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8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13871 Saturday JANUARY 30, 2021 Bahman 11, 1399 Jumada Al thani 16, 1442 ‘Do not rush for FIFA President Infantino Iran registers 3rd Iran issues permit annihilation,” Iranian mourns loss of Mehrdad highest production to use Russian general warns Israel Page 2 Minavand Page 3 growth in world Page 4 COVID-19 vaccine Page 7

Iran’s Vaezi: We have not quit Saudis betting on the nuclear deal to rejoin it TEHRAN - Mahmoud Vaezi, the Iranian Secretary of State Antony Blinken has President’s Chief of Staff, said on Friday said Iran should first return to the deal. See page 3 that Iran has never withdrawn from the “For us there is no difference between nuclear deal so that it would be the first to the Trump and Biden administrations; return to its obligations, IRNA reported therefore, Iran’s stance will not change,” wrong horse on Friday. he noted. “We held negotiations once and the He stressed, “As President Rouhani issue of the JCPOA has been closed. Our has repeatedly said, only when the U.S. stance on the JCPOA was clear and we returns to its obligations, Iran will fulfill have maintained our past approach,” its commitments.” Vaezi said when asked that the new U.S. Continued on page 2

39th Fajr Theater Festival to kick off today TEHRAN -- The 39th Fajr Theater Festi- would be a great interruption causing the- val, with no international section because atrical figures to lose their connections of coronavirus restrictions, will be inau- with theater,” Minister of Culture and gurated with a selection of 107 plays in Islamic Guidance, Seyyed Abbas Salehi Tehran today. said during a meeting with the organizers “Perhaps during the very first months of on Thursday. the pandemic canceling events that had less “The energy and passion and dynamism of a historical record was much easier, but in Iranian society indicate that art will canceling the Fajr Theater Festival, which not be shut down. is almost as old as the Islamic Revolution, Continued on page 8

Water, wastewater management projects worth $1.33b inaugurated TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan Golestan province. Rouhani, on Thursday, inaugurated Inaugurated in the 43rd series of in- 3,569 projects worth 56.1 trillion rials auguration ceremonies in the current (about $1.33 billion) aimed for natural Iranian calendar year (started on March

resources and watershed management, 20, 2020), the mentioned projects are as well as the development of irrigation going to create job opportunities for over and drainage networks in the country’s 105,771 people. western and northwestern regions and Continued on page 4 File photo

Soleimani showed Iran diplomat says ‘window is closing’ for Biden U.S. establishing new military base U.S. and Israel are to rejoin nuclear deal in Hasaka sources of terrorism: Iran’s highest-ranking diplomat in the USA of JCPOA, which will benefit all sides,” said Majid The U.S. occupation forces have begun to build a nomic interests in controlling the oilfields in warned the Biden administration it “must act Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s ambassador to the United new military base in al-Yaroubia area in Hasaka, the country. Islamic Jihad official quickly” to return to the 2015 nuclear deal aban- Nations, in exclusive remarks to USA TODAY. Syria, deploying logistic materials and military On July 30, 2020, and during his testimony to doned by President Donald Trump “because If Iran’s deadline passes without some kind equipment there, according to the Syrian Arab the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, former BY REZA MOSHFEGH the window is closing” for Washington to lift of compromise, it could effectively push Iran News Agency (SANA). U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed TEHRAN – A senior official of the Pal- economic sanctions before Tehran’s deadline, one step closer to the 90% uranium enrichment Citing local sources on Thursday, the news for the first time that an American oil company estinian Islamic Jihad says that General USA Today reported on Thursday. level required for a nuclear weapon. Iran has agency said 10 military troop carriers were would begin work in the Syrian Democratic Forces Qassem Soleimani succeeded to show the Iran’s parliament set a deadline of Feb. 21 been enriching at about 20%, a violation of the brought to al-Malikiyah city in northeast of (SDF)-controlled northeastern Syria. peoples of the region that America and for Biden to lift U.S. sanctions as part of a move accord, as part of its response to the U.S. exit Hasaka to be moved to al-Yaroubia area near The practice of seizing or taking advantage Israel are sponsors of terrorism. back into the now-breached agreement known from the deal. the Iraqi border. of oil resources in a foreign country, without “The martyr Qassem Soleimani used to as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or Ravanchi said in the interview the UN nuclear The United States claims its forces are there the consent of the sovereign authority, amounts see the American and Zionist occupation JCPOA. If the United States fails to act, Iran inspectors would not be expelled from Iran, but to “fight terrorism,” but Syria says Washington to a violation of international law. as the source of terrorism and sponsorship plans to suspend some inspections of its nuclear additional access to its nuclear sites it provided is plundering its oil. A U.S.-led military coalition has been bom- of terrorism in the world,” Khalid al-Batsh sites by United Nations nuclear inspectors – a on a voluntary basis would be halted. Since late October 2019, the United States barding what it claimed was positions of the tells the Tehran Times. key provision of the accord – and further boost Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the has been redeploying troops to the oilfields Daesh terrorist group inside Syria since Sep- “He considered that the occupation of uranium enrichment. United States will rejoin the accord only after controlled by Kurdish forces in eastern Syr- tember 2014 without any authorization from Palestine, the invasion of the Lebanese “We have said time and again that if the U.S. Iran comes back into compliance. This means, ia, in a reversal of former President Donald the Damascus government or a UN mandate. lands and the presence of American forces decides to go back to its international commit- in part, limiting uranium enrichment to less Trump’s earlier order to withdraw all troops The strikes have on many occasions resulted in Syria, Iraq, the Persian Gulf and Afghan- ments and lift all the illegal sanctions against than 4%. from the country. in civilian casualties and failed to fulfill their istan are terrorism and occupation,” the Iran, we will go back to the full implementation Continued on page 2 Trump has said Washington sought eco- declared aim of countering terrorism. Palestinian politician argues. The following is the text of the interview: Why do we find a sharp difference between the scourge of “terrorism” Iran’s IAEA envoy: Extra-ordinary cooperation may be no longer on agenda Intl. festival of Iranian between the Western world powers TEHRAN- Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Ambassador deal once Tehran meets its commitments. confirmed President Joe Biden’s willingness to return tribes goes online and the axis of resistance? and Permanent Representative to international or- In a tweet, Gharibabadi wrote, “Cooperation and to the accord rejected by his predecessor but refused Undoubtedly, there is a big difference ganizations in Vienna, has warned about a possible good-will are two-way streets NOT a one-way boulevard. to accept Iran’s demand from the U.S. to act first. TEHRAN – Iran’s 14th edition of the International between the concept of the oppressed peo- change in the level of cooperation between Iran and The new law of the parliament has given also another “Iran is out of compliance on a number of fronts. And Festival of Tribes Culture has commenced virtually ple of terrorism and the major powers’ the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). chance to maintain the extremely unprecedented and it would take some time, should it make the decision to due to the outbreak of coronavirus. colonial concept of terrorism. Gharibabadi’s remarks came in response to the impressive cooperation with the IAEA by removing do so, for it to come back into compliance and time for Hosted by the northern city of Gorgan in Golestan The Western powers, sponsored by conditions set by the new U.S. administration for re- the sanctions.” us then to assess whether it was meeting its obligations,” province, the festival seeks to promote the vibrant the U.S. administration and Israel, see turning to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action In another tweet, he asserted, “Let’s hope to see the Blinken told a news conference on Wednesday. nomadic cultural heritage of the country, Golestan’s every person resisting their project as a (JCPOA), the common name for the 2015 nuclear deal. opportunities won’t be missed and the extra-ordinary Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister, governor-general Hadi Haqshenas said, addressing terrorist, and believe that everyone who Antony Blinken, the new U.S. secretary of state, has cooperation is not back to ordinary.” has urged the U.S. rejoin the deal first by lifting eco- the opening ceremony on Thursday. opposes the Zionist project and seeks to said the United States will only return to the nuclear On his first day as the top U.S. diplomat, Blinken nomic and financial sanctions. Continued on page 6 liberate its people from the occupation of Israel is a terrorist. From here any entity or any person “Second announcement” who is hostile to America and confronts Para skiers its ambitions and Israeli expansionist BISOTON TAMIN Paper policies is considered a “terrorist.” The inclusion of the Iranian Revolution compete in Dizin Company Guard Corps on the American terrorism list Tehran- Iran is also an attempt to intimidate Iranians TEHRAN – Five Iranian Para skiers and one BISOTON TAMIN Paper Industrial and to discourage them from resisting Romanian athlete took part in the Dizin Inter- the Zionist regime and also to scare the national Para Alpine Skiing on Jan. 27 and 28. Company intends to purchase Stock supporters and allies of Iran in the region. The competition served as a qualification Preparation Line for its Board Grade However, Iran’s allies, whether the event for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter paper production plant (225 t/day). resistance forces, Hezbollah, Hamas and Games. Manufacturers who intend to participate the Islamic Jihad movement know very The Games will feature a maximum of 736

in an aforementioned tender are requested well that the American enemy is trying to Para athletes and 78 medal events. undermine their position in the region, Dizin is located in the Alborz mountain to submit their “Intention to participate” and they see themselves in a state of clash range, about 70km North from Tehran. It’s letter including references & resume via with the American-led coalition. America’s the most famous and the largest ski piste and following email address until Sunday 31st policies are hostile to the Islamic nations winter sport center in Iran.

Masoud Hossein January 2021. but they are ready to pay the price. I believe that the side who assassinated Email address: [email protected] martyr Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi The company is authorized to reject al-Muhandis, and also Palestinian leaders or accept each or every tender within in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon, was the framework of its internal trading the Zionist regime. Tehran Times/ Continued on page 5 regulations. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS JANUARY 30, 2021

Robert Malley: More ‘Do not rush for annihilation,” demanding for Tehran to deal with By Azin Sahabi Iranian general warns Israel TEHRAN – U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to appoint Robert Malley as special envoy for Iran was reported on January 28 by The New York Times, citing two senior State Department officials. A senior Iranian Armed Forces spokesman says Zionist regime’s war threats are ‘really illusions” State Department official confirming earlier reports, reassured the POLITICAL TEHRAN – Two Iranian “They are not aware of the capabilities Associated Press of the appointment, too deskgenerals has responded of the Islamic Republic. The capabilities As the State Department official clarified, it seems that Secretary to war rhetoric by Israeli officials who have have not been revealed yet and part of it was of State Anthony Blinken’s key picks for decision making on Iran are threated military attacks on Iran’s nuclear revealed in the recent exercises,” Shekarchi old-handed experts with diverse point of views. In fact, Malley, as the sites as Biden took office in January 20, 2021. remarked. leading figure in this regard, has notable records not only on Iran but Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan, mil- Predicting a collapse of Israel in the near also the broader West Asia, including Arab-Israeli conflict. The official, itary advisor to the Leader of the Islamic future, he said, “The Zionist regime should speaking on the condition of anonymity, referring to Blinken, said: Revolution and former defense minister, not think of anything other than its collapse “Secretary Blinken is building a dedicated team, leading that team on Thursday downplayed Israeli threats and should not talk of its plans for future.” as our Special Envoy for Iran will be Rob Malley, who brings to the against Iran, saying Israel does not dare Last week, Aviv Kochavi, the Israeli army position a track record of success negotiating constraints on Iran’s to fire even a single bullet at Iran. chief of staff, said Israeli military was re- nuclear program.” “They do not even dare to fire a bullet at freshing its operational plans against Iran He adds: “The secretary is confident he and his team will be able dear Iran,” General Dehqan tweeted. and that any U.S. return to a 2015 nuclear to do that once again.” Emphasizing that Iran’s doctrine is de- deal with Tehran would be “wrong.” Malley is a veteran West Asia expert fensive, yet he said Iran’s strategy is “based “In light of this fundamental analysis, I Biden pick for this demanding position in the Department of State on severe punishment for the aggressors.” have instructed the Israel Defense Forces has been president and CEO of the International Crisis Group since According to Fars, he also warned Israelis, to prepare a number of operational plans, 2018. The Washington-based think tank writes vastly on various “Do not rush for annihilation.” in addition to those already in place,” he issues regarding Iran’s domestic and international affairs in English, Shekarchi Dehqan Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, noted. Nevertheless, he announced it is re- Persian and Arabic. spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces, threats against Iran, saying, “The threats army have psychological warfare aspects, sponsibility of “the political leadership to also shrugged off the Israeli military officials’ of the Chief of Staff of the Zionist regime’s and if they are true, they are really illusions.” decide on implementation” of military plan. Iran’s Vaezi: We have not quit nuclear deal to rejoin it 1 Iran started to gradually reduce some of its nuclear saying, “The U.S. violated the JCPOA, blocked food and American counterpart in his twitter account. commitments only one year after the Trump administration medicine to Iranians, and even punished adherence to the In a press conference in Istanbul on Friday with his Turkish withdrew from the JCPOA and imposed the harshest ever UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, Zarif also said this demand sanctions against Iran in violation of the agreement and UN nuclear deal.” by the new team of the Biden administration that Iran should Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorses the accord. Zarif then asked, “Throughout that sordid mess, Iran fully comply with its obligations first is not logical because Iran reduced its nuclear commitments based on para- abided by the JCPOA, only took foreseen remedial measures. it is the U.S. which has pulled out of the JCPOA. graph 36 of the JCPOA. Now, who should take 1st step?” “Now it is the duty of the U.S. to return to the JCPOA In a tweet on Thursday, Zarif also responded to Blinken, “Never forget Trump’s maximum failure,” he told his first,” Zarif insisted.

