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

8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13899 Sunday MARCH 7, 2021 Esfand 17, 1399 Rajab 23, 1442

Tehran dismisses Arab IPL: Sepahan thrash Exclusive exhibition of 17 Iranian books picked for League’s allegations Aluminum, Persepolis Iranian products to be held in Biennial of Illustrations regarding Iranian islands Page 2 held by Sanat Naft Page 3 Sulaymaniyah in late MayPage 4 Bratislava 2021 Page 8

Iran masters technology to produce titanium metal TEHRAN - Iran joins the group of nations all quality stages. able to produce titanium metal as for the first Th AEOI said this is another golden time a contract was inked for production page in a series of successes by Iranian of titanium iron bars with a large company scientists majoring in nuclear industry. Futile rhetoricSee page 3 that produces orthopedic implants. Because of its strength, light weight The contract was signed through the and corrosion resistance, the metal is efforts of experts from the Atomic Energy highly prized in aircraft manufacturing, Organization of Iran (AEOI). with further applications in military, aero- The first samples of titanium ingots space, marine industries, medial industry, produced with high standard had passed including dental implants.

Charity foundation opens 100 Iraq settles part of Iran energy dues eco-schools, 350 mosques TEHRAN – The Deputy Head of Iran- mentioned resources will be used to import Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce said basic goods into the country. on Friday that the Arab country has In this regard, a corn cargo was re- started repaying its energy debts to Iran cently imported into the country through and part of the dues has been settled. Iraq which was paid for by the mentioned “This achievement is the result of di- funds, Hosseini said. Iraq owes Iran over plomacy and pursuit of the governor of $6 billion for electricity and gas imports the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), the energy from the Islamic Republic, of which $3 minister and the head of the Judiciary,” billion is claimed to be blocked and inac- Hamid Hosseini told IRNA. cessible in the Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI). According to Hosseini, a part of the Continued on page 4

TEHRAN – Barekat Charity Foundation, affil- adapt these criteria into their own partic- iated to Headquarters for Executing the Order ular circumstances. The materials used of the Imam, inaugurated 100 nature-friendly in these schools are nature-friendly, and schools, 350 mosques, and cultural centers each is built in four days and costs about across the country on Saturday. 40 percent lower than the regular schools.

Eco-schools, also known as green Safety against earthquakes of up to schools, bring a range of benefits, including magnitude 8, insulation against cold, waste management, waste reduction, bio- heat, and humidity, compatible with diversity, energy, water, transport, health, environmental conditions, minimum global sustainability, healthy nutrition, construction time, portability, and high Maryam Kamyab citizenship, and climate change. Countries quality are among the features of these considering their own socioeconomic and schools, according to IRNA.

Mehr/ cultural characteristics must be able to Continued on page 7

Unique trees of Lion and rhino fossils discovered in U.S. protests: Trump supporters clash with Iran: important Neanderthal cave western Iran ANTIFA in Manhattan plant genetic TEHRAN – Fossils of a rhino and a lion as well addition to the remains of predators such Supporters of former U.S. President Donald won the 2020 election adding, ‘Who knows? as remnants of Neanderthal tools have been as bears, spotted hyenas, wolves, foxes, as Trump marched down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan I may even decide to beat them a third time.’ resources discovered in Wezmeh cave, western Iran. well as herbivores such as aurochs, wild on Friday as they carried enormous banners Trump is said to be telling allies that he is Fereidoun Biglari, a senior Iranian archae- horses, and red deer, the remains of two that read ‘Trump 2024’. strongly considering another run in 2024. BY FARANAK BAKHTIARI ologist who doubles as the cultural deputy of extinct species, the lion and the rhino, have The event was billed as a ‘Trump Save America He said to be discussing alternative running mates rees are one of the most im- the National Museum of Iran, explained the been found. Flag Unfurling’ and featured all sort of Trump to former Vice President Mike Pence as he takes portant plant genetic re- discoveries during the 18th Annual Symposi- These two species lived in the nearby Islam- signage including one banner that depicted stock of who he believes stood with him at the end sources, in addition to the um on the Iranian Archaeology, according to abad plain during the Late Pleistocene, from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as a demon. of his term and who didn’t, according to Bloomberg. T the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage & 70.000 years ago until when they were extinct Towards the end of the event, the Trump Trump and Pence appeared to fall out toward indescribable beauty they give to natural landscapes. Iran is also rich Tourism (RICHT). in the late Ice Age. She added these finds have marchers clashed with some angry New Yorkers the end of their term after the vice president with different species of trees, but Biglari also shed a new light on the history provided new information about the biodiversity and which the Right Side Broadcasting Network refused to get behind the president’s plan to the oldest of which are cypress and of excavations in the cave, which was carried of the central-western Zagros Mountains in the claimed was a group of ‘Antifa’ and Black Lives overturn the 2020 election result. sycamore. out under the supervision of Kamyar Abdi in late Ice Age. Matter activists, leading to the arrest of six people. Trump lashed out at Pence on social media The oldest and most famous trees 2001, and discussed the importance of animal Biglari further referred to the objectives of field Trump publicly teased at the Conservative for not trying to block the certification of the in Iran are aging a thousand or over. and human remains found in this cave, which research conducted in the cave and its vicinity Political Action Conference last Sunday the idea election results in Congress on January 6, an act Of course, there are no reliable sources had been studied by Marjan Mashkour and her in the fall of 2019, which included excavation that he is thinking of making another bid for that Pence had no constitutional authority to do. about the ancient trees of Iran. About colleagues as well. in the rear of the cave, and archaeological sur- the presidency in 2024. The pro-Trump mob that then stormed the 2,000 old trees have so far been identified According to Mashkour, an archaeozoolo- vey around the cave within a radius of several The former president reeled off a list of his Capitol chanted that they wanted to execute in Iran, 1,000 of which are 300-3,000 gist with Paris’ National Museum of Natural kilometers. accomplishments during his term in the White Pence and came within seconds of him and his years old. History and co-director of this research, in Continued on page 6 House while repeating his false claim that he family. A total of five people died in the riot. Older trees can contribute to historiog- raphy and ecology studies of the region because as you know the number of tree rings indicate its age; the width of each Persian tradition played central role in Islamic mysticism: Duke professor There is rising circle indicates what its correspondent year BY MOHAMMAD MAZHARI Philosophically speaking, mysticism (erfan from within. Religion or philosophy probably had been concerning prolonged shortages TEHRAN - A professor of Asian and Middle - gnosis) belongs to the category of cognition, used this intuitive method of cognition more tendency to view in the water supply, [whether atmospheric, Eastern Studies at Duke University says that the but not cognition in the ordinary sense. Not a than common sense. immigrants as threat, surface water or ground water]. Persian tradition played a pivotal role in develop- common, day-to-day consciousness of the exter- The professor from Duke University also says, Thick and thin circles respectively ment of mysticism (Erfan) in the Muslim world. nal world, but knowledge of a world beyond the “One can mention how the Mughal Empire was scholar says imply a wet or a drought year. As a result, “The Persian tradition as being a central one superficial appearances. Not knowledge based Persian speaking in its court, how Persian was so the periods of drought and abundance for understanding Mysticism in the “Mashreq” on belief or reason, but one founded on direct, common in the Ottoman court, how Samarqa- BY M.A. SAKI can be studied from a historical point (the Eastern half of the Muslim majority world, intuitive, instinctive perceptions. nd and Bukhara and Herat were major Persian TEHRAN – A reader in international relations and of view. more or less from Balkans to Bengal),” Omid Safi In other words, an inspired form of insight metropoles.” human rights at Regent’s University London says 4000-year-old cypress in tells the Tehran Times. or an esoteric and personal knowledge flowing Continued on page 5 there is an escalating tendency in Europe to deny Abarkouh rights of immigrants. A 4000-year-old cypress is situated next “There is a rising tendency to deny this right to to a wall in southern parts of Abarkouh, members of minority groups,” Neven Andjelic tells some 140 kilometers west of the ancient the Tehran Times. city of Yazd and it is 1500 meters above sea “Immigration is seen as a threat to their identity, level. Scientists have estimated that the and they discriminate against immigrants. Even tree dates back to 4000 years ago which when born in these countries, Muslims are often is known as the oldest living being in the Funeral perceived as immigrants, and this is where discrim- country. ination come,” Andjelic, also a visiting professor at It is 25 meters high. Abarkouh Cypress procession held the University of Bologna, adds. is a symbol of life and elegance in the re- Over the past few years, unprecedented numbers gion, and one of the most exotic wonders for martyr pilot of Muslim immigrants have left their countries to of the world. After thousands of years, it come to Europe, fleeing the carnage in West Asia is still green and healthy. Birjand and North Africa. They join previous waves of In Abarkouh the cypress is called Muslim immigrants, many of whom who are not Zoroastrian cypress as well. It has been Bik-Mohammadi integrating well. said in historical myth that the tree was However, Andjelic believes that “the majority of planted by the Iranian prophet Zoroaster A funeral procession was held on Satur- the population, however, do not support this kind day for Birjand Bik-Mohammadi, a pilot thus adding to the importance, beauty, of discrimination.” and holiness of the tree. who was martyred in May 1988 during Following is the text of the interview: In antiquities such as the period of the Iraq’s war against Iran. The procession, Since you have a close experience of the Achaemenid empire carvings of cypress attended by Air Force Commander Aziz Balkan wars, how do you describe the Sre- symbolize the tree. Nasirzadeh, a number of other military brenica massacre? Venetian merchant and explorer Mar- commanders, and his family, was held at The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former co Polo described the tree as one of the Shahab Ghayoumi Shahid Lashgari Airbase in Tehran. The Yugoslavia and the International Court of Justice most stunning cypress trees he had ever remains of Bik-Mohammadi, who was stated a genocide in Srebrenica in 1995. Leading seen in Iran. Mehr/ on the unforgettable list of the martyred academic experts refer to the massacre as genocide. Continued on page 7 pilots, were uncovered recently in Iraq. Continued on page 5 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS MARCH 7, 2021

