reach an agreement first. onwhetherRussia andTurkeycan depend installations insouthern Italy. NATO surveillance andreconnaissance Libya, afterall,isminutesawayfrom major horns betweenRussiaandNATO allies. NATO isreadytosupportGNA, locking Turkey remainsanimportant ally, and an interviewearlyMay, commented that berg, headofNATOmilitary alliance in during theannouncement. or itsmainbackers,Turkey, andQatar President AbdulFattahel-Sisi. Cairo inthepresenceofEgyptianally, in ceasefire a announced Haftar talks. enter and fighting stop to ready was he that June early declared general renegade June inearly prompting Haftar›sforcestoretreat. The losses heavy inflicting Government ofNationalAccord(GNA), up militiasalignedwithUN-recognized ports, Turkish droneswereusedtoback Khalifa Haftar. Accordingtoagencyre 15-month assaultbyrenegadegeneral Africa›s largestoilreserves. involvement inacountryendowedwith in 2020 becauseofRussiaandTurkey›s most importantcrisestowatchfor the Relations BoardofTurkey. business councilattheForeignEconomic taza Karanfil, head of the Turkey-Libya saidMur delay,» a coronavirus-related after «soon» rescheduled to be expected ers offood,medicine, andothergoodsis business headsandTurkishmanufactur A plans forLibya? reconstruction Post-war Libyan imports. channels throughTurkeyforkey and assistinorganizingpayment set upLibya›s bankingsystem helpto plan lenders state Turkish with theplaninformedReuters. infrastructure. Peoplefamiliar war Libya andsecureitsenergy post- rebuild to how panies on Tehran Times/ Bahman Vakhshour Worth mentioningisthatJensStolten There werenorepresentativesof(GNA) «Separately, ameetingbetweenLibyan Analysts say a ceasefire in Libya will Turkey issupportingTripolirepela Pundits believethatLibya isoneof National DayofMount by Turkishbanksandcom weekstwo planned within n assessmenttripis Journalist ARTICLE Salman Parviz Salman to bullying Iran won’tsurrender

7 2 WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM - - - - - was heldonlineduetotheCOVID-19 pandemic. year Lankathis Sri in held be to planned been had mission forSouthAsia(32ndCAP-CSA)which mission for East Asia and the Pacific and the Com since theoutbreakofcoronavirus. has taken sofartopropupthetravel industry Wednesday,measures thecountry on outlining the UnitedNationsWorldTourismOrganization —Irantookpartinavirtualseminarof TEHRAN The 32ndJointMeetingoftheUNWTOCom- Deputy tourismministerVali Teymouri based ontraditional medicine Health Ministry topromoteIranian lifestyle lifestyle basedonthetraditionalmedicine, cooperationtopromoteahealthy enhanced centers,health traditional of establishment at MinistryofHealth,saidthatthe medicine department ofIraniantraditional the of tor Culture andIslamicGuidance. of Ministry the Handicrafts, theMinistryofAgricultureand Ministry ofCulturalHeritage, Tourismand Technology,the and Science for Presidency Iran UniversityofMedicalSciences,theVice Ministry ofHealth, theMinistryofInterior, reported onFriday. consumption ofmedicinalplants, IRNA development ofaculturecultivation and thefor executive bodies five with standing cine hassignedamemorandumofunder department ofIraniantraditionalmedi TEHRAN — Agent” by Mehdi Mirsamadzadeh in 1966. movies “Twenty Yearsof Waiting” by Mehdi Reis-Firuz and“Double er Office. He began his acting career by playing minor roles in the beginning anewlife in theNasser Khosroneighborhood. Anzali in 1944.Hisfamily movedtoTehranabout tenyearslater, Persian service ofMNA. passed awayfromaheartattacktoday,”his son, Siavash toldthe Thursday. Hewas76. “Sperm Whale2”,died fromaheartattackin aTehran hospital on in the comicseriesandmovies suchas“TheSuspectRanAway”and –ActorSirusTEHRAN Gorjestani,whois mostfamousforhis roles dies at76 Actor SirusGorjestani 12 Pages Mohammad RezaShams-Ardakani, direc The memorandumwassignedbetweenthe UNWTO Iran meeting: outlines measures to help tourism recover from COVID-19 He learnedacting experimentally andwasemployedattheTheat Gorjestani wasborn in thenorthernIranian townofBandar “He wasadmitted toLavasani Hospital thenightbefore andhe Price50,000Rials The MinistryofHealth’s from Israeli occupation struggle’ toliberate WestBank Hamas callsfor‘armed 1.00EURO - 4.00AED - - - states as a need to put an end to this global recession. global this to end an put to need a as states importance tosynergyandcooperationbetweenmember among themostimportantmeasures. and preparinggovernment supportpackageswere demand, graduallyreopeningtourismfacilities, public to meet virus,trying the deal with to how those who are active in the field of tourism on tourism of field the in active are who those pandemic], and defining [health] protocols for psychological impact[causedbythevirusthe addressed themeeting, sayingthatmanaging Elsewhere in his remarks, the official attached great amount ofmedicinesusedinthecountry. al medicinesconstitute4percentofthetotal natural andherb that Mahnaz Khanavisaid Drug Administration and Food at department of exports. $325 millionconstitutedthelargestshare of value a with saffron and year, last Iran medicinal plantsbrought$450millionfor hectares oflandsinIran. inal plantsarecultivated onsome188,000 medic that Ministry ofAgriculture,said the in thecountry. offering Iranian traditional medicine services goals oftheMOU. traditional medicineareamongtheimportant and flourishing of health tourism for Persian

Damavand Meanwhile, head of the natural products Meanwhile, headofthenaturalproducts exports oftheaforesaid that said also He There are56healthcentersandclinics In July 2019, Javad Mirarab an official with 42ndyear

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JULY September: Davarzani to beappointeduntil Iran volleyballcoach

4,2020 9 - - innovation, andtechnology. cussed realmsoftourism-relatedinvestment, dis also which webinar the attended countries vili and tourism officials from some 30 regional to overcomethistheglobalrecession.” industry for thetourism the necessities among tourism’ andtakingtrustworthymeasuresare tourism, theprinciplesof‘responsiblerespecting countries,tween aswelladheringtothegoalsof UNWTO Secretary-GeneralZurabPololikash “Maintaining thespiritofcooperationbe

Tir14,1399 amid anti-racismprotests U.S. createsforcetoprotectmonuments to reveredearlypresidentsGeorgeWashington country’s legacyofslavery. 1860s Civilthe Warandothersymbolsof icans target figures of the pro-slavery south in againstpoliceabuseofAfricanAmer protestors and somepulleddown, inthepastmonthas reported. 4th IndependenceDayholiday, japanTimes monumentsandstatuesduringtheJuly protect id deploymentteams”aroundthecountryto positioning “rap a statementthathewas in said Acting HomelandSecuritySecretaryChadWolf country’sthe racistpast. which haveof comeunderattackforglorifying historic monumentsacrossthecountry, some announce aspecialnewtaskforcetoprotect The U.S. DepartmentofHomelandSecurity By staff & agencies But themonumentprotestshaveextended Many monumentshavecomeunderattack, I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y The iconic mountain

Dhi AlQada is grapplingwith environmental

degradation

8 12, 1441 11 See page9 See - - - 9 inaninterview with AlMayadeen TVchannel. hostile policies,” ISNAquoted himassayingonJune nations andwillcontinue theirwaragainstTrump’s U.S. PresidentDonaldTrump’s hostilepolicies. said that Iran and Venezuela will continue fighting industry onboardheadingforthe country. Iranianof engineersandspecialists fromtheoil a team also was to Venezuela.There diesel fuel and The lastofthementeredVenezuelan watersonJune1. fuel toVenezuela despitetheUnitedStates’ sanctions. of Petunia, Forest, Faxon, Clavel,and Fortunecarried oil salestoIran.Five Iranianoiltankersbythenames said. JusticeDepartment the forfeitable, is fuel the gasoline inthetankers basedonprobablecausethat to the lawsuit, first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Liberia-flagged Bella, Bering, Pandi and Luna, according cutors aimtostopdelivery ofIraniangasolineaboardthe thorities ifthetankersenterU.S. territorialwaters. the gasolinecouldlikelyonlybeseizedbyU.S. au four vessels,Reutersreported.Legal sourcessaid more than1.1the millionbarrelsofgasolinein JudgeDistrict JamesBoasbergfortheseizureof followed onThursdaybyawarrantissuedU.S. District CourtfortheofColumbia, was supplied byIran. tankers sailingtowardsVenezuela withgasoline four seize to lawsuit a filed have prosecutors U.S. By staff and agency towards Venezuela Iranian tankerssailing U.S. seekstoseizefour - - “The peopleofIran andVenezuela aretwobrotherly gasoline of barrels 1,520,000 carried tankers The The lawsuit also aims to stop the flow of revenues from the of seizure the for warrant the issued Boasberg In thecivil-forfeiturecomplaint, U.S. federalprose The lawsuit, filed late on Wednesday in the U.S. Venezuela’s envoy totheUNJorgeValero has

said inthestatement. country toprotectourhistoriclandmarks,” Wolf use ourlawenforcementpersonnelacrossthe imum 10years. monument andimprisonthemforthemax arrest andprosecuteanyonewhodamagesa in the1830s. Native Americansfromtheirhomelands who presidedover themassexpulsionof Andrew Jackson, anotherslaveowner in frontoftheWhiteHousepresident attempted topulldownastatuedirectly outrage whenonJune22demonstrators monuments themselves. popular pressure have decidedtoremove the and Thomas Jefferson, both slave owners. limits on cultural activities activities cultural on limits prompt Iran to ponder new new ponder to Iran prompt rebound coronavirus of Fears U.S. PresidentDonaldTrumpexpressed “DHS isanswering thepresident’scallto U.S.Trumpdemanded lawenforcement In somecases, localgovernmentsunder open areaoftheNatanzsite. damage totheinactiveshedthatislocatedinan currently underinvestigation forcausingmaterial Thursday evening regardingtheincidentthatis the AEOI,maderemarksinaninterviewon of theenrichmentprocessyet. actually underconstructionandnotpart richment, because the affected shed was caused nostoppageorslowdownofen the NatanznuclearfacilityThursdayhas ization ofIransaysanincidenthitting TEHRAN — vember’s election. for possible“chicanery”aheadofNo prepareto thousands ofotherpeople assembled agroupof600lawyersand hasparty his that said JoeBiden date candi presidential U.S.Democratic (IRICA) announced. of IranCustomsAdministration Republic 27, 2019, thespokesmanofIslamic preferential tradeagreementonOctober billion sincetheimplementationof reached$2.418Economic Union(EAEU) Iran andthemembersofEurasian TEHRAN— Iran-EAEU trade exceeds Biden pullstogether 600 against election trickery $2.4b sincepreferential Natanz incident causing Natanz incidentcausing of lawyersasabulwark Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesman for for Behrouz Kamalvandi,spokesman the slowdown at facility no work stoppage, no workstoppage, trade agreement The valueoftradebetween The AtomicEnergyOrgan

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2 12 ------I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS JULY 4, 2020

Iran, Iraq discuss security cooperation Iran won’t surrender to

POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iranian military attaché to Iraq deskMostafa Moradian and Mohammad Reza Al Haidar, head of the Iraqi parliament’s security and defense com- bullying: Kharrazi mittee, discussed security and defense cooperation on Friday. Expansion of military relations and also cooperation in area of security were discussed at the meeting. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Kamal against Iran. deskKharrazi, chairman of Also, the 35-member IAEA board of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Rela- governors passed a resolution on June 19 tions, has said that Iran will not surrender demanding access to two old places under to bullying and will continue its path more the allegation that nuclear work may have determinedly. been done there. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has shown France, Britain, and Germany, the three during the past 40 years that it will not sur- European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, render to the foreigners’ bullying behavior submitted the draft resolution to the IAEA and will continue its path more determinedly board for approval. despite pressure,” IRNA quoted him as Rafael Grossi, director general of the saying on Friday. IAEA, has made anti-Iran allegations, saying He added, “West should know that nei- that Tehran had refused to grant access to Haidar praised Iran’s support for Iraq in fighting Daesh. ther the economic sanctions nor the arms what he called “two nuclear sites”. Moradian met with former Iraqi Defense Minister Enad embargo will make Iran return from the Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ja- Sa’adoon Khitab al-Jabouri in May and called for expanding independent strategic path it has taken.” vad Zarif says the three European countries military cooperation. Kharrazi also said that “unilateral” and signatory to the nuclear deal are absolutely In the meeting, the Iraqi defense chief also praised Iran’s “wrong” policies of the U.S. and the E3 powerless against the U.S. coercion. support for Iraq in the fight against Daesh. - France, Germany and the UK - to stop “E3 must stop public face-saving and Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said in May that Tehran Iran’s peaceful nuclear program have al- muster the courage to state publicly what and Baghdad should become “strategic partners”. ways been fruitless. will lead to collapse of the JCPOA [the 2015 Iran is set to expire in October. they admit privately, their failure to fulfill “We want to give Iraq all our capacities and we want to become “The United States’ attempts to extend nuclear deal],” warned Kharrazi, who was The U.S. administration has made such even own JCPOA duties due to total impo- strategic partners and turn our relations into a successful model arms embargo on Iran, the three European Iran’s foreign minister from 1997 to 2005. action despite the fact that Donald Trump tence in resisting the US bullying behind of cooperation,” he told Jabouri through a video conference. countries’ action in the International Atomic The United States has stepped up calls officially quit the nuclear deal in May the facade, E3 are accessories to Trump and Hatami attached great importance to expanding defense Energy Agency against Iran and suspicious for an extension of a UN arms embargo on 2018 and slapped the harshest sanctions Netanyahu—and in no position to counsel cooperation to help establish regional security and stability. behavior of the agency’s director general Iran since April. The UN arms embargo on in history, including a total oil embargo, Iran,” Zarif wrote in a tweet on June 19. In a phone conversation with new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on May 11, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran will stand beside the Iraqi government and people. “As we proved that we stand beside the Iraqi people in fighting Daesh, we will stand beside the Iraqi government to help establish Iranian ambassador urges intl. community to respect 2231 resolution stability and make progress,” Rouhani stated in a phone call. POLITICAL TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador to Paki- have, since the 8th of May 2018, been witnessing the U.S. He said Iran attaches great importance to Iraq’s independence, deskstan Mohammad Ali Hosseini has urged Government—a co-sponsor of Security Council Resolution political stability, national sovereignty, and integrity. the international community, especially signatories to the 2231—persistently flouting the Resolution, while also trying “We always have to be careful about plots which target in- 2015 nuclear deal known as the JCPOA, to respect the 2231 to force other States to join it in violating the very text it put terests of the Iraqi people and the region,” the president noted. resolution of the UN Security Council which endorses the forward itself. More dangerously, and for the first time in Rouhani also highlighted the importance of regional peace agreement. UN history, a permanent member of the Security Council and stability. “Being still committed to its obligations-15 of IAEA re- is punishing law-abiding States and private citizens for not For his part, Kadhimi said, “We will never forget Iran’s help ports vouch for it. #Iran call upon international commu- violating a Council resolution, which emphasized, and I to Iraq in fighting Daesh and we seek expansion of relations in nity, especially JCPOA singers to respect Res2231 and its quote, ‘promoting and facilitating the development of normal various areas.” provisions,” he tweeted on Thursday. economic and trade contacts and cooperation with Iran’.” In another tweet, he said, “US significant non-performance “And yet, not a single Council session has been convened to UNSC/Res2231 is a manifestation of ‘threat to interna- to reprove the U.S. Government, or to at least investigate Natanz incident causing no work tional peace’ that needs #UNSC determination. ‘Economic its repeated violations. Instead, some European members stoppage, slowdown at facility Terrorism’ of the US that has imposed huge economic and of the Council are contemplating further undermining the for cooperation! how fair them!” he tweeted. non-economic detriments to #Iranian nation, ought to be Resolution and the Council while further reneging on their The 35-member IAEA board of governors passed a reso- 1 His remarks came hours after an informed Iranian indicted.” own JCPOA commitments,” Zarif added. lution on June 19 demanding access to two old places under security official told Press TV that there was no evidence to show “#US approach to #JCPOA is bold in unilateralism, Ambassador criticizes Europeans for intro- the allegation that nuclear work may have been done there. that the incident has been an act of intentional sabotage. bleak on improving #UNSC peace seeking function and ducing Iran as non-cooperative France, Britain, and Germany, the three European parties Kamalvandi said, “The incident took place at about 02:00 local pure humbug in reflecting #Iran’s cooperation with Ambassador Hosseini also criticized the Europeans as to the nuclear deal, submitted the draft resolution to the time this morning and caused no loss of life,” adding, “We have IAEA. Not only US illegally withdraw from JCPOA, also non-cooperative while the country has been under most IAEA board for approval. many open-space sheds at the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan enrichment is punishing others for not imitating the same!” he said robust inspection regime of the International Atomic En- Nine countries out 35 members to the IAEA board did complex. Our enrichment activities are mostly done underground.” in a separate tweet. ergy Agency. not vote for the resolution. China and Russia voted against “Our open-space sheds do different things. This was one of In an address to a virtual UN Security Council meeting “In spite of being under most robust inspection regime the resolution and Thailand, Mongolia, Niger, South Africa, those sheds, which was under construction. We have material on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said, of IAEA,#Iran is still introduced non cooperative by those India, Pakistan and the Republic of Azerbaijani abstained damage, but no loss of life,” he added. “Iran and other members of the international community European who are vociferous in rhetoric but devoid in action to vote. Kamalvandi refuted reports about possible radioactive con- tamination following the incident, saying, “Contrary to the false propaganda by enemy and counterrevolutionary media, no con- tamination has occurred because there has been no nuclear ma- Russia warns an extension of arms embargo on Iran will jeopardize nuclear deal terial in this shed.” “Our [nuclear] activities are being carried out without stop- By staff and agency “There should be no doubt about this in ing a “maximum suffocation” foreign policy page and in the best possible form in this important facility and Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Washington,” she asserted. against Iran. Nebenzia said Washington’s enrichment of [nuclear] material continues.” Maria Zakharova warned on Thursday that In a letter to the United Nations’ Secretary goal was to “achieve regime change or create Elsewhere in his interview, Kamalvandi emphasized that ex- an extension of arms embargo on Iran will General Antonio Guterres and the Securi- a situation where Iran literally wouldn’t be perts were investigating the cause of the incident and assessing jeopardize efforts to preserve the 2015 nuclear ty Council circulated on June 8, Russian able to breathe”. the extent of the damage done to the shed. deal, known as the JCPOA. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused “This is like putting a knee to one’s neck,” “Since our main enrichment work is not done here, we will face The remarks by Zakharova came two the Trump administration of unleashing a said Nebenzia in a veiled reference to the death no problem and no work stoppage or slowdown,” he concluded. days after the U.S. was rebuked by the UN politically motivated campaign against Iran of black man George Floyd in Minneapolis A security official, who was speaking to Press TV on condition of Security Council including the five European and called for “universal condemnation” of after a white police officer knelt on his neck. anonymity earlier in the day, also affirmed that the incident is under countries on the council. the U.S. attempts. The incident has since sparked protests across thorough examination by expert teams from the AEOI. A week earlier the U.S. introduced a draft The Russian foreign minister said the the U.S. and in other countries. He likewise ruled out the notion of contamination, saying the resolution at the UN Security Council that United States withdrew from the 2015 China also voiced opposition to the an- affected site did not contain any radioactive material, adding that would extend the arms embargo on Iran nuclear agreement between Iran and six ti-Iran move, urging Washington “to stop its none of the AEOI’s personnel were present there at the time of before it expires in October. major powers and now has no legal right illegal unilateral sanctions” on Iran. the incident. “The United States’ push was not only to try to use the UN resolution endorsing In a statement to the UN Security Council, Natanz is a uranium enrichment center located in the city of the unjustified but also counterproductive in the deal to indefinitely continue the arms Zhang Jun, China’s permanent UN repre- same name in Isfahan Province, some 250 kilometers (155 miles) terms of the prospects of preserving the Joint embargo. sentative, said the root cause of the current south of the capital, Tehran. Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” In an address to a virtual UN Security crisis is the U.S withdrawal from the Iran It is among the sites now being monitored by the International Russia’s Sputnik news agency quoted Zakharo- Council meeting on Tuesday, Foreign Minister nuclear deal in May 2018 and the reimpo- Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under a 2015 nuclear deal between va as saying. Mohammad Javad Zarif said, “The interna- sition of unilateral sanctions against Iran, Tehran and major powers. The United States has stepped up calls “The stubborn shattering of the JCPOA tional community in general—and the UN Xinhua reported. The IAEA, meanwhile, announced that it was aware of the inci- for the extension of a UN arms embargo on through new anti-Iranian ideas, which in- Security Council in particular—are facing an “This has again undermined the joint dent, but did not foresee any change to the UN nuclear watchdog’s Iran since April. clude the proposal to impose an indefinite important decision: Do we maintain respect efforts to preserve the JCPOA [Joint Com- regular verification of Iran’s commitments to the body’s Safeguards Under the UN Security Council Resolution arms embargo against Iran, simply does not for the rule of law, or do we return to the law prehensive Plan of Action],” Zhang said. Agreement as a result of the development. 2231, which endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal. honor the United States. It is clear that this of the jungle by surrendering to the whims He stressed that the agreement was en- The Safeguards Agreement between Iran and the IAEA ensures The U.S. President Donald Trump admin- course has no prospects,” Zakharova said of an outlaw bully?” dorsed by the UN Security Council and “is non-diversion of nuclear material declared by the Islamic Republic. istration has threatened that it may seek to at a briefing, Sputnik reported. At the virtual Security Council meeting legally binding”. trigger a snapback of all sanctions on Iran if Those members of the JCPOA, who have on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike “We urge the U.S. to stop its illegal uni- its attempts to extend the arms embargo fail. maintained a genuine full commitment to Pompeo pressured member states to support lateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction, Iran pays tribute to victims of 1988 Zakharova said in May that Washington’s the nuclear deal, will continue to fight for its the extension. and return to the right track of observing the plans to introduce an indefinite arms embargo preservation and sustainable implementa- Russian ambassador to the UN Vassily JCPOA and Resolution 2231 [of the UNSC],” U.S. downing of passenger jet against Iran have no prospects. tion, she said. Nebenzia also censured the U.S. for pursu- he said. Iran commemorates the 32nd anniversary of the downing of its passenger aircraft by a U.S. Navy guided-missile cruiser over the Persian Gulf, which killed 290 people. A memorial ceremony was held on Thursday on the eve of Defense chief says Iran’s armed forces will respond to any ‘desperate’ move the tragedy’s anniversary, with the participants, including the POLITICAL TEHRAN — Defense Baqeri, the Armed Forces chief of staff, families of the victims and local officials, tossing flowers into the deskMinister Amir Hatami warned in December 2019 that his forces waters of Hormozgan Province near Hengam Island. said on Friday that Iran’s armed forces will will give a “decisive” response to any According to Press TV, they also chanted slogans such as respond to any “desperate” move by enemies. misadventure by the enemies, making them “Down with the U.S.” and “Down with Israel.” During a visit to Martyr Mousa Namjoo’s regret their actions. On July 3, 1988, the USS Vincennes fired missiles at an Iran family, Hatami said that the United States Chief of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Airbus A300B2 which was flying over the Strait of Hormuz is taking “desperate moves” in various Air Force (IRIAF) Aziz Nasirzadeh said in from the port city of Bandar Abbas to Dubai, carrying 274 pas- political, economic and social areas to break February that Iran is capable of responding sengers and 16 crew members. the Iranian people’s resistance and cause quickly to any military threat. Following the attack, the plane disintegrated and crashed public dissatisfaction. “As we are capable of creating security in into the Persian Gulf waters, killing all 290 on board, among “The United States will definitely be the region and respond to any threat quickly, them 66 children. defeated like in the past,” he predicted. we also have the capability to create peace U.S. officials claimed that the USS Vincennes had mistaken Namjoo along with some other top and stability,” Nasirzadeh said. Iran Air Flight 655 for a warplane. This is while the warship was military commanders, including Air Force Brigadier General Mohammad Reza equipped with highly sophisticated radar systems and electronic commander Javad Fakouri and IRGC deputy Ashtiani, the deputy chief of staff of the battle gear at the time of the attack. chief Yousof Kolahdouz, were martyred in a Armed Forces, said in February that Iran’s In 1990, the captain of the cruiser, William C. Rogers, was plane incident on June 28, 1981. They were current situation in terms of military power cleared of any wrongdoing, and was even awarded America’s returning to Tehran from the battlefields is better than any other time. Legion of Merit medal by then U.S. president George Bush for in Iran’s southern borders with Iraq. say that the armed forces have the power by the enemies. Ashtiani added that the country’s power his “outstanding service” during operations in the Persian Gulf. Defense Minister Hatami went on to and determination to respond to any move Major General Mohammad Hossein is now sustainable. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 4, 2020 IRAN IN FOCUS 3

