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7 military exercise Strait andPersianGulf western partsofHormuz Military exercise heldin currency market for disrupting Iran’s 11 individuals convicted WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM ------3 results if he doesn’t win, describing his possible win,describing his results ifhedoesn’t of hisnarcissistic personality. election is definite. becomes certainthathisdefeatintheNovember Trump maytrytopushtheU.S. intoabyssifhe country. ThereasonfortheworryisthatDonald the upcomingpresidentialelectionsintheirown TEHRAN — Americansareconcernedabout Mehr/ Behnam Yousefi By MohammadMazhari 12 Pages It seems that Trump is preparing to refuse the ItseemsthatTrumpispreparingtorefuse totheirknowledge isdue The Americans’fear public opinion U.S. fearsIran’s influence onAmerican we continuetomonitormaliciouscyberactors compromise ourelectioninfrastructure, and political targets.Ouradversariesalsoseekto U.S.political campaigns,candidatesandother compromise theprivate communicationsof elections. and Iranofpursuingeffortstoswaythe2020 China,RussiaU.S.election,accusing the to the Americanpublicabout“foreignthreats” gence andSecurityCenter(NCSC), warned the directorofNationalCounterintelli orcyberinterference. its intelligence influence on the U.S. public opinion rather than Tehran Times that American officials fear Iran’s presidential election, butaU.S. experttellsthe Russia, istryingtointerfereinthe2020U.S. cial haswarnedthatIran, alongwithChinaand offi intelligence U.S. senior —A TEHRAN In a statement on Friday, William Evanina,on Friday,William statement In a “Today, weseeouradversariesseekingto Price50,000Rials American academic believes Trump’s believes academic American ‘law won’t and order’ campaign work federal deployment Congress to block Trump Six U.S.mayorsurge 1.00EURO 4.00AED massive - - sage inresponsetotheongoingprotestsagainst mobilize peoplearounda‘lawandorder’ mes totrying is Trump that seems now,it “right cisco StateUniversitytellstheTehranTimes professor ofinternationalrelationsatSanFran into chaos. the lastbreath,evenifhepushedAmerica to the conspiracy, reveal those behind it, and fight In suchascenario, heissupposedtoconfront loss asaconspiracyorchestratedagainsthim. In thisregard, AnthonyPahnketheassistant 42ndyear U.S. election. the influence to countries three the by done electoral process.” our to harm do also could actors non-state and Russia andIran—althoughothernationstates China,with concerned primarily time, we’re this influence and disinformation efforts in America.” instance, toserveasfodderforforeign continue protests,for recent and pandemic coronavirus mine confidence in our democratic process. The under discord andto increase U.S.policies, to voters’ preferencesandperspectives, toshift and traditional media in an effort to sway U.S. social in measures influence use to continue aging elections,”thestatementsaid. networks, includingthoseresponsibleforman trying togainaccessU.S. stateandfederal The intelligence official also warned that “at Evanina added, “In addition, foreignnations He generally addressed efforts allegedly efforts addressed generally He 10 No.13723

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JULY Commission head ofIran’s Athletes’ Hadi Saei chosen as 29,2020 - - - - look weak. it ishardtosaythatcharismaalonemakesBiden impact onhischanceofelection,Pahnkeargues is working.” “Yet, itisnotapparentthatTrump’smessage that TrumpcouldwininNovember”. Headds, 2016, Pahnkesays“thereisstillthechance leads inthreekeystatesthatTrumpwon police brutalityandracism.” See page3 See destination in Gilan province, northern Iran. province, northern in Gilan destination Astara toRasht, thelagoonisatoptourist paddies. of steam, floating trees and lush green rice in cozycottageswithvistasofroiling clouds offers its visitors a relaxed memorable stay towering mountainsandCaspian Seacoast, Estil Lagoon, whichissandwiched between atmosphere, serene and magnificent a In On Biden’suncharismaticpersonalityandits While polls suggest that Joe Biden nowJoeBiden that suggest polls While and tranquility

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he concluded. Floyd erupted followingthedeathof that Portland andSeattlethedemonstrations try to differentiate recent protests in cities like ‘Russiagate’ scandal”. which hederisivelyreferstoas“thebogus Russia,ties to campaign tion intoTrump on Monday. remarks releasedbythejusticedepartment tests, accordingtoacopyofhisprepared for reform,” Barrwillsayofthe George Floyd’s deathoranylegitimatecall toactions their connect to rioters by the destruction areevensuperficialattempts law enforcement. including hishandlingoftheinvestiga versies thathaveshadowedhistenure, picks three movies movies three picks Festival Film Venice from Iran from - According to his prepared remarks, Barr will remarks,Barr prepared his to According contro other on touch also will “Largely absentfromthesescenesof Barr community. for theinternational catastrophes and changes cataclysmic as well as wars ious withvar history,marked whichhasbeen most turbulentjuncturesintheworld’s past 30yearshaveconstitutedoneofthe from Tehran on Monday, Zarif said the on Monday,Zarifsaid from Tehran sation withEnglish-speakingaudience also amongthebooks. sanzadeh’s KootiKootisstoryseriesare World KootiKooti”fromFarhadHas- Catch ColdKootiKooti”and“Shakethe toseizethere. decides about alionthatarrives inajungleand Nora Haqparast isoneofthebooks. Itis of Persianbookstooverseaspublishers. rights the selling of way new a implement to ident creditorsanditsnominalGDP. non-res to owes country a debt the tween Domestic Product(GDP)istheratiobe in whichtheloanwasmade. est, must usuallybepaidinthecurrency institutions. Theseloans, includinginter financial international or governments lenders includingcommercialbanks, try’s debtthatisborrowedfromforeign

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pro ------I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS JULY 29, 2020

U.S. violates Chicago Deputy FM warns U.S. push to extend UN Convention by harassing Iranian plane, lawyer says arms embargo on Iran will kill JCPOA POLITICAL TEHRAN — Ahmad Momenirad, a professor desk of international law from the University of POLITICAL TEHRAN — Deputy In a tweet on May 3, Secretary of Iran’s Tehran, has said that the United States violated the Chicago deskForeign Minister for Supreme National Security Council Ali Convention by harassing an Iranian passenger plane in Syria’s sky. International and Legal Affairs Mohsen Shamkhani wrote: “#JCPOA will die forever by “The action taken by the United States’ fighter jets in harass- Baharvand warned on Tuesday that the U.S. circumventing 2231 Resolution & continuing ing the Iranian passenger plane is clear violation of the Chicago efforts to extend the UN arms embargo on # Iran’s illegal weapons sanctions. Convention, Montreal 1971 Convention and also regulations of Iran would spell the end of the 2015 nuclear Sanctions’ virus is the U.S. tool for survival ICAO [the International Civil Aviation Organization],” Momenirad deal between Iran and world powers, the of its declining hegemony. What will #EU told IRNA in an interview published on Tuesday. Fars news agency reported. do: Save dignity & support multilateralism The professor noted, “It is mentioned in the introduction of Commenting on the regional tour of U.S. or Accept humiliation & help unilateralism?” the Montreal Convention that illegal actions against security of Special Representative for Iran Brain Hook, Baharvand said that the U.S. main goal is a country’s plane endanger the people and properties, disrupt Baharvand said, “These moves are aimed to destroy the nuclear deal and stir chaos in the airlines’ work and undermine the people’s trust on security at destroying the JCPOA and making the the region, adding that “this unreasonable of flights.” region turbulent.” behavior of the U.S. would lead to the failure Momenirad noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Mahan “The Americans are well aware that Iran of all countries in the region and beyond.” airline and also the passengers can file complaint against the U.S. is a logical player, and it has never been a The deputy foreign minister also pointed U.S. warplanes operating illegally in Syria conducted ag- security threat to the region’s countries,” out that the U.S. has sought to change the gressive maneuvers close to an Iranian Mahan Air flight over he said, calling on the regional countries to talking point regarding Iran, noting that Syria’s al-Tanf region on Thursday. The plane was en route to avoid being deceived by the U.S. support for U.S. efforts to extend the UN said that the extension of the arms embargo “preventing the expiration of arms restrictions the Lebanese capital, Beirut. Hook has visited many countries, including arms embargo on Iran, which is scheduled would inevitably lead to the death of the Joint at the [UN] Security Council is not the talking A passenger, who was aboard the Mahan Air Flight 1152, Tunisia, Qatar and Kuwait, in a bid to muster to expire in mid-October. Iran has repeatedly Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). point.” has sustained a spinal cord injury during the U.S. fighter jets’ harassment of the plane. Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi said on Monday that the U.S. act in threatening the passenger plane is “not forgivable”. In a meeting with top judicial officials, he called on the na- Iranian delegation to discuss crash compensation in Ukraine tional prosecutor general and the Judiciary’s deputy director for By staff and agency for the assassination of top Iranian military commander international affairs to pursue the complaints of the passengers. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Monday Qassem Soleimani. In a letter to Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif pub- that an Iranian delegation will visit Ukraine on Wednesday The airplane had been mistaken for an invading missile. lished late Saturday, Prosecutor General Mohammad Jafar Mon- and Thursday to discuss compensation for a Ukrainian jet Iran has sent the black box of the passenger plane to tazeri said Iran must legally pursue the harassment against the shot down by Iran mistakenly in early January. France for decoding. passenger plane. Kuleba said Ukraine would represent all countries and The Iranian embassy in France announced on July 21 “Once again, the United States turned another page in its groups affected during the talks, Reuters reported. that the preliminary analysis of the recovered data from the dark record against the sacred system of the Islamic Republic “I cannot disclose final numbers of the compensation black boxes is underway in the BEA laboratory in France. of Iran and its fighter jets conducted threatening and dangerous ... numbers will be the result of the consultations,” he said. According to the embassy, a team of Civil Aviation Or- moves close to Mahan flight number 1152 in Syrian airspace on The Ukrainian airliner was shot down shortly after taking ganization of the Islamic Republic of Iran in a joint effort Thursday, July 23,” the national prosecutor remarked. off from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport on January 8, with the French side began to decode the black boxes the The prosecutor said passengers and crew were hurt as the killing all 167 passengers and 9 crew members. prior day, Mehr reported. pilot was forced to abruptly drop altitude. On January 11, the Armed Forces General Staff released On the first day of this joint technical cooperation, a Montazeri said the U.S. act was contrary to international law a statement saying the Ukrainian passenger plane was mis- delegation of Iranian experts and a group of French lab- and the Chicago and Montreal conventions. takenly downed near the airport. oratory experts succeeded in recovering the FDR (flight “So, it is essential for the executive bodies, including Civil The incident happened a few hours after Iran fired dozens data recording) section in the black boxes of the plane, Aviation Organization and Mahan airline, to cooperate with the of ballistic missiles at a U.S. airbase inside Iraq in retaliation it added. Syrian government and ICAO [the International Civil Aviation Organization] to implement articles 13 and 17 of the Chicago Convention and receive the report on the incident as soon as possible and take necessary legal action according to articles Nouri al-Maliki strongly condemns assassination of Gen. Soleimani 44, 54, 55, 84 and 85 of the Chicago Convention,” he stated. Laya Joneidi, the presidential aide for legal affairs, also said POLITICAL TEHRAN — Former Iraqi began from the first moment and the Iraqi On January 3, U.S. President Donald Trump the action against the passenger plane is a violation of the prin- deskPrime Minister Nouri al- judiciary dealt with that incident as a criminal ordered drone strikes that killed Soleimani ciples of international law. Maliki has strongly condemned assassination act that took place on Iraqi land where some and Muhandis as well as eight other people. She said the actions taken by the U.S. fighters are a violation of of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and of the victims are Iraqis,” the council said in Tehran Prosecutor General Ali Alqasi-Mehr Articles 3 and 44 of the International Civil Aviation Convention deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization a statement. announced on June 29 that 36 individuals, (Chicago Convention). Units Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis by the United According to the statement, the investigation including Donald Trump, have been identified According to Joneidi, the explanations provided by the U.S. States. took place according to the Iraqi Code of in connection with the assassination and so far are unjustified and unconvincing. Maliki told an Arabic news channel that he Criminal Procedure starting with inspecting the Interpol has been notified to arrest them. The actions taken by the fighters will bring international re- supports Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, scene and meeting with some of the plaintiffs, “36 individuals who cooperated, sponsibility for their respective governments and open the way ISNA reported on Tuesday. including the legal representative of the Iranian collaborated, and participated in the for Iran to take legal action against the U.S. in the ICAO Council Iraq has announced that Baghdad embassy. assassination of Hajj Qassem, including and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). and Tehran will sue the United States for “The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and political and military authorities of the U.S. assassinating Soleimani and Muhandis. the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers and other countries, have been identified,” In a statement on July 20, Iraq’s Supreme The council said it has coordinated its had been informed of other details regarding he stated. For first time, Iran releases Judicial Council said the country regards the legal procedure with the Iranian Judiciary the accident, and that the investigation The prosecutor general explained that U.S. assassination of General Soleimani and and the two countries will file a joint lawsuit procedures since the time of the accident Trump is at the top of the list, and he’ll be name of martyrs killed by MKO Muhandis on its soil as a criminal act, Press against the U.S. continue in accordance with the Iraqi law,” facing prosecution even after his term as terrorists during 1988 ops TV reported. “The investigation into the airport incident the statement added. president.