International Crisis Iranian politician: General Soleimani Group: Avoid race between “sanctions and centrifuges” By Azin Sahabi made Iraq safe for Pope visit TEHRAN — Since Joe Biden has arrived at the White House, his pledge to rejoin the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action POLITICAL TEHRAN — Hossein “America’s meddling and the presence (JCPOA), has been quite controversial. Many analysts from deskAmir-Abdollahian, the of U.S. forces in Iraq and [elsewhere] in the various think tanks have focused on the issue from different special advisor to the Iranian Parliament region continue to be a source of instability,” perspectives. speaker for international affairs, says Pope he remarked. Among the American think tanks which host prominent Francis would not have been able to visit Iraq Over three years into the fall of the ISIS scholars, publishes reports, and opinions, it is worth mentioning safely if it had not been for the sacrifices of in Iraq and more than a year after the brutal to cite analysis given by the International Crisis Group (ICG), Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and American murder, Pope Francis on Friday also known as the Crisis Group. his companions in the fight against ISIS, arrived at Baghdad airport, as the first head according to Press TV. of the Roman Catholic Church to visit the The Pope’s safe visit to Baghdad would West Asian country. never have happened “had it not been for He told reporters on his plane that he the significant self-sacrifices of [Iraqi com- felt duty-bound to make the “emblematic” mander] Abu Mahdi Muhandis, Lieuten- trip because the country “has been martyred ant General Soleimani and those who were for so many years.” martyred in the fight against terrorism and In a speech after being welcomed by Iraqi Daesh in Iraq and the broader region,” he President Barham Salih, the pontiff called wrote in a tweet on Friday. for an end to violence and extremism. General Soleimani, the commander of “May the clash of arms be silenced...may the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution there be an end to acts of violence and ex- Guards Corps (IRGC) and Muhandis, the tremism,” he said. deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization popularity not just in Iran and Iraq but in notorious terror group. He also criticized foreign meddling that Units (PMU), were assassinated early last the entire West Asia and beyond for the Amir-Abdollahian further denounced have destabilized Iraq and the region and year in a U.S. drone strike ordered by former major role they played in the successful Washington’s interventionist policies in hit ordinary people the hardest. American president Donald Trump. battles that ultimately put an end to the Iraq and West Asia, which he blamed as Pope Francis also met top Shia Muslim The two commanders enjoyed enormous territorial rule of ISIS, the world’s most the root cause of instability there. cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in Najaf. In one of its latest papers, ICG has argued that Trump’s sanctions are still in place and Tehran and Washington, both reluctant to make the first move, are just go around in circles. In the current situation, the think tank argues that the EU Irish foreign minister set to meet Iranian president to discuss JCPOA should appear active to break this stalemate. The think tank POLITICAL TEHRAN — Simon Coveney, the Irish nuclear deal. Concluded in 2015 between Iran and the believes in “quiet, direct negotiations” as the best solution to deskMinister for Foreign Affairs, is travelling five permanent members of the Security Council – the break the diplomatic impasse. ICG, which perceives the EU as to Tehran on Saturday to meet with Iranian President U.S., UK, China, Russia and France – plus Germany and the most effective mediator between the two capitals, points Hassan Rouhani for discussions on the stalled nuclear the EU, the deal saw Iran agree to inspections to verify out that by encouraging both sides to make initial good-will deal between Iran and the EU and the countries of the its nuclear program was purely for peaceful purposes in gestures, the bloc can pave the way for direct multilateral talks. UN Security Council, according to the Irish Times. return for a removal of sanctions against the country. In an analysis released on 4 March, ICG warns that the more The minister will discuss the Iran nuclear deal as The deal impeded in recent years after the U.S. walked Iran and the U.S. postpone the nuclear negotiations, the more part of Ireland’s role on the UN Security Council, the away and reinstated sanctions. the JCOPA will be at grave risk of collapse. Irish Times wrote. However, Biden has indicated his desire to restart The authors underline that after sitting at the table as the The visit, which is related to Ireland’s Security Council the deal and in recent days there have been indications initial critical move, all sides can focus on striking an interim role, comes amid signs that the Iran nuclear deal (known that informal talks could begin next month. agreement to prevent the standoff from worsening more. The as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA), One of Ireland’s roles on the Security Council is as next step, as ICG suggests, can be developing an agreement to which stalled after it was repudiated by former U.S. “facilitator” for the resolution, which approved the nuclear bring Tehran and Washington back into compliance with the president Donald Trump, could be revived under the deal in 2015, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive the JCPOA, along with other key issues in the Middle initial 2015 deal in a synchronized manner. Biden administration. Plan of Action. East (West Asia), many of which feature on the agenda As expected, the think tank accuses Iran of seeking nuclear The trip comes days after the government announced In a statement issued on Friday night, Coveney noted, of the Security Council,” he added. weapons and describes Tehran’s remedial nuclear actions in that it will reopen Ireland’s embassy in Tehran and will “Ireland is a strong supporter of the JCPOA. In our role “This visit also comes at an important moment in response to Trump’s economic siege as a “violation” of the deal. see Coveney discuss wider Middle East (West Asia) issues as facilitator, Ireland is keen to maintain a close dialogue our bilateral relationship, following the decision of the Whereas, Tehran’s recent steps are in accordance to para- with Rouhani and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad with all actors, and encourage all parties to return to Government this week to designate a Chargé d’Affaires graph 36 of the JCPOA which provides one side an opportunity Javad Zarif. full compliance with the agreement.” to Tehran, and to work towards the re-establishment to suspend compliance to the deal, in a condition of the other But officials said the main focus would be on the stalled “The visit will also be a valuable opportunity to discuss of an Irish Embassy in Tehran by 2023,” he remarked. party’s noncommitment. In this context, the institute claims: “As a result, the ‘breakout time’ that Iran would need to produce a bomb’s worth of fissile material has dropped from a year to around three months.” While Biden has repeatedly expressed his inclination to revive Tehran dismisses Arab League’s allegations regarding Iranian islands the JCPOA, his apparent “goodwill” to salvage the JCPOA has POLITICAL TEHRAN — Saeed disaster in the contemporary era, and geographical and historical realities, and been overshadowed by a series of public feuds. For instance, in deskKhatibzadeh, Iran’s years-long support for terrorism and terror these islands are an integral part of the his first sit-down interview since ascending to the presidency, Foreign Ministry spokesperson, on Friday groups,” Khatibzadeh said in a statement, Iranian territory,” Khatibzadeh underlined. Biden stressed that unless Tehran stops enriching uranium, rejected as groundless the accusations according to Tasnim. He then emphasized Iran’s policy of the Oval Office would not offer any sanctions relief. that four Arab League states have raised “Countries whose destructive aggression good neighborliness and mutual respect In other words, notwithstanding his rhetoric denouncing against the Iranian-owned islands in the over the past six years has not only destroyed for neighboring countries as well as non- the previous president’s policy towards the Iran nuclear deal, Persian Gulf. basic infrastructure in Yemen, but also caused interference in the internal affairs of others, Biden’s practice is indicative of a blame game based on double “It is regrettable that some Arab countries hunger, disease, displacement and poverty according to the Foreign Ministry’s website. standards. are seeking to divert people’s attention among millions of people, and who have the The spokesman expressed hope the Actually, Trump’s unliteral withdrawal from the 2015 deal from their wicked and destructive moves blood of innocent people on their hands, are Arab League and some regional countries in 2018 accompanied by a renewed architecture of sanctions by arousing fictitious animosity instead trying to evade responsibility for these crimes would change their approach to dialogue was the original sin of the status quo. Surprisingly, Biden has of taking care of the key issues that the by leveling baseless charges,” he added. and regional cooperation instead of issuing adopted an approach which is fundamentally similar to the Arab world is facing, including attempts cause of Palestine, perpetuation of the “The rehash of futile claims about the hollow and provocative statements which one his predecessor followed. to pave the way for the Israeli regime’s cruel war against Arab people of Yemen three Iranian islands has had, and will only result in the perpetuation of the current In this context, ICG argues that given the unrealistic con- presence in the region, disregard for the and creation of the worst humanitarian have no bearing on the existing historical, destructive trend. ditions both capitals have set for the other side to embark on the diplomatic process, Iran and the U.S. are overplaying their hands just to intensify the current impasse. Thus, the think Ulyanov describes tank describes the fundamental dynamics between Tehran and Washington as “only marginally different from those before U.S. readiness to 20 January.” ICG blames the E3 (France, the UK, and Germany) that instead of encouraging Iran and the U.S. to live up to their rejoin JCPOA as a commitment under the 2015 deal, are just “frittering away the political capital they accumulated through their strong support pragmatic move for the deal during the Trump presidency.” POLITICAL TEHRAN — Mikhail Ulyanov, To teach the ropes of how to step out the current political deskRussia’s Permanent Representative standoff, the think tank suggests: “An immediate step out of to International Organizations, including the IAEA, the stalemate could be an agreement on an initial exchange of in Vienna, has said the United States’ willingness to gestures that could break the deadlock.” return to the original Joint Comprehensive Plan of ICG highlights that “either quiet U.S.-Iran discussions Action (JCPOA, known as the Iran nuclear deal), is a or third-party mediation” is required for brokering such an pragmatic and right approach, the ITAR-TASS news agreement and sheds light on the EU as the coordinator for the agency reported on Friday. implementation of the JCPOA. The Brussels-based think tank “Americans have shown a very responsible approach believes that convening an informal meeting between American in this regard. They are ready at this stage to discuss and Iranian sides is an initial step forward that can serve as a the return to what it was. It is rational, pragmatic and milestone in Tehran-Washington relations under Biden in terms correct,” Ulyanov noted. of the JCPOA. In order to make such a session plausible, the Ulyanov also said “the ambitions” of Iran and the EU can indirectly orchestrate initial steps, the think tank adds. U.S. are alarming. ICG describes Iran’s legal and formally declared nuclear “In this situation, we see that either Tehran or activities as “breaches” of the JCPOA and proposes some rec- Washington starts saying that the other side must ommendation “to prevent further worsening of the situation.” make the first step. It is a road to nowhere. The only In this regard, the think tank emphasizes that “once at the way to make progress is to synchronize practical steps table, the parties should negotiate an interim arrangement so that nobody could assume they have lost face,” followed by a timetable for simultaneously reversing Iran’s he remarked. nuclear breaches and U.S. sanctions.” The diplomat pointed out that the synchronization According to the analysis, the initial steps might include and a certain roadmap with step-by-step instructions “the U.S. facilitating Iran’s access to some of its frozen assets were the only way to success. for humanitarian imports in return for Iran halting one of the The current parties to the Iran nuclear deal and proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities it is now pursuing.” the United States are quite likely to hold an infor- ICG mentions that Iran’s presidential election campaign mal meeting, but certain issues should be clarified, will start in mid-April and writes: “While it is possible to roll Ulyanov stressed. back Iran’s nuclear program amid the country’s presidential “It is obvious that they should start as soon as campaign.” possible,” he said when asked when talks on a U.S. It argues should the critics of restoring the nuclear deal in return to the Iran nuclear deal would begin. Iran win a majority vote by the time a new Iranian president “Perhaps, an informal meeting of the current parties comes to the office, negotiations will be more difficult. ICG to the deal and the United States is needed to start warns that in such a condition “the kind of brinksmanship that talks. In principle, it is quite likely, but some details could jeopardize what remains of the nuclear deal and further need to be clarified, as the issue is very sensitive, inflame regional tensions” would be more likely to come up. especially for Iran,” Ulyanov noted. Therefore, the International Crisis Group emphasizes that According to the Russian diplomat, it has become “time is of the essence” so the parties should “build signifi- possible to focus on the diplomatic track. He estimated cant momentum” to avoid the race between “sanctions and chances for negotiation as very high. centrifuges.” (See full text at tehrantimes.com) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 7, 2021 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS Futile rhetoric IPL: Sepahan thrash Aluminum, Persepolis held POLITICAL TEHRAN – Israeli offi- it would firmly respond to any Israeli aggres- deskcials have ramped up their sion against it. by Sanat Naft belligerent rhetoric against Iran in a concerted “The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly warns effort to obstruct any détente between Iran against any adventurism by Israeli regime and SPORTSTEHRAN – Sepahan battered Aluminum 6-1 and the West. reserves its inherent right to self-defense to deskin Matchday 17 of Iran Professional League Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has decisively respond to any threat or wrongful (IPL) on Saturday. recently issued threats against Iran in what act perpetrated by this regime,” Kazem Ghar- In the match held in Arak, Mohammad Mohebbi opened appeared to be a message to both Tehran and ibabadi, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent the scoring for the visiting team after 15 minutes and Sajad Washington that Israeli concerns about the Representative to international organizations Shahbazzadeh made it 2-0 in the 27th minute. Mehdi Hosseini 2015 nuclear deal – formally known as the in Vienna, told the UN nuclear watchdog’s pulled a goal back before the halftime. Alumium were reduced Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) board of governors on Friday. to 10 men in the 48th minute after Mohammad Iranpourian – should be taken into account in any future Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations received his second yellow card. Mohammadreza Khlatbari scored nuclear talks, otherwise Israel would “inde- Majid Takht-Ravanchi also warned against Sepahan’s third goal in the 49th minute and Shahbazzadeh was pendently” make reckless moves. aggression. on target on hour mark. Danial Esmaeilifar also scored two late “If the world stops them before, it’s very In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio goals for the Isfahan based football team. much good. But if not, we must stand inde- Guterres on Friday, Takht Ravanchi warned Mehdi Hosseini scored the only goal of Aluminum. pendently and we must defend ourselves by of consequences of any possible miscalculat- ourselves,” Gantz told Fox News. ed measure by Israel over an explosion that He also echoed threats issued by top Is- damaged an Israeli ship in the Sea of Oman raeli general Aviv Kochavi that Israeli armed last week, according to Press TV. forces could attack targets inside Iran. The do,” Kochavi said. week, Environmental Protection Minister Gila The letter came a week after an Israe- Israeli military is updating plans to strike The Israeli general went so far as to say that Gamliel accused Iran of orchestrating an en- li-owned cargo ship said it had been crippled Iranian nuclear sites and is prepared to act he ordered Israel’s army to prepare offensive vironmental attack on Israel by dumping oil by a suspected blast while it was in the Sea of independently, Gantz said, claiming that Is- options against Iran. off Israel’s coast, a strange accusation that Oman, claiming that it suffered holes in both rael has identified numerous targets inside “I have instructed the IDF to prepare sev- even the Israelis denounced as being harmful sides of its hull. Iran that would hurt its ability to develop a eral operational plans in addition to existing to Israeli interests. