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8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13753 Sunday SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 Shahrivar 16, 1399 Muharram 17, 1442 Iran welcomes Iranian swimmer Iran Oil Show 2020 to Iranian director criticizes meeting of Asghari sets new open on Oct. 12 only producers for using Turkish Palestinian groups 3 Guinness record 3 for specialists 4 actors in native productions 8

Industry Ministry approves $850m of foreign investment in 5 months TEHRAN — The Ministry of Industry, valued at $1.2 billion were approved in Mining and Trade has approved 49 foreign the country, of which 26 percent were Iran, Russia welcome investment cases valued at about $850 mil- attracted by the industry, mining, and lion in the first five months of the current trade sectors. Iranian calendar year (March 20-August Based on the data, 83.6 percent of the 21), Donya-e-Eqtesad daily reported. ministry’s foreign investment was attracted According to the latest data released by by the industry sector, followed by trade the Industry Ministry, in the mentioned and mining with 10.2 percent and 6.2 per- IAEA report five months 60 foreign investment cases cent, respectively. 4

See page 2 Iran improves in nanotechnology articles citation TEHRAN – Iran’s ranking in nano- As a determining indicator for eval- technology articles citation in 2019 has uating the quality of articles, the 5-year significantly improved compared to 2018, average citation per article generally as it moved 26 levels higher, according to shows the share of highly-cited and the StatNano’s statistics collected from lowly-cited articles by a researcher, the WoS database. institution, or country. For example, a Based on a report Nanotechnology Pub- high value of this indicator means that lications report, Iran ranked 38 worldwide the proportion of lowly-cited articles is for the average times the nano-articles smaller in the distribution of the arti- have been cited in the Journal Citation cles of a given country; in other words, Reports in 2019, while in 2018, it was most of the articles are highly-cited or placed 64. medium-cited articles. 7

Iran counters Charlie Hebdo’s insult to Prophet Muhammad (S) with Holocaust cartoon exhibit By Manijeh Rezapoor in the service of the Zionist regime and TEHRAN – Iran’s Art Bureau plans to actually intends to meet the goals of the organize an international cartoon exhibi- Zionists, which is the main reason behind tion on the Holocaust in response to the republishing the same cartoons about the French satirical magazine Charlie Heb- Prophet of kindness Muhammad (S).” do’s republication of cartoons insulting Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday republished Prophet Muhammad (S). the cartoons to mark the start of the terrorism Speaking to the Tehran Times on Sat- trial of the people accused as accomplices in urday, Masud Shojaei-Tabatabai, the di- the attack. The magazine posted the cartoons rector of the bureau’s Visual Arts Office, online on Tuesday and they appeared in AFP said, “I believe Charlie Hebdo is totally print on Wednesday. 8

By Samaneh Aboutalebi Oil, petchem downstream industries should Protests hit U.S. cities as Portland marks Tehran Times journalist target domestic market 100th day of rallies Why studying By Ebrahim Fallahi taking serious measures to pull up the neglect- By staff & agencies Demonstrations against racism and police in Iran TEHRAN – As one the world’s top hydrocar- ed downstream industries to catch up with the Portland Police made multiple arrests over- brutality have swept the United States since the bon-rich countries, Iran has managed to develop upstream sector. night Friday as the Oregon city nears 100 days death in May of George Floyd, a 46-year-old lthough the coronavirus its oil, gas, and petrochemical industries to a The country has been implementing several of demonstrations against racism and police Black man who died after a Minneapolis police pandemic has brought the significantly high level so that despite all the macro-scale programs in this regard, and espe- brutality, which have at times turned violent. officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. world into a standstill for pressures and limitations created by the external cially in the past few years after the re-imposition “Yes, we have made multiple arrests tonight”, Portland, in particular, has seen over three A of the U.S. sanctions, drastic measures have a Portland Police spokesman told Reuters in months of daily demonstrations calling for po- more than six months now, the ac- factors like sanctions, the country now stands ademic year has begun in several among West Asia’s top producers. been taken to boost the domestic production and an emailed statement after police had declared licing and social justice reforms. These have at countries including Iran. Despite the exceptional advances in the distance the economy from too much reliance a gathering as “unlawful”. The statement did times turned into clashes between demonstra- It’s a new beginning of another creative upstream sector, the downstream industries, on oil exports. not give a specific number. tors and officers, as well as between right- and year of the school life for the students who however, have been neglected to some extent, The Secretary of the Iranian Oil, Gas, and “Officers will continue to make targeted ar- left-wing groups. are to resume their most unforgettable so that considering the capacities in various Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union (OPEX) rests of those who fail to adhere to this order. The administration of U.S. President Donald journey of life. areas and the amount of feed available, most Seyed Hamid Hosseini believes that in exploring The gathering at N Lombard St and N Campbell Trump deployed federal forces to Portland Aside from a large number of Iranian of the