(Press TV) — An Iranian human rights NGO has for the first time released the names of 1,503 martyrs killed by the anti-Iran Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorist group in west- U.S. fears Iran’s influence on American public opinion ern parts of the country some 32 years ago. 1 Evanina accused China of “expanding its influ- adding that efforts to influence the U.S. public opinion leftists and Democrats’ chance of winning go up,” pointed Citing a report by Habilian Association, the Nournews agency ence efforts to shape the policy environment in the United are not limited to countries like Russia, China and Iran, out Abolfath, adding that Democrats also believe that on Monday said the MKO terrorists and a large number of “fugitive States, pressure political figures it views as opposed to but U.S. allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia are also trying Trump opposes mail-in ballots because he fears higher prisoners” who were released on Islamic compassion had been China’s interests, and counter criticism of China. Beijing to shape the public opinion in the U.S. voter turnout. called to Iraq from different countries in 1988. recognizes its efforts might affect the presidential race.” According to Abolfath, U.S. adversaries and allies alike Trump has already implied that higher turnout would These terrorists carried out several military incursions from He added that Russia is trying to weaken the U.S. and convey their message to the American people. But there hurt him politically. Iraq against Iranian territory. The operations included three diminish its global role. is a difference between the U.S. adversaries and allies’ In an interview on “Fox & Friends” in late May, Trump rather massive military attacks named Aftab (in Fakkeh region Evanina also claimed that “Russia continues to spread messages. The expert noted that some messages and state- alluded to proposals from Democrats in the coronavirus in the southwestern Iranian province of Khuzestan on March 28, disinformation in the U.S. that is designed to undermine ments of adversaries are much stronger than those of the stimulus negotiations that would have vastly increased 1988), Chelcheragh (in Mehran region in western Ilam Province confidence in our democratic process.” allies. For example, Iranian statements and messages funding for absentee and vote-by-mail options. on June 18, 1988) and Forough Javidan (targeting the western With respect to Iran, the U.S. official claimed that “Iran about denial of justice in the U.S. resonate powerfully “The things they had in there were crazy. They had city of Kermanshah on July 25, 1988). seeks to undermine U.S. democratic institutions and divide with large groups of American people. Iran’s messages things — levels of voting that, if you ever agreed to it, you’d The recent list released concludes the people who were martyred the country in advance of the elections. Iran’s efforts center about U.S. squandering taxpayers’ money on endless wars never have a Republican elected in this country again,” by the MKO in these three military operations and other sporadic around online influence, such as spreading disinformation in West Asia, is another strong message of Iran. Trump said. offensives in 1988 along the western borders of the country. on social media and recirculating anti-U.S. content.” “These messages are being heard in the U.S. It doesn’t He didn’t elaborate on the matter, but American analysts The MKO has conducted many assassinations and bombings Some analysts reject what U.S. calls Iranian “disin- matter where they come from. They resonate with the believe that a higher turnout could give Democrats a hope against Iranian officials and civilians since the 1979 victory of formation” campaign on social media, saying the word American people, whether they are coming from Iran or for winning presidential elections. In an article on July Iran’s Islamic Revolution. It notoriously sided with former Iraqi “interference” needs to be defined. Cuba,” Abolfath told the Tehran Times, noting that the 22, The New York Times dangled the prospect of getting dictator Saddam Hussein during his 1980-88 war on Iran. “First of all, we need to define the word ‘interference’. U.S. administration is trying to prevent these messages Trump out of office as the core reason for voter engagement. Out of the nearly 17,000 Iranians killed in terrorist assaults What does it mean? If it means that some countries send from reaching the American people under the pretext of “The intensity around ousting Donald Trump, which since the Revolution, about 12,000 fell victim to the MKO’s acts their citizens to the U.S. to disrupt the elections by con- election interference. we saw on full display in 2018, has not waned one bit. That of terror. ducting cyber operations or rigging the elections, this type Abolfath also touched on the reasons behind Donald enthusiasm in coming out to vote is saying, ‘I’m letting The terrorist outfit was on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations of interference is unlikely to occur,” Amirali Abolfath, a Trump’s fierce opposition to mail-in ballots, saying that everyone know that I am showing up now — in a primary until 2012. Major European countries, including France, have U.S. expert, told the Tehran Times. high voter turnout in the November election could lead that’s over and in a pandemic — to send a signal that I also removed it from their blacklists. The anti-Iran terrorists “However, almost every country in the world is capable to Trump’s loss. am going to show up in November,’” the Times quoted enjoy freedom of activity in the U.S. and Europe, and even hold of using, to some extent, media and other information tools “Trump is fearful of high [voter] turnout, because when Amy Walter, the national editor of the nonpartisan Cook meetings with American and EU officials. to influence public opinion in the U.S.,” Abolfath said, people turn out in large numbers to vote, the liberals, Political Report, as saying. Iran’s Foreign Ministry late in June lambasted both Europe and the United States for aiding and abetting the MKO terrorist group. “Europe is home to this rogue entity & American taxpayers’ money has funded the atrocities of this corrupt grouplet,” it said. Iran urges U.S. to end its illegal behaviors The ministry added that as a result of their full support for POLITICAL TEHRAN — Government It also urged the ICAO to look into the manitarian commodities to Iran when the the MKO, Europe and the U.S. “both have [their] hands in the deskspokesman Ali Rabiei said issue as soon as possible. country is fighting the coronavirus. massacre of innocent Iranians” by this terrorist organization. on Tuesday that the United States must end Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Iran is escalating pressure on the East Meanwhile, recent leaked images have shown social media its “illegal” and “unusual” behaviors. on Friday denounced the harassment of the Asian country to release about $7 billion of influence campaigns conducted by the U.S.-backed MKO against Responding to reporters in writing be- passenger plane, calling on the international oil-export revenues, arguing that Seoul is Iran. cause he has contracted Covid-19, Rabiei community to stop the U.S. “outlaws” before buckling to pressure from its U.S. ally and The images revealed for the first time part of the organiza- said Iran will not just sit and watch the U.S. a disaster happens. illegally withholding funds needed to counter tion’s secretive social media influence campaign targeting Farsi-, “unjustified moves”. “[the] U.S. illegally occupies territory of the coronavirus outbreak. English- and Arabic-speaking users on social media. He noted that the U.S. does not respect another State and then harasses a scheduled Iran is the hardest hit country by the In addition to the U.S. and Europe, the Paris-based MKO, international law on security of flights. civil airliner—endangering innocent civilian coronavirus in West Asia. regarded as the most abhorrent terrorist group among the Ira- On Thursday night, U.S. warplanes oper- passengers—ostensibly to protect its occupa- In late June, central bank governor Ab- nians, also receives huge support from Saudi Arabia. ating illegally in Syria conducted aggressive tion forces. Audacity to compound lawless- dolnasser Hemmati said Iran will take back The group throws lavish conferences every year in the French maneuvering close to an Iranian Mahan Air ness upon lawlessness. These outlaws must its dollars from South Korea through legal capital, with certain American, Western, and Saudi Arabian offi- flight over Syria’s al-Tanf region. be stopped before disaster,” Zarif tweeted. and international methods. cials in attendance as guests of honor. These include former U.S. Mahan Air’s Flight 1152 had taken off from “The harassment of the Iranian passenger ‘South Korea should unfreeze The central banker also expressed hope national security advisor John Bolton, U.S. President Donald Tehran and was en route to the Lebanese plane by U.S. warplanes constitutes a clear Iranian assets’ that the South Korean government would Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, former Canadian prime capital Beirut when the incident happened. violation of international law as well as avi- Rabiei also said that South Korea should abide by its commitments and not block minister Stephen Harper, and former Saudi Arabian spy chief, Iran said harassing a passenger plane is a ation standards and regulations,” Iran Civil revise illegal procedures and release Iran’s access to those funds under the pretext of Prince Turki al-Faisal. violation of the principles of international law. Aviation Organization said in a statement. frozen money and facilitate importing hu- the U.S. sanctions. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 29, 2020 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 Judiciary: 11 individuals convicted for Analyst favors look to disrupting currency market the East POLITICAL TEHRAN – An analyst has said Iran can desk POLITICAL TEHRAN — Judiciary exchange and gold markets and hoarding define a new mechanism in the world with- deskspokesman Gholamhos- cars from Siapa Company. out a need for Western countries by developing scientific, sein Esmaeili announced on Tuesday “In a case that had more than 50 economic, social, defense, security, and cultural cooperation that 11 individuals were found guilty of defendants, more than 40 people were with East Asian countries. disrupting the country’s foreign currency indicted and 34 defendants were con- market last week. victed in the court,” Esmaeili said during During his weekly press conference, a press conference. Esmaeili said the defendants were sen- “In this case, part of which was disrup- tenced due to smuggling foreign currency tion of the foreign exchange market and and gold, ISNA reported. another part was disruption of the auto “The Judiciary, due to the current industry and gold coin market; Vahid economic condition of the country, is Behzadi, the son of Aboutaleb, and his determined in punishing those who wife Najva Lashidaee were sentenced to commit such crimes,” he pointed out. death for participating in disruption of Earlier this month, President Hassan the economic system through registering Rouhani blamed Washington for “new fake orders and an illegal exchange shop, plots” to harm Iran’s economy by dis- and pre-purchasing more than 6,700 rupting the country’s foreign currency vehicles from Saipa Company and partic- market. ipating in money laundering amounting To offset the impacts of U.S. sanc- to 32,000 billion [rials],” he said. tions intended to strangulate the Iranian The spokesman added that 24,000 “The world is not just limited to Western countries and the economy, Iranian industrialists should Azadi gold coins and 100 kilograms of future of the world economy is moving towards East Asia, therefore boost production and increase exports, gold were found in their house. I personally believe that our strategy for working with the East Rouhani was quoted as saying. Esmaeili also said former CEO of Saipa in the fields of politics, economy, security, and military affairs is The Iranian government is making Mehdi Jamali was sentenced to seven a fundamental and long-lasting one,” Mansour Haghighatpour all efforts to remove the obstacles in the years in prison; former deputy director of said in an interview with Mehr published on Monday. way of production, the president said. Saipa’s marketing Reza Taghizadeh to 15 Haghighatpour, a former member of the Majlis National Se- In recent months, Iran’s Judiciary has years; MP Mohammad Azizi to 61 months; curity and Foreign Policy Committee, further pointed to Iran’s shown determination to fight those who Fereydoon Ahmadi to 61 months; and relations with Russia regarding political and security issues in disrupt the Iranian economy. two of the defendants in corruption cases The defendants, a husband and a wife, former head of Saipa’s security Hossein the region, saying the Islamic Republic can also expand a similar Back in May, Esmaeili announced that were sentenced to death. were involved in manipulating the foreign Hashtroodi to 61 months. cooperation with China. By attracting one to two million Chinese tourists to the country, Iran can improve many domestic industries, he added. He said, “The world is very big. The world is not limited to the West. Those who are inclined to the West are mistaken.” Post-coronavirus world order ‘not entirely Western’, Zarif predicts Elsewhere in his remarks, Haghighatpour said the victory of 1 “Throughout the history, the old order has col- treasury and resulted in the spread of extremism and U.S. President Donald Trump’s rival in the November elections lapsed and been replaced with a new one after widespread terrorism in West Asia. would not be a positive development for Iran. bloodshed. I believe that absolute Western approaches He further noted that the United States has spent “We have been hit by both the Democrats and Republicans,” have failed to provide us with a true understanding huge sums of money on military affairs in comparison he added. of global events. The modern international order will with other countries, adding, “The U.S. sought to create The 2020 U.S. presidential election is scheduled for November not be totally Western anymore,” he said, according a security situation in the world in order to be able to 3, 2020. It will be the 59th quadrennial presidential election. Voters to Press TV. dominate the world through military spending.” will select presidential electors who in turn will vote on December According to Zarif the U.S. is mistaken to think U.S. President Donald Trump said in late 2017 that 14, 2020, to either elect a new president and vice president or ree- that the use of military power would lead to a lasting the United States had “foolishly spent $7 trillion in lect the incumbents Donald Trump and Mike Pence respectively. world order. the Middle East,” stressing it was time they started Former Vice President Joe Biden became the presumptive Washington’s military interference has turned into working “in a bipartisan fashion” instead to “rebuild Democratic nominee when Senator Bernie Sanders, the only “a norm” in the U.S.’s foreign policy, which is a “huge our country.” other remaining major candidate in the Democratic primary, mistake”, Zarif stated. “At some point, and for the good of the country, I suspended his campaign on April 8, 2020. In early June, Biden The chief Iranian diplomat said the U.S. adventurism predict we will start working with the Democrats in a passed the threshold of 1,991 delegates to gain the nomination has cost nothing but the lives of many Americans and the Bipartisan fashion,” Trump tweeted. “Infrastructure at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. loss of eight thousand billion dollars from the country’s would be a perfect place to start.” Judiciary: U.S. brutal nature IRGC stages massive war game, fires long-range ballistic missiles exposed by harassment of

POLITICAL TEHRAN – The Islam- ations were carried out during the joint their actions,” Commander of Khatam- Iranian passenger plane desk ic Revolution Guards exercise, which involved the IRGC Navy al Anbiya Central Headquarters Major TEHRAN (FNA) — Iran’s Judiciary spokesman Gholam Corps (IRGC) has fired long-range and the IRGC Aerospace Force. General Gholam Ali Rashid said on the Hossein Esmaeili said the U.S. warplanes’ aggressive move ballistic missiles capable of destroying Meanwhile, the war game was an- sidelines of the military exercise. against Flight No. 1152 of Iran’s Mahan Air was illegal and hostile vessels during a war game in nounced to be monitored for the first “The occupation and corrupt govern- inhumane, adding that the hostile action proved the brutal southern Iran. time by the Noor-1 Satellite. ments that have tasted the bitterness of the nature of the United States. According to the spokesman of Payam- The IRGC successfully put Noor into power of the armed forces of the Islamic The illegal and inhumane harassment of a Mahan passenger bar-e Azam (The Great Prophet) 14 war orbit on April 22. The Iranian satellite Republic of Iran in response to their threats plane by the U.S. fighter jets was another example of the brutal game, the military exercise was staged was launched with the three-stage sat- and bullying must pay further for their nature of American terrorists, Esmaeili said on Tuesday. in order to show the IRGC’s power in ellite carrier Qassed (messenger) from arrogant and threatening behavior toward “The Judiciary urges Iran’s Foreign Ministry and the Inter- fighting hybrid warfare and network-ori- a launch pad in Dasht-e Kavir, a large the noble Iranian nation,” he asserted. national Community to take a deterrent measure against this ented combats proportional to the IRGC’s desert in central Iran. Iran’s Armed Forces hold routine The general also said the IRGC forces savage act through diplomatic and legal pursuits,” he stressed. offense doctrine. Enemies to pay price of their military exercises throughout the year. Two U.S. fighter jets approached a Mahan Air Tehran-Beirut Brigadier General Abbas Nilforushan have used a series of “surprising equip- misdeeds, warns general Iranian officials have repeatedly said that ment and weapons” in the drills, such flight over the Syrian sky in a highly risky move and the captain of said that the forces attending the drills Meanwhile, on Tuesday a senior IRGC the country will not hesitate to strengthen the Iranian passenger plane was forced to make a sudden change make maximum use of telecommuni- as long-range ballistic missiles capable general warned enemies that they will pay its military capabilities, including its missile of hitting the intruding naval targets at of direction and altitude, causing several injuries. cation and optical devices as well as the price of their misdeeds toward the Ira- power, which are entirely meant for defense, The captain of Mahan Air Flight No. 1152 later said the pilots manned and unmanned equipment to a far distance. nian nation. and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be The military exercise has been held in of the two hostile planes have identified themselves as U.S. army exercise tactics for biological warfare, “Those seeking to show Iran as an never subject to negotiations. pilots during a radio contact. Tasnim reported. Iran’s southern province of Hormozgan, unstable country, while the country is Back in February 2018, Leader of the western parts of the Strait of Hormuz, A video posted by a reporter of Iran’s state-run TV who Anti-ballistic and anti-cruise missile making all-out efforts to contain the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khame- was aboard the plane showed an F-15 fighter jet from the defense operations were carried out in and the Persian Gulf. coronavirus as well as the U.S. bully- nei called for efforts to maintain and Ground, aerial, naval and space oper- window of the plane and comments from a passenger who the war game, he added. ing, will definitely pay heavy prices for boost Iran’s defense capabilities. had blood on his face. In a later interview from Beirut, the reporter said three passengers have been wounded during “the U.S. planes’ intentional move”. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi We produce arms in accordance with foes’ capabilities: IRGC chief said Iran’s Ambassador to the UN Majid Takht-Ravanchi has informed the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the POLITICAL TEHRAN — Commander of the Islam- Azam) 14, were launched on Tuesday morning with incident, and warned that “in case of any incident for this plane deskic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) the participation of IRGC Navy and Aerospace forces on the way back home, the Islamic Republic of Iran will take the Major General Hussein Salami said on Tuesday that Iran in the general area of Hormozgan province near the United States responsible”. is producing weapons and military equipment according Strait of Hormuz. “A similar message has been sent to the Swiss ambassador to the “real threat” facing Iran and the strengths and “Our policies to secure the vital interests of the dear to Tehran,” the spokesman added. The Swiss embassy hosts the weaknesses of the enemies. nation of Iran are defensive, which means that we will not U.S. interests section in Iran in absence of formal diplomatic ties “Our equipment and weapons are developed in ac- attack any country first, but operationally and tactically between the two countries. cordance with the real threat and the knowledge of the we act completely in an offensive way,” the Fars news Mahan Air told FNA later that several passengers wounded enemy’s strengths and weaknesses; our defense doctrine agency quoted Salami as saying. during the incident were taken to a hospital in Beirut and others is based on the production of domestic equipment, and He further said, “What was demonstrated today in this evacuated the plane sound and safe. in each drill our equipment’s quality is being upgraded drill at the level of Air and Navy forces was all offensive.” It said the passenger jetliner refueled to fly back to Iran. compared to the previous one. And the newly produced During the Tuesday drills, IRGC forces practiced coun- The jetliner flew back home early Friday morning. equipment is being tested and used on the real ground,” termeasure against threats deriving from a U.S. aircraft Minister of Road and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami the commander said at the sidelines of the IRGC’s war carrier. The IRGC forces also used the domestically made said threatening of Iran’s passenger plane by U.S. fighter jets is a game which began in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Noor-1 Satellite to monitor the drills. The satellite was terrorist move, and added that CAOI has filed a complaint at the Gulf on Tuesday morning. successfully put into orbit on April 22 by the IRGC. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The drills, codenamed Great Prophet (Payambar-e Speaking to FNA on Friday about the hostile move of the U.S. fighter jets against the Iranian Mahan Airbus late on Thursday, Eslami said, “This is a terrorist act which has been carried out by the U.S. lawless and oppressive government. This is considered an international aggression typical of the Outgoing Iranian envoy bids farewell lawless American government.” The Civil Aviation Organization of Iran called for urgent in- vestigation by ICAO into the threat posed by the U.S. fighter jets to Omani FM official to the Iranian passenger plane. TEHRAN (MNA) – The outgoing Iranian for his constructive role in strengthening important measures taken during his mission “Iran considers the U.S. fighter jets’ threats as blatant instance Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman bid fare- bilateral ties. at the embassy and added, “presently, the of the violation of international law, regulations and aviation well to the Secretary-General of the Foreign For his part, outgoing Iranian envoy amicable relation between the two countries standards,” the CAOI wrote in a communique on Friday. Ministry of Oman Sayyid Badr bin Hamad seized this opportunity to thank the gov- is at the highest level.” Iranian Vice President for Legal Affairs Laya Joneidi also bin Hamood Al Busaidi in Muscat on Tue. ernment and people of Oman in cooperating In this meeting, the two sides, while ex- said disturbing a passenger plane is equal to the violation of In this meeting, the Omani side pointed to and collaborating with him during his tenure pressing readiness for strengthening and indispensable international rules and regulations. the amicable and strategic ties between Iran in line with promoting and strengthening expanding mutual ties, exchanged their Causing of disturbance for a passenger plane amounts to vio- and Oman and expressed his thanks to Hojja- bilateral ties. views on the latest developments between lation of the inalienable principles of international rules, Joneidi toleslam Mohammadreza Nouri Shahroudi Shahroudi referred to some of the most the two countries and the region. wrote in a note on Friday. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY JULY 29, 2020