Tehran slams U.S. military Tehran: U.S. shot down Iranian airplane ‘deliberately’ in 1988 threat as ‘moldy option’ POLITICAL TEHRAN — The Persian Gulf has long wit- desknessed U.S. crimes in the region, Iran’s Foreign POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian with the mass sale of advanced arms and Ministry has said, adding that the U.S. deliberately shot down an deskForeign Ministry spokes- equipment to these countries, as much of these Iranian airplane 32 years ago and killed 290 on board in 1988. man has condemned the United States’ weapons are still being employed against the “What is US human rights?” the Foreign Ministry wrote in threat of a military attack on Iran as a “moldy oppressed and defenseless people of Yem- a tweet on Thursday. “Answer: Unparalleled commitment to option” which has been sitting on the table en, Palestine, Iraq, Syria and other regional killing people!” gathering dust for years. nations,” the spokesman stated. It said, “Persian Gulf has long witnessed US crimes in the In a statement late on Wednesday, Abbas Mousavi concluded that ensuring the se- region. 32yrs ago, US deliberately shot down an Iranian airplane. Mousavi responded to the threatening re- curity of the region in the hands of regional 290 were killed.” marks made by U.S. special representative countries is the principled and invariable “US has not yet apologized nor embarrassed,” it added. for Iran Brian Hook, saying the real threat to policy of the Islamic Republic. In recent days, Iran has rebuked the United States for its regional peace is the U.S.’s military presence. The United States has been seeking history of horrible, deadly violations of human rights both at Hook said on Tuesday that the White House support for its demand of extending a home and in other countries. was willing to take military action against 13-year UN weapons embargo on Iran. “From 26 June to 2 July every year, Iranians recall horrible, Tehran to prevent the Islamic Republic from However, Russia and China, which are deadly violation of human rights by the American regime,” Iran’s “developing nuclear weapons”. both members of the UN Security Council, Foreign Ministry tweeted on June 26. The U.S. special representative said during oppose the embargo. “In the next 7 days named as #USHumanRightsWeek, we will a visit to Jerusalem that “the military option The UN arms embargo is due to expire shed light on the US actions undermining basic rights of people is always on the table.” in October under United Nations Security at home, in Iran & elsewhere,” it added. Mousavi referred to the comments as Council (UNSC) Resolution 2231 that endorsed The ministry also noted that the U.S. regime is leading a global “groundless and worthless” and denounced the 2015 nuclear deal, officially called the campaign including economic, medical terrorism against the the American official’s divisive mission to Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iranian people. the region as well as his threats against Iran. The U.S. abandoned the JCPOA on May “From depriving Iran of its own financial resources for making “Alongside the desperate attempts at 8, 2018, and pursued a policy of “maximum ends meet, to banning delivery of the COVID19-related supplies unfounded justification of the subject of pressure” on Iran to force it to negotiate a for saving Iranians’ lives, the US regime is desperately leading the the arms embargo extension, Brian Hook “Brian Hook has held consultations about new deal but to no avail. global campaign to use economic, medical terrors agnst Iranian is talking of military option against Iran, a Hook started a West Asia tour a few #HumanRights,” the Foreign Ministry wrote in another tweet moldy option that has been sitting on the the arms embargo on Iran while his days ago to discuss Iran with U.S. allies, on June 26. table of delusional U.S. presidents gathering country and a number of its allies are in with stops in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the dust for years,” he said. UAE and Israel. “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled possession of hundreds of nuclear bombs In his visit to Riyadh on Monday, Hook policy in the military sector is absolutely clear and other weapons of mass destruction, claimed that lifting the arms embargo on the Iran condemns U.S. and the nature of this program is totally de- and, at the same time, are not cooperating country will trigger an arms race in West Asia. fensive,” Mousavi maintained, according to “This is not an outcome that the UN sanctions on countries hit the Foreign Ministry website. with the International Atomic Energy Security Council can accept. The council’s hard by coronavirus “The real threat to the region is the destruc- Agency and other international institutions mandate is clear: to maintain international tive and destabilizing presence of the U.S., at all, and the Agency (IAEA) is not peace and security,” he claimed. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s transforming the region into military bases, The U.S. diplomat made similar remarks deskambassador to the United Nations, has high- preventing progress and development of the conducting any inspection of their nuclear in Bahrain and the UAE. lighted the need for lifting of the United States’ sanctions, which region with the aim of creating division, and facilities either,” the Iranian Foreign In response, Iran’s Mousavi strongly have been weakening the targeted countries’ fight against the fomenting fear for the easy sale of products Ministry spokesman deplores. criticized the Arab countries for support- spread of the coronavirus. of the military industries of that country (the ing Washington’s anti-Iran stance, saying In an address to a UN Security Council meeting at the UN U.S.),” the spokesman added. terests of Iranians. ing with the International Atomic Energy stability and security will not be established headquarters on Thursday, Takht-Ravanchi said, “Serious out- He said as long as U.S. officials talk about “Brian Hook has held consultations Agency and other international institu- in the region through obeying the orders of breaks of certain diseases with a high mortality rate, entail security the military option against Iran, and delay about the arms embargo on Iran while tions at all, and the Agency (IAEA) is not the United States. implications in conflict situations. One example is the impacts their withdrawal from the region, the Islamic his country and a number of its allies are in conducting any inspection of their nuclear “The only way to create stability and secu- of COVID-19 pandemic in the conflict situations in our region Republic will spare no efforts to strengthen possession of hundreds of nuclear bombs facilities either,” he deplored. rity in the region is changing hostile behaviors from Yemen to Palestine to Syria.” its military power, and considers this as its and other weapons of mass destruction, “What is worse is that the U.S. has prac- and moving toward regional cooperation,” In these countries, the pandemic has worsened the socio- inalienable right to defend the national in- and, at the same time, are not cooperat- tically turned the region into a powder keg he said on Tuesday. economic situation, negatively impacted de-escalation efforts and peace negotiations and, by adding a new layer to the already existing problems, has further complicated the overall situation, he said, according to IRNA. Bolton: Iran might ‘play Trump along’ if he wins second term The Iranian envoy said that in Yemen, where the nation is already experiencing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, the POLITICAL TEHRAN — Former U.S. national se- in reality as president,” the ex-adviser added. death toll from the virus could “exceed the combined toll of war, deskcurity adviser John Bolton has said he’s Bolton, who is notoriously famous for his ultra-hawkish disease and hunger over the last five years”, as stated by the UN worried that Iran might be able to play his former boss along stance toward Iran, said on June 23 that the U.S. withdraw- officials present in that country. if he’s re-elected. al from the Iran nuclear deal “was my happiest moment, He also said that in Palestine, the Israeli regime has con- In a video conference interview with Israel’s Channel probably of the whole time” in the Trump administration. tinued over a decade-long inhumane blockade against the 13 on Friday, Bolton said if U.S. President Donald Trump “I probably should have left the administration then,” Gaza Strip even during the coronavirus outbreak, leading wins a second term, he may try to embrace Iran in a bid to Bolton told Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier in to further deterioration of the already fragile humanitarian clinch a new nuclear accord.The remarks come amid ongoing an interview. situation there. tensions between Tehran and Washington which have been He said U.S. President Donald Trump undercut his own “While the impacts of serious outbreaks of certain diseases with in place since Trump unilaterally abandoned the 2015 Iran hardline Iran policy, telling Baier, “We did put enormous a high mortality rate in conflict situations need to be addressed, nuclear deal in May 2018 and reinstated crippling economic pressure on Iran but when it came down to it by near the immoral and inhumane nature of unilateral sanctions and sanctions against Tehran. the end of my tenure, Trump’s still looking for that deal, their impacts on extending the pandemics and worsening the Iran has made it clear that negotiation is always pos- wanted to meet with the Ayatollahs, wanted to meet with conflicts must not be overlooked,” Takht-Ravanchi concluded. sible within existing frameworks of the nuclear deal and the Iranians might be able to do the same,” Bolton said. [Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei, wanted only if the U.S. returns to the deal and honors its com- “I think [Trump] has his own definition of what amounts to meet with the Iranian Foreign Minister [Mohammad mitments. It has emphatically rejected any prospect of to honesty. He certainly has a lot of different versions Javad Zarif].” bilateral talks with the U.S. of facts. They tend to come and go as they suit him. I Trump has been repeatedly calling for dialogue Do not to miss chance of “Just as [North Korean leader] Kim Jong-un played Trump found that very frustrating, I think foreign leaders find with Iran. The U.S. president ousted Bolton on Sep- along in the Korea context, I worry that in a second term it frustrating. I’d rather have somebody more grounded tember 10, 2019. economic co-op with Iran: advisor to Parliament speaker