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nuclear bomb. ones, which we will develop throughout the “As last month’s oil spill continues to do hastily accused Iran of attacking the ship. Iran Following Biden’s win in the United States coming year. The power to initiate them lies damage to Israel’s territorial waters and categorically rejected the charge. presidential election, Kochavi, chief of staff with the political echelon. However, the of- beaches, Environmental Protection Minister “The incident has all the characteristics of Israel’s armed forces, exactly issued the fensive options need to be prepared, ready, Gila Gamliel is doing damage to herself, to of a complicated false flag operation carried same threat against Iran while warning and on the table,” Kochavi said in remarks the prime minister and to Israel’s efforts to out by actors in order to pursue their malign Biden against rejoining the JCPOA. In a delivered at the Israeli Institute for National contain Iran, with her ongoing accusations policies and to advance their illegitimate ob- rare comment on American foreign policy, Security Studies 14th Annual International that Tehran deliberately engineered the jectives,” wrote Takht-Ravanchi in his letter Kochavi warned Biden against rejoining the Conference. incident,” The Times of Israel wrote on Friday. to the UN. In Abadan, IPL leaders Persepolis were heled to a goalless nuclear deal and even threatened Iran with Gantz reiterated these threats and even In addition, some Israeli politicians even Israel is worried and furious because it draw against Sanat Naft. military action. threatened to strike civilian areas in south- questioned Gantz and Netanyahu’s threats failed to achieve its goal of pitting the U.S. Shahr Khodro beat Paykan 2-0 in Mashhad thanks to goals “With the changing of the administration ern Lebanon in the future confrontation with against Iran as an election ploy aimed at ral- against Iran. Tel Aviv is now repeating the from Mehrdad Bayrami and Ahmad Aljabouri. in the United States, the Iranians have said Hezbollah. lying Israelis’ vote behind them. same old trick of “appease me or I will…” vis Saipa played out a goalless draw against Naft Masjed Soley- they want to return to the previous agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu On Friday, Israel’s former defense minister a vis Iran. Under Obama, Israel threatened man and Gol Gohar Sirjan and Mes Rafsanjan shared the spoils I want to state my position, the position that also issued similar threats, accusing Iran of Avigdor Liberman said in a tweet that “the to attack Iran in a bid to prevent Washington in a 0-0 draw. I give to all my colleagues when I meet them pursuing nuclear weapons and threatening belligerent remarks of the Prime Minister and from signing a deal with Iran. Now it’s doing Tractor also defeated Nassaji courtesy of goals from Mo- around the world: Returning to the 2015 to attack Iran. the Minister of Defense against Iran are noth- the same. But this time Israel will fail too. hammad Abbaszadeh and Meysam Teymouri. Mahmoud Ghaed nuclear agreement or even to an agreement These threats are nothing new. These days, ing more than a struggle to gain more votes.” Because it sets unreasonable conditions for Rahmati also was on target for the visiting team. that is similar but with a few improvements the Israelis see Iran’s footprint in everything However, these remarks elicited a strong the United State which itself knows better Zob Ahan defeated rock-bottom Machine Sazi 2- in Isfahan. is a bad thing, and it is not the right thing to including in an oil spill off Israel’s coast. Last response from Iran, which has long said that than others that they are not feasible. Mojtaba Haghdoost and Farshad Mohammadi Mehr scored for the hosts. And Esteghlal beat Foolad 1-0 in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. Arsalan Motahari scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute. Israel must be held accountable for assassinating Persepolis remain top of the table ahead of Sepahan due to Iranian nuclear scientist: ambassador superior goal difference. Gharibabadi says Fakhrizadeh assassination will not go unanswered Allahyar voted UPL Best POLITICAL TEHRAN – There is evidence suggesting a series of remedial measures, but has always stressed the player of the week & month deskthat Israel was behind the assassination reversibility of all its measures when all participants return of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and to full implementation of their commitments therein.” SPORTSTEHRAN — The Ukrainian Premier League, that Israel should be held accountable for the crime, Kazem He explained in detail the logic behind the Iranian par- deskafter interviewing the experts who are members Gharibabadi, Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Repre- liament passing a nuclear law obligating the government of the voting council, identified the brightest football player in sentative to international organizations in Vienna, has said. of Hassan Rouhani to stop all verification and monitoring the 16th round of the Favbet League. Addressing the virtual meeting of the International Atomic activities beyond Iran’s Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA. As a result of the voting, Zorya striker Allahyar won ahead Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday, Gharibabadi said while “Given the circumstances, on 2nd December 2020, af- of Vladislav Kulach (Vorskla), Mykola Kukharevych (Rukh), Iran remains firmly committed to pursuing a peaceful nuclear ter about two and a half years of U.S. withdrawal from the and teammate Nikola Vasyl! program, another Iranian nuclear scientist was assassinated. JCPOA and lack of practical actions by the E3/EU in meeting The Iranian forward has claimed two goals and two assists “While the Islamic Republic of Iran is strongly committed their commitments, Parliament of the Islamic Republic of in the current season. to pursuing a peaceful nuclear program, another Iranian Iran passed a law entitled ‘Strategic Action to Lift Sanctions Allahyar’s crucial assist against league leaders Shakhtar nuclear scientist was assassinated. There are clear evidences and Protect Iranian Nation’s Interests’,” Gharibabadi said, Donetsk also drew high praise due to his commanding run showing that the Israeli regime is behind the heinous as- adding, “Article 6 of this law requires the Government, in into the opponent’s half. sassination of Dr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, and should be held case of the continuation of non-compliance of the partic- In addition, the UPL summed up the voting results for the accountable for such an inhumane crime,” Gharibabadi said, ipants of the deal with their commitments regarding the title of the best player for the month of February. adding, “Considering the dire implications of such horrific total normalization of the banking relations and removal According to the results of the voting, the forward of Luhansk act and dangerous provocations on international peace and guarded nuclear facility, in operation or under construction, of all barriers on the export of oil and oil derivatives and won 36% of the votes. The second place went to Dynamo Viktor security and that terrorism as a serious challenge to the would create a situation in which the United Nations Security return of revenues in two months after the entry into force Tsygankov (16%), and the third – to Andriy Totovytsky from international community requires collective responses, we Council would have to act immediately in accordance with of the law, to stop the implementation of all verification and “Desna” (15%). call upon Member States and the Agency to uphold their the provisions of the United Nations Charter’,” the ambas- monitoring activities beyond Iran’s Safeguards Agreement obligations under international law in fighting terrorism sador continued. concluded with the IAEA (CSA), including the voluntary and condemn such inhumane act in the strongest terms. It He stated, “In view of the past and present Israeli terrorist implementation of the Additional Protocol (AP).” A difficult task ahead of also should be reminded that the Islamic Republic of Iran behavior, these statements and threats constitute matters of He pointed to the recent deal Iran struck with IAEA chief will not leave such criminal acts unanswered.” extreme gravity that require urgent and resolute response on Rafael Grossi, which ensures the necessary cooperation be- Esteghlal The ambassador pointed to the Israeli belligerent rhetoric the part of the Agency. At the very least, the Agency should tween Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog for a period of SPORTSTEHRAN – Esteghlal football team will con- against Iran, denouncing the Israeli bellicosity as a violation react to these threats, by unequivocally condemning them three months. desktinue the rest of the Iran Professional league of the UN Charter. and demanding that the said regime abandon its policy of Gharibabadi said the deal stipulates that for up to 3 (IPL) season with Farhad Majidi but the team will have a difficult “The Israeli regime has recently not only intensified its flouting international law and the UN Charter. The Islamic months, Iran will maintain the records of the stored data task to end their eight-year title drought. provocative and warmongering statements against the Is- Republic of Iran looks forward to effective preventive measures by monitoring equipment and information about some ac- Majidi returned to the club after six months with the aim lamic Republic of Iran, but also been actively planning to act being taken by the Agency and its peace-seeking Member tivities as specified in the Annex of the deal. “Review by the of winning the title but Esteghlal will have to compete with upon its belligerent threats. During the past 35 days, three States against such ruthless remarks. The responsibility for Agency of this data will take place once and if Iran decides, heavyweights Persepolis and Sepahan to seize the title. Israeli regime’s officials have threatened to attack Iran’s any failure in this respect will lie solely with the Agency and after ceasing all sanctions, to resume its implementation Esteghlal suffer the structural problems and first need to nuclear facilities. Iran’s positions over such threats have been others who indirectly render their support by closing their of the relevant nuclear-related commitments, otherwise all reform them to earn achievement. well recorded in the history of the Agency and the United eyes on these remarks.” collected data will be erased at the end of the third month,” The Blues are facing technical problems in terms of players Nations. These threats are in gross violation of Article 2 (4) Warning against any Israeli attack, Gharibabadi said the ambassador said. and playing system, as well as financial difficulties. of the Charter of the United Nations which necessitates an Iran would decisively respond to such an attack. He described the deal as a goodwill gesture from Iran that Esteghlal have to focus on upcoming season since the short- appropriate response from the international community,” “At the same time, the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly will boost the opportunity envisioned in the nuclear law. term plans will never work. The team deserve more credit because Gharibabadi stated. warns against any adventurism by Israeli regime and reserves “Two-month opportunity envisioned in the Parliament’s of their millions of fans. He noted, “Furthermore, the practice of international its inherent right to self-defense to decisively respond to law was augmented by this good-will based mutual under- The Iranian team need more time to back on the way but the organizations has shown that attack or threat of attack is a any threat or wrongful act perpetrated by this regime,” the standing for up to three more months. Iran, once again, has continuous changes have distracted their concentration over clear violation of International Law. In its resolutions, the ambassador asserted. opened a new window of opportunity, and now the burden the past years. They have to set up a four-year plan to return UNGA clearly stated that such military attack ‘constitutes Gharibabadi also addressed the situation around the 2015 of proof is on others to seize it by practically implementing to their heydays. a violation of the Charter of the United Nations’. On the nuclear deal -formally known as the Joint Comprehensive their commitments.” Gharibabadi pointed out. First, Majidi must find the new players for the new season other hand, the IAEA in several decisions and resolutions Plan of Action (JCPOA) –, warning that the nuclear deal is According to the ambassador, the Biden administration in all lines. Esteghlal should also lift the financial problems. approved by the General Conference stated that any armed now at a critical juncture. has not yet taken practical steps to change the previous Esteghlal, as one of the most popular Iranian teams, can attack on and threat against nuclear facilities devoted to “We are now at a critical juncture in relations with the administration’s policy against Iran despite the fact that hit the road in the upcoming years if they change their previ- peaceful purposes, constitutes a violation of the princi- JCPOA. During the past five years, the Islamic Republic of this policy has failed. ous ways. But it doesn’t seem the team can win the title in the ples of the United Nations Charter, international law and Iran has proven to be a responsible player by preserving the “While the previous U.S. Administration failed in pursu- current season. the Statute of the Agency. The General Conference also JCPOA despite all difficulties due to the U.S. withdrawal ing maximum pressure policy, the new U.S. administration The team finished third in the halfway season of Iran Pro- emphasized that all armed attacks against nuclear instal- from the deal. In such circumstances the EU/E3, apart from has yet to take practical measures to alter the path. As our fessional League under coaching of Mahmoud Fekri. Esteghlal lations devoted to peaceful purposes should be explicitly issuing numerous political statements in support of the deal, Supreme Leader declared, we will look at the other partic- will have to participate at AFC Champions League and Hazfi prohibited.” failed to comply with their commitments under the JCPOA ipants’ deeds not words, and after corroboration of their Cup as well. Gharibabadi pointed to a resolution dating back to 1990 and remained inactive,” Gharibabadi pointed out. actions we will also act accordingly and proportionally,” that stipulates that attacking a safeguarded nuclear facility According to Gharibabadi, the nuclear steps that Iran Gharibabadi noted. would invite intervention by the UN Security Council. has taken since the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA were He added, “If the sanctions are all removed at once, we are Iran judo chief Miresmaeili “The General Conference in its resolution 533 of 21 Sep- remedial and aimed to restore balance to the JCPOA. ready to come back to full implementation at once. It was not tember 1990 recognized that ‘An armed attack on a safe- “To bring back the lost balance to the deal, Iran has taken Iran who left the negotiating table of the Joint Commission hospitalized after heart attack and it is upon those who want to rejoin around the table to “During the past 35 days, three Israeli regime’s officials take proper practical steps to earn it.” SPORTSTEHRAN – Head of Iran judo federation He also warned about any politically motivated move in deskArash Miresmaeli has been hospitalized after have threatened to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. Iran’s the current situation given the ongoing cooperation between suffering a heart attack on Saturday. positions over such threats have been well recorded in the Iran and the IAEA, underlining that such a move would Miresmaeili was rushed to the hospital following the heart history of the Agency and the United Nations. These threats negatively affect the current atmosphere. attack. “In view of the ongoing and constructive cooperation He has been under pressure over the past years due to Iran’s are in gross violation of Article 2 (4) of the Charter of the between Iran and the Agency, any politically motivated matter at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). United Nations which necessitates an appropriate response move and abusing the Agency for political bargaining chip CAS, on Monday, lifted the indefinite suspension im- from the international community.” and misleading it is absolutely destructive,” Gharibabadi posed on the Iran Judo Federation for pressuring one of remarked. their fighters not to face an Israeli athlete. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY MARCH 7, 2021

