle East. He is also English Chief lican parties, but released only Democrat Chuck Todd: So a message is gonna be Editor of Mehr News Agency| Cover Story Page 5 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Beyond assassination of Russian amb.; west implicated By: Mohammad Ghaderi

Assassination of Andrey Karlov in Ankara has been a major enigma; but it is far clear that it had not been the product of an isolated case of overflow of sentimentality.

For the time being, it is assumed that it had been purposeful and there is a method behind the madness. We will collect what is evident in a set to come to an overall image of the situation, just as the detectives in a crime case do. The scene is well-preserved by the media. An apparently fanatic Muslim young police officer shoots Russian ing the news of the assassination; “this the ground, would be a possible poten- ambassador to Turkey when he was ad- assassination manifestly is a provocative tial cause of the decision to undermine dressing a meeting in a museum. The act to weaken the nascent process of the whole scene in one way or the oth- young police succeeds to implement détente with Turkey and to undermine er. The assassination would serve the as- the plan neatly by virtue of being a po- the peace process in Syria; our response sassin and his clique of supporters and lice officer in the museum; however, his will however be to intensify the battle ideologues in improving the moral of hysteric words after shooting the am- against terrorism, and the assassins will the terrorists, now in a desperate situa- bassador communicate the similitude taste the bitterness of the response,” tion in the brink of annihilation, and also of a young sympathizer of the people in Mr. Putin said resolutely. through to hit the improving relations of Aleppo trying to take revenge by his own The assassination, particularly just Turkey and Russia and its possible work- hands. The media in the west and those days after Syrian army along with Rus- ings in changing the situation in Syria. supporting Takfirists would rejoice to sian support, brought some solace to Special Envoy of the Secretary-Gen- propagate such an image of a lone wolf Aleppo by evicting terrorist fighters, eral for Syria, Staffan de Mistura will acting on his own. Simple as that. sends clear messages by Washington attend a conference the next month; But the scene is replete with evidence and its allies to Moscow, albeit with a tinge the assassination would be intended to the contrary, especially with the Alep- of violence. The message was received by to undermine this conference, with the po liberated; the young assassin clearly Kremlin with utmost care. Putin asked Re- objective being to mount pressures on declares that he seeks to take revenge of cep Tayyip Erdoğan to have the possible Moscow to make more concessions on Aleppo on Russia by killing the ambas- forces behind the scenario identified; he the negotiation table. sador. This would be plausible, but only would be naïve if he accepted the lone- The last point which would contrib- when we ignore the important image of wolf scenario, which is at best flimsy in ute to the assassination (and probably the west now frustrated and angered by this case. And he did not in practice. the most plausible cause) is infiltration the events in Aleppo; that alone would The ‘truth-finding’ committee of se- in Turkey’s police and intelligence forc- precipitate the harsh reaction in violent curity and intelligence agents are in es by Takfirist sympathizers, which has attire of an assassination. Ankara to scrutinize the case of Karlov virtually rendered the system weak in The second evident issue is that the assassination and will definitely shed responding more agilely to pitfalls and west at large and Zionist regime along more light to the some of the darker in- the gaps; the same weakness made with their allies in reactionary Arab re- teriors of the case. perforated borders with Syria for fresh gimes of the region had been despairing Still in the same vein, the trilateral recruited terrorists easy way to infiltrate in the prospect of Aleppo. The common meeting in Moscow which has a novel- the country and challenge the security denominator of the assassin and Tak- ty of participating Turkey as one of the arrangements not quite infrequently. firists and their supporters is their con- staunch supporters of terrorist factions The upcoming days will be tough for sternation of the defeat in Aleppo. This in Syria to a meeting to hit the exact Russia and Syrian government, since the should not be downplayed as a potential play the west had been performing on western supporters of Takfirists would contributing factor. Syria; to lure Turkey to a scenario which be restless to enter action to counter- Vladimir Putin of Russia however would bring stability to Syria, where Iran act the Aleppo defeat, with even more kept exemplary equanimity upon hear- is also a player with better position on effrontery. Only time will show us| Cover Story Page 6 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Prof. Entessar: Salafis, ISIL probably behind Karlov assassination Interview by: Javad Heirannia sia’s ambassador to Turkey. Most likely, Russia’s policy in Syria and Moscow’s A University of Alabama professor pivotal role in inflicting heavy losses to tells Mehr News International Service ISIS must have played a role here. It is it is too early to conclude on the also possible that those behind the as- possible causes and contributors in sassination wanted to derail the nascent assassination of Russian ambassador move towards Moscow-Tehran-Ankara and their supporters will no doubt do to Turkey. cooperation in the region. their utmost to create havoc and pre- vent any regional cooperation that may Nader Entessar believed that as- uThere is a widespread speculation further isolate and defeat them. sassination would seek multiple ob- that Russia-Turkey accord on Aleppo jectives, the most important being is related to the assassination. How do uWhich group(s) could be implicated to undermine the possible détente you think of it? as the potential perpetrators and or between Turkey and Russian. In a hi- As I indicated in my previous answer, organizers of the assassination? erarchy, Salafis see the Syrian crisis this may be a factor in the assassination It is too early to identify the culprit especially in Aleppo gone forever and of Andrey Karlov. Salafis and their back- behind this terrorist act. But the Salafist thus would embark on the retaliation ers could have retaliated in this fashion must be viewed at this time as prime on a player which they believe should to sour Turkey-Russia relations and the suspects. However, we should not ex- be punished, he told Mehr News in a possible cooperation between Moscow clude the possibility of other groups, in- brief interview: and Ankara. cluding those inside Turkey, as being the puppet masters of this act. uWhat would be the possible causes uWould it be the possibility that the of assassination of Russian ambassador assassination sought mainly to deflect Nader Entessar is professor of to Turkey? the trilateral meeting in Moscow the international relations and chairperson This is still an evolving development, day after and to exert some impact on of Department of Political Science and and it is too early to pass a definitive possible outcomes of the session? Criminal Justice at the University of judgment on the assassination of Rus- Yes, of course. ISIS, the other Salafis South Alabama| Politics Politics Page 8 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY ISA real threat to JCPOA By: Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh

Renewal of Iran Sanctions Act by US Congress has raised objections in Iran as it is violation of JCPOA, even though President Obama is expected to use waiver rights to cease its implementation.

On Thursday December 1, The US Senate unanimously voted for an exten- sion of Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), which was supposed to end by the end of cur- rent year, for more ten years until end of 2026. The motion was passed likewise on November 15 with 419 representatives voting for and only 1 Republican voting Nay for it. The Iran Sanctions Act was originally introduced in 1996 in Congress to impose JCPOA, without prejudice to the dispute duction of sanctions already ceased by economic sanctions on firms doing busi- resolution process provided for under JCPOA, another argument in Iran is that ness with Iran and Libya. On September this JCPOA. The U.S. Administration, act- according to US political procedures, 30, 2006, the act was renamed to the Iran ing consistent with the respective roles when a legislation passes the House and Sanctions Act (ISA), as it no longer applied of the President and the Congress, will Senate and needs Presidential approval to Libya after the country decided to stop refrain from imposing new nuclear-relat- to turn into a law, it is considered as a its nuclear program, and extended until ed sanctions. Iran has stated that it will new legislation, thus must be interpret- December 31, 2011. treat such a re-introduction or re-impo- ed as imposition of new nuclear-related The act is considered as “additional ef- sition of the sanctions specified in Annex sanctions against the Islamic Republic. forts to deny Iran the financial means to II, or such an imposition of new nucle- Yet another reasoning from the Ameri- sustain its nuclear, chemical, biological, ar-related sanctions, as grounds to cease can side is what the White House officials and missile weapons programs.” Mean- performing its commitments under this have announced; that President Obama while, Foreign Affairs Committee Chair- JCPOA in whole or in part.” will sign the Act into law and issues ex- man Ed Royce (R-CA) who had proposed As of the moment news about the ecutive orders to waive parts considered the motion to pass the two chambers of 99-0 vote spread, several Iranian officials in JCPOA. One way to interpret this argu- US Congress emphasized in his opening and figures slammed the United States ment is that it admits that it is re-intro- speech for introducing the motion that for re-introducing sanctions by renewing ducing and re-imposing sanctions against “the goal was to stop significant foreign some legislation which was about to fade Iran just before being ceased by presiden- investment in Iran’s energy sector – de- away in less than a month. Iran sees the tial order. nying the Iranian regime the ability to move as breach of the nuclear deal which Another way to face this argument is financially support international terror- was clinched in 2015. The Americans, that according to ISA, where it discuss- ism, nuclear proliferation, and missile though, justify the act by claiming that it es waiver possibilities, two waiver plans proliferation. Since then, this legislation is based on a current regime of sanctions have been considered in the legislation; has been reauthorized and expanded on already in place. But Ed Royce seems to based on a general waiver “the president several occasions.” have a different idea; “After years of -bi may, on a case by case basis, waive for a Such emphases along with clear men- partisan work in the Congress, the Iran period of not more than six months the tioning of the ISA in Annex II of JCPOA Sanctions Act has served as the statutory application of section 5(a) with respect among sanctions implementation of foundation of the Iran sanctions regime. to a national of a country, if the President which was supposed to be ceased first in- Of course, President Obama’s danger- certifies to the appropriate congressional dicate that all in all, it is categorized as a ous nuclear deal with Iran dismantles it. committees at least 30 days before such nuclear-related sanction against Iran. Indeed, just last week we heard that a waiver is to take effect that such waiver is Meanwhile, Article 26 of JCPOA- de major European energy firm is close to vital to the national security interests of clares that “The U.S. Administration, act- investing $6 billion in Iran to develop its the United States.” ing consistent with the respective roles natural gas, which will in turn enrich the On the other hand, president can re- of the President and the Congress, will regime.” Royce admits that the regime quest “waiver with respect to persons in refrain from re-introducing or re-im- has been dismantled by JCPOA. countries that cooperate in multilateral posing the sanctions specified in Annex Another point is that, even if this fact efforts with respect to Iran. The President II that it has ceased applying under this is not considered that this is a re-intro- may, on a case by case basis, waive for a » Politics Page 9 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY period of not more than 12 months the deal, many European countries opposed tion considering that the next president application of section 5(a) with respect to his positions and considered it against of the US is supposed to be a figure as a person if the President, at least 30 days survival of the deal. unpredictable as Donald Trump. before the waiver is to take effect.” Now with less than two months for Unlike what the American negotiators Both these articles clarify that a pres- him to come to office, current administra- had promised during negotiations, to idential request for a waiver must be tion seems to taking measures putting the make any efforts, to convince the -Con presented to Congressional committee JCPOA at risk. It once imposed visa waiver gress not to renew Iran Sanctions Act, the at least 30 days before the date of effec- program against people who visited or will overwhelming votes in both chambers tuality. When signed into law – as White visit Iran and has not yet allowed global of the Congress shows that the Obama House has stated it will be – it will be ef- banking system work for Iran and thus has administration has done nothing in this fective by beginning of January, less than still Iran’s banking transactions under ban in regard and has been an onlooker. Now, if a month from now; leaving President practice. It more seems that Washington either the US or other members of 5+1 Obama with less than deadline mandated is trying hard to irritate Iran over JCPOA, are serious in saving the JCPOA, they’d by ISA act for a waiver request. not allowing it to benefit from the bene- better convince the United States to play As a legal and political document, the fits of the deal, to force the country into more rationally and less ambitiously and JCPOA can be discussed over for days violating it. Iran has always emphasized leave a legacy which can be defended by and months and different interpretations that it will not be the first to violate the other European parties, even if Trump’s might be drawn from it. But from a prag- deal it has signed, but if the other side America would be dangerous to it. matic point of view, what is important to continues to sabotage its commitments, Iran and all the 5+1 countries is that the Tehran will certainly return to its pre- Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh has done his nuclear deal which was achieved after 12 JCPOA status in its nuclear program. The MA in North American Studies and his years of hard work, can survive. When risky game Obama administration has al- focus has been on US policies towards President-elect Donald Trump stated dur- ready begun since implementation of the the Middle East. He is also English Chief ing his campaigns that he would tear the deal, can end up in a dangerous destina- Editor of Mehr News Agency| US attempt to ‘bilateralize’ multilateral intl. accords doomed to failure Interview by: Lachin Rezaian and other sectors. These (primary) sanc- tions were lifted after the International A recognized expert on international Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) certifica- business told Mehr News that the US tion in January 2016 that Iran had com- recent act to extend Iran Sanctions Act plied with the agreement. Yet, secondary (ISA) is clear violation of international sanctions (on firms) remained in place, law and a new effort to harm Iran, for along with sanctions applying to US com- another 10 years. panies, including US banks. During the past month, there has been Following recent effort of US Con- hectic activity in Washington to reverse gress to pass ISA, it is distressing that the White House’s Iran policy during the the Obama White House, after years two Obama terms. In its November re- of talks and intense promotion of the port on Iran sanctions, the Congressional deal, has not raised serious objections Tacit goals of the Iran Sanctions Act Research Service typically argued that against the effort to undermine and the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) “might not be mitigate the pact, says Research Direc- uThe US Senate on Thursday inconsistent with the JCPOA” and that it tor of International Business at the In- unanimously voted to extend the Iran is “unclear” whether the position of the dia, China & America Institute Dr. Dan Sanctions Act for one decade after incoming Trump administration on the Steinbock. it was easily cleared in the House of JCPOA and on legislation “might conflict He described President-elect Trump’s Representatives last month. What with US commitments in the JCPOA.” push for a new Iran policy is likely to re- goals lay behind the extension of Iran As political exigencies have been sult in one of three possible scenarios: Sanctions Act (ISA) and why US is now seized to justify the extension of sanc- a US withdrawal from the JCPOA, an at- violating its obligations after months of tions, their legal status is questionable tempt to renegotiate the deal, or an en- negotiations? even in the US. Reportedly, the new hanced enforcement of the deal. The comprehensive nuclear accord efforts seek to harm Iran, for another Steinbock elaborated more in his com- (JCPOA, July 2015) offered relief from US, 10 years. Between 2010 and 2013, the ments addressed to Mehr News corre- UN and multilateral sanctions on Iran’s sanctions significantly hurt Iran’s econ- spondent: energy, financial, shipping, automotive omy contributing to the fall of crude oil » Politics Page 10 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY exports from 2.5 million barrels per day forts reflect both tactical goals, which tion regarding the Iran pact in a matter (mbd) to 1.1 mbd by mid-2013. That, in involve timing, and strategic objectives, of weeks, for purely political calculations. turn, was compounded by the plunge in which reflect the incoming administra- Yesterday, Democrats still accused the oil prices since early 2014. Furthermore, tion’s tenets. These efforts began in the Trump campaign for unilateral moves the sanctions made Iran’s $120 billion in House in mid-November – right after the that sought to undermine the multilat- reserves held in banks abroad inacces- election in the US – and in the Congress eral JCPOA and for dragging Washing- sible. Before stabilization in 2015, Iran’s in early December – only a week or so ton again into the kind of international economy reportedly shrank by 9% in the before the Electoral College is due to quicksand that severely impaired Amer- two sanctions years. Current growth pro- vote for President and Vice President. ica’s credibility in the Bush era. Yet today, jections are predicated on sanctions re- From the standpoint of Trump and Re- Democrats claim the ISA extension does lief. publican neoconservatives, the “Iran not violate the pact because it contin- The new strategic objective seems to card” has allowed the new administra- ues a sanctions regime that is already in be thus to harm Iran’s economy through a tion to strengthen its position as some place. Obama is expected to sign the ex- new 10-year long fall in crude oil exports, anti-Trump Republicans continue to tension and, after failed personal lobby- relatively low prices, and continued ob- lobby against him before the Electoral ing against the extension, his Secretary of stacles against access to remaining Irani- College vote. Indeed, Senate Foreign Re- State John Kerry has been marginalized. an reserves abroad. Such strategic prima- lations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, The new rationale seems to be that cies – whatever their nominal rationale also a possible candidate for Trump sec- “it is OK to return to primary sanctions, – represent a unilateral move that seeks retary of state, has said that the renewal which we agreed to lift, because we nev- to undermine a multilateral agreement. ensures Trump can re-impose sanctions er agreed to nullify the secondary sanc- Obama lifted under the deal. tions, which remain in place.” That’s a Iran policy amid power transition However, the JCPOA is a multilater- bad excuse for a flawed argument and in the US al accord. Earlier in the week, China’s a pretext for a new decade for political Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that, bullying. uJCPOA is not a bilateral deal between while the implementation of the JCPOA Iran and the US, but in fact a multilateral is a long process and may face occasion- Time for European leaders accord between seven countries and al obstacles, the deal is “a multilateral to walk the talk confirmed by the UE and UNSC, which agreement endorsed by the UN Securi- a single party could not block it. Do ty Council, and its implementation must uDo you think that European sides of you think the US can undermine the not be affected by any country’s domes- the deal have showed proper reaction to multilateral agreement, and if so, how tic affairs.” this ISA approval in the Congress? What do you expect international response? Any multilateral deal is a compromise. about other parties involved in the deal, In the evolving status quo, Iran should Nevertheless, a deal is a deal. especially Iran’s ally Russia? Would they be prepared for all contingencies, in- hold any position on the issue to react cluding a potential US effort to under- Democrats’ odd Iran reversal against the measure? mine the multilateral agreement and an As they decided to support the Repub- accompanying effort to do so with (or uGiven that, the Democrats who lican position regarding Iran, Congres- possibly without) a tacit support of all or supported JCPOA in Congress like sional Democrats said they were acting in some of its partners. Elizabeth Warren, Benjamin Cardin and agreement with US partners. “I have not In the US, the effort to extend sanc- Harry Reid unanimously voted for ISA heard strident objections from our key tions is taking place during the transition claiming that the measure will not lead allies in the JCPOA,” Democratic Senator of power as alignments are shifting in to the violation of JCPOA, do you think Chris Coons told reporters. the White House, among the two major the US is sending a strong signal that If the Democrats’ stated view of US parties, and even the incoming adminis- any US president would have the ability allies’ Iran policy truly would be valid, it tration. In these circumstances, it is dis- to snap back sanctions on Iran? Is the would imply that all key European part- tressing that the Obama White House, af- extension a shortcut to tear JCPOA up, ners of the JCPOA would also have re- ter years of talks and intense promotion as President-elect Donald Trump has versed their position in a matter of weeks of the deal, has not raised serious objec- promised? and that they would have accepted at tions against the effort to undermine and Not all Democrats agreed with the re- face-value the incoming Trump admin- mitigate the pact. versal in the Iran policy. When the Sen- istration’s arguments – after months of During his campaign, President-elect ate voted to extend the sanctions against serious, public and purposeful criticism Donald Trump railed against the nucle- Iran, Senator Bernie Sanders was absent. of the Trump platform and everything it ar pact, while members of the Republi- During his campaign, Sanders portrayed stands for. can Party have called him to tear up the Iran as a major player in the Middle East Since the agreement was signed by agreement. Among the critics, neocon- arguing that diplomatic relations be- the US, the UK, Russia, France, China, servatives play a critical role as they did tween Iran and the West would be crit- Germany and Iran, those statements in 2003 when the Iraq war was legiti- ical for both regional stability and long- suggest that neither London nor Paris or mized with arguments that were known term security of the US and its allies. Yet, Berlin had objected to US reversal of the to be flawed. most Democrats have been surprisingly West’s long-standing position. In light of Within the Republican Party, Iran ef- quick to reverse their longstanding posi- past statements, that would be very odd. » Politics Page 11 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

After all, since spring 2015, German to move ahead. country’s continuous support for the Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged While President-elect Trump prefers JCPOA. “unified approach to removal of sanc- bilateral venues, the JCPOA is a “multilat- For now, it is important to push for tions against Iran.” UK’s Prime Minister eral agreement”, whose implementation the timely implementation of the JCPOA Theresa May just stated that the Iran nu- must not be affected by any country’s through multilateral, international pres- clear agreement “must stand.” After the “domestic affairs,” as China’s Foreign sure. Nevertheless, it is also important US election, French President Francois Minister Wang Yi has stressed. It is thus to prepare for alternative and adverse Hollande noted that the nuclear “accord vital to ensure the support of the JCPOA’s short- and medium-term scenarios. gives us all security….Could the US with other signatories: UK, France, and Ger- The right to economic development Donald Trump put into question this ac- many. Some of them have already done President-elect Trump is pushing a cord? I don’t think so”. In reality, Trump so in public rhetoric, but more will be new Iran policy that is likely to result in has made up his mind. Now it is up to the needed in the coming weeks. If Trump one of three possible scenarios: a US key European partners of the JCPOA to will remain true to his campaign pledg- withdrawal from the JCPOA, an attempt walk the talk. es, the JCPOA may be one of the first to renegotiate the deal, or an enhanced In the past few years, Iran-Russia re- but certainly not the last international enforcement of the deal. lations have broadened economically, agreement that the new White House Since the JCPOA was negotiated and politically and strategically. While Amer- would prefer to re-negotiate, re-define adopted under executive authority in the icans see Iran primarily as a threat, an or reject. As a result, a calm but decisive US, congressional review of the arrange- overwhelming majority of Russians view multilateral and international approach ment has been limited. Consequently, Iran’s influence positively. During the is preferable in the beginning. the deal can conceivably be reversed by JCPOA talks, Russia played a vital and Furthermore, the JCPOA signatories the incoming Trump administration in co- constructive role, which is likely to con- remain equally apprehensive about US operation with the Republican Congress. tinue. While the world has much to gain policies. While US House and Senate have Nevertheless, the JCPOA is a multilateral from the hoped-for détente between opted for the extension of the ISA, much accord rather than a bilateral deal be- President Putin and President-elect apprehension remains about Washing- tween the US and Iran. Trump, the former does not share the ton’s tactical and strategic objectives. What Iran and the Middle East need latter’s inclination to ‘bilateralize’ mul- Only a few weeks ago, there were great today is economic development, not new tilateral international issues. Moreover, concerns that the Republican Party could violations of international multilateral Trump has made it clear that US-Rus- disintegrate. While the Trump triumph accords. When the US House prepared sia cooperation could have neutralized changed the status quo, some of the cur- to vote for the extension of ISA, Foreign much of the jihadist threat, Syrian civil rent positioning may be posturing for the Minister Zarif gave a very important war and migration crises in the Middle Electoral College and to unite the Repub- speech in which he urged the Islamic East. To gain President Putin’s support, licans’ Trump proponents, neoconserv- world to condemn incompetence and however, Trump, too, should compro- atives, Tea Party leaders, Russia hawks failures and to focus on cooperation rath- mise – particularly in the case of Iran. and Russia doves, anti-Trump advocates, er than conflict to avoid “failed states” in and so on. Moreover, while President the region. Recently, China, having lifted Avoid bilateral traps, favor Obama is fading out, President-elect over 700 million people out of poverty, multilateral cooperation Donald Trump’s rule will officially start -af released a white paper about the “right ter January 20, 2017. And yet, every sec- to development.” It is this focus on eco- uIranian authorities have slammed the ond American has a very negative view nomic development that today unites all ISA’s extension as a blatant violation of of Trump whose administration choices emerging and developing economies and the nuclear agreement, vowing proper are likely to reinforce such views in the that is vital to global growth prospects. counter-measures. How do you evaluate near future. If – as it now seems quite clear – Iran’s retaliatory measures? What is the Amid these developments, Iran has Washington will opt for a new Iran poli- best response? reacted appropriately. Recently, Iran’s cy, it risks not only its own international Iran’s concern and strong criticism of Parliamentary JCPOA Supervising Com- credibility, as it did only a decade ago. It the ISA’s extension is understandable and mittee, chaired by President Rouhani, also risks alienating its allies, which are legitimate. If international multilateral held a meeting to discuss ways for re- critical to multilateral decision-making, accords are ignored after domestic elec- ciprocal measures against the decisions and its adversaries, which US negotiators tions, global governance and the West’s made by US Congress. Similarly, Major in the past have criticized for violating international multilateral organizations General Yahya Rahim Safavi, a top mili- multilateral norms and responsibility. would be swept by political quicksand. tary aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Amid current volatility in international Ali Khamenei, warned that “the an- Dan Steinbock is the founder of Difference relations, it is instructive to remember nulment of the nuclear deal will be a Group and has served as research director the simple metaphor of China’s para- strategic mistake” urging America and of international business at the India mount leader Deng Xiaoping to describe its allies to join Iran in creating “region- China and America Institute (US) and a great environmental uncertainty. It is like al peace and stability.” During his visit visiting fellow at the Shanghai Institutes “crossing the river by feeling the stones.” in Tokyo, Foreign Minister Mohammad for International Studies (China) and the While it is important to choose one’s Javad Zarif met Japan’s Foreign Minis- EU Centre (Singapore). For more, see steps cautiously, it is equally important ter Fumio Kishida who made clear his http://www.differencegroup.net| Politics Page 12 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Israel ties not in favor of Azerbaijan Republic

By: Kamran Ghaderi Azar to invest its lots in détente with these the region and Caucasus an enemy state both rather giant neighbors. With Iran near northern borders of the Islamic Re- Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to they share a deep-seated historical public of Iran would not be welcomed Baku has raised questions as to the cultural common features. Part of the in Tehran. The Republic will thus face status the small former Soviet republic Caucasus, the Republic was once part a ready-made suspicion and reapprais- would be given in ties with Israel. of cultural Iran in the 19th century. al for itself by the world of Islam, and After the Soviet collapse, the Repub- many would start to review relations The visit, set in a broader context of lic of Azerbaijan, newly-formed as it with the Republic, only to perpetuate the region, to which Azerbaijan Republic was, sought to approach to Iran as its the downfall of the country as a strate- is an important part as a strategic link friendlier neighbor; the very strategic gic trade route in the region. Isolation between Islamic Republic of Iran and geography bestows upon Azerbaijan a would await the Republic at best, to Russian Federation for trade, would be lucrative business in a role which links which officials in Baku should work to of some consequences for the Republic, Islamic world to Caucasus and Russia. minimize the deleterious effects. Less the least being isolation by the Islamic Its historic conflict over Nagorno-Kara- ties with Islamic countries would also world at large. bakh still profits Azerbaijan, relegating put Azerbaijan open to rise of extrem- Officials in Baku would be heedless Armenia to a position only marginal to ist ideologies like wahhabism in a region of the fact that to open the country for the major routes of trade which cross already suffering several crises from the Israel would be equally interpreted in the Caspian Sea. Takfiri and Salafi groups of the radical Tehran as a step away from the influen- Netanyahu’s visit however lifts the ideology. tial front which hinges upon a common lead from the Republic’s headlong lead- A wiser policy for Baku would be to animosity toward the occupying regime ers’ adventurism; the regime in Israel has improve relations with the world of Is- in the Palestinian territories; as such, been engaged in opportunism amidst lam and especially the Islamic Republic they should exercise great care so as not the turmoil of the region to strengthen of Iran and to join the bandwagon of the to fall victim to the generalizations -Ne only its own positon in a region clearly countries aligned themselves with the tanyahu’s visit would bring for them at seeing it as an enemy than an ally. Any Resistance front. A review of ties with the first place: to host leader of a regime intervention by the Zionist regime has Tel Aviv would provide the stepping self-avowedly seen by Muslims as an en- only brought disaster and suffering for stone for the Republic of Azerbaijan to emy by consensus. Islamic world. It is restricted by hostile take necessary foreign policy path which Yet part of the debate to which of- neighbors and thus has sought to find would lead them to the terra firma of ficials in Tehran also belong, are look- footprints in Saudi Arabia initially and recognition by the Islamic world, a rec- ing to the scene from more strategic beyond the Arab world now in Republic ognition the layman in the Republic of perspective; the Republic, naturally in of Azerbaijan in misguided attempts to Azerbaijan would welcome as a boon as the sphere of influence of its northern free itself from the pressures it sustains well as more realistically-minded politi- border Russia, and its southern, Iran, from the Resistance groups. cians in the ranks and files of the gov- should (according to this view) work A détente with Israel, which brings to ernment. Only time will tell| Politics Page 13 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Aoun presidency, another rebalancing step in region By: Parnaz Talebi

29 months of political deadlock in Lebanon ended in October 31, 2016, with election of Michel Aoun as president of the Middle Eastern country.