POLITICAL TEHRAN — Hossein Amir Abdollahian, a Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ strategy is dangerous and should end desksenior foreign policy advisor to the Irani- an Parliament speaker, says Iran will leave behind the U.S. By Seyed Hossein Mousavian reason to enrich uranium to a level of 20 to the 62 countries that have signed the percent purity, instead of limiting it to Safeguards Agreement with the agency sanctions, advising the EU not to miss the chance of economic (Middle East Eye) — On 19 June, based on under five percent. and its Additional Protocol. cooperation with Iran. allegations from Iran’s archenemy Israel, It also gives Iran legitimacy to rede- Escalating instability In a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Iran Giuseppe Perrone the International Atomic Energy Agency sign its heavy water facilities at the Arak As Obama has stated, the JCPOA contains late on Thursday, Amir Abdollahian described intensification of (IAEA) adopted a non-obligatory resolu- reactor. Kelsey Davenport, the director of the most intrusive inspection and verifica- the U.S. sanctions against Iran as a failed economic terrorism. tion initiated by three European countries nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control tion system ever negotiated to monitor a (Germany, France and Britain) calling for Association, has said that “ending waivers nuclear program. By destroying the deal, the Iran to give inspectors access to two sites that allow Tehran to import fuel for the Trump administration effectively disman- where the country is thought to have had reactor hands Iran a justification to resume tled the most comprehensive mechanism nuclear activities two decades ago. enriching uranium to 20 percent, a level of inspection in the history of the NPT. “Those who have made it a policy objec- that is below weapons-grade but poses a Conversely, by honoring the commit- tive of destroying the JCPOA are now trying more significant proliferation risk than ments under the deal, the next U.S. president to … advance the same agenda,” Iranian Iran’s current enrichment”. - which could be Trump, if re-elected - could Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Earlier this month, the Washington Free ensure that Iran’s nuclear activities remain said, noting that the IAEA’s processes were Beacon revealed that Congressional Repub- peaceful. It could also apply the accord as being abused to undermine the nuclear licans would unveil the largest package of to the nuclear deal that Iran may leave a workable model across the Middle East deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Iran sanctions in history, with more than the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (West Asia), where fears of nuclear weap- Plan of Action. 140 new initiatives. Under the plan, the U.S. (NPT) if the nuclear file is referred to onization are real and present. The JCPOA In May 2018, U.S. President Donald government would be barred from lifting the UN Security Council. was a significant credit for the NPT, and if Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal sanctions without first obtaining consent Based on a report published this month fully enforced, could ensure a Middle East in an effort to dismantle the legacy of his from the House and Senate. by the Stockholm International Peace Re- free of nuclear weapons. predecessor, Barack Obama, and to bring Reinstating sanctions search Institute, the nine nuclear-armed Recent developments suggest the White regime change to Iran through a “maximum The U.S. has also presented a draft res- states - the U.S., Russia, the UK, France, House and Israel are trying to confront pressure” policy. The escalatory spiral in olution to the Security Council to extend a China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Iran before the U.S. presidential election “No doubt, we will overcome the new sanctions with power and U.S.-Iran relations intensified after the U.S. UN arms embargo on Tehran. The real U.S. Korea - together possess an estimated 13,400 in November, a path destined to escalate relying on the huge capabilities of the country and the great people sanctioned Iran’s supreme leader and for- strategy is to “snap back” all UN sanctions nuclear weapons, around 3,720 of which instability across the Middle East. of Iran, but Europe must find ways not to lose chance of active eign minister, and assassinated General on Iran, with full knowledge that Russia are currently deployed with operational Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear economic cooperation with Iran,” he remarked, IRNA reported. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike. and China would not agree to renew the forces and nearly 1,800 “in a state of high deal was illegal and immoral. Forcing the Unfortunately, Europe’s fear of the U.S. unilateralism has The chronology of U.S. policies against arms embargo, which is a clear violation of operational alert”. return of UN sanctions on Iran against the led to the loss of golden opportunities for economic cooperation Iran in recent months suggests that Trump is the nuclear deal and UN Resolution 2231. The irony about nonproliferation and will of the rest of the council would tarnish with Iran, he added. looking to drive the final nail into the coffin The Trump administration has imposed the role of the IAEA is that while Iran pos- the body’s credibility, undermine multilat- Amir Abdollahian also referred to historic and cultural relations of the nuclear deal, ensuring he leaves no comprehensive sanctions against Iran, crip- sesses zero nuclear bombs, and its nuclear eralism and sabotage the role of the UN. between Iran and Italy, saying the Iranian parliament welcomes chance for the next U.S. administration pling its economy. Iran’s main source of program is the most inspected in the world, The “maximum pressure” strategy em- boosting parliamentary exchanges with Italy. to revive it or engage in any form of rap- foreign revenue, namely its oil exports, have the Iranian nuclear file has remained a pri- ployed by the U.S. has created a lose-lose Parliamentary relations have always played a crucial role in prochement with Iran. plummeted from 2.5 million barrels a day to ority of the IAEA and the U.S. for the past outcome for both the U.S. and Iran, along enhancing mutual cooperation, he said. Last month, Secretary of State Mike almost zero in the last couple of years, and two decades. with the entire Middle East region and the He also described the U.S., the Zionist regime and Saudi Arabia’s Pompeo announced that the U.S. was its currency has hit record lows. Yet, Trump In 2019, Iran reportedly received 21 international community. This vicious cy- unconstructive behavior as a source of tension and instability terminating the remaining sanctions waiv- has achieved none of his political agenda. percent of all visits to nuclear sites around cle needs to end, and it is high time the in the region. ers enshrined in the nuclear deal. With Iranian President Hassan Rouhani the world by IAEA inspectors, and more Trump administration recognizes the folly The U.S. openly support for terrorist groups, and interference that move, Iran now has every legitimate has already informed the other parties than 90 percent of the visits by inspectors of pursuing it. in regional affairs have exacerbated the crisis, he added. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY JULY 4, 2020

6,000 permits issued for Iran-EAEU trade exceeds $2.4b industrial unit establishment in a quarter ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian Deputy Industry Minister since preferential trade agreement deskSaeed Zarandi announced that 6,000 permits have been issued for the establishment of industrial units in the 1 Ruhollah Latifi put the weight of compared to its imports from those states, country during the first quarter of the current Iranian calendar commodities traded between the two sides adding exports can be even more expanded. year (March 20-June 20), ILNA reported. at 6.873 tons, IRIB reported. Iran and Eurasian Economic Union Saying that the basic commodities ac- reached a free trade agreement in October count for the major part of Iran’s imports 2018 based on which about 862 commodity from the EAEU member states, the official items were subjected to preferential tariffs. announced that Iran’s imports from those The interim agreement enabling the for- countries constitute 72 percent of the total mation of a free trade area between Iran trade between the two sides. and the EAEU was signed on May 17, 2018, He put Iran’s imports from the EAEU and officially came into force on October countries based on the preferential tariffs 27, 2019. at over 5.207 million tons valued at $1.737 Iran is a very important market in the billion, and the county’s exports from the region and the development of ties with block at 655,614 tons worth $681 million. this country is of high significance for the The IRICA spokesman mentioned Russia EAEU members (Russia, Belarus, Armenia, and Armenia as the major exporters of goods Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan). to Iran, while Russia and Kazakhstan were The free trade agreement between Iran the top importers of commodities from Iran. and this union has laid the ground for the As previously announced by the Ministry of Industry, Mining In mid-May, head of Iran’s Trade Pro- expansion of trade ties between the two sides. and Trade, issuance of permits for setting up industrial units motion Organization (TPO) announced that The agreement with the bloc has increased in Iran increased 16 percent in the past Iranian calendar year the export of the commodities subjected to agreement between the two sides. 49 percent of the country’s exports to the Iran’s exports to the EAEU member states (ended on March 20, 2019). preferential tariffs from Iran to the Eurasian Hamid Zadboum also said that 13 per- block is subjected to those tariffs. significantly, which is a turning point for the Most of the issued permits were related to the food industries; Economic Union’s member states had risen cent of Iran’s imports from the EAEU are The official said that Iran’s exports to the Islamic Republic plans for boosting non-oil and Semnan, Qom and Khorasan Razavi were the provinces re- 85 percent since the implementation of the subjected to the preferential tariffs, while EAEU member countries are more variable exports during the U.S. sanctions. ceiving the highest number of the permits. As already reported, some 2,200 industrial units will come back to the production cycle by the end of the current Iranian year. Iran, Australia discuss reviving SATKAB, AFZO ink MOU for co-op Last year, 1,900 inactive units were planned to restart activity, but the planning came true for 1,700 units and led to creation economic ties on exports to Eurasia of 28,000 jobs. As previously announced by Deputy Industry Minister Mo- hsen Salehinia, during the current year the government plans to provide facilities under the framework of subsidies for projects with more than 60 percent of physical development, to supply working capital of firms, to renovate production units and etc. He said that 360 trillion rials (about $857.1 million) of fa- cilities will be granted to the industrial units in this year in the framework of production flourishing plan. Freeway network to be expanded by 5,000km TCCIMA Head Masoud Khansari (L) meet with Australian Ambassador to Tehran Anzali Free Zone Organization’s Director Mohammad-Vali Rouzbehan (L) and SATKAB’s Lyndall Sachs in Tehran on Wednesday. Head Mohammad-Vali Alaedini sign a cooperation MOU in Tehran on Wednesday. in 5 years ECONOMY TEHRAN — Head of ways to facilitate relations. ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian with AFZO] for supporting domestic desk In this regard, Khansari pointed to the desk ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iranian Transport and Urban Tehran Chamber of Electrical Power production and directing domestic possibility of expanding ties in areas like agri- deskDevelopment Minister Mohammad Eslami Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agri- Equipment Manufacturing and Provision products to export markets is a culture, environment, and mining industries has said that the country’s freeway network is going to be culture (TCCIMA) Masoud Khansari met Company (SATKAB) has signed a manifestation of SATKAB’s plans in this and announced the readiness of the Tehran expanded by 5,000 kilometers (km) in the next five years, with the Australian Ambassador to Tehran memorandum of Understanding with regard,” he said. Chamber to cooperate with the Australian IRNA reported. Lyndall Sachs on Wednesday and explored Anzali Free Zone Organization (AFZO) According to Alaedini, SATKAB is Embassy in Iran to restore relations. Eslami said there are currently 2,400 km of freeways across ways of reviving the two countries’ economic for cooperation on exports of equipment determined to have a serious presence in The Australian ambassador for her part Iran, adding that another 580 kilometers will be added to the relations. and technical services to Eurasia. the Eurasian market and the memorandum noted that some Australian companies are country’s freeway network by the end of the current admin- In the meeting, which took place at the As reported by IRIB, the MOU was with the Anzali Free Zone Organization currently operating in Iran and that the two istration (early August 2021). TCCIMA place, the officials stressed the need signed in a ceremony attended by senior has been concluded in this regard. countries’ relations in the fields of minerals “We will increase the [length of] freeways in a five-year to identify ways of facilitating bilateral trade officials from the two sides including Rouzbehan, for his part said: “Anzali and mining industry as well as higher edu- program to 5,000 km,” he said. and overcoming obstacles created by the U.S. Anzali Free Zone Organization’s Free Zone enjoys good infrastructure for cation are ongoing and stable. He also mentioned the country’s railway network, saying that sanctions for utilizing the capacities of the Director Mohammad-Vali Rouzbehan exports of commodities and technical Sachs also voiced her country’s readiness there are about 14,700 kilometers of rail roads in the country. Iranian business community and the Aus- and SATKAB’s Head Mohammad-Vali and engineering services and we hope for expansion of cooperation in new areas. “We plans to add another 1,200 kilometers to the country’s tralian economic actors, the TCCIMA portal Alaedini. to fulfill this year’s slogan which is The envoy said that despite the sanctions, railway lines by the end of the current administration,” the reported. The MOU is aimed at supporting “Surge in Production” by concluding Australia’s trade office in Iran is open and official said. Underlining the need for strengthening domestic production and developing the such memorandums of understanding.” continues to operate. Another 14,000 kilometers of railway lines are also under the economic relations between the two sides’ exports of water and electricity equipment Iran and Eurasian Economic Union She underlined the ability of Iranian study and construction, of which 3,300 kilometers are under private sectors, Massoud Khansari voiced the and technical engineering services to the (EAEU) reached a free trade agreement entrepreneurs based in Australia to im- construction and the rest are under study, he said. readiness of TCCIMA specialized committees Eurasia region from Anzali Free Zone in (FTA) in 2018 based on which about prove relations between the two countries, The minister further noted that the main focus of the ministry for cooperation with Australian foreign trade northern Iran. 862 commodity items are subject to noting that there is now a large community is currently expansion of the main roads including freeways, experts and for sharing the experiences and Speaking at the signing ceremony, preferential tariffs. of Iranian businessmen and traders living highways and also the railway network. capacities of the Iranian private sector. Alaedini noted that the support of Eurasia is a very important market in Australia that are ready to expand their According to the official, the priority for the development He stressed that the level of economic domestic production is the main priority of in the region and development of ties economic relations with Iran through their projects in this sector are freight centers and the rail lines relations between Iran and Australia can be SATKAB activities in the current Iranian with EAEU members (Russia, Belarus, offices in the countries of the region and the that can increase the freight share of the railway network. improved even during the sanctions and that calendar year (started on March 20). Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan) Persian Gulf nations. Back in June, Eslami had announced that 980 kilometers both sides need to identify and implement “Using this opportunity [cooperation is of high significance for Iran. of freeways will be inaugurated throughout Iran during the current Iranian calendar year (ends on March 20, 2021). Mentioning his ministry’s plans for the current Iranian year, Eslami noted that construction of 1600 km of highways Tehran hosting intl. doors, windows exhibit were on the agenda for the current year. ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s 12th Doors & Windows and local technology. deskTechnology International Exhibition kicked He announced that Iran’s Doors & Windows Technology off at the Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds on International Exhibition is an “Approved Exhibition” by the Raw materials constitute Thursday and will run until Sunday, Public Relations De- Union of International Fairs (UFI), which is an honor for partment of Iran International Exhibitions Company (IIEC) this event. 85% of Iran’s imports announced. Union of International Fairs is the global association of the ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran’s acting minister of industry, The inauguration ceremony of the exhibit was participated by world’s leading tradeshow organizers and fairground owners, deskmining and trade said on Thursday that 85 Ali Nikzad, the second vice-speaker of the Iranian parliament, as well as the major national and international exhibition percent of the country’s current imports are raw materials for and Bahman Hosseinzadeh, the managing director of IIEC. associations, and selected partners of the exhibition industry. the production and industry sectors, IRNA reported. The event is being held complying with all health proto- An exhibition identified as an “Approved Exhibition” is proof According to Hossein Modares Khiabani the other 15 percent cols, it’s not open for the public visit, and just the experts and of high quality, thus providing exhibitors and visitors alike are mostly consumable products. specialists, who are formally invited, can visit it. with the assurance of making a sound business investment. Mentioning the reduction of Last week, in an interview conducted by the Public Relations On June 21, the managing director of Iran International the country’s foreign trade due Department of IIEC, the head of the exhibition’s organizing Exhibitions Company had said that all of the country’s exhi- to the outbreak of coronavirus, headquarters mentioned the four-month stop in holding the bitions would be held physically and based on the schedule Khiabani said the gap between exhibitions due to the coronavirus outbreak, and reiterated as of July 2. production and exports is get- that the health protocols would be observed at the highest Mentioning the successful launch of the “Surge in Pro- ting smaller with the re-opening level during the 12th Doors & Windows Technology Inter- be held in an area of over 21,000 square meters, Farhad duction and Corona Containment Achievements” exhibition of the country’s borders with the national Exhibition, in a way that the exhibitors and visitors Aminian further underscored. earlier last month, Bahman Hosseinzadeh said since Tehran neighboring countries. would have the least concern about the coronavirus pandemic. He also stressed that this exhibition, which has a spe- Permanent International Fairgrounds has been equipped with The global trade has declined The industrialists and traders are highly welcoming the cial focus on the presence of the domestic producers and disinfection devices and equipment, all exhibitions would be by 33 percent due to the pan- windows and doors exhibit, so this edition of the exhibit will industrialists, highlights the domestically-made products held on schedule and in compliance with health protocols. demic, he said. The official also noted that every year $1.5 billion worth of cell phones are imported into TEDPIX rises 13.5% in a week the country and the domestic ECONOMY TEHRAN — TEDPIX, the Although, the value of trades at the TSE, absorbed by Iran’s capital market has reached producers must be supported deskmain index of Tehran Stock which is Iran’s major stock exchange, fell 31 500 trillion rials (about $12 billion) during the to prevent the outflow of the Exchange (TSE), went up 13.5 percent to stand percent in the past month. first quarter of the current Iranian calendar country’s revenues. at 1.612 million points in the past Iranian cal- While the past Iranian calendar year (ended year (March 20-June 20). Back in June, Khiabani said his ministry has it on the agenda endar week (ended on Friday), IRNA reported. on March 19) was full of success for the TSE, the Hasan Qalibaf-Asl also said, “It is while to export $41 billion worth of non-oil commodities in the current As reported, Bank Mellat, Tejarat Bank, market is also preserving its successful perfor- the total amount of liquidity entered into this Iranian calendar year (March 2020-March 2021), while preventing Isfahan Oil Refinery, National Iranian Copper mance in the current year, and the noticeable market stood at 300 trillion rials (about $7.14 the imports of unnecessary commodities. Industry Company, Iran Khodro Investment point in this due is that the other economic billion) during the past year.” Neighboring countries are the main target for the mentioned Development Company, and Mobarakeh Steel sectors are experiencing some declining trend The official further noted that the high exports, he said. Company were the major contributors to the due to the coronavirus pandemic. amount of liquidity that is entering the capital Since the re-imposition of the U.S. sanction, Iran has been index’s weekly growth. We have been witnessing new record highs market has provided some good opportunity focusing on the promotion of domestic production and limiting TEDPIX hit the record high of 1.5 million continuously posted by the exchange since the for this market. the imports in order to move the economy toward self-sufficiency points on Tuesday. year start, and climbing to the peak of one Under the current condition, the status of and resilience. It has also climbed 28.77 percent in the million points, something almost unbelievable the parallel markets such as the markets of vestment making in the stock market a more According to the head of Islamic Republic of Iran Customs past Iranian calendar month (April 21-June just some time ago, came true in early May. foreign currency, gold, and housing seems to profitable choice for the investors, has been a Administration (IRICA), 35 million tons of goods were import- 20) from its preceding month. In a press conference on June 22, the head has a noticeable effect on the unprecedented contributing factor for the growth in the stock ed into the country during the previous Iranian calendar year The index gained 283,868 points to of Iran’s Securities and Exchange Organization growth in the stock market. market in the present year; it began in the past (ended on March 19). 1,270,627 during the past month. (SEO) announced that the amount of liquidity While this condition, which has made in- year and is still affecting the capital market. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 4, 2020 ENERGY 5