TEDPIX loses 8,000 points on Saturday Iraq settles

ECONOMY TEHRAN — TEDPIX, the main index of Tehran deskStock Exchange (TSE), dropped 8,172 points to 1.169 million on Saturday (first day of Iranian calendar week). Over 3.058 billion securities worth 34.295 trillion rials (about part of Iran $816.5 million) were traded at the TSE on Saturday. The first market’s index fell 7,405 points, and the second market’s index dropped 11,611 points. TEDPIX dropped 2.3 percent during the past Iranian cal- endar week. energy dues The index closed at 1.177 million points on Wednesday (the last working day of the week). 1 In December 2020, Iran re- settling all the country’s gas and elec- During the past week, the indices of Social Security Investment duced its gas exports to the neighboring tricity dues to Iran. Company, Mobarakeh Steel Company, National Iranian Copper country by over 45 million cubic meters “Based on an agreement which is going Industry Company, Bou Ali Sina Petrochemical Company (BSPC), a day (mcm/d), threatening to further to be implemented in the coming days, and Amin Investment Bank were the most widely followed indices. reduce the current five mcm/d of gas Iraq is going to open a euro savings bank TEDPIX had also dropped 2.7 percent in the week ended on supply to three mcm/d. account in which the country’s debts to February 24. Iranian Energy Minister Reza Arda- National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) to euro,” the minister said. ing Iranian contractors and companies’ Market analyst Amir-Ali Amir-Baqeri has recently told IRNA kanian visited Iraq in late December and the Power Generation, Distribution, This way, transferring the money dues in the mentioned country. that Iranian stock market is moving in the right direction and 2020 to meet with senior officials from and Transmission Company (known as or using it for purchasing basic goods Ardakanian announced the formation will reach stability in the near future. the country and discuss the country’s Tavanir) will be saved,” Ardakanian said and medicine will be less problemat- of a committee for working on the issue “Market authorities are currently using asymmetric fluctuations energy debts to Iran. at the time. ic considering the U.S. sanctions, he and said: “As the Iranian head of the two to improve the market situation, but we must move in a direction Upon returning to Tehran, Ardaka- “Iraq’s recent and past debts to our emphasized. countries’ Joint Economic Committee, where there is no volatility in the market,” Amir-Baqeri said. nian said that Iraq was going to open a country will be transferred and saved According to the official, the savings I will monitor the process on a daily euro bank account to pave the way for in this account after being exchanged in this account can also be used for pay- basis until we achieve desirable results.” Projects worth over $170m to be inaugurated in FTZs in 2 weeks Developing CNG industry to save Iran $14b ECONOMY TEHRAN — The deputy secretary-general of ECONOMY TEHRAN — Managing director of of understanding (MOU) to add new dual-fuel vehicles deskIranian Free Zones High Council for economic deskNational Iranian Oil Refining and Dis- to the country’s public transportation fleet. affairs said that President Hassan Rouhani will inaugurate 50 tribution Company (NIORDC) has said that developing The mentioned MOU was signed under a program projects worth 7.15 trillion rials (about $170.23 million) in the the country’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) industry that aimed to add 1.46 million dual-fuel vehicles to the country’s seven major free trade zones (FTZs) by the end of the could potentially save Iran $14b. public transportation fleet. current Iranian calendar year (March 20). According to Alireza Sadeqabadi, increasing the Increasing the number of the country’s dual-fuel cars Ahmad Jamali said that these projects are some major plans country’s gasoline production capacity by 20 million would mean reduction in gasoline consumption; this to be inaugurated by the president, while some small units will be liters requires at least $15 billion of investment, while gasoline could be exported and the earned revenues also inaugurated by the local officials in the FTZs and special eco- boosting the country’s CNG output by the equivalent could be used for further developing such CNG-pro- nomic zones. of the same amount would only need $1 billion, that moting programs. President Hassan Rouhani has inaugurated 61 projects worth means it could save the country $14 billion. Following the previously implemented programs, 92 trillion rials (about $2.19 billion) in some of the free trade zones The development of the CNG industry in Iran began over the past few years, the government has started a and special economic zones of the country through video conference many years ago concurrently with the development of new scheme for turning the automobiles registered in in mid-January. the national gas network and currently there is more online transportation apps (like Snap and Tapsi in Iran) The projects were put into operation in the production, industry, than 40 million cubic meters of daily CNG distribution into dual-fuel cars. trade, and infrastructure sectors of the zones in Hormozgan, Gilan, capacity in Iran, according to Sadeqabadi. Iranian Oil Ministry also considers CNG as the na- Sadeqabadi noted that based on this program the Bushehr, Qom, East Azarbaijan, and Markazi provinces, creating A large part of this capacity however is not being used, tional fuel; therefore, the ministry has it on the agenda government is going to pay for 75 percent of the conver- jobs for 3,200 persons. and this has led the government to try to benefit from this to increase the share of this fuel in the country’s energy sion costs through bank loans offered to the car owners Implementation of development projects in these areas shows capacity by increasing the number of dual-fuel vehicles. basket. Iran’s CNG consumption currently stands at about the serious efforts and determination of the government to prosper According to the NIORDC head, each cubic meter of Considering the advantages of CNG consumption, 25 million cubic meters. the business environment within the framework of the policies of CNG consumption would save the consumer 30 cents back in December 2019, NIORDC and Iran’s state-owned There are currently 2,495 CNG stations across Iran the resistance economy and achieve the goals of the surge in produc- in comparison to one liter of gasoline. Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) signed a memorandum that supply 22 percent of the country’s fuel basket. tion this year, as well as increase export capacity, foreign currency earnings and employment. Exclusive exhibition of Iranian products to be held in Sulaymaniyah in late May ECONOMY TEHRAN — An exclu- the stability and security of this region, it maniyah market are Iranian products, desksive exhibition of Iranian is possible to transport goods from this the official said: “Food products, carpet, products is planned to be held in Sulay- center to other neighboring provinces such plastic products, machinery, building ma- maniyah of Iraqi Kurdistan in late May. as Erbil, Halabja, Diyala and Kirkuk and terials, agricultural and technical services Iran had also held an exclusive exhibi- even other areas of Iraq.” especially in the fields of transportation, tion of Iranian products in Sulaymaniyah “Having two official border crossings construction and urban development are in late January 2020. of Bashmaq and Parvizkhan and the great important priorities for contribution of Having over 500 kilometers of shared interest in Iranian goods in the region Iranian companies in this market.” borders, Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan can would be a reliable capacity for develop- More than 150 Iranian companies The data released by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs use this capacity to expand their trade ing the two countries’ trade relations,” participated in the exclusive exhibition show that 89.843 trillion rials (about $2.139 billion) of domestic relations, Iran’s Commercial Attaché in he stated. of Iranian products in Sulaymaniyah to investment has been made in Iran’s special economic zones during Iraq Naser Behzad said on the sidelines He described Sulaymaniyah as the gate- Pointing out the fact that currently showcase their latest products and services the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19, 2020), which of the exhibit. way to Iraqi Kurdistan and said: “Due to half of the goods available in the Sulay- in this market. has been 173 percent more than the figure of its preceding year. The development of free trade zones and special economic zones through production, exports and investment is one of the goals of creating these zones in the country. Water, electricity projects worth over $92m inaugurated in central Iran To achieve this target, different measures were taken in the past year, such as attracting innovative and technological units to these ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iranian Energy Minister inaugurated by the end of the current Iranian calendar areas, and introducing investment opportunities and advantages deskReza Ardakanian inaugurated four major year (March 20). in these zones. water and electricity projects valued at 3.9 trillion rials Last week, Ardakanian had also inaugurated several The establishment of free trade zones in Iran dates back to Iranian (about $92.8 million) in Yazd province, central Iran, new systems for improving services in the water and calendar year 1368 (March 1989- March 1990) following the fall in on Tuesday. electricity sectors. the country’s oil income in the preceding year which prompted the Inaugurated in the 44th week of the Energy Ministry’s The mentioned systems were put into operation government to promote non-oil exports. A-B-Iran program, the projects include a power supply in various areas including resource consumption The first two free trade zones of Iran were established in the projects, a water supply projects, and a dam. improvement, asset utilization, human resource Persian Gulf islands of Kish and Qeshm. As reported by IRNA, First Vice President Eshaq management, financial resources management, and Some five other free trade zones have been also established in the Jahangiri also attended the opening ceremony of the reforming work processes in order to create transparency country since then, including Chabahar in southeastern Sistan-Bal- mentioned projects. and to facilitate and accelerate affairs while eliminating uchestan Province, Arvand in southwestern Khuzestan Province, A-B-Iran program (the acronyms A and B stand for possible bottlenecks. Anzali in northern Gilan Province, Aras in East-Azarbaijan Province water and electricity in Persian) was initiated in the A smart system for improving the Energy Ministry’s and Maku in West-Azarbaijan Province, both in the northwest of previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19, support and emergency centers called Homa, as well as the country. 2020), during which the minister made several trips a new customer services system called Chavoush were Considering the important role that the free trade zones play in to various provinces for inaugurating over 220 major also among the launched systems. promoting the country’s export and employment, Iran is seriously projects with a total investment of 335.6 trillion rials A mechanized network monitoring system called Sanam pursuing the development of its existing zones and establishment (about $7.99 billion). was also put into operation; this system is aimed at of new zones as well. Since the beginning of the second phase of the scheme operational across the country. monitoring the electricity networks of various provinces Back in September 2020, Jamali had announced that about 600 in the current Iranian calendar year (started on March According to the energy minister, in the second in order to reduce electricity losses and improve the development projects worth over 550 trillion rials (about $13.095 20, 2020), every week several energy projects have gone phase of the program 250 projects were going to be efficiency of the country’s power network. billion) will be implemented in the country’s free trade zones and special economic zones by the end of the current government’s incumbency (August 2021). The official also said that the mentioned projects will create jobs for 102,000 people, ILNA reported. Iran, Pakistan confer on establishing joint border market The previous secretary of Free Zones High Council said at the times that over 40 percent of Iran’s exports is done through the ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran and deputy ministers. the near future, and specified: “Pakistan country’s free trade zones and special economic zones. deskPakistan have held an Referring to the 950-kilometer border has proposed six points on the border to Morteza Bank believes that the figure would have been higher online meeting to discuss issues related to between Iran and Pakistan, as well as the create joint markets, and the Iranian side if there had not been the banking limitations due to the sanctions. developing border trade and reached an two countries’ interest in developing trade, is interested in setting up joint markets The current government has defined special programs for the agreement to establish the two countries’ Seyed Aqazadeh noted: “Border markets as much as possible in place of existing development of these zones and commodities worth $169 billion first joint border market, an official with have so far been created unilaterally by approved markets.” have been exported from these areas in the past seven years. the Iranian Trade Promotion Organization Iran or Pakistan, and a joint market will Currently, border markets of Saravan- The mentioned programs have also led to the attraction of (TPO) announced. be established between the two countries Jaleq, Saravan-Kuhak, Sarbaz-Pishin and domestic and foreign investment to the free and special zones. “A virtual meeting was held to discuss for the first time.” Chabahar-Rimdan in Sistan-Baluchestan Bank has previously announced that the value of exports from a memorandum of understanding (MOU) The development of the joint border province are active on the border with Iran’s free trade zones and special economic zones stood at $17 on the establishment of joint border markets is expected to improve the Pakistan, and the Mirjaveh market has billion during the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19). markets between Iran and Pakistan, and business activities of border residents, been merged with Mirjaveh customs, He said that commodities worth $5 billion produced in these agreements were reached in this regard,” he added. according to Seyed Aqazadeh. with the country and boosting exports zones have been sent to different areas in the country during the IRNA quoted Reza Seyed Aqazadeh as “Based on the agreements reached, Earlier in December 2020, Pakistan’s to its market has become one of Iran’s previous year. saying. the two sides have appointed technical Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce priorities in recent years. Bank put the value of products imported to the free trade According to the official, following teams to determine the location and size and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood had Iran’s exports to Pakistan in the past zones and special economic zones at $5 billion in the past year. the preparation of the draft for the of the joint markets and to prepare a list said his country was seeking to enhance Iranian calendar year (ended on March Emphasizing that the value of imports to these zones is very mentioned MOU in December 2020, of the items that would be traded in the ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran, 19) stood at $1.18 billion, but in the low compared to the worth of exports from them, the official additional negotiations were made for markets,” the official explained. especially in economic areas. meantime, financial and banking problems said, “We are planning to reach the same level of exports in the finalizing the memorandum in the online He stated that joint markets will be Considering Pakistan’s relatively large have still created obstacles in the way of current year as well.” meeting which was held at the level of set up in Kuhak and Pishin (Saravan) in consumer market, expansion of trade trade relations with this country. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 7, 2021 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5 There is rising tendency to view Biden asks King Salman to replace bin Salman with immigrants as threat, scholar says Muhammad bin Nayef 1 It was genocide because, in addition discriminate against immigrants. Even when A former Israeli minister revealed details of an American plan to the mass-murder of around 8,000 men, born in these countries, Muslims are often for President Joe Biden’s administration to replace Saudi Crown a process of organized removal of women perceived as immigrants, and this is where Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Prince Muhammad bin Nayef. and children from the territory was put in discrimination comes. The majority of the The Minister of Justice and former Deputy Minister of Foreign place, thus completely removing the whole population, however, do not support this kind Affairs, Yossi Beilin, suggested that the U.S. President requested group›s presence. The organized process of of discrimination. There are other European the implementation of this step from the King of Saudi Arabia, the change of ethnic pattern in the specific countries with no or minimal historical ex- Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Time Zone reported. territory is at the core of the definition of perience with Muslims like most central and The Israeli minister indicated that Bin Salman involved his genocide. I see a multi-level problem with the eastern Europe. Politicians spread paranoid country in a terrible war in Yemen. And he did other strange whole debate. The original interpretation of messages and receive support from the public, actions. His involvement in the brutal murder of Saudi journalist genocide was to distinguish crimes committed thus making their societies unfriendly towards Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 culminated in. by Nazis from those of the Allies. The Nazis immigrants of different culture and religion. He noted that “America was marked by anger, and the world aimed to destroy and remove entire ethnic, This further increase pressure on Western denounced, but the former US President Trump granted the religious and racial groups from large ter- societies because immigrants, many of them young leader protection, and the young leader became completely ritories of central and eastern Europe in an Muslims, aim to move to the West and not dependent on Trump’s whims. He feared that US President Joe organized and industrious way. The crimes only for economic reasons. One should not be Biden, who is most sensitive to the issue of human rights, would committed by the Allies did not have this aim. dismissive of terrorist attacks by extremists lead him to the end of his political life. Still, they also committed war crimes and claiming to act in defence of Islam. It is easy crimes against humanity, like the bombing for societies to generalize following the ter- of Dresden. There are, however, deniers of rorist acts and even subconsciously join the Pakistani PM wins vote the crime of genocide and the Holocaust to forces that discriminate against «others». this day. The same goes for Srebrenica. Security issues, thus, often bring liberal people of confidence amidst How do you assess the reaction of towards supporting political parties that are the world, especially European states, all, the Rwanda genocide took place with no es› support and military to retain power. not liberal and are openly discriminatory. opposition protest, boycott toward the massacre? Why did the globe Muslims involved at a similar time, and the The better-educated classes who enjoyed Some in Europe believe that the prefer to remain a spectator? UN just observed the crime like in Bosnia. privileges in the past and benefitted from presence of Muslims will undermine Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan won a vote of confidence The signs were there, but the world was Generally, what are the root causes exploiting natural resources are rebelling. their identity. To what extent have these from parliament on Saturday in a session marked by an opposition not ready. A bipolar international system has of the massacres in the world? The underprivileged initially took over after ideas negatively affected the lives of the boycott of the vote and clashes between government supporters and just finished with the end of the Cold War. Samuel Huntington offered his thesis of they had little to lose. The formerly privileged Muslim minority in various European opposition leaders outside the parliament building. The new system was yet to be established to «Clash of Civilizations» in the early 1990s. class is now on the brink, and they are trying countries? Khan was able to secure 178 votes, against the 172 required to win replace it. Was it going to be a unipolar system We might find some examples to confirm to produce a change. Let›s look at both root Is there a European identity, or is it a confidence, the speaker of the house announced, Reuters reported. with the USA acting as a global policeman the idea. Actions of the regimes in China causes, identity and inequality. combination of diverse identities? If the Khan, who became prime minister following the 2018 general or a multipolar world? The EU peaked with and Myanmar against minorities, conflict in How do you see the position of Mus- answer is the latter, then Muslims should elections, volunteered to seek parliament’s confidence after the the popularity of European integrations in Ukraine, even wars in the Balkans, Trump lims in today›s Europe? What changes become, if they are not already, part of this government’s finance minister lost a high-profile Senate seat 1993. Washington DC potentially saw rivals building wall on the Mexican border, con- have occurred? diversified identity. «United in Diversity» is election earlier in the week. in Europe, not in China or Russia, that was flicts in western Africa could all be used to The changes reflect the rising number of a motto of European integrations. European Opposition parties boycotted the session, saying the Senate in disarray at the time. reconfirm this idea. While I do not dismiss Muslims in Europe and their more prominent nations› fundamental values are mainly seat defeat was enough to show that Khan no longer enjoyed the Therefore, they were happy to let Eu- Huntington›s thoughts, this might be just presence in urban areas, i.e., women wear- rooted in secularism, albeit secularism has confidence of the house, and the vote of confidence was unnecessary. rope deal with this and prove that diversity one of the contributing factors to the causes ing hijabs and other garments traditionally developed on Western churches› ideological of national interests and a lack of military of violence. associated with Islamic culture. This tells us fundaments. Separation of state and church capacity without Americans will ultimately Inequality, in my view, is the primary of quantitative and qualitative changes. One might not be formal in all the countries, Yemeni forces launch drone prove Europe to be incapable of interven- cause. With the increased inequality in soci- might argue the process of emancipation is but it is very much present in practice. tionism without the leadership or at least eties, they become polarised, impoverished taking place. Women were perceived in tra- The UK is a perfect example. While some attack against Saudi Arabia’s support of the USA. masses have little to lose, and conflict is often ditional societies to belong to the home and bishops have a seat in the Parliament «ex There was also a lack of experts to provide inevitable. Thus social restructuring is taking not participate in public life or even walk the officio,» their role is almost invisible in King Khalid Air Base competent information and knowledge about place that is caused by increased economic streets. Thus, one might develop an argument British political life. Some Muslim new- Yemen’s military says it has launched yet another successful drone Yugoslavia and the successor states. They inequality. Great historical upheavals usually that double emancipation is taking place; comers to such societies are shocked by attack against King Khalid Air Base in the southwest of Saudi Arabia largely relied on Rebecca West and similar have a consequence of equalizing processes as women and as Muslims, many women the lack of religious presence in public in retaliation for the Riyadh regime’s ongoing military aggression dated authors to reconfirm ideas that often in society. This is how social peace is being proudly expose their heritage, identity and life. Although the dominant religion is not and blockade against the war-torn impoverished country. lack historical accuracy and explain everything bought and the stabilizing period for the new belonging. Of course, the societies where they theirs, they often come from communities Spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces Brigadier General in term of ethnic hatred. Let me remind you regime. Check inequality levels in Iran in live have to be based on the rule of law, equal- where the religious way of life is the only Yahya Saree said late Friday that army troops and allied fighters that NATO›s first combat mission since its the early 1980s and now. Prolonged periods ity, human rights, and individual freedoms way. Therefore, they voluntarily segregate from Popular Committees carried out an attack on important establishment was in the skies above Bosnia without major violent interruptions produce to provide the conditions for emancipation. in their contemporary societies, refuse to targets at the air base with two domestically-developed Sammad-3 in 1994. Even for them, it was an unknown increased inequalities. The Western world Here we can find regional differences across integrate, or the majority refuse to integrate (Invincible-3) combat drones. area of interventionism. The UN reconfirmed never lived for a more extended period in the continent. Scandinavian countries and with newcomers who are different and do He added that the designated targets had been successfully the slowness of the international organization peace since the Second World War. There- what are generally perceived as Western Eu- not share some of their values. It is not hit during the overnight operation against King Khalid Air Base, and especially when it comes to peacekeeping. fore, inequalities have risen, especially since rope are open societies where individuals pleasant for either group to live in such a which is located near Khamis Mushait, some 884 kilometers It was peace-making that was needed, but the end of the Cold War. The impoverished feel free to express their religious or political divided society. Of course, it is different south of the Saudi capital Riyadh, Yemen’s Arabic-language they were and still are not capable of doing masses are not only dissatisfied, but they views. However, even within these societies, from talking about this from London, where al-Masirah television network reported. it. I do not think the fact that Muslims were face a struggle for survival. Venezuela is a there is a rising tendency to deny this right to a popularly elected mayor is Muslim, son According to Press TV, the attack came just hours after five major victims, played a significant role in perfect example. Society is deeply divided. members of minority groups. Immigration of immigrants. Could we imagine such a Yemeni Qasef-2K drones successfully hit the air base, the report the decision to delay the intervention. After The government relies on the poor mass- is seen as a threat to their identity, and they result in Budapest or Warsaw? further said, adding that earlier on Friday, three Yemeni drones, of the Sammad-3 and Qasef-2k types, also pounded the same air base and Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport in Asir. Persian tradition played central role in Islamic mysticism: Duke professor On Thursday, Yemen’s military also successfully hit desig- nated targets at the Saudi Aramco oil facility in Jeddah with a 1 Following is the text of interview tion of mysticism in the contemporary never relegated to either the Sunni or Shia domestically-developed Quds-2-type cruise missile. with Safi: Muslim world in light of the emergence traditions, but one that pervaded both. So Given the dominance of Sunni-Shia of Wahhabism and Salafism? many of the most influential Sunni thinkers, narratives, how do you assess the posi- The mysticist dimension of Islam was like Ibn ‘Arabi, Mawlana Jalal al-Din Rumi, al-Ghazali, etc., were either mystically oriented Pope Francis meets powerful or deeply shaped by the mysticist tradition. Within the Shia tradition, much of what we Shia cleric in Iraq know as “Erfan” is really metaphysical. Pope Francis hold a symbolic meeting with one of the most powerful I think that the subtlety, humanity, Export Tobacco figures in Shia Islam on the second day of his landmark trip to Iraq. aesthetic beauty, nuance, service, and ap- The Pope’s encounter with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, preciation for multiple vantage points that the spiritual leader of millions of Shia Muslims, is taking place and Tobacco Scraps are all common features of the Sufi tradition Persian tradition as being a central one for in the holy city of Najaf. would offer an important antidote to flat, understanding mysticism in the “Mashreq” It is the Pope’s first international trip since the start of the rigid puritanical versions of Islam that are (the Eastern half of the Muslim majority world, Sales Offer Iran Tobacco Company pandemic - and the first-ever papal visit to Iraq. too common today. more or less from Balkans to Bengal). Covid-19 and security fears have made this the pontiff’s risk- Do you think that mysticism can What is the function of religion in In line with the implementation of the article 10 of the general iest trip yet. build a bridge between different Is- modern time? How can religions help The 84-year-old leader of the Catholic church earlier told “economic resistance” policies and with the aim of total, purposeful lamic sects and even between religions? protect environment and promote so- reporters that he felt “duty-bound” to make the “emblematic” To a large extent, yes. The plurality of cial issues? support for the exportation of products, proper planning for national journey, which will see him visit several sites over four days in Iraq. production suited to export requirements, entering new markets, perspectives and the reminder that it is only Religion has, to a large extent, been God alone who is “al-haqq” (the Truth) would subsumed into nationalist discourses. In diversifying the economic bonds with regional and world countries go a long way towards doing so. But the work many places (Israel, Saudi Arabia, etc.), the Resistance News and continuous development of Iran’s share in target markets, of the mysticism in healing and reconciliation rulers have adopted religious discourse to Iranian Tobacco Company is determined to sell its tobacco and would need to go hand in hand with other legitimize themselves, but what happens to OCHA: Israel displaced 98 political and economic reconciliation and the truth-telling ability of religious individ- tobacco scraps in the form of issuing pro forma invoices according not replace them. uals and movements in such a context? If Palestinians in two weeks to the requested tonnages. Purchasers can sent their written letter How important is Iranian civiliza- religious traditions are seen as a means of specifying tobacco amount, type, grade and production year to tion when we talk about mysticism and drawing closer and closer to God, living in INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN— The UN Office for the Coordi- its history? harmony with the whole of humanity and desknation of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said [email protected] or fax us at 021 55066322. In addition, the list of I prefer to use the term Persian and Per- with nature, then yes, there is much that that the Israeli authorities demolished or seized 35 Palestinian the tobacco and tobacco scraps can be checked at www.irtobacco.com/ sianate traditions because historically, so religious traditions have to offer us today. structures, mostly homes, during two weeks in the occupied portal/saderat/Tobacco. many of the cultures were Persian was the What is your comment on sectarian territories of the West Bank and Jerusalem. language of high culture, poetry, refinement, conflicts in West Asia? What are the In its biweekly report on Israeli violations on Friday, OCHA pdf or through the QR code and the mysticism tradition were outside of roots of these confrontations? explained that the demolition measures were carried out during printed below. It should be the modern-day Iranian nation-state. A great many sectarian conflicts in the the period February 16 to March 1, 2021 at the pretext that the noted that the sent letters One can mention how the Mughal Empire Middle East (West Asia) go back to the era owners had no Israeli-issued building permits. was Persian speaking in its court, how Persian of colonialism and the subsequent anti-co- The demolitions displaced 98 people, including 53 children, will be prioritized to be was so common in the Ottoman court, how lonial revolutions that became cloaked in and affected about 60 people, according to its report. considered bases on the Samarqand and Bukhara and Herat were nationalism. While no human community The report also explained that 17 Palestinians were injured tonnage and the time of major Persian metropoles, and how even has a spotless record of living in perfect peace by Israeli forces in the West Bank. in Bosnia, there were academies devoted to and harmony, some of the conflicts we see “Among the Palestinians, a 16-year-old boy was shot by Israeli receiving the letter and the the proper recitation and commentary on today are not “ancient and eternal” conflicts, forces with live ammunition, reportedly while walking near the prices will be negotiated in Mawlana Rumi’s Masnavi. but ones that can be definitely traced to the Barrier in Saffa village (Ramallah). Seven others were wounded a face to face meeting. In all those ways and more, I see the violence of European colonialism. in protests against the establishment of a settlement outpost on Beit Dajan land (Nablus) and against settlement expansion in For more information or “While no human community has a spotless Kafr Qaddum (Qalqiliya).” coordination 021 55078504, “Two Palestinians were injured in clashes that erupted record of living in perfect peace and ext.122 can be contacted. during two search-and-arrest operations in Ad Duheisha harmony, some of the conflicts we see today refugee camp (Bethlehem) and Abu Shukheidim village (Ramallah).” are not “ancient and eternal” conflicts, but “Three Palestinians, including an elderly man and a child, Public relations and International Affairs-Iran ones that can be definitely traced to the were physically assaulted by Israeli forces in Huwwara (Nablus) Tobacco Company violence of European colonialism.” and An Nuwei’ma (Jericho).” I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM MARCH 7, 2021