Worth of trades at IFB rises HEPCO to manufacture equipment, 33% in a month ECONOMY TEHRAN — The value of trades at Iran’s machinery for mining companies deskover-the-counter (OTC) market, known as Iran Fara Bourse (IFB), increased 33 percent during the past ECONOMY TEHRAN — Heavy mining sector as one the major pillars of Iranian calendar month (ended on July 21), IRNA reported. deskEquipment Production the country’s economy has not been an Company (HEPCO) has signed memorandums exception. of understanding (MOUs) with five major In this regard, indigenizing the domestic mining companies to manufacture machinery and equipment needed by this equipment and machinery for them. industry was put atop agenda by the related The MOUs were signed on Monday with bodies and organizations including IMIDRO National Iranian Copper Industry Company which has recently taken over HEPCO. (NICIC), Mobarakeh Steel Company, Gol In late May, IMIDRO also announced Gohar Mining and Industrial Company, that the organization is planning on reviving Chadormalu Mining and Industrial 200 small mines by the end of the current Company, Mining Investment Insurance Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2021). Company (MIIC), and Iran Mine House, said The reason for most of the small mines’ Khodadad Gharibpour, the head of Iranian shut down has been reported to be the Mines and Mining Industries Development lack of machinery or overhaul services by and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). the foreign companies which were used “In the first year of implementation of the to supply the equipment and machinery mentioned MOUs, HEPCO will manufacture to the mines. 200 road building machinery and in the Heavy Equipment Production Company second year another 700 machines will is an Iranian corporation that manufactures be manufactured, and in the future, the construction equipment, agricultural The value of trades at this exchange has also risen 175 percent company will start manufacturing mining machinery, railroad cars, trucks, forklifts since the start of the current Iranian year (March 20). machines,” Gharibpour said. and the equipment of oil, gas, energy, metal Meanwhile, IFX, the main index of IFB, rose 38 percent to In the current Iranian calendar year and mining industries in Arak, HEPCO is stand at 19,544 points in the previous month, registering 197 (started on March 20) which is named Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyed strongly focusing on promoting domestic the largest heavy equipment manufacturer percent rise since the year start. the year of “surge in production” by the Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government is production in various areas and the in West Asia. As reported, 74,128 billion securities worth 184.567 tril- lion rials (about $4.394 billion) were traded through 25.472 million deals at the IFB in the past month, registering 102 percent rise in the number while 920 percent growth in the value of trades compared to the same month in the past year. 627,000 tons of basic goods unloaded at Chabahar port since Mar. 20 IFB is one of the four major stock exchanges of Iran. The ECONOMY TEHRAN – Some 627,000 tons of basic significant growth of imports and exports through Chabahar other three ones are Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), Iran Mer- deskgoods have been unloaded at Iran’s oceanic port, he added. cantile Exchange (IME), and Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX). port of Chabahar since the beginning of the current Iranian According to Aghaei, with an annual loading and unloading The past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19) witnessed calendar year (March 20), IRNA reported quoting Behrouz capacity of 8.5 million tons, Chabahar port is a new destination a very fruitful performance for the country’s stock market. Aghaei, the director-general of Sistan-Baluchestan Ports and for the import of basic goods in Iran. As TSE Head Ali Sahraei has announced, the value of trades Maritime Department. The strategic port of Chabahar in southeastern Iran is at the Tehran Stock Exchange jumped 2.6 folds, while Return The imports of basic goods into the southeastern Chabahar the only ocean port on the Makran coast and it has a special on Investment (ROI) reached 180 percent in the previous year. Port in the current year has increased significantly compared place in the country’s economic affairs. While growth and development in the Iranian stock market to the previous year, according to Aghaei. Chabahar consists of two separate ports named Shahid have been started in recent years, the previous year was in “This year, we registered the record of 800 loaded trucks Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti, each of which has five berths. fact a time of flourishment for the country’s stock exchanges. leaving Chabahar’s Shahid Beheshti port in a single day; since Iran has awarded the development project of this port to Different factors contributed to the past year’s prominent one of the goals of this department is to increase the quality of India, and the South Asian country committed $500 million success in the stock market. maritime and port services, including facilitation of unload- to build two new berths in this port. One important factor was proper ground laid in the stock ing and loading goods in this ocean port,” the official said. of the workforce have made this goal achievable and we are India has doubled the allocated funding for the develop- market and providing better conditions for traders. Having advanced equipment and round-the-clock efforts witnessing the satisfaction of cargo and goods owners and the ment of the port in its national budget bill for 2020. The other factor was the status of parallel markets, such as those of foreign currency, gold coin, and housing in the past year that made making investment in the stock market an Agriculture Ministry bodies ink MOU Coronavirus pandemic reduces Iran’s obviously better and more profitable choice for the investors. And now despite the economic condition created by the on sturgeon protection, reproduction exports to Turkey by 90% coronavirus outbreak, the Iranian stock market is experiencing ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian ECONOMY TEHRAN — The coro- more growth in the current Iranian year. deskFisheries Science Re- desknavirus pandemic has In a press conference on June 22, the head of Iran’s Securities search Institute (IFSRI) and the country’s decreased Iran’s exports to Turkey by 90 and Exchange Organization (SEO) announced that the amount Agricultural Services Specialized Holding percent, the chairman of Iran-Turkey Joint of liquidity absorbed by Iran’s capital market has reached 500 Company (ASSHC) signed a memoran- Chamber of Commerce told ILNA on Tuesday. trillion rials (about $12 billion) during the first quarter of the dum of understanding for protection and Mehrdad Sa’adat said there is no reason current Iranian calendar year (March 20-June 20). reproduction of sturgeon, IRNA reported. for such drop rather than the coronavirus Hasan Qalibaf-Asl also said, “It is while the total amount Signed by the ASSHC managing direc- pandemic, adding that trade between the two of liquidity entered into this market stood at 300 trillion rials tor and the IFSRI head, on Tuesday, the countries has been fortunately increasing after (about $7.14 billion) during the past year.” MOU is aimed at expanding cooperation reopening of the borders, and the traders are The official further noted that the high amount of liquidity between the two parties for using each trying to compensate for the four-month drop that is entering the capital market has provided some good oppor- other’s capacities and facilities for the con- in the bilateral trade. tunity for this market, as it’s being developed and flourished, for servation and reproduction of sturgeon. The official noted that the output, “We are now witnessing some long lines Turkey also relies on Iran as a major mar- the enterprises, as they’re securing their required funds, and As reported, in this memorandum, which was more than the projected of trucks at the border crossings waiting for ket for its manufacturing goods, including also for the government. research cooperation and conducting amount, was achieved through the help entering Turkey”, he added. industrial machinery and garment, while it joint research, as well as holding training of research sectors as well as the ground Sa’adat had told IRNA on June 27 that also sends to Iran some sizable shipments Exports from southwestern workshops has also been emphasized. laid by the private sector. Iran’s export to Turkey was continuing via of crops and fruits that are not cultivated in The Persian sturgeon (Acipenser per- Referring to the high quality of Iran’s the roads and railway. the country. province up 116% in 4 months sicus) is a species of fish in the family fishery products, the head of IFO said He said, “The number of trucks waiting As announced by the IRICA spokesman, Acipenseridae. It is found in the Caspian that these products were sold easily in in Bazargan Border to enter Turkey indicates Iran and Turkey exchanged 6,300 wagons ECONOMY TEHRAN — The value of exports from Iran’s Sea and to a lesser extent the Black Sea and the export markets. that Iran’s export to its neighbor is increas- of commodities via railway during a 70-day desksouthwestern Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahamd province ascends certain rivers to spawn, mainly In mid-January, the official had also ing, adding that Iran’s transit of commodities period from the beginning of the current has risen 116 percent during the first four months of the current the Volga, Kura, Araks, and Ural Rivers. said that new export destinations have via Turkey has also risen noticeably after the Iranian calendar year (March 20). Iranian calendar year (March 20-July 21), compared to the same According to Nabiollah Khoun-Mirzaei, welcomed Iran’s high-quality fishery reopening of this border.” According to Latifi, Iran’s exports to Turkey period of time in the past year, according to a provincial official. the head of Iran Fisheries Organization, products in the past Iranian calendar year. In early June, land borders between Iran via railway stood at 3,072 wagons of goods Behnam Ahmadi, the director currently, sturgeon breeding is carried New markets including China, South and Turkey reopened after more than three and its imports from the neighboring country general of the province’s customs out in more than 20 provinces of the Korea, and the Eurasian Union nations months. reached 3,228 wagons during the mentioned department, told IRNA that the country. have opened up for Iranian fishery products On the first day of border reopening, 150 period of time. province has exported 477,000 The threats faced by this fish include in the current year, Khoun-Mirzaei said. Iranian trucks entered Turkey, according to IRICA Head Mehdi Mir-Ashrafi held a tons of commodities valued at excessive fishing with the removal of “Based on the negotiations and agree- the spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran meeting with his Turkish counterpart Riza $805,000 during the mentioned immature fish before they have bred, ments signed between Iran and China by Customs Administration (IRICA). Tuna Turagay, via video conference on May 5, four-month period. damming of the rivers, loss of spawning the minister of agriculture, the Chinese Rouhollah Latifi said that the mentioned to discuss reopening of trade borders with the The official mentioned Ger- areas, and water pollution. fishery market has been opened to Iranian trucks entered Turkey via three land borders implementation of health and safety protocols. many, Iraq, France, South Afri- In the last Iranian calendar year (ended products. The Eurasian nations and South of Bazargan, Sero, and Razi. Readiness to exchange health protocols for ca, and Switzerland as the main on March 19), the share of the Caspian Korean markets have also welcomed Irani- Also, 35 Turkish trucks entered Iran as the reopening trade borders, importing goods from countries to which the province Sea from 773,000 tons of fishery was an fishery products and have the potential borders reopened, Latifi announced. Sarisu trans-boundary market, implementation has exported commodities in 42,000 tons which constitute 5.4 percent for exports,” the official explained. The long-awaited measure came more than of the third phase of e-Tir electronic project in the first four months of the of the whole country’s fishery, and more According to the deputy head of Fishery a week after Iranian and Turkish presidents all customs offices of the two countries, online present year. than 94 percent of which is related to the Organization Hossein Ali Abdolhay, some discussed the reopening of air and land bor- exchange of information and X-ray in shared Iran’s Acting Industry, Min- Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf. 12 aquatic species are already bred in Iran ders between the two countries now that the borders were among the important topics of ing, and Trade Minister Hossein Iran’s fishery output reached 1.28 mil- and the figure is planned to reach 17 by pandemic has slowed down. discussion in the said meeting. Modares Khiabani has said that lion tons in the past Iranian calendar year the end of the Sixth Five-Year National Iran sees trade with Turkey as key in ef- Mir-Ashrafi urged Turagay to take all the the ministry has it on the agenda to export $41 billion worth of (ended on March 19), the head of Iran Development Plan (March 2021). forts to confront the U.S. sanctions that have necessary measures to ensure the reopening non-oil commodities in the current Iranian calendar year (March Fisheries Organization has announced. Meanwhile, Managing Director of sought to undermine Tehran’s oil exports. of the two countries’ borders since the Turkish 2020-March 2021). Khoun-Mirzaei said it is while the Iran’s Agricultural Parks Company Petrochemical products account for a major borders with its other neighbors were open According to the official, neighboring countries are the main planned figure was 1.25 million tons, and (APC) Ali Ashraf Mansouri has recently share of Iran’s exports to Turkey although at the time. target for the mentioned exports. underscored that this amount of output announced that some 1,500 hectares of the U.S. bans have made it difficult to settle In late February, Turkey closed its border Khiabani noted that the government has paved the way for all was achieved despite the sanctions and fishery parks are planned to be inaugu- payments between businesses in the two with Iran as a preventative measure against productive units to export their products so that they would be related difficulties in the previous year. rated in the country in the current year. countries. the deadly coronavirus outbreak. able to supply their own machinery and raw materials. “We have special programs for supplying raw materials, export- ing and manufacturing of domestic products in the automotive, steel, food, home appliances and machinery industries,” he said. Finance Ministry unveils electronic promissory notes, digital facilities Last year, Khiabani had said that his ministry was planning The unveiling ceremony was held at the place of the achieve a smart economy.” to increase the value of Iran’s non-oil exports to its 15 neighbors ministry and had the Finance and Economic Affairs Minister The official announced the formation of a think tank in up to $50 billion. Farhad Dejpasand in attendance. the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs whose task “Our goal is to be able to meet five percent of our neighboring Speaking in the ceremony, Dejpasand emphasized the is to follow up on the process of smartening the economy. countries’ needs, which would amount to more than $50 billion importance of digitalization, especially in the current situ- He also pointed to the formation of the Information a year considering the total imports of all the 15 countries which ation in which the world is wrestling with the coronavirus Technology Council in his ministry and said that this coun- is at least $1 trillion annually,” he said. pandemic, and noted that achieving a smart economy is a cil will help achieve the goals of smartening the economy The official expressed hope that the mentioned goal would be very important step in realizing the goals of the country’s through a strategic process. realized before the Iranian calendar year of 1400 (which starts development plans. According to the minister, smartening the economy will in March 2021), saying, “The Institute for Trade Studies and The coronavirus pandemic has presented an opportunity lead to saving paper consumption and reducing the physical Research and also Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) are for the acceleration of the digitalization process for various presence of people. currently developing detailed plans to achieve this goal.” ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran’s Finance and Economic aspects of the economy, Dejpasand said. If there is to be sustainable growth in the Iranian econo- Iran shares border with fifteen countries, namely the Unit- deskAffairs Ministry, on Monday, unveiled new He mentioned the pursuit of the smart economy as one of my, we must, on one hand, increase the capacity for foreign ed Arab Emirates, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, digital monetary services including electronic promissory his priorities in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, investment and, on the other hand, increase our production Oman, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Kazakhstan, notes, as well as some digital facilities and credits, IRNA saying: “The transformation of the information technology capacity; a smart economy can help us seriously in both of Armenia, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. reported. office into a smart economy center was implemented, to these goals, Dejpasand stressed. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 29, 2020 ENERGY 5