Rouhani inaugurates 10 major Global oil investment to drop by one-third, Russian energy water, electricity projects minister says Global investment in oil is set to plunge by one-third this year due to the coronavirus and its effect on economies and oil demand, Russia’s ENERGY TEHRAN — Iranian rials (about $11.9 billion) during the Energy Minister Alexander Novak said at an online conference on deskPresident Hassan current Iranian calendar year (ends on Thursday. Rouhani, on Thursday, inaugurated 10 March 20, 2021). At the peak of the pandemic in April, global demand crashed by electricity and water projects worth 19 According to Ardakanian, in the water 25-28 percent, or by 28 million barrels per day (bpd), Novak said, trillion rials (about $452.3 million) in sector, the mentioned projects include noting that the new OPEC+ production cut agreement is helping the two provinces, IRNA reported. nine major dams, implementation of market rebalance. That balance, and even a deficit, could be reached The projects were inaugurated modern irrigation systems in 54,000 this month, the Russian minister said. in the southern Fars province and hectares of land, 20 water, and wastewater Novak’s views on the market rebalancing and investments in the oil western Kermanshah province via video treatment plants and supplying drinkable industry echo assessments of analysts and international organizations. conference during the ninth week of the water through pipeline to more than Energy Ministry’s A-B-Iran program, 1400 rural areas across the country. based on which every week major energy According to the A-B-Iran scheme projects are going to be inaugurated in [the acronyms A and B stand for various provinces across the country. water, electricity in Persian], Energy Nine of the mentioned projects were in Ministry plans to inaugurate some water, Shiraz city in Fars province and the other electricity projects across the country one went operational in Kermanshah. every week. The projects included some Since the beginning of the second water supply projects, comprised of phase of the scheme in the current Iranian transmission lines, pumping stations calendar year, every week several water or and water treatment plants, plus six electricity projects have gone operational The COVID-19 pandemic will result in the biggest annual drop solar farms in Fars province, as well as across the country. in energy investments on record—nearly $400 billion, the Inter- a dam in Kermanshah province. During the 20 weeks of the mentioned national Energy Agency (IEA) said in its World Energy Investment As reported, the mentioned projects opportunities for over 2000 people. second phase of “A-B-Iran” the ministry program in the previous year, the minister 2020 report in May are going to create direct jobs for over Earlier this year, Iran’s Energy is going to inaugurate 250 major water made 31 trips to various provinces for The oil and gas sector will see the steepest decline in investment 1500 people, while offering indirect job Minister Reza Ardakanian said in the and electricity projects worth 500 trillion inaugurating energy projects. this year compared to last year, the IEA has estimated. Investment in oil and gas is set to plunge by $244.1 billion, or by nearly one-third, in 2020 compared to 2019. “The shale industry was already under pressure, and investor confidence and access to capital has now dried up: investment in shale Iran resumes gas exports to Turkey is anticipated to fall by 50 percent in 2020,” the IEA said in its report. ENERGY TEHRAN — Iran has In a visit to Istanbul in mid-June, Iranian The slashed investments in the oil industry could lead to a tighter deskresumed natural gas Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif oil market than previously anticipated, according to the IEA. exports to Turkey after a three-month hiatus called for efforts to restart the export of natural Rystad Energy expects global spending on upstream oil projects caused by a pipeline blast on the Turkish gas to Turkey after carrying out necessary to plunge by 29 percent year on year to $383 billion in 2020, with side on March 31, Shana reported quoting repairs to the pipeline. investments in shale taking the biggest hit and plummeting by 52.2 an official with the National Iranian Gas Iran is Turkey’s second-biggest supplier of percent to $67.3 billion. Company (NIGC). natural gas after Russia. Tehran sells about “As the impact will be more severe than in the previous downturn, According to the Acting Head of 10 billion cubic meters a year of gas under a companies are fiercely defending shareholder value and pivoting Dispatching Department Mohammad 25-year supply deal to Turkey which it uses towards more conservative spending strategies in the near-term. As Reza Julaei, gas export is now ongoing in for electricity generation. the global upstream sector contends with low prices, falling demand, compliance with the previous commitments The gas exports are carried out via a 2,577 and fluctuating exchange rates, every dollar cut will strike directly of the two countries. km (1,601 miles) pipeline running from Tabriz to the bone,” Rystad Energy’s upstream analyst Olga Savenkova Natural gas exports from Iran to Turkey to Ankara. said last month. came to a halt on March 31 after an explosion Turkey imported 7.7 billion cubic meters and fire at a pipeline on the Turkish side of of gas from Iran in 2019, or some 17 percent the border; the reasons for the blast were of its total gas imports. Market structure for Dubai crude not officially announced. After the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions The explosion occurred near the Bazargan in November 2018, Turkish President Recep futures stable ahead of fresh drivers border crossing on Turkish soil. Turkey Tayyip Erdogan made it clear that his country The market structure for benchmark Dubai crude futures was little had undertaken to repair the pipeline and would continue to buy natural gas from the changed July 3 from the day before, with intermonth spreads trading compensate for the damages. Islamic Republic. at range bound levels as market participants awaited fresh drivers. At 12 pm in Singapore (0400 GMT), the August/September Dubai crude futures spread was pegged at a 29-cent/b backwarda- OPEC cuts output to lowest since 1991 Marine fuel market facing tougher tion, narrowing 2 cents/b from the 31 cents/b assessed at the 4:30 pm close (0830 GMT) on July 2, S&P Global Platts data showed. as virus slams oil demand Q3 as supply rises Meanwhile, the September/October spread was pegged at a 12-cent/b backwardation, stable from the 4:30 pm close July 2. Market activity was relatively calm July 3 as participants awaited new official selling prices by key West Asian producers that were expected to be released over the weekend. Tepid demand also capped any further recovery in the market structure amid a backdrop of lackluster refining margins and un- certainty, trade sources said. “Crack margins are not seeing much improvement and OSP changes are too volatile these days. There is just too much uncer- tainty,” a crude oil trader said. “If the OSP goes up too much, it will be difficult [for buyers] as margins are still not seeing much change,” the trader added. Spot trading activity for September-loading cargoes has also been thin so far as market participants await the release of the new OSPs. Global oil demand, CO2 emissions likely peaked in OPEC slashed oil production to the lowest of global supplies — and some of its West Global supply of fuel oil, used by ships hub, and in the UAE’s Fujairah hub. 2019: energy consultancy level since the Persian Gulf War in 1991, as Asian members then promised to voluntarily and power plants, is expected to grow in “Until recently, bunker fuel sales at key it escalated efforts to revive global markets cut even deeper in June. the third quarter, depressing the marine bunkering hubs were buoyed by opportun- Global oil demand and carbon dioxide emissions probably peaked in just as a resurgence of the coronavirus is Saudi Arabia, the group’s biggest fuel market as shipping demand remains istic restocking, but sales volumes have 2019 as the COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on both, threatening demand again, Bloomberg member, cut back by 1.13 million barrels weak, Reuters reported quoting analysts since caught up with the reality of slowing Reuters reported, citing energy consultancy DNV GL. reported. a day to 7.53 million in June, fully and trade sources. global trade,” Energy Aspects said in a note The Norway-based consultancy, which advises both petroleum and Saudi Arabia faithfully delivered implementing its additional voluntary Third-quarter supply is estimated to on Wednesday. renewable energy companies on risk management and technology, said the extra curbs promised in June, and reduction. Fellow Persian Gulf exporters rise by 620,000 barrels per day (bpd) from “Weak demand and rising supplies have global energy use would be 8 percent lower in 2050 than previously the laggards, though still trailing in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates the second quarter as China and Brazil meant that VLSFO cracks are struggling expected due to the impact of the pandemic. implementing the cuts, stepped up their met their OPEC-mandated targets, but increase production, according to consul- to stay in positive territories as refinery “Lasting behavioral changes to travel, commuting and working performance, according to a Bloomberg fulfilled only a small part of the extra tancy Energy Aspects. restarts on account of improving on-road habits will also decrease energy usage and lessen demand for fossil fuels survey. OPEC and its partners’ record curbs. This comes as inventories across key fuel demand continue to depress the slug- from the transport sector as well as from iron and steel production,” output cuts since May have helped Varying compliance marine refueling hubs recently reached gish bunker market.” DNV GL said in a statement about its research on the impact of the revive the oil market, but a recent surge Overall, OPEC delivered all of all-time highs, depressing bunker fuel And the demand outlook remains weak, pandemic on oil demand and emissions. of COVID-19 infections in countries the reduction pledged in the April prices and refiners’ margins and dashing according to multiple Singapore-based “While we expect oil demand to recover next year, we think that including the U.S. is highlighting the agreement, though rates of compliance hopes for a profitable year for sellers of bunker traders. it’s likely that it will never reach the levels seen in 2019,” Sverre Alvik, fragility of the revival. vary significantly between members. low sulfur fuel that meets new emission “A meaningful rebound in bunkering head of DNV GL’s Energy Transition Outlook, told Reuters. The Organization of Petroleum While Iraq, Nigeria and Angola are regulations set by the International Mar- demand is unlikely before the end of the The International Energy Agency said on June 16, it did not expect Exporting Countries cut production by still lagging behind, their performances itime Organization. summer,” Energy Aspects said. oil demand to return to pre-pandemic levels before 2022 due to a 1.93 million barrels a day to 22.69 million improved last month. Iraq implemented “We had 9-10 million tons (of fuel oil The number of container ship blank slump in air travel. a day last month, according to the survey. 70 per cent of its quota, Nigeria 77 per cent inventories) at the start of the year that was sailings, for example, increased to 82 in the DNV GL has previously predicted oil demand would plateau in 2022. That’s the lowest since May 1991, though and Angola 83 per cent. At a meeting in supposed to draw by the start of Q2 but we week to June 28 from just 13 in the week Growing skepticism about long-term global oil demand in a post-pan- membership changes since then affect the early June, the countries agreed to make are seeing 13 million tons now and (it is) of May 17, Alan Murphy of consultancy demic world is putting pressure on oil companies to revalue their assets. comparison. up for earlier cheating by making extra building every month,” said a senior fuel Sea-Intelligence said on Tuesday. Shell said on Tuesday it would write off assets worth up to $22 The survey is based on information from curbs in the coming months. oil trader who declined to be identified. An increase in blank sailings, or the billion after the coronavirus crisis knocked oil and gas demand and officials, ship-tracking data and estimates Compliance from countries outside Inventories in northwest Europe and number of vessels that skipped a port along weakened the outlook for energy prices. from consultants including Rystad Energy OPEC has been stronger than usual, as the United Arab Emirates were at record its route or has had its entire journey can- Renewable energy is seen benefiting from the crisis, because when A/S, Rapidan Energy Group, JBC Energy the scale of the demand collapse and risk highs in June while those in top bunkering celled, is likely to limit demand for bunkers. total energy demand falls, the cheapest sources, such as wind and GmbH and Kpler SAS. of a renewed price decline encourage port Singapore climbed to their highest Similarly, spot crude oil tanker fixtures solar, are preferred to fossil fuels, Alvik said. The intervention by OPEC+, the coalition adherence. Russia pumped close to its level in more than three years. fell 7 percent in the first half of 2020 com- While global CO2 emissions also likely peaked in 2019, the expected that spans the cartel plus outsiders such target for a second month, and Kazakhstan Record supplies have depressed the pared to year-ago levels as the coronavirus, decline in future would not be steep enough to meet the Paris climate as Russia, has helped more than double was on track to hit its quota. delivered VLSFO (very low sulfur fuel oil) Poten & Partners said in a note on Friday. agreement goals, so other measures such as carbon capture and stor- benchmark Brent crude from the lows of The slump in OPEC’s output also bunker spot discount to around record lows The International Monetary Fund has age (CCS) and greater use of hydrogen were needed, DNV GL said. April, when the virus outbreak is estimated reflects the long-term decline in several of about $45 per ton below benchmark predicted a deeper global recession as the “COVID-19 has shown that behavioral changes are indeed possible, to have taken out about a third of global members —most notably Venezuela. gasoil prices and cut Asian refiners’ profits coronavirus pandemic causes wider and and we can use this opportunity to make a change which is good for demand. Prices were above $41 a barrel While exempt from having to make by nearly 80 percent from their record highs deeper damage to economic activity than (the) climate,” Alvik said. on Wednesday. deliberate cuts, Caracas is nonetheless at the start of the year to $10.25 a barrel first thought. The spread between cash Dubai crude and Dubai futures was Yet the pullback in the group’s output to seeing output dwindle as U.S. sanctions on Thursday, according to trade sources “The IMF projection – if it turns out to seen steady to firmer for the first two days of the September-loading the lowest in almost three decades illustrates and prolonged economic recession slam and Refinitiv data. be correct – is telling us that the current trading cycle. the scale of the sacrifice involved. OPEC+ its petroleum industry. It pumped just Signs of weakness in bunkering demand low demand levels are likely to persist for September cash Dubai were assessed at a premium of $1.29/b to pledged 9.7 million barrels a day of cuts 340,000 barrels a day last month, the have also emerged in Singapore, which is a while,” Murphy at Sea-Intelligence said the same-month Dubai futures at the 4:30 pm (0830 GMT) Singapore at a meeting in April — about 10 per cent survey showed. by far the world’s largest marine refueling in a note. close July 2, up 9 cents/b from the day before, Platts data showed. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 ADVERTISEMENTS JULY 4, 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 4, 2020 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 7 U.S. interfering in Arab countries to guarantee Why is Tehran not going to a Israel’s security: Lebanese journalist settlement with Trump? By Muhammad Mazhari By Mohammad Mazhari rency is the worst thing that was tasked with this government to deal with. Working with a central It seems that the time is not proper for settlement talks between TEHRAN – A Lebanese journalist believes bank governor who has allowed the smuggling Tehran and Washington as the nuclear deal is heading for that U.S. interference in the Arab countries is of the dollars outside the country and guarding a total failure. first and foremost intended to provide security the U.S. interests are among the major obstacles, The current U.S. administration has shown that there for Israel. as politicians and fiscal specialists have repeat- is no point in talking to Washington as the results of any After U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Doro- edly accused him of. The dollar price defines the negotiations or agreements cannot be relied upon. thy Shea’s comments against Hezbollah in an prices in Lebanon, including gasoline, bread, Trump has a freaky desire and insistence on taking photos interview with Saudi state-owned broadcaster rice, vegetable, meat, medicine, etc. to just increase his chances of reelection without any coherent al-Hadath, her words were rebuffed as open The government’s main problem is that it has plan to conclude a real agreement. interference in the domestic affairs of Lebanon not been able to present an emergency policy for Almost the whole world has become quite convinced that and a violation of diplomatic norms. passing the current stage or a long-term plan any deal signed with the U.S. would be broken at Washington’s Shea had accused Hezbollah of obstructing to face the following phases. will, so no one should bet on this administration. economic reforms in Lebanon. The government’s measures are trying to take «The rest of the world can no longer take it for granted “Frankly, this resembles an act of war against into account the development of the agricultural that the U.S. still aspires to be a global leader and needs a certain group of Lebanese society,” Abir Bassam and industrial sectors. Still, Lebanon’s borders to to readjust its priorities accordingly,» German Chancellor tells the Tehran Times the East are closed, even with its sister country, Angela Merkel warned On June 26. Bassam says, “It is not the ambassadors’ job in Syria. It is under American restrictions; it seems On the other hand, Iran›s foreign policy is announced by general to discuss the country’s internal affairs.” On June 28, Lebanese Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti summoned U.S. Ambassador Dorothy that Lebanon is unable to face these challenges. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who emphasized «no Following is the text of the interview: Shea to Beirut over comments she made against Hezbollah. In the end, all should take responsibility war, no negotiations with Trump». What is your comment on the statements for this condition, including the current gov- It means that there will be neither escalation nor concessions of the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon? Why Lebanon’s economy is in crisis? Is midable Resistance and Islamic Resistance that ernment and the majority in the parliament. while Tehran showed its readiness to respond to any American A: In the best-case scenario, we can say that Hezbollah really jeopardizing the economy in led to significant accomplishments against Israel They need to take bold steps towards Syria, misadventure at the same level, as it fired more than a dozen the ambassador was critical of Hezbollah in Lebanon? until the liberation of the South in May 2000. Iran, China, and Russia…etc. It should get ballistic missiles at the Assad air base in Iraq, where American Lebanon. However, it did not stop at this stage. A: The Lebanese fundamental economic cri- Regarding the second part of the question, close to the whole countries mentioned above, troops are stationed. The base was targeted in retaliation for The ambassador accused Hezbollah of taking sis has started with the economic procedures it can be simply stated in the following manure: or at least Syria. This is a must. a drone strike by the United States that martyred Maj. Gen. the Lebanese government hostage and holding adopted by the governments of Lebanon since the U.S. will not give any financial aid to Lebanon Concurrent with increasing pressure Qassem Soleimani in early January. back its economic growth. 1991. The economic policy was based on services, as long as Hezbollah is in the government. The on Hezbollah, the world is witnessing the There is also increasing pressure on the American side by Firstly, this kind of speech addresses the turning Lebanon into a service provider state U.S. doesn’t have any problem with Hezbollah Israeli move to excavate gas on Lebanon’s resistance groups to expel its forces from the Iraqi territory. Lebanese people and their officials and is con- in the region. These services depend mainly on as a political party; it has a problem with its Axis marine border. What’s your evaluation of this? Indeed, both of the two sides decided to reduce tensions sidered interference in domestic affairs. monetary services and different kinds of tour- of Resistance; in other words, it has a problem A: In my opinion, it is irrelevant. Israel in West Asia after a series of successive events, including Secondly, this kind of remarks are provoc- ism: from sightseeing to medical tourism. To a with Hezbollah’s advanced missiles arsenal, must have received the U.S.’s approval to take Iran›s downing of an invading U.S. spy drone. ative to those who have always been aligned large extent, this marginalized agriculture and which brings us back to the basics that are the such a step, which meets Trump’s need to Each side has its own reasons for avoiding escalations. with the resistance movement, and even causes industry and made Lebanon dependent solely on Israeli’s security! establish something he can please his AIPAC For example, when Saudi Arabia encouraged Trump to attack frustration to those who are against Hezbollah. imports and very little export. However, Lebanon Therefore, the World Bank will not be giving voters with. Iran under the allegation that Iran was behind attacks on Thirdly, it is not the ambassadors’ job in had to compete with other main countries that any more loans based on its conditions. Hezbollah It will have an added value for both the Aramco, he was reluctant to confront Iran directly, knowing general to discuss the countries’ internal affairs. have been remotely providing these services and insists that the conditions should not contra- Israeli and the Americans if the Lebanese that more escalation with Iran was not in America›s interest. Besides, this shows Americans’ intentions to- doing an excellent job, such as India, Austral- dict Lebanon’s sovereignty and its autonomous government and Hezbollah do not take bold Iran was ready to expand the scope of war in any confrontation wards Hezbollah and Lebanon’s stability, which ia, and Belgium. Lebanon, especially after the decisions. It argues that the World Bank is not steps in the face of the Israeli move. It will by targeting U.S. forces and bases in the region. is becoming more and more fragile since the 15-year civil war (1975-1990), cannot be such allowed to interfere in the Lebanese internal be a retreat for Lebanon and the Resistance. In fact, it could affect Trump›s reelection chances while 17th of November 2019. a competitor to these states. and external decisions. Still, if they (Lebanon) make a move, the he had promised before to stop U.S. endless wars abroad. The ambassador’s accusations present an This policy was deeply related to the atmos- Do you expect the Lebanese government consequences must be measured carefully. Although Washington and Tehran never left indirect aggressive political attitude towards a certain phere that prevailed in 1990, with many Arab to contain the economic crisis? At the end of the day, Israel does not want negotiation in some specific cases, nobody bets on improving group of people who are part of the Lebanese countries signing peace treaties with Israel. Syria A: Diab’s government has been doing fine to open war on its “northern borders”. How- bilateral relations or resolving deep-rooted conflict with the population and are officially represented with was leading such peace talks as well, after the first with all the crises accumulated during the past ever, if the Americans decided to do so, the White House. Hezbollah parliamentarians in the Lebanese war in the (Persian) Gulf in 1990. However, the 20 years. However, this government is not get- Israelis could not refuse, as it happened in For instance, indirect talks for exchange of prisoners parliament. Frankly, this resembles an act of foundation of such economic policy proved to be ting the support it needs even from the parties 2006. The war was an American decision. continued, but it is unlikely that these negotiations result war against a certain group of Lebanese society. based on cartoon boards. Syria withdrew from that have brought it into existence. Too many I believe that both the Israelis and the in a comprehensive agreement between the two sides. Do you think these statements signal new the peace talks, Rabin was killed, and Lebanon conflicting interests are governing these parties Americans want Iran’s head on a spike first. Prisoner swap negotiations can be interpreted as a step to developments in Lebanon? backed by Syria continued its resistance against and, in particular, the coming (U.S.) presidential Thus, Hezbollah will be out of Syria; this control the level of tensions in such a dangerous condition. A: It might be. Or perhaps the Americans the Israeli occupation in South Lebanon. In this elections. is their aim. I came across that in many of The arrival of Iranian oil tankers to Venezuela, despite U.S. are preparing for such a thing. In the end, the period of history, Hezbollah demonstrated for- A sharp fall in the value of the Lebanese cur- my readings. They pushed for war against threats to seize them confirms claims that suggest there is a Americans’ interferences in the Arab countries Iran; it turned out to be very costly for the kind of implicit agreement to «de-escalate». have been aimed at one end goal, which is the “This kind of remarks (by the U.S. Americans, especially after what the U.S. had Given its regional role and international circumstances, security of Israel. ambassador) is provocative to those who experienced in Ein al-Assad in Iraq. Indeed, Iran does not intend to intensify tension with the United However, the Resistance in Palestine, Leb- this is the scale by which I would measure States and does not provoke American public opinion before anon, Syria, is their biggest challenge to protect have always been aligned with the resistance the Israeli step. Nevertheless, until today, the U.S. elections. Israel. And it is still true. Hence, one element of movement, and even causes frustration to Israel has not come even a meter close to Apparently, the best choice for Iran is to wait for the protection for Israel can be provided by recalling those who are against Hezbollah.” the Lebanese territorial waters. So, let us November presidential elections, especially in light of the for civil war in Lebanon again. wait and see! recent developments that are likely to force Trump out of the White House. Post-war reconstruction plans for Libya? EU gives conditional After heavy losses in early June Haftar ready to stop fighting approval for the use of 1 After the siege of the capital broke, Interior Minister Tuesday calling for the blockade’s end, expressing its “grave COVID-19 anti-viral redeliver Fathi Bashagha hailed “the beginning of the end of the entire concern over the deterioration of the economic situation in dictatorship project,” and urged cities under Haftar’s control Libya.” The European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, on to rise up against him and spare themselves further conflict. According to the NOC statement on June 22, the blockade Friday authorized the use of the anti-viral drug to redeliver President Sisi has threatened to intervene militarily in neigh- has plunged production from around 1.2 million barrels a to treat the new coronavirus. boring Libya if Turkish-backed forces capture Sirte. Control day, has added up nearly $6 billion over the last five months. “Today’s first medicine authorization to treat COVID-19 is of Sirte also means control over the crucial port and gateway Foreign players an important step forward in the fight against this virus,” EU to important oil terminals to export Libya’s vast oil wealth. Eight years after Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi de- Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides said in a statement. In televised remarks after inspecting military units at an stroyed his country’s weapons of mass destruction the colonel army base near the border with Libya, Sisi warned that the was overthrown and killed in 2011, submerging the country fall of Sirte or the inland Jufra airbase would be a “red line” in a civil war for Egypt. NATO members led by Britain and France supported the Egypt has been alarmed by Turkey’s intervention, which so-called revolution by airstrikes – then watched the country it considers a regional foe because it supports the Muslim sink into chaos. Barrack Obama said, leaving Libya without a Brotherhood group that Sisi ousted from power in 2013. plan after Gaddafi was the “biggest mistake” of his presidency. Former U.S. ambassador to Libya, Deborah Jones, expressed Celebrating with Libyan national flags in Tripoli in early By 2014 the situation quickly escalated into a regional her surprise at Sisi’s statement saying Egypt didn’t consider June after fighters loyal to the U.N.-backed government proxy war fueled by foreign powers that poured arms, money, the city a red line when the Daesh (ISIS) terror group occupied captured the town of Tarhuna from rival forces loyal to and mercenaries into the fight. it, reports Middle East Monitor. In a sign of defeat, the report the commander Khalifa Hifter. (Photo: Agence France- In his dominion, Haftar is known as “the marshal,” and added that Haftar’s forces had started stealing equipment Presse — Getty Images) is the military ruler of eastern Libya, with Benghazi as his from Sirte power plant, a reminder of the plundering and stronghold. He has promised to build a stable, democratic, destruction that late Saddam Hussain committed after his Tripoli has been under siege by LNA’s Haftar, who start- and secular Libya, but the regions in his control are without occupation of Kuwait in 1991 when he was convinced of his ed his offensive on the capital last April. The offensive was any law and order, and corruption abounds. “We are granting this authorization less than a month withdrawal. launched while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived There were several summits by the international com- after the application was submitted, showing clearly the EU’s The 76-year-old Libyan born Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan in Tripoli to prepare for a peace conference. Unsuccessful in munity to put an end to the Libyan strife before the Covid-19 determination to respond quickly whenever new treatments National Army (LNA) launched his campaign into the war in taking over Tripoli, Haftar laid siege on the capital since the pandemic sidelined the Libyan crisis. become available,” she said. 2014. He is backed by Russia, UAE, Egypt, and Jordan. Thou- start of his offensive. The last summit was called the Berlin Conference was held At least two major US studies have shown that remdesivir sands of Russian mercenaries, along with fighters from Sudan Turkey has heavily criticized France, saying Paris is trying on January 19. Haftar and al-Sarraj didn’t even meet face to can reduce the duration of hospital stays for COVID-19 patients. and Chad, are reportedly on the way to Sirte’s strategic city as to restore “old colonial rule” in the North African country. face, and the summit failed to yield results. With German Washington authorized the emergency use of the medicine GNA moves to take the city. The GNA, led by Prime Minister Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said, “The Chancellor Angela Markel’s last term in office, while holding -- which was originally intended as a treatment for Ebola -- Fayez al-Sarraj, announced it was determined to end “the people of Libya will never forget the damage France has in- the EU presidency, this could be the last chance for her to play on May 1, followed by several Asian nations including Japan occupation” of the cities of Sirte and Jufra by foreign fighters. flicted on this country.” a role in bringing peace and stability in Libya. and South Korea. In a complex web of the military alliance by various sides, Macron has denied backing Haftar, claiming it is favor of China has remained neutral in this conflict. Under the The green light comes on the recommendation of the Turkey and France have engaged in a war of words in recent finding a “political solution.” Gaddafi regime, China engaged in various infrastructure European Medicines Agency which gave its conditional au- weeks over their roles in war-torn Libya Ties between the two NATO allies have soured in recent activities, with 35,000 Chinese laborers working across 50 thorization last week to treat patients above 12 years of age Macron accused Turkey of importing a large number of weeks over Libya, northern Syria, and drilling in the eastern projects, ranging from residential and railway construction who are suffering from pneumonia and require extra oxygen. fighters reportedly from Syria into Libya and lambasted Russian Mediterranean. Tensions escalated following a June 10 in- to telecommunications and hydropower ventures. The year It said its assessment was based mainly on data from a President Vladimir Putin’s ambivalence over his country’s cident between Turkish warships and a French naval vessel leading to Gaddafi’s overthrow, Libya was providing three per- study sponsored by the US National Institute of Allergy and mercenaries operating in the oil-rich North African state. in the Mediterranean Sea. cent of China’s crude oil supply, constituting roughly 150,000 Infectious Diseases (NIAID). However, on Monday, Macron said Putin had told him that Oil production barrels a day. All of China’s top state oil firms – CNPC, Sin- The research, published in the leading journal, the New private contractors fighting in Libya did not represent Russia. With 46.4 billion barrels as of 2010, oil reserves in Libya opec Group, and CNOOC – had had standing infrastructure England Journal of Medicine in May, showed that injections of France has long denied backing Haftar but has stopped are the largest in Africa. Much of Libya’s oil wealth is located in projects in Libya. remdesivir speeded patient recovery compared with a placebo. short of rebuking his allies, especially UAE, which has also the east, but the revenues are channeled through Tripoli-based In the outbreak of protests in 2011, China sought to preserve On average, it reduced patients’ hospital stays from 15 been singled out by the UN for violating an arms embargo in state oil firm National Oil Corporation (NOC), which says it economic ties with Libya and rejected the NATO-led military days to 11. Libya. Under President Nicolas Sarkozy, Paris led the military serves the whole country and stays out of its factional conflicts. intervention. China abstained at the UN Security Council vote More than 11.019 million people have been infected glob- intervention in Libya in 2011 toppling Gaddafi. Prior to the 2011 Libyan civil war, Libya produced over to authorize military intervention. ally, and more than 520,000 have died since the COVID-19 While fighting continues near Sirte, Turkish President 1.5 million barrels a day. As a result of a blockade of export When it comes to the U.S., foreign policy issues rarely feature disease first emerged in China. Tayyip Erdogan’s top deputies visited the GNA in Tripoli in terminals by LNA by February of this year, oil production in U.S. elections five months ahead. The U.S. is overwhelmed The World Health Organization (WHO), on June 26, mid-June, reports the New York Times quoting sources adding dropped to 200,000 barrels a day reports Bloomberg. NOC by the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis that has warned about a “significant resurgence” of cases of the new politicians could join the upcoming trip by what they called said the North African state’s current production level is at ensued. Most important of all, Donald Trump’s lack of insight coronavirus in nearly a dozen European nations, saying the a “committee” of business representatives. 91,221 barrels per day as of March 17. into international affairs is an obstacle. risk of another outbreak has now become a “reality.” Turkish builders had worked projects in Libya before Tur- In order to choke GNA from the crucial crude export rev- Libya is no different. Where Obama failed to make a plan WHO regional director for Europe Hans Henri Kluge said key officially threw its support behind the GNA in November. enue, the LNA seized Libya’s export terminals and ports in for Libya in 2011, now Trump remains as detached. If there in a statement, “For weeks I have spoken about the risk of a The backlog of Turkish contract works there amounts to $16 the east in mid-January. is a ceasefire or compromise of any sort, U.S. leadership will resurgence as countries adjust to measures.” billion, a sector official said in January. Spain’s foreign affairs ministry released a statement on just be a spectator. (Source: AFP) northern Iran. es oftheRamsarPalaceMuseum, inMazandaranprovince, servation oftheworld’s wetlands Convention, an internationaltreatyfortheprotection andcon is bestremembered forhostingthe1971signing oftheRamsar buildingHowever,the family. royal the Reza,and Mohammad metal, glass, andcrystal, IRNA reported. techniques andmaterialsincluding pottery, stone,porcelain, a wide range of vessels and utensils handcrafted using different premis the in inaugurated officially was era, contemporary inaugurated innorthernIran from 5thBConwards, Museum, featuringobjects to little-visitedmountainvillages. well-known Masulehandisapossiblestartingpointforhikes theanswer to considered Khorasan’s village,Roein is of the north. Although a lot of new building spoils the effect in parts 20kmsome Roein of village preservedstepped partly and the its wrestlingtournaments, theremarkablecitadelofBelqays forEsfarayen,famed capital,Bojnurd,towards the from south and Gorgan, butifyouhavetimetoexplore,it’sworthdiverting straight throughNorthKhorasanintransitbetweenMashhad of travelers, itstourismisgettingmomentum. governor-general oftheprovince,the reportadded. Cultural Heritagelist. National Intangible on the inscribed items the among curd are the localgameofKorkhandMir,skillmakingChartan milk,exchanging of tradition cheese,the makingPandirpust of CHTN reportedonFriday. ontheNationalIntangibleCulturalHeritagelist,been registered cultural heritagelist 13 itemsaddedtointangible Iranian capitalcityinthe12thdistrict. have beenrecoveredandbeingkeptbythelawenforcementforces. objects stolen all and place took crime the after days two police the rials (about$715,000), thereportsaid. told ISNAonJuly1. objects beforedawn, aculturalheritageactivist, ArashSaberi, artifacts bymidnight,cleaningouttheshowcasesfullofvaluable removed on June8,and hours several for museum the in cealed in downtownTehran. premises ofacenturies-oldmansioncalledSara-yeKazemi the out’ in downtownTehran Anthropology museum‘cleaned seum wasonceasummerresidence forthelastShahofIran, desk HERITAGE desk TOURISM desk HERITAGE 8 Sara-ye Kazemiislocatedinoneofoldneighborhoodsthe According toILNA newsagency, theburglarwasarrestedby Saberi estimatedthevalueofstolenobjectsatthirtybillion weeks agowhenapersoncon The burglarytookplacethree Covering 150squaremetersin area, themuseumshowcases Though North Khorasan province may not be the first choice The skillofbakingYukhabreadinGholamanvillage, theskill Set inawalledgarden, thelavishly decoratedPalaceMu According toLonely Planet, mostforeigntouristspass The inscriptionswereannouncedonThursdayinaletterto I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y museum, featuringrelicsfrom5thBCtothe TEHRAN – haveKhorasan North northeasternof province TEHRAN – seum ofanthropology, whichislocatedwithin – TEHRAN On Thursday, a cultural heritagecultural a Thursday, On A burglarhas‘cleanedout’ amu Thirteennewitemsfromthe - - - - -