Lebanon has been suffering a major vacancy in government since Michel Suleiman, the former president, left the office in 2014 as his term ended. Since then all efforts to reach an agreement between different political factions had failed leaving the country sans president in a difficult situation amid all regional tensions. Election of Aoun, after 45 electoral sessions in Lebanon’s Parliament, there- fore, marks a turning point in political history of Lebanon indicating somehow a consensus among its different ethnic ple.” Hariri’s announcement was fol- the elections, Nasrallah called upon all and political groups after a long period. lowed by an immediate visit to Beirut by Lebanese political parties to join forces Yet, the situation wouldn’t be easy Thamer al-Sabhan, the new Saudi min- and put an end to presidential crisis dur- for the former General. Aoun has to ister for Persian Gulf affairs, for talks on ing a meeting with Aoun. form a cabinet and this would be very the “political developments in Lebanon Aoun, furthermore, has visited Syr- difficult in a government with such a and the region.” ia and President Bashar Assad in 2008, diverse political prospect. According to But far from all national interests, signaling mending ties with Syrian gov- the Lebanese confessional constitution, Hariri’s endorsement would also in- ernment after all tensions the Damas- in which top government positions are crease his chance to return to the politi- cus-Beirut relations were suffering from reserved for certain religious communi- cal scenes as the premiere. The so-called before. Aoun supports Syria and Assad, ties, president is elected from Maronite Hariri-Aoun deal would help the former against whom some regional states no- Christians, speaker of the parliament prime minister to revive his shrinking tably Saudi Arabia and Turkey (not to has to be a Shia Muslim and the prime political reputation among Lebanese mention the other Arab states within minister should be from Sunni Muslims. Sunnis for his long absence in tumult the US-led international coalition), are Lebanon has two major coalition par- country. Meanwhile, Hariri’s influence in working hard under the pretext of fight ties; The March 8 Alliance, which Aoun Saudi Arabia and within the royal fami- against terrorism, seeking in fact his is now representing, is aligned with ly is believed to have dropped since the overthrown. Hezbollah and backed by Iran. The rival death of King Abdullah. Endorsing Aoun, Aoun, addressing the parliament af- March 14 Alliance, supported by Saudi Hariri would also make a distance from ter the voting, underlined political sta- Arabia, is represented by Saad Hariri, Saudis whose trace are evident in all ma- bility as top priority of his government the former prime minister who have the jor regional tensions including Syria and and said his government would deal most chance to ascend to the position Yemen and who are losing their influ- with terrorism “preemptively and pre- again. ence largely among allies as a result of ventively” until it is uprooted. “Leba- That would be no surprise to see Saad their destructive policies in the region. non is still treading through a minefield, Hariri, the leader of Lebanon’s March 14 Aoun, on the other hand, is an ally of but it has been spared the fires burning Alliance, serving as the prime minister Lebanon’s Hezbollah. It was in February across the region; It remains a priority to in Aoun’s cabinet. Hariri announced his 2006 that Aoun signed an agreement prevent any sparks from reaching Leba- support for Michel Aoun earlier on 20 with Hezbollah leader Seyyed Hassan non,” he said after presidential oath. October paving the way for Aoun to fill Nasrallah in a church in Beirut. The al- Aoun’s close ties with Hezbollah and the position. Hariri described his deci- liance provided him great support from Syria and his resolved tone of confront- sion as necessary to “protect Lebanon, Lebanese Shia Muslims, the largest bloc ing terrorism have raised concerns in protect the [political] system, protect of the country, setting the ground for his international arena. Western analysis, the state and protect the Lebanese peo- election as the president. A week before as expected, considers the rise of Aoun » Politics Page 14 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY to presidency as a threat and tries to im- pose the idea that his term would bring about further crisis and unrest to the Riyadh awarded UNHRC country. They argue that Aoun’s alliance with Hezbollah means more tensions, and even war, between Lebanese and Israeli seat for bombing region forces. War in Syria, according to these in- By: Maryam Azish has relocated more than three mil- terpretations, would last longer receiving lion people. The country is already support from Lebanese president, putting Accused of treating foreign low- on the verge of famine. More than the neighboring countries, including Leba- paid workers like slaves, treating 21 million Yemenis — 80% of the non itself, in more trouble. They also argue women worse than animals, population — are in urgent need of that Lebanon, under Aoun, would face the meddling in foreign election, humanitarian assistance. spillover of Syrian war as Hezbollah forces supporting terrorism, plaguing by are directly engaged in the conflict. nepotism, bribery and a total lack Russia Out, Saudi Arabia In Yet, they fail to realize the other side of the story. Aoun’s presidency is a political of democracy, Saudi Arabia has Russia had ended its three-year victory for Hezbollah, Lebanon’s powerful recently managed to be reelected term and was running against Hun- Shia group, and the Resistance Front in to represent the region on the gary and Croatia for the two, avail- the region including Iran, Iraq, Palestine, UN Human Rights Commission able seats from Eastern Europe, RT Yemen and Syria. Meanwhile, losing Hariri, (UNHRC) despite criticism from wrote. Cutting off Saudi Arabia would lose control human rights organizations. Meanwhile, Riyadh won the over Beirut and this means more trouble Asian ballot with 152 votes, and will for the Israeli regime along its borders with For the first time since UNHRC’s represent the region on the UNHRC both Palestine and Lebanon. The election establishment in 2006, Russia has alongside China, Japan and Iraq for also indicates the decline of Saudi Arabia lost an election to the UN Human the next three years. influence in Lebanon’s political arena and Rights Council after being narrowly South Africa, Rwanda, Egypt and also region. Notably, Iran’s ties with Sau- beaten by Croatia in a vote. Saudi Tunisia were chosen from the Afri- di Arabia was severed since January 2016 Arabia was successfully reelected. can group, Cuba and Brazil from Lat- after an attack by a group of people to The move has raised many eye- in America and the Caribbean, and kingdom’s embassy in Tehran in reaction brows and has stunned global the US and the UK will represent to execution of Sheikh Nimr, a religious rights advocates and organizations the Western bloc, which comprises figure, by Saudis. Consequently, Riyadh, in that barely consider taking out the Western Europe and North Ameri- response to Beirut’s failure in condemning oppressive regime from their black- ca. the attack, canceled a three-billion-dollar lists. aid package for the Lebanese army, report- Earlier this year, Human Rights Apparent War Crime edly, and this was somehow the start of its Watch and Amnesty Internation- Saudi officials have repeatedly disengagement in Lebanon. Accordingly, al in a joint statement lambasted abused their position on the Coun- Saudi Arabia, stuck in wars in Yemen and Riyadh for “an appalling record of cil to block any investigations into Syria, is on the verge of losing the game. violations” in Yemen, where it has the atrocities they are responsible Yemeni and Syrian crises, thanks to resist- conducted a bombing campaign for in Yemen and the wider Middle ant spirit of Yemenis and Syrians, have tak- against Houthi rebels since 2015, East. en much longer than expected by invad- which has resulted in the deaths Following an airstrike on a fu- ers. The process, particularly, is frustrating of up to 4,000 civilians. The two neral ceremony of Ali al-Rawishan, Saudi Arabia politically and economically, organizations called for Saudi Ara- the father of the Sana’a-based ad- dwindling its power and influence in the bia, a member of the apart from ministration’s interior minister, Jalal region. With regards to developments, a mandatory year-long break after al-Rawishan in Yemen on Oct 8, fighting terrorism would also enter a new two terms, to be suspended – to no which claimed at least 10 dead and phase as Aoun has also announced his de- avail. wounded over 600 other people, termination to deal with extremist groups Saudi Arabia used its power in Human Rights Watch blamed the in the region. the council to block an outside in- Saudi-led coalition of war crimes Election of Aoun, is therefore, a criti- quiry into the campaign last month, and also lambasted the US and the cal turnover rebalancing the power in the while leading a successful resolu- UK for supplying weapons to the region, where the Resistance Front would tion that placed the responsibility Saudis. have the upper hand, notably diminishing of investigating human rights abus- On October 8, at least two air- Saudis grip of power. es in the hands of its allies, the ex- dropped munitions penetrated the iled Yemeni government. roof of a hall containing over 1,000 Parnaz Talebi has done her MA in North As per to the United Nations, the mourners, killing at least 110 peo- American Studies in Faculty of World atrocious Saudi-led war in Yemen ple and wounding 610 during the » Studies, University of Tehran| Politics Page 15 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY funeral ceremony of Ali al-Rawishan, hospitals, are part of a campaign to and France continue to authorize lucra- the father of the Sana’a-based adminis- push rebels out of the capital. tive arms deals with the Saudi-led coa- tration’s interior minister, Jalal al-Raw- There have been widespread calls lition — apparently without batting an ishan. for an independent inquiry into the eyelash. “A Saudi Arabia-led coalition air- conflict, including from senior British According to Foreign Policy website, strike on a crowded funeral ceremony MPs. More than a third of Saudi-led since November 2013, the US Defense in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on October bombing raids are thought to have hit Department has authorized more than 8, 2016, is an apparent war crime,” civilian sites, and human rights groups $35.7 billion in major arms deals to Sau- Human Rights Watch said, calling the say violations are also being perpetrat- di Arabia. This includes the announce- strike “unlawfully disproportionate”, RT ed by Houthi rebels. ment of a $1.29 billion US arms sale to wrote. One year on, it still remains blurred Saudi Arabia in November 2015 that who is pleasing the war. Saudi Arabia will supply Riyadh with 18,440 bombs Famine in Yemen and its coalition partners claim to have and 1,500 warheads. Meanwhile, dur- According to the UN reports, more regained control of more than 80 per- ing his time in office, British Prime than half of Yemen’s 28 million people cent of the country, but the Houthis Minister David Cameron has overseen are already short of food and children remain in control of the key strong- the sale of more than $9 billion worth are particularly badly hit, with hun- holds of Sanaa, Ibb, and Taiz. Moreo- of weaponry to Saudi Arabia, includ- dreds of thousands at risk of starvation. ver, armed groups such as al Qaeda in ing nearly $4 billion since airstrikes on Meanwhile UNICEF also has an- the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic Yemen began. nounced that over 370,000 children State are gaining ground and support The fact that Saudi Arabia just got enduring severe malnutrition that in the south and southeast parts of the re-elected to the UN Human Rights weakens their immune system in country, taking advantage of the secu- Council is just another reason why this Yemen and 1.5 million are going hun- rity vacuum to consolidate their power. important institution is in serious need gry. Food shortages are a long-term One thing is clear: Yemeni civilians are of reform and democratization, in order problem, but they have got worse in losing the most. for it to better live up to the noble and recent months. Half of children under Amnesty International and other or- crucial principles of its founding char- five are stunted because of chronic ganizations have presented compelling ter. malnutrition. evidence over the past year that indi- The UN needs reform at all levels. A sea blockade on rebel-held areas cates all parties to the Yemen conflict The UNHRC in particular should set enforced by the Saudi-coalition support- have committed war crimes. But some basic standards of human rights which ing the president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur countries do not want to see the evi- countries must adhere to in order to Hadi, stops shipments reaching most dence that is staring them in the face. even be considered for a position on the ports. Flooding the region with arms is akin to Council. If this were the case countries The sea blockade and daily airstrikes, adding fuel to the fire. like Croatia and Saudi Arabia wouldn’t which have hit civilian targets including And yet, Britain, the United States, be let near such an organization| Politics Page 16 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY The devil’s advocates in region UN programs if the agency keeps the country’s name as children right abuser, a threat which made Ban to drop Saudi Arabia from its annual blacklist, only one week after it announced the blacklisting of the regime. Ban called his decision the most painful and difficult due to the fact that millions of other children likely would suffer if funding for UN programs was cut off. Accusing Ban of giving in to political manipulation by the kingdom, dozens of prominent human rights groups, in- cluding Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Oxfam, wrote a letter and urged United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon to put Saudi Arabia back on a By: Lachin Rezaian created a national commission of in- blacklist for overwhelmingly violating quiry in Yemen, which is being carried children’s rights in Yemen. Since March 26, 2015, Saudi Arabia has out by the Saudi-backed government of “The evidence of grave violations led a Western-backed coalition that former Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh against children in Yemen by the Sau- has rained bombs down on Yemen, Mansur Hadi, who fled to Saudi Arabia di-led coalition is overwhelming,” reads claiming the lives of thousands of when the war began. the letter. civilians including defenseless and They said the UN chief’s decision un- innocent women and children. The commission was deemed tooth- dermined an invaluable tool in efforts less, due to its failure after nine months to curb violations against children in Saudi Arabia invaded Bahrain amid Is- to credibly investigate allegations of war armed conflict. lamic Awakening or Arab Spring protests crimes and other serious violations. Increasing attacks against civilians in in 2010 and 2011 to suppress peaceful UN chief Ban Ki-moon blacklisted Yemen after a total of 180 civilians were and legal protests that were going on Saudi-led coalition for killing children killed in one month, raising the death there. It has attacked Yemen who has in Yemen in May. After the report was toll to nearly 4,000 since the conflict be- been seeking to have self-determina- released, Ban’s office was bombarded gan in March 2015, and the rise in the tion in terms of who is governing them, with calls from the Persian Gulf Arab number of attacks against civilian facil- rather than a puppet who is appointed foreign ministers, as well as ministers ities including hospitals, markets, and by Riyadh. from the Organization of Islamic Coop- places of worship, has raised concerns The blistering assaults against Yem- eration (OIC), to remove the regime’s among human rights activists across the en has been repeatedly condemned in name from the list of states and armed world and among regional countries, the strongest possible terms by regional groups that have violated the rights of including the Islamic Republic of Iran and Western countries, top United Na- children. which has played a key role in resolution tions officials, UN Human Rights Council In June, Amnesty International and of regional issues. (HRC), Human Rights Watch and other Human Rights Watch condemned the Meanwhile, the Organization of Is- international NGOs across the world, US-backed Saudi regime’s breaching lamic Cooperation led by Saudi regime however, their opposition and condem- of rights, calling on the United Nations has repeatedly condemned Iran for nations were only on paper and have General Assembly to immediately sus- what it called supporting terrorism and never been a strategy to prevent the pend Saudi Arabia from the Human meddling in the affairs of other coun- country from raising atrocities in impov- Rights Council membership over its tries, the message which fuels division erished Yemen, putting the credibility of “gross and systematic violations of hu- in the Islamic community. the UN Human Rights Council at stake. man rights abroad and at home. HRW The history proves that Iran has Saudi Arabia has even blocked at- has documented Saudi Arabia of repeat- played a constructive role for good of tempts to create an international in- edly using internationally banned cluster the region. It has military advisory pres- quiry, which is a betrayal of the people munitions in civilian areas; in 19 differ- ence in Syria and Iraq at the request of of Yemen who have suffered so much ent attacks, they have used at least six the Damascus and Baghdad government during this conflict. A fully independ- different types of cluster bombs, which in fighting terrorism. ent international inquiry is the least the were made in the US, UK and Brazil. When ISIL emerged many countries people of Yemen deserve. Riyadh threatened in early June to were slow to offer any assistance, how- Instead, Saudi Arabia and its allies, cut Palestinian aid and funds to other ever, Iran made a number of requests to » Politics Page 17 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY countries asking for assistance and was and hitting back to Iran which has been Does the UK Government really care? the first which sent military advisers to protesting the reckless conduct of Saudi Only when it suits them or there is eco- train the depleted Iraqi army and the officials regarding the 2015 Hajj tragedy. nomic interests involved. They are noto- Kurdish forces. Saudi regime has decided not to ac- rious for hypocrisy! While Iran is portrayed in Western cept responsibility and not to pay dam- It is clear that Saudi war in Yemen has and Israeli circles as a supporter of ter- ages and compensation to countries helped British economy through privi- rorism worldwide, there is a less politi- including Iran whose citizens were killed leged access to cheap oil, sale of weap- cally convenient reality: that of Iran as a or injured during the Mina incident. ons in billions of dollars and other eco- victim of terror. It also adopted an offensive approach nomic and trade agreements. Thousands of innocent people in Iran towards those calling on it to account. The UK government’s claims over have been killed as a result of terrorist The regime is not alone; so-called hu- support for human rights and democra- operations led by the West and Saudi man rights advocate, the UK, supports cy is a funny excuse for providing sup- agents in the country since the Islamic crimes of Saudi Arabia in Yemen. British port for the regimes that are repressing Revolution of 1979. support for Saudi Arabia’s warmonger- and slaughtering the people of Yemen Many countries have acknowledged ing policies in Yemen is not a random and Bahrain. Islamic Republic is trying to help restore issue; behind the support, definitely lies Recently, Britain, accused of block- peace, stability and security to the re- economic and power interests. ing EU efforts to set up an inquiry into gion to the best of its ability. Saudi money is a key incentive for Saudi Arabia’s actions in the country, The Islamic Republic of Iran has al- the UK and other allies to back Saudi dismissed facts that the reported bomb- ways reiterated that there could be no friends. When it comes to politics, mak- ing of international hospitals, schools military solution to the war in the re- ing money is what comes at the top of and wedding parties by the autocracy amount to war crimes. They have repeatedly claimed that Saudi Arabia is best placed to investigate its own crimes; Saudi Arabian investiga- tions into its own actions have thus far absolved itself of any wrongdoings. UK government is trying to cover up the Saudi Arabian military’s flagrant vi- olations of international humanitarian law. It even continued military support for the Saudi-led intervention in Yem- en after human rights groups, includ- ing Human Rights Watch and Cam- paign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT), wrote a letter to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), saying British-made munitions were responsible for the ris- gion and has urged an end to hostilities the agenda, it doesn’t matter whether ing civilian death toll in Yemen’s brutal and a peaceful resolution of the conflict civilians are being killed with the weap- war. They also called on UK Prime Min- through negotiations and the utilization ons the West or the US helped provide ister Theresa May and Foreign Secre- of peaceful mechanisms. to another country. tary Boris Johnson to end the arms Iran’s key role in the region and res- Britain’s foreign policy is devoted sales and put a stop to the uncritical olution of regional issues is not a pleas- towards suppressing any form of de- support that the UK provides for the ant fact for Saudi Arabian regime. Truth mocracy in the Middle East. And now, Saudi regime. hurts. They say when someone goes in the case of Yemen and despite all Saudi regime has repeatedly bribed down the well he tries to take with him the evidence for crimes and suppres- Western countries, including the UK, another person: misery loves company. sion that has been gathered in terms claiming that their support was in their The saying best suits to the situation of what has been going on, the UK own interest to prevent Yemen falling of Saudi allegations against the Islamic government continues its policies to- into the hands of terrorists. Republic. wards Saudi regime. In early September, Adel al-Jubeir, The desperate Saudi regime facing Historically, the UK government pry the Saudi Foreign Minister, speaking backlash for its crimes in the region tries into other countries affairs like Iraq, to the Telegraph, warned if the UK to shift blame to Iran in an attempt to Yemen and Libya under the guise of “hu- suspends arms sales, there might be redeem its battered image globally. manitarian crisis”, overthrowing their even higher risks of terrorism spread- Saudi hostile actions against Iran governments, killing their rulers, leaving ing, statement which seems more to pursues one important objective: pre- a power vacuum, enabling Al Qaeda and be a threat from a country who has venting Iran’s positive role in the region ISIL to take a stronghold. a dark history of nurturing terrorism » Politics Page 18 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

and extremist ideology. Al-Jubeir on Michigan and Mick Mulvaney of South tleground and directs dogs looking for one hand threatens the United King- Carolina, wrote a letter asking President the prey. dom that if London retreats from sup- Obama to withdraw his request for Con- Under the pressure of Saudi regime, porting Riyadh’s invasion of Yemen, it gressional approval for a $1.15 billion US government even obstructed the re- would see Wahhabi affiliate terrorists sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia amid lease of remaining 28 pages of the fac- committing terrorist acts in the Euro- the Riyadh regime’s crimes against civil- tual information of the 9/11 report to pean country. Meanwhile, on the oth- ians in Yemen. the public in 2015. The report pointed a er hand, he tries to bribe London by They raised concerns that the actions very strong finger at Saudi Arabia as be- promising billions of dollars of invest- of the Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen are ing the principal financier of the attack ments after Brexit. as reprehensible as they are illegal. The to the North and South towers, and the In fact, the West is willing to be multiple, repeated airstrikes on civilians World Trade Center complex in New bribed and fooled by a rich country. look like war crimes, they warned. York City. They pretend to be helping fight against The $1.15 billion deal for weapon- Under public pressure, US govern- terrorism, however, they promote the ry to Saudi Arabia, including over 150 ment published a censored version of ever-growing terrorist groups like ISIL, Abrams tanks, reveals more than ever, the report with many redactions; how- Al-Qaeda, Al-Nusra Front and reversing the blood of thousands of innocent ever, even after more than fifteen years, advances other peace-making countries, Yemenis dripping from American hands. a cloud of secrecy hangs over the events including Iran, make to suppress the ter- The Obama administration has al- of September 11, 2001 which proves the rorists and extremists doing atrocities in ready approved more than $100 bil- footprints of Saudi regime in the terror- the region or Western countries. lion in arms sales to the kingdom; ist attacks. Saudi Arabia is currently the UK’s however, after a year and a half, the Needless to say, it has been revealed largest arms export market. The British new sale will definitely prove Wash- to the world public opinion that the addiction to money is encouraging it to ington’s involvement in a deadly war Saudi regime is the axis of support for give billions pounds worth of weaponry that the White House has kept largely the terrorist streams in the region and to Saudi Arabia. Actually, arms sales to quiet about. beyond. the country breach British and European Obama’s pretended distaste for re- Today, all the world has figured out weapons export laws. gional proxy wars is not working now. that, MKO, the ISIL, Taliban, al-Qaeda Britain’s Committee on Arms Exports The US gives with one hand and takes and tens of other terrorist grouplets Control, comprising 16 MPs from four back with the other. With words, it touts spread in the geography of Islam and parties, urged British government to opposition to terrorism and war crimes, humanity commit the biggest crimes avoid its sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia but in practice, sends weapons to the against humanity under the leadership since they had been used to violate in- terrorists like Al Saud to kill women and and strategies of the US, the Zionist re- ternational law, which is suppressed by children in Yemen. gime and the regional reactionary re- the government saying it has not seen Saudi allies, including the US and the gimes with the extensive financial sup- evidence of Saudi war crimes. UK, are panting for Saudi oil and money. ports of the al-Saud. Anger over the Saudi-led campaign The incentive is enough for them to das- The world has learned that Saudi Ara- and the United States role in the war is tardly and in the name of human rights bia and Wahhabism, the radical ideolo- also growing in US Congress. In April, a and suppression of terrorism make tur- gy freely preached in the Arab country, bipartisan group of American lawmak- moil in the region. are to blame for the violent acts of ex- ers, representatives Ted Lieu of Califor- Saudi regime well knows its mon- tremism in the Middle East region and nia, Ted Yoho of Florida, John Conyers of ey-addicted allies. It throws prey in bat- elsewhere| Politics Page 19 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Article 99 of UN Charter and Ban Ki-Moon’s Beleaguered Legacy in ME By: Abbas Torabi

The UN’s first Secretary General Trygve Halvdan Lie, the Norwegian diplomat who never explicitly invoked Article 99 before the Security Council, portrays the post of Secretary General as the most difficult job in the world.

U Thant, Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General (SG) of the United Nations from 1961 to 1971, was a strong proponent and practitioner of “preventive diplomacy” the man who practically ex- perienced this most difficult duty, by - put ting the world deeply in his debt when he played a crucial mediatory role in diffusing Cuban Missile Crisis and abating Congo- lese civil war. Ban Ki-Moon himself as UN’s eighth Secretary General, the South Kore- an politician who took office on 1 January 2007, and is due to end his second term on December 31, 2016, after being 10 years For this style of management, we can name to talk certain crises they may threaten in this position, describes United Nations a the seventh Secretary-General of the Unit- world peace and security. dream which has become a nightmare. ed Nations (1997-2006), Kofi Atta Annan a Ghanaian diplomat who can be categorized Secretary or General, that’s the question United Nations, a dream or nightmare? within President Roosevelt’s framework as In the book “Secretary or General”, Playing the role of “father confes- “world moderator” style Secretary Gener- Simon Chesterton and Thomas M. Frank sor” to the UN’s Member States, is the al. Actually, as Roosevelt outlined, secre- say the holder of this post is occasionally next description in which can be utilized tary-general’s schedule is consumed by a treated as “an errand boy and punching for Egyptian politician, Boutros Boutros mixture of ‘futile Diplomatic rituals’ that has bag,” expected to be simultaneously an Ghali, who became the sixth SG of the been outlined in Article 98 and ‘urgent crises’ independent political force and a public UN (1992-1996). Conversant and effective which has been detailed in Article 99 of the servant. Actually, the dilemmatic issue notwithstanding, he was caught in a rift UN charter. Therefore, the prominent part here is about the ambiguous nature of between the United States and the Unit- of the Schedule to this position of SG of the the position of the Secretary-General, be- ed Nations and this led him a controversy United Nations, which is purely political and is cause this is a position which is like a path between administrative and political. “The the distinguished part of this post, has been that forked off in two directions: the duty greatest, although it is the least advertised summarized in Article 99 of the United Na- of “Secretary” and “General.” “A Secre- of the functions of the Secretary-General is tions’ charter. tary-General is like a Supreme Court jus- to be a father confessor to the member Considering this, amongst concise list tice, you never know what you’re going to governments, to be a man in whom they of articles (97-101) in the UN charter get” Lee Andrew Feinstein, a former sen- can confide, and who knows, therefore, assigning functions to the SG, Article 99 ior official in the Obama and Clinton ad- from continued, private, privileged infor- has been considered the most influential ministrations and the United States am- mation, the real position in an interna- article that precisely gives the SG domi- bassador to Poland from 2009 to 2012, tional controversy,” Walter Lippmann, the nant political power. Having regard to the said. “We should be more modest in our author of “Public Opinion” the founding words of Article 99, which announces words, but not in our performance” Ban book in American media studies, wrote. that “the Secretary-General may bring to Ki-moon said in his acceptance speech in “World moderator”, is the other descrip- the attention of the Security Council any October 3, 2006. “The true measure of tion of this post, which was coined by 32nd matter which in his opinion may threaten success for the UN is not how much we United States President (1933-1945), Frank- the maintenance of international peace promise, but how much we deliver for lin Delano Roosevelt, many years prior to and security,” it should be noted that, those who need us most” he added. the UN’s creation. This prediction material- this article permits and grants the Sec- ized at a time the UN charter alluded to it as retary-General the power of ‘preventive Article 98 or 99 of the UN Charter? “chief administrative officer” in Article 98. Diplomacy’ to oblige the Security Council Since the UN establishment, the Sec- » Politics Page 20 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY retary-General responsibilities has often which may threaten the maintenance of Security Council be convened urgently ...” been bifurcated in two seperate direc- international peace and security.” During Finally, this civil war ended up after 15 and tions: Article 98 which assigns purely Security Council’s emergency meeting a half years on 13 October 1990. administrative functions to the SG, and which took place following day, Member Article 99 that is completely political. States adopted resolution of 143 in order Ban Ki-moon and his Beleaguered Legacy So, under Article 99 of the charter SG re- to launch a massive peacekeeping mis- In conclusion, these three histori- sponsibility is to work in conflict preven- sion, subsequently, the consequences of cal turning points in UN’s history (Con- tion and averting tensions into war by the this meeting was exactly in line with the go 1960, Iran 1979 and Lebanon 1989), use of his “good offices” with the help of wishes of the man who predominantly shows that the UN’s main mission in the “preventive diplomacy”, peacemaking executed his duties in a visionary manner 20th century was to help crisis-ridden and peacekeeping via helping to restore as Secretary-General. countries and to stop countries from stability when armed conflict breaks out, On 4 December 1979, the UN’s Securi- waging war each other. But, the 21th and peace building via mediation to en- ty Council, in response to Austrian politi- century is totally different from the pre- courage lasting peace in communities cian and diplomat Kurt Josef Waldheim’s vious one, at this new millennial the ob- emerging from years of instability and call - the fourth Secretary-General of the vious intention is to reinforcement the chaos. In this regard, chapter XV, article United Nations (1972-1981) - adopted inter-state system of countries to such a 99 of the UN charter, neither grants pow- resolution of 457, in order to quell the degree that humanity would be able to er to UN Member States nor a group of ongoing Iranian-American embassy cri- live in a prosperous world amidst new those states, but it just gives power to the sis. This was for the second time since challenges. Considerng this, it desrves SG to maintain peace and stability to the 1960, UN’s Secretary-General, utilized his very wide attention that, why current SG whole world. But the question is why Mr. power to invoke Article 99. Waldheim couldn’t bring the Middle East back to Ban didn’t formally invoke this article in the stated that in his opinion, “tension has Life? Like these triple historical years that case of Middle Eastern war-torn countries now escalated to such an extent that a mentioned above, the year of 2015 [and (e.g., Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and Palestine)? In threat has been created not only to the 2014] was/were one of the most “trou- the United Nations’ history, we do have just peace and stability to the region but to bled and turbulent years in recent his- experienced three times formally invoking the entire world.” In response, Iranian tory,” according to Ban Ki-Moon, which of this article. Strictly speaking, article 99 revolutionary students declared that the confessed at the start of an open debate was invoked only triple in the United Na- US embassy personnels would not be re- in the UN Security Council in New York tions’ history, the first time by visionary leased until deposed Shah Mohammad on 15 September 2016, about “Respect Dag Hammarskjold in 1960, the second Reza Pahlavi, who was receiving medical for the principles and purposes of the time by Kurt Waldheim in 1979, and for treatment in New York Hospital-Cornell Charter as a key element for the mainte- the tertian by Javier de Cuéllar in 1989. Medical Center, must be returned to Iran nance of international peace and -secu to stand trial. Ultimately, Waldheim’s ac- rity.” Therefore, the question is why did Invocations of Article 99 in the UN tions in regards to this crisis had precisely Ban Ki-moo favour to walk on the Article Security Council been reflected his managerial leadership 98 road, instead of walking in the line of On 13 July 1960, proactive Swedish style, when he declared that “the Secu- Article 99? At a time, imposed wars rav- economist and diplomat, Dag Hjalmar rity Council be convened urgently in an aging (e.g., Syria, Yemen, Palestine, and Agne Carl Hammarskjöld, the second effort to seek a peaceful solution to the Iraq) why did Mr. Ban like most of UN’s secretary-general of the United Nations problem in conformity with the principles former Secretary-Generals use the right (1953-1961) - who has been regarded as of justice and international law.” to negotiate and to engage in hollow dip- the best Secretary-General of all the time It was August 15, 1989, that the last lomatic rituals? Why did SG Ban Ki-moon and was called by the then president John but not least UN’s fifth Secretary-General choose the right to be a ‘father confessor’ F. Kennedy as the greatest statesman of explicitly invoked Article 99 of the charter instead of issuing “early warning” state- 20th century - for the first time practically in connection with Lebanon’s 14 years of ments in Security Council hall for invo- used ‘preventive Diplomacy’ for the first civil war and conflict. This explicit invoca- cation of Article 99 on war-torn nations time, via explicitly invoking Article 99 in tion of this little-used article for the third and countries in the Middle East? It does order to maintenance stability in the Re- time, took place under leadership of Peru- seem that, acting in the field of admin- public of Congo in response to emergen- vian diplomat Javier Felipe Ricardo Pérez istrative functions of this position, and cy request of help which was made by de Cuéllar who served this post as the collecting of evidences related to world the Congolese government to intervene. fifth Secretary-General from 1982-1991. scale crises and referring these infor- In this view, Dag Hammarskjold was the In a letter to the Security Council Presi- mations to the Security Council (SC) in a first SG who made a legal case defend- dent, the Secretary-General de Cuéllar more informal way, have become central ing this extended interpretation of Arti- noted that violence in and around Beirut duties of the eighth Secretary-general. In cle 99. In light of his argument, he said “had escalated to a level unprecedented this sense, we do understand that why that “Article 99 not only confers upon in fourteen years of conflict.” He stated does Article 99 have actually been cited the Secretary-General a right to bring his opinion that an effective cease-fire is only triple since 71 years of founding the matters to the attention of the Security imperative: “in my opinion, the present UN organization. Council but that this right carries with it, crisis poses a serious threat to interna- by necessary implication, a broad discre- tional peace and security. Accordingly, in Abbas Torabi has done his MA in North tion to conduct inquiries and to engage the exercise of my responsibility under the American Studies in Faculty of World in diplomatic activity in regard to matters charter of the United Nations, I ask that the Studies, University of Tehran| Politics Page 21 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY 3 Persian Gulf islands inseparable parts of Iran By: Maryam Azish Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dispute over the three islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and the Lesser Tunb in the Persian Gulf is not a new story.