ICOFC to set up pressure boosting China’s fuel exports poised for a strong rebound this stations for central fields month and next China’s gasoline and gasoil exports are set for a strong rebound ENERGY TEHRAN — Iranian Engineering Procurement, Construction in July and August, industry sources told Reuters, as companies deskCentral Oil Fields Com- and Financing (EPCF) contracts, Bah- make the most of rising global fuel demand and higher prices to pany (ICOFC) is going to implement a maei said. pare back growing fuel inventories. $600-million project for setting up pres- The official noted that for some of the Fuel exports from Asia’s top gasoline and third-biggest gasoil sure boosting stations to ensure sustained mentioned fields like Homa, Varavi, and exporter fell 50 percent in May and stayed weak in June. But now gas supply to refineries in the country’s Tabnak, the contractors have been chosen, that an easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions is boosting central regions. the contracts are signed and the executive economic activity, fuel demand and prices, exports are poised As reported by Shana, the mentioned operations have been started. to rise rapidly. project is aimed for the stable supply Established in 1999, Iranian Central Oil of feedstock to Parsian Gas Refinery in Fields Company is one of the five major Fars Province, Fajr Jam Gas Refinery in subsidiaries of the National Iranian Oil Bushehr Province, and Ilam Gas Refinery Company (NIOC). in Ilam Province. As the second-biggest gas producer in According to Mohammad Bahmaei, the country, this company has undertaken the ICOFC’s investment and development the production and development of most manager, due to the natural decline in the of the country’s onshore fields located in recovery factor of gas fields and the fact Ilam, Bushehr, Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari, that most of these fields are in their mid- Northern Khorasan, Khuzestan, Fars, Qom, life age, this program has been defined, Kermanshah, Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad, which includes the construction of gas Lorestan and Hormozgan Provinces. booster stations in Kangan, Tang Bijar, According to the ICOFC, the compa- Homa, Tabnak, Naar, and Varavi fields. have been obtained and negotiations are equipment manufacturers for the con- ny currently supplies almost half of the This will add supply pressure on the international fuel market, In this regard, the necessary permits underway with contractors and domestic struction of the mentioned stations under country’s gas demand. which has been struggling with subdued demand owing to the pandemic. Refiners produced a record amount of fuel in June, after im- porting record volumes of crude for two months running, to satisfy Overhauling drilling rigs by local experts saves Iran €60m growing demand as the Chinese economy gradually reopened TEHRAN (Shana) — The head of Iran’s Mostazafan Foun- drilling rigs resulted in at least 60 million Euros in hard after lockdown. While China’s diesel appetite typically slows in dation announced savings of 60 million euros following the currency savings for the country. the third quarter, refineries are making the most of higher oil major overhaul of Sahar 1 and 2 floating drilling platforms Referring to a contract between the foundation and the prices above $43 a barrel to get rid of excess fuel. by local experts. Oil Ministry with the aim of repairing and drilling a num- “With very significant inventory build-ups in recent months, According to ICANA, Seyed Parviz Fattah said: “These ber of oil wells in the Persian Gulf, Fattah said the depth of we expect Chinese clean product exports to return to Q1 2020 8,000-ton platforms were rebuilt and overhauled by local these oil wells is up to 4,000 meters, but the rigs can drill levels (in the near term),” said Philip Jones-Lux, energy market experts and engineers in the face of U.S. sanctions, and the up to 6,000 meters. analyst at JBC Energy. Gasoline exports CNC-GASLNE-EXP are country’s capable forces rebuilt all sensitive parts of the He stated that the Sahar 1 and 2 offshore rigs were worth expected to soar by 44 percent to about 1.1 million to 1.2 million platforms, including pumps, drilling systems, structures a total of $400 million, adding that the workforces operating tonnes (300,000-327,000 barrels per day) in July from June, and equipment.” on the rigs are young Iranian specialists and the parts are according to consulting firm FGE and an industry source who According to the official, operation of the two offshore also domestically manufactured. tracks the fuel. Volumes could rise further in August to a four-month high of 1.5 million tonnes, FGE added. The record amounts of crude oil China imported in May and June, according to customs data, suggests the forecasts for gas- End game for oil? OPEC prepares for an age of dwindling demand oline and gasoil exports have room to be revised higher still. The coronavirus crisis may have triggered the last year, its 2030 forecast had dropped to crises. It has managed supply shocks during China received 47.97 million tonnes of crude in May and 53.18 long-anticipated tipping point in oil demand 108.3 million bpd. Its November report is the Persian Gulf conflicts in the 1980s, 1990s million last month, bought on the cheap when crude prices fell and it is focusing minds in OPEC, Reuters expected to show another downward revision, and 2000s and found ways to cope when rival below $20 a barrel in April. reported. one OPEC source says. non-OPEC producers turn on the taps, like Meanwhile, gasoil exports CNC-DIESEL-EXP could jump by The pandemic drove down daily crude OPEC officials declined to comment on the U.S. shale oil industry in the past decade. at least 15 percent in July to between 1.2 million and 1.3 million consumption by as much as a third earlier this its demand outlook or policy for this article. Most recently, when the coronavirus crisis tonnes (290,000-315,000 bpd) from June, according to estimates year, at a time when the rise of electric vehicles But officials have said history shows OPEC’s pummeled demand, OPEC with Russia and from Refinitiv Oil Research and FGE respectively. and a shift to renewable energy sources were ability to adapt to changes in the market. other allies, a grouping known as OPEC+, Exports could rise in August to 1.6 million to 1.65 million tonnes, already prompting downward revisions in Consumption forecasts vary outside OPEC. agreed record output cuts of 9.7 million bpd, FGE and energy consultancy Energy Aspects said respectively. forecasts for long-term oil demand. Oil companies have cut long-term crude price the equivalent of 10 percent of global sup- Still, the recovery in global fuel demand helping to under- It has prompted some officials in the Organ- outlooks as demand prospects fade - slashing plies. Those deep cuts run to the end of July. pin Chinese fuel exports could be capped by a second wave of ization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the value of their assets as a result. Yet, what comes next promises to be a new coronavirus infections, which has prompted countries in Asia oil’s most powerful proponent since it was OPEC’s head of research from 2006 to 2013 Global consultancy DNV GL believes test of OPEC’s mettle. Instead of dealing to impose fresh restrictions. founded 60 years ago, to ask whether this whose work now includes advising hedge demand probably peaked in 2019. with one-off shocks, OPEC must learn to “Gasoline demand has improved to pre-pandemic levels in year’s dramatic demand destruction heralds funds and investment banks on OPEC policy. Oil’s percentage share of the global energy live with long-term decline. numerous countries, supporting the recent stock draws,” said a permanent shift and how best to manage One official, who works in energy studies mix has steadily fallen in recent decades, from “This trend will put a stress on the coop- analysts at FGE. supplies if the age of oil is drawing to a close. in the oil ministry of a major OPEC member, about 40 percent of energy used in 1994 to 33 eration between OPEC members, as well as “That said, the re-emergence of a second wave of COVID-19 “People are waking up to a new reality and said shocks to oil demand had in the past led percent in 2019, even as volumes consumed between OPEC and Russia, as each strives outbreaks casts a shadow over the recovery in demand.” trying to work their heads around it all,” an to permanent changes in consumer behavior. rose with more cars on the roads, rising air to maintain its market share,” said Chakib industry source close to OPEC told Reuters, He said this time was unlikely to be different. travel and a petrochemical industry that Khelil, Algeria’s oil minister for a decade adding the “possibility exists in the minds of “The demand does not return to pre-crisis makes ever more plastics and other products. and twice OPEC’s president. Deutsche Bank ends all the key players” that consumption might levels or it takes time for this to happen,” he That may now be changing, as more elec- Some short-term challenges may come funding for oil sands never fully recover. said. “The main concern is that oil demand tric vehicles roll out of factories and airlines from within OPEC, as Iran and Venezuela, Reuters interviewed seven current and will peak in the next few years due to rapid struggle to recover from the pandemic. The both hit by U.S. sanctions, seek to boost and arctic oil projects former officials or other sources involved in technological advances, especially in car International Air Transport Association production or as output recovers in con- OPEC, most of whom asked not to be named. batteries.” (IATA) does not expect air travel to reach flict-stricken Libya. Deutsche Bank is ending financing for new oil and gas projects in They said this year’s crisis that sent oil below In 2019, the world consumed 99.7 mil- 2019 levels until 2023 - at the earliest. Others may come from outside, as the the oil sands and the Arctic region effective immediately, becoming $16 a barrel had prompted OPEC and its 13 lion barrels per day (bpd) - and OPEC was “Once aviation recovers by end-2023, de- group tries to prevent U.S. shale production the latest major bank to reconsider lending money to fossil fuel members to question long-held views on the forecasting a rise to 101 million bpd in 2020. mand will go back to normal — aside from the taking market share while OPEC seeks to projects in sensitive areas. demand growth outlook. But global lockdowns this year that competition from other sources of energy,” curtail output in its efforts to support prices. According to oilprice.com, Deutsche Bank will no longer finance Just 12 years ago, OPEC states were flush grounded planes and took traffic off the said a second OPEC official involved in fore- “Many challenges are ahead, and we have any new projects in the Arctic or the oil sands and will review all with cash when oil peaked above $145 a barrel streets, prompted OPEC to slash the 2020 casting, highlighting the difficulty of making to adapt,” said one OPEC delegate, who said its existing business in the oil and gas industry, the bank said in as demand surged. figure to 91 million bpd, with 2021 demand predictions amid a global trend towards using the group’s handling of past crises proved a statement on Monday. Now it faces a dramatic adjustment if con- still seen below 2019 levels. more renewables and other fuels. it was able to respond. Deutsche Bank unveiled an updated Fossil Fuels Policy to set sumption starts a permanent decline. The Predicting the peak It leaves OPEC with a mounting chal- OPEC’s former research head, Qabazard, new limits on financing business activities that involve oil, gas, group will need to manage even more closely Producing nations, energy analysts and lenge. Most members of the group, which said the group might have a little more time or coal, and pledged to end its global business activities in coal its cooperation with other producers, such oil companies have long tried to work out sits on 80 percent of the world’s proven oil to adjust before demand peaked. But he mining by 2025 at the latest “in order to help drive the transfor- as Russia, to maximize falling revenues and when the world would reach “peak oil”, the reserves, rely heavily on crude. Oil prices, said the deadline for OPEC to adapt was mation to a sustainable economy.” will have to work to ensure relations inside point after which consumption starts per- now hovering above $40, are still well below approaching. the group are not frayed by any fratricidal manently falling. But demand has climbed the level most governments need to balance “I don’t think it will go higher than 110 dash to defend market share in a shrinking steadily each year, with occasional exceptions their budgets, including Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s million barrels per day by the 2040s,” he businesses. amid economic downturns. de facto leader. said, adding that fallout from the COVID-19 “OPEC’s job will be harder in the future Nevertheless, OPEC has been scaling back New stresses pandemic had changed consumer habits because of lower demand and rising non- expectations. In 2007, it forecast world de- OPEC, whose output accounts for about for good. OPEC production,” said Hasan Qabazard, mand would hit 118 million bpd in 2030. By a third of world supplies, is no stranger to “This is permanent demand destruction.” Iraq’s oil exports to China up 27.5% during first half of 2020 Despite the turmoil of 2020 in the crude oil market, Iraq percent y-o-y to 3.6 million t in the 1H2020. On the other has managed to increase its oil exports to China, its main hand, volumes to India from Iraq, decreased slightly by customer, Hellenic Shipping News reported. -5.4 percent y-o-y to 23.1 million tons, from 24.4 mt in 1H In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Banchero Costa 2019. India accounts for 28.7 percent of Iraq’s total crude said that “oil prices began to recover after the Organization oil exports this year. Exports to the EU (including the of Petroleum Export Countries (OPEC) and its allies agreed UK) shrunk by -43.2 percent year-on-year to 8.4 million “In its current form, the Policy sets us ambitious targets and to end a price war and make their biggest-ever production tons. Volumes to South Korea and the U.S. weakened at enables us to help our long-standing clients with their own trans- cut. The deal has helped oil prices to double in the past 6.4 and 3.9 million tons, -25.0 percent and -47.2 percent formation. It will allow us to play our part in protecting the climate two months by withdrawing about 10 percent of global y-o-y respectively. Looking back at last year, Iraq’s total and helping the EU to achieve its goal of being climate neutral by supplies from the market. Under the OPEC+ deal, Iraq exports were 176.3 mt in the 12 months of 2019. This 2050,” CEO Christian Sewing, who also chairs Deutsche Bank’s is obliged to compensate for their over-production on represented a flat change of 0.0 percent y-o-y, compared Sustainability Council, said. May and June in the coming months. In the first half of to the 176.4 mt exported in 2018, but +7.1 percent from Last year, Deutsche Bank and 129 other banks – represent- 2020, OPEC’s second-largest producer exported just 80.4 164.7 million t in 2017”, Banchero Costa said. ing a third of the world’s banks, worth a total of $47 trillion in million tons (mt) of crude oil, according to vessel-tracking The shipbroker added that “during the whole of 2019, assets, committed to aligning their business to the Paris Climate data from Refinitiv. This represents a net decline of -9.3 exports from Iraq to China expanded by +19.0 percent Agreement, in the biggest pledge to climate sustainability from percent y-o-y, compared to the 88.7 mt exported in the y-o-y to 50.1 million tons. Exports to India increased by the banking sector yet. same period of 2019, and -6.9 percent down from the shrinking -14.2 percent m-o-m from May 2020. This was +8.6 percent y-o-y in the whole of 2019 to 49.0 million Many banks, especially in Europe, have faced in recent years 86.6 mt exported in January-June 2018”. -22.2 percent less than the 14.7 million t exported during tons. Volumes to the U.S. were down -36.1 percent y-o-y increased public and activist pressure to stop funding fossil fuel According to Banchero Costa, “on a monthly basis, June 2019, showing that Iraq improved its compliance in 2019 to 15.3 million t. The vast majority of the crude projects. Some of them have said they would stop providing pro- January 2020 showed a -8.9 percent year-on-year drop with OPEC+ cuts”. oil exported by Iraq in 1H2020 (49.2 mt out of 80.4 mt) ject-specific financing for coal-fired power plants or exploration to 14.1 million tons, and February showed a -11.5 percent “Crude oil exports from Iraq are shipped primarily to was shipped on VLCCs. A further 25.5 mt was shipped and production of oil sands and oil in the Arctic. drop y-o-y to 13.0 million tons, whilst March recorded a China, which also this year accounts for 35.8 percent of on Suezmaxes, only 2.7 mt on Aframaxes, and just 3.0 mt In the United States, Goldman Sachs said in December 2019 +2.0 percent gain y-o-y to 14.1 million tons. April was -5.7 Iraq’s total. Shipments from Iraq to China have increased on smaller units. The vast majority of Iraqi crude exports that it would decline to finance new Arctic oil exploration and percent y-o-y to 14.5 million tons, and May also showed by +27.5 percent y-o-y in 1H 2020, to 28.8 million t, are shipped from the port of Basrah (80.2 mt loaded in production and new thermal coal mine development or strip min- a contraction of -8.9 percent y-o-y to 13.3 million tons. from 22.6 million t in the same period last year. Also, 1H2020, 99.8 percent of the total volumes), with sporadic ing. Wells Fargo and JPMorgan have also said they would stop In June 2020 we saw output as low as 11.4 million ton, Iraq boosted exports to Turkey, which went up by +11.3 cargoes from Khor Al Zubair (0.2 million t)”, it concluded. financing new oil and gas projects in the Arctic. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 ADVERTISEMENTS JULY 29, 2020 TEHRAN TIMES Iran’s Leading International Daily Modern Stadium of Advertising Dept Martyrs of Khuzestan Football Club (KSC)

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tehrantimes79 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 29, 2020 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 7

American academic believes INSTEX: Europe’s fragile Trump’s ‘law and order’ campaign won’t work

1 “Right now, he is riding a general ‘anti-Trump’ sen- muscle flexing timent. If the election were today, people would vote more for Biden because they don’t like Trump instead of supporting Biden.” Trump isolating U.S. over JCPOA & Iran arms embargo extension Regarding the stances of leftist figures like Bernie Sanders who fail to rise to echelons of power in American political structure, 1 In her letter to the former INSTEX and practical action of the remaining parties the American academic says that the failure of Sanders can be President Per Fischer on May 7, 2019 the for- are required.” Jalili noted that Russia and Chi- attributed to a lot of things. He says, “He did get major issues mer U.S. Treasury Department undersecretary na have proven “politically” and “practically” onto the political agenda, such and one of the architects of U.S. “maximum that they are determined to preserve the deal. as Medicare for all, that could pressure” sanctions, Sigal Mandelker clearly A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, be seen as a victory.” stated: “Engaging in activities that run afoul Hua Chunying, announced Tuesday (July 14) That he failed to become of U.S. sanctions can result in severe conse- China’s firm support for JCPOA marking the the Democrats’ nominee “could quences, including a loss of access to the U.S. nuclear deal’s fifth anniversary, reports Chi- be attributed to his campaign financial system.” na Daily. Earlier on June 7, Chinese Foreign failing to make real inroads with Due to U.S. pressures, Europe has been Minister Wang Yi sent a letter to the UN Sec- the African American voters reluctant even to export medicine, foodstuff retary-General and UNSC, elaborating China’s in the south,” the professor and other humanitarian goods that are allowed position in support of JCPOA. maintains. under the sanctions. INSTEX, which is more Arms embargo Pointing to failures by about politics than economics, has no claus- The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Klobuchar and Buttigieg to es for the trade of oil, export of which from called on the UN Security Council on June get young people to vote in Iran are supposed to reach “zero” as per the 30 meeting held via video link to extend the the primaries, Pahnke says “maximum pressure” sanctions. arms embargo on Iran beyond the October 18, those two candidates decid- EU’s fruitless efforts to salvage the JCPOA 2020 expiry date set out under the JCPOA. ed to end their campaigns and and the three European economies’ failure The arms embargo applies to Iran’s im- support Biden. on their pledge to protect the Iranian econ- ports and exports of most kinds of weapons, Asked about rumors of including aircraft and tanks. Some limits on possible election fraud in the omy, has forced Iran to scale back its JCPOA Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C) with Britain’s former UK Foreign missile and nuclear technology will remain November election, the American professor says, “I don’t see commitments. Secretary Boris Johnson (R), France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (L), Germany in place for a few more years, reports the New fraud as an issue. It hasn’t been in the past and most likely won’t During a phone conversation on Monday Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (2nd L) at the EU headquarters in Brussels on May 15, 2018. York Times. be this time.” (July 13) between French President Emanuel (Photo: YVES HERMAN/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES) Macron with his Iranian counterpart Hassan The Trump administration had threatened According to the Washington Post, Biden on Thursday night Rouhani, Macron described the INSTEX as build relations with its European counterpart access two locations inside the country. that if the arms embargo is not extended, the warned donors that “President Trump will try to ‘indirectly steal’ positive, a mechanism that will eventually and monetary channels in other countries. In a reaction to the approval of this anti-Iran U.S. will try to invoke a “snapback” provision the 2020 election by making a case against mail-in ballots, a voting facilitate and increase Iran-Europe trade. It was unclear what role did STFI play in resolution by the IAEA, the Iranian parliament of JCPOA to reimpose former (pre-JCPOA) method that many are expected to use to avoid exposure to the U.S. was initially part of the JCPOA sig- the first INSTEX transaction in March. in June urged the government to reconsider UN sanctions on Iran, a move that is deemed novel coronavirus during November’s election.” natories during former president Barrack Survival of JCPOA the implementation of the Additional Protocols invalid and illegal. However, Pahnke says, “If there is any problem with the elec- Obama’s administration. But after Donald The survival of the nuclear deal has been of Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). “Having quit the JCPOA, the U.S. is no tions, then it will be where states don’t make it possible for people Trump’s election in 2016, he acted according subject to tit-for-tat policies followed on both The parliamentary National Security and longer a participant and has no right to trigger to vote by mail, which may depress turnout.” to one of his campaign pledges and exited sides, and its future hinges on multilateral Foreign Policy Commission (NSFPC) decided a snapback at the UN,” said Zhang Jun the the U.S. law stipulates if election fraud is proven, he explains from JCPOA in May 2018, imposing “maxi- negotiations and diplomacy. to stop Iran’s “voluntary” implementation of UN ambassador from China. that States have different rules. mum pressure” sanctions on Iran along with On January 5, Iran took a fifth and last step Additional Protocol to the NPT, reported Fars During a telephone conversation between According to Pahnke, the law stipulates if election fraud is prov- secondary sanctions that not only prohibit in reducing its commitments under JCPOA news agency quoting Sara Fallahi, a member Rouhani and Russian President Vladimir Putin, en states have different rules. American companies, and citizens but also and said it would no longer observe any op- of the commission. Fallahi added that such both parties slammed the U.S. for seeking to “For instance, some places Trump may try effect foreign entities and individuals. erational limitations on its nuclear program an approval “can also effect the future of the extend an arms ban against Tehran, calling require I.D., others allow felons to downplay The secondary sanctions show power of concerning the capacity and the level of uranium Iranian nuclear deal.” for efforts to confront Washington’s “unilat- to vote, while other states do U.S. hegemony to legally and factually control enrichment, as well as the volume of stockpiled On the fifth anniversary of the signing of eralism”. not,” he explains. the virus, and financial transaction system. If a company uranium or research and development. JCPOA on July 14 the Foreign Ministry tweeted Representatives from Britain, France and He maintains that “min- this may help doesn’t operate in U.S. market, either its banks Despite Iran’s fifth step, EU foreign minis- that Iran remains committed to diplomatic Germany voiced their unease at both the exten- imally, citizens who are over him because it do, or its insurance companies or its reinsurance ters vowed in January to preserve the nuclear engagement despite the setbacks reiterating sion of the arms embargo and flatly opposed 18 can vote, while fraud cases companies backing the insurance company. deal by ignoring Trump’s call for them to quit that Iran “has been and will be a trusted partner to U.S. triggering snapback mechanism. are rare. There are cases where appears that To complement INSTEX, Tehran officially the landmark 2015 agreement. EU Foreign to its neighbor & beyond.” According to the Head of the Center for Geopolitical Studies the same person votes twice more of his registered the Special Trade and Finance In- Policy Chief Josep Borrel said that the EU is tweet “JCPOA is the product of Iran’s openness of Russia Leonid Ivashov said on Saturday that or where people who should stitute (STFI) just two months after INSTEX committed to preserving the JCPOA adding to engagement, but U.S. reckless exit from the the U.S. insistence for extending Iran’s arms register do, in fact, register.” supporters also was setup. With board of directors of repre- that “it is to our interest” to preserve JCPOA deal has wreaked havoc on this multilateral embargo is against the nuclear deal and is part While American history downplay the sentatives of legal entities, including Refah “as far as we can.” Borrel was addressing a accomplishment.” of the U.S. plan for selling more weapons to shows that most cases of fraud virus.” Kargaran Bank, Agriculture Bank of Iran, Bank news conference after a meeting with the EU Meanwhile, Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow, the region. have been committed by ma- Pasargad, and Fardis Gostar Kish Informatics foreign ministers, where they discussed the Kazem Jalali, expressed hope on July 13 that While Europe is running out of time to jor political parties through vote buying, the biggest concern in Services Company. STFI announced it provides situation in Iran, Iraq and Libya. there is still a chance to save the nuclear deal save JCPOA, Trump’s move to extend arms terms of maintaining the integrity of the voting process will be in payment settlement services to legal and natural The IAEA’s 35-national board of governors which he described as a “win-win” situation , embargo has set the stage for a clash with its ensuring vote by mail, which works in many states and has been importers/exporters as well as domestic and passed a resolution in June, calling on Iran reported IRNA. He expressed hope that “there allies and is another vivid example of U.S. in existence since the Civil War, and local politicians moving or foreign banks. The company’s objective was to to cooperate fully with it and let the agency is still chance to save the JCPOA and political isolation on the Iran issue. closing polling places. About the impact of COVID-19 on electoral competition and how the candidates try to exploit it, the American analyst tells the Tehran Times, “This is hard to say, mainly because Biden is taking Israel’s nightmare: The dissolution of the Palestinian Authority advantage of Trump’s failed response to the virus. That Biden is doing so well, in this regard, is more due to luck than strategy.” the Beit El Israeli settlement north of Ramallah and leave By Adnan Abu Amer He adds, “Trump may try to downplay the virus, and this may the Israeli army to assume full responsibility for the West Amid the anticipation of Israeli annexation of large parts of the help him because it appears that more of his supporters also down- Bank’s security. occupied West Bank, there have been significant developments play the virus.” Meanwhile, there have also been reports that the Palestinian on the Palestinian political scene. It seems that there is an Commenting on possible Russia or China’s attempts to meddle intelligence has received instructions to remove secret security increasing likelihood that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will in the presidential election, Pahnke refers to reports that suggest documents from its offices. be dissolved, or at the very least, its powers greatly reduced. Russia’s attempts to influence people. Given that Israel has full knowledge of the PA’s security In late May, Palestinian officials announced that they “Reports and studies show that Russia in particular attempts operations - either because it hands over such information are ceasing security coordination with Israel in response to to influence people, principally via social media. But that these directly to the Israelis, or because the latter have their spies Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s annexation countries coordinate efforts through funding candidates, or placing in its ranks - this move is likely intended to prevent the threats. Shortly after, PA security forces withdrew from areas actual ads in the media, is not happening,” he further says. Palestinian people from laying their hands on such files, jointly monitored with Israeli forces in the north and east “Alternatively, China targeted U.S. agricultural products, such which could potentially implicate PA figures in collaboration Jerusalem, including from the towns of Abu Dis, Bedouin, as soy, limiting their purchases, which is a very clear attempt to hurt with Israel. The last time the PA issued such orders was at Qatana, and Beit Iksa. Trump’s electoral base in the Midwestern United States,” he says. the beginning of the second intifada in 2000. Around the same time, the PA also announced that it “Still, at the end of the day, Americans will evaluate informa- The sidelining of the PA is not only a problem for Ramallah; would no longer accept transfers of funds from taxes Israel tion from where they get it and then vote; however, they choose,” it will soon be a problem for Israel as well. If the PA proceeds collects on its behalf, which goes towards paying for salaries seem to be reducing it to a service provider - something the American academic concludes. and services in the West Bank and Gaza. It also stopped Ramallah would not accept. with dissolving its security apparatus, the onus of providing issuing permits for Palestinians living in the West Bank to The PA has feared this scenario for a while - Israel weakening security in the West Bank will fall on the Israeli authorities, cross into Israel. its power by establishing direct relations with the Palestinian which hides many risks for them. Mali’s opposition rejects This created confusion and led to chaotic scenes in front public and eventually eliminating its political role. Recently, Israeli scholars have already warned of the consequences of Israeli liaison offices in the West Bank, particularly in Al- PA officials have voiced such fears and have warned that the of sidelining the PA. In an op-ed for Israeli media outlet Ynet, West African leaders’ plan Khalil (Hebron), where thousands of Palestinians gathered PA will not be reduced to a local council or a charity. Michael Milstein, the head of the Palestinian Studies Forum to end deadlock to apply for permits. The PA stood by and did not intervene. At the same time, the PA has taken a number of security at Tel Aviv University, wrote that the present situation could It has done little to stop the flow of workers, business measures in preparation for the annexation. In June, reports turn into a “nightmare” for Israel. According to Milstein, as the Palestinians establish direct On Tuesday, Mali’s opposition coalition formally rejected a plan people, and sick individuals crossing into Israeli territory in the Israeli media removed illegal weapons from its offices, proposed by West African leaders for ending a political crisis, every day despite the emergency situation surrounding the fearing members of Hamas may try to take them and launch relations with Israel, they will start seeking an improvement of living standards and services from the Israeli authorities raising the prospect of more mass anti-government demonstra- coronavirus’s spread. In the past, the Palestinians’ movement an armed assault on Israeli forces if tensions escalate in the tions in the coming weeks. was always coordinated between Israel and the PA to ensure West Bank. and eventually demand citizenship, which would be another step towards a one-state solution. Tens of thousands of people answered opposition calls for security and order. This development seems to indicate that These weapons have been collected from the civilian protests in early June over contested local elections, perceived the Israeli authorities are gradually establishing a direct population during disarming operations since the end of Indeed, this realization may be one of the factors, along with Western pressure, which has caused the Israeli government government corruption and incompetence. Police killings of line of communication and relations with the Palestinian the second intifada in 2005. protesters further inflamed anger against President Ibrahim population, sidelining the PA’s mediatory role. The PA is also in possession of 26,000 Kalashnikovs and to delay the announcement of the annexation. Wiser heads in Israel’s conservative leadership may have prevailed, having Boubacar Keita, who the opposition insists should resign. The authority was established in 1994 on the tail of the pistols and dozens of armored vehicles under license from Heads of state of members of the Economic Community of Oslo Accords and was supposed to be an interim body during the Israeli authorities, which control the armament of the recognized that their aggressive expansionism in recent years may have accelerated Israel’s advance towards the West African States (ECOWAS) proposed on Monday that the the transition to an independent Palestinian state in the Palestinian forces as per the Oslo Accords. members of parliament whose elections were contested should West Bank and Gaza. Israel’s aggressive encroachment on According to Israeli TV channel Kan, the PA has made dreaded but inevitable outcome of their desire to colonize all of Palestine - the establishment of one Israeli-Palestinian step down and that by-election be held. It also called for a gov- Palestinian rights and path towards statehood over the past plans to hand over these weapons to Israel in the event of ernment of national unity and an inquiry on the deaths. few years, as the Trump administration gave it full backing, an escalation in the West Bank following the annexation. It state with equal citizenship for all inhabitants. (Source: Aljazeera) President Keita responded with a cabinet reshuffle late on have severely undermined the PA’s political powers and plans to send them in trucks to the Israeli military base at Monday, naming six ministers to core positions, including Tie- bile Drame as foreign minister and General Ibrahim Dahirou Dembele as defense minister. They are tasked with negotiating Spain goes on the offensive against UK over ‘unjust’ quarantine rule with the opposition to form the government of national unity. But the plan was unlikely to be accepted by the M5-RFP op- The Spanish Prime Minister has condemned ative MP Chris Bryant, who chairs the all-party showing any sign of changing its mind over But this account is contradicted by cabinet position coalition, which has spearheaded anti-Keita protests the British government’s quarantine decision parliamentary group for Spain, said: “there are the issue. office minister Michael Gove who told the BBC’s and already flatly rejected an earlier version of the proposals as “inappropriate” and “unjust”. many, many regions of Spain which have much To that end, Tory MP, Simon Clarke, pro- Good Morning Scotland that the news amounts from the bloc. Pedro Sanchez claimed in an interview with lower infection rates than many areas in the UK claimed: “We respectfully disagree with the to “speculation”. “The M5-RFP states with regret that the conclusions of the local broadcaster Tele Cinco that the places ... I think this has been terribly badly handled”. Spanish government’s position on this”. Clarke For his part, Clarke made the following Heads of State Summit do not take into account the depth and heavily dependent on British tourists such as The Spanish PM also accused the UK of was adamant that there had been a “sharp in- unequivocal statement on the issue: “What gravity of the sociopolitical crisis that has Mali’s future hanging the Balearics and the Canary Islands are safe making an “error” by over-estimating the in- crease” in Covid-19 cases in Spain. I can say is that there have been thousands of in the balance,” it said in a statement. destinations. fection rate for the whole country. In a further twist, the Telegraph (July 27) new cases in Spain over recent days, therefore It said the proposals did not “correspond to the people of He added that the spike in the number of new In addition, Sanchez confirmed that the claimed that “quarantine for people arriving it’s an entirely plausible scenario that people Mali’s expectations and aspirations and violate the laws and cases in Spain this week were recorded in the Spanish government is in talks with the Brit- from Spain and other countries with high levels have returned to the UK carrying the virus ... constitution of Mali.” north-eastern regions of Catalonia and Aragon ish authorities “to try to convince them” to of Covid-19 will be cut to 10 days [provided Even if the risk is one that hasn’t materialized, The coalition has said it would restart the protests on August which are less frequented by British tourists. reconsider the unsuitable measures. they test negative] under plans being finalized frankly it’s one we need to close off.” 3 if their demands are not met. Echoing the Spanish PM’s position, Conserv- Meanwhile, the British Government is not by ministers”. (Source: Euronews) (Source: Reuters) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 8 HERITAGE & TOURISM JULY 29, 2020