In addition, Malley has held numerous senior positions in the Democratic administrations of Obama and former President Bill Clinton. His area of expertise are West Asia and the Persian Gulf Iran has stockpiled 17 kilogram of %20 enriched uranium policymaking. He advised Biden’s team during the 2020 campaign on the above issues. Moreover, Malley, the son of an Egyptian-born POLITICAL TEHRAN – Behrooz Ka- Lift Sanctions Act” approved by the Irani- purity at its Fordow facility on January 4. to the JCPOA and the U.S. return to the desk Syrian Jew journalist, was an informal adviser to Obama’s 2008 malvandi, spokesman for an Parliament, Rouhani’s administration Kamalvandi noted the AEOI, as a tech- accord, officials have underlined that the campaign but resigned after it emerged he had met representatives the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran was obliged to accelerate Iran’s peaceful nical entity, fully enforces the law, and the Iran’s nuclear organization will wait for of the Palestinian group Hamas while working for the International (AEOI), said on Thursday that after the nuclear program. parliament and the government will decide the decisions of the top Iranian politicians. Crisis Group. Malley was later brought into the Obama administration implementation of the strategic law on lifting Article one of the law orders the AEOI to suspend the Additional Protocol to the “It’s not only the enrichment. We have as a top West Asia adviser. sanctions, Iran has accumulated about 17 to immediately after the ratification of the NPT, and the AEOI is fully prepared to do so. achieved a lot in the field of radiophar- Malley as a top national security official in the Obama adminis- kilograms of 20 percent enriched uranium. act, produce 20%-enriched uranium for Pointing to installing IR-2m centrifuges, maceuticals, yellowcake production, and tration, played an effective role in brokering the 2015 nuclear deal Paying a visit to the Fordow Fuel En- peaceful purposes and stockpile at least he announced that according to the parlia- oxygen,” the spokesman remarked. between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security richment Plant (FFEP), Kamalvandi said 120 kilograms of it annually, and fully and ment’s law on the strategic plan for lifting The senior nuclear official underscored Council (U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China) Germany and the Eu- that as a technical organization, the AEOI promptly meet domestic need for uranium the sanctions on the Natanz nuclear site, that there are currently 17 kilograms of 20% ropean Union. is obliged to fully implement the legal ap- enriched above 20-percent purity level for Iran will install 1,000 IR2m centrifuge enriched uranium stockpiles, adding the Also, under the Clinton and Obama administrations, Malley provals. peaceful purposes. machines within three months. nuclear industry’s capability is not com- helped organize the 2000 Camp David summit as special assistant According to “The Strategic Action to Iran started enriching uranium up to 20% Regarding other parties’ commitments parable to previous years. to Bill Clinton. Malley’s pros and cons Despite his rich record in West Asia affairs, when Malley’s name first grabbed the headlines as a leading candidate succeeding El- Turkey, Iran, Russia emphasize Syrian Constitutional Committee to focus on peace liott Abrams, the former neoconservative Trump’s envoy for Iran, POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iran, Turkey and Russia It also said that the committee should work independent- desk some GOP figures and pro-Israel groups criticized the choice. They issued a joint statement on Thursday ly from “foreign interference” and develop a consensus expressed concern that he would be soft on Iran and tough on Israel with regard to the Syria crisis, calling on the Syrian Con- between its members to gather the wide possible support vis-à-vis a number of foreign policy veterans praising him as a re- stitutional Committee to reach an agreement between among Syrians. spected, even-handed diplomat. parties to end the war in Syria. The next international meeting on Syria in the Astana Given Biden’s interest to re-enter JCPOA, some U.S. and foreign Iran Following consultations on the margins of the fifth format will take place in Sochi on Feb.16-17, 2021, the hawks, opposing the approach, have been vocal in criticizing Malley. meeting of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva, the statement said. For example, on Jan. 21, Eli Lake, a conservative journalist blamed three countries, as guarantors of the Astana peace talks, Iran, Turkey and Russia launched the Astana peace Malley in Bloomberg News for ignoring “Iran’s human rights abuses released a joint statement emphasizing their support for process to end the Syrian conflict in January 2017. and regional terror.” a sovereign, independent and united Syria. Syria has been ravaged by a multifaceted civil war Also, Tom Cotton, a Republican Senator from Arkansas retweeted According to Anadolu Agency, Iran, Turkey, and Russia since early 2011, when foreign fighters and extremists Lake’s piece and said: "Malley has a long track record of sympathy urged the Syrian Constitutional Committee on Thursday intervened militarily in the country to topple the Assad for the Iranian regime & animus towards Israel.” to seek compromise and consensus among the sides to government. Along this, Joel Pollak, a conservative political commentator and end the decade-long war. According to UN estimates, hundreds of thousands of current senior-editor-at-large for Breitbart News is opposing Malley, too. Praising the fifth meeting of the committee in Geneva, created by the Astana guarantor nations to endorse efforts people have been massacred and more than 10 million Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yaakov Amidror, a the statement underscored that the committee had been for a political and peaceful solution to the crisis. displaced. former Israeli major general and Israeli national security advisor, have expressed opposition to Malley’s appointment. Amidror has stated that if the U.S. re-enters the JCPOA, Israel may take military action against Iran. Iran diplomat says ‘window is closing’ for Biden to rejoin nuclear deal On the other hand, more than 200 groups and foreign policy ex- 1 “President Biden has been very government accuses Israel, with U.S. support, it has successfully waited out the maximum despite Tehran’s rhetoric to the contrary. perts have defended Biden’s reported front-runner for special envoy clear in saying that if Iran comes back into of being behind Fakhrizadeh’s killing. pressure program that we have in place,” said Seyed Mohammad Marandi, an Amer- to Iran. They signed an open seven pages letter published on January full compliance with its obligations under Iran insists that it is not interested in Idaho Sen. James Risch, the top Republican ican-born Iranian political analyst at the 28 of in which some self-proclaimed pro-democracy U.S. think tanks the JCPOA, the United States would do the developing a nuclear weapon and that its on the Foreign Relations Committee. University of Tehran, said the deadline and groups such as Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED), same thing,” Blinken said Wednesday. nuclear activities are intended for civil- Blinken said the priority is to get Iran’s was intended to signal to the Biden admin- the Quincy Institute, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) Tehran wants Washington to rejoin on the ian purposes only. nuclear capabilities “back in the box,” then istration that Iran is aware that much of the and J Street have described Malley as having the diplomatic chops same terms it left the accord. Ravanchi’s com- Nasser Hadian, a professor of international try to negotiate over other concerns. Trump administration’s actions were done needed for “fixing our broken policy towards Iran.” ments underscore the difficulties Iran and relations at the University of Tehran who has If the JCPOA can be revived, he told by decree. The above organizations supportive of Malley while stressing the United States face in resuming nuclear close links with officials in Iran’s Foreign lawmakers Jan. 19, “we would use that as a “This is about testing his sincerity,” he Biden’s rejoining to the JCPOA, argue that since Trump left the nu- diplomacy, as both sides insist the other Ministry, predicted that the United States platform to build, with our allies and part- said. “Just as Biden has been busy reversing clear deal, “Iran’s civil society is weaker and more isolated, making must act first. and Iran would return to the nuclear deal as ners, what we called a longer and stronger many of Trump’s executive orders, he could it harder for them to advocate for change.” “The party that needs to change course it existed under President Barack Obama’s agreement and to deal with a number of easily do this with the Iranian nuclear deal. A brief content analysis of the letter reveals the authors’ overt is the United States, and not Iran,” said Ra- administration. other issues that are deeply problematic in There’s nothing particularly complicated about hostility towards the Islamic Republic of Iran. Like their counter- vanchi, who helped negotiate the agreement “Washington may not be happy about the relationship with Iran.” this. It has nothing to do with Congress. parts, they accuse Iran of human rights abuse, praising Malley as that Trump withdrew from in 2018. He said it, but it knows it’s the only game in town,” Ali Vaez, an expert on Iran with the Cri- Biden’s hands are by no means tied. He an effective figure shaping the JCPOA which “significantly curbed Iran cannot accept a “renegotiation of the he said. sis Group, a nonpartisan organization that can do it with one signature.” Iran’s nuclear program.” nuclear deal.” Republicans in Congress, as well as some seeks to prevent conflict, said Iran’s Feb. 21 Marandi said, “Iran didn’t appease Trump With regard to praise of Malley apart from overt admiration of Washington accuses Iran of escalating Democrats, press Biden to make the most deadline “has now basically thrown a ticking for four years, and it’s not going to appease Trump’s policy towards Tehran expressed by Biden’s team can signal tensions through provocative acts such as of Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign time bomb into this process.” Biden,” whom Tehran views to be in a weak- the hypothesis that the likely approach of the new envoy can be a seizing cargo ships in the Persian Gulf (a on Iran. Under that policy, the Trump ad- If there’s no progress by that date, he ened position domestically because of social modified copy of his predecessors, Brian Hook and Elliott Abrams. vital route for oil supplies), backing Iranian ministration slapped hundreds of sanctions said, “I’m afraid … that significant nuclear divisions and an economic crisis caused by But maybe his strategy will be killing with a cushion. proxies who have repeatedly launched rockets on Iran. Lawmakers said Biden should use escalation is on the horizon.” the raging coronavirus pandemic. Biden’s likely architect of JCPOA 2: A demanding challenge at the U.S. embassy in Iraq and imprisoning that leverage to force Iran to curb that they He said the Biden administration faces U.S. sanctions on Iran target many of the Blinken, who is known to be more interventionist than his last Iranian Americans on false spying charges. its activities, including its ballistic missile a difficult calculation: Alienate members of drivers of its economy, such as the oil indus- boss, President Obama, expressed harsh remarks on Iran during his Blinken said the United States is a “long program and its support for what they call Congress and ignite a domestic firestorm, or try. These measures impeded Iran’s access confirmation hearings. While Malley had been a critique of Trump’s ways” from meeting President Joe Biden’s proxy groups. “prevent Iran’s nuclear program from cross- to personal protective equipment, vaccines withdrawal from the JCPOA as well as his maximum pressure cam- aspiration to rejoin the deal. “I fear returning to the JCPOA without ing the Rubicon towards weaponization.” and health services during its coronavirus paign against Iran, he firmly believes in military essence of Iran’s “Iran is out of compliance on a number of concrete efforts to address Iran’s other dan- Despite the obstacles, Vaez said there is outbreak, which is the worst in the Middle nuclear program. While condemning Trump’s approach towards fronts, and it would take some time, should it gerous and destabilizing activity would be “political will on both sides” to revive the East. The Trump administration said that Tehran, he denounced the JCPOA and explained that throughout make a decision to do so, for it to come back insufficient,” Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., JCPOA. by withdrawing from the nuclear accord Trump’s presidency “Iran’s nuclear program grew, increasingly into compliance and for us then to assess the incoming chairman of the Senate For- Biden could issue an executive order re- and reimposing sanctions, Iran would come unconstrained by the JCPOA. Tehran has more accurate ballistic whether it was meeting its obligations. So eign Relations Committee, told Blinken at voking Trump’s withdrawal from the deal, crawling back to the United States. That missiles than ever before and more of them. The regional picture we’re not there yet, to say the least,” Blinken his confirmation hearing Jan. 19. he said. Iranian leaders could issue a simi- hasn’t happened. grew more, not less, fraught.” said at a news briefing. Menendez said there is bipartisan sup- lar decree declaring their intention to come Ravanchi said the sanctions “are taking Therefore, it is expected that the leading figure of Blinken’s team Iran counters that Washington, not Tehran, port for a “comprehensive diplomatic ap- back into compliance. The two sides could a heavy toll on all Iranians, and particularly will be one of the primary architects of a possible JCPOA 2. Also, this is behind escalating tensions. It points to the proach” that would limit Iran’s “antagonistic” then craft a road map that would spell out vulnerable segments of the society. Even is worth considering that perhaps dealing with Malley will be more Pentagon’s killing of Iran’s top commander, activities. “staggered but coordinated and simultaneous medicines are not being spared from sanc- challenging for Tehran because the Oval Office under Biden seems Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in a U.S. airstrike in Republicans have been far more vocal steps for coming back to full compliance with tions during the pandemic.” determined to shape a deal to reach broader goals such as curbing Baghdad last January and the assassination in their campaign to dissuade Biden from the deal,” Vaez said. He said it’s time for the Biden admin- Iran’s missile program besides letting Arab regional actors participate of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, its top nuclear sci- rejoining the deal. Vaez said Iran could be open to a broader istration to “gain the trust of the Iranian in the negotiation process. entist, outside Tehran in November. Iran’s “Unfortunately, the Iranian regime thinks deal once the United States rejoins the JCPOA, people.” I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 30, 2021 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS Saudis betting on the wrong horse FIFA President Infantino mourns POLITICAL TEHRAN – In the early Gulf,” the newspaper continued. loss of Mehrdad Minavand deskweeks of his appointment Whether the Saudis and their Emirati allies as Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ja- would continue to reject Iran’s reconciliatory SPORTSTEHRAN — FIFA President Gianni Infantino vad Zarif requested a meeting with General efforts remains an open question. But they deskhas expressed his deep condolences to Iran Qassem Soleimani, the former commander seem to be once again adopting a wait-and-see Football Federation over the passing of Mehrdad Minavand. of Iran’s elite Quds Force, to discuss how to approach to see how the new U.S. president Minavand died at the age of 45 Wednesday night after losing patch up relations with Saudi Arabia. would deal with Iran. They have called on battle against COVID-19. He started his career at Tehran based During the meeting, Zarif proposed to Biden to include them in any future talks football club Pas in 1994 but joined Persepolis a year later. offer a regional initiative to discuss with Saudi with Iran, something, that if done, they think The left winger also played for Austrian club Sturm Graz authorities issues related to Bahrain, Syria, would prevent Washington from repeating and Charleroi from Belgium before returning to Persepolis Iraq and Lebanon, places where Iran had what they call “Obama-era mistakes” in terms once again in 2002. been locked in a bitter dispute with Saudi of dealing with Iran. Minavand was a member of Iran national football team in Arabia. But General Soleimani proposed The Saudi-UAE opposition to Iran’s the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where they registered their first-ever the Yemen file, which was yet to be in the goodwill gestures seems to be based on an victory in the competition against the U.S. in France. He also won limelight at that time. assessment that the new U.S. administration a bronze medal with the Persians in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. Zarif agreed to start off with that file. So will not go soft on Iran even if Biden himself “Words seem inadequate to express the sadness I feel. Mina- he sent a message to former Saudi Foreign doesn’t want to play hardball with it. vand’s legacy and his achievement, especially his personality, Minister Saud al-Faisal through a person sure campaign” of the Trump administration be achieved by accumulating weapons. The “We largely rule out the issue of repeat- his work ethics and his human qualities will not be forgotten, who was able to act as a secret backchannel would end with Iran. only way to establish security and stability is ing the scenario of former President Barack and he will be truly missed.” to top Saudi officials. To their chagrin, Trump lost the No- through broad regional cooperation among Obama’s administration in the region,” wrote “On behalf of the international football community, I wish to The Saudi response was disappointing. vember election. Although Joe Biden is the countries of the region, and Iran has al- Mohammad Khalfan al-Sawafi, an Emirati extend our deepest sympathy to the Iran Football Federation, and Al-Faisal gave a very short answer to what no friend of Iran, the Saudis and their ways emphasized its readiness to activate analyst, in an opinion piece for the Lon- to his family, friends and loved ones,” FIFA President Infantino appeared to be a long message of Iran. “The allies have been worried about a possi- such cooperation,” Zarif said in the latest don-based Al-Arab newspaper. said in his condolence message to Iran. Arab world is none of your business,” al-Faisal ble thaw in Iran-U.S. relations. To dispel Arabic tweet on Thursday. Pointing to the recent remarks by U.S. retorted. these concerns, Zarif and Iran’s foreign Earlier on January 19, Zarif had welcomed Secretary Antony Blinken on the 2015 Iran This correspondence took place dur- policy apparatus in general once again an offer by Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh nuclear deal, al-Sawafi said these remarks ing the former leadership of Saudi Arabia, intensified their efforts to bridge the gap Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to show that the Biden administration wants to Shaikh Salman extends condolences which was less hostile toward Iran than between Tehran and Riyadh. The Iranian hold a summit between the leaders of Iran say that there are some mistakes that were the current one. foreign minister published at least eight and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council. made when the U.S. trusted Iran, a clear on passing of Minavand Over the past seven years, Zarif has con- tweets in Arabic – mostly to urge Iran’s Arab But all Zarif’s efforts were left unanswered reference to the signature Obama admin- SPORTSTEHRAN — Asian Football Confederation tinued to extend his hand to Saudi Arabia neighbors to resolve their differences with by Saudi Arabia and its allies. To be sure, the istration’s nuclear deal with Iran. desk(AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim with no success. The Saudis and their allies Tehran through dialogue – since Donald Saudis together with the Emiratis have heard “To a large degree and with some clarity, Al Khalifa has sent his condolences to the Football Federation did not respond to Iran’s initiatives, includ- Trump lost the U.S. presidential election Iran’s calls for dialogue. But they refused to this talk means that the new U.S. adminis- Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) and to the family and loved ing the recently introduced Hormuz Peace in November. respond positively. tration will not be tolerant of Iran’s leaders,” ones of Mehrdad Minavand. Endeavor (HOPE). And when Donald Trump The main theme of these tweets was that “Tehran is trying to open the door to al-Sawafi said of Blinken’s remarks. The ex-Iran midfielder passed away at the age of 45 on Wednes- assumed office in 2016 the Saudi unwilling- Iran will not negotiate with the West over the [Persian] Gulf dialogue,” reported the Sau- The Emirati analyst thus concluded that day after contracting COVID-19 last week, the-afc.com wrote. ness to engage in a dialogue with Iran was region and the countries of the Persian Gulf di-owned Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. But this U.S. approach paves the way for the Biden Minavand represented the Iran national team at the FIFA even intensified. region should patch up differences through the newspaper said Saudi Arabia rejected administration to stay the course. World Cup France 1998 and was instrumental in leading Team Throughout Donald Trump’s presidency, dialogue without the presence of foreigners. Iran’s efforts because it believes that Iran “Merely thinking about cooperation with Melli to its first-ever victory in the global showpiece when it the Saudis brushed away all mediation efforts “Our dear neighbors, the opportunity is supports what it called “terrorist groups.” Iran means, according to the previous logic defeated USA 2-1 at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon. undertaken by a number of countries such available to us to re-reflect on the issue of “The Saudi answers were clear. Because [of the Obama], a new adventure in increasing The AFC President said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has been as Pakistan and Iraq. They preferred to wait regional security. As we know, such security Iran and its support for terrorist groups in the number and size of political and security the biggest challenge in modern history and the Asian football and see how the so-called “maximum pres- cannot be bought with money and cannot the region constitute a threat to the [Persian] crises in the world,” al-Sawafi noted. family mourns the loss of a true icon of our great game who unfortunately has left us too soon. “Mehrdad Minavand served as an inspiration to millions of Iran FM holds talks in Georgia and Turkey fans and to so many of today’s generation of players and on be- POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister historical ties between Georgia and Iran, pointing to the said, adding that Tehran and Ankara have “special oppor- half of the whole Asian football family, please accept my deepest deskhas held talks with the leaders of Georgia issues relating to the corridors connecting the Persian Gulf to tunities” to cooperate on a variety of issues ranging from and heartfelt sympathies on his passing,” added Shaikh Salman. and Turkey about bilateral and regional issues such as the the Black Sea, and emphasized the importance of economic Syria to the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Minavand also led Iran to a third-place finish at the AFC Asian crisis in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. cooperation between the two neighbors, joint investment, and Zarif noted that six countries in the region – Iran, Russia, Cup 1996 in the United Arab Emirates. The accomplished midfielder In Georgia, Zarif met with Georgian President Salome cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia- now have the also enjoyed an illustrious club career featuring for Iranian giant Zourabichvili and Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia. Zarif discussed similar issues with Prime Minister Giorgi opportunity to advance all-round cooperation in spheres Persepolis FC before moving to Austria’s Sturm Graz where he He also held a telephone conversation with his Georgian Gakharia. He discussed topics pertaining to the relations of land routes, energy and railway. played a key role in leading the club to the Austrian Bundesliga counterpart David Zalkaliani during a visit to Tbilisi. between the two neighbors and the latest developments in Azeri, Turkish and Iranian FMs to meet in Tehran League, Cup and Supercup treble. Zarif’s visit to Tbilisi was part of a regional tour that the region following a recent flare-up of clashes in the Na- in near future The thoughts and prayers of the AFC and the rest of the included Azerbaijan, Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey. gorno-Karabakh region, according to a separate statement He expressed hope that these countries would continue Asian football community are with the loved ones and friends During his stay in Tbilisi in the fourth leg of a tour of the issued by the Iranian foreign minister. to cooperate on regional issues. Zarif announced that Iran of Minavand, the FFIRI and the Iranian football family during Caucasus Zarif had a meeting with the Georgian president “Pointing to the economic and trade cooperation be- will convene a meeting between the foreign ministers of this difficult time. on Thursday morning to discuss the latest status of relations tween Iran and Georgia, Foreign Minister Zarif said the Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran in Tehran in near future. between Iran and Georgia and the situation in the region, two countries’ business sectors are willing to maintain and “Today we had a very good conversation about transit, according to a statement issued by Iran’s Foreign Ministry. enhance trade cooperation and work on the joint produc- trade and energy cooperation, and we continue our mutual “The top Iranian diplomat congratulated Georgia on holding tion of goods,” the statement said. “He also cited a series of efforts to solve the problems of companies and individuals Esteghlal held by Naft Masjed successful parliamentary elections, highlighted the historical problems in bilateral trade ties and the restrictions on the of the two countries that are investing in the other country,” Soleyman: IPL relations between the two countries, and conveyed an invitation banking, transit and transportation activities, calling on Zarif said of his talks in Turkey. from the Iranian president for Ms. Zourabichvili to make a state the Georgian prime minister to address these problems.” “The presence of Turkish companies in Iran is very impor- SPORTSTEHRAN – Iran Professional League (IPL) visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the statement said. “On The chief Iranian diplomat also touched on the latest con- tant for us and we hope that these companies can continue deskleaders Esteghlal were held to a 1-1 draw by bilateral issues between Iran and Georgia, Foreign Minister ditions in the region after the Karabakh conflict and offered their presence in Iran without any obstacles. We are waiting Naft Masjed Soleyman on Friday. Zarif expressed hope for promotion of cooperation between Iran’s evaluation of the circumstances with the purpose of for Mr. Erdogan in Iran and, God willing, we will determine The players observed a minute’s silence before kick-off in mem- the two (near) neighbors in various fields of mutual interest, establishing regional stability and calm. the date soon, both for the High Summit on Strategic Co- ory of former Iran and Persepolis midfielder Mehdrar Minavand particularly the trade and economic interaction.” In a tweet on Thursday, Zarif said, “In Tblisi, operation and the Summit of the Astana Process,” the chief who passed away Wednesday night, losing battle to COVID-19. The chief Iranian diplomat also called on Georgia to met with President Iranian diplomat continued. In the match held in Masjed Soleyman’s Behnam Mohammadi resolve problems facing the Iranian truck drivers and the Zourabichvili_S and PM GakhariaGiorgi and held phone He underlined the need for the countries of the region Stadium, Esteghlal goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini scored an own Iranian nationals who reside in Georgia. talk with self-quarantined FM DZalkaliani. Excellent dis- to move away from the differences of the past and build on goal in the 32nd minute but the Blues’ captain Vouria Ghafouri Zarif discussed the recent war in the Nagorno-Karab- cussions on expanding perennial bilateral ties & regional what was accomplished in the past. leveled the score in the 70th minute. akh region. He explicated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s cooperation—especially a transit corridor connecting Black “During our visits to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Russia, In Ghaemshahr, Zob Ahan registered their first ever win in stance on using the opportunity in the wake of the recent Sea to Persian Gulf.” Armenia and Georgia, we emphasized that the past should the current season after 13 weeks in a match against struggling clashes in the Karabakh region for the expansion of regional “Special opportunities” be used positively as a path to the future and construc- Nassaji. 10-man Zob Ahan won the match 3-2. cooperation to the benefit of all parties and informed the Zarif met with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu tion, and that the existing ceasefire should be ratified and Darko Bjedov, Abdollah Hosseini and Milad Jahani scored for Georgian president of the talks he has held on the subject on the final leg of his tour. The two foreign ministers held strengthened through economic cooperation,” Zarif said, Zob Ahan and Mohammadmehdi Nazari and Ayyoub Kalantari in the regional countries. a joint press conference after their meeting. referring to the Russian-brokered ceasefire deal between were on target for Nassaji. “Transit corridor connecting Black Sea to “The Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkey had very good Azerbaijan and Armenia that put an end to a 44-day be- Zob Ahan were reduced to 10 men before the halftime after Persian Gulf” relations with each other in difficult circumstances and will tween the two South Caucasus countries over the disputed Mojtaba Haghdoost received a red card. For her part, President Zourabichvili highlighted the continue these relations seriously in any situation,” Zarif region of Nagorno-Karabakh. In Tehran, Gol Gohar edged past Saipa 1-0 thanks to a goal from Younes Shakeri in the 75th minute. Saipa forward Majid Aliyari was sent off in the 70th minute Zarif urges dialogue with regional Arab states to maintain security after receiving his second yellow card. On Saturday, Persepolis will host rock-bottom Machine Sazi, POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian emphasized its readiness to activate such won’t be ANY talks about OUR region with pressed hope that a summit between leaders desk Sepahan meet Shahr Khodro in Isfahan, Tractor play Aluminum Foreign Minister Mo- cooperation,” the Iranian foreign minister them as they’re the problem themselves b) We of the six-member Persian Gulf Cooperation in Tabriz, Mes face Sanat Naft in Rafsanjan and Foolad host hammad Javad Zarif has called on Iran’s said in a tweet in Arabic on Thursday. can speak directly about our region without Council and Iran would happen. Paykan in Ahvaz. Arab neighbors to seize on the opportu- This is the sixth time Zarif is tweeting in outside meddling. Hormuz Peace Endeavor “We are hopeful that this [summit] nity to advance cooperation among the Arabic to advance the dialogue between Iran (#HOPE) is still on the table,” Zarif tweet- would happen and we still believe that region’s countries. and its Arab neighbors. The chief diplomat ed on December 8 after Saudi Arabia and this should happen. And I think this is “Our dear neighbors, the opportunity is has intensified his messaging efforts toward its allies in the region called on the U.S. to also a desire that being shared among the Ali Ansarian health condition available to us to re-reflect on the issue of Persian Gulf’s Arab states since Joe Biden won include them in any future talks with Iran. other GCC countries. I just mentioned to regional security. As we know, such security the U.S. presidential election in November. He also welcomed a recent proposal by you that there is a difference between the is stable cannot be bought with money and cannot Zarif sought to reassure the countries of the Qatar on launching dialogue between Iran countries on the way how to approach such be achieved by accumulating weapons. The region that Iran is not going to negotiate with and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council. a dialogue. Also from the Iranian side. They SPORTSTEHRAN – Former Persepolis defender Ali desk only way to establish security and stability is the West over the region. In a recent interview with Bloomberg TV, have expressed their willingness several Ansarian is recovering from Covid-19 and his through broad regional cooperation among the “Dear neighbors Why ask US/E3 for in- Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed times to engage with the GCC countries,” health condition is stable, officials said on Friday. countries of the region, and Iran has always clusion in talks with Iran when: a) There bin Abdulrahman Al Thani once again ex- the Qatari foreign minister said. He was admitted to Farhikhtegan Hospital in Tehran after he tested positive for Covid-19, last week. His teammate Mehrdad Minavand passed away Wednesday night after losing battle with coronavirus. UN chief calls for U.S., Iran to revitalize nuclear deal The total number of people infected with the coronavirus in UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Thursday diation, he said the matter is “progressively moving to- said that his country will only return to the nuclear deal once Iran hit 1,405,414, the Health Ministry said Friday. for the United States and Iran to work together to break their wards a situation where we can have an agreement that Tehran meets its commitments. Speaking at a daily press conference, Health Ministry current stalemate on the international nuclear accord but is essential for peace and stability in the (Persian) Gulf “Iran is out of compliance on a number of fronts. And Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said the number of people said he did not expect a quick outcome. and the world.” it would take some time, should it make the decision to tested positive for COVID-19 during the past 24 hours across New president Joe Biden’s Democratic administra- The deal was agreed between Iran, the United States, do so, for it to come back into compliance and time for the country has risen to 71 after the detection of 6,573 new tion said it was ready to return the U.S. to the accord, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany in July 2015. us then to assess whether it was meeting its obligations,” cases since Thursday. after predecessor Donald Trump withdrew the country in “The JCPOA was a big diplomatic victory and an essential Blinken said during a news conference, adding, “We’re According to her report, the number of the total death toll 2018, but Washington and Tehran each expect the other element for peace and stabilization in the (Persian) Gulf,” not there yet, to say the least.” reached 57,807. to make the first move. Guterres said, adding that “we regret that the agreement In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Elaborating on the latest situation of the coronavirus pan- “There’s a lot of work to be done,” but “I don’t expect has been called into question.” Zarif said on Thursday that the U.S. must take the first step demic in Iran, Lari added some 1,196,374 of whom have either an immediate solution,” Guterres said during a press con- “It’s obvious that there are difficulties and obstacles, because it was the U.S. that withdrew the agreement and recovered or been discharged from hospitals. ference when asked about the possibility of mediating a that there is an increased complexity because the U.S. left normally it must the “first step”. Lari underlined that 3,990 COVID-19 patients are in crit- way out of the impasse. (the agreement) and took additional measures (of sanc- Zarif said the U.S. “violated” the JCPOA, “blocked food/ ical conditions and under treatment in intensive care units “I believe that everyone, all those who entered the JCPOA tioning Iran). At the same time, Iran has taken some steps medicine to Iranians” and “punished adherence” to UN Se- of the hospitals. and other interested parties must work together to reduce to develop its nuclear capabilities,” he added. curity Council Resolution 2231, which endorses the accord, Since its outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic has infected about uncertainties, to face difficulties and obstacles,” he said, In response to the U.S. leaving the deal and imposing whereas Iran “abided by JCPOA” and “only took foreseen 100 million people across the world, of whom over 2,100,000 referring to the accord by its formal name, the Joint Com- sanctions, Iran reneged on several of its nuclear commitments, remedial measures.” people have lost their lives. prehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). though it insisted the measures were reversible. “Now, who should take 1st step? Never forget Trump’s The number of people infected with COVID-19 across the world Without answering the question as to possible me- On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary Of State Antony Blinken maximum failure,” Zarif tweeted. has exceeded 101 million and the death toll is over 2.18 million. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY JANUARY 30, 2021