Rouhani opens miniature Iranian president declares travel ban for ‘red’, theme park near capital Tehran ‘orange’ zones to combat new COVID-19 variant TOURISM TEHRAN — Iranian President Hassan Rou- deskhani on Thursday inaugurated a miniature theme park via a video conference. Named ‘Little Iran’, the TOURISM TEHRAN — Iranian be possible in close coordination with the park is situated near the capital Tehran, in Alborz province. deskPresident Hassan Rou- National Headquarters for Coronavirus The theme park exhibits a variety of [small] replicas of hani on Saturday declared new travel bans Control, Teymouri said. the country’s scenic areas and tourist attractions such as the for cities situated in the “red” and “orange” “In order to create social vitality during the ancient village of Abyaneh, UNESCO-registered Bam Citadel, zones to combat the new COVID-19 variant. holidays, the ministry has set some rules for magnificent 9,000-year-old archaeological hill of Tepe Ozbaki, Rouhani called on people to avoid trave- possible Noruz trips to control and monitor centuries-old windmills (locally called Asbads), and Qazvin’s ling during the Iranian New Year holidays to them carefully,” he said. 19th-century bazaar of Sa’d-al Saltaneh, the provincial tourism help contain the spread of coronavirus. He “The trips will be possible only within the chief explained. said it would be forbidden to make trips to framework of planned tours through licensed cities marked as “red” and “orange” in terms travel agencies and under the supervision of the prevalence of COVID-19. of the tourism ministry.” “We request people to avoid traveling For people, who travel individually and during Noruz holidays for the sake of their outside of the tours, a reservation for an own health… It will be forbidden to travel authorized accommodation center will be to red and orange towns and cities,” he said. necessary, the official added. He also em- “No one should make any plans to travel phasized that all travelers and tourists need to these cities,” he stressed. to follow strict health protocols during their The president said the tolerance of the trips and stays. country’s health system “has a limit,” urging With less than a month to go till the start the public to cooperate when it comes to of the Iranian New Year, which has long been observing health protocols. associated with millions of domestic travels, Late in February, the tourism minister, the ministry wants to find a way to partially Ali-Asghar Mounesan, said despite all the for the revival of the tourism industry and ministry has gained official permission for revive the already-slumped travels in the obstacles and issues and the outbreak of the handicrafts, which have been severely affect- organizing limited intercity travels during the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted. coronavirus, the country’s tourism sector is ed by the coronavirus pandemic in many Iran New Year vacations from the National Iranians traditionally make hundreds still alive and dynamic. provinces, the minister explained. Headquarters for Coronavirus Control. of thousands of domestic trips during the Noruz ceremonies and trips, if practiced His deputy for tourism, Vali Teymouri, Well-planned travels during the Noruz New Year holidays, when most businesses The cultural connections, traditions, black tents of the Ira- under health protocols, could be beneficial in February announced that the tourism holidays, which will start on March 20, would and workplaces are closed, as are schools. nian tribes living throughout Iran have been demonstrated and simulated in the park by prominent architects and cultural heritage experts, Fereydoun Mohammadi said. Furthermore, the park features an exemplar collection of various ethnic groups living in different parts of the country, Photo exhibit features ancient Iranian windmills the official added. HERITAGE TEHRAN – A photo exhibition, featuring with nature and transform environmental obstacles into A budget of four trillion rials ($95 million at the official deskarrays of ancient Iranian windmills, is opportunities, managed to invent it,” according to UNE- exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) has been allocated currently underway at Khorasan Great Museum, which is SCO website. to the preparation of the park, which has been carried out located in the holy city of Mashhad, northeast of the country. Currently, avid visitors and researchers can examine the in collaboration with Karaj Municipality for three years, he A total of 50 photos selected from the works of 48 pho- subtle yet simple mechanism in person as several windmills explained. tographers have been put on show at the eight-day exhibi- have been restored and brought back to life to testify how Alborz province is surrounded by Mazandaran, Tehran, tion, which will be running through March 10. The photos ancient Iranians harnessed the wind to make a living. Markazi, and Qazvin provinces. Its name is driven by the Alborz depict windmills scarred across Nashtifan of Khaf county Made of natural clay, straw, and wood, each of the wind- Mountains. A significant part of the mountains is located in in Khorasan Razavi province. mills of Nashtifan is comprised of eight chambers, with each the north part of the province. The Islamic Republic seeks to inscribe a chain of its chamber housing six blades. As the area’s strong, steady Historical resources and documents as well as archeological ancient vertical-axis on the UNESCO World Heritage list. wind enters the chambers it turns the blades, which then studies indicate that Alborz has a rich culture dating back to The windmills, which are locally known as “Asbads” can be turn grindstones. The structures reach up to about 65 feet prehistoric times. found in Sistan-Baluchestan, South Khorasan, and Khorasan in height. Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous major Razavi provinces, southeast, south, and northeast of the The region is so well known for its wind that the name civilizations, embracing settlements dating back to 4000 BC. country, respectively. Nashtifan is derived from words that mean “storm’s sting.” It also hosts some of the world’s oldest cultural monuments Asbad used to be a smart technique to grind grains. It also With the ample winds, the devices can readily glean enough produce much more power. including bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, bears testimony to the human being’s adaption with nature power from the wind to turn a stone. If they were hooked up “The earliest known references to windmills are to a madrasas, gardens, rich natural, rural landscapes as well as by transforming environmental obstacles into opportunities. to a generator they would produce only a small amount of Persian millwright in 644 CE and windmills in Seistan [Sis- 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites. “Asbad is a smart technique to grind grains, a technique electricity, possibly not even enough for a lightbulb. Today’s tan], Iran, in 915 CE,” the Encyclopedia Britannica says. In The name of Iran, formerly known as Persia, mostly con- which goes back to ancient times when the people living in power-harvesting turbines have more efficient designs that 2002 the windmills were recognized as a national heritage jures up the first Persian Empire, ruled by the Achaemenids the eastern parts of Iran, in an attempt to adapt themselves take advantage of lift to attain higher speeds, and therefore site by Iran. (550 – 330 BC) and sites such as Pasargadae and Persepolis. However, there are tens of prehistorical sites as the Burnt City in Sistan-Baluchestan, Tepe Sialk in Kashan, Susa and Chogha Zanbil in the Khuzestan province, and Ecbatana in Hamedan which predate the Achaemenid period. Mudbrick caravanserai one step closer to become national heritage From a wider point of view, Iranian history can be divided HERITAGE TEHRAN – The ruined and religious sites, including the Jameh Caravansery (or caravansary) is a com- into Pre-Islamic and Islamic eras. The Medes unified Iran as a deskKhosroshah Caravanse- Mosque of Tabriz and Arg of Tabriz, and pound word combining “caravan” with “sara”. nation and empire in 625 BC. The Islamic conquest of Persia rai, a Safavid-era (1501–1736) roadside inn UNESCO-registered Tabriz Historic Bazaar The first stand for a group of travelers and sara (633–656) that put an end to the mighty Sassanid Empire located near Tabriz, northwestern Iran, will Complex to name a few. The city became means the building. They often had massive (224–651) was a turning point in the history of the nation. soon be assessed to possibly be added to the capital of the Mongol Il-Khan Mahmud portals supported by elevated load-bearing the national cultural heritage list in order Gazan (1295–1304) and his successor. Timur walls. Guest rooms were constructed around to receive more care and protection. (Tamerlane), a Turkic conqueror, took it in the courtyard and stables behind them with Lion and rhino fossils The caravanserai is believed to be one 1392. Some decades later the Kara Koyunlu doors in the corners of the yard. of the 999 caravanserais, which were built Turkmen made it their capital, it was when Iran’s earliest caravanserais were built discovered in Neanderthal across the country by the order of the re- the famous Blue Mosque was built in Tabriz. during the Achaemenid era (550 -330 cave western Iran nowned Safavid monarch; Shah Abbas the The city retained its administrative sta- BC). Centuries later, when Shah Abbas I Great (r. 1588 – 1629). tus under the Safavid dynasty until 1548, assumed power from 1588 – to 1629, he 1 Excavations revealed a sedimentary sequence that was The historical structure has been doc- when Shah Tahmasp I relocated his capital ordered the construction of network car- not disturbed by looters, and the remains of rodents and small umented and a dossier for which has been gion are also planned to be added to the westward to Qazvin. During the next two avanserais across the country. For many vertebrates were found, he said. He stressed that a more detailed prepared to be submitted to the tourism National Intangible Cultural Heritage list centuries, Tabriz changed hands several travelers to Iran, staying in or even visit- analysis of these remains could provide important information ministry with the aim of better preservation in near future, the official added. times between Persia and Ottoman Em- ing a centuries-old caravanserai, can be a about the environmental conditions around the cave in the Late and maintenance, Tabriz’s tourism chief, Soaked in history and culture for mil- pire. During World War I, the city was wide experience; they have an opportunity Pleistocene. Ramin Asbaqim, announced on Saturday. lennia, Tabriz, which is the capital of East temporarily occupied by Turkish and then to feel the past, a time travel back into a Some other cultural elements of the re- Azarbaijan, embraces several historical Soviet troops. forgotten age! Pigeon tower in central Iran undergoes urgent restoration HERITAGE TEHRAN — A three-story pigeon tower, of the region. The guano was also used in the manufac- deskwhere droppings were once collected as ture of gunpowder. fertilizer centuries ago, has undergone some rehabilitation Pigeon towers are of considerable size, often 10.5-12 works in Tondaran village of Isfahan province. m high, of sturdy construction and fine proportions. A budget of 300 million rials (about $7,100 at the of- The pigeon houses are usually built of mud-brick. Un- ficial exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) has been believably varied, often decorated by ornate cupolas and allocated to the project, which aims at strengthening the muqarnas friezes, they are so charming that it is well historical structure as well as preventing its destruction, worth going even great distances to see them. Hossein Mazaheri, a local tourism official, has announced Although there are never two identical pigeon towers, on Saturday. all conform to a single plan. Each tower consists of an out- With an area of 150 square meters, the 200-year-old er drum, buttressed internally to prevent collapse and to monument has been inscribed on the national cultural support the inner drum that rises perhaps a third as high heritage list, he added. as the main structure. Isfahan is famed for having a rich heritage of pigeon Pigeons can get to their nets through some passages towers, where the droppings could be collected and used which are such narrow that is impossible to other birds He added that one of the most important achievements of this as fertilizer. There are still many ruined or well-preserved such as eagles or falcons to enter. At the bottoms, there are research is the discovery of stone tools made by Neanderthals, “luxury” accommodation buildings across the province, tioned pigeon houses. some smooth parts of stucco works. These parts can avoid which shows that this cave was not just a den used by carnivores which are specially designed and constructed for pigeons The environs of Isfahan are dotted with bizarre but snakes to ascend. In some cases, they put a bowl of milk at such as hyenas, lions, wolves, and leopards. and can hold as many as 14,000 pigeons. very picturesque pigeon towers. In contrast to a Euro- the center with limes around it. As snakes like milk, they These finds will help us to understand how Neanderthals It is not clear when such pigeon houses were built first pean dovecot, which often housed pigeons to be used try to get it but will be stuck in the lime. used this narrow, deep, and dark cave and the possibility that but according to the comments by ancient travelers, at least as meat, in Iran, the pigeons were never eaten. Here Nowadays, due to the wide usage of chemical fertilizers, the Neanderthal child tooth found in the cave years ago, could they have been existed since some 800 years ago. For the pigeon towers were used as guano factories to produce such pigeon towers just convey memories of the past as be remains of a Middle Paleolithic burial in the cave. first time, “Ibn Battuta” the famous Moroccan traveler men- fertilizers for the melons that have always been the pride significant but strange buildings. He also added that Neolithic potteries were found for the first time in the cave, indicating that nomadic herders who used the pastures of Qaziwand Mountain to graze their herds may have used the cave as a temporary shelter or even animal pen. Iran seeking UNESCO tag for exquisite mountain lake In conclusion, Biglari referred to the results of archaeological surveys, during which several caves and shelters and a stone TOURISM TEHRAN – Iran is pre- southern wall of Oshtorankuh range in a flanks and takes four hours. tool workshop were identified in the vicinity of Wezmeh Cave. deskparing a comprehensive protected nature reserve. It is made up of Even if one doesn’t hike, great views justify He expressed the hope that with the completion of laboratory dossier for Lake Gahar to be submitted to two smaller lakes that are situated within the car journey as far as Darb-e-Astaneh, a analysis, the results of these new studies will be presented in the United Nations Educational, Scientific 100 meters of each other named the Upper mud-house village 18km from Dorud. academic journals. and Cultural Organization in near future, Gahar and the Lower Gahar in Lorestan The lake is among the best sample of Wezmeh is well-known for the discovery of a large number of ISNA reported Saturday. province. lakes that has been appeared due to the animal fossils, a Neanderthal premolar tooth, as well as human Encircled by snowcapped mountains, There is no motorway to the lake and landslide. It is fed from rills and springs bones, pottery, and stone tools of early herders of the Chalcolith- exquisite alpine lake is a bustling tourist the best-recommended way to get there is flowing from adjoining highlands. The cli- ic period. The Neanderthal tooth shows that this early human resort in western Iran that attracts many to climb. Beginning at the ranger hut and mate is generally sub-humid continental inhabited the area around the cave between about 70,000 and sightseers and environment buffs every year. car park at Haft Cheshmeh, 23km from with winter precipitation, a lot of which 40,000 years ago. The property is nestled under the Dorud, the walk-in skirts of the mountain falls as snow. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 7, 2021 SOCIETY 7