mentioned industries’ output has been the current situation of the country’s downstream Ave has been declared an unlawful assembly”, in July to crack down on the protests. Trump students in different educational levels, exported in the form of raw materials. sectors we should differentiate between the oil police said. signed a memo Wednesday that threatens Iran also hosts hundreds of foreign students However, over the past decade and following and gas downstream sector and the petrochemical Police shot and killed a self-declared anti-fas- to cut federal funding to “lawless” cities, in- who have a passion for Iranian language several rounds of sanctions and the considerable industry’s downstream sector. cist activist in Washington state Thursday night cluding Portland. and culture in their hearts, as studying at decline in Iran’s exports of oil and oil products, In an interview with the Tehran Times on as they moved in to arrest him on suspicion he His Democratic challenger in the Nov. 3 Iran’s universities is a dream for Persian the government has shifted its focus from the Saturday, Hosseini said” “regarding the oil and fatally shot a right-wing counter protester last presidential election, Joe Biden, has accused lovers and the main source for those who sole developing of the upstream sector and is gas sector, 4 weekend in Portland, Reuters reported. Trump of stoking violence with his rhetoric. are interested in learning this poetic lan- guage academically. Besides being a cradle of the Per- sian language, Iran also enjoys other UAE deal raises questions about manipulation of Jared Kushner by Israel Lebanese analyst advantages as well, which makes it a TEHRAN – Jared Kushner, the U.S. presi- in intense shuttle diplomacy between Israel and that it wasn’t the first flight. According to the expects Hezbollah to good choice for a student who is looking dent’s son-in-law and senior adviser, who was the Arab states. His ultimate goal is to find Arab Israeli news website, Ynet News, Israeli Prime for a place to quench their thirst for a target of manipulation for many countries, is partners for Israel and thus break its historic Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, secretly visited play a constructive Iranian culture. a “plaything” serving Israeli interests in a way isolation in the region. the UAE in 2018, where he met with Abu Dhabi Although mainstream media is not in that would destabilize the region, according to On August 31, the president’s son-in-law led, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Zayed. role in government favor of Iran, introducing Iran as a not- a former Iranian diplomat. with great fanfare, an American-Israeli delegation U.S. President Donald Trump announced on formation process a-safe place to travel to or to choose as Over the past few years, Kushner has been traveling to the UAE from Israel on the first direct August 13 that he had brokered a deal between an academic destination, real experience busy brokering normalization deals between flight operated by the Israeli airline El Al. The the UAE and Israel that would lead to full nor- By Mohammad Mazhari of students studying in Iran proves the Israel and a number of Arab countries includ- flight, touted as a “peace” initiative, was hailed as malization of relations between Abu Dhabi and TEHRAN – Ghassan Javad, a Lebanese analyst, opposite. ing the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. the first commercial flight between Israel and the Tel Aviv, a move that was hailed by Kushner as expects Hezbollah to contribute constructively in Iran is one of the world’s most dynam- After years of private talks, he is now engaged UAE, although reports in Israeli media suggested a “giant step forward.” 3 formation of a new government in Lebanon based ic and prolific centers when it comes to on “the resistance’s understanding of the Lebanese arts, architecture, and literature. Many reality and necessity of Lebanese consensus.” Iranian historical buildings show a mix- On the role of Hezbollah in the next Lebanese ture of Islamic and Persian architectural government, French President Emmanuel Macron traditions and arts. Schools has said that Hezbollah is a political group that has Iran is also home to several tourist the right to be in power. attractions, historical sites, and natural reopened under Contrary to all comments that say Hezbollah should sights, which can act as an endless re- be eliminated from the Lebanese decision-making source to history and culture students strict health process, the French think that the party has a mean- and enthusiasts. ingful social base in Lebanon. Iranians who are famous for their hos- The French push for a systematic involvement of pitality, are amazingly warm, friendly, and protocols Hezbollah in Lebanese institutions, believing that it welcoming to foreigners, which makes a TEHRAN – Over 15 million students attended will be in the interest of the country and other groups. safe and peaceful social atmosphere to The Lebanese analyst tells the Tehran Times that live and enjoy. schools nationwide on Saturday for the new school year under strict health protocols to Hezbollah will be a participant in the next govern- Food is very important to Iranians and ment and will help prepare the conditions to form protect teachers, staff, and students against as a student away from home, this is the a national unity government. last thing you need to worry about as you the coronavirus pandemic. The opening bell of the new academic year was “Of course, Hezbollah will have a constructive have an endless number of choices to enjoy role in the process of forming a new government in all types of delicious edibles. rung symbolically by President Hassan Rouhani at a girls’ high school in downtown Tehran. Lebanon, based on the resistance’s understanding Traditional Iranian foods are truly di- of the Lebanese reality and necessity of Lebanese verse, and they range from various kinds Each year, Iranian students start the school year on September 23, which marks the first consensus,” Javad points out. of stews to different types of roasted meat After naming the Lebanese prime minister Sarehdokht Soltaniyeh day of autumn on the Iranian calendar, after and kebabs to fried dishes to baked dishes on August 31, Macron said in Beirut that the to numerous soups and pottages to an a three-month summer vacation, while this year, in the light of the pandemic, the school Lebanese political groups had pledged to form a assortment of salads, desserts, sweets, IRNA/ new government headed by Mustafa Adib within year was started 18 days earlier. 7 and confectionery. 6 15 days. 5 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