Production by major Iran registers 3rd highest automakers exceeds 730,000 in 10 months ECONOMY TEHRAN — Three major Iranian carmakers, production growth in world desknamely Iran Khodro Company (IKCO), SAI- PA Group, and Pars Khodro, manufactured 730,787 vehicles ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s crude in the mentioned month was 5.8 percent. during the first ten months of the current Iranian calendar desksteel production increased As the world’s top producer, China pro- year (March 20, 2020-January 19, 2021), the data released by by 13.4 percent in 2020 while the average duced 1.052 billion tons of crude steel in Codal website showed. global growth in this sector stood at -0.09 2020, up 5.2 percent compared to 2019. According to the data, during the mentioned period, IKCO percent, according to the World Steel As- India and Japan ranked second and third manufactured 388,094 vehicles, of which 41,608 were pro- sociation (WSA) latest report. in the world with production of 99.5 million duced in the tenth Iranian calendar month of Dey (December The country was ranked third among and 83.1 million tons, respectively. 21, 2020-January 19, 2021). the world’s top steel producers in terms of The production of South Korea, Japan, SAIPA manufactured 262,038 vehicles in the mentioned production growth, after Uzbekistan and and India as the leaders of the industry, how- period, of which 27,462 were manufactured in the tenth month. Moldova which both have small outputs ever, decreased by 6 percent, 16.2 percent, Pars Khodro also manufactured 80,655 vehicles, of which compared to Iran, Iranian Mines and Mining and 10.6 percent, respectively. 7,856 were manufactured in the tenth month. Industries Development and Renovation The Iranian Steel industry has been con- Organization (IMIDRO) reported. stantly developing over the past years against Based on the report, Iran produced 29.03 all the pressures and obstacles created by million tons of the mentioned commodity external factors like the U.S. sanctions and during 2020 compared to the last year’s the coronavirus outbreak that has severely nearly 25.6 million tons. affected the performance of the world’s top Uzbekistan’s steel production grew by producers. 42.6 percent, and Moldova’s output increased The Islamic Republic had also outshined by 18.7 percent in 2020, followed by Iran the world steel producers during the first with the production growth of 13.4 percent. 10 months of 2020, as based on the WSA Meanwhile, WSA states that crude steel previous report the country produced 23.8 production in the world fell 0.09 percent to at the 10th place among the world’s top steel in December 2020, which was 19.2 million tons of the mentioned commodity stand at 1.829 billion tons in 2020. steel producers in 2020, after countries like percent higher than the figure for December during the January-October, 2020 period, According to the World Steel Association, China, India, Japan, and Russia. 2019, the same report confirmed. 12.6 percent more than the figure in the similar to the past two years, Iran stood Iran produced 2.6 million tons of crude The average global production growth same 10 months of 2019.