British embassy in Tehran UNESCO-tagged Imam Square resumes processing visas

TOURISM TEHRAN – The British embassy in Tehran in deska Twitter message late on Monday announced in Isfahan being restored it has resumed processing visas for Iranian applicants. “We are pleased to announce that the Tehran Visa Application TOURISM TEHRAN – A Naghsh-e Jahan Sq. was laid out in Center reopened yesterday (Sunday) to provide British visa ser- deskrestoration project the very early 17th century under the vices. Visa applicants now need compliance with health protocols has been commenced on the walls of reign of the Safavid ruler, Shah Abbas to keep themselves and the visa application staff healthy,” the the east side of the UNESCO-registered the Great, to signal the importance of message read. Imam Square in Isfahan, central Iran, Isfahan as a capital of a powerful empire. CHTN reported. It is hemmed on four sides by As the walls have been damaged by magnificent buildings: to the east, the the moisture over the years, and no Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque; to the west, dehumidifiers have been embedded the palace of Ali Qapu; to the north, the in them, dehumidifying of the walls portico of Qeyssariyeh; and to the south, by removing the wall piers has been the eminent Imam Mosque. started, Fariba Khatabakhsh, director of The sizeable open space has changed the World Heritage site said on Tuesday. little since it was built, the only modern Moisture in buildings and architectural additions are some fountains added structures provides suitable conditions during the Pahlavi era. for the growth of fungi and produces an According to UNESCO, the square unpleasant odor. It can also cause various was at the heart of the Safavid capital’s damages to the building materials. culture, economy, religion, social power, After fixing the problem, the government, and politics. Its vast sandy damaged parts will be restored under esplanade was used for celebrations, the supervision of cultural heritage promenades, and public executions, for The British ambassador to Tehran, Robert Macaire, on July experts, she added. playing polo and for assembling troops. 26 announced that the process of obtaining a British visa is trans- The UNESCO-registered Imam Square Imam Square is perhaps at its best in parent and fair. “You have to provide all the relevant documents has long been full of life thanks to being the late afternoon when the encircling and meet the required criteria. No broker is required to obtain a a prime destination for both domestic blue-tiled domes and minarets are lit visa. All required information is online and all the appointments and foreign travelers. (literary meaning “Image of the World”), At 512m long and 163m wide, it is one up by the last rays of the sun while the would be given every week.” Best known as Naghsh-e Jahan Sq. the property is in Isfahan, central Iran. of the largest squares in the world. mountains beyond turn red. On March 1, dependants and some staff started evacuating from the British embassy in Tehran due to coronavirus but the essential staff remained. “In the event that the situation deteriorates further, the ability of the British Embassy to provide assistance to British nationals Qazvin Grand Hotel ready for new restoration project from within Iran may be limited,” Britain’s Foreign Office said TOURISM TEHRAN – Buttressing measures for restoring old buildings without financial difficulty was as part of a travel advisory for Iran. deskhave been conducted on the historical integral to the fund accepting their bid. Qazvin Grand Hotel, which was established in 1922 in The hotel’s location in the historical texture of Qazvin the west-central Iranian city. The monument that covers (152 kilometers northeast of Tehran) has been cited as one Iranian police bust gangs of about 3,000 square meters in area is now ready for the of the reasons behind the lack of interest among investors, illegal excavators next phase of restoration. as any possible damage to the historical texture during “With the completion of a phase that reinforced the building restoration could cost investors a small fortune. TOURISM TEHRAN – Iranian police have recently busted of Qazvin Grand Hotel building, the restoration project will It is one of the oldest hotels in the country, covering desktwo gangs of illegal diggers and antique dealers enter a new phase in mid-Mordad (Early August),” CHTN about 3,000 square meters. The three-story building in southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad and northern quoted CEO of the Iran Cultural Heritage and Tourism enjoys unique architectural features, such as Corinthian Golestan provinces. Investment Group Co. (SEMEGA) as saying on Monday. order column capitals, wooden ceiling, elegant stuccos, Five illegal diggers, who were trying to find relics in Kohgiluyeh Over the past years, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, and brickwork. and Boyer-Ahmad province were detained in this regard, said Tourism and Handicrafts has conducted a series of emer- Inscribed on the National Heritage List in 2004, the Amir Rahmatollahi, a senior police official in charge of protecting gency restoration work on the hotel. However, a new phase hotel is the site of a historically significant event: It was cultural heritage, IRIB reported on Tuesday. of restoration was completed at the end of [the month] in this hotel that Reza Shah, the founder of the Pahlavi Ordibehesht (May 20), Esfandyar Heydaripour added. dynasty, plotted the coup d’etat that ended the Qajar rule Known as Iran’s first “European-style” hotel, the dilapi- in Iran in the early 20th century. some quirky museums, and a handful of decent eating dated structure was put out to tender last year but attracted Qazvin was once the capital of the Persian Empire under options. For most travelers, Qazvin is also primarily the little interest. However, SEMEGA placed a bid during the Safavids from 1548-98. It is a major tourist destination with staging point for excursions to the famous Castles of the second tender in February and won. SEMEGA’s reputation a wonderfully restored caravanserai-turned-arts precinct, Assassins and trekking in the sensational Alamut Valley. Badrud historical houses to help generate jobs, reverse migration TOURISM TEHRAN – A number as the result of constructive talks held be- of Badrud, which has paved the way for deskof historical houses scat- tween the provincial tourism department the return of the welcoming atmosphere tering across Badrud, an ancient town in and private investors,” CHTN quoted a to that significant structures,” Hossein Natanz county, central Isfahan province, senior tourism official as saying on Tuesday. Yazdanmehr explained. are set to be restored in a bid to help the “As the issues relating to cultural herit- Badrud boasts exquisite houses such as cultural heritage and tourism sector gen- age, and tourism are becoming more high- Mohaqiq-al Dowleh House, a masterpiece erate jobs and spur reverse migration in lighted in the region bringing a change in of traditional Iranian desert architecture; the region. people’s attitudes about preserving histor- Moezi House, both date back to the Qajar In another seizure that took place in Golestan province, the “Significant measures have so far been ical buildings, many historical houses are era; and Haj Jamei Ab Anbar (a traditional police recovered 12 Islamic-era objects and an illegal excavator conducted concerning the renovation and being restored in close collaboration with water reservoir) dating back to Pahlavi was arrested, the official added. restoration of historical houses in Badrud the private investors in Bagh neighborhood period. He also noted that the culprits were surrendered to the judicial system for further investigation. Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province is known for its nomads and nomadic life. Sightseers may live with a nomadic or rural family for a while or enjoy an independent stay and Visit select of ten historical monuments in Tehran assist them with day-to-day life. It also opens up an opportu- TOURISM At first look, modern Tehran may seem entrance is made of wood, giving it a warm, earthy feel. It nity to feel rustic routines, their agriculture, traditions, arts, deskchock-full of multi-story and high-rise contains several stages and continues to be a top venue and culture. buildings of all shapes, but there are many other beau- for the performing arts. Golestan is reportedly embracing some 2,500 historical and tiful structures of note. Masoudieh Palace natural sites, with UNESCO-registered Gonbad-e Qabus – a Over the past decades and centuries, inhabitants of Masoudieh Palace is one of the most beautiful historical one-millennium-old brick tower – amongst its most famous. the Iranian capital built impressive houses, mansions buildings of the Qajar dynasty. Built in 1879, this palace Narratives say the tower has influenced various subsequent and so on, used by and home to some of the most impor- has witnessed many events, including the formation of designers of tomb towers and other cylindrical commemora- tant figures and merchants, many of which still stand, the first ministry of education and the establishment of tive structures both in the region and beyond. The UNESCO providing some of Tehran’s major tourist attractions. the first official library. comments that tower bears testimony to the cultural exchange The following is a list of ten historical buildings scat- Among its characteristic traits are the plasterwork, between Central Asian nomads and the ancient civilization tered across the hectic metropolis that indeed worth mosaics, and gardens. Today, it’s a popular spot with of Iran. to pay visit to. The sites have been selected by thecul- visitors brunching in its cozy cafe with stained glass win- turetrip.com. dows, before walking around to snap some photos of the Iran in detail: Xerxes’ Abgineh Museum picturesque edifice. The remarkable Glassware and Ceramic Museum is Cinema Museum Gateway in Persepolis housed in a beautiful Qajar-era building constructed Cinema Museum of Iran at the Ferdows Garden (Bagh-e almost a century ago by Ahamd Qavam as his private Ferdows) in northern Tehran houses a Qajar-era mansion (Lonely Planet) — The bronze trumpets that once herald- residence and work office. It later served as the embassy A view of Shams-ol-Emareh (“Edifice of the Sun”), a masterpiece surrounded by a well-manicured garden. ed the arrival of important foreign delegations (a fragment of of Egypt, before turning into a museum in 1976. of the 19th-century Persian architecture located in the UNESCO- The most delightful feature of the monument may be which is on display in the museum) may now be silent, but it It gracefully blends European and Iranian architec- registered Golestan Palace, downtown Tehran its balcony, with walls and columns adorned in detailed is still possible to capture the sense of awe on approaching the tural styles with a Russian staircase to connect the first floral plasterwork and arched wooden-framed windows. colossal main gateway. and second floors. The ornate plaster, carved wooden Green Palace There are exhibitions take you through Iran’s cen- columns, and crystal chandeliers make the interior of this One of the buildings of the Sa’ad Abad complex, which is tury-old film industry, and the surrounding cafés allow building just as beautiful, if not more so, as the exterior. located in northern Tehran, and perhaps its most beautiful you to admire the building (and check out Tehran’s artsy Golestan Palace is the Green Palace. Built at the end of the Qajar era and crowd) a little longer as you sip on some tea. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013, later remodeled by Reza Shah, serving as his residence Tamasha-gah-e Zaman (The Time Museum) Golestan Palace consists of a group of royal buildings for one year, before turning into a guest house. Brought Sitting amidst a luxurious Persian garden, the Time that once served as the seat of government during the from mines in the Zanjan and Khorasan provinces, the Museum not only has an extensive collection of time- Qajar era. It exemplifies a fusion of Persian and Western marble used to construct its exterior has a unique hint keepers, but the building itself is the epitome of authentic designs, with immaculate archways, mirrored halls and of green. Just as elaborately designed are the interiors, Iranian architecture. ceilings, and decorative tiles all placed within the confines with a mirror hall and a Persian rug woven over a period This decades-old manor once belonged to Hossein of a lavish Persian garden. Words don’t do justice to of seven years, among their other ostentatious features. Khodadad, a well-known Iranian merchant, but now the ancient Persian badgir, windcatchers, and exquisite Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art serves as a museum to showcase numerous clocks and varied mosaics bordering the rounded windows, which One of the largest art museum in the country, Tehran watches. The pastel-blue exterior boasts windows that are among the many highlights. Museum of Contemporary Art is an impressive concrete resemble cream-colored lace, and the inside does not Shams-ol-Emareh feat in itself. To design this building, architect Kamran cease to dazzle with it decorated ceilings, plasterwork, Although it comprises part of Golestan Palace, Shams- Diba was inspired by integrating traditional Persian ar- and colorful orosi (stained-glass) windows. ol-Emareh, or “Edifice of the Sun”, is a masterpiece chitectural elements with modernity. Saray-e Roshan deserving its own recognition. This is particularly embodied in the four structures On Naser Khosrow Street, one of the oldest streets in Built during the reign of Xerxes I, who called this his Gate of All The Qajar monarch Nasser-ol-Din Shah started with sitting atop the building, which resemble a modernized downtown Tehran, stands the bewitching Saray-e Ros- Nations, the pillared entrance is guarded by bearded and hoofed the idea to build a tower that gave a panoramic view twist on the windcatchers of ancient Persia. han. Established in 1932 as one of the first commercial mythical figures in the style of Assyrian gate-guards. of the city, and in 1867, construction was finished two Te’atr-e Shahr (City Theater) centers, this gothic-inspired building is strikingly unusual The gateway bears a cuneiform inscription in Old Persian, Neo-Bab- years after it began. Twin two-tiered towers sit atop Completed in early 1970s, the City Theater deserves in the setting of Iran. ylonian and Elamite languages declaring, among other things, the structure with arched windows, intricate tile work, regard for its cylindrical design that combines both the While the faces and statues, nearly nonexistent elsewhere that Xerxes is responsible for the construction of this and many and an open hall in the center. Though it’s not possible traditional and modern. in Iran, are more reminiscent of European architecture, beautiful wonders in Parsa. Centuries of graffitists have also left to climb to the top, it’s easy to imagine Nasser-ol-Din The standing columns add geometric patterns to the the symbol of Zoroastrianism in the center, Ahura Mazda, their mark, including explorer Henry Morton Stanley. Shah’s success in achieving his desired view. roof, which are then filled in with ceramic tiles. The grand gives it a distinctly Persian flavor. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 29, 2020 SOCIETY 9