So far, Tehran has frequently an- nounced that these islands are an insep- arable part of the Iranian land and repe- tition of unfounded allegations over the territories would not change “historical facts”, reiterating that Arab officials can- not change history by their meddlesome remarks and media stunts. Lambasting Arab League Statement More recently, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghassemi Iran strongly rejected a statement is- sued by the Ministerial Council of the Arab League about three Iranian islands, warning that such injudicious approach- es would intensify divisions in the Mid- dle East resulted in more gaps among sovereignty of Iran over these islands bordered this province came to be regional countries and a delay in pur- have been recorded in many books, his- known as the Persian Gulf. poseful regional collaborations. torical documents, almanacs, maritime Considering the historical back- Considering it as a blatant example of journals, geographical maps, official ground of the name Persian Gulf, Sir interference in its internal affairs, Tehran documents, administrative reports, the Arnold Wilson mentions in a book, believes that the statement is originated officials notes of the British authorities published in 1928 that: “No water from the Arab League’s political motives in India and so on. channel has been so significant as Per- and its malfunction to understand his- Home to many small islands, the sian Gulf to the geologists, archaeol- torical realities. Persian Gulf is one of the geographical ogists, geographers, merchants, pol- Touching upon the current regional regions that has been interwoven with iticians, excursionists, and scholars sensitive situation, Iran has repeatedly the millennia-old history and civilization whether in past or in present. This announced that its principled policy re- of Iran. It has been years that some at- water channel which separates the garding the Persian Gulf littoral states is tempts to change the name of the gulf Iran Plateau from the Arabian Plate, the observance of good neighborliness, have taken place. has enjoyed an Iranian identity since mutual respect and non-interference in Geographically the biggest island in at least 2200 years ago”. the internal affairs of other countries as the Persian Gulf is Qeshm Island, locat- well as heeding historical and legal re- ed in the Strait of Hormuz. Other signifi- Importance of Three Islands alities. cant islands include Greater Tunb, Less- Located in a strategic zone near the Last week, the Arab League’s Minis- er Tunb and Kish administered by Iran. mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, con- terial Council issued a statement and In 1903, the three islands of which trolling these islands would enable one claimed that the three islands of the were historically owned by Iran, tem- to dominate the sea-lanes entering and Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu porarily fell to British control and then exiting the Persian Gulf, and hence it is Musa belong to UAE at the end of its were returned to Iran based on an understandable why Abu Dhabi are re- 146th session in the Egyptian capital of agreement in 1971 before the UAE came peating its imaginary claim time after Cairo and voiced their support for the to existence. time. UAE’s measures to regain its sovereignty In 550 BC, the Achaemenid Empire Pointing to the current regional cri- over the islands. established the first Persian Empire in sis, Arab League should conduct wisely Pars in the southwestern region of the instead of fanning the flames of region- Historical Documents Iranian plateau. Consequently in the al disagreement between Iran and UAE A look at history indicates that the Greek sources, the body of water that over the disputed islands| Politics Page 22 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Ambassador: Pakistan seeking peaceful solution to Kashmir dispute these hurdles. The central banks of the two countries are in contact and it is hoped that these barriers would be re- moved soon. Traders and businessmen of the two countries have shown great interest to increase the trade. H.E Has- san Rouhani, the President of Iran, had a visit to Islamabad in March and held talks with Mr. Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the two sides agreed to raise their trade to 5 billion dollars in the next five years. We consider our relations as very important. Both can enter into fruitful cooperation through trade. Pakistan is negotiating much needed electricity Interview by Ali Kavoosi he served in Pakistan’s missions in Af- with Iran. Pakistan has signed the gas ghanistan, India, England and the Unit- pipeline agreement, as it badly needs Ambassador of Pakistan has said Mehr ed Nation. energy and Iran can meet its demands News Agency that his country has Asif Durrani is well familiar with the easily. We could not complete the gas never used military power to settle the culture and civilization of Iran and wants pipeline project because of sanctions on dispute in Kashmir. to promote the relations of Iran and Pa- Iran as no international company was kistan in all fields. Here is our conversa- willing or would invest in the pipeline Pakistan is one of the Muslim coun- tion with him: project. However, now the situation has tries and neighbors of the Islamic Re- changed and work on pipeline would public of Iran which shares a long histo- uAfter the removal of international start soon. ry and huge cultural commonalities with sanctions against Iran, what changes Pakistan, in addition to supplying Iran. Mehr News International Desk cor- have been made in the commercial and the needed rice to Iran, can export the respondent has sit for an interview with economic relations between Iran and engineering, industrial and agricultural Mr. Asif Durrani, Ambassador of the Is- Pakistan? items as well as medical and surgical lamic Republic of Pakistan in Tehran. We It has been very heartening that the equipment. Moreover, Pakistan exports have discussed regional issues including international sanctions imposed on Iran surgical equipment to the western recent conflicts on Pakistan-India - bor have been lifted and we must congratu- countries as well. Pakistan manufac- der, Pakistan and Turkey relations, com- late Iran for being successful by holding tures world class sports goods and gears mercial and economic relations of Iran negotiations. We hope that problems for international brands. In the textile and Pakistan, and the implementation associated with the implementation of and knitting sector, Pakistan had good of the gas pipeline project between the JCPOA will be resolved soon. performance and exported textile and two countries, reviewed the regional Iran and Pakistan have good relations garments throughout the world. changes and also the relations between in commercial field but after the inter- I hope that since Iran and Pakistan Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan. national sanctions, the trade between have always enjoyed friendly relations, Ambassador Asif Durrani, who is the two countries decreased. Before the these relations will continue to grow from Quetta in Pakistan, speaks Pashtu, international sanctions the trade be- further in the future as well. Both coun- Urdu, Dari and also Farsi with a sweet tween the two countries was 1.5 billion tries should step towards a free trade accent. The ambassador of Pakistan dollars and during sanctions the trade and increase their trade transactions. joined his mission in Tehran 4 months volume fell to 500 million dollars. It is ago. Earlier he was ambassador to UAE. hoped that after the removal of sanc- uWhat are the impediments on the With 30 years of experiences in the For- tions, trade between the two countries way to implement the peace pipeline eign Ministry of Pakistan, Mr. Durrani would increase substantially. between Iran and Pakistan and when had previously fulfilled a mission as the To increase the trade transactions, this pipeline will be operational? first secretary in a 4-year term 18 years there are banking problems and issues, Due to the International sanctions ago at the Embassy of Pakistan. Earlier and the bank officials are trying to tackle against Iran, no company was ready to » Politics Page 23 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY invest or participate in the bid for con- one is the issue of Palestine and the oth- the civilians in Kashmir by force. The struction of the gas pipeline project. er is Kashmir, and both states are con- people of the occupied state have not After the removal of sanctions, the gov- sidered occupied. We see that people stopped their protests; they call it the ernment of Pakistan has negotiated with are not satisfied with the current condi- “Second Intifada”. a Chinese company for the construction tion in Kashmir which is why there are After an attack on the brigade head- of the pipeline and hopefully work on frequent uprisings in the state where quarters of Indian army forces in Uri the pipeline will be carried out soon. Indian state repression continues una- Kashmir, India called it a terrorist act It is hoped that by the end of 2018 the bated to suppress the voice of the Kash- and blamed Pakistan for it. However, it Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project will be miris to submission. might be possible that India itself had operational. Pakistan has never used military orchestrated such an act in order to di- power to settle the Kashmir dispute and vert world’s attention on Indian atroci- uIran and some regional countries seeks for a diplomatic solution.Pakistan ties against the innocent Kashmiris. showed their interest to join China- always has tried to settle the Kashmir Pakistan is one of the victims of ter- Pakistam Economic Corridor. Can any dispute through peaceful and diplomat- rorism in the region and around 70 other countries in the region including ic means. Pakistan has never used mili- thousand people have been the victims Iran join the corridor? China aims to have access to the markets of Middle East and North Afri- ca through Pakistan and since Mr. Rou- hani and Mr. Nawaz Sharif highlighted the importance of connection between Chabahar and Gwader ports, Iran can play an important role in this significant economic project. uIn recent days, we are witnessing conflicts on the border of Pakistan and India in Kashmir. What is the reason of such conflicts? After the independence of Pakistan, India unlawfully entered Kashmir and occupied a large part of this Muslim majority state. Then, the opposition of Kashmiris against the government of In- dia began. The government of India took the Kashmir dispute to the UN Security tary power to settle the Kashmir dispute of terrorism in the last decade.India Council. Since the partition plan envis- and seeks a diplomatic solution. Paki- must know that it cannot put Pakistan aged that Muslim majority areas would stan is one of the party to the dispute under pressure by starting shootings accede to Pakistan and Hindu majority and if India is thinking to put Pakistan on the border. Only solution to Kashmir areas to India, it was but natural that under pressure by using state terrorism dispute is peaceful negotiations. On the Jammu and Kashmir would join Paki- in occupied Kashmir, it is utterly mistak- other hand, since India and Pakistan are stan. But, India breached the partition en. nuclear countries in the region, they agreement and contrived an agreement After the death of Borhan Muzaf- must take measures to contain the situ- with the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir to far Wani in Kashmir by Indian securi- ation from further aggravation. annex the state to India. Based on this ty forces, people of Kashmir reacted shady agreement, Kashmir was claimed to the action of the Indian security uThe head of the Zionist regime has as its territory by India. After the - re forces. More than 200 thousands of visited India in last few days and has volt in the Kashmir state, this issue was Kashmiris participated in his funeral. stated in his meetings with Indian brought to the UN Security Council by Even in the funeral procession, Indian officials that the Zionist regime is India which accepted the decision of security forces killed and injured many planning to celebrate the anniversary the Council to hold a plebiscite in the people. For the first time, Indian se- of their 25-year relations and this state. But, India initially dilly dallied and curity forces used pellet guns to blind has provoked some Muslim Indians later refused to hold plebiscite in total the people for life. to protest. Would you give some disregard of the UN resolution. UN res- More than 150 Kashmiris have lost explanations in this regard? olutions on Kashmir dispute were made their eyesight due to pellet guns while I cannot comment on this matter as from 1948 to 1967 and all stress settle- over 700 are partially blinded. Such bru- India is an independent country and ment of the Kashmir dispute. tal tactics can have drastic and deadly can have diplomatic relations with any Currently, two important issues are outcomes. Since 8 July 2016, Indian se- country. In fact, the Indian government on the UN Security Council’s agenda, curity forces have resorted to suppress used to be a supporter of Palestinian » Politics Page 24 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY cause, but in recent years it has changed have never forgotten this historical sup- Afghanistan and if it joins the negotia- its position towards the Palestine issue. port of the Muslims of the subcontinent tions it can contribute to improving the The policy of India in the region reminds for the Ottoman Khilafat. situation. the English expression of “Running with We are proud of our relations with The government of Pakistan wishes the hare and hunting with the hounds”. Turkey. Both countries have always that the problems in Afghanistan should On the other hand, India is one of the stood by each other on various issues. be resolved by its own people through founders of the Non-Aligned Move- We are grateful to Turkey for always sup- peaceful talks. ment, but it seems it doesn’t play a porting the just cause of the Kashmiri On the existence of Daesh in Afghan- significant role among the non-aligned people. istan, it can be said that some factions member states. of Taliban are active in Afghanistan un- If there are 1 billion poor people in uWhat is your opinion about making der the name of Daesh. But, it cannot be the world, half of them are living in In- peace and stability in Afghanistan said with certainty that Daesh has estab- dia. Indian intransigence would only in- and also Iran joining the negotiating lished its bases in Afghanistan. crease the poverty of its people. countries on the issue of Afghanistan? There are many tensions and inse- uWhat do you like about Iran? And uLast week Turkish president had a curities in Afghanistan and all the ne- have you been outside Tehran ? visit to Pakistan and delivered a lecture gotiating parties agree that we must I love and adore Persian carpets. On in the Parliament of Pakistan. How will do something to stabilize the current my second posting to Iran, I first trav- be the relations of Pakistan and Turkey situation in Afghanistan and for -a per elled to the Imam Reza shrine and had in different fields? manent peace in the region. After the a meeting with the Governor General When in 1920s, the “Khilafat Move- 11 September, the use of military power of Razavi Khorasan. After that, I went to ment” was started in the subcontinent, in Afghanistan intensified the insecuri- Tabriz city and in recent days I had a visit the Ottoman dynasty was under pres- ties. Pakistan has accepted more than 3 to Sistan and Balouchistan and the cities sure from the world powers. Muslim million Afghan refugees in last 37 years, of Chabahar and Zahedan. In this visit I women of the subcontinent sold their among which half of them are still living also met the Governor General of Sistan jewelries to support the Ottoman Cali- in the country illegally. and Balouchistan. From there I went to phate against British aggression. Mus- It cannot be certainly said that Daesh Gwadar, Pakistan. The purpose of this lims of the subcontinent and Turkey has been succeeded to find a place in visit was to explore the possibilities of have relations much before the inde- Afghanistan.Taliban have some bases in expanding the commercial and eco- pendence of Pakistan. Afghanistan from where they carry out nomic relations between the two neigh- Iran was the first country to recognize their activities. China’s joining the Peace boring countries. Another objective of Pakistan, and we always remember this Talks for Afghanistan is a positive devel- visiting Sistan and Balouchistan was to gesture. Similarly the people of Turkey opment. Iran is one of the neighbors of promote border trade| Politics Page 25 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Media war most common Cold War tool to defeat enemies By: Lachin Rezaian

Analyst Emad Abshenass, Iran Press Editor-in-Chief and the representative for Russia Today in Iran touched upon the media war as the most common tool to kick off a Cold War.

Addressing reporters and me- dia-minded people on Monday, Ab- shenas said the victory belongs to those who act based on audience de- mands using trained, professional and prominent journalists. Touching upon the issue of ‘East and West media war’, Abshenass referred to the heavy costs involved parties suf- fer from purchasing weapons, bullets, cartridges, RPG and equipment. “The cold war, including media war, is the most effective means to defeat the enemies, which suffers no financial damages,” he noted. “As the military war needs strategy in his address. He deplored that in Iran Emad Abshenass asserted, “while in and plan, media must have a roadmap there is no media brand, personality or hot wars high costs are spent for arms, and avoid arbitrary and scattered acts figure; these people are put aside, he soldiers, ammunition and weapons, based on personal interests that would stressed. media war assigns much lower costs lead to failure,” he noted. Russian media representative went just to employ journalists, writers and Abshenass emphasized that there on to say that media domination still provide media equipment.” should be concentration of forces; exists, however, the media which well Pointing to one of the negative con- “when every news media works ac- knows its audience and tries to attract sequences of the hot war, he said the cording to its own strategies, inter- its attention and publish news and re- loser is waiting for revenge, however, ests and tastes, naturally, there will ports according to its demands, is the when you defeat the enemy through be a scattering which would provide winner. the channel of media war and cultural the grounds for the enemy to easily He also touched upon the role of ways, in addition to defeating it - psy defeat us in terms of media and soft culture in media domination, say- chologically, you will be able to attract war.” ing the international media in Iran public opinion of your enemy country For example, he added, Russia in or- producing content for international having no more enemies. der to fight with the enemy, gathered audiences, must be coordinated and As in wartime that we need officers, and focused all its outlets, news agen- familiar with the culture of the tar- soldiers and forces, for media war we cies and state-run media in a single net- get audience; when a media wants to need authors, news writers, reporters, work called Russia Today to well defeat fight with US it should know who it correspondents and anchors who are the enemies. fights, what culture it has and identity highly professional and educated, he Media should be strong and effec- its objectives. said. tive, Abshenass stressed, “the funda- Even though media enemies are “When an untrained officer or sol- mental problem of Iranian media is that powerful, we also have strengths, capa- dier is easily injured or killed in the they sometimes work against each oth- bilities and power to defeat them, Ab- battle and consequently his army faces er; they neutralize each other’s activi- shenass emphasized adding, “as Russia failure, untrained media will also lose ties and efforts lacking any strong and Today, Al-Mayadeen and so were able against enemies.” influential output.” to defeat enemies, although they faced Pointing to the issue of concern for The creation of hero in the war and many problems and obstructions in Eastern media, Abshenass underlined taking advantage of the media brands several countries, we can win the war they lack any strategy or roadmap. were other issues Abshenasa discussed as well.”| Iran Foreign Relations Iran Foreign Relations Page 27 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

By: Mina Ahmadi The implementation of Iran’s Clear testament to nuclear deal with the 5+1 group of countries, which is known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Tehran-Moscow deep ties and removal of sanctions imposed on Iran is an issue, which will affect Iran’s relations with many states.

As a result, economic relations be- tween Iran and the Russian Federation have been offered with many new op- portunities in post-JCPOA era and the deal will be an end to an eight-year pe- riod in which trade exchanges between the two countries were in decline. Shortly after the landmark nuclear deal between Iran and six global pow- ers, Russian President Veladimir Putin traveled to Tehran and pledged to deep- en their economic and political ties in the post-nuclear deal era. More signs also indicate that Russia is already working on what may be a spe- While in Iran, she discussed variety of banking transactions, customs-relat- cial economic alliance with Iran and is of issues including ways to improve par- ed issues, visa issuance process, promot- preparing a road map for dozens of joint liamentary cooperation and reinforce ing free trade, joint academic activities, economic projects with Iran. convergence in the Middle East to fight as well as cooperation in the fields of In an indication of Russia’s goodwill terrorism in Syria in the talks with senior aerospace and new technologies. to promote cooperation with its neigh- Iranian officials including President Has- Rouhani also noted the strategic co- boring country, Iran, the Russian Fed- san Rouhani, Parliament Speaker Ali Lar- operation between Iran and Russia to eration Council chief Valentina Ivanov- ijani and Foreign Minister Mohammad fight terrorism, stressing that such co- na, heading a high-ranking delegation, Javad Zarif. operation will continue until the eradi- arrived in Iran on Nov 13 for a two-day cation of terrorism in the region. official visit. “Clear testament” to The chairperson of Russia’s Federa- The visit of the head of the Russian Tehran-Moscow deep ties tion Council, for her part, highlighted Federation Council to Iran was part of In a meeting with Ivanovna, President Moscow’s call for an all-out cooperation visits between Tehran and Moscow fol- Rouhani stressed that Iran-Russia’s rela- with Iran in various fields of combating lowing the implementation of JCPOA tions are at their uppermost level in re- terrorism, trade transactions, energy and would mark a significant landmark cent decades, adding the two countries and peaceful nuclear activities; “the for fostering the level of trade transac- need to make use of the post-nuclear JCPOA has opened new horizons for co- tions, as well as parliamentary, econom- deal situation to further strengthen co- operation between Tehran and Moscow, ic and security cooperation between the operation in economic, cultural, scientif- and Russian companies active in the two nations. ic and technological arenas. field of energy are keen on participating In an interview with Rossiya Segodn- “The Islamic Republic of Iran is re- in Iranian projects,” she added. ya News Agency prior to her visit to Iran, solved to expand relations with the Rus- She also expressed hope that the two Ivanovna underscored that relations be- sian Federation in all fields,” President countries’ joint economic commission tween Tehran and Moscow will regularly Rouhani said, adding the two countries’ will be formed in the near future to fur- continue at the highest level possible as cooperation on peaceful nuclear energy ther facilitate joint cooperation. a token of close cooperation between activities a “clear testament” to Teh- the two countries, adding the parlia- ran-Moscow deep ties, and welcomed Boosting mutual strategic ties ments of the two countries enjoy con- the development of energy and nuclear Zarif and Ivanovna also called for fur- structive and active cooperation as well. cooperation with the Eurasian country. ther efforts to reinforce strategic ties be- Touching upon successful outcomes “Russia played a constructive role in tween Tehran and Moscow. of fostering ties between the Iranian the nuclear agreement and even today, The two sides called Iran-Russia re- and Russian parliaments, she stressed it can be very effective in helping other lations strategic and stressed the need that the visit is another step forward to parties to the deal to implement their for further development of bilateral ties consolidate bilateral relations which is commitments,” he added. including the move towards abolition of of high significance for the whole region. Rouhani further called for facilitation visa requirements. » Iran Foreign Relations Page 28 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

During the meeting, they touched ties as very close and friendly. momentum to the development of rela- upon different range of issues, including Describing his meeting with senior tions between Iran and Russia.” holding joint economic commission, the Russian official as constructive and fruit- She further stressed that the eco- need for cooperation to develop faster ful, Larijani said at the presser, “she had nomic and trade relations between Teh- Convention on the Legal Status of the some good proposals and suggestions ran and Moscow are growing rapidly. Caspian Sea, advancing parliamentary for regional and security cooperation Various extents and outcomes of relations, bilateral cooperation, increas- between the two countries.” Moscow’s will to expand ties with Teh- ing convergence on the Middle East, He stressed that the recent develop- ran can be also surveyed within frame- especially the fight against terrorism ments on the international scene and work of Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign in Syria, ways to implement the agree- joint cooperation with Russia in the re- policy strategy and its pivotal regional ments already signed by President Rou- gion had led to constructive talks and role. hani and President Putin, cooperation negotiations between the two nations. During the past few decades, Tehran’s on energy, the South-North corridor, The Russian senior official, for her regional approach and strategy have construction of thermal and nuclear part, commended Iran’s nuclear deal, been traditionally focused on signifi- power plants and supplying electric saying “the 5+1 agreement has pro- cant regional issues and interaction with trains to Iran by the Russian companies. vided proper conditions for expanding partners on the basis of security-build- cooperation in various fields of indus- ing, stabilizing and expediency-oriented Tehran-Moscow trade soaring try, science and culture, and we should tendency. Talking to Ivanovna, Larijani ex- use this potential to the benefit of both Unquestionably, the fresh round of pressed satisfaction with the soaring countries.” collaboration between Tehran and Mos- trend of economic and security cooper- She went on to add, “as of now, the cow is a natural response by Iranian and ation between Iran and Russia, describ- complex and problematic conditions on Russian foreign policies in the face of ing the two countries’ parliamentary the international scene give even more new regional and global developments| Iran, China deepening military ties

By: Mina Ahmadi el of General Chang to Tehran, which is national issues. the first visit of its kind by a Chinese de- with Iran’s high-ranking political and Since the triumph of the Islamic fense minister to Iran, would well serve military officials including President Revolution 38 years ago, Beijing has as evidence to the influential role the Hassan Rouhani and Brigadier General always been Tehran’s economic, Islamic Republic of Iran has in fostering Hossein Dehghan. political and security partner and has Asia’s defense and security. Tehran-Beijing Profound Ties never halted its cooperation with the Many consider that the visit would In a meeting with General Chang, Islamic Republic. open a new chapter in the long-term President Rouhani underscored that strategic defense cooperation between terrorism and interference of certain The growth in the Sino-Iran relations the two countries. powers in domestic affairs of other in recent years has been satisfactory While in Iran General Chang, reviews states are the two serious threats and and the two countries have always put the latest bilateral, regional and inter- that Tehran is keen on cooperation with » development of friendly ties at the top of their foreign policy agenda. During the process of nuclear nego- tiations between Tehran and 5+1 group of countries, China also played a pivot- al role in helping the deal to be signed and a compromise on Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities to be reached. While the two countries are trying to reinforce mutual defense, military and security cooperation in the new post-sanctions atmosphere, China’s Defense Minister General Chang Wan- quan recently traveled to Tehran at the formal invitation of his Iranian coun- terpart Brigadier General Hossein De- hghan. It goes without saying that the trav- Iran Foreign Relations Page 29 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Beijing to help promote regional secu- the two countries is significant. defense-military cooperation. rity. Dehghan had traveled to China in Emphasizing the need to upgrade Mutual MoU on Defensive May 2014 to negotiate mutual visits Tehran-Beijing ties on the basis of mu- Military Ties and personnel training cooperation be- tual respect and common interests, The defense minister of the two tween the two countries. President Rouhani noted that deepen- countries also signed an agreement to Back in April 2015, the Iranian and ing ties with China as a major country boost defense-military cooperation and Chinese defense ministers, who were in in Asia and Iran’s ancient friend is of fight terrorism and reviewed issues of the Russian capital to attend the fourth higher significance. mutual interest along with regional and Moscow International Security Con- President Rouhani said that the Is- global developments. ference, held a meeting and discussed lamic Republic of Iran makes efforts to Dehghan also emphasized that Tehran-Beijing relations as well as the safeguard regional stability and securi- all countries in Asia and the Oceania issue of the ISIL Takfiri terrorists and ty and fight against terrorism and that shoulder the responsibility to maintain the extent of their activities in East Asia. Iran and China should boost coopera- peace and stability adding the develop- Iran-China Joint Military Drills tion to counter the big threat of terror- ment of Iran’s long-term defense-mil- Meanwhile, the chief of staff of the ism. itary relations and cooperation with Iranian Armed Forces, Major General President Rouhani highlighted Iran’s China is among the top priorities of the Mohammad Bagheri in a meeting with existing capacities and the Chinese Islamic Republic of Iran’s defense diplo- General Chang voiced Iran readiness to advances in science and technology, macy the two countries’ defense-mil- hold joint military drills with China. saying that a suitable atmosphere has itary cooperation would guarantee “The Islamic Republic of Iran is com- pletely ready to expand and deepen defense-military cooperation between the two countries including holding joint military maneuvers,” Baqeri said. He hailed China’s constructive role in international equations and called on the country to continue with its part in order to counter the hegemony and ag- gression of the arrogant world powers. Pointing to the cordial relations be- tween Tehran and Beijing, the Iranian commander stressed the importance of improving strategic cooperation on re- gional and international developments. For his part, the Chinese defense minister described the relations be- tween Tehran and Beijing as bright and very promising. In recent years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has made major breakthroughs been created for mutual cooperation in regional and international peace and in its defense sector and attained the fields of energy, defense, economy, security. self-sufficiency in producing important nuclear and other sectors following the Commenting on the emergence of military equipment and systems. implementation of Joint Comprehen- terrorism and its spread throughout Without doubt, strengthening of sive Plan of Action (JCPOA). the world Iranian Defense Minister said mutual cooperation between Iran and General Chang, for his part, said that today, foreign meddling and lack of re- China would assure establishment of his country will continue cooperation spect for the national sovereignty of peace and stability in the region and with Iran as the first regional power on countries have turned the Middle East across the globe. the common goal of regional security region into a hotbed of crisis and inse- Thanks to implementation of the and stability. curity in the world, PressTV wrote. nuclear deal, the Tehran and Beijing Evaluating Iran-China relations as -ex For his part, the Chinese defense should seize the opportunities created cellent, the Chinese minister stated that minister said Iran has an important po- in the post-sanctions era to ever ex- sense of friendship and amity prevails sition in the region in political, econom- pand their relations. between the two nations and the two ic, security, military and cultural fields. Touching upon the rising trend of countries’ military officials, adding that He added that the two countries extremism, terrorism in the region, it Iran is the biggest and most influential have common interests in many region- seems that China and Iran need to join Muslim country in the region; therefore al and global issues which have pre- hands and expand relations to address fostering mutual cooperation between pared the ground for the expansion of such issues| Iran Foreign Relations Page 30 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Iran-ASEAN ties flourishing By: Maryam Azish

Following the nuclear deal all ASEAN members have thrown their weight behind Tehran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear energy program.