Unique trees of Iran: important Fake negative tests of Iraqis spreading mutant COVID-19 in Iran

SOCIETY TEHRAN – Fake negative COVID-19 test plant genetic resources deskcertificates of Iraqi passengers is the major 1 Harzevil cypress tree Juniper is a very valuable and long-lasting cause of UK variant spread in Iran, Masoud Mardani, member Harzevil old tree is 30 meters long, with species that grows in mountainous and high of the scientific committee of the National Headquarters for a trunk diameter of 4 meters, estimated to areas and has a special place in the legends Coronavirus Control has said. be more than 1,000 years old. It is vertically and myths of Iranian people. Many Iraqi passengers circumvented travel checks with a fake branched at the base, forming a massive It has long been a symbol of immortal- test certificate, and caused the mutated virus to widely spread in canopy - which easily hid a band of mu- ity in Iranian culture and it can be seen in Khuzestan province, which unfortunately turned into a crisis, sicians as they surprised a 19th century historical Iranian miniatures. he said, IRNA reported on Saturday. Shah with their tunes after he stopped for Evergreen skyscraper in forest Khuzestan is in a dangerous situation with 11 high-risk “red” a pause during a journey. Sarv Kalani is the name of an old tree that cities and 8 medium-risk “orange” cities. This tree has a special value and is located in Kalani village, 28 km east of More than 300 Iraqi nationals cross Chazzabeh and Shalam- popularity for the people of that area, Kazerun in Fars province. The height of the cheh borders on a daily basis, he said, adding that the issue has the value of this cypress is so great that cypress tree is about 55 meters, which looks contributed to a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. Naser Khousro Ghobadiani mentioned like a skyscraper in the middle of the forest. So that Iran has closed five crossing points with Iraq to prevent it in his travelogue. The cypress is estimated to age 500 to the spread of the UK variant of coronavirus. Cypress in Iran is used with frequent 1000 years. On February 13, President Hassan Rouhani emphasized the symbolic references with popularity sec- Sycamore, God’s greatness necessity for people to follow health protocols, as a new wave ond to none. In poetry and literature, the The sycamore tree of Tuyserkan city of coronavirus may hit the country within the next two months. beloved one’s poise, lithe body, and motion in Hamedan province is over 2000 years He called on the people to observe the hygiene principles, are likened to a cypress. Elsewhere, the old and is located in the courtyard of a insisting that anyone who enters the country should undergo the tree stands as the symbol of uprightness, mosque and a neighborhood called Bagh- COVID-19 test. “We should all join hands to prevent the fourth resistance, and freedom. var. Its height is 25 meters with a width wave of the outbreak,” he asserted. Ancient juniper of 15 meters. Alireza Reisi, a spokesman for the National Headquarters for The oldest juniper tree, aging between In the past, the people of Tuyserkan Coronavirus Control, said a week earlier that the new coronavirus 2,700 to 3,000 years old, stands in Shirvan respected this tree, considering it as a sign strain claimed 20 lives in Iran. city in North Khorasan province, which of God’s greatness. So that, the mainte- New cases and mortalities has a long and sturdy trunk that is divided nance of this tree is very important for In a press briefing on Sunday, Health Ministry’s spokesper- into three trunks. the people of this region. son Sima-Sadat Lari confirmed 8,212 new cases of COVID-19 infection, raising the total number of infections to 1,681,682. She added that 1,435,357 patients have so far recovered, but 3,784 remain in critical conditions of the disease. During the past 24 hours, 82 patients have lost their lives, Charity foundation opens 100 eco-schools, bringing the total number of deaths to 60,594, she added. So far, 11,212,921 COVID-19 diagnostic tests have been per- 350 mosques formed in the country. Lari noted that currently, 11 cities are at high-risk “red” zones, 1 Headquarters for Executing the Order of the ner women, developing infrastructures such as water 32 cities in medium-risk “orange” zones, 251 cities in low-risk Imam was founded in 1989. In the Iranian calendar supply and power grids, building roads, constructing “yellow” zones. year, 1386 (March 2017-March 2018) Barekat Charity schools and increasing educational spaces, promoting Foundation- the social arm of the organization- with the health for all, granting non-repayable loans and insur- aim of promoting social justice was established. ance especially in less developed areas and regions most Socio-economic empowerment of communities by affected by 1980s war and natural disasters are of the Global emissions cuts must encouraging entrepreneurship prioritizing breadwin- priorities of the charity foundation. be ‘10 times higher’ for world to meet climate goals World wastes nearly a billion tons of food a year, finds UN report Global emissions cuts pre-Covid were just one tenth of the level needed to meet the world’s climate goals, a new analysis finds. If global food waste were a country it environment. food waste in the home around the world. The research assesses the efforts that countries have taken would be the third biggest polluter after “If we’re wasting food then we’re We need funding for that so I am calling to slash their emissions since the 2015 Paris Agreement, the the US and China, according to cam- throwing away all of the energy that on governments, on businesses, on in- global deal aimed at keeping global temperatures below 2C above paigners, who are urging governments went into making it, all of the carbon ternational organisations, to invest in pre-industrial levels. around the world to do more to tackle that has been produced,” he said. “And tackling food waste in the home. It finds that, from 2016 to 2019, 64 countries reduced their the problem after a UN-backed report all of that diversity loss was for nothing. “If they do that, they will be helping emissions, while 150 countries continued to increase their rates found nearly a billion tons of food is being “We’re talking about 10 per cent of us reach net zero. Without reducing food of greenhouse gas pollution. thrown away each year. global greenhouse gas emissions. That is waste we won’t reach it.” But even among the 64 countries that slashed their emissions, Around a fifth (17 per cent) of all the a big number, so big, in fact, that if food Some 690 million people were affect- the scale of action was just a small fraction of what is required to food produced worldwide was thrown waste were a country, it would have the ed by hunger in 2019, a number that is meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, according to the results. away in 2019, amounting to an estimated biggest greenhouse gas emissions in the expected to rise sharply with the Covid Prof Corinne Le Quéré, a climate scientist at the University 931 million tons. “That can be tackled by simple things world after the US and China. Around six pandemic, and three billion people are of East Anglia and lead author of the study, told The Inde- That weight roughly equals that 23 mil- like making a list or just looking in the times more than global aviation emis- unable to afford a healthy diet. pendent: “If you only look at the countries where emissions lion fully-loaded 40-ton trucks, enough fridge before going shopping.” sions. So it just has a massive impact on Campaigners say reducing the amount decreased, you find the reductions are 10 times smaller than bumper-to-bumper to circle the Earth Around 70 per cent of all the food climate change.” of food that is thrown away would not only the cuts that we need to see in the next decade and beyond to seven times. wasted is linked to households, with 16 per The report – the most comprehen- reduce the environmental impact but go tackle climate change.” Researchers said the combined im- cent coming from manufacturing, 11 per sive food waste data collection, analysis some way to addressing food poverty. The research finds that, from 2016 to 2019, these 64 coun- pact of producing just the food that is cent from restaurants, pubs and hotels, and modelling to date – looks at food Inger Andersen, executive director tries reduced their emissions by around 0.16bn tonnes of CO2 thrown away, from the fertilisers to the and just 3 per cent from supermarkets. waste from retail outlets, restaurants and of UNEP, said: “Reducing food waste per year, on average, when compared to levels in 2011 to 2015. diesel powering the tractors, accounted On an individual level, that amounts homes, counting both food and inedible would cut greenhouse gas emissions, But for the highest chance of meeting the Paris goals, global for around 10 per cent of global green- to 120kg of food thrown away by every parts like bones and shells. slow the destruction of nature through emissions need to fall by around 1-2bn tonnes of CO2 per year house gas emissions. person on the planet each year. General thinking until now had been land conversion and pollution, enhance throughout the 2020s and beyond, the scientists said. Those figures, included in the Food “It’s not about blaming people for it,” that more developed countries were to the availability of food and thus reduce The results come from the Global Carbon Project, a group of Waste Index Report 2021 produced by Mr Gover told The Independent. “It’s blame for the most food waste among hunger and save money at a time of global climate scientists who have been tracking global emissions for two the United Nations Environment Pro- about helping people to know what they individual households. But researchers recession. decades, and are published in the journal Nature Climate Change. gramme (UNEP) and charity Wrap, can do about it. found in nearly every country food waste “If we want to get serious about tack- The group of scientists also studied the impact of the Covid come amid global efforts to halve food “Producing food is one of the most was substantial, regardless of income level. ling climate change, nature and biodi- pandemic on global emissions. waste by 2030. impactful things we do in terms of the Mr Gover said the UK was “leading versity loss, and pollution and waste, The findings show that global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels “A person going shopping today is environment. Agriculture accounts for the world” on the issue, having reduced businesses, governments and citizens fell by around 2.6bn tonnes from 2019 to 2020 – an unprece- likely to throw away around a fifth of 70 per cent of the world’s freshwater use food waste by 27 per cent since 2007. around the world have to do their part dented annual decline driven largely by lockdowns put in place the items in their trolley,” said Marcus and is linked to 30 per cent of the total “Nowhere else in the world has done to reduce food waste. to stop the spread of the virus. Gover, CEO of Wrap, which this week greenhouse gas emissions and 80 per anything like that,” he said. “The UK is The UN Food Systems Summit this This drop will cause global fossil fuel emissions to fall by almost launched the UK’s first ever Food Waste cent of global biodiversity loss.” half way on its journey to halving edible year will provide an opportunity to launch 7 per cent from 2019 to 2020, according to results. Action Week, aimed at highlighting the Mr Gover said throwing away edi- food waste by 2030. bold new actions to tackle food waste The decline in global emissions during lockdowns in 2020 impact of wasted food. ble food had a “massive” impact on the “But we need more action to tackle globally.” mostly stemmed from there being fewer cars on the road, and, to a lesser extent, from slowdowns in industries such as manu- facturing and metal production, the researchers said. However, the dip in emissions in 2020 is unlikely to persist ENGLISH IN USE as the world emerges from the pandemic, they warned. LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION LET’S LEARN PERSIAN (Part 140) (Source: saadifoundation.ir)