International Tiger Day: silent roar WFP donates over $232,000 to refugees residing in Iran

SOCIETY TEHRAN — The World Food Program (WFP) of Caspian tiger is regrettable desk donated a total cash worth of $232,282 and By Faranak Bakhtiari deer, are in a miserable condition. 274.4 million tons of fortified wheat flour, vegetable oil, and Part of the direct protection of this species lentils to the refugees residing in Iran in the month of June, TEHRAN — Tiger is an endangered spe- is to increase physical protection, that is, to according to a report released by the WFP. cies whose surviving population in natu- increase the number and level of awareness Additionally, WFP continues to support refugees’ livelihoods ral habitats is less than 4,000 individuals, and literacy of the rangers, and the other part through activities that aim at providing them with complementary and preventing them from extinction and is the proper and principled implementation skills in view of sustainable repatriation to their country of origin once preserving its habitat is one of the greatest of reproduction in captivity, he highlighted. the situation is conducive. WFP has been present in Iran since 1987. concerns of the international community Nezami went on to say that breeding in General food distributions in refugee settlements are ongoing for the protection of biodiversity. captivity of the country’s wildlife species is Therefore, July 28 is designated as In- not very transparent and there is no specific ternational Tiger Day to further emphasize program for it, noting “We started captive the importance of protecting this valuable breeding for the Persian fallow deer 40 species because experts believe that if this years ago and it has been very successful, remarkable animal could not be saved from but introducing the species to nature have extinction, what hope could there be for res- not been so successful, so reproduction in cuing more unknown species? captivity requires a long-term plan that is Lions, leopards, and tigers are big cats implemented step by step. that have always been a symbol of power, Reproduction in captivity is very complex glory, and grandeur throughout history, for carnivores, and some believe that habitat and usually, the countries try to preserve protection is sufficient, but the fact is that with increased health and safety measures due to COVID-19. Cash- them, but in the meantime, some factors when the population of a species reaches based transfers are also operational. 26.5 MT of home-schooling such as urban development, poaching and less than 100, reproduction should begin in rations including UHT milk, biscuits, date bars, and seed kernels illegal hunting, habitat degradation, food captivity because habitat cannot be protected have been distributed to 7,000 children and 500 teachers since shortages, and climate change have led them in general, he said. mid-April due to nation-wide school closures. to shrink and eventually become extinct. Along with captive breeding, the factors of By providing supplementary rations and maintaining monthly The outstanding Caspian tigers once species extinction in the habitats should also assistance to refugees through a combination of cash and food, WFP roamed over most of the northern provinces enthusiasts and the DOE after undergoing the wild boar, which has severe population be investigated so that we can finally protect is reducing the economic impact on beneficiaries caused by nega- of Iran, have gone extinct half a century ago. several medical tests, the animal was then fluctuations and is a temporary source of food. the habitat and re-introduce the protected tive market developments, such as inflation and rising food prices. According to the available evidence, moved to a suitable place in Tehran Zoo. The third item is hunting, tiger hunting species to it, he also added. Following the receipt of $7 million from the Government of the last tiger in Iran was hunted in 1953 The DOE emphasis is on protecting species intensified during their final periods living An important issue is to pay attention to Japan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last consign- in Golestan National Park, but another that now exist in the wild, but at the same in Iran, due to the reduction of prey and the demands, problems, and needs of people ment including 350,400 3-layer surgical masks and 739,000 report announced the observation of a time is preparing a plan called “conservation hunting livestock. and local communities, because over the years N95 masks were handed over to Iranian Red Crescent Society tiger in 1959 in the same area. of cats” with the priority of two big cats and Tiger cubs were also captured for illegal many educational courses have been held, to be used by Iranian health workers. In the early 1970s, the Department of then small cats, and since the protection of trade, in addition, land-use changes, super- especially for Asiatic cheetahs, carnivores and The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau for Environment conducted a study to search cheetahs in the form of an independent in- stitions, and using their organs in tradition- environmental protection, but it has not been Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs (BAFIA) are the main for the Persian tiger in the forests of north- ternational project is underway, they have al medicine were among the other factors successful in conservation because the target cooperating and implementing partners of WFP in Iran. BAFIA ern Iran, but during this period, researchers set it aside and focused on the conservation eradicated tigers.” group has been mostly urban and university is responsible for coordinating all matters related to refugees and could not find any evidence of the tiger and of leopards and six small cats, as well as dis- “Certainly, there is no proper habitat communities and the local people have not international agencies. Biannual meetings take place between declared its definite extinction. cussing feasibility studies for two endangered for tiger in Iran. If there are intentions to been very involved, he explained. BAFIA, UNHCR, and WFP. Monthly operational coordination Caspian tigers had been protected since species of lions and tigers. revive the tiger population in Iran, or, in One of the effective measures that can meetings are also held to monitor the refugee situation and dis- 1957, with heavy fines for shooting, but it Is it possible to reintroduce other words, to ensure a stable population be taken in the protection of species is the cuss appropriate response actions. was too late for the majestic cat to make Caspian tiger? of it, a natural habitat must be prepared, insurance of livestock, agricultural lands and Monitoring of the economic situation in the country indicated a recovery. Kaveh Faizollahi, a zoologist who worked including, good vegetation cover, clean water, even individuals who have been damaged by no shortage of food items during the reporting period. However, This situation was not ended in Iran, specifically on the tiger species, told IRNA and enough bait. species such as bears, wild boars, cheetahs, in April, the impact of COVID-19 on price levels for fresh food but the extinction has embraced two other that the tiger is a flexible species and tolerates Before restoring the Caspian tiger in the etc. because in many cases they are killed in products started to be felt. Fruits (including sweet lemon, sour subspecies of tiger, including the Bali and a wide range of habitat and climatic condi- country, other species of red and roe deer conflicts with human, he said. lemon, apple, and orange) and vegetables (including, tomato, Javan, which became extinct in 1960 and tions, so it is found in tropical areas of Asia must be increased; for example, 20 tigers in He also noted that insurance only com- potato, and pulses) recorded the highest price increase, reaching 1979, respectively. There are 9 subspecies of to the ever-snow-covered areas of Siberia. a hypothetical area may need a population pensates for losses, while we must take 19 and 14 percent respectively. tiger in the world, of which three are extinct. On the other hand, it has a relatively high of 10,000 large mammals, which may take steps to ensure that local people benefit The country office is monitoring the development of the COV- The tiger needs large habitats to live and reproductive rate and a short interval between several years to expand. from protection. In order to earn the local ID-19 pandemic closely and is in consultation with the Government is less able to live in a small realm, which its reproductions. It is not very problematic After that, the tigers must gradually enter community’s protection, we can develop partners for further possible assistance to refugees and the Iranian is getting smaller day by day due to the in food and can change its hunting technique the prepared area; If there is no wild tiger, private sanctuaries and expand ecotourism community. With strict travel and camp access restrictions in development of urbanization and human depending on the type of prey and habitat. the tigers kept in captivity should be used and various types of tourism. place, WFP has had to resort to remote monitoring activities. intervention in nature. Despite, these features human development as a parent and re-wild their cubs. As tiger extinction accelerates around the in West Asia made it vulnerable, he added. The whole process is very difficult, world, July 29 has been designated World The first feature of tigers that caused them costly, and time-consuming. Tiger Day since 2010. to disappear was the tiger’s dependence on the Will other wildlife species In the Iranian calendar year 1389 (March water resources and its presence near river experience the fate of Caspian tiger? 2009-March 2010), two Siberian tigers basins, lake edges, and seashores, where the Wildlife management expert, were sent to Iran from Russia in exchange highest concentration of human population Baqer Nezami, said that there are of two Persian Leopards; aiming to restore exists and the conflicts pushed them toward almost no large mammals in the the Caspian tiger generation in the country, extinction. country whose population is not but after a while, the male one died due to an The second one is related to the prey, the endangered. When it is said that a outbreak of glanders (an infectious disease natural prey they mainly fed on was deer, species is not endangered, it means occurs primarily by ingestion of contaminated and they attracted to northern Iran probably that the level of endangerment of food or water). because of the good population of red deer those species is better than others The female tiger was quarantined for and roe deer. such as the Asiatic cheetah, but five years on the charge of being infected However, with the population of deer de- all large mammals in the country, with the virus, but with the help of wildlife clined, the tiger was inevitably feeding on including bears, leopards, and red

Migratory river fish populations plunge 76% in past 50 years Populations of migratory river fish around the world show we cannot continue destroying our rivers,” said Ar- have plunged by a “catastrophic” 76% since 1970, an jan Berkhuysen, at the World Fish Migration Foundation. analysis has found. “This has immense consequences for people and nature The fall was even greater in Europe at 93%, and for some across the globe. We can and need to act now before these groups of fish, with sturgeon and eel populations both down keystone species are lost for good.” by more than 90%, the Guardian reported. Michelle Jackson, at the University of Oxford, UK, who Species such as salmon, trout and giant catfish are vital not was not involved in the report, said: “The population declines just to the rivers and lakes in which they breed or feed but to are certainly very drastic, but I am not surprised. The outlook entire ecosystems. By swimming upstream, they transport gets worse each time [there is a new report].” nutrients from the oceans and provide food for many land She said migratory fish were often the driving force in animals, including bears, wolves and birds of prey. food chains because they transport nutrients: “If these fish The migratory fish are also critical for the food security populations continue to decline, there will be far-reaching and livelihoods of millions of people around the world, consequences for many species which rely on them.” while recreational fishing is worth billions of dollars a year. The decline in migratory fish populations is higher than The causes of the decline are the hundreds of thousands that for land and ocean animals, whose populations have fallen of dams around the world, overfishing, the climate crisis by an average of 60% in the last 50 years. “Freshwaters are and water pollution. disproportionately at risk to human pressures, since they The scientists said the situation may be even bleaker than are affected by everything happening in the surrounding it seemed, as many declines began before 1970. Populations catchment,” said Jackson. of sturgeon in the Great Lakes of North America, for example, Previous research by Hogan found many giant river fish have dropped by 95% from historic levels. Furthermore, suitable are on the verge of extinction, with populations from catfish to data has not been gathered on species in some of the world’s stingrays down by 97% since 1970. Other studies have shown most biodiverse rivers such as the Mekong, Congo, Amazon only a third of world’s great rivers remain free-flowing, while and Yangtze, where researchers fear there will be hundreds in Britain, for example, 97% of the river network has been of fish extinctions in the coming decades. interrupted by human-built structures. The average fall in populations was 84% in Latin Amer- The report, led by Stefanie Deinet at the Zoological Society ica, while there has been a 59% decrease in Asia-Oceania, of London, examined data from 1,406 populations of 247 although there is limited data there and not enough from species. There are 1,100 species that must migrate to survive. Africa to determine any reliable trend. In North America, The researchers said much more data was needed for regions the fall was less dramatic, at 28%. This is probably because outside Europe and North America to go beyond the general large declines occurred before 1970, but also as a result of a trends presented in the report. growing number of dams being removed. The analysis did show management plans for rivers and “For migratory fish, there’s nothing worse than a dam,” fishing helped curb the losses, with populations down 54% said Zeb Hogan, at the University of Nevada and an author in such circumstances, compared with 87% for those that of the new report. He said the good news was that fish could were unmanaged. return quickly: “Almost without exception, where dams have Migratory fish often use water temperature as a cue to been removed, you see populations bounce back, often much start their journeys, but dams can significantly lower the more quickly than anyone anticipated.” temperature of river water. Global heating is also a factor, A river restoration completed by the Penobscot River Res- and can also change rainfall patterns. “So you get these toration Trust partners in 2016 on the Penobscot River in very unnatural flows that can really have an impact on Maine, US, led to river herring numbers growing from a few migratory fish,” said Hogan. hundred to nearly 2m a year. The Dam Removal Europe coa- “Not all dams are created equal,” he added. “Some dams lition is working to free the continent’s rivers from more than are more environmentally damaging than others and how you 100,000 obsolete barriers. But thousands of hydropower place, design and operate them is important.” The damage to dams are being built in other parts of the world. ecosystems and livelihoods must be taken more into account “Catastrophic losses in migratory fish populations when building new dams, he said. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 INTERNATIONAL JULY 29, 2020