UK acknowledges debt owed Rouhani: Some anti-revolutionaries to Iran

POLITICAL TEHRAN — British Defense Secretary Ben deskWallace has acknowledged for the first time want Iran to lock down that he is actively seeking to pay a debt to the Iranian government owed over a decades-old arms deal. “No country has been aiding us during the past seven months that Iran is fighting Coronavirus” The admission came in a letter seen by The Guardian. The UK is thought to owe as much as £400m to the Iranian POLITICAL TEHRAN – Now that observed about 80 percent in administrative government arising from the non-delivery of Chieftain tanks deskthe country is fighting offices and banks and this is about 70 percent ordered by the late Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi before the coronavirus pandemic some anti-rev- in private jobs. the 1979 Islamic Revolution. olutionary elements or groups want to bring ‘U.S. heartless and crueler than An international arbitration in 2008 ruled the UK owed the the country to a halt under different pretexts, what is imagined’ debt, but in subsequent protracted court battles, lawyers acting warning against entrance exams for univer- The president went on to say that during for International Military Services, the Ministry of Defense’s sities, holding Ashura rituals, starting new the past 7 months that Iran is fighting the now-defunct arms sales agency, have questioned not only the school year or reopening factories, President Coronavirus pandemic and Iran was under debt’s size, but at times whether any debt was payable. Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday. sanctions “nobody helped us.” In his letter, Wallace writes, “With regard to IMS Ltd and the “A number of anti-revolution groups, During the pandemic the U.S. even in- outstanding legal dispute the government acknowledges there by using the condition created by the Coro- troduced new sanctions on Iran. is a debt to be paid and continues to explore every legal avenue navirus, want to create a division between “The United States, which has sanctioned for the lawful discharge of that debt.” the bread and lives of people,” Rouhani us, is heartless and crueler than what is ut- Wallace, as defense secretary, is the 99% shareholder of IMS pointed out. tered,” Rouhani lamented. and so the lead decision-maker. Rouhani made the remarks as the schools “Even during the Corona time the Ameri- As a backbencher and before becoming defense secretary, opened across the country on Saturday. cans did not lift sanctions. If they had a sense Wallace had been sharply critical of the delay over the payment Speaking at the meeting of the national of humanity, if they had wisdom ‘as much of the debt, saying it was a stain on the UK. He adds in his letter: taskforce for combatting the coronavirus, as a barely’ and wanted to do something for “I have previously stated my personal position and I remain Rouhani said anti-revolutionary groups, themselves and the history of the U.S. they committed to its resolution, but it would not be appropriate for through their media outlets, created a com- would have definitely canceled the sanctions. me to comment further at this time.” motion these days claiming that experts are held across the country well,” Rouhani said. the rituals marking Ashura (the martyr- But they did not do that and instead during Iran’s Ambassador to London, Hamid Baeidinejad, had criticized adamant that schools should remain closed The president said the Health Ministry re- dom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) by the past seven month they imposed new Britain’s Defense Ministry for its delays in paying Iran’s debt. but the education minister in Iran wants to ported that over 90 percent of health protocols mourners won the praise of the president and sanctions and pressure on us.” “The legal counsel of the UK Defense Ministry subsidiary open classes “by force”. were observed during the entrance exams. interior minister. The Leader of the Islamic He added even friendly countries who company, resorts to all possible procedural tactics and lawyer- Iran held nationwide entrance exams for “Today, the Ministry of Education and Revolution also said this year’s Ashura ritual had said they would resist the U.S. sanctions ism to delay the payment of Iran’s debt,” he said in a tweet in universities from August 19-22. university also started their work.” will remain in the history of Iran. because the coronavirus pandemic did not October 2019. “Konkur (a term the French concours) was The observation of health issues during The president said health protocols are do anything. Indian defense minister visits Tehran, meets Iranian Iran, Russia welcome IAEA report counterpart POLITICAL TEHRAN – The report on Friday by Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) and the to the Vienna-based international organizations, has deskthe International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol (AP) thereto, which is provisionally said that the “spirit of cooperation” between the IAEA POLITICAL TEHRAN – Indian Defense Minister Rajnath (IAEA) about cooperation between Iran and the