Following the removal of sanctions against Tehran, the trades between Iran and other countries have been thrived and this new economic development pre- sents enormous opportunities for the Is- Vietnam has also accomplished several contribute to their strength, solidarity lamic Republic and its trade allies. notable achievements in the economic and closer relationship. From mid-January 2016 onwards, the and nonproliferation realms. The signatories of the treaty extend huge frozen assets of Iran in other coun- cooperation in different fields further tries are flowing back inside the country; Iran’s Foreign Policy especially in economics and peace and undoubtedly fuel the trading activities for In spite of ASEAN relationship with stability, while respecting independence, mega infrastructure development spilling other non-member countries and its ties territorial integrity and national sover- across all sectors of industries including with Iran, the role of the organization in eignty, equality, and national identity like oil and gas, railways, minerals, etc. Iran’s foreign policy is foreseeable for the of member states. The Article 18 of the In a meantime, in the current systems, economic and welfare needs and political treaty provides the possibilities to oth- intentional organizations are creating sta- influence in the region. er countries (than members) to join the bility and paving the way for fostering re- Thanks to its geopolitical position, Iran treaty; two amendments to Article 18 in lations among governments. is considered as a major regional country 1987 and 1998 were steps to centralize In this regard, Association of Southeast that enjoys amicable relations with Asian ASEAN in regional and international de- Asian Nations (ASEAN) plays a pivotal role countries. velopments, and made accession by oth- as one of the foremost regional organiza- In a meantime, Iran always has an- er countries provided that member states tions in terms of political, economic and nounced its determination to open a agree the accession. security trends and can offer economic new chapter in cooperation with ASEAN In addition to 10 member states of and welfare goals in the region through and considers expansion of ties with this ASEAN, 22 countries and the EU has achieving its basic goals. economic bloc as a priority for its foreign joined the treaty. In Laos meeting in June Following the nuclear deal clinched policy. 2016, 4 other countries joined to make between Iran and the 5+1, all members In an indication of fostering relations the members 36 countries. of the Association of Southeast Asian Na- between Iran and this powerful econom- tions (ASEAN) have thrown their weight ic bloc, Foreign Minister Mohammad Ja- Iran’s Request for Acceding to TAC behind Tehran over the Islamic Republic’s vad Zarif is slated to visit Laos on Sept 6 In July, Iran’s request to accede to TAC nuclear energy program. to sign a document on Iran’s accession to was approved by the ASEAN in the 49th The foreign ministers of the ASEAN the Treaty of Amity & Cooperation (TAC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, countries, along with Australia, India, in ASEAN which is considered as a peace Laos. Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, in treaty among Southeast Asian countries es- In their joint communique, the ASEAN a joint statement hailed the move as an tablished by the founding members of this foreign ministers hailed the ‘growing inter- “important resolution” the finalization of geo-political and economic organization. est of other non-ASEAN Member States to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action The Islamic Republic of Iran has been accede to the TAC’, adding the interest ‘re- (JCPOA) by Iran and the P5+1 – Britain, agreed to join to ASEAN’s TAC which high- flects their political will and commitment China, France, Russia and the United lights a step further to tackle Iranophobia. to cooperate with ASEAN in the further- States plus Germany – in the Austrian TAC was signed by founding countries ance of peace and security in the region.’ capital, Vienna, on July 14. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philip- In all, the economic relations between Since its inception in 1967, ASEAN pines, and Singapore in 1976. Iran and the ASEAN countries could be which is considered as the most signif- Other ASEAN members joined the TAC considered as a step toward making a icant multilateral group in Asia for the later to promote the treaty to an agen- regional economic system, hence, the Is- past forty-five years, has largely achieved da for ASEAN member states to regulate lamic Republic’s relations with the mem- its initial purpose of preventing South- their conduct through a general emphasis bers of this largest union in Asia are con- east Asia from further outbreaks of war on peaceful settlement of differences and siderable. following the Indochina Wars. the principle of noninterference. The pur- Thanks to the cultural and religious com- The bloc that includes Brunei, Cambo- pose of this Treaty is to promote perpet- monalities with Iran, the ASEAN members dia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, ual peace, everlasting amity and cooper- enjoy good opportunities for mutual inter- Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and ation among their peoples which would action with the Islamic Republic| Iran Foreign Relations Page 31 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

By: Maryam Azish

Tehran and Hanoi are seeking peace New chapter of ties and stability for the Middle East and East Asia regions. between Iran, Vietnam At a time when world’s doors are open to Tehran after the landmark nu- clear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), a suitable opportunity has been provided for consolidation of relations between Iran and the regional states. Indisputably, the consolidation of re- lations between Iran and Asian states, especially regional economic powers, would mark a new chapter in Iran’s fur- ther prosperity. In an indication of fostering ties be- tween Iran and regional countries, Asian in particular, President Hassan Rouhani launched his three-nation East Asian tour early October 5 aimed at en- hancing relations with the southeastern Asian states. President Rouhani’s visits to Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand started on Octo- ber 5 with his arrival in Hanoi. As the the way for the central banks of the two President Rouhani’s WAVE initiative for government of President Rouhani has so countries to sign a deal for promotion of elimination of extremism and violence far been playing a pivotal role in promot- banking relations. at the international level, he added ing mutual relations between Tehran As long as Iran and Vietnam enjoy Iran and Vietnam support promotion of and other countries of the world, the ‘very close’ stances on certain key in- peace both at regional and international visit would pave the ground for more co- ternational issues, President Rouhani levels. operation between Iran and the south- stressed that “Tehran and Hanoi are Dai Quang also hoped that Tehran eastern Asian states. seeking peace and stability for the Mid- and Hanoi would cooperate for estab- During his visit to Hanoi, he held dle East and East Asia regions.” lishment of peace and peaceful settle- talks with President Tran Dai Quang and Citing Vietnam as “a strong nation who ment of differences in the region and for Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and opposes foreign aggression, favors inde- restoring peace which is a requisite for General Secretary of the Communist pendence, supports developments and is economic development. Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong. hardworking,” Iranian President said both Two agreements on IT and removal of sides believed that there are very exten- Tehran-Hanoi Visa Waiver Program visa for special and service sectors ap- sive grounds for bilateral economic and Iran and Vietnam also have signed pliers were also signed during Rouhani’s commercial relations, especially in the an agreement for lifting visa issuance visit to the country. The two countries field of investment, and their economies for special and servicing purposes as also agreed to hold Joint Iran-Vietnam can be complementary to each other. holders of such passports will have no Commission in Tehran soon. According to President Rouhani, problem with visiting in either coun- Other agreements on boosting eco- there is “a very good opportunity avail- try. nomic, banking, financial, tourism and able” in the field of energy for export The document was signed by Irani- commercial cooperation were also inked of oil, LNG and petrochemicals from an Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad during the trip. Iran to Vietnam, tourism, parliamenta- Zarif and his Vietnamese counterpart ry domain, exchange of professors and Phạm Bình Minh. Expansion of Iran-Vietnam Trade students, technology, water transfer, The two countries established re- President Rouhani believes that his road and highway construction, tech- lations in 1973 and since then the two visit to Vietnam would be considered nical and engineering services, culture countries have increased political and as a turning point for Tehran-Hanoi re- and modern industries and Vietnam- economic cooperation through - ex lations. ese companies are ready to invest in change of visits by senior officials from In a meeting, President Rouhani and the Iranian oil and gas projects. both sides. his Vietnamese counterpart agreed to Iran opened an embassy in Hanoi in raise the value of mutual transactions to Promotion of Peace 1991 and Vietnam opened its embassy more than two billion dollars and pave Voicing Vietnam’s supports from in Tehran in 1997. » Iran Foreign Relations Page 32 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Following up Previous Mutual Agreements In a meeting between President Rou- Iran, Belgium ties at a hani and Phuc, the two sides agreed to follow up the agreements previously inked between the two capitals. new turning point Rouhani underscored that reinforce- ment of relations with Southeast Asian countries, and specifically Vietnam, has always been a top priority for Iran. Iran believes that Vietnam could be- come a base for Iran’s trade activities in the region. To the same effect, the Iranian president added, Vietnam can access a market of 400 million people through Iran. Rouhani said the removal of sanc- tions against Iran has already prepared the grounds for the two countries to enhance their economic ties. He added that Tehran and Hanoi need to strengthen their banking relations first in order to facilitate any step toward the expansion of commercial relations. Phuc, for his part, emphasized that his country is determined to increase By: Maryam Azish with Minister of Industry, Mine and the level of trade with Iran to above $2 Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh billion. The July 2015 Vienna Agreement and and took part in Iran-Belgium Trade He added that Hanoi wants to expand its implementation in January 2016 conference attended by 200 repre- relations with Iran in all areas and that it raised hopes in the Islamic Republic sentatives of 140 Belgian firms in Teh- is prepared to move toward the estab- of Iran that there would be an urgent ran. lishment of a mutual free trade mecha- influx of foreign investment which nism between the two countries. would soon enhance the economic Conditions for Trade Transactions situation in that country. In a meeting with Belgian visiting Successful Mutual Cooperation minister, Nematzadeh said post-sanc- President Rouhani in a meeting with The implementation of the historic tion era has created a proper con- Fu Trong described the broadening of nuclear deal known as the Joint Com- ditions for development in Iran, the mutual cooperation between Iran and prehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) imports and exports activities in par- Vietnam as successful. has paved the ground for luring more ticular. The Iranian president reiterated that foreign investment and a large num- He also underscored that the two the grounds are properly paved for the ber of foreign companies from differ- countries should focus on the long- further expansion of relations between ent countries, European in particular, term strategic cooperation, stressing the two countries, especially in the have voiced the willingness to made the Iranian producers and industrial- post-sanctions era which expedite the investment in Iran. ists are ready to employ the technical deepening of economic cooperation. Iranian officials are facilitating the capabilities of the Belgian companies. President Rouhani said that broad- investment process in Iran aimed at at- Emphasizing the need for removing ening of cooperation between the Ira- tracting more investors because they the obstacles hindering expansion of nian and Vietnamese private sectors, believe that luring the domestic and cooperation, he said the Belgian side especially in energy, modern technol- foreign investments is considered as should facilitate trade exchange and ogies, banking, agriculture and fishery key for settling the country’s econom- develop banking cooperation to ease fields is being heeded to. ic problems. activities of their tradespersons. He underlined the need for devel- In an indication of fostering ties For his part, Bourgeois said that 140 oping banking relations in pace with between Iran and the Europe, Belgian trade officials from the Belgian com- political and economic relations, and Minister-President of Flanders Geert panies have accompanied him during said, ‘Preferential trade and then free Bourgeois heading a delegation trav- the Tehran visit which is an indication trade can create good grounds for eled to Iran late October to amend co- of Belgium’s enthusiasm to broaden bringing about economic development operation between the two countries. ties with Iran in different arenas. in the interest of the two nations and While in Iran, Bourgeois held talks Brussels, he said, attaches great im- » the region| Iran Foreign Relations Page 33 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY portance to improving inter-bank- Iran Wiliness to Develop Ties ing relations as one of the Belgian with EU banks has started cooperation Talking to Defraigne, President with the Iranian banks. Rouhani said Iran is ready to ex- pand international, regional and Iran-Belgium Banking bilateral cooperation with the Eu- Cooperation ropean Union (EU) countries, in- Speaking in Iran-Belgium Trade cluding Belgium. Conference, Bourgeois announced Referring to the positive role that despite some problems re- the EU played during the nuclear maining in financial cooperation talks that led to July deal, Rouhani and investment in Iran, two Bel- described the nuclear agreement gian banks have expressed readi- New Chapter in Bilateral Cooperation as the start not the end of the way. ness in this regard. Back in August, President of the On Iran-Belgium relations, Rouhani Bourgeois said that no contract has Senate of Belgium Christine Defraigne said the opportunities created in the yet been inked between the countries and her accompanying delegation trav- post sanctions era should be taken to but it is hoped that trade ties will be sus- eled to Tehran for talks on expansion develop bilateral cooperation in trade tainable and long-term. of bilateral relations with senior Ira- and economic fields. Bourgeois had earlier said on Octo- nian officials including Majlis Speaker There is no hindrance to widen Teh- ber 30 that Belgian trade office could be Ali Larijani, President Hassan Rouhani, ran-Brussels ties, said Rouhani, adding opened in Iran. Expediency Council Chairman Ayatollah the two can plan for joint economic ac- Speaking in same gathering, Dep- Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Head of the tivities in the entire region. uty Minister of Industry, Mine and Strategic Research Center of the Expe- Iran welcomes Belgian investors, en- trade Mojtaba Khosro Taj underscored diency Council Ali-Akbar Velayati, Pres- trepreneurs and private sectors for co- that Iran-Belgium trade exchange hit idential advisor and Head of the Woman operation in the post sanctions condi- 300-400 million dollars per year and at- and Family Affairs Center Shahindokht tions, he added. tempts should be made to boost the Molaverdi and Senior International -Af For her part, the Belgian official said figure to over $1b. fairs Advisor of the Judiciary Chief and her country is willing to open new chap- Secretary of the Human Rights Head- ter in its relations with Iran. Cooperation with Iran Valuable quarters . Referring to Iran as a country that en- Meanwhile, Managing Director of In a meeting with Defraigne, Larijani sures security in the region, Defraigne Flanders Investment and Trade Claire underscored that Iran and Belgium en- appreciated Iran’s stance on fight with Tillekaerts said in Iran-Belgium Trade joy long-standing diplomatic ties and terrorism. Conference that cooperation with Teh- the two countries have had trade coop- Defraigne also urged all sides to nu- ran is valuable for Brussels, adding Iran eration too, adding the visit of Belgian clear talks with Iran to do their best for enjoys a suitable scientific capability and parliamentary delegation to Iran has removal of obstacles on the way of exe- prestigious researches have been done opened a new chapter in bilateral coop- cution of JCPOA. in the Islamic Republic. eration. Defraigne called for expansion of Teh- Tillekaerts expressed interest to de- The two sides also underlined ex- ran-Brussels relations in all areas - par velop cooperation in infrastructural, pansion of parliamentary relations, ac- ticularly pharmaceutical, medical and medical, clean technologies and tourism tivation of friendship group and estab- space. fields. lishment of foreign policy commissions, All countries should be bound to their Touching upon the good relations regional situation and menace of terror- obligations to international agreements between Iran and Belgium, saying that ism. and Brushless will remind US officials that the trip aimed at bolstering economic Defraigne said that the two coun- they should be committed to the nuclear cooperation which experienced fall due tries have had long-standing ties in dif- deal with Iran, the official added. to the imposed sanctions on Iran. ferent fields of culture, economy and Belgium will do its best to remove politics and now considering new sit- obstacles on the way of execution of Iran-Belgium Sign MoU on Trade Ties uation the two states favor expansion JCPOA, Defraigne said. Iran and three economic regions of of relations, adding the international Undoubtedly, the atmosphere creat- Belgium inked a MoU in Tehran on trade cooperation is necessary for anti-ter- ed after the JCPOA is a good opportunity cooperation. ror fight ad in this concern constant for the country’s exporters and produc- The MoU aims to broaden scientific, exchange of information is very im- ers to cooperate with foreign companies technological and infrastructural coop- portant. and the reputable brands. eration between Iranian and Belgian She maintained that public diplo- Nobody can deny the positive effects firms. macy coupled with parliamentary created by the nuclear deal because it The MoU has made a framework on diplomacy could have good function has provided safer and more secure developing investment and trade coop- and Belgium intends to develop such ground for foreign countries to engage eration between the two countries. relations. with in Iran, the Belgium in particular| Iran Foreign Relations Page 34 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Thai companies are fully ready to coop- erate with the Iranian firms. Chan-o-cha also called for implemen- tation of all agreements inked between the two countries, expressing hope that cooperation on science and culture would develop in parallel with economic cooperation.

Shared Will for Convergence: Addressing the second Summit of ACD in Bangkok, Iranian President said that Asia’s power is dependent on self-confi- dence and a shared will for convergence. ‘We must open our markets, engage in greater economic interaction, start do- mestic structural reform, move towards greater transparency and engage in ex- tensive coordination on setting policy; Tehran, Bangkok set for and by doing so, take long strides to im- prove the quality of life for our citizens and elevate the standing of Asia on the ‘New Page’ in ties world stage,’ President Rouhani said. He reiterated that today, all acknowl- By: Maryam Azish Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Bangkok, edge that no global issues could be ad- stressed that Asia’s power is dependent dressed without close cooperation of Iran believes that expansion of on self-confidence and a shared will for Asian powers. cooperation with the countries in the convergence. In recent years, the Southeast Asia has Southeast Asia is pivotal for the future been experiencing constant progress and of the country’s economy. New Chapter of Ties the entire world, including Western na- In a meeting with Thai Prime Minis- tions are seeking to secure their foothold Thanks to removal of the anti-Iran ter Prayuth Chan-o-cha, President Rou- in East and Southeast Asia. sanctions in January 2016, the obstacles hani said that Tehran and Bangkok gov- Given the fact that attention to the on the way of Iran’s ties with other coun- ernments are determined to open ‘new East is among the Supreme Leader of the tries, particularly in the Southeast Asia chapter’ in ties. Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali region, have been eliminated. Citing Thailand as Iran’s economic Khamenei’s strategic policies, Iran should In an indication of the great signifi- communication bridge in east of Asia, not stay behind in amending relations cance Tehran gives to promote its rela- Iranian president also indicated resolve with Southeast Asia. tions with that region in all aspects, Ira- of the two governments to help access of ‘Asia plays a pivotal role in global efforts nian President Hassan Rouhani President one another to the markets of east, west aimed at resolving such major issues as cli- Rouhani started a three-nation tour of and central Asia to Europe, adding the mate change, environmental crisis, social Southeast Asia on October 5, which took governments of the two countries are problems, including refugees, illiteracy and him to Vietnam, Malaysia and finally fully determined to expand close rela- poverty; and the role of Asian states in pro- Thailand. tions in political, economic, cultural and moting collective security is indispensable,’ During Rouhani’s two-day stay in Ha- scientific arenas. Rouhani has said. noi, two agreements on cooperation were Describing the Islamic Republic of Iran Citing the long and rich history of linked by the two countries’ officials. is as the most secure country in the region Asian civilizations as a priceless heritage, Also in Malaysia as the second desti- with transport facility to regional market President Rouhani said greater contact nation of his Asian tour, Rouhani and the of 400 million people, he added the coun- and cohesion between our nations trans- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak try could serve as a gate for trade of East lates into greater cultural growth, which stressed importance of boosting mutual Asia and Thailand with the central Asia, the is vital for the long term security and sta- ties in the political, cultural, scientific Caucasus and Europe as well. bility of the continent. and economic arenas. Describing terrorism, violence and Iran is an integral part of Asia and a After arriving in Bangkok, the Iranian extremism as the global dilemma, Ira- gateway that connects East to West, President and the senior Thai officials nian president call for expansion of co- President Rouhani said, adding: “We held talks on different issues, voicing operation among all countries to tackle have our roots in Asia and our history, readiness to open a fresh chapter in mu- terrorism. culture and arts have been shaped by tual cooperation. Meanwhile, Chan-o-cha said that this ancient continent. We are commit- The Iranian President, during his ad- the Thai government is determined to ted to remain with Asia and continue to dress to the second Summit of the Asia amend close relations with Iran, adding define our identity as Asians.”| Iran Foreign Relations Page 35 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Slovenia after fostering ties with Iran

By: Maryam Azish In a sign of nurturing ties between The visit also resulted in inking three Iran and the Europe, Slovenian Presi- cooperation agreements in economic, Islamic Republic of Iran’s trade tie with dent Borut Pahor heading a high ranking information and communications tech- the European countries were Tehran’s politico-economic delegation arrived in nology (ICT) and bionano arenas. are experiencing a revival thanks to Tehran in late November to amend co- According to the official statistics, JCPOA. operation between the two countries. trade between Iran and Slovenia fell As long as Iran is a country with plen- down in the past several years from 96 For decades before sanctions were ty of economic advantages in the region million euro in 2011 to 46 million euro imposed against the Islamic Republic of and Slovenia is a gateway for Europe- in 2012 and 25.5 million euro in 2013. Iran, the European countries were Teh- an Union, so the advantages would be ran’s trading partner. The gap in Iranian enough to draw the best roadmap for Slovenia seeks 5+1 commitment imports from Western countries was future cooperation and economic -out to JCPOA filled by Chinese, Korean and Middle look. In a joint press conference attended Eastern competitors, and now thanks For sure, presence of Slovenian Pres- by President Rouhani, Pahor expressed to the removal of nuclear-related sanc- ident and accompanying delegation in- pleasure with fruitful outcome of the tions against the country, economic col- dicates that economy is a main route to landmark nuclear deal signed between laboration between Iran and the Europe access macro political goals in develop- the Islamic Republic of Iran and the have been enhanced. ment of a country. world six major countries (US, Britain, Up to now, several numbers of the While in Iran, Pahor held talks with Russia, France and China plus Germany) European officials have voiced their several high ranking Iranian officials in- in July 2015 and urged the G5+1 mem- willingness to persist supporting the cluding Supreme Leader of the Islamic ber states to remain committed to their implementation of agreement, officially Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khame- pledges on sound implementation of known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan nei, his counterpart Hassan Rouhani, JCPOA. of Action throughout the lifetime of the Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Za- He said that the nuclear talks proved agreement, as well as the UNSC Resolu- trif, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, En- that diplomatic means is the best way tion 2231. ergy Minister Hamid Chitchian as well for settlement of international disputes. Thanks to being the safest and the as Head of Chamber of Commerce, Slovenia believes that settlement most secure country in the region, Iran Industry, Mine and Agriculture Gholam- of disputes through diplomatic means considered as a promising trading part- hossein Shafei and took part in Iran-Slo- and restoring Iranian relations with the ner, eye-catching and lucrative market venia Trade Commission attended by international community should be- re for European countries like Slovenia. representatives of 50 Slovenian compa- garded as a suitable opportunity for The Iranian officials are trying to pave nies in Tehran. Slovenian embassy which Slovenia to bolster its economic and the ground for luring the domestic and was closed in 2012, because of econom- political ties with Iran, he said, adding foreign investments which is considered ic austerity policy of the country, also normalization of ties between Iran and as key for settling the country’s econom- was reopened in Tehran in presence of the international community is a suita- ic problems. Pahor. ble opportunity for Slovenia to revive its » Iran Foreign Relations Page 36 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

and good prelude for new period for bilateral ties, Zarif said that there are numerous capacities for promoting co- operation. Zarif listed energy, financial and bank- ing, tourism, visa facilities and culture as suitable areas of cooperation, saying, ‘We have common viewpoints and con- cerns in regional and international de- velopments.’ Erjavec, for his part, expressed pleas- ure with his visit to Tehran, saying a new chapter has opened in Iran-Slovenia ties. He said that Iran-Slovenia Joint Eco- nomic Commission will be held in Lju- bljana in 2017, adding that the Slove- nian job generators and businessmen are very interested in cooperation with relations with Iran at the highest level. mission convened on in presence of Iran’s state-run and private sectors. President Pahor and Chitchian as well as Iran’s determination for promotion of representatives of 50 Slovenian compa- Lack of political will to tackle terrorism ties with EU nies. In a meeting with Slovenian presi- In a meeting with a top-ranking Slove- The companies were involved in busi- dent, Larijani said that the bitter expe- nian delegation led by President Pahor, nesses ranging from aerial transport, rience of terrorism has roots in lack of President Rouhani said Iran is resolved energy, banking and monetary, tourism, firm political will at international level in to expand relations with friendly coun- communications and information tech- fight against it and adoption of improper tries, particularly those in the European nology equipment, to electronic devices method in the campaign. Union, citing the visit as a turning point and machinery for construction, agricul- ‘Iran welcomes expansion of par- in the history of relations between the ture, medicine, food industries, industry liamentary, economic and cultural co- two countries. and mines. operation with Slovenia,’ Larijani said, Underlining the need for joint bank- adding some good measures have been ing and insurance cooperation as a key Slovenian president addresses Iran’s taken to ease domestic and foreign in- step to develop Iran-Slovenia trade and Parliament vestment and the Iranian parliament economic relations, the president -not On Nov 23, President of Slovenia at- supports the move. ed that banking and insurance relations tended open session of Iran’s Majlis The bitter reality with the region is serve to regulate trade and commerce (Parliament) becoming the first foreign the existence of terrorism in the region, between the two nations. head of state who has ever addressed which has been mounting in recent the Iranian MPs. years and requires a collective contribu- Iran, Europe should trust each other He stressed Ljubljana’s willingness to tion and firm political will at internation- Addressing the Iran-Slovenia Trade promote bilateral economic and politi- al level to uproot the improper meth- Commission held at Iran Chamber of cal ties with Tehran, noting that there ods, Larijani said. Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agri- are good potentials for mutual coopera- Slovenian president, for his part said culture in Tehran, President Pahor said tion between the two countries. the Islamic Republic of Iran is regarded that Iranian and EU governments and President Pahor added that coopera- as a very significant country in the- re nations should trust each other and ex- tion between Iran and Slovenia can help gion, leaving impressive impact on re- pand trade relations. promotion of peace and security in the gional and global developments. ‘We are here to find a solution for world. No doubt, reopening Slovenian em- problems at the beginning of trade ties bassy in Tehran will shed light on pros- between the two countries after a long Terrorism common concern of region pect of Iran-Slovenia relations, he said. halt,’ the Slovenian president said. and world Indisputably, the atmosphere shaped Iran has successful experience in In a meeting with his Slovenian coun- after the JCPOA is a good chance for the peaceful dialogue for a complicated terpart, Karl Erjavec, and his accompany- country’s exporters and producers to nuclear dispute so that the experience ing delegation, Zarif said that terrorism cooperate with foreign companies and may be used for settling the other inter- and extremism are common concerns the reputable brands. national disputes, Pahor said. of the region and world, requiring com- Nobody can deny the positive effects prehensive campaign from cultural and created by the nuclear deal because it Iran-Slovenia trade commission intellectual job to military undertaking. has provided safer and more secure convenes Describing presence of Pahor and ground for foreign countries to engage On Nov 22, Iran-Slovenia Trade Com- senior officials in Iran as a positive step with in Iran, the Slovenia in particular| Iran Foreign Relations Page 37 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Tehran, Caracas eye boosted ties in future By: Maryam Azish

Among the Latin American states, Iran has always attached significance to expansion of bilateral ties with Venezuela although geographical borders between them are thousands of miles away.

The two countries have always forged amicable relations based on their aver- sion to colonial US policies and determi- nation to preserve their independence. Iran-Venezuela close relations also have paved the way for adopting com- mon views towards global political and economic developments. The Venezuelan president began his four-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qa- tar and Azerbaijan on October 20 as a plunge in global oil prices has negatively (OPEC) and non-OPEC producers as cru- and exercising prudence in facing its pol- affected his country’s economy. cial. icies is certainly going to bring victory,’ As part of his tour of various oil-pro- Touching upon the unique situation the Leader said. ducing countries to help stabilize the of Latin American countries, Venezuela, Leader of the Islamic Revolution said international oil market, Maduro trave- in particular in Iran’s foreign policy, Pres- Venezuela’s influence on the anti-arro- led to Iran aimed at fostering economic ident Rouhani reiterated that Tehran at- gance movements across Latin America and political relations between the two taches great importance to expansion points to the country’s high potential, countries on October 22. of mutual relations with Caracas, adding urging Caracas to exploit the potential The Maduro’s visit to Tehran oc- Tehran supports the fair price and the while the country holds the rotating curred approximately a month after Ira- equitable share of the producers in the presidency of NAM. nian President Hassan Rouhani’s tour to oil market. ‘The West does not like the Non- Venezuela in mid-September. Citing terrorism as a global dilem- Aligned Movement to make progress,’ On Sept 17, President Rouhani trav- ma, President Rouhani emphasized the he said, adding: ‘But independent coun- eled to Venezuela to attend the summit need for forging consultation with all tries should go against the will of the of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries aimed at tackling terrorism, West, and if they manage to do this, the and hold separate talks with Maduro. reiterating that the instrumental use of future sure enough is going to be better Iran who had the rotating presidency terrorist groups by global powers would than the past.’ of NAM during 2012 to 2016, handed backfire. The Venezuelan President, on his over the alliance presidency for a period Maduro, for his part, underscored part, praised Iran’s robust resistance of four years to Venezuela that enjoys that Caracas is keen on expanding its all- against the US hostilities. the world’s largest oil reserves. out ties with Tehran, calling for expan- ‘While the Iranian people are living in While in Tehran, Maduro held talks sion of cooperation among the OPEC peace and security, many of the regional with his Iranian counterpart and Su- and non-OPEC producers, reiterated countries are overwhelmed with wars, preme Leader of the Islamic Revolution that a new mechanism should be con- divisions and vulnerabilities,’ Madoru Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and dis- sidered for stabilizing the oil price. said. cussed the ways for fostering all-out mu- tual cooperation. US Invincibility Big Fault Hailing Iran as an Emerging Power Receiving Maduro, Ayatollah Khame- Back in August, Maduro in a joint Stabilizing Oil Market: nei underscored that it is a big mistake press conference following a meeting In a meeting with Maduro, President to think that the United States is unde- with visiting Foreign Minister Moham- Rouhani said Iran would safeguard any featable, adding that Washington is se- mad Javad Zarif in Caracas, described measures aimed at stabilizing the oil verely paralyzed and vulnerable in the Iran as an emerging power across the market and cited coordination and tech- region as a result of its repeated mis- globe, underscoring that the Islamic nical cooperation among the Organiza- takes during the past 15 years. Republic employs its capacity to bring tion of Petroleum Exporting Countries ‘Rational resistance against the US about peace for other nations. » Iran Foreign Relations Page 38 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Maduro added the Islamic Republic of Iran managed to resist foreign pressure and eco- nomic sanctions and now has turned into a Achievement of role model for other countries. Commenting on the late president Hugo Chavez’ viewpoints towards Iran, Maduro said Zarif’s Lebanon, the late Chavez had correctly predicted Iran’s role as an emerging power in the 21st century both in the region and the entire world, un- east Europe tour derlining the need for strengthening all-out By: Maryam Azish reach African markets through strategic ties with Tehran. Lebanon as that country affects all He added the Islamic Republic uses its Iran has always considers economic activities in Africa. power to promote peace, stability and devel- a balanced approach to all While in Lebanon, Zarif held opment in other countries, unlike the US and countries and geographical several meetings with a number of Western states that take advantage of their in- regions and in addition to senior Lebanese officials including fluence to wage wars and loot the resources of fostering ties with neighboring the president, the prime minister, other nations. and Muslim countries, which has the parliament speaker as well The Islamic Republic of Iran greatly values always been among the priorities as the Hezbollah Leader Hassan its relationship with Latin American nations, of the country’s foreign policy, Nasrallah during his two-day stay including Venezuela, and has put fostering re- the reinforcement of all-out ties there. During the meetings, he lations with such countries on the agenda of with East European countries, has discussed regional issues as well its foreign policy. always been on the agenda of as bilateral relations with the Leb- Latin American countries are significant for Tehran. anese politicians. Iran due to political and cultural commonali- The Iranian foreign minister also ties and congruity at international organiza- Following the implementation attended a gathering on Iran-Leba- tions and circles, particularly NAM. of the nuclear deal, known as the non economic opportunities as he As long as Tehran is determined to preserve Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- was leading a top 30-member eco- its flourishing relations with Venezuela, which tion (JCPOA), foreign countries are nomic delegation to the country. is a legacy of the founder of Tehran-Caracas very keen to reestablish ties with Outlining the outcomes of his ties late Chavez, two nations could reinforce the Islamic Republic. conversations with Lebanese- of their ties through closer economic coopera- The recent visits of the Irani- ficials, he said he was optimistic tion. an Foreign Minister Mohammad about the prospect of ties with Iran as an emerging power in the world be- Javad Zarif to Lebanon and three Lebanon because he saw relations lieves that the two countries enjoy vast warm East European countries, which are with Beirut as beneficial to both and cordial ties, which are rooted in the resil- considered to enter the European nations as well as the whole re- ience and pro-independence policies of both Union for Iran, are considered as gion. nations and the two sides should chase deep- the top of the country foreign poli- He also said Iran is keen on co- er, more strategic and more serious coopera- cy developments last week. operation with the Lebanese in- tion. The present high-profile trip by cumbent government and the next The Islamic Republic of Iran has such a po- Zarif is going to well serve as evi- government due to be formed by sition that it can pick its political friends and dence to the decisive role Iran has Prime Minister Saad Hariri, adding trade partners and does not have to cooperate in promoting ties with East Euro- the Zionist regime and extremism with a specific country or region in the world. pean countries. posed threats to Iran and Lebanon. Iran and Venezuela as the founders of Zarif also conferred with Leb- OPEC, have always attached great importance Zarif’s Historical Visit to Lebanon anese Prime Minister Tammam to expansion of mutual cooperation and Cara- As the first high ranking foreign Salam on settlement of the hu- cas’ oil policies have been of great importance political figure to visit Beirut after manitarian crisis in Syria and the to Tehran and is in line with that of Iran’s. the election of Michel Aoun as the regional disputes, underlying the Providing that Venezuela is considered as a new president following a long po- necessity to expand cooperation large economic market for Iran, expansion of litical stand-off in the country, Zarif between the two countries in new economic cooperation would serve the inter- started his four-leg tour on Nov 7, era after election of President ests of the two nations. heading to Lebanon prior visiting Aoun. As a result the Iranian enterprises can make Romania, Slovakia and the Czech use of their technical, engineering, financial Republic. Expansion of Tehran-Bucharest and trade capacities in Venezuela in the pos- Iranian officials have always Cooperation itive atmosphere created after last year’s nu- attached great importance to- ex From Lebanon, the foreign min- clear agreement between Iran and the 5+1 pansion of all-out cooperation ister flew to Bucharest, Romania, group of countries , known as the Joint Com- with Lebanon and also believe that where he signed two documents prehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)| the Islamic Republic of Iran could on mutual cooperation with his » Iran Foreign Relations Page 39 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