N.Korea’s nuclear weapons deter Hezbollah: Israel claim about border another war on country: Kim North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un says the country now has clashes aims to fabricate fictitious victories “absolute might” thanks to its nuclear weapons, which he says guarantee the country’s security in the face of threats of war. Lebanese PM slams Israel’s ‘dangerous military escalation’ “Now, we’ve changed to a country which can defend itself reliably and unwaveringly against high-intensity pressures and By staff & agencies est Israeli aggression against Syria from the military threats and blackmailing by imperialistic reactionaries Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement occupied Golan Heights last Monday. and hostile forces,” Kim said on Monday. says all Israeli claims about border clash- “The answer to the martyrdom of [our] He made the remark during a ceremony to mark the 67th es with the movement’s fighters earlier on brother, Ali Kamel Mohsen, in the vicinity anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Monday are fake and aimed to boost the of Damascus airport has not been given yet. “There won’t be any war on this land again and our national morale of Israeli forces by fabricating fic- Zionist occupiers must still wait for that an- security and future will be guaranteed firmly and permanently titious victories. swer and their punishment at the hands of because of our reliable, effective self-defensive nuclear deter- Hezbollah’s Monday statement came after the resistance forces,” Hezbollah said. rent,” Kim said. Israeli and Western media outlets claimed Last Monday, Syrian media reported a that the regime’s forces had thwarted an effort new Israeli aggression in which Israeli forces by Hezbollah fighters to infiltrate into the fired missiles from the Syrian Golan Heights, occupied territories through Shebaa farms killing a member of the Hezbollah movement. Malaysia’s Najib sentenced to along Lebanon’s southern border. ‘Dangerous military escalation’ In the statement released by the resistance Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minster over a decade in jail in 1MDB trial movement later in the day, Hezbollah rejected Hasan Diab Tuesday accused Israel of raising all Israeli claims about an effort to infiltrate tensions along Lebanon›s southern border Malaysia’s former leader, Najib Razak, was found guilty of cor- the occupied territories, saying, “Everything in an attempt to modify the mandate of the ruption and sentenced to 12 years in jail on Tuesday in the first that enemy’s media say about thwarting an UNIFIL force in Lebanon, Daily Star reported. trial over a multi-billion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB that infiltration from the Lebanese soil into the “Lebanon condemns the enemy’s ag- stretched to the Persian Gulf Arab states and Hollywood. occupied territories is incorrect.” gression against our country’s sovereignty In a case widely seen as a test of the nation’s resolve to stamp The movement added that Tel Aviv’s claims in a new violation of [UN Security Council] out corruption and which could have big political implications, about having killed or injured a number of Resolution 1701,” Diab told the Higher De- high court judge Mohamad Nazlan Mohamad Ghazali sentenced Hezbollah fighters in air raids were also false fense Council Tuesday at Baabda Palace. Najib to 12 years and a fine of 210 million ringgit ($49 million) and totally incorrect, Press TV reported. “It is starting a conflict in an attempt to on a charge of abuse of power, Reuters reported. “The occupiers’ claims are all aimed at modify the mandate of UNIFIL in the south. Najib, 67, also received 10 years in jail on each of three charges fabricating spurious and fictitious victories es] during what happened today.” The resistance movement added that it There is an effort to pressure Lebanon by of criminal breach of trust and three charges of money laundering for them,” Hezbollah said, adding, “Up to The statement noted that all shootings reserves the right to give a proper answer threatening to reduce the number of UNIFIL for illegally receiving nearly $10 million from SRC International, this moment, there has been no conflict or came from only one side, which was the to Israel›s killing of its member Ali Kamel [peacekeepers] if there is no change in [its a former unit of the state fund. opening of fire started by the resistance [forc- coward and anxious enemy. Mohsen, who was martyred during the lat- mandate],” he added. “After considering all evidence in this trial, I find that the prosecution has successfully proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Mohamad Nazlan said. He ordered the jail terms to run concurrently. Nearly 3 billion animals killed or India eases rules for security forces The judge allowed a request by Najib’s lawyers to delay the to acquire land in Kashmir jail sentence and the financial penalty, but asked Najib to post displaced by Australia fires additional bail and report to a police station twice a month. Nearly three billion animals were killed flames “were probably not great” due to a The Indian administration of Jammu and habilitation and Resettlement Act to the Najib had pleaded not guilty, and said he would appeal the or displaced by Australia’s devastating lack of food, shelter and protection from Kashmir has lifted a requirement set in Jammu and Kashmir region after it was verdict in Malaysia’s Federal Court if convicted. The verdict could wildfires in 2019 and 2020, according predators, said author Chris Dickman, place by a 1971 circular under which Indi- declared a federal territory in a contro- potentially be partially or fully overturned by the higher court to a new report, with experts calling it a professor in ecology at the University an security forces had to obtain a special versial move by the Indian government on appeal, though that could take years. “one of the worst wildlife disasters in of Sydney. certificate in order to acquire land in the in August last year. The nearly $10 million in the SRC case is a fraction of the modern history”. The fires ravaged more than 115,000 disputed region. According to al Jazeera, in view of the funds Najib is alleged to have misappropriated from 1Malaysia The study, released on Tuesday by square kilometers (44,400 square miles) The order allows “Indian Army, Bor- federal law’s extension, the circular re- Development Berhad (1MDB), the state fund. scientists from several Australian uni- of drought-stricken bush land and forest der Security Forces, paramilitary forces quiring an NOC from the erstwhile state’s Prosecutors say more than $1 billion of 1MDB funds made its versities, said 2.46 billion reptiles, 180 across Australia in late 2019 and early and similar organisations” to acquire home department prior to acquisition or way into Najib’s personal accounts, over which he faces a total million birds, 143 million mammals and 2020, killing more than 30 people and land without a “no objection certificate” requisition of land by the security forces of 42 criminal charges. Najib had led the country for almost a 51 million frogs were harmed in the blaz- destroying thousands of homes. (NOC) clearance from the region’s home was withdrawn, according to the order. decade before losing the 2018 election. es that ripped through the country, al It was the broadest and most pro- department, according to a report by the The move came on the heels of the U.S. and Malaysian authorities say a total of $4.5 billion Jazeera reported. longed bushfire season in modern Aus- Anadolu Agency on Tuesday. regional administration agreeing to le- is believed to have been stolen from 1MDB, a fund Najib While the report did not say how many tralian history, with scientists attributing The order cites the extension of the gal changes to allow construction in the founded to promote economic development, and used by animals died directly because of the fires, the severity of the crisis to the impacts 2013 Right to Fair Compensation and region’s “strategic areas” by the Indian his associates to buy art, a superyacht and fund the “Wolf the prospects for those that escaped the of climate change. Transparency in Land Acquisition, Re- armed forces. of Wall Street” movie.

Turkey pauses Six U.S. mayors urge Congress to block Trump federal deployment Six U.S. mayors, all Democrats, urged Congress on Los Angeles clashed with officers in front of the city’s energy-exploration research Monday to halt President Donald Trump’s deployment federal courthouse. of federal forces to their cities, saying the move has Weekend violence in downtown Richmond was instigated in east Mediterranean escalated tensions at anti-racism protests spreading by white supremacists posing as Black Lives Matter pro- across the country. testers, police said. A Black militia group marched through Turkey has said it will suspend research for oil and gas The request came on the same day the U.S. attorney Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday demanding justice for exploration off a Greek island amid tensions in the eastern for Oregon announced the arrest of 22 people on charges Breonna Taylor, a Black woman killed by police who burst Mediterranean. stemming from clashes with federal and local police at the into her apartment. Greece’s navy last week said it had deployed ships in the Ae- federal courthouse in Portland. After violence in Oakland, California, during a protest gean in “heightened readiness” after Turkey announced plans Federal agents dispatched to Portland, Oregon, have on Sunday, Mayor Libby Schaaf condemned “agitators” for for energy exploration near the island of Kastellorizo. drawn national attention for whisking away demonstrators vandalizing the downtown and giving Trump the “images In an interview with national broadcaster CNN Turk, spokesman in unmarked cars, beating a U.S. Navy veteran and tear-gas- he wants” to justify sending federal agents into U.S. cities. Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sing activist mothers and the city’s mayor. Trump has said that federal forces are necessary to restore had requested that operations be put on hold. “We call on Congress to pass legislation to make clear order to cities such as Portland, saying local officials have A Turkish vessel, the Oruc Reis, planned to search for hy- that these actions are unlawful and repugnant,” the Dem- appearance of white supremacists and an armed Black militia. been unable or unwilling to intervene. drocarbons “180 kilometres (110 miles) from the island of Meis ocratic mayors of Portland, Chicago, Seattle, Albuquerque, One person was shot dead at an Austin, Texas, protest on The 22 people whose arrests were announced on Monday (Kastellorizo in Greek)”, Kalin said. New Mexico; Kansas City, Missouri; and Washington, D.C., Saturday and two others were struck by gunfire at demon- were charged with various federal offenses stemming from “Despite this, our president said while the negotiations are wrote in a letter to the leaders of both parties in the Senate stration in Aurora, Colorado on Sunday. protests on July 23, 24, 25 and 26, including assaulting fed- continuing, let›s be constructive and hold for a while,” he said. and House of Representatives. In Seattle, police declared a riot and arrested 45 people eral officers and harassing and stalking federal employees. Kalin on Tuesday said Greece was an “important neighbor” The appeal followed a surge in Black Lives Matter protests during a protest over the deployment of federal agents The U.S. Marshals Service on Monday tweeted it was to Turkey and added: “We are ready to discuss with Greece over the weekend, with an escalation in violence and the to Portland and a standby force to Seattle. Protesters in lining up personnel to send to Oregon. without any conditions.” On Monday, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Turkey was withdrawing navy vessels from the area, adding that Athens remained ready to enter negotiations Protests resurge across U.S. as clashes continue in Portland with Turkey “within the framework of international law and says have responded inappropriately to able cause. The US agents, drawn mainly demonstrations, Barr is also expected good neighborly relations”. 1 The attorney general will acknowledge to lawmakers that Floyd’s death struck a Floyd’s death through what he said was from border patrol, were dispatched to the to be pressed in detail about his inter- chord in the Black community because it rioting and anarchy. city by Donald Trump ostensibly to protect vention in criminal cases arising from Resistance News reinforced concerns that African Ameri- Civil unrest escalated in Portland after the courthouse. But they have succeeded special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia cans are treated differently by police. But federal agents were accused of whisking in inflaming the situation. investigation. Haneyya: We turned down he will also condemn Americans who he people away in unmarked cars without prob- Washington DC was stunned in June The hearing will provide Barr with a forum Visual point of view when peaceful protesters were violently to offer his most detailed account to date for $15-billion offer to end cleared from the streets by federal of- his actions in the criminal cases, which he ficers using teargas ahead of a photo op has said were taken in the interests of justice resistance by Trump in front of a church, where Barr and without political pressure. had accompanied him. Those include the justice department’s INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN— Hamas has turned down a US$15 desk The attorney general has defended as decision to drop the prosecution of former billion offer to end resistance, give up Jerusa- necessary the broad use of law enforcement Trump administration national security lem, and isolate Gaza from the rest of Palestine, Ismail Haneyya, power to deal with the situation, but the adviser Michael Flynn (a request now tied the political bureau chairman of Hamas, revealed. department’s internal watchdog has opened up in court) and his firing last month of In an interview with a Qatari website on Monday, Haneyya investigations into use of force and other the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, said that the deal-package envisaged the launching of major tactics by agents in both cities. whose office oversaw investigations into infrastructure projects such as a sea harbor, an airport and The hearing on Tuesday marks Barr’s allies of the president. others in the Gaza Strip. first appearance before the House judiciary Barr also pushed for a more lenient He added that those parties that tabled the plan asked in return committee, bringing him face-to-face with sentence for Trump’s ally Roger Stone, for merging the Movement’s armed wing in the Palestinian police a panel that voted last year to hold him prompting the entire trial team’s depar- force after disarming it, giving up Jerusalem and administering in contempt and is holding hearings on ture. That decision was at the center of a the Gaza Strip separately. what Democrats allege is politicization of separate hearing before the same committee The Hamas leader affirmed that his Movement would never the justice department under his watch. last month, when one of the prosecutors accept the so-called “Deal of the Century” or any other similar plan. It comes during a tumultuous stretch in alleged that politics from justice department “We want to end the siege on Gaza and to have a sea harbor which Barr has taken a series of actions leadership had influenced the handling of and an airport and other projects but only as a right for its pop- cheered by Trump but condemned by the sentence. ulation and not in return for disarming resistance or certain Democrats and other critics. In the past, Barr has said that Flynn, who political stands,” Haneyya emphasized. Barr makes reference in his prepared pleaded guilty as part of Mueller’s investi- He also declared that a national popular conference would be statement to that antagonistic relationship, gation into lying to the FBI, should never organized in Gaza in the near future in the presence of Mahmoud saying that “many of the Democrats on have been charged and that the original Abbas, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority. Abbas Goudarzi this committee have attempted to discred- sentencing recommendation for Stone – The Hamas leader lauded the Qatari aid to Gaza and Pal- it me by conjuring up a narrative that I also charged in the Mueller investigation estine, adding that his Movement welcomes the Qatari role in am simply the president’s factotum who – was excessive. Barr’s opening statement bridging gaps between Hamas and Fatah factions. disposes of criminal cases according to does not delve into the details of the case, Haneyya, meanwhile, opined that any change in the his instructions. Judging from the letter though he will insist that Trump has not US administration in the upcoming presidential elections inviting me to this hearing, that appears attempted to interfere in those decisions Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ would have its impact on the Palestine cause and the to be your agenda today.” and has “played a role properly and tradi- Persian Gulf crisis. Beyond the federal response to the tionally played by presidents”. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 29, 2020 SPORTS 11