Iranian carmakers had exported about 1,300 vehicles to nine countries, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Syria, UAE, Water, wastewater management projects worth $1.33b inaugurated Spain, China, Iraq, and Turkey during the previous Iranian 1 As reported by IRNA, with the construction of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyed Ali Khamenei, calendar year. irrigation and drainage networks in Golestan province, the the government has urged various bodies and ministries Based on the data released by the Industry, Mining, and net income of farmers through both irrigated and rainfed to take the necessary measures for the realization of the Trade Ministry, 468,699 vehicles were manufactured in Iran cultivation will increase by 58 percent and 159 percent, year’s motto. during the first half of the current year (March 20-September respectively, and the irrigation water productivity index In this regard, since the beginning of the year, every 21, 2020), which has been 23.4 percent higher than the figure will also increase by 44 percent. week several major projects have gone operational in for the same period of time in the past year. The mentioned projects are aimed at promoting proper various sectors. During this period, 425,925 passenger cars were manu- use of water, soil, and other natural resources, stabilize the The Energy Ministry has implemented a program called factured in the country, registering a growth of 21.9 percent population in rural areas, increase agricultural produc- “A-B-Iran” based on which the ministry inaugurates several compared to the first six months of the previous year. The tion, create effective employment and finally, increase the energy projects every week, and the Industry, Mining, production of trucks also reached 39,519 units in the said income and welfare of villagers and develop the northern, and Trade Ministry is also following a new scheme called time span, which has increased by 40.4 percent compared to western and northwestern regions of the country. “Persistent Production-Effective Employment-Sustain- the last year’s same period. Since the beginning of the current calendar year, which able Exports” under which the ministry has inaugurated Considering the mentioned data, while the growth in output has been named the year of “surge in production” by the numerous projects so far. has been realized in the first half, car manufacturing is also planned to rise in the second half. Mohsen Salehinia, the new head of the Industrial Devel- opment and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO), has 1,160 new industrial units established in Iran since late Mar. 2020 mentioned planning for increasing car manufacturing in the second half, and said, “We are investigating and finalizing ECONOMY TEHRAN – Some 1,160 “Fortunately, this year’s budget bill programs to revive 2,000 units. the issues in this due”. desknew industrial units have has allocated a good amount for providing Iran’s industrial parks play a significant Deputy Industry, Mining and Trade Minister Saeed Zarandi been established and gone operational in the necessary infrastructure in industrial role in making the country independent had said earlier this year that 1.2 million vehicles were planned Iran’s industrial parks since the beginning parks,” he said. through boosting production, which is to be manufactured in the present year, which seems a realistic of the current Iranian calendar year (March He further noted that although about a major strategy of Iran to combat the figure given the surge in production policies of this year. 20, 2020), head of Iran Small Industries 22-24 percent of the country’s industrial U.S. sanctions. and Industrial Parks Organization (ISIPO) units were inactive and semi-active in the In fact, strengthening domestic pro- announced on Wednesday. previous Iranian calendar year (ended on duction to achieve self-reliance is the most Iranian oil exports rising in Speaking to the press on the sidelines March 19, 2020) the figure has decreased important program that Iran is following of a visit to a production unit in Khorasan to 18.7 percent this year. up in its industry sector in a bid to nullify Jan. despite sanctions: trackers Razavi Province, Ali Rasoulian put the According to Rasoulian, 1,170 idle in- the effects of the U.S. sanctions on its total investment made in the mentioned dustrial units have been revived in the economy. ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian oil exports are climb- desk industrial units at 150 trillion rials (about country since the beginning of the current In this due, the current Iranian calen- ing in January after a boost in the fourth $3.57 billion). year, crating 19,400 job opportunities. dar year (began on March 20) has been quarter despite U.S. sanctions, Reuters reported based on According to Rasoulian, the inaugurated will take all the necessary measures to Based on the Industry, Mining, and named the year of “Surge in Production”, figures from SVB International and two other firms. units have created job opportunities for support the newly established units and Trade Ministry data, the ministry was in- and all governmental bodies, as well as Last week, Iran’s Deputy Oil Minister Amir Hossein Zam- over 20,000 people. also to help those who want to establish itially planning to revive 1,500 idle units the private sector, are moving in line with aninia said the country has started boosting its oil production The official noted that his organization new units put their projects into operation. in the current year, but then it revised its the materialization of this motto. and will be able to reach pre-sanction levels within two months. Iranian oil won’t create any surplus in the oil market and the market will be able to accommodate the country’s maxi- mum oil output of around 3.9 million to four million barrels a day, Bloomberg quoted Zamaninia as saying on the sidelines TSE records a slight weekly growth of main index of Iran Oil Show in Tehran. ECONOMY TEHRAN — After several weeks of drop, reason for this decline is the unconventional valuation deskTEDPIX, the main index of the Tehran (to be more precise the over-valuation) of entities in this Stock Exchange (TSE), could finally register growth in market for encouraging liquidity inflow. 19 idle industrial units the past Iranian calendar week. “The market is correcting itself and most of the compa- revived in Ilam Province The index rose two percent to stand at 1.207 million nies, enterprises, and funds are getting closer and closer points on Wednesday (the last working day of the week). to their real values,” Hosseini explained, adding: “The ECONOMY TEHRAN — As announced by the head of During the past week, the indices of Iran Khodro Group, market has quickly returned to a logical valuation level deskIndustry, Mining and Trade Department Saipa Company, Social Security Investment Company, and more than half of the market is within the reasonable of Ilam Province, in the west of Iran, 19 idle industrial units Tehran Oil Refining Company, and Isfahan Oil Refinery value range.” have been revived in the province since the beginning of the were the most widely followed indices. Behzad Samadi, a market analyst and board member current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2020). In early August 2020, when all the major stocks around of a major broker in Iran, believes that the recent declines the world were experiencing serious declines, TEDPIX in the main index of the TSE has nothing to do with the surpassed two million points. fundamental and technical issues of the market. This situation created some skepticism among inves- He is of the opinion that the main reason for this tors regarding the creation of a bubble in the market, situation is the interference of the government and and some economists and market analysts also warned over-encouraging of the masses for entering the market about the government’s over-interfering in this market. Now, the big question would be “what is on the horizon without having the slightest knowledge even about the The government, however, continued offering more for the Iranian stock market?” fundamentals of this market. and more of its entities on the market and further en- Farhang Hosseini, a capital market expert, told the “Like its decline, the drastic growth of the market did couraged people to invest in the market. Tehran Times on Tuesday that although several exter- not have any technical and standard basis,” he told the Turning the fears of the investors into reality, TEDPIX nal factors, including the disputes between the oil and Tehran Times in an interview on Tuesday. started a downward trend in mid-August and has since economy ministries over the offering of the second ETF According to Samadi, the bubble created in the TSE’s slumped about 38 percent. (dubbed First Refinery, or Dara Second), increase in in- main index was partly the result of the excitement in- What President Rouhani called one of the most “aston- terest rates, the ambiguities in the next year’s national stilled by the government, and partly due to the huge ishing rises” in the history of the stock market, became budget bill, and etc. have contributed to the decline of gap between some entities’ real value and the prices for one of the most dramatic swings on record. the TSE’s main index over the past few months, the main which they were offering their shares.