counterpart. expansion of mutual cooperation, the European tour, Zarif conferred with polit- Zarif also explored ways of promoting political and economic ties in particular. ical officials on regional crises especial- all-out bilateral relations during meet- Slovakia is a country that could boost ly situation in Syria, fighting terrorism ings with a number of top Romanian its share in Europe’s economy after its and ties with the European Union and officials including President Klaus Iohan- detachment from Czech Republic on the discussed expanding trade and econom- nis, Speaker Florin Iordache and Prime basis of the growth and development of ic relations between the two countries Minister Dacian Julien Ciolos. small and medium-sized companies to in such areas as energy, banking and In a joint press conference with his big and multinational companies. tourism. Romanian counterpart, Zarif said US Speaking to his Slovakian counterpart In a joint conference with his Czech has to stay faithful to its commitments Miroslav Lajcak, Zarif stressed that the counterpart, he stressed the need for all towards the JCPOA advising the US pres- large economic entourage accompany- parties to abide by their commitments ident to understand the real meaning of ing him demonstrate the will of both the to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- today’s world and try to go in harmony public and private sectors in Iran to de- tion (JCPOA). with international developments. velop ties with Slovakia. The Iranian foreign minister de- Zarif said it is customary with Iran not Lajcak also said that bilateral relations scribed the deal as an important inter- to interfere in other countries’ internal between Iran and Slovakia have been national deal which came as the end of affairs. good from the very beginning, adding successful diplomatic process. When in Romania, Zarif comment- since his visit to Iran in 2015 everything He also signed documents with the ed on the election of Donald Trump as tends to be promising and improving. Czech officials on bolstering political- ex the new American President, saying the He also voiced his readiness to en- changes. results took many by surprise because hance Slovakian embassy’s operations It goes without saying that more en- they were to face the realities of the in Iran, especially the mission’s eco- gagement between Iran and East Eu- world and realized that contrary to their nomic operations, and said that there ropean countries is going to guarantee assumptions political apparatus were no are plenty of opportunities for eco- peace and stability in the European con- longer able to determine the future. nomic cooperation between the two tinent, as well. According to Romania’s Chamber of nations. Without doubt, Zarif’s East Europe- Commerce and Industry (CCIR), the level Promoting investments and banking an tour would be considered as a turn- of commercial exchanges between Ro- cooperation were among other fields ing-point in development of Iran’s politi- mania and Iran were standing at 166.6 for bilateral cooperation between Teh- cal and economic relations with Europe. million euros on October 2015. ran and Bratislava, Lajcak said. At a time when world’s doors are Slovakia’s economic growth rate this open to Tehran after the landmark nu- Call for Expansion of Iran-Slovakia country lies within European standards clear deal, a suitable opportunity has Relations and Bratislava as Slovakia’s capital is the been provided for consolidation of rela- Arriving in Slovakia from Romania, he sixth rich island of the Europe. tions between Iran and the East Europe- held meetings with ranking officials and an states. attended the Iran-Slovakia economic Iran Keen on Fostering Ties with Indisputably, the consolidation of re- and trade meeting. Czech Republic lations between Iran and East Europe Talking to Slovakian President Andrej Heading to Prague, the capital of the would mark a new chapter in Iran’s fur- Kiska, the two sides reviewed ways for Czech Republic, as the last leg of his East ther prosperity| Iran Foreign Relations Page 40 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Iran expanding cooperation with emerging economies

By: Maryam Azish relations with the southeastern Asian otal role in the competition between states. world powers and emerging powers. At a time when world’s doors are open to Southeast Asian nations are fully Iran following the milestone nuclear deal President Rouhani’s Southeast Asia Tour aware of Iran’s strategic location and (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), a President Rouhani’s visits to Vietnam, this is evident from the invitations ex- suitable opportunity has been created Malaysia and Thailand started on Octo- tended to President Rouhani by Ma- for enhancement of consolidation ber 5 with his arrival in Hanoi. As the laysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and of relations between Iran and other government of President Rouhani has so Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- countries, including Asian states. far been playing a pivotal role in promot- ocha and Vietnam President Tran Dai ing mutual relations between Tehran Quang. Consolidation of relations between and other countries of the world, the Addressing a top level gathering for Iran and Asian states, especially region- visit would pave the ground for more co- Iranian delegation, the Malaysian prime al economic powers, would mark a new operation between Iran and the south- minister stressed immediate action to chapter in Iran’s economic cooperation eastern Asian states and strengthen boost mutual banking cooperation, urg- with the outside world. strategic cooperation with the region. ing for the two countries’ central banks As long as the world is moving to- In light of the plan to proceed with immediate action to find mechanisms wards multi-polarity in the political, national sustainable economic devel- for shortening the time needed for economic and cultural arenas, the opment, the Islamic Republic of Iran banking transactions. Southeast Asia countries, in particular, believes that it should foster closer Referring to dimming bilateral eco- as a cradle of emerging economies are economic ties with the Asian emerging nomic cooperation between Tehran and moving towards sustainable economic economies including Malaysia, Thailand Kuala Lumpur in the time Iran was under development. and Vietnam. sanctions, Razak said that the country’s In an indication of fostering Iranian minister of Agriculture and Agro-based ties with the regional countries, Asian Iran’s Acclaimed Position Industries will visit Iran in the near fu- in particular, President Hassan Rouhani in Middle East ture to explore ways of developing mu- launched his three-nation East Asian The Southeast Asian countries are tual cooperation. tour early October aimed at enhancing also well aware that Iran can play a piv- He added Malaysia is interested in » Iran Foreign Relations Page 41 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Iran’s oil and gas sector, auto industry the east of Asia.” forts aimed at resolving such major is- and road construction while it seeks to Indisputably, such statements by top sues as climate change, environmental cooperate with the Islamic Republic in Southeast Asian officials indicate Iran’s crisis, social problems, including refu- field of tourism. acclaimed position in the Middle East gees, illiteracy and poverty; and the role The Malaysian minister also called for that connects East to West. of Asian states in promoting collective further cooperation among the Islam- security is indispensable,’ Rouhani has ic countries for establishment of peace Iran a Gateway to 400-Million-Strong said. and stability in the Islamic World. Market Citing the long and rich history of Also, Vietnam president voiced the As long as the Islamic Republic of Asian civilizations as a priceless - her county’s supports from President Rou- Iran is considered as a gateway to the itage, President Rouhani said greater hani’s WAVE initiative for elimination of region’s market of 400 million people, contact and cohesion between nations extremism and violence at the interna- the country has lured the Southeastern translates into greater cultural growth, tional level, he added Iran and Vietnam Asian states thanks to its rich oil and gas which is vital for the long term security support promotion of peace both at re- reserves, various geographical poten- and stability of the continent. gional and international levels. tials and huge investment opportunities Iran is an integral part of Asia and a Dai Quang also hoped that Tehran in road construction, petrochemical in- gateway that connects East to West, and Hanoi would cooperate for estab- dustries, tourism sector and hotel con- President Rouhani said, adding: “We lishment of peace and peaceful settle- struction. have our roots in Asia and our history, ment of differences in the region and for During his address to the second culture and arts have been shaped by restoring peace which is a requisite for Summit of the Asia Cooperation Di- this ancient continent. We are commit- economic development. alogue (ACD) in Bangkok, the Iranian ted to remain with Asia and continue to Meanwhile, Chan-o-cha underscored President stressed that Asia’s power define our identity as Asians.” that the Thai government is determined is dependent on self-confidence and a In recent years, the Southeast Asia to amend cordial tie with Iran, adding shared will for convergence. countries as the emerging economies Thai companies are fully ready to coop- ‘We must open our markets, engage are on course towards the sustainable erate with the Iranian firms. in greater economic interaction, start economic development and are seeking Chan-o-cha also called for implemen- domestic structural reform, move to- to create new opportunities and capaci- tation of all agreements inked between wards greater transparency and engage ties for economic cooperation, so that the the two countries, expressing hope that in extensive coordination on setting pol- Western nations are trying to secure their cooperation on science and culture icy; and by doing so, take long strides foothold in the markets of the region. would develop in parallel with economic to improve the quality of life for our cit- Given the fact that attention to the cooperation. izens and elevate the standing of Asia East is among the Supreme Leader of Thailand prime minister also under- on the world stage,’ President Rouhani the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed lined Iran’s role in the east of Asia and said. Ali Khamenei’s strategic policies, Iran presence of Thai economic sector in the He reiterated that today, all acknowl- should take initiatives to advance the Middle East region, adding, and “Iran edge that no global issues could be ad- strategy by developing economic coop- can connect Thailand to central and dressed without close cooperation of eration with member states of the Asso- west Asia and Europe, while Thailand Asian powers. ciation of the Southeast Asian Nations can become a gateway for linking Iran to ‘Asia plays a pivotal role in global ef- (ASEAN)| Page 42 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Economy Page 43 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

By: Maryam Azish

Iran’s petroleum industry is considered JCPOA serves Iran’s as the main generator for national economy following the implementation of Iran’s nuclear agreement with 5+1, interest as oil supplier known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Energy plays a pivotal role to provide financial resources for Iranian public services and the industrial sector and the deal has paved the way for removal of sanctions on Iranian’s oil sector and benefited the country, the top oil pro- ducers and exporters as well as the oil consuming countries. The absence of Islamic Republic of Iran’s from global markets during sanc- tions era had caused major problems because some countries were not able and ready to replace country’s oil from other states due to the lack of infra- structure. The petroleum industry and petro- chemical structure of some countries were compatible with Iran’s crude oil international companies active in oil thousand barrels of crude oil are being and any change for compatibility with industry have traveled to Tehran along deployed to the European countries. other countries would have proven diffi- with their respective country’s econom- Touching upon Iran’s exception to cult and costly. ic delegations and voiced their willing- OPEC’s quota and the possibility to However, the implementation of ness to resume the ties cut-off for years. boost crude exports from the country, JCPOA created a new opportunity for Thanks to new model of oil contracts, Ghamsari underscored that a daily aver- Iran, oil companies and consumers so dubbed as the Iran Petroleum Contract age of 2.2 million barrels of oil is now that they could recommence their trad- (IPC) which aimed at attracting foreign being deployed to world markets, add- ing like in the past. companies and investments in Iran’s oil ing that under present circumstances, Thanks to the JCPOA, the foreign and gas development projects, a large the consumption volume in domestic countries and big oil companies have number of officials of the most repu- markets and refineries stands at about had an immense opportunity for invest- table European oil companies, Total SA 1.8 to 1.85 million barrels per day. ment in Iran’s oil sector and buying oil of France, the world’s fourth major oil Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of from the Islamic Republic. company, and Royal Dutch Shell, the Iran is also seeking to achieve 13 percent Following the implementation of the Anglo-Dutch firm in particular, have so of the production share at OPEC and the JCPOA in January, the European coun- far held talks with Iranian side aimed at feasibility of boosting production by 500 tries resumed oil imports from Iran or amending mutual cooperation. thousand bpd after the oil freeze deal. began negotiations for imports of oil Meanwhile, so far Iran has announced from the major oil producer and a new Iran’s Oil Export to Europe Up several times that it would spare no ef- blow has been breathed in Iran’s oil sec- Recently, National Iranian Oil Com- fort to increase crude exports to 2.35 tor which would be materialized in the pany (NIOC) announced that Iran’s oil million bpd in a few months in order to short-term and some others in the long- exports to Europe, which had nearly reach pre-sanction levels. run. stopped during sanctions, has risen to The international relations of Iran 700,000 b/d and the country’s oil ex- Iran’s oil sales to Asia up 92% which is known as the fourth largest ports in October stood at 2.44 million On Oct 2016, Iran’s Ministry of Pe- oil and the second largest gas reserves barrels per day. troleum reported a dramatic jump in in the world have undergone major The Executive Director for Interna- its oil exports to Asia, emphasizing that change following the implementation tional Affairs at National Iranian Oil its supplies to the world’s largest con- of JCPOA, and its icy relations with oth- Company (NIOC) Mohsen Ghamsari has sumption zone are now much closer to er countries seems to be thawing in the announced that Iran’s volume of oil ex- pre-sanctions levels. years of sanctions. ports would rise by 150 thousand bar- According to the Ministry’s report, From the early days of clinching the rels per day (bpd) within months, stat- Iran’s exports of crude oil to Asian cli- JCPOA, a large number of directors of ing that the daily amount of 600 to 650 ents for August stood at around 1.7 » Economy Page 44 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY million barrels per day (mb/d). The figure showed an increase of 92 per- cent year-on-year, adding the Asian JCPOA key for import of countries currently comprise 63 per- cent of Iran’s oil export destinations. Iran’s Petroleum Minister Bijan hybrid vehicles, reducing Zanganeh said in mid-October that Iran’s oil production had already reached close to pre-sanctions levels. air pollution Zanganeh emphasized that the coun- By: Maryam Azish pollutants in industrialized areas and try is currently producing about four metropolises where exhaust gas and million barrels of oil per day, PressTV Iran’s pollution, a decades-old auto-industrial emission can create a wrote. problem, has progressively increased hazardous situation. This has increased Earlier, Reuters quoted market in recent years, claiming several lives health problems such as cardiovascular data as showing that Iran’s oil sales each year and damaging healthy diseases, heart attack, stroke, asthma, to Asian clients for July stood at an lungs. allergy and cancer. average of 1.6 mb/d, adding that the While Iran is fully determined to end figure showed an increase of above Economic activists believes that its relying on heavily-subsidized fossil 60 percent compared to the same the implementation of the Joint Com- fuels through the implementation of a period last year. prehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has targeted subsidy plan known as ‘sub- China imported 0.56 mb/d which opened a new horizon to promotion sidy reform plan’, it has concentrated was the largest volume of imports of economic situation in Iran and has efforts to put CNG cars and electric ve- among the four Asian clients of Iran’s paved the ground for importing of elec- hicles on its roads. oil, Reuters said. India was the second tric vehicles to the country which are Up to now, the Iranian transporta- biggest importer of Iranian oil at 0.52 considered as a zero-emissions. tion and fuel management employees mb/d followed by South Korea and An electric car is an automobile that have tried to replace gas and diesel Japan each respectively with import is propelled by one electric motor or vehicles with CNGs vehicles to great volumes of 0.29 mb/d and 0.25 mb/d. more, using electrical energy stored in success, especially in the public trans- In mid-January, a series of eco- batteries or another energy storage de- portation sector. nomic sanctions that had been im- vice. A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that But such replacements seem to be posed on Iran for multiple years were uses two or more distinct power sourc- insufficient as the air pollution - isget removed after a deal between the es to move the vehicle. ting worse particularly in major cities, country and the 5+1 – the five per- Iran’s most recent official statistics and the main culprit is low-standard manent members of the UN Security indicates that air pollution in Tehran gasoline as well as overproduction of Council plus Germany – was imple- has claimed lives of 412 citizens in the cars by domestic manufacturers. mented. October 22 to November 13 period, To settle the problem, Tehran mu- The sanctions barred foreign in- forcing schools in the capital city to be nicipality has planned to bring hun- vestments in the Iranian oil industry shut down for several days. dreds electric motorcycles and hybrid and also imposed a low ceiling of 1 The geographic situation of Iran’s big taxis to the streets of the capital. million bpd on the country’s oil ex- cities—most significantly, mountain- ports among a series of other eco- ous Tehran—is only one of the roots of Iran supports import of hybrid nomic restrictions. this problem. The overwhelming num- transportation systems The aforementioned points illus- ber of vehicles has largely contributed On Feb 2016, Deputy Head of the trate that the historical nuclear deal to this dilemma. Department of the Environment (DOE) has not only benefited the Islamic Recently the representatives of Teh- Saeed Motesadi underscored that Iran Republic of Iran but also has provid- ran in Majlis have sent a letter to Pres- would support import of electric and ed advantages for many oil compa- ident Hassan Rouhani calling on him hybrid transportation systems in a bid nies and consumers. to pay special attention to the issue of to preserve the environment and re- The deal has paved the way for air pollution in the capital. 35 Tehran duce pollution in big cities. major oil companies to make invest- representatives in Majlis out of total Motesadi reiterated that current ment in Iran’s development and ex- 290 lawmakers in the parliament have circumstances are favorable for the ploration projects. called on the President to order the re- import of electric and hybrid cars and Additionally, fostering produc- lated organizations to find due solution all commercial and customs charges tion capacity and enhancing the to the air pollution question and make on their imports have been removed in rate of recovery from oil and gas serious decisions about it. Iran, adding that the electric cars have fields and reinforcing Iran’s share According to the World Health Or- been produced that can run up to 400 of oil and gas markets will benefit ganization (WHO), air pollution is one kilometers by only one charge that can consumers and guarantee their en- of the leading causes of cancer. The fact be a major help to ridding of pollution ergy supply security| is that people are more exposed to air in megacities. Economy Economy Page 45 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Regarding DOE’s foundation policy to electric vehicles would gradually in- unknown to most is to “to boost domes- remove sources of pollution, the official crease as necessary centers for deliv- tic production and make the auto indus- stressed that, the department endorses ering after-sales service be established try competitive” again. import of electric and hybrid cars into across the country. This resulted in, various people be- the country. Citing Iranian market as an “active lieve, a deterioration of quality of the and dynamic”, Alinaqi stressed that the locally produced cars and allowed three JCPOA‘s key role for import of country enjoys huge untapped poten- major car manufacturers to form an ef- eco-friendly electric cars tials for entrance of foreign investors in fective oligopoly between them. Meanwhile, Managing Director of private sector, auto industry in particular. In conclusion, air pollution in Iran stems Datis Khodro Co., Milad Alinaqi believes Alinaqi also expressed hope that the from various factors including great num- that the implementation of JCPOA has ground could be properly paved for en- ber of cars as well as the clunkers, motor- opened a new horizon to promotion trance global automakers in Iran and cycles, sand mines surrounding the city, of economic situation in Iran and has they could produce the products in the and occasional dust storms originating paved the ground for importing of elec- Islamic Republic. from hotspots which used to be wetland tric vehicles to the country. and are now dried up due to mismanage- The veteran expert in hybrid cars, Alin- Eliminates electric, hybrid vehicle ment of the water resources. aqi, added that environmentally-friendly import tariffs To tackle all these problems different vehicles produce zero emission, adding, In May 2014, Iranian government organizations must get involved to - for “It is not so far-fetched that with their announced that it had eliminated im- mulate coherent policies to reduce this emergence in the country we would expe- port tariffs on electric and hybrid cars persisting predicament. rience less pollution nationwide.” with engines of 2500cc and smaller. This As carburetor motorcycles are re- Alinaqi considers the utilizing the surprise move shocked both local and sponsible for a great deal of harmful green vehicles are considered as a prac- foreign car fanatics, with some even emissions replacing them with electric tical solution for settlement of the coun- commenting on how an “Oil producing motorcycles would play a significant role try’s air pollution. country would even be interested in in mitigating the air pollution. He believes that lack of information electrics and hybrids.” For a metropolis like Tehran, where at about the Hybrid cars’ state-of-art tech- Iranian Deputy Industry, Mine, and large number of people dies each year nologies in Iran is the main reason be- Trade Minister Valiollah Afkhamirad from diseases caused by air pollution, hind meager employment of such vehi- stressed that this is the first time Iran there are no other options but to put cles across the country. has dropped import tariffs on electric aside the vehicles with internal com- Managing Director of Datis Khodo and hybrid class cars. bustion engines and shift to the vehicles Co., reiterated that the demands for The astounding move which is still with zero emissions| Economy Page 46 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Global oil giants return to Iran By: Maryam Azish debts after the sanctions removal in mid-January. The international relations of Iran which is known as the fourth largest oil and NIOC-Total Deal the second largest gas reserves in the On Jan 28, French energy giant Total world have undergone major change announced that it has signed a Memo- following the implementation of JCPOA, randum of Understanding (MoU) with and its icy relations with other countries NIOC to have access to the technical data seems to be thawing in the years of of certain Iranian oil and gas projects to sanctions. assess their development potentials. The the backing of so-called Resistance Econ- MoU was signed during the visit to Paris From the early days of clinching the omy Headquarters, a top government by the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. nuclear deal, a large number of directors economic advisory body, after some The two also signed a framework of international companies active in oil amendments. agreement which will allow Total to take industry have traveled to Tehran along A large number of Iranian officials between 150,000 and 200,000 barrels with their respective country’s economic including Head of the Oil Contracts Re- of crude from Iran a day for delivery to delegations and voiced their willingness vision Committee in Ministry of Petro- French and European refineries. to resume the ties cut-off for years. leum Mehdi Hosseini believed that IPC Several months later, Minister of Pe- Now, months after the deal went into is flexible in nature and any delay in its troleum Bijan Zangeneh in a meeting effect in January, the US continued to enforcement will cost the country eight with French Foreign Minister Laurent maintain some sanctions on Iran, scar- to 10 billion dollars in damage a month. Fabius who visited Tehran to “revive re- ing off companies from resuming trade Hosseini also assumed that speedy lations” after the finalization of nuclear with the country and consequently some investment in projects for development talks between Iran and the 5+1 group of international banks still shy away from of the oil and gas fields and recovery is countries, said Iran welcomes Total’s re- financing trade deals and processing essential in order to make up for any turn to the resource-rich country amid transactions with the Islamic Republic backwardness in the joint oil and gas re- Tehran’s drive to step up oil and gas de- fearing American penalties. serves and avoid more violation of rights velopment projects after the elimination Thanks to new model of oil contracts, of Iranian nation. of sanctions. dubbed as the Iran Petroleum Contract Zangeneh also added Total which has (IPC) which aimed at attracting foreign NPC-Shell MoU been present in Iran’s oil projects for companies and investments in Iran’s oil On Oct 9, Royal Dutch Shell inked a more than 20 years and in view of the in- and gas development projects, a large memorandum of understanding with tent expressed by the French, a new door number of officials of the most repu- Iran’s National Petrochemical Company is supposed to open for the expansion of table European oil companies, Total SA (NPC) on expanding cooperation in the the company’s activities in developing of France, the world’s fourth major oil key petrochemical industry, preparing the Iranian oilfields. company, and Royal Dutch Shell, the ground for the coming back of the An- Total which ignored the 1996 Iran and Anglo-Dutch firm in particular, have so glo-Dutch firm to the Islamic Republic. Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) of US Congress far held talks with Iranian side aimed at Some Iranian officials hope that the oil to participate in Iran’s energy projects, amending mutual cooperation. giant, which was involved in the develop- has so far ran a gas project in Iran from ment of Iran’s Soroush and Norouz oil fields 1995 to 2000 together with Russian and IPC Endorsement in Persian Gulf waters, makes preparations Asian partners to develop Phase 2 and 3 On Sept 17, Parliament Speaker Ali for direct investment in Iran. of the South Pars field at a cost of more Larijani endorsed the new model of oil Director for Investment of NPC Hossein than $2 billion. contracts after a special committee in Alimorad expected that the mutual MoU The giant French company also devel- parliament approved the conformity of could be focused on the half-finished pro- oped Iran’s offshore Balal oilfield along terms and conditions of the new con- ject of producing natural gas products. with Italy’s Elf and Canada’s Bow Valley tractual framework with Iran’s upstream Forced by sanctions to end trade with in 1999 in a deal worth $300 million. laws and regulations. Iran in 2010, Royal Dutch Shell that was A big country and an influential player According to media reports, the out- also planning to develop a gas liquefac- in energy for enjoying giant oil and gas lines of IPC, which is aimed at attracting tion project, resumed purchases of Irani- reserves, Iran, has always been open to foreign companies and investments in an oil in June and took 130,000 tons of foreign investments. Iran’s oil and gas development projects Iranian crude in July from the Kharg Is- Indubitably, the new contract model following years of limited or no coopera- land in the Persian Gulf to Europe under unveiled by Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum tion with multinationals and inadequate a spot contract. for investment in its oil and gas sector, investment due to the international eco- In March, Royal Dutch Shell paid €1.77 is more eye-catching to foreign invest- nomic sanctions, were approved by the billion ($2 billion) it owed the Nation- ments providing longer-term commit- government in August shortly after it got al Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), settling ment from both sides| Economy Page 47 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

enters Iran again

By: Maryam Azish

From the early days of finalizing the tracts. foreign companies and investments in historical nuclear deal, a large number According to Press TV, Schlumberger Iran’s oil and gas development projects of directors of international companies would be the second giant energy cor- following years of limited or no coopera- active in oil industry have traveled poration to win a deal in Iran’s oil in- tion with multinationals and inadequate to Tehran along with their respective dustry. Earlier, Total signed a contract investment due to the international eco- country’s economic delegations to develop a major gas project in Iran’s nomic sanctions, were approved by the and expressed their enthusiasm to South Pars gas field. Total and Schlum- government in August shortly after it recommence the cooperation cut-off berger now appear to have provided got the backing of so-called Resistance for years. France with a strong foothold in Iran’s Economy Headquarters, a top govern- oil industry given that both companies ment economic advisory body, after Thanks to new model of oil contracts, are headquartered in Paris. some amendments. dubbed as the Iran Petroleum Contract Earlier, Italy’s Eni also announced A large number of Iranian officials (IPC) which aimed at attracting foreign that it is looking into Iran’s post-sanc- including Head of the Oil Contracts Re- companies and investments in Iran’s oil tions investment prospects, but empha- vision Committee in Ministry of Petro- and gas development projects, a large sized that it had to first wait for Iran’s leum Mehdi Hosseini believed that IPC number of officials of the most reputa- outstanding payments over its previous is flexible in nature and any delay in its ble European oil companies have so far investments in the country’s oil industry enforcement will cost the country eight negotiated with Iranian side aimed at to be settled. to 10 billion dollars in damage a month. fostering mutual cooperation. The southwestern province of Khou- Hosseini also assumed that speedy NISOC-Schlumberger MoU zestan which borders Iraq is generally investment in projects for development On Nov 2016, Iran said it has inked a considered as the heartland of Iran’s oil of the oil and gas fields and recovery is memorandum of understanding (MOU) industry. A province in which the world’s essential in order to make up for any with Schlumberger – the world’s largest first commercial oil field was brought on backwardness in the joint oil and gas re- oil field services company - over the de- stream back in the 19th century today serves and avoid more violation of rights velopment of several southern oil fields. hosts over 45 major oil fields and is re- of Iranian nation. The MOU was signed between sponsible for around 80 percent of Iran’s Schlumberger and the National Iranian total crude production. NIOC-HOA deal South Oil Company (NISOC) – a subsidi- In November, NIOC signed a $4.8 ary of the National Iranian Oil Company IPC approval billion heads of agreement (HOA) deal (NIOC) – which is mostly in charge of the On Sept 17, Parliament Speaker Ali with French Total, China National Petro- developments of prospects in Iran’s oil- Larijani endorsed the new model of oil leum Corp and Iranian Petropars compa- rich Khouzestan province. contracts after a special committee in ny for development of the phase 11 of Accordingly, the French company parliament approved the conformity of South Pars joint gas field. would be required to study the forma- terms and conditions of the new con- Once the project is implemented, 56 tions of Shadegan, Parsi and Rag-e Sefid tractual framework with Iran’s upstream million cubic meters will be added to oil fields in Khouzestan. The projects laws and regulations. Iran’s gas extraction capacity from the would be carried out within the frame- According to media reports, the out- field which is shared with Qatar. work of Iran’s new generation of oil con- lines of IPC, which is aimed at attracting Under the agreement, the contrac- Economy Page 48 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY tor will finance the project, thus luring another indication of the growing in- for fresh investment talks with Iranian of- billions of dollars of investment for the terest of global energy corporations to ficials who included Petroleum Minister country. approach the country’s post-sanctions Bijan Zangeneh. Development of phase 11 of South business opportunities. The deal – which Iran signed last Pars gas field the within framework of Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi told Reuters summer with the US as well as other the new model of oil contracts under- that his company would start working members of the Security Council plus lines high share of Iranian companies in again in Iran when it has been repaid in- Germany – envisages the removal of a various divisions of operations. vestments previously made and when it series of economic sanctions against Iran has pitched some 50 upstream understands the type of contracts Tehe- Iran in return for steps by the country oil and gas projects under the newly ran will be offering. to restrict certain aspects of its nuclear revised framework of its oil contracts “We are still in Iran... we never left... energy program. that is hoped to sweeten the previous because they owe us a load of money The removal of the sanctions against not-anymore-popular buyback deals. and we are trying to recoup it ... We’ll Iran – that took effect in January – come back when we will have recouped means that international companies will Eni returns to Iran all our money and we know the con- be now allowed to invest in the coun- On Nov 25, Italy’s oil giant Eni, tracts,” Descalzi said. try’s oil and gas projects among other which was involved in the develop- The projects that the Italian energy privileges outlined in the deal. ment of several oil and gas projects giant was involved in Iran included the Indubitably, the new contract model in Iran before a series of US-led sanc- development of Phases 4 and 5 of the unveiled by Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum tions barred international oil corpo- country’s South Pars oil field as well as for investment in its oil and gas sector, rations from investing in the country, the development of Darkhovin, Doroud is more eye-catching to foreign invest- announced that it has serious plans and Balal oil fields. ments providing longer-term commit- to return to Iran’s oil industry in a yet Descalzi visited Tehran in April 2015 ment from both sides.