تاکیــد رئیــس شــورای شــهر تهــران بــر افزایش Non-repayable loans for e-bikes must وام بالعــوض خریــد موتورســیکل تهای برقی increase: Tehran City Council chairman محســن هاشــمی رئیــس شــورای شــهر تهــران بــا اشــاره بــه اینکــه یکــی از -While an important strategy to contain Tehran’s air pol راههــای کاهــش آلودگــی هــوای تهــران اســتفاده از انرژیهــای پــاک اســت، -lution is using clean energies, non-repayable loans to in گفــت: رقمــی کــه بــه عنــوان وام بالعــوض خریــد موتورســیکلت برقــی بــرای centivize the owners to replace their motorcycles with تشــویق دارنــدگان متورســیکلت پرداخــت شــده اســت، پاســخگوی ایــن شــرایط electric ones is not sufficient and must increase, Mohsen نیســت و ایــن رقــم بایــد افزایــش یابــد. .Hashemi, Tehran City Council chairman, has said وی تصریــح کــرد: جایگزینــی کــردن موتور ســیکلتهای برقــی بــه جــای The scheme on encouraging the citizens to replace carbureted motorcycles with electric ones has started over a few years موتورسـ ـیکلتهای کاربراتــوری از چنــد ســال پیــش آغــاز شــده اســت امــا ایــن کار بــا ago, however, the process has been evolving slowly, he said, کنــدی پیــش رفتــه اســت و امیدواریــم در ســال آینــده بــا تخصیــص اعتبــارات الزم و adding, we hope to increase the use of electric motorbikes حمایــت از تولیدکننــدگان، میــزان اســتفاده از موتورسـ ـیکلتهای برقــی افزایــش یابــد. by allocating the necessary funds along with supporting بــه گــزارش روز شــنبه خبرگــزاری تســنیم هاشــمی بــا اشــاره بــه میزان تســهیالتی .(the manufacturers next year (March 2019-March 2020 کــه تــا بــه امــروز بهعنــوان وام بالعــوض بــرای خریــد موتورســیکلت برقــی در نظــر The handouts supporting the residents to purchase the گرفتــه شــده اســت، یــادآور شــد: بــا توجــه بــه افزایــش قیمت خریــد موتورســیکلت ,(motorbikes has been about 25 million rials (nearly $600 برقــی، رقــم 2 میلیــون و 500 هــزار تومــان رقــم قابــل قبولــی بهعنــوان وام بالعوض which is not adequate anymore given the current economic نیســت و بایــد ایــن رقــم افــزاش یابد. .condition, he stated, Tasnim reported on Saturday Prayer Times Noon:12:15 Evening: 18:02 Dawn: 5:23 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:25 (tomorrow) MARCH 7, 2021 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh 17 Iranian books picked for Biennial Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 of Illustrations Bratislava 2021 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 ARTTEHRAN – Seven- Matak’s other book “Is a Friend bet- deskteen books by Iranian ter or a Cookie” has also been picked illustrators have been selected for the for the BIB. Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava “Tell the Rhinoceros to Go Away” and (BIB), which will be held in the capi- “King and the Moon”, both illustrated No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran tal of Slovakia from October 15, 2021 by Pedram Kazeruni, are also among P.o. Box: 14155-4843 to January 9, 2022. the books. Zip Code: 1599814713 A jury composed of Fashid Mesqali, Also included are “Birds and the Sahar Tarhandeh, Alireza Golduzian, Ka- Sky” by Mohammad-Ali Bani-Asadi, mal Tabatabai and Ali Buzari has picked “So Far” by Nushin Sadeqian, “Draw a the Iranian entries to the exhibition, the Man” by Mitra Abdollahi, “Am I Sleep- Institute for Intellectual Development ing or Awake?” by Samaneh Salavati, of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA) “The World Is Mine” by Haleh Qorbani, announced on Saturday. “The Rabbits of the Spring of the Moon” A highlight of the collection is “You by Amir Shabanipur, “The Seven Ad- Are an Explorer” (also translated as “We ventures of Rustam” by Atieh Markazi, Are Explorers”) by Ghazal Fathollahi. “Aunt Beetle” and “Mother” by Hoda GUIDE TO The book written by Shahrzad Shahr- Haddadi, and “Simorgh” by Mohammad SPIRITUAL AWAKENING jerdi has also been published by La Male- Bar-Rangi. ta, a publisher in the autonomous com- “Valentin de Toutes les Couleurs” by munity of Asturias in northwest Spain. Reza Dalvand published by the French There is reward for kindness to every living thing. The book shows fraternity, imagina- publisher Des Elephants and “La Piccola Prophet Muhammad (S) tion, collaboration and self-improve- Pittrice” by Feresteh Najafi published by ment against the pain of war. This book, A combination photo shows the front covers of some books by Iranian illustrators selected the Brazilian publisher Coccole Books through the love between two brothers for the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava. are also among the Iranian entries to and their imagination, leads us to reflect the BIB. on the hardships suffered by some people their skills of observation and prob- There is no trace of the doll. Until… Earlier in January, the IIDCYA in Tombak virtuoso Pezhham as a result of conflicts in their countries lem-solving. Mohammad-Hossein Matak’s ac- collaboration with the Iranian Asso- of origin that force them to leave their The book tells the story of Papa, who claimed book “Machucheh and Crow” ciation of Children’s Book Illustrators Akhavass to join international homes in search of something better. has made a doll; one that is different has also been selected. and the Children’s Book Council of Iran “Lili, Where Are You?” written and from all his previous creations. The doll, In 2020, he was selected as one of selected Zahra Amini for the BIB-UN- musicians on U.S. tour illustrated by Taravat Jalali is another however, suddenly goes missing. Papa the 12 winners of the Illustrators of the ESCO Workshop of Albín Brunovský, major book of the collection. The book looks everywhere for her; from the bar- Future Contest in the U.S. city of Los which is organized on the sidelines of ARTTEHRAN – Iranian tombak virtuoso Pezhham aims to help children cope with loss bershop and the shoemaker’s store to Angeles for his illustrations for the book the biennial for young illustrators from deskAkhavass, who is also skilful in other percussion and loneliness, as well as strengthen the flower shop and the ice cream shop. written by Afsaneh Shaban-nejad. developing countries. instruments, will join two international masters of percussion on a U.S. tour beginning in April. Akhavass together with the master of Indian Tabla, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and Uzbek doyra virtuoso Abbos Kosimov will be giving live streaming concerts in several U.S. states running Ukrainian envoy invites Iranian troupe to perform “Holodomor” in Kiev from April 8 to 18. CULTURE TEHRAN – Serhii Burdyliak, Ukraine’s very complicated and sensitive, and that he spent two The three musicians combine the music cultures of India, desk Iran and Uzbekistan through their performances. Each musician ambassador to Iran, has invited Iran’s years collecting information on writing the play. performs one piece and together they will perform several other Seganeh Troupe to perform their play “Holodomor” in Safari also said that the visit to Ukraine will help them compositions. the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. to feel the events more strongly, and added, “We have also Burdyliak and a number of his colleagues were at Teh- been through the war and are well aware of the bitter con- ran’s Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater on Friday to watch a sequences of the war. I am sure after the visit to Ukraine, performance of the play, which recapitulates the Holodo- we can give a better and much stronger performance.” mor, a famine planned by Joseph Stalin in Soviet Ukraine Director Hajizeinal also said that the troupe is composed from 1932 to 1933 that killed millions of Ukrainians. of young actors who have collaborated in the project will Raha Hajizeinal is the director of the play written by all their passion. Ali Safari. This play is the final part of a trilogy, which has been Burdyliak said that he would like to host the troupe produced by Safari and Hajizeinal about World War II. in his country and help stage the play in capital Kiev if “Women’s Auschwitz” and “Berlin 10:10” were other parts the Coronavirus restrictions permit, a public relations of the set, which were performed in 2019 and 2020. team of the Seganeh Troupe announced in a press release The word Holodomor literally translated from Ukrainian Ukrainian Ambassador Serhii Burdyliak and his colleagues on Saturday. means “killing by starvation”. The term Holodomor em- pose for a photo with the Seganeh Troupe after the perfor- This image features tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain performing He added that he wants the troupe to gain more in- phasizes the famine’s man-made and intentional aspects mance of “Holodomor” at Tehran’s Neauphle-le-Chateau alongside percussionists Abbos Kosimov (R) and Pezhham Akha- formation about the Holodomor, especially the writer such as rejection of outside aid, confiscation of all house- Theater on March 5, 2021. vass at the Bing Concert Hall in Stanford in November 2020. and director, and to have the opportunity to visit the hold foodstuffs and restriction of population movement. Some scholars believe that the famine was planned Born in 1980, Akhavass earned a bachelor’s degree in music from National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide in Kiev As part of the wider Soviet famine of 1932–33, which by Joseph Stalin to eliminate a Ukrainian independence Sureh University in Tehran in 2005, a second bachelor’s degree in where they can gain more information and give a much affected the major grain-producing areas of the country, movement. world music from the San Francisco State University in 2016, and stronger performance in Kiev. millions of inhabitants of Ukraine, the majority of whom A cast composed of Sarina Azad-Milani, Farshad Ayyu- a master’s in music history in 2019. The ambassador also said that he will write a letter were ethnic Ukrainians, died of starvation in a peacetime bi, Mohammad Pasandideh, Tima Taqizadeh, Farzaneh From 2001 to 2007, he performed professionally with the renowned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to provide catastrophe unprecedented in history of Ukraine. Seiri, Ahu Shafiei, Milad Salehvand, Mehdi Abbasi, Nika vocalist Shahram Nazeri during several international festivals and the facilities for the troupe to visit Ukraine for their per- Since 2006, the Holodomor has been recognized Qasemi, Atefeh Musavi and Alireza Valipur perform the concerts across the world. formances. by Ukraine and 15 other countries as a genocide of the play, which will remain on stage until March 12. He has performed in Iran, Europe, United States, Australia and Writer Safari said that writing about Holodomor is Ukrainian people carried out by the Soviet government. in numerous festivals, including the Festival del Popolo in Italy, Theatre de la Ville and Theatre du Soleil in Paris, Fes Festival in Morocco and Sodran Theatre in Sweden. In 2009, he performed in Konya, Turkey, as part of the Mystic Iran displays latest offerings at New Delhi World Book Fair Music Festival. He later became a music director of the San Francisco World Music Festival for Iran. CULTURE TEHRAN – The Iran Sepahi won the award. of Claude Bouchard’s “Claude Bouchard’s Amid the pandemic in November 2020, Akhavass was invited deskBook and Literature In the Literature category, “Mid-Day “Molecular and Cellular Regulation of to join and record with Ustad Zakir Hussain and Abbos Kosimov at House is taking part in the New Delhi Incantations” by Mansur Alimoradi was Adaptation to Exercise” translated into the Bing Concert Hall as part of the Stanford Live Stream Project. World Book Fair, which opened Saturday. selected as best novel, and the award for Persian by Abbas-Ali Gaini, Javad Tol- He has performed with some of the masters in Persian music, Iran is attending the event, which best Literary Criticism went to “History of ueiazar and Mohammad Hemmatinafar. including Hossein Alizadeh, Ali-Akbar Moradi, Saeid Farajpuri, is organized virtually for the first time the Body in Literature” by Seyyed Mehdi Winners of the Jalal Al-e Ahmad Liter- Hossein Omumi and Masud Shoari. due to the pandemic, with 70 different Zarqani and colleagues. ary Awards were Fazlollah Saberi’s book award-wining titles, including winners of The award for best Translation was “Frequency 1160” and Tayyebeh Pazuki’s Iran’s Book of the Year Awards, and win- shared by Maria Nikolajeva’s “Aesthet- “Gem of Patience” which shared the award “The Recess” star Mojan ners of Jalal Al-e Ahmad Literary Awards ic Approaches to Children’s Literature: in the documentation category. and a selection of books at the first virtual An Introduction” translated into Persian The Iran Book and Literature House Kordi receives nomination at edition of the Tehran Book Fair. by Mehdi Hejvani and Fatemeh Zamani, has also introduced the best books of Living Skies festival A Persian translation of Angelos A view of the New Delhi World Book Fair and “An Introduction to Contemporary children and young adults as well as the Koutsourakis’ “The Cinema of Theo An- in 2020. (Express/Prerna Mittra) American Poetry” by Kamran Ahmadgoli top children book writers, in addition to ARTTEHRAN – Mojan Kordi, the star of the short gelopoulos” by Vahid Ruzbehani is one by Mohsen Bairamnejad and Ben Long’s and Bahdor Baqeri. books on Iranian studies. deskdrama “The Recess” directed by Navid Nik- the books, which won the award for best “Complete Digital Photography” translated “Epic of Musayyebnameh” written by A number of online meetings have also khah-Azad, has been nominated for the best performance award book on dramatic art issues at the 38th into Persian by Dariush Esmaeili shared Mohammad-Baqai Vars Bukhari and Abu been organized on the side section. at the 33rd Living Skies Student Film Festival in Canada. Iran’s Book of the Year Awards. the award for best book on photography. Taher Tarsusi, and translated and cor- The 29th New Delhi World Book Fair She received the nomination for the portrayal of Sahar, a rebel “Myth of Rasta” by Farshad In the Visual Arts section, “Kubacheh rected by Milad Jafarpur won the award will be running until March 9. The fair who decides to run away from school, disguise herself and go to a Fereshteh-Hekmat was selected in the Pottery” by Firuz Mahjur and Erwin Panof- for best old text. has been organized by the National Book football game. best play section. Lucy Soutter’s “Why sky’s “Perspective as Symbolic Form” In the Physical Education section, the Trust in association with the International Art Photography?” translated into Persian translated into Persian by Mohammad award was given to the Persian translation Trade Organization of India.

“The Tempest” to hit Tehran theater with modern look CULTURE TEHRAN – Iranian director Mostafa sea during a tempest, the rest of the story of the play deskKushki plans to stage William is set on a remote island, where the sorcerer Prospero, Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” with a modern view on a complex and contradictory character, lives with his the tragicomedy in Tehran. daughter Miranda, and his two servants, Caliban, a savage “We have been working on the play over the past monster figure, and Ariel, an airy spirit. Mojan Kordi acts in a scene from the short drama “The Recess” year and a half as Baqer Sorush is working to rewrite The play contains music and songs that evoke the directed by Navid Nikkhah-Azad. and prepare the play and we are rehearsing to reach spirit of enchantment on the island. It explores many The short film festival is organized every year in Regina, Sas- the ideal performing concept,” Kushki told the Persian themes, including magic, betrayal, revenge and family. katchewan, showcasing student work from all over the world. service of Honaronline on Saturday. The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 forced Kushki to Other nominees in the best performance category are Breeann He said that “The Tempest” is a challenging play for shut down his Tehran Independent Theater company. DeHaven for her role in “Fine” by Lynette Piper from the University his troupe and added, “Some plays are really plain and However, his troupe has continued its activities. of Regina, Rosa Iranzo for her role in “Pleasure of Killing Bugs” by you can deal with it however you want, for example, “We have worked for a long time, but we had a Leonardo Martinelli from Brazil, and Fan Ding Lun for his role in Hamlet’s arrangements are clear for everybody, but ‘The permanent place for just five years. We have temporarily “Father’s Phone” by Yi Chia Fu from Taiwan. Tempest’ is not so.” lost the place, however, we have never stopped our The animated movie “Thinker” by Iranian director Mahdieh He noted that his personal preference is to stage productions,” he said. Raisi was also screened at the festival, however, it failed to receive challenging plays and said that therefore, he often focuses Members of director Mostafa Kushki’s troupe perform “A “On our projects, we always use young, promising a nomination. on the plays, which have seldom been staged. Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Tehran Independent actors along with professionals. We try to introduce John Graham, a multidisciplinary artist based in Saskatoon, “The plays we consider, at a minimum, have had Theater on August 5, 2019. (IRNA/Meisam Alaqemandan) them to the serious area of acting; this has been high Canada, Chinese-Canadian documentary director Weiye Su and very few performances in the country and we like this on the agenda,” he noted. Janet Perlman, a Montréal-based independent animation director, challenge,” said Kushki whose troupe has previously Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The exact place and date for the performance will are the members of the jury. performed Shakespeare’s plays “Coriolanus” and “A After the first scene, which takes place on a ship at be announced later.