Plans underway to prepare Iran Taremi named Rio Ave’s Player of the Month

SPORTS TEHRAN — Mehdi Taremi was named the football for World Cup qualifiers deskRio Ave’s Player of the Month for July. The Iranian forward scored twice in the Primeira Liga last SPORTS TEHRAN — The Ira- namely Anton Usnik from Slovenia match against Boavista. desknian national football and ex-Iran national player Vahid team are preparing for the 2022 FIFA Hashemian. World Cup qualifiers, and the plans are The Croatian Mladen Zganjer is underway for the team to get ready at working as the goalkeeping coach in the proper time. the national team’s technical staff. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the Furthermore, Skocic is still waiting Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to for the end of the Iran Professional consider fixture change. League (IPL) season, since Persepolis Under the new guideline, Iran national coach Karim Bagheri is supposed to team are scheduled to host Hong Kong join the national team staff. IPL win- on Oct. 8 in Tehran and meet Cambodia ners Persepolis have not yet agreed to five days later in Phnom Penh. let him leave. If not, another Iranian Iran’s last two matches against Bah- coach will be added to the national rain and Iraq will be on Nov. 12 and 17 team staff. in Tehran. The eight group winners of the World According to the announcement of Cup qualification’s group stage and four He had also netted a brace against Santa Clara last week. the Football Federation of the Islamic best runners-up will advance to the AFC Taremi was chosen among the Primeira Liga’s top three Republic of Iran (FFIRI), the national Asian Cup China 2023 Finals and the goalscorers along with Benfica players Carlos Vinicíus and Piz- team will hold two friendly matches in final round of qualifying for the FIFA zi, netting 18 goals. September against Syria and Uzbekistan, World Cup Qatar 2022. Rio Ave completed the Primeira Liga’s top five in the ev- respectively. The next best 24 teams from the sec- er-evolving tussle for the final qualifying spot for Europa League The match against Syria is scheduled ond round of the joint qualifiers will football, taking advantage of FC Famalicão’s 3-3 draw to Marítimo for Sept.3 in Tehran. The Persians will compete in a separate competition for to leapfrog the former with a 2-0 win against Boavista. also meet Uzbekistan in Tashkent on the remaining 12 slots in the 24-team The Iran star has been linked with Portuguese giants Porto Sept.7. AFC Asian Cup China 2023. and Benfica. Based on some reports, if the match (or Palestine) will be the first match of head coach of the team. The FIFA World Cup in Qatar will with Syria is not finalized, Palestine will the Iranian national football team with Skocic has so far selected two assis- run from November 21 to December replace them. The match against Syria Dragan Skocic at the helm as the new tants to help him in the national team, 18, 2022. Ajax lead race to sign Brighton outcast Alireza Hadi Saei chosen as head of Iran’s Athletes’ Commission Jahanbakhsh SPORTS TEHRAN — Two-time Olympic gold rated Iranian Olympian. deskmedal winner Hadi Saei has been cho- The 43-year-old won Olympic gold in the men’s 68 kilo- Ajax have reportedly made contact with Brighton’s Alireza Jahan- sen as head of Iran’s Athletes’ Commission on Tuesday. grams division at Athens 2004 and added a second title in bakhsh as the winger looks set to move on from a disappointing In the election which was held in the Iran’s Olympic the 80kg class at Beijing 2008. two-year spell with the Seagulls. Academy headquarters in Tehran, Saei was voted as the He is one of only two Iranians to have won a pair of The Iran international joined the Premier League side from head of the commission with eight votes. Olympic gold medals, alongside weightlifter Hossein AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2018 for a club record £17m. Two-time Paralympic gold medalist Zahra Nemati fin- Rezazadeh. While PSV Eindhoven are also interested in the 26-year-old, ished in second place with seven votes. The 68kg bronze won by Saei at Sydney 2000 means he Ajax director of football Marc Overmars appears to have stolen Also, fencer Mojtaba Abedini defeated table tennis player tops the country’s all-time list, however. a march on their Eredivisie rivals. Afshin Norouzi and will serve as vice president. His career also included two world titles and golds at There has been no mention of how much Brighton would want Saei replaced former judo champion Arash Miresmaeili both the Asian Games and Asian Championships. in terms of a sale, but manager Graham Potter’s recent comments in the post for the next two years. The Iran’s Athletes’ Commission has been formed to suggest the south coast club would listen to reasonable offers. Hadi Saei, who was appointed as technical director of elevate the athlete voice and to give athletes an equal say Speaking about Jahanbakhsh’s situation, the Brighton & Iran Taekwondo Federation in January, is the most deco- in the decision-making process. Hove Independent quoted Potter as saying: “Of course he will be frustrated because he wants to play and I understand that. “He’s great and does his best all the time, but he wants to play more like any other footballer. “So that’s something we have to think about during the sum- Iran’s Afshin Ghotbi says Chinese football can be world-class mer break, we have to do what’s right for him and the club. But Afshin Ghotbi, the Iranian-American coach after a stint with Iranian side Foolad. He was “With the Iranian national team, I trav- he is a good player and can help us. of Chinese Super League side Shijiazhuang assistant to South Korean national coach, elled to China twice for friendly matches, “But again, from his perspective it is understandable that he Ever Bright, said the environment for football Dutchman Guus Hiddink, during their run and I was involved with the pre-World Cup wants to play more.” in China was perfect to help build a world- to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup. friendly South Korea versus China back in Jahanbakhsh has earned 50 caps for his country, scoring class national team. He is now tasked with helping Ever Bright April of 2002. seven goals for the Persian Stars in the process. Ghotbi is on his second stint with the challenge the big names of Chinese football “I live a simple life [here]. Football, (Source: onefootball.com) newly promoted side, who start their cam- in the top division. football and more football. I spend most paign in the delayed and reformatted elite “We are a newly promoted team, and we of my time preparing my team for compe- division on Sunday against Hebei China will have to close the gap quickly to compete tition. Of course, I make time to enjoy the Esteghlal move up to IPL Fortune FC in Suzhou. in the Super League,” Ghotbi told the Post. delicious Chinese food.” “The standard [in China] is evolving and “We have worked tirelessly after our pro- The Chinese Super League kicks off this second place will need time to reach its true potential,” motion on November 2, 2019 to construct weekend with 16 teams being divided into said the 56-year-old former Iran national a competitive selection. I am happy about two groups and matches being played in coach, who has worked at the top level in our progress, and I look forward to the start Dalian and Suzhou. Tasnim – Esteghlal football team defeated Pars Jonoubi on Monday USA, South Korea, Japan and Thailand. of the competition.” The top eight teams after a round robin and moved up to the Iran Professional League (IPL) second place. “China has everything to develop as “With the massive population, economic Ghotbi said he was happy to return to qualify for the quarter-finals. The league has The match had originally been scheduled for early July but was a top football nation in Asia and later on power and the national pride, the conditions are China, and enjoys life in the mainland. “I been forced to change the format, with the cancelled after Esteghlal players tested positive for COVID-19. the global stage. The players have the perfect for development of football in China.” have been working in Asia since 2001 and I kick-off delayed by five months, because of Esteghlal defeated Pars Jonoubi 2-0 and leapfrogged Sepahan physical qualities, winning mentality Ghotbi coached Ever Bright between 2016 have always been fascinated with the Chinese the Covid-19 pandemic. and Tractor on goal difference. and ambition for success. and 2018 and returned to the club last year culture and people,” he said. (Source: scmp.com) Ali Karimi and Cheick Diabate were on target for the Blues. In Ghaemshahr, Nassaji battled back from 2-0 down to beat 9-man Foolad 3-2. Luciano Pereira Mendes and Moussa Coulibaly were on Sport week: Welcome to sitting volleyball target for the visiting team but Foolad was reduced to 10-man after Vahid Heydarieh was sent off for his second yellow card Sitting volleyball is a team sport featuring constant a demonstration sport. Standing volleyball, along in the 65th minute. motion, communication and bursts of explosiveness. with sitting volleyball, officially became part of the With 10 minutes remaining, Hamed Shiri pulled a goal back Two teams of six players are separated by a net and Paralympic program at Arnhem 1980. The Nether- and leveled the score from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. try to score points by grounding the ball onto the lands took the first gold medal in sitting volleyball, Foolad midfielder Mohammad Abshak was shown a straight other side’s court. while Israel captured gold in stand-up volleyball. red card in the added time and Mojtaba Mamashli scored the Sitting volleyball has many similarities to its Seven countries participated in the sitting volleyball winner with a header just before the final whistle. able-bodied version, but of course, with a few mod- in Arnhem 1980, and five in standing volleyball. Persepolis on Friday won the IPL title with 62 points with ifications to the FIVB rules. Women’s competition was added for Athens 2004 four matches to go. How it works – with six nations participating in the women’s side Esteghlal, Sepahan and Tractor all have 45 points. While teams in the able-bodied version are separated – while men’s standing was removed. The Chinese by a raised net (2.43m and 2.24m from the top of the women had won every Paralympic gold since Athens net for men and women’s competitions, respectively), 2004. But the USA ended that streak in 2016 at the sitting volleyball is played from a lower net (1.15m Rio Paralympics. for men, 1.05m for women). The court dimensions On the men’s side, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina Al Sadd’s Xavi on the road to in sitting volleyball are also smaller (10m x 6m). have gone back-and-forth between gold and silver The main difference between the two versions is first four sets comprising 25 points each (winner of since Sydney 2000. The Iranian men have been the recovery that sitting volleyball, as its name implies, is played each set needs least on two-point lead), while the dominating force, amassing six gold medals and a silver from seated positions. The athlete’s pelvis must be fifth set is decided on 15 points. since the Seoul 1988 Games. Having been runner-up Al Sadd head coach Xavi has said he is “fine” after testing positive in contact with the ground, and service blocks and History to Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina landed their first gold for the COVID-19 coronavirus. attacks are allowed. However, a brief of loss of con- Sitting volleyball originated in the Netherlands medal in Athens 2004. They tried again at the 2016 Xavi has been quarantined in Doha after catching COVID-19 tact with the floor is occasionally permitted, if the in 1956 as a combination of volleyball and sitzball, a Games but could not overcome Iran in four sets. and missed Al Sadd’s 2-1 win against Al Khor in the Qatar Stars ball is played in an extreme defensive manoeuver, German sport with no net but seated players. The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics were postponed to League on Saturday. while the ball is in the back court and below the At first, “standing volleyball” (for athletes with 2021, and sitting volleyball is expected to feature eight “I feel good, although isolated, logically. And I’m looking height of the net. a mobility impairment and can be played standing teams in each of the men’s and women’s competitions. forward to training soon,” he said in an interview with sports It is played in a best-of-five set format with the up) appeared at the Toronto 1976 Paralympics as (Source: Paralympic.org) newspaper Marca. Xavi, who has been repeatedly tipped to become head coach of former club Barcelona, said he is focused on steering Al Sadd. “I do not hide, and I have always said, that my primary goal, when Real Madrid forward Diaz tests positive for COVID-19, says club it happens, is Barca. It’s my home and would be a dream,” said Xavi. “But now I am focused on Al Sadd, excited about the season.” Real Madrid forward Mariano Diaz has the pandemic suspended the competi- Britain has imposed a 14-day quaran- The QSL resumed last Friday following the COVID-19 en- tested positive for COVID-19, the Spanish tion in March, are set to play the Premier tine for travellers from Spain but British forced suspension with defending champions Al Sadd in third champions said on Tuesday, casting doubt League side in the second leg on Aug. 8 media reported that elite sports teams place on 35 points, eight behind leaders Al Duhail with four on his participation in their Champions at the Etihad. travelling into the country will be exempt. matches remaining. League tie at Manchester City next week. The Champions League knockout stages Over the weekend, Spanish side Fuen- Xavi, who played for Al Sadd from 2015 to 2019 and then Real said in a statement that tests were from the quarter-finals onwards will be labrada confirmed they had 28 positive became head coach, also said he thought Qatar would host a conducted on the squad on Monday and played as single legs in Lisbon. cases at the club, including a few cases in “historic” FIFA World Cup in 2022. that though Diaz was in “perfect health”, Spain has seen a surge in COVID-19 Madrid where the team is based, costing “It will be an historic Cup, without a doubt.” he would be self-isolating at home. positives with thousands of new cases the second division club a shot at promo- He added that he was looking forward to seeing former Bar- Real, who trail Manchester City 2-1 reported on a daily basis in the past week, tion to La Liga. celona teammate Lionel Messi playing at the FIFA World Cup. from the first leg of their last-16 tie before taking its tally up to over 296,000 cases. (Source: Reuters) (Source: the-afc) Prayer Times Noon:13:11 Evening: 20:33 Dawn: 4:31 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:09 (tomorrow) JULY 29, 2020 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 Venice Film Festival picks three [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 movies from Iran Webmaster: [email protected] ARTTEHRAN — Iranian Forty years ago, during the uprising Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 deskmovies “Sun Children”, to overthrow the Shah’s regime in Iran, “Careless Crime” and “The Wasteland” have protestors set fire to movie theaters as a way been selected to be screened at the Venice of showing opposition to Western culture. Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Film Festival as the organizers announced Many cinemas were burned down. In one the lineup for the 77th edition of the Italian tragic case, a theater was set on fire with No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran P.o. Box: 14155-4843 event, which will take place on the Italian four hundred people inside, most of whom Zip Code: 1599814713 Lido from September 2 to 12. were burned alive. Forty years have passed Directed by the world-renowned filmmaker and, in contemporary Iran, four individuals Majid Majidi, “Sun Children”, also known also decide to burn a cinema down. Their as “The Sun”, will be screened in the official intended target is a theater showing a film competition. about an unearthed, unexploded missile. The drama about child labor in Tehran Iranian filmmakers are frequent visitors won the Crystal Simorgh for best film at to the Venice Film Festival. the 38th edition of the Fajr Film Festival in Iranian drama “No Date, No Signature” Tehran in February. won Vahid Jalilvand the best director award “The Wasteland” by Ahmad Bahrami in the Orizzonti section at the 74th Venice GUIDE TO will be competing in the Orizzonti section, International Film Festival in 2017. SPIRITUAL AWAKENING which is dedicated to films that represent The film’s star Navid Mohammadzadeh the latest aesthetic and expressive trends in also received the award for best actor in this international cinema. category. The envy of a friend is a sign of the weakness It is about an old brick manufacturing The Venice festival will be the first major factory that is going to shut down, and all international film event to be held physically of his friendship. matters to the factory supervisor is to keep since the beginning of the coronavirus Imam Ali (AS) his lover unharmed. pandemic. The section will also screen “Careless Several major festivals such as Cannes and Crime” by Shahram Mokri. A poster for director Majid Majidi’s drama “Sun Children”. Telluride were canceled over the pandemic. Persian scholar Badrozzaman Arab publishers acquire rights to children’s book from Iran Qarib dies at 91 1 Hassanzadeh has received nominations for She illustrates her stories herself. With a cursory look ARTTEHRAN — Persian language and literature international awards, including the Hans Christian Andersen at her works, one can easily perceive her preoccupation deskscholar, writer and linguist Badrozzaman Qarib Award. “Hasti”, “Call Me Ziba” and several other books with issues such as faith and religion, identity, children’s has died at the age of 91 apparently of COVID19, the Academy of by the writer have been translated into several languages. relations with their surroundings, etc. Most of the writer’s Persian Language and Literature announced on Tuesday. Rights to six books by Tehran-based French writer and works are for primary-age children. Qarib was a permanent member of the academy and famous illustrator Claire Jobert have also been sold. She is also interested in doing research on children’s for her research work on a dictionary of the Sogdian language. The books are “In Search of God”, “God’s Cookies”, literature and philosophy for children. She writes both in In a message published “Goodbye, Old Raccoon”, “The Little Mouse’s Prayer”, Persian and French and has published some French books in on Tuesday, the director of “The Stories of the Little Green Lizard” and “The Most Lebanon and France, but her preference is to write in Persian. the academy, Gholam-Ali Trustworthy Friend”. The Tamass Literary Agency also said that a number Haddad-Adel, expressed his Jobert was born in Paris in May 1961. She was brought of publishers from other Arab countries, including Iraq condolences over the demise Front covers of two IIDCYA books, which will be pub- up in a Christian family. She converted to Islam at the age and Jordan, are currently negotiating to purchase rights of the great scholar. lished in Arabic in Lebanon and Syria. of nineteen and immigrated to Iran when she got married. to books from the IIDCYA. “The scholar belonged to a noble family. She was internationally famous for her comprehensive research on ancient Persian Iranian children honored at Spanish art contest languages,” he said. ARTTEHRAN — Iranian Alvaro Cobos Palacino from Spain and Leung Nozic, Edita Zdrale, Lajla Kudovic, Danis Born in 1929, Qarib got her desk Ph.D. in ancient languages from children Aylin Najafi and Hon Yin from China were the other winners Bakos, Adna Cosic, Rizah Mustafic, Melika the University of Pennsylvania. Anisa Mohammadbaqerzadeh have been of the section. Dzajic Nejra Boloban and Enisa Nuhic from She was a graduate of Persian honored for their paintings at the 2018-2019 Najafi was awarded in the Posters for Bosnia and Herzegovina were also awarded. literature from the University Peace and Cooperation and CTBTO Global Students Aged 8 to 12 section. An award ceremony was held on June 27, of Tehran. Scholar Art Campaign, Iran’s Institute for Mohammadbaqerzadeh and Najafi are 2019 at the Hofburg in Vienna during the Iranian scholar Badrozzaman Intellectual Development of Children and the members of the IIDCYA branch in the CTBTO Science and Technology Conference. Qarib in an undated photo. She had studied Persian and history with great scholars such Young Adults (IIDCYA) announced on Tuesday. northwestern Iranian city of Ardebil. The organizers also produced a 2020 as Mohammad Moin, Ehsan Yarshater and Ebrahim Purdavud, The Peace and Cooperation Foundation, an Plamena Krasimirova Krasteva and calendar featuring twelve top submissions where she found her deep interest in ancient Iranian languages NGO in Madrid that promotes the movement of Petya Dimitrova, both from Bulgaria, and to mark the achievements of the young artists. and continued her studies at the University of Pennsylvania. non-violence and creativity to build a world of Mahmoud Mostafa Negm from Egypt were In addition, a virtual art gallery with more solidarity, and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test- also honored in this section. than 200 artworks is available on CTBTO Qarib was an expert on the Sogdian language. Sogdian is Painting by the 11-year-old Iranian girl Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) in Vienna Numerous children received awards in the Flickr album. one of the Eastern Middle Iranian languages once spoken in Aylin Najafi was honored at the Peace Sogdiana (northern Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) before the organized the competition on the theme of Murals for Students Aged 13 to 17 category. The CTBTO and Peace and Cooperation “For a Safer World”. and Cooperation and CTBTO Global Ermina Kalogirou from Cyprus and Jana organized the competition to increase Islamization of the area in the 10th century. Scholar Art Campaign. Sogdians were traders along the Silk Roads and founded many The contest was organized in three Swanepoel from Namibia were among them. public awareness of the threat from nuclear diasporas along the routes, with the result that the bulk of its categories and Mohammadbaqerzadeh’s for Students Aged 5 to 7. Tara Bozovic, Milojka Simicevic and Mladen explosives in the world, and to promote material was discovered in Turfan and Dunhuang in western China. work received an award in the Drawings Zhasmin Kenesbai from Kazakhstan, Simicevic from Montenegro, and Jasmina children working together for a safer world. The Sogdian language was written in three scripts, Sogdian, Manichean and Syriac. While only religious texts were written in Manichean and Syriac scripts, other kinds of texts, both religious and secular, were recorded in Sogdian script, which was a kind of a Organizer says drive-in cinema not welcome in Iran national script, although it ultimately originated from Aramaic script. ARTTEHRAN — The director of the drive-in online or have been screened on different satellite channels, Qarib’s noteworthy credits are a dictionary of the Sogdian deskmovie theater project in the provinces and hold no attraction for filmgoers,” he noted. language into Persian and English, “Structural Analysis of Verbs in of Tehran and Alborz, Manuchehr Safarkhani, has said In early July Safarkhani had said that he wanted to the Sodigan Language”, “Silent Languages” and “Sodigan Studies”. that the project has not been welcomed by filmgoers and continue the project despite the reopening of movie will probably be halted by the end of August. theaters, as COVID-19 still rules the country. “Lack of cooperation of film distributors, people’s From the very beginning of the shutdown of all art depression in battling with the coronavirus crisis in the and cultural centers after the outbreak of coronavirus, “One Good Dragon Deserves country, and the current social and economic condition those active in art and culture of the country began to Another” published in Persian of the country, have all led to the termination of the find a solution to keep the art and cultural activities alive project,” Safarkhani said. even in the shadow of the new virus. CULTURE TEHRAN — A new Persian translation of American “If reluctance continues in this way, by the end of The main goal was to preserve the art and cultural deskauthor Rachel Aaron’s story “One Good Dragon August the project will be stopped, because it is a costly activities, inject happiness and keep the spirits of people Deserves Another” has been published by Tandis Publishing House. project,” he added. high in order to face the difficult days of dealing with The book has been translated into Persian by Soheila Sohrabi. “At the present time, the Enqelab Sports Complex the new virus. The book is the second volume of the Heartstrikers series. It in Karaj, the Takhti Sports Complex and Eram-e Sabz Although the Owj Arts and Media Organization was is about Julius who after barely escaping the machinations of his Entertainment Complex are active as places that can one of the first in the public sector, launching the project terrifying mother, two all-knowing seers and countless bloodthirsty host filmgoers in the drive-in cinema project, but it with “Exodus” in the parking lot of Milad Tower in Tehran, siblings, the last thing he wants to see is another dragon. has not been well received. Of course, a lack of good Filmgoers enjoy a movie at a drive-in cinema in Tehran. producer and filmmaker Safarkhani was the first in the Unfortunately for him, the only thing more dangerous than advertising could also be one of the reasons behind this (Tasnim) private sector, launching the project in the provinces of being a useless Heartstriker is being a useful one. Now that he’s unwillingness,” he noted. to inform more people. When all are thinking of themselves, Tehran and Alborz. got an in with the Three Sisters, He also said that the project first began with two however, everyone will face loss and damage. The media “We believe it can be considered a different type of Julius has become a key pawn films: Ebrahim Hatamikia’s latest movie “Exodus” and have always been supportive but more cultural work is participation and a different experience, and a new in Bethesda, the Heartstriker’s Mohammad Kart’s directorial debut “Butterfly Swimming”, required to win people’s trust. People need some happiness definition of movie theaters,” he had earlier said. gamble to put her clan on top. and both were warmly received by people. these days more than anything else,” he explained. “We are planning to concentrate on developing the Refusal to play along with “However, the distributor of Peyman Qasemkhani’s He also added that the screening of foreign films during project. The Enqelab Sports Complex in Karaj, as well as the his mother’s plans means death, comedy ‘Good, Bad, Garish 2: The Secret Army’ did not the drive-in movie theater project was not successful, Takhti Sports Complex and the Khavaran Cultural Center but there’s more going on than engage in good cooperation,” he said. either. in Tehran, are active as places that can host filmgoers in even Bethesda knows. “I believe cinema can be successful when everyone “Filmgoers want to watch films they have no access to the drive-in cinema project, and we are planning to add Heartstriker futures are collaborates. Cinema needs support, with good advertising in movie theaters. The foreign films are available either more locations,” he had noted. disappearing, and Algonquin’s dragon hunter is closing in. Now, with his most powerful family members dropping like flies, it’s NLAI director Ashraf Borujerdi, Australian Ambassador up to Julius to save the family that never respected him, and prove once and for all that the Lyndall Sachs meet in Tehran CULTURE TEHRAN — National to establish joint understanding. “After the rapid spread of coronavirus years, she asserted. Front cover of the Persian trans- world’s worst dragon is the very deskLibrary and Archives of She pointed to the relation of the in Iran and in the world, what is of high The ambassador also said that the lation of “One Good Dragon best one to have on your side. Iran (NLAI) director Ashraf Borujerdi and national library with other countries significance is the issue of digitizing the National Library of Australia is considered Deserves Another” written by Aaron is also the author of the Australian ambassador to Iran, Lyndall and said, “One of the main goals of the sources. We know that Australia enjoys rich a reference library for its valuable books. American author Rachel Aaron. “Nice Dragons Finish Last”, the bestselling writing productivity Sachs, met in Tehran on Monday. library is to create a venue to organize sources of books and its national library She hoped that Australia would have book. She has also written “Fortune’s Pawn”, the first book in Bilateral cooperation between the book fairs and exhibits to display rare is a good reference,” she said. a special section in the National Library the rollicking fun Paradox Science Fiction trilogy. national libraries of the two countries and the copies of manuscripts.” She said that the national library has and Archives of Iran to display books on She was born and raised in Atlanta, but she currently lives a role of the national libraries in developing The NLAI organizes dozens of master been established to provide a basis for literature and sources on Australia. lovely, nerdy, bookish life in Athens. She writes full time, all the time. cultural diplomacy and communications classes on the restoration of manuscripts learning more about other cultures and She said that through cultural activities, Aaron loves reading fantasy, romance and science fiction. were discussed during the meeting. every year, during which experts from develop cultures. the two countries can help develop cultural She also enjoys video games, anime, manga, hanging out at Borujerdi said that the national libraries different countries take part and exchange The NLAI is home to over 40,000 copies diplomacy, and the national libraries of the conventions and epic things. act as a good venue for dialogues helping views, she added. of rare manuscripts dating back to 700 countries can play a key role in this way.