Tehran Times/Mahsa Safari HERITAGE &TOURISM centers centers are from 55 different nationalities, toMashhadhospitalsandmedical mitted IRNA reported. by 95percentoverthepastfewmonths, the cityofMashhadformedicalpurposes visiting travelers of number the slashed es toforeignpatientsinMashhad, whoare medical centers are offering special servic Tajikistan, andTurkmenistan. Saudi Arabia, Oman,Pakistan, Afghanistan, restarefromKuwait,Bahrain,Qatar,Iraq,the more than60%ofwhomarefromIraq and ical tourists in the country, the official added. Sciences. Medical tourism managerofMashhadUniversity of done, saidEsmaeilKhayyami, thehealth non-emergency foreignpatientshasn’tbeen decreased significantly and new admission of has Mashhad in hospitals and centers ical medical andhealthtouristsvisitingmed of Iran andneighboringcountries,thenumber data show eight million tourists visited the eight milliontouristsvisited show data to 20millionin2025. Thelatestavailable of touristarrivals from4.8 millionin2014 country aimstoincreasethenumber the were usingtheplatformtoidentifyandsell one ofthereasonswhichledtodecision. artifacts onFacebookandInstagramwere from beingsoldonline. to preventpricelessitemslootedorstolen an carpets, onitsplatformsinanattempt sale ofhistoricalartifacts,includingIrani itored 24 hours a day, the official added. historical relics,thecyberspaceisbeingmon culturalheritage. of protecting Rahmatollahi, a senior police official in charge in this regardasanationalduty,saidAmir ation andallpeopleareneededtocooperate ontothenextgener andpassed be preserved artifacts,reported onThursday. torical ISNA March 21, 2019). the pastIraniancalendaryear(started of Islamic Republic during the first ten months 2019. in destination tourism fastest-growing short-lived foracountrythatrankedthethird believing itsimpactwouldbetemporaryand tourism boomaftercoronaviruscontained, reads. message impact ontourism,”the asegmentof plaudits as an effective practice to mitigate ommendations ofUNWTO,hastrulyearned has taken, followingtheguidelinesandrec Heritage, TourismandHandicraftsofIran of measuresthattheMinistryCultural travel industryduringthepandemic. “Aseries the manage to made efforts Iran’s praised tourism ministerAli-AsgharMounesan, development intheregion. to boosttourismasacatalystforsustainable sector to collaborateandshareexperience and theprivatepublic the both on calling websites whichwereillegallytradinghis websites desk TOURISM desk HERITAGE UNWTO meeting:UNWTO Iranoutlines measures Coronavirus cuts medical tourists inMashhad by 95% medical cuts Coronavirus For the timebeing,14hospitalsandthree ad tourists medical that noted also He After Tehran,Mashhadhasthemostmed Due tothetravelrestrictionsimposedby Several reports confirmed that the looters To identifythewebsitesthatillegallysell The culturalandhistoricalheritageshould Under the2025TourismVision Plan, Published photosofstolenhistorical Earlier inJune, Facebookbannedthe Some expertsexpectIrantoachievea to letter a Lastmonth,Pololikashvili,in

to helptourism recover fromCOVID-19 1 Themeetingwaswrappedupby navirus pandemichas –Thecoro- TEHRAN police haveblocked86 – TEHRAN Police websites blocks trading historical objects Iranian ------and infertilityservices. services, dental aswellwomen’s beauty and orthopedics,skin,hair geries, surgeries, vascular generalsur mostly visitingthesecentersforOpen-heart the countries inWestAsia. the illegally excavated antiquitiesmostlyfrom Iranian hospitals admittednearly70,000 Iranian Mediterranean Seaand China. the It servedasan important traderouteconnecting passed through centralAsiabeforeending in Syria. which, according toancientmaps, began inChinaand fabric andforweavingPersian rugs. thread producedinIranhasbeen usedtomakeclothing passed. Sourcessaythatfor some 3,000 years, silk remotest regionsofIran, where theancientrouteonce several threadsaregatheredtogether toformbundles. in thefinalstageofsilkthreadproduction,where process. Even youngstershelptheirparentsforinstance material. Eachmemberofthefamilyplaysarolein niche aroundanoticeablesupplychainofhigh-quality on June28, 2020. Minudasht county, Iran’s northernGolestanprovince, clusters ofsilkwormsonpilesmulberryleaves in desk HERITAGE millennia-old industry millennia-old spin to aniche sustain The SilkRoadwasawell-connected networkofroutes The memoryoftheSilkRoad isstillalive inthe It isonescarcefamilyintheirvillagetryingtospina Iranian silkmakers Iranian silkmakers rustic Iranianfamilywhoarebreading aof members depicts collection Photo - of Health. medical tourismdepartmentattheMinistry the to according country, the to $1.2billion it madeaneconomiccontributionofaround year 1397(March2018–March2019)and foreign patientsovertheIraniancalendar represent variouserasofthecountry’srich Several exquisite andpricelessrelicsthat JULY 4,2020 JULY March 19). year (ended calendar Iranian ing thelast capital ofKhorasanRazaviprovince,the dur travelers visitedtheshrinecityofMashhad, Shia Muslims. Imam Reza(AS), theeighthImamof imposing, massive holyshrinecomplexof tries, andevenacrosstheglobetovisit various Iraniancities, neighboringcoun- from come pilgrims who travelersand of lockdown, Mashhadplayedhosttothousands 2 millionin[calendaryear]1404. exceed itsyearlymedicaltravelers toaround in onlyone-seventhorevenlesserofthesum. health tourism,thoughthesectornowbrings to annuallyearn $7billioninmedicaland said inMay2018thatIranhasthecapacity national centerfordevelopinghealthtourism for athree-yearterm. (ECO) washandedtotheIslamicRepublic ence ofEconomicCooperationOrganization HealthTourismConfer International the turning pointinthehistoryofnation. a was (224–651) Empire Sassanid mighty of Persia(633–656)thatputanendtothe and empirein625 BC. TheIslamicconquest nation a as Iran unified Medes The eras. can bedivided intoPre-IslamicandIslamic predate Achaemenidperiod. province andEcbatanainHamedanwhich Susa andChoghaZanbilintheKhuzestan Sistan-Baluchestan, TepeSialkinKashan, of prehistoricalsitesastheBurntCityin dae andPersepolis. However, therearetens (550 –330BC)andsitessuchasPasarga sian Empire,ruledbytheAchaemenids Per first the up conjures mostly Persia, datingbackto4000BC. settlements continuous majorcivilizations, embracing are mostly being kept in different museums. vations inthecountry’shistoricalsites, and history, havebeenunearthedinvariousexca Before thecoronaviruseverythingon puts The IslamicRepublichassetitsgoalsto Mohammad Jahangiriwhopresidesovera In April2018, therotatingpresidencyof Almost 40 millionIranianpilgrimsand Almost From awiderpointofview,Iranianhistory Iran ishometooneoftheworld’soldest The nameofIran, formerlyknownas - - - - - I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 4, 2020 SOCIETY 9