Mentioning his department’s efforts for reviving the idle units in the province, Reza Mohammad Rahimi said that the stagnant units returning to the production cycle, in addition Iran, Turkey target 1m tons of rail freight transport in 2021 to realizing a resilient economy and boosting production, ECONOMY TEHRAN – The rail between the two countries. “Turkey, Iran and Pakistan have reit- will help create jobs and improve the living condition of the deskfreight transportation Despite the coronavirus pandemic, erated that they want to revive services of people of this province. between Iran and Turkey is going to be three train services were run daily between the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad train, not The official also said that new investment makings are increased to one million tons in 2021, Turkey and Iran in 2020, transporting later than this year. This would boost traffic welcomed in the province. Turkey’s Transport and Infrastructure 564,000 tons of cargo, the statement said. between Iran and Turkey even further.” Mohsen Salehinia, the previous head of Iran Small Indus- Ministry said in a statement. “In this regard, all necessary measures Back in August 2020, Iranian Trans- tries and Industrial Parks Organization (ISIPO), had said The two sides have signed a memo- have been taken to increase the volume port and Urban Development Minister that providing liquidity is the main issue for many of the randum of understanding (MOU) in this of transport between the two countries Mohammad Eslami and Turkish Minister country’s production units, so based on the arrangements regard during a gathering of railroad rep- to one million tons in 2021.” of Transport and Infrastructure Adil Kara- made, these units can receive part of their needed liquidity resentatives in Turkey’s capital Ankara As reported by Rail Freight, the state- ismailoglu held talks in a video conference through bank facilities. on January 12-13, Tasnim news agency ment also announced that freight trains session to discuss cooperation between “Currently, the share of the country’s production and indus- reported. would also run between Turkey and Paki- the two neighbors. trial units in receiving bank facilities is about 31 percent and According to the statement, this MOU stan via Iran on a common tariff between In the meeting, Eslami emphasized the currently the only railway border between it is necessary to allocate a larger share of banking facilities will be the opening chapter of a new era the three countries. It added that talks need for the development of rail transport the two neighbors is through the Razi bor- to the country’s production and industry,” he had stated. in the rail transportation cooperation are still ongoing to set this tariff. between Iran and Turkey and noted that der to Van in Turkey. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 30, 2021 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5

Soleimani showed U.S. and Israel are Blast near Israeli embassy in Delhi on 29th anniversary sources of terrorism: Islamic Jihad official of India-Israel ties qualifies it in securing its defense needs. 1 This is an open battle with Israel. A blast occurred near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi Undoubtedly, when the Iranian development They consider us terrorists because we are and three vehicles were damaged in it. reaches its height, Iran will have a greater role in fighting for the sake of truth and revolution, The Delhi Police said no injuries have been reported resisting terrorism and injustice in the region. and we consider them occupiers of our land. so far. It said the low-intensity blast occurred at 5.05 pm. I believe that the peoples of the region We must fight them, and our relationship The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Delhi place great hope on the role of Iran, not only with them will remain in this way because we Police Special Cell have reached the blast spot to inves- the countries of West Asia but all the oppressed will not accept coexistence with an occupier. tigate the matter. peoples in the region. How do you evaluate Iran’s policies The entire area has been cordoned-off and heavy de- We wish Iran peace and stability to represented by General Soleimani to ployment of police forces has been made. A team of the finish its tasks and projects. The West will find a common ground between the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has also been rushed not have mercy on Iran, and today they put regional countries and peoples to fight to beef up security around the Israeli embassy. pre-conditions on Iran to return to the nu- all types of terrorism? “A very low-intensity improvised device went off at clear deal while they are not adhering to the Qassem Soleimani represents the suc- 5.05pm near 5 APJ Abdul Kalam Road near Jindal house. 2015 agreement. cesses of the Islamic Republic of Iran and No injury to any person has been reported nor any dam- They offer new conditions for returning the Iranian approach in fighting terrorism. age to property was witnessed, except windowpanes of to the nuclear deal. In any case, the lead- It is a source of pride for Iranians that some vehicles parked nearby,” the Delhi Police said in a ership of the Islamic Republic is aware of General Qassem Soleimani formed the first statement. the interests of the country. Iran represents nucleus of what today we described as the It added, “Initial impressions suggest this was a mis- hope for millions of the oppressed, free and “axis of resistance” under the supervision chievous attempt to create a sensation.” revolutionaries in the Islamic and Arab world. of the Islamic Republic. great commanders such as General Soleimani and the Iranian people and all lovers of freedom Speaking to India Today TV the Israeli Ambassador What is your comment on Arab coa- Today the American administration and will impede combat against terrorism and and justice were victims of American terrorism. to India confirmed that “the mission is on high alert and litions to undermine Iran in the region? the Zionist enemy, when talking about an occupation? Iran, after its revolution, and when it everyone is fine inside”. Those who brought the West to the re- enemy in the region, they mean the axis of The targeting of great commanders like became a reliable power in the region, started This blast at the Israel embassy in New Delhi comes gion and formed coalitions, fake alliances resistance. Martyr Qassem Soleimani engi- martyr Qassem Soleimani and the leaders to play its natural role in fighting terrorism; on a day when India and Israel celebrate 29 years of In- and groups, are trying to establish an Amer- neered this axis by his continuous and tireless of the Palestinian and Islamic resistance is terrorism which was being sponsored by Israel dia-Israel diplomatic relations. efforts, which led to establishing the first a dangerous development. and America. Then, Iran started to support ican-Arab-Israeli alliance in the region with structure of the resistance in the region. But this targeting was the first evidence the Islamic resistance movements in Lebanon the aim of suppressing the axis of resistance He did it in close collaboration with his that these leaders have gained their goals and Palestine to confront the Zionist enemy and also confronting and deal a blow to the brothers in the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, and were successful to stand in the face of and confront the American projects in the Islamic Republic. Biden administration Palestine, Iraq and Yemen, and became a the American-Zionist project. (Persian) Gulf, in order to protect itself and They want to undermine Iran’s peaceful symbol of the resisting the Zionist regime and The most important thing that these leaders its people and also protect the Palestinian and nuclear project. All these regimes and entities pauses weapons sales American projects. Hence, his martyrdom have accomplished is the unity of the Arab-Is- Lebanese people and the rest of the nations have one aim: remaining on the thrones. was aimed at sending a message to Iran and lamic narrative and the unity of the oppressed that are exposed to invasion and aggression. Their leaders follow American orders, but to Saudi Arabia, UAE peoples’ narrative when they confront the Zionist What the Islamic Republic has done in the peoples in the region do not accept that, a blow to the axis of resistance. The United States is reviewing weapons sales to Saudi enemy on the land of Palestine or when they the recent period in the fight against Israe- and independent governments also reject it. Martyr Qassem Soleimani used to see the Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorized resist the American policies in Lebanon, Iraq, li-American terrorism is a great and appre- Therefore, the keyword here is resistance American and Zionist occupation as the source by former President Donald Trump, a move that Secre- Yemen and the (Persian) Gulf. ciated effort. I think that Iran’s efforts have to Israel and its expansionist projects. of terrorism and sponsorship of terrorism in the tary of State Antony Blinken said was “typical” of a new Now we realize that martyr Qassem tangible results, and no one in the world This is what martyr Qassem Soleimani world, and he considered that the occupation administration. Soleimani was targeted after the liberation can ignore the Iranian role in resisting the realized, and he and his partners in this of Palestine, the invasion of Lebanese lands In his first press briefing on Wednesday, Blinken said and the presence of the American forces in of Bukamal in Syria. Soleimani was placed American expansionist policies in the region. project and this axis worked to accomplish, the review aims “to make sure that what is being consid- on the target list and became a red line after I believe that the Islamic Republic today and therefore if the goal of establishing the Syria, Iraq, the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan ered is something that advances our strategic objectives his historic achievement to retake Bukamal has proved that it was successful in securing Zionist-Arab-American alliance is to protect are terrorism and occupation. and advances our foreign policy”. from America’s allies. its interests and what it needs to defend. Muslims and Sunnis, it must be said that it Therefore, terrorism and occupation are The Wall Street Journal first reported on Wednes- What is the main link between ter- Consequently, the West is striving hard to will not protect the peoples of the region, one phenomenon, and both of them mean day that the Biden administration has imposed a rorism and occupation? put pressure on the Islamic Republic and rather will accelerate their overthrow. the suppression of peoples and the abolition temporary freeze on billions of dollars in weapons Since the victory of the Islamic Revo- direct blows to it, as happened with martyr What we see today of the shameful nor- of their rights, control their wealth and capa- sales to the two countries, including the sale of pre- lution in Iran in 1979, this revolution has scientist Dr. Fakhrizadeh when he was as- malization of ties with the Zionist regime by bilities; and Qassem Soleimani was a symbol cision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia and F-35 been confronted and besieged by the axis of sassinated, using satellites. Arabs reveals the hidden plots. of resistance to terrorism and occupation, fighters to the UAE. terrorism led by the U.S. and with its Arab So, Iran is under Western pressure because They are betting on the wrong position in which is the trademark of the American ad- The move comes one week after Biden, who has promised allies, to deprive the Iranian people of their it hosts the bases of strength and renaissance order to protect themselves. They are betting ministration and Zionism and their allies in to “reassess” Washington’s relationship with Riyadh, was legitimate rights. and it is at the gates of possessing the advanced on the enemy to protect them, and this is a the region and the region. inaugurated. Since taking office, he has signed a string of Therefore, the Islamic Revolution in Iran technology and knowledge that ultimately contradiction. Do you think that the martyrdom of executive actions to review or reverse some of Trump’s key policies.

In ‘historic’ move, Italy blocks Security forces kill Daesh arms sales to Saudi Arabia, self-proclaimed leader Second Announcement UAE over Yemen crimes in Iraq: Kadhimi

Khouzestan Steel Company Italy has permanently stopped exports of arms to Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander in Chief of the Armed Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Forces Mustafa al-Kadhimi says the country’s security IN THE NAME OF GOD amid worries over the two regimes’ continued war forces have managed to eliminate a high-profile member INVITATION TO INTERNATIONAL TENDER crimes in Yemen, in what human rights campaigners of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group during a counter-ter- No. :428139 praised as a “historic” move that sets “an important rorism operation. KHOUZESTAN STEEL COMPANY INTENDS TO PURCHASE precedent” for other European countries. Kadhimi wrote in a post published on his official Twitter 15000 MT HIGH CARBON FERRO MANGANESE Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio announced the halt page that Abu Yaser al-Issawi, the self-proclaimed leader WITH THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATIONS: on Friday, citing Rome’s commitment to ending the of the terror group in Iraq and its “deputy caliph,” had bloodshed in Yemen and protecting human rights. been killed. He, however, did not provide any information In an interview with Italy’s il Fatto Quotidiano news- about when and where the top-brass terrorist had been Mn 76 – 78 % Min 76% paper, Manlio Di Stefano, undersecretary for foreign eliminated. Si 1.2 % Max affairs, said the decision was to make last week after “We promised and fulfilled. I gave my word to pursue S 0.02 % Max Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gave the green-light Daesh terrorists, we gave them a thundering response,” to a relevant recommendation made by Di Maio. the Iraqi prime minister tweeted. C 7.5 % Max The Italian Network for Peace and Disarmament According to Press TV, he added, “Our heroic armed P 0.3 % Max said the decision would block the sale of around 12,700 forces have eliminated Daesh commander Abu Yaser Fe Rest missiles to Saudi Arabia, which was part of a total al-Issawi as part of an intelligence-led operation. Long allotment of 20,000 missiles worth over 400 million live Iraq and its patriotic armed forces.” 20-60 mm Min 90 % Size Of Pieces euros agreed in 2016 under the ex-administration. We promised and fulfilled. I gave my word to pursue <20 mm Max 10 % ‘Spotlight now on the UK, other European arms sellers’ Daesh terrorists, we gave them a thundering response. Packing Bulk in Container Andrew Smith from the Campaign Against the Our heroic armed forces have eliminated Daesh com- Arms Trade told the Middle East Eye online news mander Abu Yaser Al-Issawi as part of an intelligence-led September ــــــــ Agust ــــــ May June ــــــــ April ــــــ March Delivery Date portal that the Italian decision sets a “vitally im- operation. (2500 MT) (2500 MT) (2500 MT (2500 MT) (2500 MT) (2500 MT) portant precedent” for other European countries 2021 Long live Iraq and its patriotic armed forces. that keep selling weapons to the Saudi regime, INTRESTED BIDDERS MAY OBTAIN SET OF DOCUMENTS, CONTAINING THE RELEVANT TERMS AND despite its atrocities in Yemen. Resistance News CONDITIONS BY SUBMISSION OF A WRITTEN APLICATION AND PAYMENT OF A NON-REFUNDABLE “The Italian government should not have been arm- FEE OF: ing Saudi forces in the first place. The arms sales they Abdullah II denounces Israel EUR 50 "FIFTY EURO" TO THE ONE OF BELOW ACCOUNT No.: have supported have fueled a brutal war and helped to create a humanitarian catastrophe,” Smith said. 1) ACCOUNT No.0100013543943 AT "EXPORT DEVELOPMENT BANK OF IRAN AHVAZ CENTERAL The activist such arms exports must come to an end, for not providing vaccine BRANCH" “so must the political support that has underpinned to Palestinians 2) ACCOUNT No.1902-750-4019644-1 AT "EGHTESAD NOVIN BANK- OF IRAN AHVAZ SHARIATI them.” Conte had in 2018 expressed a desire for his BRANCH" OR government to end arms sales to Saudi Arabia due to its INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN —King Abdullah II of Jordan Rials 2,000,000,"TWO MILION RIALS" TO THE ONE OF BELOW ACCOUNT No.: devastating war on Yemen as well as the state-sponsored deskhas criticized Israel for not providing the 1) ACCOUNT No.0102513186002 AT "MELLI BANK OF IRAN AHVAZ KSC BRANCH" assassination of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in corona vaccine to the Palestinians, calling for the effec- 2) ACCOUNT No.0100304453001 AT "SADERAT BANK OF IRAN AHVAZ KSC BRANCH" the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate a year earlier. tive and fair distribution of the anti-virus vaccine across Italy’s latest decision followed an announcement AND PRESENT THE PAYMENT RECEIPT TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: the world. by new U.S. President Joe Biden earlier this week that The Jordanian monarch was addressing a virtual speech RAW MATERIAL & ENERGY PURCHASING DEPARTMENT there would a pause in arms exports to Riyadh and on Thursday in the agenda meeting of the Davos forum KHOUZESTAN STEEL COMPANY (KSC) Abu Dhabi as his administration reviewed the exports. which is organized by the World Economic Forum. KM 10 AHWAZ – BANDAR IMAM KHOMEINI ROAD The temporary ban will reportedly include the In response to one of the questions, King Abdullah con- P.O.BOX: 1378 sale of precision-guided weapons to Saudi Arabia POST CODE: 61397-31398 sidered that the Israelis successfully provided the corona and advanced F-35 fighters to the UAE. AHWAZ– IRAN vaccine for them but not for the Palestinians, according The Biden administration’s decision was wel- Note1: BIDDER SHALL SUBMIT WITH TENDER A BID BOND ISSUED BY AN IRANIAN BANK OR BY A to the local Al-Ghad newspaper. EUROPEAN FIRST CLASS BANK , IN THE AMOUNT OF 310,000 Euro OR 88,000,000,000 Rials FOR comed on Thursday by prominent human rights “Israel will not be safe from the virus without provid- 15000 MT HIGH CARBON FERRO MANGANESE AND MAY REDUSED IN PROPORTION WITH THE group Amnesty International, which called on the ing the vaccine to the Palestinians. We must ensure the QUANTITY OF BIDDERS OFFER. European countries to follow suit. effective and fair distribution of vaccines and treatments Note2: ALL BIDS MUST BE INFORMED US WHICH PARTICIPATE IN OUR TENDER UP TO 3thFeb, 2021. Backed by the U.S., the UK and other Western of the virus”, he underlined. WHEN YOUR COMPANY IS CONFIRMED AND THE TENDER DOCUMENT IS SENT TO YOU, YOU MUST states, the Saudi regime and a coalition of its allies have He continued, “Dealing with the vaccine as a public BE DELIVERED TO THE AFORESAID ADDRESS ON OR BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE 14thFeb,2021.THE been engaged in a military against Yemen since early good for the benefit of all is a moral duty to prevent the OPENING DATE OF ENVELOPES WILL BE AT 10 AM ON THE 16thFeb,2021 IN THE BUYER'S 2015 with the aim of reinstalling a Riyadh-friendly marginalization of low-income and poor countries while CONFERENCE ROOM LOCATED AT THE HEAD OFFICE OF KSC AHWAZ-IRAN AND THE BIDDERS OR government there. rich countries acquire the most promising vaccines.” THEIR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES CAN ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE TENDER. The campaign has failed to achieve its goals, thanks The World Economic Forum - Davos was launched on Note 3: FOR MORE INFORMTION PLEASE CONTACT WITH FOLLOWING DETAILS: to the resistance put up by the Yemeni army and Monday, as it is being held virtually until Friday to discuss Tel No. : +98 61 32908115 / 32136159 allied popular groups, but it has left the poorest the repercussions of COVID-19, with the participation of a Fax No. : +98 61 32908115 Arabian Peninsula state mired in the “world’s worst number of world leaders, most notably Chinese President Mr.M.FARZINEJAD EMAIL : m.farzinejad @ksc.ir OR VISIT:http://WWW.KSC.IR humanitarian crisis,” as the United Nations put it. Xi Jinping, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French .Source: Press TV) President Emmanuel Macron and others) رواط عمومی شرکت فوالد خوزستان