Report: Germany’s Hermes in Iran By: Maryam Azish This is while the gap in Iranian imports coverage for investment projects in Ira- from Germany and other Western coun- nian petrochemical industries. Iran always has been considered as tries was subsequently filled by Chinese, Hermes cover is a common way of an eye-catching and money-spinning Korean and Middle Eastern competitors, referring to an export credit guaran- market for several European countries and now thanks to the removal of nu- tee (ECG) by the German government. like Germany offering not only 80 clear-related sanctions against Iran, eco- These guarantees are an important part million people it has but also a nomic ties between Tehran and Berlin of German foreign trade policy and pro- 400-million-people marketplace it can have been flourished. tect German companies in the event of provide access to. non-payment by foreign debtors. The Germany’s Hermes returns to Iran export credit guarantees of the Federal Thanks to being the safest and the On Nov. 15, Director for Investment Republic of Germany offer an array of most secure country in the region, Iran of National Petrochemical Company insurance options which are mainly tar- enjoys significantly high number of (NPC) Hossein Alimorad reported on an geted at exports to developing countries young population and educated people agreement with Germany’s Hermes In- and emerging markets. which make it a promising trading part- surance Company to provide insurance Alimorad described the most major ner and market for foreign investments. Following the termination of the nuclear deal between Iran and great powers, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the European Union countries, Germa- ny in particular, are trying to foster their economic cooperation with the Islamic Republic. For decades before sanctions were imposed, Germany, which enjoys the largest economy in Europe with a nom- inal gross domestic product in 2016 of $3.5 trillion, was Iran’s major trading partner. Economy Page 49 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY plans for attraction of investment to the country’s petrochemical industry say- ing “a contract has been recently inked with Japan’s Marubeni Corporation to reopen a 320-million-euro Line of Cred- it (LOC),” adding new negotiations with yet another Japanese firm to reopen an LOC worth 640 million euros asserting “talks with the Japanese side are in final stages of drafting the contract which is estimated to be sealed within weeks.” He also pointed to the visit of an Ira- nian delegation to Berlin at the invita- tion of Iran’s Embassy in Germany; “the trip aims to launch a fresh round of ne- gotiations with banks, insurance firms as well as companies willing to make direct investment in the Iranian petchem in- dustry.” “Final agreement has been reached are no more barriers on the way of Ger- to cooperate with German companies,” with Germany’s Hermes Insurance firm man banks and companies’ cooperation he added. in the course of recent talks,” stressed with Iranians. Lies articulated that the victory of the Alimorad noting that the German side According to media reports, Iran JCPOA has created high expectations has agreed to take out insurance against owed Germany about €500 million and the consequential merits of the deal new investments in petrochemical in- ($578.90 million) under so-called should be taken advantage of. dustries of Iran. Hermes covers. “One of the big and important issues The NPC official also touched upon Iranian banks and companies faced after the JCPOA is restoration of finan- the held talks with German banks on difficulties for transferring money- dur cial routines and banking transactions attracting investment to the industry ing the sanctions’ era and foreign credit which need joint cooperation and en- stating “a short-term scenario has been insurance agencies had to cover Iranian deavor to be resolved,” said Lies, add- finalized based on which investment at- banks’ and companies’ due payments ing the German and the Iranian sides traction will be performed under the and now the government has to set- are after proving the benefits of the way guarantee of NPC as the government’s tle all the outstanding debts to foreign undertaken for brokering the JCPOA and representative.” firms. the valuable results of it. In response to a question on the Debts to foreign insurers like Sace Without doubt, the implementation amount of investment by German com- and Coface and Hermes had stopped of the historic nuclear has paved the panies, NPC’s director for investment them from opening new credit lines for ground for attracting more foreign in- said in the first step, agreement has Iran. vestment and a large number of foreign been reached on reopening three billion companies from different countries, euros of LOC while three to six more bil- Germans eye economic boost with Iran European in particular, have voiced the lion euros are expected to be opened in On Nov 8, Visiting Minister of Econ- willingness to made investment in Iran. the second phase. omy in German state of Lower Saxony, Iranian officials are facilitating the “Negotiations have also been con- Olaf Lies said the bilateral ties between investment process in Iran aimed at at- ducted with German firms on making Iran and German nations are beyond tracting more investors because they 12 billion euros of new investment in economic relations and the JCPOA has believe that luring the domestic and Iran’s petrochemical industry in addition paved the way for broadening and deep- foreign investments is considered as to the three-billion-euro Line of Credit,” ening the relations between the two key for settling the country’s economic reiterated Alimorad adding “two sen- countries and these opportunities for problems. ior officials of a giant German petchem cooperation should be seized. The situation created after the JCPOA company will soon travel to Tehran in Lies maintained that the Islamic Re- is a good chance for the country’s ex- order to finalize earlier talks as well as public of Iran was one of the economic porters and producers to collaborate to evaluate NPC’s proposed economic powers of the Middle East which had with foreign companies and the reputa- projects.” expansive trade ties with Germany and ble brands. Lower Saxony before the imposition of Nobody can deny the positive ef- Iran’s debt to Hermes cleared anti-Iran sanctions. fects created by the nuclear deal be- June 20, 2016, Islamic Republic’s am- “We are eager to continue and de- cause it has provided safer and more bassador to Berlin Ali Majedi said Iran velop the trend of relations with Iranian secure ground for foreign countries to has paid its debt to the German Euler companies and this feeling is reciprocal engage with in Iran, the Germany in Hermes credit institution, adding there as the Iranian partners are also willing particular| Economy Page 50 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Saudi Arabia OPEC spoiler by reneging on vows

By: Hossein Azari, Mohammad Ali Zamankhani

On the eve of OPEC Meeting, Saudi Arabia has officially declared a war on oil prices by releasing a tactical letter as well as applying pressure on certain “OPEC ministers first need to agree on di Arabia’s production share in OPEC OPEC members. cutting output and inform non-member has risen from 29.1% in 2004 to 31.5% countries about their agreement.” in 2016 and the figure for Iraq increased On the verge of the 171st Ordinary In time with the tactical retreat on from 6.5 to 13.2 per cent in the same OPEC Meeting to convene on Novem- Saudis from attending the joint meet- period. ber 30 in Vienna of Austria and at a time ing of OPEC and non-OPEC members Moreover, share of the UAE rose when the world’s major producers and on Monday, Russia has also announced from 7.7 to 8.8 and for Kuwait from 7.6 exporters of crude oil are preparing to that it will not participate in the session to 7.8 while the figure for Iran dropped adopt one of the most historic decisions in order to make any comprehensive from 13% in 2004 to 8.6% in the present on freezing oil prices, Saudis seem to deal literally impossible. year even though the country’s produc- have reneged on earlier promises. Apparently, under the pretext of tion soared following implementation of During the earlier informal meeting lack of agreement among members, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action of OPEC ministers in Algeria in late Sep- Saudi Arabia refuses to attend the (JCPOA). tember, members of the Organization of Monday meeting, while in fact, Saudis, The aggregate total of oil output in Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as OPEC’s largest oil producers plan to Saudi Arabia has reached 10.525 million reached a consensus on putting a cap apply pressure on certain countries in barrels per day (bpd) indicating a rise of on production levels and the session order to dictate their policies to the over one million bpd as compared with urged participants to prepare for freez- member states. the year 2014. Iraq’s crude oil produc- ing or even reducing OPEC’s aggregate On the other hand, it seems that tion also rose from 3.11 million to over oil output to 32.5 million barrels per day even in case of a consensus among all 4.776 million bpd in the same time span. by holding expert meetings and forming member countries, including Iran and Iran’s output level, however, stands a common working group. Iraq on a Saudi proposal to reduce pro- at about 3.92 million bpd still lower than Over the past few weeks, sever- duction quotas, still, Saudi Arabia, with pre-sanction levels which were over al meetings at expert level were held political backing of some of its princes, four million bpd. among member states in different parts seems to be applying new tactics to dis- In other words, Saudi Arabia has, of the world and even non-OPEC states turb convergence of OPEC in achieving in one sense, seized shares of other like Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and a comprehensive agreement on oil pro- OPEC manufacturers during the past Oman voiced readiness to stabilize or duction. decade and, once again though this decrease their production levels. In the past 12 years, Saudi Arabia time with a politically-motivated and Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia has ques- and Iraq have enjoyed the lion’s share in non-economic plan, Saudi princes in- tioned all agreements and negotiations crude production among all OPEC mem- tend to wage a full-blown psycholog- on freezing oil prices by publishing a bers to the extent that both countries, ical war against Iran and a number political and planned letter ahead of the Saudi Arabia in particular, have taken of other OPEC members in order to forthcoming OPEC meeting. over shares of other states by exploiting prevent achieving a comprehensive Accordingly, Saudi Arabia, in an offi- turbulent conditions like Iran’s oil sanc- agreement on reduction of oil output cial letter to OPEC, has announced that tions, Libya’s internal conflicts, technical so that they could maintain the high- it will not take part at the lower-tier talks issues in Venezuela’s oil industry not to est production capacity while ignoring on Nov. 28 in Vienna ahead of the OPEC mention ongoing disputes in Nigeria. interests of other members. ministerial meeting on Nov. 30 since According to secondary sources, Sau- No doubt in the remaining hours be- Economy Page 51 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY fore the OPEC meeting, Saudi Arabia will resort to some Western media to launch a new psychological war against Iran’s oil industry in order to virtually direct attention of market activists from its own uncapped and high output levels to countries like Iran, Iraq and other OPEC countries. In the meantime, it is worth recall- ing that due to the sharp decline in global oil prices from $100 per barrel to lower than $50, any decline in oil market will undoubtedly bring about the greatest loss to Saudis, with a production of over 10.6 million bpd, than it would do to Iran who produc- es less than four million bpd. In the first ten months of the post- JCPOA era, Saudis have remained as the absolute losers in their rivalry against Iran in the oil market. Corruption, cronyism and The Arab country has opted for several tactics to cause disturbance in return of Iranian crude oil to the flawed supervision: global market including official re- duction of oil sale prices in Asia and Europe, imposing sanctions against banes of banking system Iranian oil tankers as well as forc- By: Samad Habibi, a blind eye on the corruption underway Mahdiyeh Mohammadi ing the Egyptian government to in inner organizational levels and or ac- prevent Iran from using the Sumed tively participating to gain their illicit pipeline. Tehran Prosecutor General has said interests,” he warned. Despite all measures taken by strict supervision over banking activities Jafari Dowlatabadi also said that Saudis, Iran has reached a record would prevent unnoticed corruptions two high-ranking officials have been high in oil sales by deploying 2.442 and shed some light to darker corners of indicted in the case of Sarmayeh Bank. million barrels of oil per day to global the banking interactions. He ascribed the alleged corruption and markets, marking an unprecedented the consequent circumlocution by the figure in the past two decades. Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi told a meet- banks themselves of the cases to the Moreover, Iran has recently man- ing of the inspecting bodies of private culture of rentier economy and crony- aged to find a place in emerging mar- and public banking on Saturday that im- ism dominant in the financial system, kets like Poland, Hungary as well as proved supervision and monitoring ac- where the system had been pliable some states in the Eastern Bloc of tivities would prevent violations of the vis-à-vis special privileges granted to Europe. law, where the inspecting bodies should individuals with contacts and affilia- Also in Asia, Iran has taken over attend to their duties with much zeal and tions to higher places to which banks the place of Saudi Arabia turning enthusiasm; “however, a lapse in such felt indebted. “The case is further ex- into the largest supplier of crude oil preventive activities brought banking acerbated when all these cronies file to India and statistics reveal that in corruptions to the headlines of mass me- for insolvency and thus easily remain- October, Iran shipped 789 thousand dia and other social networks, with news ing exempt from further punishment; barrels of crude to the Asian state re- stories of arrest of high-ranking officials today, banks are centers of economic maining ahead of Saudis who export- of banks, effectively depriving the public power, immense resources, which will ed 697 thousand barrels in the same of their confidence to the financial sys- definitely lead to corruption and other time period. tem and casting doubts on the health of sorts of abuse. Money brings political The question remains whether the banking at large,” he emphasized. “In power as well and where money-laun- Saudi Arabia will manage to attain its all dossiers on corruption, banking sector dering is detected in drug trafficking political objectives in the oil market has been directly and indirectly involved, and smuggle of goods, banks have a by waging a new oil war on the verge inter alia, are Kerman’s Tejarat Bank, Sar- hand providing the bedrock for illicit of the OPEC meeting in Austria in or- mayeh, Dey, and other banks.” activities under cover,” he emphasized. der to postpone the plan to freeze “Banking has been a safe haven in all He called all healthy banks to dis- OPEC’s oil output| such cases for corruption to incubate, tinguish themselves from the contam- with high-ranking management turning inated banking system and stand apart Economy Page 52 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY through effective supervision and mon- tures with intermingled duties which In such a situation, Central Bank is merely itoring which rules out the corruption would have negative effect on transpar- one of the players in the economic terrain, and possibilities of abuse. ency; this however would not rule out wielding no significant role in bringing into “The majority of the resources received the necessity to provide the Prosecu- order the economic movement and dy- as loans from banks had been invested in tor’s office of cases of corruption; trans- namics of the much of the economic sec- projects other than that specified in the parency should be the guiding principle tors goes unnoticed by the CB. agreement. This squanders public money, in any activity, where the inspecting In a rentier economy, the privileges frustrates production sector and fosters bodies would work with ease,” he said. are granted to government- and pow- a culture of corruption. A lump sum is Farshad Heidari, CBI’s Deputy for Su- er-affiliated people with little or abso- potentially a source and impetus for the pervisory Affairs also addressed the meet- lutely no qualities to any economic ac- corrupt customer to bribe others easily,” ing; “currently, more than 200,000 staff tivity which would be productive. Iran’s Jafari Dowlatabadi told the meeting. serve in more than 23,000 branches of banking system is not an exception, and “The indictment process of many of banks and credit institutions, the majori- the mushrooming of the private banks these cases had been underway; but a ty of whom enjoy high degree of integri- and institutions provide testimony to tactic was effectively adopted, apart from ty and morality; the source of corruption this state of malady where unauthorized filing for insolvency, is to claim, by the comes from customers with contacts in individuals enter economic activities band debtors, that they should be dealt high places in the power ladder, along with sole objective of making profits in merely as bank debtors and should not with insufficient transparency and bad environments lacking transparency and be indicted in charges of corruption and legislation; with banking interactions now supervision; in such settings, the system abuse of public money; a second problem using more sophisticated technologies, lends itself to diverse sorts of corruption which contributes to the situation sinking corruptions and swindle cases have de- including money laundering. to the lower priorities, is that banks would clined significantly,” he told the meeting. Jafarabadi’s lamentation that the not accept as repayment of debts as phys- He believed that covering of violations banks are run without effective super- ical assets,” he lamented. “11 banks had and avoiding report to higher echelons are vision are well grounded, to which the paid a sum of $ 2.5bn, with 1287 individ- major contributors to ever-increasing law- Central Bank should be alert; however, uals filing for insolvency; the deadlock suits to address the issue; “in fiscal year it has largely been an onlooker, only oc- to be solved requires three fundamental ending March 21, 2016, banking system casionally providing to the media statis- approaches; the first remains with banks carried out 35 billion transactions; the ma- tics of illegally run banks and financial to adapt stricter roles and criteria for grant- jor pitfalls include engagement of corrupt institutions which, assured of their un- ing loans; the bank directors should be in and convicted individuals and individuals surmountable place, mock the banking the frontline of the fight for corruption; specifically referred to banks by people system and the workings of the CB. no run-of-the-mill entrepreneur should on high places and generally lacked the The ever-increasing number of banks receive inordinate amounts without put- necessary credentials; there has been and credit and financial institutions fol- ting in stake enough guarantees; crony- considerable amount of concert between lowing the post-War years when the ism should be abolished and unqualified public sector and private sector banks in Construction era of Hashemi Rafsanja- evidence should not be lent credence as reemploying of retired personnel, which ni’s 8-year incumbency had expanded individual’s credentials as receiving loans,” is clear violation of the law stipulating the economic sector without necessary he recommended. that personnel should receive promotions regulatory bodies monitoring these in- “Access to public accounts should be according to prescribed rules, and that stitutions and credit financers to which restricted to few high-ranking officials banks should report this to Central Bank,” were channeled large amounts of mon- and should remain confidential; only the he emphasized. ey, earned legally or illicitly; Central Bank owner of the account or a court order The meeting where Tehran’s prosecu- however did not retain its key position should find access to accounts; banks in tor-general addressed leaves still impor- and became the governments’ wallet and dealing with this important issue should tant matters of the independence of the a player among others. The situation has comply with rules, which posits that only Central Bank. This is the cornerstone of recently been addressed as the corruption individuals with serious charges and cor- a healthy financial system where central surfaced in scales unheard of before and ruption should be subject to investiga- bank acts independent of the government when a rentier economy, having enjoyed tion of their accounts; providing access to regulate the system as the sole body almost no regulatory supervision and thus to bank accounts for personalities other capable of making critical decisions which evaded accountability, fostered cronyism. than those specified in the law is strictly would affect the lives of nation. In a free The internal mechanisms of the bank- forbidden,” Dowlatabadi asserted. market economy, this is the invisible hand ing system should be self-sufficient in a Prosecutor-general also called for of the market and the forces inside the transparent organizational setting in pre- more coordination of banks and the market that decides to where an economy venting corruption, and only in extreme Bank and Monetary Court; “any report should go and which decisions should be cases should the judicial system interfere of financial corruption to banks’ inspec- made. In Iranian setting however, much of in the economics of the banking, to which tion systems should be communicated the economy is unsupervised and as many Mr. Dowlati Jafarabadi clearly alludes in through the Court; the Court has re- observers believe, the hidden part or un- recommending the banking high manage- frained from appointing a representa- derground part of the economy is not ment that they should pioneer efforts to tive in banks out of fear of parallel struc- regulated even by the government itself. restore health to the banking system| Page 53 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Culture Culture Page 54 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Director of Tampere filmfest: Tehran Short filmfest. brings together diverse perspectives Interview by: Marjohn Sheikhi

Jukka-Pekka Laakso, Director of Finland’s Tampere Film Festival, says the most distinctive element about Tehran International Short Film Festival is the wide spectrum of perspectives that filmmakers bring there.

The 33rd Tehran International Short Film Festival (TISFF) was held on 8-14 November at Charsou Cineplex in the heart of Iran’s metropolis. The Cineplex, which has already made a successful job in holding the latest edition of Fajr International Film Festival back in April, to put the film on display (many short since 2000, taking up the directorship offers a great venue for these types of filmmakers nowadays make good use in 2002. Laakso is also a member of the cinema events with its 5 modern well- of the Internet, but that experience is National Film Council of Finland and Eu- equipped auditoriums housing 900 hardly satisfying). This is where film fes- ropean Film Academy. He was part of seats in total, and a food court located tivals gain momentum: They give aspir- the international jury panel to the 33rd on the 5th floor, ready to serve guests, ing short filmmakers the best venue for TISFF. journalists and the audience with a wide screening their creations to a large num- The following is the MNA’s interview range of food options from Persian cui- ber of audience and film critics, and a with him: sine to Italian dishes. chance to get noticed by other festivals. The TISFF now comfortably in its 33rd The TISFF is making good progress in uSeeing as this is your second time year, is already well-established as a rep- bringing diverse points of views in film here, what do you find distinctive and utable and highly-esteemed short film creation hailing from countries such as special about Tehran International Film event in the world. This year, the festival Italy, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Russia, Festival that you haven’t seen in other received over 5,000 submissions from the US, Chile, Argentina, the UK, Turkey film festivals you have attended so far? Iran and 117 other countries, which and Kazakhstan. The festival is annually This year, I haven’t seen almost any- according to the director of the inter- organized by the Iranian Youth Cinema thing at the new venue, but I was here national section, Mr. Dezvareh, places Society (IYCS) in Autumn, and is consid- ten years ago and I think that special el- the number even higher than what a ered one of the oldest film festivals not ement about Tehran Short Film Festival more eminent, Oscar-qualifying festival only in the Middle East, but across the which sets it apart from other festivals of such as Tampere has so far received – globe as well. Throughout the years, the this kind is much about what Iran is as a an international short film event which festival has also hosted International country. Iran is situated between Europe together with the short film festivals in well-known festival directors and cine- and the East and the possibility of meet- Oberhausen and Clermont-Ferrand, is astes from around the world including ing people from this dynamic spectrum among the most important European Andrzej Bednarek (Poland), Matthias is exciting. The festival brings together short film festivals. Flugge (Germany), Seigo Tonodi (Japan), all these people with diverse cultures Making short films only sounds an Gipsy Chang (Hong Kong), Julliette Du- and point of views and I get a chance easy task on the surface, as attested to ret (Belgium), Anna Henckel (Germany), to look at the films through their eyes by Director and President of the Board and Jukka Pekka Lakso from Finland, and my own eyes and discuss them to- of Directors of Finland’s Tampere Film who I managed to catch after his confer- gether. So I would say, the possibility of Festival, Jukka-Pekka Laakso, who was ence on Tuesday for a short interview. learning their perspective of the world is enjoying his second time as a member Jukka-Pekka Laakso (born 1959) is the unique. Besides films, I’m also interest- of the international jury panel to the Festival Director and President of the ed in history and I find Iran a very inter- TISFF. Making short films will neither Board of Directors of the Tampere Film esting place in many ways, seeing as it bring fame nor money, and you will Festival, Finland. He has been involved sits between the East and the West and have a hard time finding a proper venue with the selection and programming not being understood at all in Europe. » Culture Page 55 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

The possibility of being here, seeing the nian short films submitted to the festi- Iranian films, and meeting with directors val, since the Iranian cinema movement is what I like the most about this festival. was strong already in the 80s. So I saw the films there and discovered the kind uSo in what ways would you say short of special quality that they had. I would film festivals like Tehran or Tampere say that later in the 80s, I got to see films help the film industry in general? by Kiarostami and Makhmalbaf. But it First of all, we present the possibility really came through short films. to filmmakers to have their films shown on the big screen, and give them a uWhat about the most recent movies chance to be seen and have their films being produced in Iran? Do you have seen by a wider audience. It is important any favorites? for them that they can watch the films I recently watched an Iranian film with an audience. This way, they can feel about 20 minutes long, but unfortu- how people feel about their creations, nately I can’t remember the name right because cinema is a very social medium now. We were just discussing it at the in which you witness firsthand how the festival yesterday about how very spe- audience react to your films. In addition cial it was. It had very little happening to that, they can also meet people from in it, but it was a really good Iranian other countries, as well as other film- short film. When it comes Iranian-styled makers from their own country where aspect of the film had fascinated you so films, I also just watched a film about a they can talk about the films and hope- much? girl who goes to Germany to marry. The fully get good critique on what they have The fact that it is about people who director is German but her parents are done. You can also meet people that you are basically hidden from other peo- Iranians, so she has this whole Iranian might cooperate later, so you form this ple due to their deformity. It is a docu- background. kind of bonds with people that think the mentary but it almost feels like a horror same way as you do. That Film festivals film because the people are so horribly uDid you also get a chance to watch bring in people from different countries mutilated due to leprosy. But then she Asghar Farhadi’s latest film, ‘The is important as you get a wider perspec- manages to transform those people into Salesman’? It has gotten a lot of tive on the short film industry through- something else, normal human beings international attention after winning out the world. A lot of young filmmakers who just look different. Then, there is an two awards at this year’s Cannes. think that they are the only ones in the element of really not trying to do a film No not yet. I have this problem that world who live in a place that doesn’t in a normal way, like looking at those half of the year I solely concentrate appreciate what they’re doing. Attend- people from the outside. She actual- on short films, so I miss quite a lot of ing film festivals educate them on that. ly manages to put the camera on their feature films. Also it hasn’t yet been And of course, if you get your film into level and look at their lives as they see screened in Finland, maybe it will later the program of Tehran Film Festival or themselves, which is really rare, espe- this year or next year. But I did watch in Tampere, it always gets noticed again cially at that time. She was truly amaz- “A Separation” and liked it a lot. It ac- by some other festivals so you might ing. Of course, like the way it is with tually ran for a long time in our cine- get invitations to another festival and many things, this is what I have analyzed mas and you could see that people meet even more people there. So, short for myself later, but the main aspect of were really appreciating it. festivals like these help educate young my fascination with the film is the mem- filmmakers and help them with finding ory of the first impact of seeing it. I’ve uSo what aspect of the film would you new connections and people who might seen it several times but the first time say was most fascinating to the Finnish prove helpful in furthering their career deeply touched my heart. audience? later on. The fact that it is about ordinary uThis got me wondering, how did you things, not the spectacle. It’s about the uSeeing as this is a short film festival got introduced to the Iranian cinema relationship between people and this is with a focus on brevity, if you could in the first place? What was the first something that I think you can easily re- describe short film in one word or Iranian movie that you watched and late to – it’s different but the same. The sentence, what would that be? became interested in? environment is different, and there are Freedom. I can’t actually remember the first certain aspects in life that we don’t have film, but probably my first exposure to in Finland, but in the basis, it’s really just uI was reading your interviews on the Iranian cinema was short films. Because about two people going through diffi- Internet and in one of them you were when I started working for the film festi- culties in life. One of the most difficult asked to name one of your favorite vals it was in the 80s and I had a chance themes to make a film about is some- movies and I was really surprised to to basically watch the whole program at thing that you feel in your heart which read that it was ‘The House Is Black’ by Tampere film festival for a few years. At is quite ordinary but you live with it all Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad. What that time, there were already a few Ira- the same| Culture Page 56 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Islamic music has still long way to go: Danish Muslim singer Interview by Hamid Reza Gholamzadeh view with the Danish-Lebanese young the media and especially through mu- artist. sic. Music is an art and the west is using Danish Muslim singer Ali Al Hadi who it to get close to the Muslim youths. We is participating Islamic Unity Conf. in uLet’s start with a short biography of are trying thus to give the youth some- Tehran visited Mehr News Agency’s HQ you and when your musical career and thing similar in quality, but different to sit with our reporters for a friendly background started? content; so we try to make it as western talk on art and Islamic Unity. Since I was a kid I used different in- as possible and meanwhile as Islamic as struments and when I grew up I studied possible. Ali Al Hadi is a Danish Muslim mu- learning it more seriously and Alhamdu- sician and singer at age of 25 which lillah I ended up in a professional way; uHow is the reception for your works promises a bright future ahead of his it began when I was about ten years among the audiences? career with the success he has already old when I found some interest in mu- Until now, very good. Alhamdulillah achieved so far. As a Muslim singer, his sic which helped me with learning the people are getting the artistic work as concern is to contribute to and promote piano and I become better and better something good and we have had many Islamic music to be consumed by espe- thanks to God. Now sitting here today people telling us they liked the songs cially the young generation of Muslims. with some artistic works in my -back and that if there are more of such works While the annual Islamic Unity Con- ground. they will also tell people around them ference gathers here in Tehran hundreds to listen to these works and won’t listen of scholars, figures and activists from all uHow is the situation of your work as to western non-Islamic music anymore. over the world who work to help unity an Islamic singer in the world of west? among Islamic sects, this year the event It is quite difficult as you have many uWhich other countries have you was different in the way that they in- western media going on and of course had performances and how did the vited Ali Al Hadi to sing a special song broadcasting not Halal works, from the audience like it? on the occasion of birth anniversary of viewpoint of Muslims. We also face a I have so far sung in Lebanon, Ger- Prophet Muhammad. Here is our inter- big war against the Muslims through many and Sweden where they like it. » Culture Page 57 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

so that the youth can relate to him as an Islamic Shia icon.

uHow much should be done in Islamic music? Actually we do need much more sup- port from the people in charge and offi- cials; as artists we need supports from people, from governments, from lead- ers, from everyone. Because as Mus- lims, normally I’m talking about Arab world and not western world, we see that Muslim artistic work is not taken so seriously as we want to.

uCan you talk more on the life in non-Muslim societies and if you face difficulties? It is difficult to be in a western life- style; there is also a campaign against Islam there. Of course the govern- Some media in Lebanon covered the Until one day a name entered my ears ment is neither supporting Muslims, event too. A name so unique, it brought me to nor chasing them. We are free and tears we follow our religion as far as we go uYou performed a new song in Islamic Muhammad I heard, Muhammad they with the law; Denmark, however, fol- Unity Conference on Thursday; can you said lows the United States in many things, explain about that piece of work and Ashhad o anna Muhammad an Rasul but in Copenhagen where I live people how it was created? Allah are very open-minded, and you don’t When invited to the event we de- (I testify that Muhammad is Messenger find the Islamophobia you see outside cided to do something new which can of Allah) Copenhagen, where they don’t know be multilingual. We started with the I should also add that if you look at Islam and so they fear about it. Nor- English part and asked the writer to the last part of the Ayatollah Khame- mally Danish people are open-minded get inspiration from Ayatollah Khame- nei’s letter, it says if you are confused and against Islamophobic works and nei’s letter to the western youths and about the world and your way go to Ahl only a small part of the society cam- she did so. We wanted something that al-Beit, the Household of the Prophet paigns against Islam. the youth can related to. The Arabic Muhammad. Read about them, read part was like continuation of the Eng- about who they are, how they lived and uHow about Islamic centers activities? lish part, and the Persian part is more what they said and get the answer from How much does the government like traditional. It is western style music them. That’s why we say from there we support and how do Sunnis and Shias with an Arabic or Middle Eastern melo- got our inspiration. relate to each other? dy and with English words; so it is easy We have Imam Ali Foundation and for the Muslims to relate to, both musi- uRecently more Muslim musicians and Shia Muslim Cultural Center where my cally and the lyrics. It tells the story of a singers are appearing internationally father happens to be Imam of it. Of person who feels confused in this world singing about Islam; how do you see course there are many more mosques and then finds peace by finding the the situation and what do you feel and centers both for Shias and Sun- love of Muhammad (PBUH) and that’s about it? nis. But we do need more support for the main idea behind the song we were I found as a Shia Muslim there is an centers and their activities as we have working on. empty space between the Shia and an to do a lot to prove ourselves to be sup- Islamic icon the youth can relate to and ported by the government. Between uCan you read parts of the lyrics? I we try to fill this gap. We of course do Shias and Sunnis we are good Alhamdu- want to know how it is attributed to believe in unity among Muslims, but we lillah; heads of mosques and centers be- Prophet Muhammad? need an icon Shia youth can connect lieve and work in favor of unity among It took me years to face my fears to I personally set my goal to make the Islamic sects and myself as a musician Lost many days to find the ways youth remember we have Imam Zaman use my art in this regard. We have good The world around me is confused (Imam of the Age) with us, he is around relations with other Muslims, Chris- And scattered and the solution is love us and remember that he will come tians, etc. and we see each other as hu- Who was this man that spoke the truth? someday. This is the main goal of my mans and respect each other and each I walked different paths during my youth work to remind the audience of Imam other’s beliefs| Culture Page 58 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY French artist Paul-Louis Rebora: ‘Lucerail’ seeks to evoke feelings not pose questions French painter and sculptor Paul-Louis Rebora in an interview with MNA talked about his personalized style of painting ‘Lucerail’, saying the style focuses on evoking feelings in the audience.