Prominent Mount Damavand Rising temperatures could cause mass die-off grappling with environmental issues of tropical plants by 2070, By Faranak Bakhtiari and the ministry of cultural heritage. Although the DOE registered the upper research suggests TEHRAN — Mount Damavand, the highest part of the peak as a natural monument a peak in Iran, is located northeastern Tehran, few years ago, it has not done any protection Tropical plants which flourish closest to the equator are among but today, it is facing many environmental measures for this 2500-m height so far. those most at risk from climate breakdown, with the warming problems and challenges. Environmental Also, since 2008, Damavand has been world expected to eventually become too hot for some species enthusiasts believe that with the inclusion nationally registered as the first natural and to germinate. of Damavand National Day in the official historical monument by the cultural herit- This process could happen within just 50 years, according to calendar of the country, more attention age ministry, but has not carried out any researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW). should be paid to this unique natural phe- protection program as it should.” Using almost 10,000 records for more than 1,300 species nomenon, while unfortunately no action has To solve the problems of Mount Damavand, from the Kew Gardens’ global seed germination database, the been taken so far. there is no choice but to gather governmen- researchers examined the range of temperatures each species Mount Damavand, a potentially active tal agencies, non-governmental organiza- could tolerate and still survive, as well as looking at climate models. volcano 5600-m high, is a stratovolcano tions, and locals to cooperate; therefore, it They found many tropical plants will be at risk of reaching the which is the highest peak in Iran and the is suggested that a working group be formed maximum temperature at which they could germinate. highest volcano in Asia, which is a significant with the presence of the people and vari- The closer a plant is to the equator, the more at risk it will be of mountain in Persian mythology and folklore; ous organizations interested in preserving exceeding its temperature ceiling by 2070, the research team said. it is the symbol of Iranian resistance against Damavand, responsible bodies such as the Lead author Alex Sentinella, a PhD researcher at UNSW, said despotism and foreign rule in Persian poetry DOE, the Forests, Rangelands, and Water- past research had found animal species closer to the equator and literature. shed Management Organization, and the would be more at risk from climate change. It is in the middle of the Alborz range, Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, “The thought was that because tropical species come from a near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, and Handicrafts, he explained. stable climate where it’s always warm, they can only cope with in Amol County, Mazandaran province, 66 world’s land animals and plants, in addition the experience of more than three decades of This working group can prepare instruc- a narrow range of temperatures – whereas species from higher kilometers (41 miles) northeast of the city to providing fresh water to half of human- environmental activity among environmental tions that must be implemented by all; for latitudes can cope with a larger range of temperatures because of Tehran. ity, so their conservation is a key factor for activists, especially in the mountainous sec- instance, related agencies will provide facil- they come from places where the weather varies widely,” Mr Mount Damavand is the 12th most prom- sustainable development. tor, it is necessary that public organizations, ities, funds, and expertise to help identify Sentinella said. inent peak in the world and the second most Because all kinds of precious metals and government agencies, and locals form a spe- problems in the region, and NGOs, as a line “However, this idea had never been tested for plants. prominent in Asia after Mount Everest. It is stones, coal, and other raw materials are cial working group to protect and preserve of communication between the government “Because climate change is a huge issue globally, we wanted part of the Volcanic Seven Summits moun- hidden in the heart of the mountains, they Mount Damavand. and locals, will hold training courses and to understand these patterns on a global scale and build upon taineering challenge. have always been encroached by humans; “This year, environmental activists are promote culture among the people, he noted. the many studies on plants at an individual level in their envi- The peak has been plagued by many envi- also due to agricultural lands which are celebrating the Damavand National Day for In this working group, locals will be tasked ronment,” he said. ronmental problems in recent years, including, used for forage production, herbs, livestock the 16th year (of course, the ceremony is with protecting Damavand; once the protec- The researchers examined seed germination data from the road construction, high tourist traffic flow, breeding, production of meat, dairy and scheduled to be held online this year due tion of the environment becomes a culture Millennium Seed Bank Partnership Data Warehouse, hosted poor mining, overgrazing of livestock in the all kinds of food. to the coronavirus epidemic). During this for the people of the region, destruction will by Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in London, to quantify global pastures around the peak slopes, depletion Unfortunately, mountains are under threat time, they have gained good experience in no longer continue but will be minimized, patterns in germination temperature. of Dasht-e Shaghayegh (the plain of Iranian from climate change and overexploitation, defending Damavand’s environment. he further added. They analysed 9,737 records for 1,312 plant species from every poppies) by tourists, land-use changes and and Damavand is no exception. Also, for more than 15 years, activists The first program of Damavand Nation- continent except Antarctica and excluded agricultural crops. construction. Meanwhile, NGOs and environmental from Tehran and Mazandaran have been al Day, which was held with the coopera- Mr Sentinella said they chose seed data because it was widely Excessive climbing, dumping of inde- organizations have taken action to address visiting the slopes of Damavand peak for tion of the Tehran climb board, mountain available and relevant to the ability of a species to cope with structible waste at heights where it is almost these problems. Some local and indigenous several weeks to guard the Shaghayegh plain. climbing buffs, mountaineering groups and different temperatures. impossible for unprofessional people to col- peoples whose settlements are exposed to However, environmental activists have the media from June 22 to 24, 2004, was “With seeds, you can experiment on them quickly, there are a lect and clean it, lack of sanitary services, environmental damage have also taken action not yet been able to properly sensitize local accompanied by hundreds of climbers to lot of studies about them and importantly, germination directly legal and illegal hunting, overpopulation of to prevent the threats, but yet the government people to the effects of the destruction of symbolically collect the waste in Damavand relates to how a species will survive, because if the seed doesn’t herding dogs that led to the death of wildlife and non-governmental organizations have natural areas around their residence. There- mountainous area. germinate the plant won’t live,” he said. species, as well as the destruction of ancient not been able to work together and resolve fore, locals’ participation to defend Mount And each year, a special program has been “So, we collated the data from the Kew Gardens database, artifacts in the area, are among the issues, if the issue. Damavand should be taken seriously,” he conducted to mark this day, meanwhile, the examined all experiments on the same species from the same left unresolved, could pose a serious threat Formation of special working explained. officials are expected to seriously consider locations, and then determined the range of temperatures each to this natural heritage. group to protect Damavand necessary He went on to say that “Mount Damavand the protection of Damavand, so that it will species could tolerate in order to survive.” Mountains are home of 15 percent of Environmental activist Hossein Abiri seems to be no priority for responsible bodies no longer be subject to deliberate and un- The researchers also examined climate data for the same the world´s population and a quarter of the Golpayegani told IRNA on Friday that given such as Department of Environment (DOE), intentional destruction. locations as the plant species used in the study. They looked at current temperature – the average temperature of the warmest three months from 1970 to 2000 – and predicted WHO supports Iran in fight against Health ministry to promote Iranian temperature for 2070. The researchers then compared the temperatures the plants influenza lifestyle based on traditional medicine were experiencing now with the forecasted 2070 temperatures. They found tropical plants do not have narrower temperature SOCIETY TEHRAN — The 1 According to the World Health tolerances but were more at risk from global warming, because deskWorld Health Organ- Organization (WHO) herbal medicines it would bring them close to their maximum seed germination ization (WHO) has provided the necessary are naturally occurring, plant-derived temperatures. equipment to help the national influenza substances with minimal or no industri- “These plants could be more at risk because they are near their center respond to influenza, IRNA re- al processing that have been used to treat upper limits. So, even a small increase in temperature from cli- ported on Friday. illness within local or regional healing mate change could push them over the edge,” Mr Sentinella said. Involved in providing emergency sup- practices. Traditional herbal medicines The research is published in the journal Global Ecology and port to counter COVID-19 in Iran, WHO are getting significant attention in global Biogeography. continues to strengthen its support for the health debates. “The figures are quite shocking because by 2070, more than 20 national influenza program. Global herbal market size is estimated at per cent of tropical plant species, we predict, will face tempera- The cargo includes laboratory equip- approximately $72 billion which is predict- tures above their upper limit, which means they won’t germinate, ment for influenza test and virus isolation of Iran joined the GISRS. In 2005, after ed to reach $7 trillion by 2050. Medicinal offering Iranian traditional medicine would and so can’t survive.” from the National Influenza Center of Iran, an outbreak of bird flu in some countries, plants are used in various industries which be added to the program of all medical Mr Sentinella said the researchers also found that more than which was sent to the center to prepare for health authorities in Iran focused more are worth around $80 billion. science courses across the country. half of tropical species are expected to experience temperatures the winter when flu strikes. seriously on the medical and economic Europe is the largest herbal product According to Rezaeezadeh, eight exceeding their optimum germination temperatures. The center operates as a key institution impact of influenza and expanded the market valued at $7.5 billion and has a schools of Iranian traditional medicine “That’s even worse because if those plants can survive it would for communication between the World laboratory as part of the Virology De- 40% market share. China has the highest were operating in different universities be at a reduced rate of germination and therefore, they might Health Organization and Iran on issues partment of the School of Public Health, number of medicinal plants and also is across the country. not be as successful,” he said. related to the epidemiological aspects of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. the leading country in export of medicinal “Up to now, more than 600 students, influenza and its spread. It is equipped WHO evaluates the performance and plants globally having 15% sharing global general practitioners, and pharmacists were with molecular and cellular biological quality of the laboratory through the export under this category. accepted in Iranian traditional medicine WORDS IN THE NEWS technologies for virus isolation, genomic annual accreditation program. Hossein Rezaeezadeh, the president of programs and 240 of them have already sequencing, and simulation. Iranian researchers published an Iran School of Traditional Medicine, said graduated,” Rezaeezadeh added. Polio immunisation The isolated viruses are then sent to the essay by the British Medical Journal, in January 2019 that twenty health centers Christoph Hamelmann, WHO rep- WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and warning the dangers of co-infection of offering Iranian traditional medicine were resentative in Iran has said that Iranian (February 23, 2004) Response System (GISRS) to be used to Covid-19 and influenza A “Covi-Flu” being constructed in 20 different areas traditional medicine has the potential to More than sixty million children in ten African countries are produce the influenza vaccine after approval. to the global economy and sustainable across the country. gain international recognition and WHO being immunised against Polio in the three days from 23rd to In 1969, the national influenza center development. He added that a university unit of study must support its globalization. 25th February. This is part of a final push to eradicate the dis- ease. Some states in northern Nigeria have refused to participate because of fears about the safety of the vaccine. This report from Ania Lichtarowicz: ENGLISH IN USE Tens of thousands of health workers will go house to house over the next three days in an effort to immunize sixty three mil- LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION lion children under the age of five in sub-Saharan Africa. The campaign is the start of monthly national immunisation days during the low season for polio. It’s hoped that vaccinating children now - when the virus is at its weakest - will be the best Iran breaks U.S. monopoly on way of stopping transmission. When the polio campaign started in 1988, a thousand children ایران انحصار آمریکا در نقشههای were paralysed every day by the virus, last year less than eight aviation navigation charts hundred children were affected in total. But claims by local religious leaders that the vaccine is unsafe هوانوردی را شکست Iranian researchers have succeeded to produce aviation navigation INFLIGHT AIP have seriously hampered efforts to stop polio spreading – not only in Nigeria, but also in India and Pakistan - where similar ایــران بــا تولیــد نقشــ ههای هوانــوردی ) ( کــه پیــش از ایــن در ,(charts, known as Inflight AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication .immunization schemes are due to begin shortly انحصــار آمریــکا بــوده بــه موفقیــت چشــمگیری در زمینــه صنعــت هوانــوردی دســت یافــت. which was monopolized by the United States, IRNA news agency However the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, as well as state بــه گــزارش ایرنــا، روز یکشــنبه بــا حضــور امیــر ســرتیپ خلبــان عزیــز نصیــرزاده فرمانــده .reported on Sunday officials and religious leaders have commissioned independent tests that show the vaccine to be safe - they hope this will allay نیــروی هوایــی ارتــش و ســورنا ســتاری معــاون علمــی و فنــاوری ریاســت جمهــوری از Prepared by Iran’s Army, the Inflight AIP was unveiled in Tehran with .fears of parents and allow children to be protected against Polio نقشــ ههای هوانــوردی )INFLIGT AIP( تولیــد داخــل رونمایــی شــد. Air Force Commander Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh and Vice Words چ ارتهــای هوایــی دیجیتــال شــامل نقشــ ههای پــروازی IFR و VFR یــک محصــول .President for Science and Technology Sourena Sattari in attendance Digital aeronautical charts, including instrument flight rules (IFR) immunize: give a vaccination - a harmless form of the germs that cause a disease, given to people to prevent them getting دانــش بنیــان بــا فنــاوری بســیار بــاال اســت کــه پیــش از ایــن انحصــار آن در اختیــار آمریــکا -and visual flight rules (VFR), is a high-quality knowledge-based prod the disease itself و شــرکت جپســن )Jeppesen( قــرار داشــت کــه بــه دلیــل اعمــال تحر یمهــای ظالمانــه uct which was solely produced by Jeppesen Company and was not sub-Saharan Africa: the part of Africa below the Sahara Desert virus: a kind of germ that can cause a disease شــرک تهای هواپیمایــی ایرانــی از دسترســی بــه ایــن نقشــ هها محــروم شــده بودنــد. .available for Iranian airlines due to U.S. sanctions transmission: the passing of something from person to person campaign: an activity to achieve something; usually social or political change PREFIX/SUFFIX PHRASAL VERB IDIOM paralysed: made unable to move hampered: if you hamper something you make it difficult to “-dom” Pull in Do a double take do and delay progress Eradication Initiative: an activity to end or get rid of something Meaning: state, condition, quality Meaning: to move to a designated place at the side Explanation: to look at someone or something again commissioned: asked or paid to do something; for example For example: we do have some freedom of choice. of the road because you are very surprised by what you saw or heard a report or a book For example: A police car signaled to me to pull in. For example: Colleagues often walked past me in allay fears: stop people feeling afraid the hallway, then stopped and did a double take. (Source: BBC) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 10 INTERNATIONAL JULY 4, 2020