I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM JANUARY 30, 2021

Intl. festival of Iranian tribes goes online Cleaning, documenting project

1 Although the previous editions of the festival were popular among the foreign and Iranian participants and guests, this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festival is decided to be held completes on salt mummy online, he explained. Transmitting and promoting customs and traditions of the tribes TOURISM TEHRAN – A docu- is on display in the National Museum of Iran will lead to boost cultural identity, he noted. deskmenting and cleansing in Tehran. He still looks very impressive. Some 23 music ensembles are scheduled to have live perfor- project has come to an end on an ancient This particular “saltman” was originally mances during the festival, which will come to an end on Sunday. salt man and his belongings being kept at dated based on the archaeological material The festival will also host different exhibitions of regional arts, an archaeology museum in Iran’s Zanjan found with him. Later, the mummy was handicrafts, souvenirs, and culinary traditions. province, the head of the project has said. carbon dated, which placed him in 500 CE “The salt man No. 5, which was discov- (1750 BP, that is, “before present” or 1750 ered in Iran’s Chehrabad Salt Mine decades years ago), the Sasanian Empire’s height. ago, has been cleaned, documented, and The second “Saltman” was carbon-dated photographed and now it is the subject of to 1554 BP, which placed him in the same further studies by a team of archeologists era as the first “saltman,” the Sasanian era. and other experts, ILNA quoted Abolfazl The third, fourth, and fifth “saltmen” Aali as saying on Thursday. were also carbon dated. The third body was Showcased at Zolfaghari Museum, the dated and placed in 2337 BP, the fourth temperature and humidity of the salt man body in 2301 BP, and the fifth mummy was are carefully monitored every day to make dated to 2286 BP, placing them all in the sure it enjoys standard and optimal con- Achaemenid period. ditions, he explained. Saltman No. 5 had tapeworm eggs from Earlier this month, Zanjan’s provincial the Taenia sp. genus in his system. These tourism chief Amir Arjmand announced that were identified during the study of his re- a project for documenting and reorganizing earring. The hair, beard, and mustaches ber of artifacts made of wood, metal tools, mains. The find indicates the consumption [all] ancient salt men and their belongings were reddish, and his impressive leather clothing, and pottery. of raw or undercooked meat, and this is Golestan is reportedly embracing some 2,500 historical and natural was commenced in Zolfaghari Museum. boot still contained parts of his leg and In 2005, a systematic excavation began, the first case of this parasite in ancient sites, with UNESCO-registered Gonbad-e Qabus – a one-millenni- In 1993, miners in the Douzlakh Salt foot, according to the Ancient History three more mummies were excavated, and Iran and the earliest evidence of ancient um-old brick tower – amongst its most famous. Mine, near Hamzehli and Chehrabad vil- Encyclopedia. a sixth remained in situ due to lack of funds intestinal parasites in the area. The best Narratives say the tower has influenced various subsequent lages, accidentally came across a mum- However, in 2004, the miners discovered for its storage. The context of the remains preserved and probably the most harrowing designers of tomb towers and other cylindrical commemorative mified head, dated to 300 CE. The head yet another “saltman,” which was followed suggested that a collapse in the mine had of the bodies is “saltman” No. 4. A sixteen- structures both in the region and beyond. The UNESCO comments was very well preserved, to the extent that by further excavation unearthing remains caused the death of the miners in question. year-old miner, caught in the moment of that the tower bears testimony to the cultural exchange between his pierced ear was still holding the gold of a human body along with a large num- The first mummy dubbed the “saltman,” death, crushed by a cave-in. Central Asian nomads and the ancient civilization of Iran. Accommodation facilities Lesser-known province seeks to gain foothold on tourism map come on stream in UNESCO- TOURISM TEHRAN –Some 41 tourism-related that over one trillion rials (some $24 million at the official designated Burnt City deskprojects are currently underway across exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) was allocated Iran’s southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad prov- to nine tourism projects across the province. TOURISM TEHRAN – The construction operations of ince, the provincial tourism chief has said. He also mentioned that developing tourism infra- deska tourism complex, which includes overnight These projects will boost tourism and develop travel structure in the province is one of the province’s tourism accommodation facilities, have been completed in the UNESCO-reg- infrastructure in the region when they finally come on department priorities and is being pursued seriously. istered Burnt City, southwest Iran. stream, Majid Safai announced on Thursday. The lesser-known is home to various nomads and is a The complex includes six accommodation units, three educational A four-star hotel and a water park are among the im- top destination for those interested in visiting in person units, and sanitary facilities, CHTN quoted Majid Kalanouri, director portant projects being carried out in collaboration with the nomadic life. Sightseers may live with a nomadic or of the World Heritage site, as saying on Thursday. the private sector, the official added. rural family for a while or enjoy an independent stay The complex is expected to bring more comfort to visitors of the He also noted that with the inauguration of the men- and assist them with day-to-day life. It also opens up site, the official said. tioned projects, more job opportunities will be created an opportunity to feel rustic routines, their agriculture, Known as Shahr-e Sukhteh in Persian, the site is situated at the in the tourism sector, which will lead to better income traditions, arts, and culture. junction of Bronze Age trade routes crossing the Iranian plateau, for the locals. The province attracted over four million people, mostly March 2019), according to data announced by the pro- remains of the mud-brick city bear witness to the emergence of the Last September, a provincial tourism official announced domestic travelers, during the Iranian year 1397 (ended vincial tourism department. first complex societies in eastern Iran. Photo contest to spotlight UNESCO-tagged Soltanyeh, nearby monuments HERITAGE TEHRAN – The cultural uine Islamic architecture. The mausoleum periods in Islamic art. deskheritage and tourism di- is surmounted by one of the largest brick UNESCO says, “Excavations carried out rectorate of Iran’s Zanjan province is set to domes in the globe, though some mistakenly in the 790-ha Mausoleum of Oljaytu property launch a photography contest on the UNE- refer to it as “the largest dome in the world”. have revealed additional vestiges of the old SCO-registered Dome of Soltaniyeh and its Meaning “Town of the Sultans”, Soltani- city, and a large part of this property has surrounding historical and touristic sites. yeh was briefly the capital of Persia’s Il- retained its archaeological character. As Competitors are requested to post works khanid dynasty (a branch of the Mongol the ancient capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty, to the Instagram account of the directorate dynasty) during the 14th century. According Soltaniyeh represents an exceptional tes- from January 31 to February 9, provincial to UNESCO, the Mausoleum of Oljaytu is timony to the history of the 13th and 14th tourism chief Amir Arjmand announced an essential link and key monument in centuries in Iran.” Spanning an area of 280 hectares, the site had extensive com- on Tuesday. the development of Islamic architecture The very large dome is the earliest extant mercial, political, and social relations with other important cities in A panel of professional media photogra- in central and western Asia. Here, the Il- example of its type and became an important the region. Founded around 3200 BC, the city was populated during phers will be judging the contest, and winners khanids further developed ideas that had reference for the later development of the four main periods up to 1800 BC, during which time there developed will be honored with exquisite prizes, the Soltanieh,” he said. been advanced during the classical Seljuk Islamic dome. Similarly, the extremely rich several distinct areas within the city. These include a monumental official said. The UNESCO-listed Mausoleum of Ol- phase (11th to early 13th centuries), during interior of the mausoleum, which includes area, residential areas, industrial zones, and a graveyard. “This competition is to be held to high- jaytu, which is commonly known as “Dome which the arts of Iran gained distinction glazed tiles, brickwork, marquetry, or designs Previous rounds of excavations showed that the residents of light the importance of preserving natural of Soltaniyeh” (Soltaniyeh Cupola), is one in the Islamic world, thereby setting the in inlaid materials, stucco, and frescoes, the Burnt City had great skills in weaving, creating fine arts such as and cultural heritage, monuments, antiq- of Iran’s must-visit destinations for those stage for the Timurid period (late 14th to illustrates an important movement towards decorative objects, stone carving, and pottery painting. Four civili- uities, museums that exist in [the city of] interested in traditional Persian and gen- 15th centuries), one of the most brilliant more elaborate materials and themes. zations have lived in the city which was burnt down three times and not rebuilt after the last fire. The world’s oldest animated picture, as well as the earliest-known dice, backgammon set, caraway seeds, and artificial eyeball, are among the most significant discoveries New restoration work starts on windmills in southeast Iran at the site. HERITAGE TEHRAN – A fresh round of restoration opportunities. “The earliest known references to wind- deskwork has been commenced on windmills mills are to a Persian millwright in 644 CE and windmills New cultural heritage situated in Hozdar historical area, Sistan-Balouchestan in Seistan [Sistan], Iran, in 915 CE,” the Encyclopedia province, southeast Iran. Britannica says. elements in western Iran Known locally as Asbads, the windmills -- along with Currently, avid visitors and researchers can examine ones in other eastern portions – are expected to win a the subtle yet simple mechanism in person as several added to national list collective UNESCO World Heritage status, CHTN reported. windmills have been restored and brought back to life Asbad used to be a smart technique to grind grains. to testify how ancient Iranians harnessed the wind to TOURISM TEHRAN –A total of 15 new cultural elements, desk It also bears testimony to the human being’s adaption make a living. In 2002 the windmills were recognized which are practiced in western Lorestan province, with nature by transforming environmental obstacles into as a national heritage site by Iran. have been registered in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts on Thursday announced the inscriptions in an official document it submitted to the governor-general of the province, CHTN reported. The skills of wearing the traditional headscarf of Golvani, the Public baths in Iran and interesting customs behind local game of Kolav-Rovan, and a traditional recipe for homemade By Seyed Hossein Hosseiniseddiq Zoroastrian religion, took a bath to participate Also, there was expressing politeness and soap were amongst entrees to the prestigious list. in the ceremony, in addition to cleansing respect by massaging. e.g. if the newcomer The talent of making different flatbread and the skill of cooking (Part 1/2) body has been a religious ritual. in the bath courtyard saw acquaintances Borujerd kebab were also added to the list, the report said. Most people today have baths in their homes, After the spread of Islam in Iran, it was or close relatives, would go toward them to but in the past, there were public baths that obligatory to perform religious practices show politeness and respect and give them were not just for bathing but also a public such as prayer and fasting and entering the a massage, or the person would forcibly take place for family, social, business, and even mosque, bathing after sexual intercourse, washcloth and soap from their hands and political gatherings. and also after the end of menstruation in rub their back. There is an Iranian proverb In the past, men would take a bath before this religion. Even men sometimes prayed that says about two very close friends that sunrise until eight o’clock in the morning, and toward the Holy Cube in the bath before “they are friends in the bath and the garden.” from that time until the afternoon, women sunrise due to the short time of prayer after The role of baths in ancient times included: would have a bath. Today, there are public bathing. Therefore, the Persian kings ordered -Baths were a public place for family baths in most parts of Iran, but the difference the construction of public baths in cities and gatherings and friendly. walls of the baths. with the old baths is that a large hot water villages. For example, during the Safavid - Some celebrations such as the bride and - Baths also had functions for treatment. pool was used in the old baths; but in the era, in the early sixteenth century, only 272 groom bath were held in these baths. The existence of hot and cold water reservoirs new public baths, multiple showers have public baths were built in the capital Isfahan. - Sometimes the baths became a place of is used to treat some diseases, and the bath replaced the large hot tub, which did not One of the customs of bathing in the quarrel or even assassination. is used in the past as a place of phlebotomy Lorestan was inhabited by Iranian Indo-European peoples, conform to hygiene in any way. past was that everyone who entered the bath - Occasionally meetings and talks of (venipuncture and cupping), colic and mas- including the Medes, in c. 1000 BC. Cimmerians and Scythians It is interesting to know that washing greeted the people who were washing. government leaders were held in the bath. sage, removal of excess body hair, especially intermittently ruled the region from about 700 to 625 BC. in public baths had different etiquettes, After greeting, the person would take - Baths have been the meeting place in the armpits and genital parts with special Of ancient highlight of the region are the Luristan Bronzes that which I will discuss in some of the customs some of the water from the tub with a cop- of elders, intellectuals and as a result of natural and traditional powder in a private comprise small cast objects decorated with bronze sculptures from of Iranian baths: per bowl and pour it on the shoulders of scientific debates and discussions between room, sometimes men shaved their heads the Early Iron Age, found in large numbers in Lorestan and Ker- Archaeologists have concluded that the the people in the bath, whether familiar scholars, writers and scientists. Composing and applied henna. manshah provinces in western Iran. construction of public baths from the Achae- or unfamiliar, even showing more love and reading poems in baths and reciting - Baths were sometimes used as shelters, Under Cyrus the Great, Lorestan was incorporated into the growing menid period, i.e. about three thousand years and affection to strangers because they Shahnameh (a book of famous Persian epic and some people who fled various social or Achaemenid Empire in about 540 BC and successively was part of ago, has been common in all cities of Iran believed, friends and acquaintances do poetry) has also been common. Verses from political events took refuge in baths and were the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanid dynasties. because the ancient Iranians, who had the not need compliments. different poets have been installed on the not persecuted like in other holy places. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JANUARY 30, 2021 SOCIETY 7