French painter and sculptor Paul-Lou- is Rebora defines ‘Lucerail’ as “a con- cept together with a method, a style of painting as an approach to Fine Arts; a combination of light and color in a new way which can be easily positioned in museums, or be used in Applied Arts and contemporary architecture.” This French artist travelled to Iran a few days ago at the invitation of man- agers at Dr. Rahgoshay House-Muse- um in Badrood, Kashan who are an Iranian-French couple. Rebora, who is considered Pablo Picasso’s last surviv- ing student, was interviewed by Mehr of trance when looking at it,” he said. known for the “cubist” style of art. News Agency correspondent at the Arts He explained more about ‘Luce- “Picasso was an empire. He was bril- desk, Azadeh Sohrabi. The interview rail’: “my style is painting on the back liant in everything he did. You can’t find was translated from French into Persian of glass, as if you are standing before one single flaw in his works. We were by Miriam Gotz, Dr. Rahgoshay’s wife a painting through which light passes. close friends, asking for one another’s who hosted the French artist, and into Light is an important element in crea- opinions and feedback. He’s been gone English by Marjohn Sheikhi. tion of my works. The transformation for a long time but I learned a lot from “I started with figurative art like that I seek to provoke in my audience him when he was still with us.” all the rest, with drawing objects,” is achieved by light passing through the “In fact, there is nothing new I can Rebora told MNA about his journey painting.” say about him that you haven’t heard through the world of arts and getting “I paint on several layers at the back already,” he reminisced. “He was full of to the point where he created his own of a glass and leave some spots un- ideas and with a perfect mastery over style, “I was born in Morocco and took touched. Then I create holes in these his works. More importantly, he worked up courses in Fine Arts there, but then spots that will be later covered by in many different fields as was common came to France to continue my stud- sheets of gold, copper or silver. Then I among my generation. Nowadays, you ies. The more I worked with figurative turn on the light behind the paintings,” can find few artists who work in several art and landscape painting, the more he added. fields at the same time.” dissatisfied I grew. I felt that I wasn’t “I use light, form and color to evoke “I, for example, do graphics, work making any progress, so I went into a feeling in the audience, not to have with charcoal, bronze and ceramics. abstract art. I studied abstract art for them faced with a question,” he said. I make sculptures and do paintings. years in order to invent my own style Asked if he would like to set up a gal- Many actually call me the second Picas- of painting.” lery of his works in Iran, he said “I would so,” he laughs. “I started working on my own style love that very much, but I can’t do it on Painter and sculptor Paul-Louis Reb- 30 years ago. I’m 89 years old now and my own. I need an institute or gallery in ora is a member of the Academy of Fine I’m still as much in love with it as the Iran to cooperate with me on this. Fur- Arts of Quebec (Canada), President of first time,” he added. thermore, it is very important to me to the International group “Art Couleur “What mattered to me the most was be present during the whole process of Matière”, creator of the new concept that I wanted to create something that setting up my works for display.” “Lucerail”, a revolution in the “museal would allow the audience to feel as part Rebora is considered the last sur- abstract art”, or in the contemporary of the painting and fall into some kind viving student of Pablo Picasso who is architectural decoration| Culture Page 59 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Interview by Parnaz Talebi & Marjan Golpira

Narges Kalbasi Ashtari whose story has Rayagada authorities made headlines internationally and nationally these days tells the Mehr News Agency how the authorities in flawed: Narges Kalbasi Rayagada District, benefit from the poverty that the local NGOs portray to the outside world.

Rayagada District is in the South of Od- isha state which in turn is in Eastern India. “The Authorities in Rayagada District benefit from the poverty. They extract money through foreign funds in the name of the poor with the help of these organizations. Everyone is well connect- ed and work together to profit from this.” At age of 21 she sets out on a journey to Indian to open an orphanage. Howev- er, today she is faced with an uncertain future including a year in jail and $4,300 in fines. The following is her full interview with the Merh News Agency on Sunday. homes from you back in 2013. Why? gated this current case against me. They uNarges some people may wonder Actually I have built two children’s don’t want me to talk about any of this why you decided to go to India to open homes in Rayagada district where they and it is not just them, there are many an orphanage. Why didn’t you perhaps have taken one away from me and are other regional NGOs that are scamming set up one in Iran, your motherland? currently trying to take the second one as people on a daily basis. The entire district That’s a very good question and it is we speak. At that time I was not a local in and the NGOs here just wanted to silence one I get asked about a lot. To be honest, that area and I needed a piece of land to me, and now that I have been sentenced, I did a lot of research prior to choosing a be donated to my Foundation. This NGO, they seem to be getting what they want- country to start my work in. I read a lot ASSIST, donated two pieces of land to ed. It is absolutely an injustice to me. about the orphan, abandoned and dis- Prishan Foundation but once the homes abled children of Iran and found many were complete, there behavior towards uCould you please walk us through organizations and government run pro- me changed, and I later found out that the day when you had arranged an grams that help care for such children. the land documents that their group excursion for your blind children and Generally speaking, Iranian people of lawyers had given me were actually orphan boys two years ago. Fill us in on are much kinder to children in need com- forged. The land was still in their name. the details please. pared to some states in India where I Once I found out that they were fake, I On November 3, 2014, I took my visual- read horror stories on mistreatment and approached the local police and filed a ly impaired children and my orphan boys abuse of these children. The way chil- complaint. The main husband and wife to a picnic in Rayagada to a tourist desti- dren are treated in the developing world of ASSIST were sent to jail for 3 months nation where a lot of people go every day cannot be compared to Africa and some because of that but still to this day they for picnics. During this picnic two of my states of India. The state of Odisha has occupy my first home and the police are staff members, husband and wife, had also one of the highest infant mortality rates not investigating this matter. In their brought with them their own two children in the world that was just one of many minds, ASSIST thought that once I built and it was during this picnic that they al- reasons I wanted to go there first. I will, the homes, they could somehow get rid leged that their older son disappeared. of course, work for the children of my of me and then sell them to make mon- Obviously we all tried to search for him, homeland too, and I will love and take ey... both of these properties are very ex- yet we couldn’t find him. So the parents care of any child who is in need. We pensive and both of them together come went to the police station and I returned should love all children equally, no mat- to a total of around 80 to 88 thousand home with my own children. At the police ter where they are born. A child in need dollars. So as you can imagine in a place station, they gave a statement to the police is a human indeed, we should focus on so poor as Rayagada district, this amount officer that their son was missing and they ending poverty globally, and that is what of money is huge and these people requested the police to search for him. And I want to be part of. would go to any length for money, even if that was it. it means killing someone. They harassed It was only 33 days after, on December uYou had mentioned ASSIST, a local me, they harassed the children, they 6, 2014, that they were approached by NGO in India, took one of your children’s threatened me, and now, they have insti- ASSIST and were told to try to get mon- » Culture Page 60 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY ey from me and that if I didn’t pay, they do you think the judiciary system in that Court of India which allowed me to get would help them file a case against me. village has failed you? an exit permit and leave India and also to They approached me many times with They have absolutely failed me. It is get police protection, but they still do not these threats, but I never paid a single a tiny town and everybody is somehow provide me with this! They are trying to penny to anyone. connected there. Everybody profits and do anything to harm me. So they went to the police station benefits from poverty in Rayagada, so if and changed their story. They said that you start to talk about the corruption, uWhat is your message for the judiciary I had murdered their son. They were and if you start to expose the people who system of Rayagada? for the people of alleging that I had taken their son to a are meant to be helping the poor, they all that village? river, thrown him in and watched him suddenly turn on you, because you will My message to the judiciary system is drown. Later on, they changed their sto- affect their income so to speak. Every sin- very different from the message I have ry again and accused me of manslaugh- gle person working in this district profits for the people of Rayagada. I do not ter, because they said I had chosen an from this, it is like a business for them. blame the people of Rayagada. The sys- unsafe picnic area, blaming me for the I was not able to speak properly in my tem in that area is flawed; those govern- death of their son. Their story has con- court hearing and I was told to answer ing that area are corrupt. The people are stantly changed! Manslaughter due to very short answers or yes/no. Even the not at fault. They cannot turn against the negligence makes absolutely no sense, judge in my court case cried when the people governing this area. because firstly, the boy was not part of mother of the child was talking! That’s My message to the judiciary system is my foundation, secondly there’s been no how unprofessional and completely bi- that they have failed me and most likely body found and finally, the parents were ased the trial was. I didn’t get a fair trial many other people who weren’t able to present at this picnic! They should have and I don’t expect to get a fair appeal in defend themselves. If they are able to do been taking care of him, not anyone else. the next court either because it is in the this to me then just imagine what they can I told the police from the very beginning same town with same people. do to people here who don’t have a voice that they were trying to extort money to speak up against it. I have a connection from me but instead of helping me, they uDescribe the attitude of the residents to the outside world but many people here were asking me for bribes too! So from of Rayagada towards you these days, don’t, I feel really sorry for them. The state the beginning it’s been absolutely ridicu- the village where you left the comfort of Odisha needs to wake up and realize lous and corrupt. of the West to launch children’s homes that nobody should be above the law and through foreign funds for their kids. the law should be equal for everybody, this uDo you believe police ran enough I don’t blame the residents of Rayaga- is not what is happening in one of their dis- investigation to find the missing or da. They have kept their distance from tricts, Rayagada district. drown boy whose disappearance has me and again I don’t blame them for raised many doubts to this day as his that. Obviously, when there is local gov- uMany people across the world have body has yet to be found. ernment, when the police chief and the raised concern over your health and Absolutely not. When the child was mayor and these powerful people turn safety and they want to know what they pronounced missing I had called the po- against you, then I don’t expect the local can do for your freedom. lice to come and investigate. Two officers people, the poor people, to go against the Obviously, my physical and emotional showed up an hour and a half later and authority. I don’t blame them for being wellbeing is not good at all. I think any- they did not do a search at all. From that silent because obviously they’re scared. body in my shoes would feel the same. day onwards there has been no proper If I am a foreigner and I am also scared of It’s definitely a scary situation. Even now investigation what so ever. I have not these people I can only imagine what the that I am 100% protected in the Iranian even been questioned; nobody has ever innocent, uneducated local people are consulate, I’m still scared because I don’t asked me what happened. From the very feeling. Everyone is afraid to help me and know what will happen in my appeal. I beginning the motive was money and the person who provided me with bail face a jail term for one year in the same still to this day, it remains the same. has been threatened and scared as well. town where I exposed their corruption! It is impossible for anyone in this district My future and safety is all in the hands uJust like you, your Indian assistant, to reach out and support me without of the government of India. I don’t know Raju Gupta, also was charged of also being framed and silenced. why they are so quiet, why are they are negligence on his part too for the Do you fear for your life? not intervening in this case? I demand a incident, yet he walked away from any I Absolutely do. Many times people fair investigation. I’m not demanding an charges. Why? have tried to harm me. Many times they acquittal or anything else. I’m simply de- It’s very clear! That’s just another clear followed me on the highway trying to manding a fair trial. I want them to open indication that this was just simply a re- crash into my car. In one instance, in the up my case and realize that I’ve been venge attack on me, an attempt to extort middle of the night, there were police of- framed. I ask the people of Iran to please money from me. My colleague Raju Gup- ficers outside my home trying to frighten try to get in contact with Mrs. Sushma ta doesn’t have thousands of Rupees to me. There are so many of these incidents Swaraj who is the minister of external af- pay in bribes, in their eyes, I do. and I have even reported this to police fairs [of India] and our Mr. Zarif to ask officers in different districts but they them to fight for me because I cannot uYou said you have not received a fair haven’t intervened or tried to help me. fight alone anymore. I am afraid and trial at the local court of Rayagada. Why There was an order from the Supreme need help. I want justice| Culture Page 61 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Algerian Min. of Culture: To celebrate Hafiz is to celebrate love, humanity Interview by: Somayyeh Khomarbaghi colonialism and imperialism would contribute to convergence of both Algerian Minister of Culture Izzedin countries? Mayhoubi has told Mehr News Both Iran and Algeria resisted coloni- geographical barriers no longer pose alist forces to save their countries; Alge- difficulties to effective cultural ties with ria cherishes the model Iran presents in Iran. cultural resistance; art and culture are Mr. Mayhoubi was in Tehran to offi- as a strong weapons in form of cinema, cially open Algerian Cultural Week, an theatre, music, literature, visual arts, initiative of Iran’s Ministry of Culture and other expressionistic and symbol- and Mr. Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri him- istic art; in the age of globalization and self attended the ceremony on last Mon- its huge waves sweeping local identities, day in Iran’s National Library. Somayeh we should use these parameters to save Khomarbaghi of Mehr News Interna- native cultures and the heritage of cen- tional Service reached Mr. Mayhoubi for turies we inherited from the past. a short interview on prospects of cultur- al ties between Iran and Algeria: 14th century Iranian poet Hafiz of Shi- uWhat Iran and Algeria can do to fight raz right in Algerian capital as the one terrorism and to tackle the very roots uCultural common grounds provide hundredth such event, is to celebrate and causes of the evil? nations and states means to improve the human different modes of love A culture of dialogue as an instru- ties; how would you see this issue in and being loved and a great innova- ment of converging ideas acts as a terms of Iran-Algerian ties? What has tion by our cultural officials. bridge for more understanding and been done so far to improve bilateral peaceful co-existence, especially in a cultural relations? uDo you think that what would region so volatile as the Middle East, The cultural events jointly held indi- improve bilateral cultural ties with where sectarian violence and hatred, cate a political will in both capitals for Iran? And what are the major barriers? along with extreme forms of tribalism, an all-out development; both countries In meeting with Mr. Salehi Amiri, I have contributed to a chaos already be- waged honest efforts to work in cultur- discussed preparing a roadmap to im- setting the nations’ odds of better days; al matters, as a bridge through which prove cultural relations; we also signed terrorism and extremism should be ad- other sorts of relations crosses; the agreement in cinema, music, and other dressed in terms of its roots; political stronger this bridge, the better will be fine arts; we agreed that both countries’ turmoil, social underrepresentation, the economic and political ties and -ex intelligentsia would participate in joint cultural marginalization, and economic changes. Both presidents relied on this sessions to address important cultural is- deprivations are among the major roots premise to bolster relations in all issues sues, which are also a challenge to other of a situation where individuals take ex- of interest. societies and nations, including terror- tremes in controlling the situation and Algeria had been participating in ism and extremism, along the pressures to change the conditions in their own cultural events in recent years to in- mounted by the west. To tackle barriers favor, however with whatever violent troduce its culture, heritage, and civ- on the way to happier future in a world means. In such a failed state, individu- ilization to Iran; culture occupies an of peaceful symbiosis, and where tol- als begin to hate others who they be- important place, and the agreement erance opens the rooms for friendship; lieve are cause of their plights and who on cultural cooperation signed De- critical thinking is the only way to face they deem as the major party to direct cember 25 2014 was a milestone of threats of reactionary thoughts and a the blame; Takfirism is fostered in such such exchanges; the second meet- groundless fear of what is to come; we desperate situations. To address this ing of high commission in December should promote culture of mutual trust evil, effective education and a working 2015, chaired by Abdelmalek Sellal, and a culture which looks forward. state system should at work; individu- the Prime Minister and Mr. Is’hagh Ja- Geographical and lingual barriers are als should be inculcated with a culture hangiri, Iran’s First Deputy-President, no longer adversely affect cultural ties of tolerance and listening to the others’ provided a yet stronger framework for with Iran. The only problem would be of voices; on this, the states should not be cultural cooperation. The same meet- linguistic nature where communication alone and the intellectuals and elites ing also was a venue where detailed would be slow and lethargic; on the face should come closer to realities by aban- plans for 2016-2018 were signed as an of this, both countries, I believe have a doning their ivory tower of abstraction- effective roadmap, and which would real will for better ties in the future. ist aestheticism, and to provide the soci- help more dynamism in cooperation. ety with their knowledge to help it avoid For example, commemorating famous uHow would a culture of fighting extreme situations| Page 62 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Technology TechnologyCulture Page 63 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Prospects of IoT to transform modern life By: Samad Habibi, Masoumeh Bakhshipour

By the next 4 years, 50 billion objects will be connected to Internet, providing new opportunities and threats alike.

It is a new technology and an ambi- tious one: to connect almost all things to the Internet, exanimate objects as well as moving vehicles in a network of bil- lions of knots. The prospects are tanta- lizing and no uninitiated should venture into the heart of this network as threats would be overwhelming, the opportu- nities, confusing and overexciting. The foundations of the network have al- ready been laid when in 2015, 5 billion objects connected to the Internet. Currently, the globe is aided by bil- lions of sensors which help objects to number of objects connect to the in- It is also possible that national parlia- connect. The technology occupies al- ternet, thus providing the hackers easy ments would address the issue of possi- most any object, fixed in a place or mo- preys. New devices such as CCTVs would ble abuse by passing similar laws where bile; kitchen appliances, cars, clothes, be target of more pernicious attacks for the developers of products used in in- etc. harbor sensors; the sheer attraction their data of more seducing nature for ternet of objects would be required to of the technology had brought about the curious minds and or anyone who comply with security standards in place; dynamism in many countries to rapidly wants to make profit by selling to pa- interference of this sort however should develop and approve in state legisla- parazzi who seek for information every be subject to specialist panels which tures standards of conduct and applica- possible nuke and cranny, of celebrities would provide necessary frameworks. tion to enjoy the potentials inherent in and of fashion industry. In Iranian setting, this activity remains the tech. Analysis proves the security loop- a territory of an organization, Commu- Iran has seen also a certain level of holes and weak links in tech firms with nications Regulatory Authority (CRA) of dynamism, mainly by government, to lax security measures make them the the Islamic Republic of Iran, while IoT cope with and to catch the fast growing excellent option for Denial of Service at- will cover country’s whole frequency train of technology, through strategic tacks and huge fake traffic directed to spectrum. plans to address infrastructures of IoT their sites and paralyzes services for cli- Azim Fard, director of the CRA told (Internet of Things) beginning in 2016 ents. It is conceivable that with automo- Mehr News Technology service the pro- by the Ministry of ICT, which is not the biles connected to Internet, any hacker ject to organize rare sources of commu- sole government authority to develop of medium ingenuity would deactivate nication, a project defined by Resistance the technology. the brake system or air conditioning Economy policies had a priority on IoT; The potentials are huge; all city system and pose serious hazards to the “the CRA should attend to its inherent amenities including water and waste- people onboard; another hacker would regulatory duties, since the frequency water, electricity utility, gas, transpor- infest a factory’s main computers with spectrum is allocated to devices and ob- tation, education and health will enjoy malwares; this would be of huge con- jects connected to the Internet is a terri- the connectivity, so valuable in a mod- sequences when a nuclear facility is the tory of the CRA.” ern time of immediate data transfer and target. “The network thus created by con- the need to such speed. The observers All these challenges have been ad- nection of cars and regulatory and mon- however are cautious that the poten- dressed with modest success. Late in itoring systems of water, gas, and trans- tial threats and violation of the privacy 1990s, spams were the major source of portation sectors will require a special would make the technology a less ap- headache for users of popular email ser- section of frequency spectrum under pealing territory; the utter wide scope vices. They were unwanted for ads send strict monitoring,” he added. “Currently, of the tech will definitely have oppor- in bulk by companies and industries. A individuals are connected only through tunities to web hackers and other data punitive legislation in 2003 was passed mobile devices, which takes less band- collectors of citizens’ private life. The ev- and email services improved in their width and spectrum; however, IoT use er-increasing number of attacks would smart filtering of spams, to the relief of different protocols, requiring new sort be even worse problem when a huge their users. of regulation of radio networks and » Technology Page 64 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY sensors sending data through them; stalling facilities in agriculture will reach to a network of complicated maps and software will be developed to handle from $ 30m in 2015 to more than $ 75m will be guided through internet the most different sensors in a certain protocol; in 2020. The sensors installed provides viable routes to reach the destination security is of utmost importance; in live data about livestock and crops to from among the thousands of possible an ecosystem of sensors, family priva- farmers; a tilling machine working on routes; this will contribute to lighter traf- cy, network privacy, and health of the land would connect to Internet to find fic and the declined number of traffic whole system constitute issues for con- about the timing of fertilizers and irri- accidents; the machinery in a factory sideration.” gation, not to mention optimal harvest would be shut down before a technical Fard highlights the preliminary stage time. glitch damages the whole system by of work on the project; “we have al- A sector to enjoy IoT services is health using real-time data provided by - sur ready identified part of resources of the where sophisticated machines synchro- rounding devices. domain; the project is multidimensional nize with database to serve the patients These all are only part of huge poten- and proper grounds should be prepared. more efficiently; MRI machines -break tials of the IoT; thus, the investment in In any rate, the new system will carry down would be predicted by a central the new untapped technology will take data on radio networks; large volumes data base monitoring the machine’s sta- unprecedented sums; the Ministry of of communication should be channeled tus, thus improving the overall quality of ICT has provided no information on the through available networks; on the oth- health and treatment services. investment in IoT, however, Telecommu- er hand, huge traffic passing through Retail sector will also be availed by nications Co. has underway the prelim- will add to the responsibilities of Tele- communication Infrastructure Company of Iran (TIC) which will contribute to the progress of the project,” he detailed. “IoT challenges structures beyond the resources available to a ministry; even the Judiciary should intervene to over- see the legal requirements and enforce the ethical principles of using the tech- nology; police and the insurance will also be involved; when, for example, a car connects to the internet through the protocol and it hits another car in an accident; the technology to be implicat- ed and the regulating body to be ques- tioned for possible damages should be identified through rules governing the use of all the elements of the system,” Fard told Mehr News. “We predict that IoT will infiltrate all fields; we predict also hosting of 50 bil- lion sensors through which a population IoT services through working on wire- inary studies according to media spec- of 80 million would be connected, the less technologies to send the list of their ulations. Mohammad Khwansari, head number of sensors being large as indi- products to potential customers on their of Iran Telecommunication Research viduals would need more than a single mobile phones. Users will also be able Center assures the readers of the pro- sensor to connect to different objects to find specific product in the nearest ject of IoT in Iranian setting. According around themselves; we would not reach center to their location in a marketplace. to the official, the roadmap will soon be the figure however by the end of the Six Transportation will also enjoy the prepared on the modes of application Development Plan and will be preparing technology to improve communica- once the preliminary studies was com- the capacities,” he added. tions of ships, trucks, etc. in form of a pleted. “The roadmap will establish an With the new technology on place, network to which all are connected; a ecosystem of IoT where tech companies who can help ignoring the huge poten- striking feature is to control the temper- will find paths to the market through en- tials? Definitely, all industries and eco- ature inside the storage of food items couragements coming from government nomic sectors will sought to join the where corruptible food products would regulatory bodies and policies,” he add- network. This will transform the mode be saved timely; in public transport sec- ed. “In a fast-growing modern setting, of activity in many sectors including in- tor, intercity buses will use sensors and life has become more digitalized than dustry, retail sector, factories, and even other sort of software to collect demo- ever, since virtually everything will be agriculture, which is believed to be the graphic data of commuters and the road, connected to network and will receive pioneer in adopting the benefits of the thus will optimize the fuel consumption. data and change overall behavior of the IoT. The amount of investment in in- The automobiles will be connected family members.”| Page 65 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Dossier Dossier Page 66 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY American analyst Hagopian: US rigged system set Trump up for failure Interview by: Marjohn Sheikhi

Former US Army officer and columnist Joachim Hagopian says the US rigged system let Trump win as a way of setting him up for failure when the global economy implodes in the near future.