Iraq threatens to sever trade Hamas calls for ‘armed struggle’ to liberate ties with Turkey over cross- border operation West Bank from Israeli occupation Iraq has threatened to cut off its trade ties with Turkey in pro- A senior Hamas leader has called on other Jordan Valley. test at Ankara’s ongoing cross-border operation in the coun- Palestinian groups in the occupied West Bank July 1 was set by Israeli prime minister try’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region against hideouts of the to join hands and start an armed struggle Benjamin Netanyahu to start annexation of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militant group. against the Israeli occupation. parts of the West Bank but Tel Aviv failed “Turkey has interests in Iraq as the annual trade balance Mahmoud al-Zahar, a co-founder of the to launch the scheme on the set date amid between Baghdad and Ankara stands at more than 16 billion Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas and differences between Netanyahu and key dollars annually. There are also hundreds of Turkish commercial a member of the group’s leadership in the members of his cabinet, whose consent the insinuates operating inside Iraq. The Iraqi government will take Gaza Strip, says all Palestinian groups must White House says is needed for the annex- actions against all these interests if urgent need arises,” spokes- follow the successful model implemented ation to go ahead. man for the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed al-Sahaf, in the liberation of the Gaza Strip, namely Netanyahu’s office announced that he said in an exclusive interview with local Kurdish-language Rudaw armed struggle, in order to counter Tel Aviv’s will continue to discuss the plan with the television news network on Thursday night. expansionist policies in the West Bank. U.S. administration. Sahaf further noted that the Iraqi government has a wide Speaking to the Lebanese TV channel Al The announcement came shortly after array of options to stop the Turkish offensive and demand com- Mayadeen on Thursday, al-Zahar said the Hamas fired a volley of rockets into the sea as a pensation for the loss of civilian lives. Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) serious “warning” against the annexation plan. must stop implementing its Oslo Accords According to the Palestinian Samanews, with the Israeli regime, and take up arms a barrage of 20 rockets was launched within against the occupiers. an hour. Biden pulls together hundreds Hamas is going to ask for the cooperation Palestinian resistance groups have de- of lawyers as a bulwark of the Palestinian Authority and the Fatah clared their resolve to stand up to the Israeli movement in order to have new principles occupation and the regime’s expansionism. against election trickery and mechanisms devised, he said. U.S. President Donald Trump gave Tel According to Press TV, the top Hamas On Thursday, in a show of unity, senior from Ramallah, and Saleh al-Arouri, Ha- Aviv the green light for the land grab in his 1 “We put together 600 lawyers and a group of people official said based on new principles, a plan officials from Fatah and Hamas held a joint mas deputy chief from Beirut, vowed in a self-proclaimed “deal of the century,” which throughout the country who are going into every single state to must be developed for the real liberation of press conference that is the first of its kind video conference to unite efforts in fighting was unveiled in January with the aim of legit- try to figure out whether chicanery is likely to take place,” Biden, Palestine, similar to the plan that resulted in in several years. Israel’s plan to annex parts of the occupied imizing Israel’s occupation and re-drawing the presumptive Democratic nominee, said on a video conference Gaza’s liberation through armed resistance. Jibril Rajoub, Fatah Secretary General West bank, including parts of the strategic the West Asia (Middle East) map. with donors to his campaign, Reuters reported. “We have over 10,000 people signed up to volunteer. We’re in the process of getting into the states in question to train them to be in a polling place,” he said, in a time when the coronavirus pandemic Top U.S. spies brief Congress on Modi takes veiled dig at China on visit requires extra precautions. Biden’s remarks come as the candidate offers dire warnings about efforts by Republicans to cheat in the Nov. Russia-Taliban intelligence to disputed border area 3 election while also criticizing his election opponent, Republican President Donald Trump, for undermining confidence in the vote. CIA Director Gina Haspel and National Members of Congress who were briefed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has Nimu area, pictures from Reuters partner A senior political adviser and top lawyer for Trump’s cam- Security Agency Director Paul Nakasone behind closed doors on Thursday included said the “age of expansionism” is over, as ANI showed. paign, Justin Clark, said Biden is lying and stoking fear while met with congressional leaders at the United top Republican and Democrat leaders from he paid tribute to soldiers killed in last “Your courage is higher than the heights Democrats are trying to “fundamentally change” how elections States Capitol on Thursday to share U.S. the House of Representatives and the Senate month’s border skirmish with China on a where you are posted today,” he said in are conducted, an apparent reference to their support for wide- intelligence suggesting Russia offered as well as chairs of the intelligence commit- surprise visit to the northern Himalayan his address to soldiers in Ladakh. spread mail-in voting. Republicans have argued that mail-in the Taliban bounties to kill U.S. troops tees. The U.S.’s top spy, Director of National region of Ladakh amid escalating tension “The bravery that you and your com- voting and other changes being suggested by Democrats in the in Afghanistan. Intelligence John Ratcliffe, also attended. between the Asian giants. patriots showed, a message has gone to midst of the pandemic could create fraud. Amid rising calls for new sanctions on “I’m not going to say anything about the “Age of expansionism is over, this is the the world about India’s strength.” “They are inserting chaos and confusion into our voting process Russia, U.S. intelligence officials are under briefing, but I believe that the president age of development. History is witness According to al Jazeera, Modi was because it is the only way they can win,” Clark said in a statement, pressure from members of both parties in is not close to tough enough on [Russian that expansionist forces have either lost accompanied by the chief of defense adding that the president is committed to “fair and free elections.” Congress to provide explanations. President] Vladimir Putin,” Senate Demo- or were forced to turn back,” Modi said staff, General Bipin Rawat, and the chief Biden has previously said that his single greatest concern is U.S. media outlets have reported that in- cratic leader Chuck Schumer told reporters without naming China during his first trip of the army, General Manoj Mukund Trump’s trying to “steal” the victory. telligence agencies concluded the Russian as he left the briefing. to the disputed region since June 15 deadly Naravane. Election experts have been on edge about the process given military offered bounties to Taliban affiliates Going into the meeting, House Speaker border clash, in which at least 20 Indian India and China have traded blame for chaos and legal challenges during primary elections held amid in Afghanistan to kill American troops and Nancy Pelosi - who has been harshly critical soldiers were killed. triggering the high-altitude brawl in the the viral outbreak. coalition forces. President Donald Trump of Trump, calling him unfit for office - said Modi, who has been under pressure Galwan Valley on June 15, in which 20 has played down the reports and called she hoped to learn “the truth” about the to respond to what India deems Chinese Indian soldiers were killed and at least the allegations a hoax. Russian bounties. incursions, met troops at a base in Ladakh’s 76 were injured. Israeli, UAE tech firms pen deal on virus research French president names Jean Castex new prime minister French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named Jean of the country’s lockdown. A state-linked technology company in the United Arab Emirates Castex, who coordinated France’s virus reopening strategy, The government issued a 460 billion-euro emergency has signed a partnership with two major Israeli defense firms to as the country’s new prime minister. package through a state-funded partial activity scheme, tax research ways of combating the coronavirus pandemic. The relatively low-profile Castex replaces Edouard Philippe, cuts and other financial aids for businesses, and Macron The agreement, announced late Thursday, comes just weeks who resigned earlier in the day. Macron is reshuffling the needs to adapt his policies as France’s economy is expected after the UAE warned Israel that proceeding with its planned government to focus on restarting the economy after months to shrink by 11% this year. annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank would upend of lockdown. The unemployment rate that fell from 9.2% at the begin- its efforts to improve ties with Arab states, Daily Star reported. France is to name a new prime minister on Friday shortly ning of Macron’s term in 2017 to 7.6% earlier this year - its G42, an Abu Dhabi-based company specializing in artificial after the announcement of Edouard Philippe’s resignation. lowest level since 2008 - is now expected to increase steadily. intelligence and cloud computing, signed a memorandum of President Emmanuel Macron wants a new government “Our first priority will be to rebuild an economy that is understanding with Rafael and Israel Aerospace Industries, the to focus on efforts to relaunch the French economy deeply strong, ecological, sovereign and united,” Macron said in UAE’s state-run WAM news agency reported. It said executives hit by the coronavirus crisis, AP reported. a televised address to the nation on June 14. held a signing ceremony by video link between the two countries, The French presidency said a new prime minister will be He ruled out any tax rise and instead said “working and which do not have diplomatic relations. appointed “in the coming hours.” Many government mem- producing more” is the response amid bankruptcies and Rafael and IAI’s Elta subsidiary confirmed the agreement. bers are expected to be replaced in the ensuing reshuffle. local roots across the country. layoffs caused by the crisis. Elta, which specializes in sensors, radars, electronic warfare and In an interview given to several local newspapers on The reshuffle was planned even before Sunday’s voting, He put an emphasis on creating new jobs with climate-ori- communication systems, said they would cooperate on research Thursday, Macron, said he is seeking a “new path” to rebuild as Macron’s government faced obstacles and criticism before ented policies including renovation of old buildings and and technology focused on artificial intelligence, sensors and lasers. the country for the two remaining years of his term. and during the virus crisis. greener transport and industries. They said the collaboration would not only benefit the two He praised Philippe’s “outstanding work” in the past As the pandemic was peaking in the country in March Philippe, 49, is expected to become the mayor of his countries, but the entire world as it grapples with the pandemic. three years. “I will need to make choices to lead (the country) and April, authorities came under fire for the lack of masks, hometown of Le Havre, in western France, after he won a Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed down the path,” he said. tests and medical equipment. large victory in Sunday’s voting. to annex all of Israel’s West Bank settlements as well as the stra- Macron did not elaborate on the profile of the next prime Before that, Macron’s pro-business policies, widely seen A conservative, former member of The Republicans’ tegic Jordan Valley, had announced an agreement with the UAE minister. French media list Florence Parly and Jean-Yves as favoring the wealthier, had been hampered by the yellow party, he had joined Macron’s government in May 2017. a week ago, without providing specifics. Le Drian, former defense minister and foreign minister vest economic movement against perceived social injustice. He had seen his popularity sharply increase in recent respectively, among potential candidates. This winter, weeks of strikes and street demonstrations weeks, according to French poll institutes that show many The reshuffle comes days after a green wave swept over against a planned pension overhaul disrupted the country. French consider he did good job in gradually easing virus-re- Resistance News France in local elections. Macron saw his young centrist In addition, Macron’s efforts to boost job creation have lated restrictions in the country and enforcing an emergency IOF tear-gasses Palestinian party defeated in France’s biggest cities and failing to plant been swept away by the economic and social consequences package to support the French economy. protesters in al-Khalil U.S. creates force to protect monuments amid anti-racism protests INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN— Dozens of Palestinian citizens choked 1 “We won’t stand idly by while violent Lawrence Bryant, the events of last Sunday They were met by Mark McCloskey hold- gun and stay out of sight and out of line. I’m desk on tear gas fired by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) anarchists and rioters seek not only to van- in St. Louis, Missouri, will make him extra ing what looked like an automatic rifle and a big, Black man and I always have to pay to quell a peaceful protest in al-Khalil, south of the West Bank. dalize and destroy the symbols of our nation, vigilant the next time he goes out to cover shouting “get out!” several times at the crowd. attention to that anyway.” Local sources said that violent confrontations flared up when but to disrupt law and order and sow chaos anti-racism protests that are sweeping the In photographs and video footage of the in- The McCloskeys have said they feared the IOF attacked dozens of Palestinians demonstrating against in our communities.” United States. cident, he wore a pink shirt, beige trousers for their lives on Sunday and that protesters the annexation and settler attacks in al-Khalil. The new “Protecting American Com- In a series of dramatic pictures, Bryant and his feet were bare. damaged a wrought-iron gate at an entrance The IOF heavily fired tear gas canisters, stun grenades and munities Task Force” will coordinate law captured a couple exiting their mansion car- With places to take cover, Bryant said he to the wealthy neighborhood. rubber-coated metal bullets at the demonstrators. Many suffered enforcement and provide intelligence to rying firearms which they waved towards the was not overly worried at that point, even “Their actions were borne solely of fear tear gas suffocations and were treated in the field. protect monuments, he said. crowd, as they confronted demonstrators when the man appeared to cock his weapon. and apprehension, the genesis of which A wave of mass protests has hit the Palestinian territories lately Trump tweeted early Wednesday that his making their way to the mayor’s home nearby Then Patricia McCloskey appeared from was not race related. In fact, the agita- over Israel’s plan to annex the Jordan Valley and large parts of recent executive order to protect monuments to demand her resignation. the front of the house holding a handgun. tors responsible for the trepidation were the Occupied West Bank. and statues is now in effect, reminding that The images, taken at close range, have Bryant quickly became more concerned. white,” their lawyer said in a statement damaging federal property could bring more featured prominently on news websites and “She had her finger on the trigger and sent to Reuters. than 10 years in prison. in newspapers since they were taken. looked nervous and I became a little bit more “The McCloskeys want to make sure no “Please do not put yourself in jeopardy. Bryant, 45, recalled that on Sunday evening worried, as there were kids out there and she one thinks less of Black Lives Matter (protest Haneyya meets Qatari Many people now under arrest!” he wrote. several hundred white and Black protesters was sporadically pointing the gun at random movement), its message and the means it is foreign minister U.S. couple waves guns at anti- walked through an open gate into the com- people,” he recalled. employing to get its message out because of racism protesters munity where the couple - Mark McCloskey “I just was trying to make frames. Trying the actions of a few white individuals who INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN— A senior Hamas delegation led by Meanwhile, for Reuters photographer and his wife Patricia McCloskey - lived. to stay safe, trying to dodge the barrel of the tarnished a peaceful protest.” deskits political bureau chairman Ismail Haneyya met in Doha on Thursday with the Qatari deputy premier and foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani. Saudi suspects tried in absentia for Khashoggi death The delegates briefed Sheikh Mohammed on latest develop- ments of the Palestinian question and the Movement’s efforts to A Turkish court on Friday opened the trial in absentia The proceedings were widely criticized as a “whitewash” 18 other Saudi nationals charged with carrying out “a unite Palestinian national ranks to confront the Israeli annexation of two former aides of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin and Khashoggi’s family later announced that they had premeditated murder with the intent of (causing) torment and settlement plans in addition to the Judaization attempts of Salman and 18 other Saudi nationals over the 2018 killing forgiven his killers. through fiendish instincts.” Occupied Jerusalem. of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. The trial in Turkey will be closely watched for possible Khashoggi, who was a resident of the US, had walked The delegation appreciated Qatar’s supportive stand of the Turkish prosecutors have indicted the 20 Saudi nationals new information or evidence into the killing, including the into his country’s consulate on Oct. 2, 2018, for an ap- Palestinian cause, legitimate rights and people. over Khashoggi’s grisly killing at the Saudi Consulate in whereabouts of Khashoggi’s remains. pointment to pick up documents that would allow him For his part, the Qatari foreign minister reiterated his country’s Istanbul that cast a cloud of suspicion over Prince Moham- The Turkish prosecutors have charged the prince’s former to marry. He never walked out. support for the Palestine just cause. He also voiced support for med. They are seeking life prison terms for the defendants, advisers, Saud al-Qahtani and Ahmed al-Asiri, with “insti- A team of 15 Saudi agents had flown to Turkey to meet efforts to unite the Palestinian ranks. who have all left Turkey, AP reported. gating a premeditated murder with the intent of (causing) Khashoggi inside the consulate. They included a forensic The Hamas delegation included political bureau members Saudi Arabia rejected Turkish demands for the sus- torment through fiendish instinct.” doctor, intelligence and security officers and individuals Dr. Mousa Abu Marzouk, Ezzet al-Resheq and Maher Obeid. pects’ extradition and put some of them on trial in Riyadh. Prosecutors are also seeking life prison sentences for who worked for the crown prince’s office. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y JULY 4, 2020 SPORTS 11 Iran volleyball coach to be appointed Mohajeri named until September: Davarzani Machine Sazi coach SPORTS TEHRAN — Mohammadreza Mohajeri is SPORTS TEHRAN — Head of desknew head coach of Iran top-flight football deskIslamic Republic of Iran team Machine Sazi. Volleyball Federation (IRIVF), Moham- The 55-year-old coach has replaced Ahad Sheikhlari in madreza Davarzani, has said the head coach of Tabriz based football team. Iran national football team will be appointed Under coaching of Sheikhlari, sits 10th in Iran Professional prior to start of the domestic league. League, seven points above drop zone. Iran national volleyball team are without Mohajeri had already coached Machine Sazi in 2018-19 a coach since parting company with Igor season before taking charge of Nassaji. Kolakovic in in late March following can- He will lead the team on Sunday in the match against celation of 2020 Olympic Games due to the Naft Masjed Soleyman. pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19). Now the head of the federation, in an interview with Radio Iran, has said that the new head coach will be named before the Mahdavikia’s goal nominated start of the Iran Super League in September. “We are going to appoint the new head for Asia’s Greatest coach before the start of the competition since World Cup Goals he has to monitor the games,” Davarzani said. Iranian federation had already announced A goal from Mehdi Mahdavikia in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, that it would weigh up finding the best pos- has been nominated as the Asia’s Best FIFA World Cup goals. sible coach – foreigner or Iranian - for the In a second semi-final featuring 10 more Asian World upcoming Olympics since that are going to Cup classics, this week’s selection features some of the con- finish the Games as a medal winner. tinent’s all-time greats, all delivering moments of magic on “The combination of an Iranian coach the game’s biggest stage. and a foreigner might be the best choice. There are fabulous free-kicks, blistering breakaways and We are discussing about which one to be scorchers from distance, but which five goals will advance named as head coach.” to next week’s final? Julio Velasco had been linked with a In an eagerly anticipated fixture, and with Team Melli move to Iran but Davarzani has said that already a goal up thanks to Hamid Estili’s first-half head- the Argentine has not accepted the offer to er, Mehdi Mahdavikia put the seal on a famous win with a return to Iran. lung-bursting breakaway run and finish. “Velasco prefers to stay in Italy at the Finding himself in open space in the 83rd minute, moment,” he added. the future Bundesliga star sprinted towards goal before Iran debuted in 2016 Olympic Games expertly poking the ball into the bottom corner from where the Persians finished in fifth place just inside the penalty area, all but guaranteeing three behind Brazil, Italy, the U.S. and Russia. priceless Iranian points. In this edition, Iran want to make a splash is not in a hurry to choose the new head in Pool A along with Japan, Poland, Italy, sists of Brazil, the U.S., Russia, Argentina, Mahdavikia will vie with Faisal Al Dakheel (Kuwait), and this is the reason why the federation coach. The National Team have been drawn Canada and Venezuela, while Pool B con- France, and Tunisia. Hwangbo Kwan (Korea Republic), Fahad Al Ghesheyan (Saudi Arabia), Ahn Jung-hwan (Korea Republic), Brett Holman (Australia), Yasuhito Endo (Japan), Park Ji-sung (Korea Republic), Keisuke Honda (Japan) and Son Heung-min Six Foolad players test positive for COVID-19 (Korea Republic) to qualify for the final stage. Iraj Danaeifard’s goal against Scotland in the 1978 FIFA SPORTS TEHRAN — Due to the fact that six Organization insists on the presence of the Ahvaz based World Cup had been previously nominated as Asia’s Greatest deskplayers of the Foolad Khuzestan team team in their Sunday match away against Nassaji. FIFA World Cup goal in the first semi-final. are infected with the coronavirus, based on the health In early June of 2020, in the second phase of the (Source: the-afc) protocols of the Iranian Professional League, the activ- government’s plan to control the outbreak of Cov- ities of the team should be suspended until the recovery id-19, the guidelines about social distancing and the of the infected ones. health requirements of the football matches were also Javad Nekounam, head coach of Foolad, announced announced. Iran football assistants arrive on Friday that six players of his side have tested positive According to the guidelines, if there are more than for coronavirus. five people in a team with positive tests for coronavirus, in Tehran He claimed that his team were not able to play in this the activity of the relevant team will be suspended situation because they lack key players in their squad. until the patients fully recover and obtain a health Tasnim — Iran national football team coaches Anton Usnik However, as said by Naekounam, the Football League certificate. and Mladen Zganjer arrived in Tehran . Zganjer, goalkeeping coach, and Usnik, who has previ- ously worked as Dragan Skocic’s assistant at Sanat Naft, had left Iran after football competitions were halted due to the Not even an ACL tear can deter karate’s Olympic hopeful Abbasali coronavirus outbreak. Even when karate was not on the Olympic to other world-class athletes. It is no surprise Vahid Hashemian and Karim Bagheri are Iranian assis- program, young Iranian karateka Hamideh therefore that Abbasali lists two weary warriors tants of Dragan Skocic. Abbasali would tell anyone listening that as her inspirations. Compatriot Jasem Vishgahi The Iran national football team currently sit third in Group one day she would triumph on the biggest won the -75kg men’s World Championship C, five points behind Iraq in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 sporting stage of them all. Now, with 12 gold back in 2006 and is still competing today, qualification. extra months to recover from serious inju- while Azerbaijan’s Rafael Aghayev has fought ry, she is ready to embrace her longed-for his way relentlessly to the very pinnacle of opportunity at Tokyo 2020. the sport. The five-time world champion is Taremi will join Benfica: All Hamideh Abbasali’s sporting hopes already widely considered to be the best of his and fears collided at the World Karate Feder- generation and will have a chance to cement Report ation (WKF) Karate1 Premier League event in that reputation at Tokyo 2020, having secured Salzburg, Austria, in late-February this year. his spot in Salzburg, like Abbasali. The Portuguese newspaper Record has reported that Rio The 30-year-old, who has fantasized If she manages to mirror her hero and Ave forward Mehdi Taremi will join Benfica next season. about being an Olympian for as long as she write her name in karate folklore, Abbasali According to the report, Taremi is expected to cost around can remember, won her second major title knows she will have one person to thank. 10 million euros. in five weeks to put herself on the brink of “The main hero of my life is my mother,” The 27-year-old Iranian has his first season in European qualifying for a spot at the Olympic Games she said. “She was interested in her daughters football and has scored 16 goals so far for Rio Ave. Tokyo 2020. But, in the process of defeating being athletes. I enrolled with my sister in a Mehdi Taremi has been also linked with French clubs Italy’s Clio Ferracuti 2-1 in the 68+kg final, she club near our house. But my sister did not including Nantes and Marseille immediately put that dream debut in doubt. continue, and I, who was not interested in Boavista goalkeeper Helton Leite has been also caught “The competition was really stressful Abbasali’s form dipped, with a 12th-place one of three Olympic weight categories in karate in the beginning, gradually became the eye of Benfica, Record reported. and physical. I knew winning a gold medal finish at the 2018 World Championships kumite for women. interested in the sport.” (Source: Record) would stabilize my place at Tokyo 2020,” suggesting her best days were behind her. Just as all this combined to deliver her It has proved a good match. Abbasali’s said Abbasali, who endured the physical That was all, however, before the lure of ticket to Tokyo, her ACL snapped. Surgery in mentality is clearly ideally suited to the de- and mental agony of tearing the anterior an Olympic Games started to loom large. Germany followed swiftly and, although Ab- mands of kumite. cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee “I have been focusing all my efforts and basali now insists that she “never despaired” “My greatest strength as a karateka is Xavi reaches ‘firm agreement’ en route to victory. planning on the Olympics,” Abbasali ad- that she could get herself fit in time for Tokyo having patience and hope until the last “Injury in professional sport is inevita- mitted. “I have been planning much more 2020, the doubts must have been there. It moment. I always try to do my best in all to become the next ble, but when the injury is close to the most seriously for the Karate1 [the results of which is why amid the darkness of the COVID-19 competitions,” she said. Barcelona manager important sporting event, it certainly puts a fed into the WKF’s Olympic ranking system]. pandemic, there has been a chink of sporting It looks like it will, with a little luck, be lot of pressure on an athlete psychologically, I have always been trying to finish those light for the athlete. enough to get her to where she has always Barcelona are a mess right now. and I am no exception to this rule.” competitions successfully so that the way to “It was really good news for me,” Ab- wanted to go. After drawing three of their last four matches, Blaugrana The injury seemed particularly cruel con- reach the Olympics was smoother for me.” basali admitted of the 12-month enforced “Many years ago, whenever I was asked, have relinquished their advantage in La Liga’s title race and sidering how Hamideh had hauled herself The approach worked. Hamideh roared postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games. ‘What is your biggest wish?’, I would say now trail Real Madrid by four points. back to the summit of women’s kumite. The back to the very top. Since the start of 2019, The knee is already feeling good. in response, ‘Winning the Olympics’ and But that doesn’t even tell half the story. Iranian has been a fixture on the international she has finished fifth twice, third three times “About three months have passed since most of the times I heard back that karate Lionel Messi has made headlines for not listening to assis- circuit for close to a decade, but her golden and first twice in the 10 Karate1 Premier my knee surgery and I started rehabilita- was not in the Olympics and that I could not tant manager Eder Sarabia during a drinks break, manager period seemed set in 2014-2016, when she League events she has entered. It has made tion exercises. I am in good condition,” she achieve this dream… But I did not forget my Quique Setien appears to be on his way out while £108 million secured +68kg World Championship silver her the +68kg world No.1 but, perhaps more confirmed. dream. I have been waiting for it to come signing Antoine Griezmann is only good enough to play the and bronze and became Asian Games cham- importantly, it elevated her to second in the The ability to recover from setbacks is per- true for years.” final few seconds in a must-win clash against Atletico Madrid. pion. As she moved into her late twenties, standings of the WKF Tokyo 2020 +61kg – haps even more critical to great karateka than (Source: Olympics) Then, to make matters worse, reports emerged on Thursday that claimed Messi wants to leave at the end of his contract in 2021. Just 12 more months of Messi at the Camp Nou is enough Brighton coach Potter reacts to Jahanbakhsh’s link with Ajax to unsettle any Barca fan. Graham Potter has reacted to reports linking Iranian and sometimes a player can miss out on the 20 but is However, there’s some encouraging news emerging. winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh to Eredivisie team Ajax. actually quite close to the starting eleven. With Setien seemingly set to leave his role at the end of the Jahanbakhsh joined Brighton for £17m in 2018 “He is that type of player that I just mentioned. You can season, the club are on the lookout for their next manager. from AZ Alkmaar but has struggled to establish him- make a different decision from the starting eleven, then And it seems they’ve settled on club legend Xavi. self as a regular with Graham Potter. He has made with the amount of attacking players we have on the pitch. That’s according to Mundo Deportivo journalist, Francesc only eight Premier League appearances this season. “Maybe with the make-up of it he’s just been a bit Aguilar, who claims Xavi has reached a ‘firm agreement’ to Reports from the Netherlands suggest Ajax have unlucky. He has been top in terms of how he has worked, take over Barcelona at the end of the season. targeted Jahanbakhsh as a replacement for Hakim his professionalism, his support for the team, how he’s The legendary footballer played almost his entire career Ziyech, who is set to join Chelsea. conducted himself has been incredible. playing for Barcelona between 1998 to 2015, making more He grabbed his first Albion goal against Bournemouth “It’s so hard when you have to make those decisions to than 700 appearances winning eight La Liga titles and four in the 2-0 triumph, while against Chelsea he helped leave players out, especially like Ali. He deserves to be in Champions Leagues. Albion to a 1-1 draw with a spectacular overhead kick. the starting eleven and the squad, he deserves that with In a series of tweets, Aguilar reveals that he’s been in- “Every player is disappointed when they are out of his attributes, with his work. It’s just the joys of the head formed by a reliable source in Qatar - where Xavi is currently the squad, regardless of the final number,” said Pot- coach. He has to make the decision and at the moment managing - that the former midfielder has accepted the deal ter. Sometimes you can make decisions on a starting he’s been unlucky,” Potter concluded. and will earn €6 million-per-year. eleven and then you look at the balance on the bench (Source: Argus) (Source: Givemesport) Prayer Times Noon:13:09 Evening: 20:45 Dawn: 4:09 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 5:54 (tomorrow) JULY 4, 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 Fears of coronavirus rebound prompt Iran Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 to ponder new limits on cultural activities Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 TEHRAN – Iran’s Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 ART deskCoronavirus Combat and Webmaster: [email protected] Prevention Headquarters is scheduled to Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 hold a session on Saturday to examine the imposition of new limits on art and cultural Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 activities as fresh cases of COVID-19 have been reported across the country. No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran Over the past few weeks, the outbreak P.o. Box: 14155-4843 appears to be growing in some provinces Zip Code: 1599814713 and the death toll continues to rise. In an effort to tackle the spread of the coronavirus, the headquarters will decide whether or not to allow art and cultural centers to continue their activities. Alireza Vahhabzadeh, a health minister advisor, said that the headquarters has not made a final decision, but if the death toll continues to rise in some provinces, it will make a decision and extend restrictions GUIDE TO in art and cultural fields. SPIRITUAL AWAKENING Movie theaters, as well as theater and concert halls, resumed activities mid-June He who is negligent, is deprived of rights, and after a four-month-long closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. he who listen to a tell-tale, loses a friend. In a meeting held at the Coronavirus Imam Ali (AS) Combat and Prevention Headquarters in early June, President Hassan Rouhani had said that movie theaters and concert halls could resume activities with 50 percent of their capacity. WHAT’S IN ART GALLERIES The Cinema Organization of Iran had Painting announced earlier that movie theaters in Tala Derangi is displaying the so-called “white areas”-- regions with An employee wearing a face mask amid the fear of COVID-19 disinfects a theater in the northern Iranian city of Mashhad on July 2, her latest paintings in an exhi- no coronavirus hospitalizations in the past 2020. (Tasnim/Nima Najafzadeh) bition titled “Tehrat” at Saless two weeks--were allowed to reopen. Gallery. The cinemagoers were told to observe restrooms, as well as the screening of a In a letter sent to Rouhani earlier, the based on health protocols during the The exhibition will be run- social distancing, while the employees were video on how to protect oneself from the Association of Iranian Theater Owners pandemic. ning until July 15 at the gallery asked to wear face masks and plastic gloves. coronavirus before the feature film are asked for the coronavirus restrictions The Cinema Organization of Iran has that can be found at 148 Karim Fever tests before entering the cinemas, also among the regulations required by on cinemas to be lifted, and called for a also announced that Iranian cineastes can Khan Ave. frequent sanitization of the halls and public the headquarters. reopening of theaters across the country resume their activities in the near future. An exhibition showcasing a collection of paintings by Mahta Moeini is currently underway at Asr Gallery. The exhibit entitled “Close- Zulfu Livaneli’s “Last Island” pops up at Iranian bookstores up” will continue until July 14 at CULTURE TEHRAN – Turkish writ- In this unique creative novel of Livaneli, the gallery located at 18 Delaviz desker Zulfu Livaneli’s novel the human structure faces authority. St. off North Mirzaye Shirazi St. “The Last Island” has been published in Human nature and authority come face Bama Gallery is playing host Persian by Negah Publications in Tehran. to face in Livaneli’s unparalleled, creative to an exhibition of paintings by The book has been translated into Persian novel “The Last Island”. Habibeh Yusefi. by Ilnaz Hoquqi. Livaneli is a writer, musician, screenwriter The exhibit named “Shadow- “The Last Island” was written in 2008, and politician born in Konya in 1946. less” will run until July 9 at the but to a large extent, the story foreshadows He was so curious about music at a young gallery located at 356 Felestin the events and aftermath of Istanbul’s bloody age that learned to play baglama. St., near Bozorgmehr junction. Taksim Square political protests of 2013. He went to prison as a result of the coup Saye Gallery is showcasing The anonymous narrator of “The Last in 1971 due to his political stance, settled in paintings by Sahar Qorbanishad Island” calls this place, which he named “the Sweden in 1972. He released his first album in an exhibition named “The last refuge, the last humanitarian corner.” in 1973 by studying music and philosophy Other Self”. It is almost a utopia. Everybody was doing during his time in Sweden. The exhibit will run until July as much as he could. However, this situation He continued to compose for the movies 15 at the gallery located at No. 21, does not last long: the country’s settling on in the following years by writing the music 13th Alley, Sanai St. off Karim the island in order to spend the retirement of for “Bus” in 1976. Khan Ave. the president of the coup, this paradise will The artist has appeared in front of the Atash Shahkarami is dis- lack the peace of those living on the island. camera for his first film “Iron Earth, Copper playing his latest paintings in The president is determined to save Son Sky”, which he wrote in 1987 and directed. an exhibition named “Bones” at Ada (Last Island) from anarchy. He begins He published his first book “Dictator and Vista Gallery. to manage the society that is content with Clown” in 1993. This book, compiled from The exhibit will run until July the state of the island by doing whatever newspaper articles, was published as a book 13 at the gallery located at No. 11, the majority’s votes indicate by the help Front cover of the Persian translation of Turkish writer Zulfu Livaneli’s book “The Last Island”. with the name published in the newspaper. 12th Alley, Mir Emad St. of established boards, making the island’s In 2017, he published his book “Restless- wooded paths arranged according to park is in line with democratic traditions. dystopia, there are seagulls, especially those ness” and his album named “One Generation Multimedia and garden traditions. Seemingly everything While the utopia turns into a complete who rebel against this trend. to One Generation”. An exhibition of films, vid- eos, and sets of installation by Dorsa Basij is currently underway at Vaali Gallery. Actor Sirus Gorjestani dies at 76 The exhibition titled “Past Continuous” runs until July 14 1 He also played a role in the play in “Canary Yellow” and Kianush Ayyari “The English Briefcase” and Davud Mirb- Gorjestani said in “Face”, a documentary at the gallery located at No. 71, “The Stone and Sorna” directed by Nosrat in “Dust Devil”. aqeri’s “Imam Ali (AS)”. series about some outstanding Iranian Khoddami St. off of Vanak Square. Partovi at Tehran’s Sangalaj Theater in 1970. Gorjestani’s prolific output of stage per- He starred in the title role in director cineastes. A group exhibition by the “The Cry of the Mojahed” directed by formances include “The Court” directed Kamal Tabrizi’s TV series “Shahriar” about “Everybody praised me for playing the Sakoo Art School in Tehran is Mehdi Madanian in 1979 was his first film by Hadi Eslami, “The Golden Teeth” by the Persian poet Mohammad-Hossein Be- role,” he added. underway at Shokuh Gallery. produced just few months after the victory Davud Mirbaqeri and “Mahan and Kushan” hjat – Shahriar. “We Are All Together”, Tabizi’s 2019 The exhibit will continue until of the Islamic Revolution. by Iraj Raad. “Playing Shahriar was a difficult job, but comedy about a group of passengers who July 14 at the gallery located at He collaborated with outstanding di- He was an actor in many popular TV it was the easiest role I’ve played, because I survive a plane crash, was Gorjestani’s 19 Amir Nuri Alley, North Salimi rectors such as Rakhshan Bani-Etemad series, including director Ziaeddin Dorri’s actually portrayed my father in the series,” swansong. St. near Andarzgu Blvd. Atashzad Gallery is hanging a collection of artworks from the Raha Art Group in an exhibition New Zealand festival to screen Iranian named “Creation of Colors”. The exhibit runs until Febru- ary 26 at the gallery located at drama “Just 6.5” 3 North Abbaspur (Tavanir) St. ARTTEHRAN – Iranian director Saeid “Just 6.5” was a big winner in several festivals in- near Vanak Sq. deskRustai’s acclaimed drama “Just 6.5” cluding the 32nd Tokyo International Film Festival Dena Gallery is hosting an will be screened in the official competition of the New in November 2019, and received two major honors exhibition of artworks by a group Zealand International Film Festival. at the event. of artists, including Nasser Ovis- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival is sched- Rustai won the award for best director and Moham- si, Majid Barzegar, Kambiz Der- uled to be held online from July 24 to August 3. madzadeh was crowned best actor for his portrayal of ambakhsh, Sina Yaqubi, Farshid Starring Payman Maadi and Navid Mohammadzadeh, the major Iranian drug trafficker, Nasser Khakzad. Maleki and Ali Ganjavi. “Just 6.5” is about a police group under the leadership The New Zealand festival will open with the premiere The exhibit will run until July of Samad who has been assigned to arrest Nasser Kha- of “True History of the Kelly Gang” by director Justin Navid Mohammadzadeh acts in a scene from Saeid Rustai’s 9 4 Sussan Alley off Qarani St. kzad, a major drug trafficker in Tehran. Kurzel from Australia. drama “Just 6.5”. A group exhibition entitled “Hiatus” is currently underway at Ehsan Gallery. The exhibit will continue July 8 at the gallery located at No. 22, Lebanese actress Anne-Marie Salameh East 14th St. in the Ajudanieh neighborhood. joins “Shark” cast in Tehran Calligraphic painting ARTTEHRAN – Lebanese series including “Al Hob Jonoon 2”, “Bilad A group exhibition display- deskactress Anne-Marie Aleuzi”, “Win Kenti” and “Sarkhat Rouh 4”. ing calligraphic paintings by Saeid Salameh, famous for her role in the “Jouzour” is an Arab drama series Naqqashian, Hassan Mehrabani, Azim Lebanese TV series “Jouzour”’ has joined revolving around the story of Fouad, Fallah, Shadi Talai, Morteza Shamisa Iranian director Ali Atshani’s new project a businessman who, on his death bed, and several other artists is currently “Shark”. reveals to his children the existence of underway at Shangarf Gallery. The actress arrived in Tehran on another daughter Carla, who he has kept The exhibition will be running Thursday and will act in the film produced secret for years. until July 14 at 2 Sattari Alley, Jolfa Mohammad Ahmadi. Sima Tirandaz, Mehdi Hashemi, Behnaz St. off Shariati Ave. Salameh is a graduate of dramatic Jafari and Mehran Ahmadi are some Ali Atshani (R) directs Lebanese actress Anne-Marie Salameh in a scene from “Shark”. arts and has played in several films and Iranian members of the cast for “Shark”.