Iran issues permit to use Iran ready to provide hi-tech expertise to Kenya

SOCIETY TEHRAN – Vice President for Science and Russian COVID-19 vaccine deskTechnology Sourena Sattari has expressed readiness to provide Kenya with expertise in high-tech industries. SOCIETY TEHRAN – Iran’s Food Headquarters for Executing the Order of the desk During a three-day visit to Kenya, Sattari met with Betty Mania, and Drug Administration Imam, was unveiled and injected into three Secretary of the Kenyan Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and has issued a permit to both import and volunteers during a ceremony on December Enterprise Development, discussing ways to expand bilateral co-produce Russian COVID-19 vaccine, 29, 2020. relations, IRNA reported on Friday. Sputnik V, to urgently fight the pandem- On January 11, the second dose of the Sattari stated that currently, 6,000 knowledge-based com- ic, FDA spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour vaccine was injected into the three volunteers. panies are operating in Iran, generating a revenue of about $12 announced on Thursday. So far, 35 people have received the first billion last year, he highlighted. The FDA has approved the Sputnik V vac- dose of the vaccine, and this number should Large startups have been formed in our country which cine made by the Gamaleya Center of Russia reach 56 people in the first clinical study phase. are exporting knowledge-based products to other countries, to counter the disease, he said, adding that Mohammad Mokhber, the head of the he highlighted. the vaccine will be imported in the form of Headquarters for Executing the Order of the Sattari also emphasized that 40 knowledge-based companies single-dose and five-dose vials. Imam said on January 19 that over the next are accompanying the Iranian delegation to Kenya, which can Jahanpour went on to say that those month, 2-4 million doses of vaccine will be be a good opportunity for technology transfer, noting that rep- other vaccines made in India, China, and produced monthly, which will soon reach resentatives of these knowledge-based firms held talks with 130 Russia are also under evaluation by the up to 4-24 million doses. Kenyan companies leading to bilateral cooperation. FDA, IRNA reported. On January 18, the second homegrown About 50 technology parks have been formed throughout Iran, Health Minister Saeed Namaki said on COVID-19 vaccine developed and proposed by he stated, expressing readiness to share the experience with Kenya. Wednesday that there are four different ways the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute Referring to Iran’s special place in emerging technologies, he to supply the coronavirus vaccine, includ- has been approved to begin a clinical trial. said that Iran ranks fourth in the world in nanoscience, with an ing direct purchase from a foreign country, COVID-19 daily new cases and emphasis on joint projects and cooperation in technology and procurement from the World Health Organ- mortalities knowledge transfer between the two nations. ization’s COVAX facility, a joint production In a press briefing on Friday, Health Minis- “Despite U.S. sanctions, Iran achieved scientific growth, and with a Cuban company as well as domestic India for about two months to purchase the Homegrown vaccine try’s spokesperson Sima-Sadat Lari confirmed with the help of the technology ecosystem and domestic scientists, production of the vaccine. vaccine. Fortunately, the pace of negotiations Production of COVID-19 vaccine was 6,573 new cases of COVID-19 infection, raising we were able to become one of the top countries in the field of The clinical trial for the Coviran Barekat with Russia has accelerated and the scientific followed by 16 Iranian companies since the the total number of infections to 1,405,414. technology in the region,” he highlighted. vaccine is also going well, and the Razi In- team of the ministry of health confirmed the beginning of the outbreak, and so far 12 com- She added that 1,196,374 patients have so Mania, for her part, said that Iran and Kenya can cooperate stitute is getting permission for a clinical Sputnik V vaccine.” panies applied to produce the vaccine, of which far recovered, but 3,990 remain in critical in the development of agricultural products. For example, trial, another company will also receive Coordination has been made for the con- eight are operating, one of the companies conditions of the disease. the north of Iran has good conditions for the expansion of human trial permits by the next week, he tract and it is planned to receive the first have entered the human trial phase, and two During the past 24 hours, 71 patients have agricultural activities. explained. shipment before February 10, he said. more companies will soon test the vaccines lost their lives, bringing the total number of “Kenya has good conditions in the field of tea production and Mahmoud Vaezi, the head of the Presiden- On January 24, Namaki announced that on human, Jahanpour said on January 10. deaths to 57,807, she added. we are ready to provide all necessary arrangements for the export tial Office, also said on Wednesday that “We Iran will soon be one of the world’s important COVIRAN BAREKAT, the first coronavirus So far, 9,176,899 COVID-19 diagnostic of tea to Iran,” she stated, pointing to the diversity of fruits in have been negotiating with Russia, China, and manufacturers of the COVID-19 vaccine. vaccine made by Iranian researchers of the tests have been performed in the country. Kenya as one of the areas of bilateral cooperation. During the trip, Sattari inaugurated the Iran House of Inno- vation and Technology (IHIT) in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Wednesday, as the first center in Africa. Safe schools increase nationwide The IHIT, by supporting innovative ideas, holding technolog- 2017), the number of schools in need of reconstruction 107,000 schools need renovation nationwide ical and innovative events will be a platform for the development and retrofitting was 30 percent, of which some 12 per- There are some 107,000 schools nationwide with 530,000 and promotion of Iranian knowledge-based companies, startups, cent must be completely rebuilt and 18 percent must classes, 160,000 of which are dilapidated, not meeting safety and creative industries. be retrofitted. The rate has reached 19.5 percent, with standards, accounting for 30 percent of the schools nationwide. Technological achievements of Iran 12.5 percent of schools in need of retrofitting and the Rakhshanimehr said in August 2020 that some 30 Despite sanctions putting pressure on the country, a unique rest rebuilding. percent of the country’s schools have been constructed by opportunity was provided for business development and the Tehran also has the highest number of old schools. In school-building benefactors; there are 450 school-build- activity of knowledge-based companies in the country. this province, measures have been taken to reconstruct the ing charities in Iran. Currently, some 6,000 knowledge-based companies are ac- schools, but the capital still has the highest number of old Iran has many school-building benefactors amounting to tive in the country, manufacturing diverse products to meet schools, he lamented. 650,000 people inside and 1,000 people outside the country. the needs of the domestic market while saving large amounts The national budget bill for the next [Iranian calendar] President Hassan Rouhani officially inaugurated some of foreign currency. year (March 2021-March 2022) has foreseen a 21-percent 1,550 educational, training, and welfare projects across the The fields of aircraft maintenance, steel, pharmaceuticals, rise for the renovation and retrofit of schools. country in November 2020 via video conferencing. and medical equipment, oil, and gas are among the sectors that SOCIETY TEHRAN – The number of old class- He went on to note that this year (started March 21), there The projects included 1,422 educational places with 8,051 researchers in technology companies have engaged in, leading deskrooms in need of reconstruction and has been a significant increase in budget for renovation of classrooms, 124 training centers, and 4 welfare centers, to import reduction. retrofitting has been reduced from 30 percent to 19.5 schools, ISNA reported on Friday. measuring a total of 1.1 million square meters. In recent years, the vice presidency for science and technology percent over the past four years, Mehrollah Rakhshani- A total of 51 trillion rials (nearly $1.2 billion at the official The Organization for Development, Renovation, and has been supporting knowledge-based companies active in the mehr, director of the Organization for Development, rate of 42,000 rials) was proposed for school renovation in Equipping Schools started operating in the Iranian calen- production of sanctioned items. Renovation, and Equipping Schools, said. the budget bill; which is 21 percent higher than that of the dar year 1396 (March 2017-March 2018), which received a Iran also implemented a plan to return Iranian elites from the In the Iranian calendar year 1395 (March 2016-March previous year, Rakhshanimehr said. budget of 8.5 trillion rials (about $200 million). top 100 universities in the world, through the national model, the facilities are provided for their return, by creating technology parks, innovation centers, and factories. The plan was able to bring back 2,000 Iranian students from Reforestation projects implemented in Khuzestan the top 100 universities in the world over a three-year period, amounting to 600 people a year. ENVIRONMENT TEHRAN – Two re- storms, as well as drought, which is caused such as allergies and respiratory diseases. desk Sattari also told the Tehran Times in October 2020 that “U.S. forestation projects on by both internal and external hotpots. Dust also carries airborne pollutants such sanctions caused exports of knowledge-based companies to de- tree plantation and surface water man- Major external SDSs sources are Syria, as toxins, heavy metals, salt, sulphur, pes- cline three years ago, however, it has returned to growth and is agement were put into operation in the Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. ticides, etc. which cause significant health projected to reach the pre-sanctions level of more than $1 billion southwestern province of Khuzestan on It was around the year 2005 that the first impacts when people inhale the contam- by the end of the current [Iranian calendar] year (March 20). Thursday, IRNA reported. signs of sporadic SDS appeared in south- inated dust. Dust can corrode buildings Fortunately, last year, companies achieved a record sale of 1.2 The projects were launched in sand and western Iran. Just seven years later, sand and other built infrastructure as it contains quadrillion rials (nearly $28.5 billion at the official rate of 42,000 dust hotspots of Mahshahr city during a cer- and dust storms became so persisting and a high level of salts. rials), which is expected to increase by 40 percent this year.” emony held virtually with President Hassan terrible that PM concentration reported 22 The effects of sand and dust storms can To date, 42 knowledge-based companies with a total value Rouhani in attendance. times above the safe levels. be reduced by using a number of health and of 2.8 quadrillion rials (nearly $66.6 billion) have been listed Over the past two years, reforestation plans In fact, Iran has been repeatedly exposed safety measures and environmental control sand and sweeping up large quantities of sand on the stock exchange and they will soon turn into the biggest have included plantation on 6,500 hectares to SDSs due to its presence in the arid and strategies. Large-scale sand and dust storms businesses in the county, Sattari said. in the cities of Ahvaz, Karun, Mahshahr, and semi-arid parts of the world; consumption, or dust particles from the ground, clouding are generally natural phenomena and it may Hoveyzeh, Kourosh Kiani, Director of pro- changing the pattern of cultivation, and cli- the air and reducing visibility drastically. not be always practicable to prevent it hap- vincial natural resources organization, said. mate change have increased the negative How to mitigate the effects of SDSs pening. However, control measures can be The surface water management plan will effects of this phenomenon. According to EcoMENA, sand and dust taken to reduce their impacts. Localized small- LET’S LEARN PERSIAN be implemented on 10,010 hectares, which The SDSs hotspots in other countries storms cause significant negative impacts on scale dust emission due to human-induced (Part 119) (Source: saadifoundation.ir) will reach 13,500 hectares by the end of the stretch to 330 million hectares, with an av- society, economy, and environment at local, activities can be reduced by using temporary year (March 21), he added. erage of 150 million tons of dust generation regional and global scales. There are three mechanical methods such as concrete barrier, Referring to a budget of 310 billion rials per year, Ali Mohammad Tahmasebi, head key factors responsible for the generation mulching, tree buffer, etc. (nearly $7.3 million at the official rate of of the national working group for SDSs mit- of sand and dust storms – strong wind, lack Taking appropriate control of dust raising 42,000 rials) spent on the projects, he said igation, said in October 2020. of vegetation, and absence of rainfall. The factors such as increasing the vegetation cover that 223,000 out of 350,000 hectares of sand He went on to say that important dust environmental and health hazards of such where possible can help in the stabilization and dust sources in Khuzestan province have sources in the country’s provinces estimat- storms cannot be reduced permanently, how- of the soil, sand dunes, and form windbreaks. been controlled by implementing projects ed at 34.6 million hectares, with an average ever, its impact can be reduced by taking Additionally, the use of native plants and of moisturizing the soil, planting seedlings amount of 4.24 million tons of dust per year, appropriate measures. trees as the buffer can reduce wind velocity, and vegetation, surface water management, of which 122.7 kilograms of dust per hectare As the dust cloud rises, it reduces hori- and sand drifts at the same increase the soil and grazing management. is raised annually. zontal visibility which can impact human life moisture. Designing buildings appropriately Since the past decade, southern and A sandstorm or dust storm is a meteoro- in many ways. The fine suspended particles and conduct air infiltration testing during western provinces of the country are logical phenomenon usually caused by strong also contain contaminants, bacteria, pol- building commissioning can also help the frequently hit by severe sand and dust and turbulent winds blowing over loose soil or lens, which cause negative health impacts adverse effects of sand and dust storm. ENGLISH IN USE LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION

آلودگی هوا تأثیری بر روی میزان ابتال Air pollution has no effect on به ویروس کرونا ندارد coronavirus prevalence: expert Air pollution has no special effect on the incidence of the disease, and علــی ماهــر معــاون ســتاد مقابلــه بــا ویــروس کرونــای اســتان تهــران در گف توگــو بــا our studies showed that there is no connection between these two ایلنــا گفــت: آلودگــی هــوا هیــچ تأثیــر خاصــی بــر روی این بیمــاری نــدارد و بررســ یهای issues, Ali Maher, deputy chief of Tehran special working group for مــا هــم حاکــی از عــدم ارتبــاط بیــن ایــن دو موضــوع اســت. .coronavirus control said وی بــا اشــاره بــه وضعیــت شــیوع کرونــا در زمســتان ادامــه داد: وضعیــت میــزان ابتــا -Pointing to the coronavirus outbreak in winter, he noted that the prev بــه ویــروس کرونــا در زمســتان بســتگی بــه رفتارهــای مــردم دارد و اگــر رفتارهایــی کــه alence of coronavirus in winter depends on the people, if they observe بــرای پیشــگیری از شــیوع ویــروس در نظــر گرفتــه شــده را بــه درســتی انجــام دهیــم، .health protocols, the infection will reduce میــزان شــیوع کاهــش پیــدا خواهــد کــرد، چــون شــواهدی بــر اینکــه دمــا در میــزان -Because there has been no evidence that temperature affects the prev همهگیــری تاثیرگــذار باشــد را پیــدا نکردیــم و بنابرایــن تنهــا رعایــت مــردم مســئله alence, therefore the only way to control the virus is the observance of اصلــی بــرای کنتــرل ایــن ویــروس اســت. .health protocols by the people, he highlighted, ILNA reported Prayer Times Noon:12:18 Evening: 17:49 Dawn: 5:39 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 7:05 (tomorrow) JANUARY 30, 2021 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh Miami festival selects “Sun Children” Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 for Intl. Oscar Contenders Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 ARTTEHRAN — The 38th Strand Releasing, a leading U.S. distributor Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 deskMiami Film Festival of foreign language, American independent Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 plans to review the acclaimed Iranian drama and documentary films in theaters, on DVD/ “Sun Children” in the International Oscar Blu-Ray and via video-on-demand, has Contenders, the festival program that will purchased U.S. rights to “Sun Children”. Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 screen a shortlist of the foreign-language Eight other submissions to the 93rd submissions to 2021 Oscars. Academy Awards in the best foreign-language No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran Directed by Majid Majidi, the film tells film category will also be screened in the P.o. Box: 14155-4843 the story of 12-year-old Ali and his three International Oscar Contenders of the Miami Zip Code: 1599814713 friends. Together, they work hard to survive Film Festival, which will take place in the and support their families, doing small jobs in U.S. city from March 5 to 14. a garage and committing petty crimes to make “And Tomorrow the Entire World” fast money. Everything changes, however, by German director Julia Von Heinz and when Ali is entrusted to find a hidden treasure “Apples”, a co-production of Greece, Poland underground but must first enroll at the Sun and Slovakia by Christos Nikou, are highlights School, a charitable institution that tries to of the lineup. educate street kids and child laborers. “Charlatan” by Agnieszka Holland from The movie had its Iranian premiere during Czech, “Memories of My Father” by Fernando the 38th Fajr Film Festival in Tehran last Trueba from Colombia, “A State of Madness” GUIDE TO February, garnering the Crystal Simorghs by Leticia Tonos Paniagua from Dominican SPIRITUAL AWAKENING for best film, script and set design. and “Quo Vadis, Aida?”, a co-production of Numerous international events, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Romania, “Sun Children” by Majid Majidi. When two persons are together, two of the 77th Venice Film Festival, have also Netherlands, Germany, Poland, France, screened the movie. The festival honored Marcello Mastroianni Award. Children and Youth in Isfahan also awarded Norway and Turkey by Jasmila Zbanic are them must not whisper to each other, the film’s star Ruhollah Zamani with the The 33rd International Film Festival for Majidi as best director and Zamani as best actor. also among the movies. without letting the third hear; because it would hurt him. Prophet Muhammad (S) 39th Fajr Theater Festival to kick off today will keep us hopeful, while the difficult situation can Takes It Away” by Hassan Sobhani. bring new opportunities, by turning the challenges into The plays in the guest section are “Ajax” by Fateh Baadparva, WHAT’S IN ART GALLERIES opportunities,” he noted. “Among a Great Number of Fish” by Amir Delfani and “A Several halls including Vahdat, Molavi, Iranshahr and Cassette” by Mohammad Akbari. Painting Hafez as well as the City Theater Complex will be hosting In addition, 12 plays have been picked this year for the Shirin Gallery 1 is playing host to the plays during the festival, which will be running until Soldier of the Revolution, a section dedicated to street an exhibition painting by Hamed February 9 this year. theater. Noruzi entitled “Sting Therapy”. 28 plays have been selected for the national competition The plays have been selected by a team of stage artists: Majid Sadeqinejad is also section of the 39th edition of the festival. Tohid Masumi, Saeid Kheirollahi and Mohammad Larti. showcasing his latest collection The selection includes “Smoking Room” by director Saeid “Those Years” by director Bahareh Saeidinia, “His is named “Return” in an exhibit at Posters for the 39th Fajr Theater Festival are on display Zarei, “Pinocchio” by Mohammadreza Mahmudi, “Bodies” Champion Akbar” by Mostafa Dehasht and Bahar Bordbar, Shirin Gallery 2. at Tehran’s Rudaki Hall after unveiling by event president by Alireza Marufi, “Rashomon” by Ehsan Abdolmaleki, “Cocoon of the Revolution” by Puya Emami, “Life with the The exhibitions will run until Hossein Mosafer Astaneh on January 27, 2021. “Bloody Tuesdays” by Mohammad-Mehdi Khatami and Taste of Gunpowder” by Mojtaba Khalili and “In the Name February 11 at the galleries located 1 The coronavirus era seems to be like the Sacred “Naskh” by Amirhossein Ghaffari. of” by Akbar Qahremani are among the plays. at No. 5, 13th St., Karim Khan Ave. Defense era (Iran-Iraq war) in Iran, because we went Also included are several provincial award-winning plays. Also included are “The Ring” by Nesa Soleimani, “General” An exhibition of paintings by through modes of artistic experiences in those years that The collection includes “Pandemic” by director Reza by Saeid Badini, “Soldier of the Commander” by Amin Morteza Asadi is underway at are similar to these days. Iranian society has always been Purtorabzadeh, “Bob Bara” by Nima Imanzadeh, “Awakening Purmand, “Commander of the Shrine” by Amir Amini, Aria Gallery. a unique and unpredictable society, and these situations in Time of Blood” by Ehsan Janami, “Growing” by Shoaib “Messenger” by Hessameddin Iranmanesh, “No One Is a The exhibit will be running until will not permit its activities to stop,” he added. Maktabdari, “Reboot” by Amirhossein Ajir Arshad, “Uninvited” Man like You” by Behnam Kaveh and “When Hell Freezes February 13 at the gallery located at “Holding the festival in these disheartening conditions by Alireza Mahmudi and “I Am Staring at the Sea so No One Over” by Mehrdad Kavus Hosseini. No. 10 Zarrin Alley, near Beheshti St., Vali-e Asr Ave. A collection of paintings by Shahram Karimi is on display in Mobarak Puppet Theater Festival picks seven traditional shows an exhibition at Golestan Gallery. ARTTEHRAN – A lineup of the turning points in the formation of human collection of popular characters from puppet The exhibit will be running until deskseven traditional puppet culture,” Ardalan has said. shows turned the opening ceremony into February 18 at the gallery that can shows will be performed during the 18th The festival will open with a tribute to a joy-filled event. be found at 34 Kamasai St. in the Mobarak Puppet Theater Festival running puppet show director Golzar Mohammadi, Festival director Marzieh Borumand Darus neighborhood. in Tehran during March. who was the secretary of the 18th edition delivered a short speech wishing happiness An exhibition paintings by Kasra The puppet shows have been chosen of the festival. for all, and asked people to resolve Golrang is currently underway at from 14 submissions by a selecting board The 42-year-old puppeteer died in March their problems through sympathy and Homa Gallery. composed of Pupak Azimpur, Shahrzad 2020 after months of suffering from cancer. compassion. The exhibit titled “Plants in Mobarhan and Davud Fat’hali Beigi. Mohammadi was a graduate of theater Borumand who was overwhelmed to see Continuance” will continue until The lineup includes “The Last Autumn and had directed several puppet shows, the large crowd of people at the opening February 9 at the gallery located Celebration” by Ali Jabbari, “Salim Khan including “Tiba and Tibuni” and “King ceremony hoped to hold the next edition at No. 8, Fourth Alley, Sanai St., Court” by Zahra Amini, “Salim Khan Jamshid and the Monster”. in the Azadi Stadium next year. Karim Khan Ave. Court” by Safar-Ali Mohammadzadeh, The 17th Mobarak International Puppet She invited people to watch the puppet Sadaf Hesamian is showcasing “Salaman and Mobarak” by Mahmud Theater Festival was held in August 2018 shows selected for the festival and said, her latest paintings in an exhibition Dehqan Harati, “Stay in the Jar” by Amir- with parents and children holding their “I am sure any individual regardless of at Dastan Basement Gallery. Hossein Ensafi, “Favorite of the Stage” dolls and puppets who joined a large tastes can find his/her own play to watch The exhibit will be running until by Hossein Rabiei and “Korsibazi” by “Suitcase and Cute Dog” by Albert carnival of puppets and walked from the during the event.” February 11 at the gallery located at Mohammadreza Azadfar. Beigjani. (Iran Theater/Atefeh Arani) Mina Dome at the Abbasabad Cultural Puppeteer Azadeh Purmokhtar said, 6 Bidar St., off Fereshteh St. As a prelude to the festival, Iranian of Transmodernism”. Complex to Ab-o-Atash Park where the “We should not forget real life. Let’s give Drawing expert Hamidreza Ardalan is also scheduled “The workshop centers on the seven opening ceremony was held. our children a chance to play with water A collection of drawings by to hold an online workshop on Monday words dot, letter, name, circle, repetition, Live musical performances featuring and with soil. Green children are more Ensieh Akbarzadeh is on view in under the title “Puppets and Seven Rituals silence and death. These words have been songs from popular TV series and a vast creative. The sky of our puppets is blue.” an exhibition at O Gallery. The exhibition will run until February 10 at the gallery located at 18 Shahin St., Sanai St. Plays by Luigi Pirandello, Albert Camus hit stages at Tehran theaters ARTTEHRAN — Plays by Italian an attempt on the life of the Grand Duke Serge, an uncle Photo desk An exhibition of photos by Mehdi dramatist Luigi Pirandello and of the Tsar. This attempt, and the unusual circumstances Mirbaqeri, Hassan Karimzadeh, Ali French writer Albert Camus have gone on the stages leading up to and following it, is the subject of “The Bustan, Saleh Tasbihi, Sirus Taslimi, of theaters in Tehran. Just Assassins”. Alireza Anushfar and a number of Pirandello’s “Right You Are”, also known as “If “No matter how extraordinary some of the situations other photographers is underway You Think You Are” directed by Majid Zarezadeh in this play may seem, they are the truth. This is not to at Atbin Gallery. is on stage at the Mehrab Theater. say that ‘The Just Assassins’ is a historical play, but all The exhibit named “Photographists” Asmar Musavinia is the translator of the play the characters actually did exist, and behaved as I have will run until February 9 at the produced in three acts in Italian in 1917 as “Così è written. I only tried to make realistic the things which gallery that can be found at 42 se vi pare” and published the following year. really happened” Camus wrote about the play. Khakzad Alley, Vali-e Asr Ave. near This work, like almost all of Pirandello’s plays, “I kept the real name of the hero, Kaliayev. I didn’t the Parkway Intersection. contrasts art and life, demonstrating that truth is do this from lack of imagination, but out of respect subjective and relative. and admiration for those men and women who, in Multimedia No one has ever seen Signor Ponza’s wife and her the most contemptible of efforts, were still not able mother, Signora Frola, together. Councilor Agazzi, This combination photo shows posters for “Right You to get rid of their own hearts. Artworks in various media by Are” and “The Just Assassins”. Mehdi Dashti, Mohsen Karami, Ponza’s employer, investigates Ponza’s private life. “Progress has been made since then, it is true, Mamak Hejazi, Ehsan Nasri, Ali Ponza claims that his wife is really his second wife, wife of Ponza. The “truth” of the matter remains a and the hate which weighed down those exceptional Khaleq, Iraj Shafei and dozens the first having died in an earthquake that destroyed mystery. souls into intolerable suffering has now become a of other artists are on view in an all verifying documents. Likewise, his wife only Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater is playing host to comfortable system. But that is even more reason to exhibition at Seyhun Gallery. pretends to be Signora Frola’s daughter to humor theatergoers for Camus’ 1949 play “The Just Assassins”. bring back these great ghosts and the story of their The exhibit runs until March 3 at Signora Frola, who, he claims, is insane. Thoroughly Mohammad Chitsazi directs the play based on a Persian justified revolt, their difficult brotherhood, and the the gallery located at No. 11, 4th bewildered, Agazzi demands to meet Ponza’s wife, translation by Khashayar Deihimi. unmeasurable efforts they made to put themselves St., Vozara Ave. who arrives, heavily veiled, proclaiming herself as In February 1905 in Moscow, a group of terrorists who in tune with murder — and thus to show where their Works by Tabib Aram, both the daughter of Signora Frola and the second were part of the revolutionary socialist party organized true faith lay.” Mohammad-Hossein Khatamifar, Amir-Hossein Radai are on display in an exhibition at Vaali Gallery. The exhibit named “Kind” will Actor Reza Kianian to showcase new photo collection continue until February 16 at the gallery located at 72 Khoddami “As She Slowly Walks Away” St., Vanak Sq. Atashzad Gallery is playing host to ARTTEHRAN — Actor several group exhibits. his exhibit “Infinite Blue”. an exhibition of artworks in various deskReza Kianian plans to In February 2017, he highlighted the “The galaxy showed itself in every little media by Zahra Samkhanian, Ainaz display his latest collection of photos “As magic of colors in his photo collection titled thing around me. I was deeply surprised. Abbaspur, Aida Sadeqi, Sogol Fadai, She Slowly Walks Away” in an exhibition “Infinite Blue” at Tehran’s Art Center. I was always wondering about the endless GHolamreza Khalili, Fatemeh that will open at Etemad Gallery 1 on The collection was composed of 24 magic of the galaxy since I was a young Bateni and several other artists. February 5. photos, 12 of which feature photos of the adult and I had cried over this immensity The exhibit will run until February The exhibitions will be running for 12 galaxy and the other 12 objects left on the over and over again. And now the galaxy 2 at the gallery that can be found days at the gallery located at 25 Shirudi Anzali Marsh. has called to me. It descended all the way at 3 North Abbaspur (Tavanir) St. Alley, Mofatteh St., near Haft-e Tir Square. “I have never traveled to the galaxy down to me; just for me. You might not near Vanak Sq. Kianian has previously held several but the galaxy has traveled within me,” believe it, but I was able to record the photos A poster for actor Reza Kianian’s photography solo exhibits while he has also attended he had said in a press conference about of the galaxy,” he added. exhibition “As She Slowly Walks Away”.