The 70-year-old real estate develop- er and former reality-TV star, Donald Trump, won the US presidency against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton on Wednesday after securing more than the 270 electoral votes needed to win. His election, however, came against the backdrop of mass media predictions gone wrong, Trump’s earlier criticism of the American electoral system, his rocky election campaign marred by controver- predictions by many media were claim the people’s voice has been heard sial remarks against minorities, and the proven wrong? in a free American election, that exulta- follow-up anti-Donald Trump protests in With a thoroughly corrupt and ir- tion would be naïve and misleading. The various parts of the US. reparably broken two party system, US ruling elite eventually came to realize In an interview with MNA, Joachim elections always involve two candidates Hillary Clinton with all her never-ending Hagopian, a columnist at Veterans To- already selected by the ruling elite, al- scandals is simply damaged goods and day and a former US Army officer, be- though Trump only begrudgingly. So it’s a growing liability. So the already rigged lieves that the result of this election was always a choice of the lesser evils. In system of counting votes allowed Trump a clear mandate that “American voters this case, Donald Trump from the start a narrow margin of victory. The non- have had enough of corrupt power was viewed by the power elite as the far stop WikiLeaks exposure of Hillary-DNC machine politics” and are “desperate less favored, less desired outsider. The emails forced citizens the world over to for change”. He goes on to note that it co-opted mainstream media was also recognize the rampant US corruption would be naïve to think that “a unani- blatantly pro-Hillary and anti-Trump, and criminality of its rigged political mously controlled Republican presiden- shamefully displaying the most biased, system as undeniable and indisputable cy as well as both houses of Congress least objective media coverage of any evidence. The entire world now readily will suddenly bring unity and harmony presidential election in US history. sees that American democracy is non- to Washington”, with Trump only fulfill- Hillary was the obvious power establish- existent, a propaganda lie and sham ing his “figurehead role in the dirty busi- ment choice from the get-go. The fact historically propagated to serve the ag- ness of oligarchy”. that the outsider who never held pub- gressive fascist interests of US Empire He maintains that if “Trump follows lic office before actually won is a clear imperialism. through on creating new jobs to help indication that American voters have All the media predictions were wrong build a robust national economy, that had enough of corrupt power machine because it was scripted that way. Hillary would be the most effective way to heal politics. The result of this election was a was their choice. The giant mega media the wounds caused by his checkered clear mandate by the people of America corporations systematically inflated the past” and disparaging remarks against rejecting the self-replicating Bush-Clin- poll numbers right to the end (Reuters minorities. He further expresses hope ton-Obama dynasty of big government had Clinton with a 90% chance) and that Trump will stick to his noninterven- turned fascist totalitarian police state through relentless propaganda hype tionist agenda and will not attempt to where the interests of the people are for over a year attempted to convince obliterate Iran’s nuclear agreement. no longer served by its oligarchy gov- American voters that heavily favored The following is Mehr News Agency’s ernment. The American people are des- Hillary was destined to be our next interview with American political ana- perate for change, hence the seemingly president, like it or not. A recent study lyst, Joachim Hagopian: longshot success of an outsider making of news stories broadcast on the three a big promise to “make America great commercial networks ABC, CBS and NBC uWhat is your evaluation of the US again.” from July through October showed 91% election results? How come all the Though it may be tempting to pro- of the news was negative toward Trump » Dossier Page 67 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY while minimizing if not ignoring all the permitted Trump to win as a way of set- represented and served the elite’s in- email dumps proving Hillary violated ting him up for failure when the global terests over the people’s interests and espionage laws breaching US national economy implodes not very long from Trump as just one individual fulfilling security, engaged in highly illegal, even now. Similar to Brexit, this election out- his figurehead role will not change the treasonous “pay-for-play” operations come might be viewed as a reflection status quo of how the dirty business of with foreign nationals selling off Amer- that average everyday citizens are fed oligarchy functions. ica to the highest bidders. Her tax ex- up being victimized by centralized gov- empt Clinton Foundation is a get rich ernance that has grossly overstepped uWith many endorsements for Hillary racketeering cartel worth $2 billion that its constitutional boundaries while Clinton by some European leaders, after the Haiti earthquake scammed the morphing into oppressive tyranny in- what countries would now find the US poorest nation and people in the West- tentionally polarizing and exploiting the a closer ally with Trump as president? ern Hemisphere. West versus East confrontation towards The obvious answer is Russia. Both Many of us in alternative media World War III. This is the New World Or- Putin and Trump have made public got the election outcome wrong as der agenda being pushed by the ruling statements expressing admiration for well, mainly because we realized how elite and a figurehead president by the each other’s style of leadership as well one-sided and fixed the electronic vot- name of Donald or Hillary hardly mat- as a desire to work together as partners ing machines are. Then FBI Director ters. in eliminating ISIS, al Qaeda, al Nusra James Comey reopened the Hillary in- Republicans not only won the White and terrorism worldwide that Clinton, vestigation 11 days prior to election House on Election Day, but they also the Bushes and Obama created and sup- based on what was found on the laptop maintained their majorities both in the port. The economic sanctions against belonging to disgraced former New York House and the Senate. What would a Russia that the US Empire imposed on Congressman Anthony Weiner, husband Republican-controlled America mean to its vassals in Europe hurt the European of 20-year top Hillary aide Huma Abe- the country itself and the world? people almost as much as Russia. Hope- din. When it was determined to contain Always we must realize that the fully for all of humanity’s sake, a Trump explosive new evidence that the Clin- same power interests control the world presidency can stop Cold War 2 in its tons participated in a pedophile sex ring whether a Republican president or a tracks, eliminating any chance of WWIII through registered sex offender-billion- Democratic president occupies the against Russia, China and Iran that war- aire Jeffrey Epstein’s Lolita Express and White House, the case in point being mongering Hillary and her Washington Caribbean sex island, it was finally over the Obama administration as a mere establishment were determined to ig- for Hillary. I think it was at that point extension of the Bush-Cheney adminis- nite. that the globalists made their choice tration. America’s domestic and foreign Opening up trade between Russia to allow Trump to win despite Comey’s policies both continued uninterrupted and Europe as well as America (and I flip flop [again] “clearing” Hillary just 2 under Obama because the same neocon definitely don’t mean the globalists’ days prior to Election Day. So MSM got megalomaniacs control Washington re- Trans Pacific Partnership or the Trans- it wrong because they always assumed gardless of which party happens to be in atlantic Trade and Investment Partner- Queen Hillary was entitled the presiden- power. These puppets – be they Demo- ship) will be a win-win-win for all parties cy and journalists like me got it wrong crat or Republican - take their marching involved. European leaders that blindly because the criminal system was set up orders from the same ruling elite that followed Empire’s aggressions should be to ensure crime bosses steal elections. controls them. replaced. Cleaning house and “draining But in my case, I’m glad I was wrong in Also we should not entertain any false the swamp” as Trump has claimed as his my prediction as under Hillary, nuclear illusion or hope that a unanimously con- US mission should be a goal of both the holocaust was already a done deal. trolled Republican presidency as well as US and entire Western bloc nations if both houses of Congress will suddenly they want to survive in a peaceful world. uWhat do you think was the main bring unity and harmony to Washington. The financial Ponzi schemed system of factor that diminished Clinton’s It will not change how the corrupt and debt-based thievery promoted and con- chances at presidency? dysfunctional broken US government trolled for centuries by the likes of the Aside from her half dozen felony works. The Republican establishment Rothschilds and Rockefellers, the City of crimes, pathological lying as a pow- still hates Trump. Why do you think the London and US Federal Reserve, their er-hungry sociopath and 40+ years of Bushes supported Clinton? The Speaker criminal monopoly cabal must go, along nonstop scandals? In the end, the ruling of the House Paul Ryan said he could with the US dollar/petrodollar as stand- elite deemed her damaged goods, that’s not even support Trump for president ard international currency. Wall Street, why she lost their rigged election. The and only toned his rhetoric down just the World Bank, the IMF along with the globalists controlled this entire political before Election Day. A Trump presidency treasonous globalist war criminal pup- debacle throughout. I’d like to say that faces a largely hostile Republican Con- pets Obama, Bushes, Clintons and their the will of the American people has fi- gress so the gridlock that has character- European lackeys and minions all must nally spoken loud and clear, and that ized Washington politics so far this 21st go. They are the cesspool in the swamp they are calling for drastic change, away century will not change with outsider that needs desperate draining. A new from big government politics ruled by Trump in office. For over a century the economic and financial system needs to big business. But the still rigged system Republican Party has historically always be implemented based on meritocracy, » Dossier Page 68 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY transparency and justice. Iran and the nuclear deal which he had threatened to tear up? uHow will Trump’s presidency I was very disappointed affect the conditions of by Trump’s AIPAC conference minorities in the US? And what speech, promising to tear up the about the Muslim visitors, nuclear arms deal on his first day seeing as he had once called for in office. He came off like just a total shutdown of Muslims another Zionist controlled US entering the US? politician pandering to apartheid This question validates my rogue state Israel. As opposed to point of always the two party Hillary who promised to bomb US presidential candidates being Iran if she were elected, Trump a case of the lesser evil. Donald proclaims himself a USA first, Trump has some serious repair religions, cultures and classes. The glob- noninterventionist wanting to work to do if he wants to mend and heal al elite desires race wars and religious avoid seeking wars around the world, a the open wounds and make peace with wars as a strategic means of divide and clear break from the Bush-Clinton-Oba- US minority groups. His racist, volatile conquer rule, establishing the pretense ma neocon con to maintain global uni- statements in the past toward minori- for more authoritarian control, less civ- polar hegemony at all cost by aggres- ties made during his campaign is clearly il liberties and freedom, and ultimately sively provoking a global war against a liability. The fastest growing minority breaking down the very fabric of civil so- Russia, China and Iran. in America are Latinos, and his calling ciety, social and national cohesiveness We can only hope that Trump will not Mexican immigrants “rapists and crimi- while destabilizing populations with attempt to obliterate the nuke agree- nals” was outrageous. I am not about to higher crime and unemployment. This ment. The entire pretext that only US, be an apologist for his insults and past chaos, violence and disorder facilitates Russia, China, France and UK are entitled behavior that indicate racism not just global governance of one world govern- nuclear weapons is inherently wrong, towards Hispanics but African Ameri- ment, which for over a century has been especially since nations like Israel, In- cans, Muslim Americans, and members the elite’s ultimate objective. dia and Pakistan also possess nuclear of Middle Eastern ethnicities. He seems As part of this divisive, destructive- warhead arsenals. No country on earth to have offended all these groups with ly violent agenda, America’s first black should have the power to destroy the prejudicial slurs and bigoted statements. president given the assignment by his world. And nuclear development as an It led many who may have otherwise puppet masters to destroy America, as energy source is a dangerously bad idea supported his candidacy to back away. a presidential candidate initially prom- as well (aka Fukushima, Chernobyl, etc.). Though his insulting rhetoric was toned ised to be a unifier, not a destroyer. But The terms of that nuclear agreement al- down in latter months of his candidacy, it didn’t take long for him to become the lowing UN inspectors to freely monitor his poor track record toward minorities worst racial divider and agitator pres- Iranian nuclear facilities is a fair enough speaks for itself, and it’s not good. ident in US history. He has polarized concession to allow the already ratified Demonstrating effective, sound, America even beyond the damage that deal to be both upheld and honored by strong, positive leadership to undo and his predecessors Bush and Cheney in- Iran and the P5 nations that signed it. overcome what’s already public record flicted. This is the sorry, pathetic mess Hopefully Trump will leave well enough will be a near herculean task for him. that I’m afraid the bigoted Mr. Trump alone as a noninterventionist promoting But if he simply follows through on has inherited. peace and cooperation as opposed to creating thousands of new jobs that If Trump can boost the slumping, confrontation and war. help build a stronger robust national staggering US economy, jumpstart a economy enhancing the lives of every once vibrant but now near nonexistent Joachim Hagopian is a West Point segment of the American population, manufacturing sector, repair sorely ne- graduate and former US Army officer. particularly those impoverished at the glected, decaying US infrastructure, pro- He has written a manuscript based lower socioeconomic rung, that would vide incentives to bring back US compa- on his unique military experience be the most effective and most expedi- nies that have outsourced millions of US entitled “Don’t Let The Bastards Getcha ent way to heal the wounds caused by jobs abroad, close the many loopholes Down.” It examines and focuses on his checkered past. aiding offshore tax evaders consisting US international relations, leadership That said, the globalist agenda to of the wealthiest corporations and class, in and national security issues. After the destroy Europe and North America by other words perform the miracle of accom- military, Joachim earned a master’s sponsoring waves of millions of unvet- plishing the impossible amidst the global degree in Clinical Psychology and ted refugees from the Middle East and economic meltdown on the verge of total worked as a licensed therapist in the North Africa into Europe and North collapse, then Trump the miracle worker mental health field with abused youth America is being streamlined against will never be called a racist again. and adolescents for more than a quarter the will of residents in Europe and century. In recent years, he has focused North America knowing it will increase uHow do you predict Trump’s on his writing, becoming an alternative hostilities and tensions between races, administration’s policies in regard to media journalist| Dossier Page 69 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Prof. Entessar: Trump ‘to learn how Washington works with lobbies’ Interview by: Shabnam Shokouhi, Javad Heirannia

A University of South Alabama professor has said with a majority in the House and the Senate, now Trump would easily ignore deal signed with Iran (JCPOA) in favor of more sanctions.

Professor Nader Entessar told Mehr News International Service that Trump’s outreach to American white and mid- dle-class population contributed to his win in the presidential elections, where he eschewed systematically discussing in detail his public policy in favor of touching the sensitive areas to which American plebiscite would readily re- spond with enthusiasm. uWhat are the major causes of a been weakening for some time now. A jor players for his foreign policy team. Trump win? cursory look at the political map of the Some have said that Newt Gingrich, There are a litany of reasons for United States shows how dominant the John Bolton or Senator Bob Corker (cur- Trump’s victory, but I believe one of “Red” states (Republican states) have rent chair of the Senate Foreign Rela- the main reasons for his victory was his become in the country. tions Committee) are leading candidates unorthodox campaign and his focus on to become the Secretary of State in the “the forgotten Americans” and prom- uAnalysts believe Trump will largely new Trump administration. These, espe- ising to “Make America Great Again.” remain untouched by formal power cially Gingrich and Bolton, are extreme Trump did not focus on detailed policy structures in the US, since he is hawks. Regarding the JCPOA, Trump has issues, his was a campaign that target- financially independent. How do you been very critical of it and, from time to ed the fear and anger that many Amer- think of it? time, has indicated his plan to tear the icans, especially the white electorate, I don’t quite agree with this as- document up and renegotiate a new felt about their government and what sessment. We have to remember that deal. I think the JCPOA will face signifi- is normally referred to as the “Washing- Trump had never held an elective po- cant obstacles once Trump is in office. ton Establishment.” litical office. Once in office, Trump will He may not officially discard it, but with have to recognize how Washington a Republican majority in both the House uHow would Democrats lose the works, which means that he will have to and the Senate, Trump will have an easy elections in the House and the Senate make some compromises, including eco- time to ignore the JCPOA and support along with a defeat in presidential race nomic compromises, with powerful eco- more sanctions on Iran. to win the White House? nomic lobbies. Running as major country Nader Entessar is Professor and Chair The Democratic Party was already in requires skills that are different from run- of the Department of Political Science the minority in the House of Represent- ning one’s real estate properties. and Criminal Justice at the University atives and the Senate. It was almost im- of South Alabama. He is the author possible for the Democrats to gain con- uWhat will dominate Trump’s Middle of more than 70 articles and book trol of the House; they had hoped to be East agenda? And in as with Iran’s chapters in scholarly publications and able to gain the majority in the Senate, JCPOA, will he remain committed to its has published six books. Dr. Entessar’s but the Democratic defeat at the top of obligations? latest publications are ‘Kurdish Politics the ticket made this also an impossible It is too early to assess Trump’s for- in the Middle East’ and ‘Iran’s Northern task. The Democratic Party’s hold in eign policy at this time. We will have to Exposure: Foreign Policy Challenges in the majority of the states in the US has wait and see who Trump selects as ma- Eurasia.’| Dossier Page 70 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY Political analyst Finian Cunningham: With wiser counsel, Trump’s views on Iran to temper for better ties

Interview by: Marjohn Sheikhi pendence from Washington’s foreign media are embedded with the oligarchy. policies, such as on NATO and hostility The media wanted Hillary Clinton to Political analyst Finian Cunningham towards Moscow.” win because she is a willing puppet of says while US bad faith is already He then goes on to call Trump’s con- the oligarchy. Part of the prediction-er- extant regardless of Trump, if Trump troversial remarks against minorities ror was due to blind media bias against shows his pragmatism and learns from and Iran’s nuclear deal an area of con- Trump and his supporters and also part- wiser counsel, his views on Iran could cern, attesting that while “Trump does ly due to willing propaganda to sway temper for better relations. not appear to be in the warmongering the election in her favor. As it turned category”, the US system is “always out, the majority of ordinary Americans The US election of 2016 was already prone to militarism and conflict in the weren’t hoodwinked by the Washing- a heated presidential race which culmi- world to project its imperialist hegem- ton elite and their servile media. That is nated spectacularly in the election of ony.” phenomenal. Because it shows that the the Republican candidate Donald Trump The following is Mehr News Agency’s US elite and their propaganda control whose election campaign was marred by interview with Finian Cunningham, an over the populace are rejected. Without controversial remarks, and was thought Irish political commentator who is cur- this hegemonic control over the people, by many mainstream media to be the rently based in East Africa: the elites and their warmongering agen- least likely to win. Yet, while Democrat- da have been abruptly checked. That ic party nominee Hilary Clinton had a uWhat is your evaluation of the US could then permit better international wider popular vote (47.8% to 47.3%), it election results? How come all the relations between the US and the rest of was the businessman Trump who won predictions by many media were the world. the electoral college (56.88% to 43.12%) proven wrong? that determines the next president to sit I see the election of Donald Trump as uWhat do you think was the main in the White House. a popular revolt by the American peo- factor that diminished Clinton’s To shed light on various aspects of ple against many years of political and chances at presidency? the election results, Mehr News Agen- economic disenfranchisement by the Clinton was rightly seen by most cy reached out to Finian Cunningham, US ruling class. The US political class of American citizens as a corrupt tool of an expert on international affairs, who Washington-based elites, in both main Wall Street, the corporate elite and the believes that the election of ‘outsider’ parties, function more like an oligarchy military-industrial complex. Her fraudu- Trump is “a popular protest to the fun- than a representative government. The lent “liberalism” and “humanitarianism” damentally undemocratic” US which majority of ordinary Americans have have been responsible for prosecuting could then “permit better international seen their livelihoods and communi- wars and conflicts in the Middle East, relations between the US and the rest of ties deteriorate over many years while North Africa and Europe (Ukraine) and the world.” the Washington “Beltway Bubble” has the grave deterioration in US relations Cunningham argues that the “exit grown ever richer through cronyism with with Russia. Clinton as Secretary of State polls from the US election indicate that Wall Street financial elites and corporate in the Obama administration was a key many people who voted for Trump did America. So, the election of Trump who driver for the rise of Takfiri terrorism af- so not so much because they positively is seen as an outsider to the Washington flicting many countries. American peo- endorsed Trump, but more because it system is a popular protest to the funda- ple realized that Clinton’s conduct and was a protest vote against the Ameri- mentally undemocratic character which her abuse of political office to enrich her can oligarchy and to keep Clinton out of US politics has become. That undem- own family is tantamount to very seri- power”. ocratic character is also expressed in ous crimes of corruption and treason. He views Trump presidency in a pos- relentless war-making by the US ruling American people understood that if she itive light, saying it will “increase ten- class. The media predictions got the re- were to be elected president the upshot dencies within the EU for more inde- sult so wrong because the US dominant would be even more corruption and in- » Dossier Page 71 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY ternational conflict, especially towards ton to become next president. Where- uHow do you predict Trump’s Russia. Exit polls from the US election in- as eastern European countries facing administration’s policies in regard to dicate that many people who voted for problems of immigration are inclined Iran and the nuclear deal which he had Trump did so not so much because they to agree with Trump’s rhetoric about threatened to tear up? positively endorsed Trump, but more tighter immigration controls. Within This is another area of concern. because it was a protest vote against the the EU, there is also much discord over Trump is of course wrong on opposing American oligarchy and to keep Clinton US-led sanctions against Russia and the the deal. He said some very disappoint- out of power for the sake of creating a expansion of the NATO military alliance. ing things about how Iran would use the more peaceful world. She was seen as Trump’s call for better relations with accord to fund “terrorism” and that he criminal and dangerous. Russia and his stated agnosticism to- would tear up the deal when he takes of- wards NATO will boost Europeans who fice. Another foreign policy area of con- uRepublicans not only won the White also share these views. It is notable that cern is his apparent fervent support for House on Election Day, but they also unlike the incumbent governments, op- the Israeli regime, saying that he would maintained their majorities both in the position parties in France and Germany make Jerusalem the sole capital of the House and the Senate. What would a are welcoming Trump’s victory. Parties Zionist occupation of Palestine. On the Republican-controlled America mean like Marine Le Pen’s National Front are Iran nuclear deal, it is hard to see how to the country itself and the world? critical of the way EU governments have Trump could simply rescind it because it The Republican Congress that pre- toed the line from Washington. The is an internationally binding accord. So vailed under Democrat president Ba- Brexit vote in Britain shared this more we will have to wait and see how this rack Obama was generally seen to be skeptical sentiment towards Washing- pans out. Anyway, under Obama, and “hawkish” with regard to Russia, Iran ton. That is why the German and French presumably his would-be successor Clin- and other issues. So, the prospect of governments are particularly unnerved ton, the nuclear deal was being abused a Republican presidency under Trump by Trump’s election. They fear that it by Washington balking at implementing and a Republican legislature might make will add fuel to the rise of anti-EU par- the lifting of sanctions. So it’s not as if some people feel apprehensive with ties within their own countries. Merkel Clinton would have been much better. regard to US foreign policy being more and Hollande are facing elections next Washington’s bad faith is already extant aggressive and hostile. However, Trump year and could be thrown out of office. regardless of Trump. However, maybe has positioned himself as being more of Overall, I think a Trump presidency will if Trump shows his pragmatism and is a pragmatic leader, seeking more coop- increase tendencies within the EU for open to learning from wiser counsel, erative international relations, less mili- more independence from Washington’s his views on Iran could temper for bet- tary interventionism and concentrating foreign policies, such as on NATO and ter relations. Overall, Trump does not his efforts on “fixing American society”. hostility towards Moscow. That is bound appear to be in the warmongering cate- If he can assert his more pragmatic, less to be a good outcome. gory that has so dominated Washington hostile foreign agenda then the Repub- for too long. That makes him potentially lican-dominated Congress might make uHow will Trump’s presidency affect more reasonable as an American presi- his policies more achievable. I also think the conditions of minorities in the US? dent. But we are talking in relative terms the Republican hawks in Congress would And what about the Muslim visitors, here. The US political-economic system have to be more mindful that the Amer- seeing as he had once called for a total is always prone to militarism and con- ican people have clearly demonstrated shutdown of Muslims entering the US? flict in the world to project its imperial- that they are averse to war and conflict This is certainly an area of concern. ist hegemony. One person in the White and that they are now demanding that Trump has inflamed certain circles of House cannot change that fundamental politicians abandon military adventur- white racism with his rhetoric. How- structure and tendency. The best one ism overseas, and instead concentrate ever, I don’t anticipate a surge in racial can hope for at this stage in history is a on rebuilding America at home after tensions under Trump. I don’t detect slightly more civilized, cooperative US decades of economic decay and looting him as being a racist bigot. A lot of his president. by the elite. rhetoric was probably electioneering to mobilize the disenfranchised demo- Originally from Belfast, Ireland, Finian uWith many endorsements for Hillary graphic of poor working class Americans Cunningham (born 1963) is a prominent Clinton by some European leaders, worried about excessive immigration. I expert in international affairs. The what countries would now find the US think Trump will tamp down this poten- author and media commentator is a closer ally with Trump as president? tially nefarious aspect of his presidency. a Master’s graduate in Agricultural The reaction from European govern- Interestingly, voting results show that Chemistry and worked as a scientific ments seems to be split between the he received substantial support from editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, likes of Germany and France which are African-Americans and Latinos. That Cambridge, England, before pursuing a strongly “atlanticist” and those such as suggests that people were more moti- career in journalism. For over 20 years, Hungary, Czech Republic and others who vated by what they discern as his more Cunningham worked as an editor and are more critical of what they see as the important, realistic policies of economic writer in the mainstream news media, EU being too subservient to the US. Ger- revival for the masses and withdrawing including The Mirror, Irish Times and many and France were firmly for Clin- from overseas conflicts. Independent| Dossier Page 72 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Interview by: Javad Heirannia Mark Fitzpatrick: Director of the non-proliferation program at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) believes Trump cannot unilaterally Trump is smart enough to keep JCPOA alive, at least to avoid the blame possibly put on the first party to renegotiate JCPOA undermine the deal.

Mark Fitzpatrick told Javad Hei- rannia of Mehr News International Service in a short interview that any Trumpian scheme to kill the JCPOA would have far-reaching impact on the US’ European allies parties to the deal; he underplays Trump’s campaign promises; “dur- ing the campaign, Trump said many things about the JCPOA, some of them contradictory.” Mr. Fitzpatrick’s article is a criti- cal discussion of claims of violations of the deal both by the US and Iran; there, Fitzpatrick argues that neither side had been violating the JCPOA. “The most consistent thing he said, however, was that he would renego- impact Trump’s foreign policy about bear the blame and his allies will not tiate the deal,” he said. “Because it Iran? be inclined to join in any ‘snap-back’ of is an international agreement among Most of the men advising Trump sanctions. He instead will put pressure eight parties, he cannot unilaterally on foreign policy matters and those on Iran in other ways, so that if Iran renegotiate it.” he has named to key positions are responds by breaking the deal, it will known to have grave concerns about bear the burden of blame. It would be uPresident-elect Donald Trump Iran’s behavior, including its involve- best if no party violated the deal. In- claimed during the presidential ment in other states. One might say stead, those who want to strengthen campaign that Obama showed they are antagonistic toward the Is- the deal should seek to supplement or favoritism toward Iran in the nuclear lamic Republic of Iran, recognizing replace it with a new deal, meanwhile agreement and that he would that there are some valid reasons keeping the JCPOA alive. renegotiate it. What will Trump for this. Because they are the ones actually do? who will be filling in the details of uSuppose Trump does violate the During the campaign Trump said his foreign policy and implementing JCPOA, then what will be the reaction many things about the JCPOA, some it, their views matter a great deal. of the US’ European allies? of them contradictory. The most con- Although Trump himself may be in- If the US unilaterally violates the sistent thing he said, however, was clined to make a deal with Iran, his JCPOA, it would cause a foreign policy that he would renegotiate the deal. advisers will be more inclined to first crisis with America’s partners, particu- Because it is an international agree- up the pressure. larly those who were also party to the ment among eight parties, he cannot accord. Most of them would be reluc- unilaterally renegotiate it. He can im- uSome argue the Trump will not tant to join the US in imposing new pose new sanctions on Iran in order violate the JCPOA and instead will sanctions on Iran. to try to pressure it to seek a new impose sanctions Iran on grounds of deal, either to replace the JCPOA or terrorism and human rights violations. Mark Fitzpatrick is Executive Director to supplement it. If so, how will such actions affect the of IISS–Americas, responsible for future of JCPOA? representing the institute in the uThe circle around Trump included I think that prediction is correct. Western Hemisphere. He also heads severe opponents of Iran and the Trump is smart enough to realize that the IISS Non-Proliferation and Nuclear JCPOA. How much will this circle if he tries to kill the deal, America will Policy Programme.| Dossier Page 73 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

Political scientist: late their costly arms races. Given the economic dependency of the US on China, what is the right ap- Trump to offer Taipei to proach of Washington toward Beijing? Today’s China is a champion of free trade while the US is sliding toward pro- Beijing ‘on silver platter’ tectionism. China will be happy to arm wrestle over the details of economic policy because they are confident they can defend their interests and continue to close the wealth and power gaps with the US. But many Chinese leaders ex- pect the US will try to provoke a war in order to derail China’s rise and to crush its military strength before it matures into a serious rival. If Trump tries to use economic maneuvering in ways that threaten Chinese security, hardliners in Beijing will not assume he is bluffing or horse trading. They’ll conclude that he is preparing for war and that they can’t afford to hold their fire.

uSome are of the opinion that Trump Interview by: Mehdi Zolfaghari cannot “be easily bullied.” had a contact to Taiwan while he was Mehdi Zolfaghari, of Mehr News In- not the official president of the US; A University of Chicago professor ternational Service reached Professor therefore, he is after exerting pressure believes Europe is just as dispensable Robert R. Bianchi in University of Chi- on China. Does he intend to follow suit as Taiwan and the president-elect has cago, to ask him about the significance after swearing in and becoming the surrendered it in advance. of Trump’s call and the ensuing tension official president? between the US and China. Bianchi be- Guessing games and psychologi- Donald J. Trump has recently made a lieves that if Trump tries to use econom- cal manipulation are integral elements phone call to Tsai-Ing-wen, president of ic maneuvering in ways that threatens of statecraft in China and many oth- Taiwan. This was the first call of the US Chinese security, hardliners in Beijing er countries with longer international president to a high-ranking official of Tai- will not assume he is bluffing or horse experience than the US. If a New York wan in nearly 40 years, an issue arousing trading; therefore, Europe is just as real estate tycoon wants to try his luck China’s authorities’ harsh reaction call- dispensable as Taiwan and the presi- with Chinese adversaries, they’ll proba- ing the US for not only to respect ‘One dent-elect will surrender it in advance: bly welcome the opportunity to see his China’ policy, but also refuse to continue gong fu. such an approach in the future. uDonald Trump has recently made a Obama reiterated the US commit- contact with the head of Taiwan. This uRex Tillerson - a figure who has ment to One China policy earlier in is the first call of the US leadership a warm relationship with Russia- the week as a general agreement with to Taiwan after 37 years. What is the has finally been nominated as the China; however, the phone call had a reason behind it? Secretary of State position. How would far-reaching impact on the US-China re- Trump is precisely the type of opera- his nomination affect the US- Russia lations in that China’s foreign ministry tor Taiwan should avoid. He is virtually relationship on the one hand and the said in a scheduled briefing that it was offering Taipei to Beijing on a silver plat- US- EU relationship on the other? extremely concerned with Trump’s com- ter while sniffing the rewards he hopes Tillerson nomination sends a single ments, with spokesman Geng Shuang to extract from the bargain. People in message to Moscow and every Western telling reporters that the policy was the Taiwan and every other East Asian coun- capital—Europe is just as dispensable as basis of relations between the world’s try suspect that American security guar- Taiwan and the new American president two largest economies. The govern- antees are empty and that it is just a mat- surrenders it in advance. ment’s official response came after the ter of time until Washington and Beijing Communist Party-owned paper, Global divide the Pacific Basin into spheres of Robert R. Bianchi is a political scientist Times, published an opinion piece with influence. Trump’s telephone ploy will and an international lawyer with special the headline: “Trump, please listen stoke their worst fears of abandonment, interests in China and the Islamic World. clearly, the One China policy cannot be making them more susceptible to Chi- He received his doctorate and law traded” as it warned Trump that China nese pressures and more likely to esca- degrees at the University of Chicago| Page 74 |No. 7| January 2017 MEHR NEWSAGENCY

ELECOMP 2016 News in Vision Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei received President of Indonesia Joko Widodo on Dec. 15 in Tehran.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei received Slovenian President Borut Pahor on Nov. 23. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei met with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö on Oct. 27.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei has received Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidential Council Head Bakir Izetbegovic on Oct. 25.

Visiting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met on Oct. 22 with Leader of the Islamic Revolution ayatollah Khamenei. Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif attended a meeting on Syria with Sergey Lavrov of Russia and Cavusoglu of Turkey in Moscow on Dec. 20.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif paid tribute to the late Russian Ambassador to Ankara Andrey Karlov on Dec. 20, ahead of talks with his counterpart Sergei Lavrov. President Rouhani met with Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano on Dec. 18 in Tehran.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehghan met with South African President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria on Dec. 14. Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani met Peter Maurer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Dec. 7.

Cinema Vérité, 10th Iran International Documentary Film Festival, kicked off in Charsou Cineplex on Dec. 4. Signing ceremony for MoU between National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC) and the world’s largest oilfield services company Schlumberger was held in Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, on Nov. 27.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Nov. 26 in Tehran. Thirty-six people were killed and 80 injured so far in collision of Semnan-Mashhad and Tabriz-Mashhad trains on Nov. 25.

Karbala hosted the largest human society in history on Nov. 21. Millions of Muslims across the world commemorated Arbaeen, a religious observance that occurs 40 days after the Day of Ashura. The 8th edition of Iran Air Show started on November 16 on Kish Island in the presence of Minister of Defense General Dehghan and VP Sorena Sattari.

Opening ceremony of the 5th News Agencies World Congress and the 16th General Assembly of Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) kicked off on Nov. 16 at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku. Iran attended the event with representatives from Mehr News Agency and IRNA. Iranian, Chinese defense ministers meet Iran’s Minister of Defense General Hossain Dehghan held talks with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan on Nov. 15 in Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with Russian Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko on Nov. 14 in Tehran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with the Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Laszlo Kover on Nov. 12 in Tehran.

The 22nd International Press Exhibition was inaugurated in Tehran on Nov. 5.

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif hosted EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini on Oct. 29 in Tehran.