UN body applied by Iran since January 16, 2016. and Tehran prevailed. deskSingh left Moscow for Tehran on Saturday and has won the praise of Tehran and Moscow. “After intensive bilateral consultations, Iran and the “It’s clear from leaked #IAEA reports that #Iran has was scheduled to meet with Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami. Iran’s ambassador to the Vienna-based international IAEA reached an agreement on the resolution of the safe- started to provide access to locations specified by the “Leaving Moscow for Tehran. I shall be meeting the Defence Minister organizations says the report by the IAEA envisages a guards implementation issues specified by the IAEA, in Agency. Those who hoped to arrange a crisis around this of Iran, Brigadier General Amir Hatami,” Singh tweeted on Saturday. positive, constructive outlook in relations. good faith. In this regard, Iran is voluntarily providing issue must feel themselves very disappointed. The spirit Singh was in Moscow on a three-day visit to Russia to attend a “The report is important in two aspects,” Kazem Ghar- the IAEA with access to the two locations specified by of cooperation between the IAEA and Tehran prevailed,” meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) defense ibabadi told reporters on Friday. “In terms of shape, the the IAEA and facilitating the IAEA verification activities Ulyanov tweeted on Saturday. ministers. report discusses the developments and progress made to resolve these issues,” the statement said. The 35-member IAEA board passed a resolution in June, He also urged the Persian Gulf countries to resolve their disputes in the relation and cooperation between the Islamic Re- In its quarterly report on Friday, the IAEA announced demanding access to two old places they claim nuclear through dialogue based on mutual respect. public of Iran and the Agency in the last three months.” that Iran has granted the agency’s inspectors access to work may have been done there. “We are deeply concerned about the situation in the Persian Gulf,” Gharibabadi said the report shows that a constructive one of the two sites it agreed the previous week for ver- China and Russia opposed the resolution and seven Singh said in his address at a meeting of the SCO. interaction exists between Tehran and the UN nuclear ification purposes. countries including South Africa, Niger, Mongolia, Thai- “We call upon countries in the region - all of which are dear and watchdog to reach a mutual understanding and find a The report added that the IAEA inspected the sites land, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Pakistan and India also friendly to India, to resolve differences by dialogue based on mutual solution for the issues raised, IRNA reported. and took environmental samples there while the agency’s abstained to vote. respect, sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs of each Such constructive interaction is expected to be wel- inspectors would visit the other site “later in September France, Britain, and Germany, the three European other,” he said in his address at the combined meeting of defense comed by the overwhelming majority of IAEA member 2020 on a date already agreed with Iran, to take envi- parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, had submitted the draft ministers of the SCO, Collective Security Treaty Organization and states and the Board of Governors, the ambassador added. ronmental samples.” resolution to the IAEA board. Commonwealth of Independent States member states. The report referred to a trip by IAEA chief Rafael ‘Spirit of cooperation between IAEA and However France, Britain and Germany - the three The SCO is a Eurasian political and economic organization that Grossi to Tehran on August 24 and 25 and his talks with Iran prevails’ European countries signatory to the 2015 nuclear deal was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, senior Iranian officials, which led to a joint statement Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative (JCPO) - have withstood the U.S. illegal move to extend Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. aimed at strengthening cooperation and building more arms embargo against Iran in violation of Resolution China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, confidence, Gharibabadi remarked. Those who hoped to 2231 or return UN sanctions by invoking the snapback Pakistan, and India are its main members, and Iran, Mongolia, Af- “Based on the report, the Agency has been granted arrange a crisis around this mechanism. ghanistan, and Belarus are observers. access to one of the two demanded sites and the access issue must feel themselves They have said since the U.S. abandoned the nuclear Bakhtiar Hakimov, the Russian president’s special representative to the second site has been planned for this month,” he deal in May 2018 it has forfeited its right to demand re- for the SCO, has reiterated support for Iran’s full membership in the added. very disappointed. The turn of sanctions. Only countries can demand return of bloc, ISNA reported on Friday. On August 26, at the end of Grossi’s visit to Tehran, spirit of cooperation sanctions that are party to the deal and participate in the Hakimov reiterated Russia’s support for full membership during Iran and the IAEA issued a joint statement on agreements JCPOA Joint Commission. a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali. and the results of high-level talks between the two sides. between the IAEA and Niger, which is also currently a member of the UN In a meeting with Jalali in February, Hakimov had also said Russia According to the statement, the IAEA and Iran “agreed Tehran prevailed,” Ulyanov Security Council, has stood beside other members by supports Iran’s full membership in the SCO. to further reinforce their cooperation and enhance mu- tweeted rejecting the U.S. illegal moves against Iran. Iran applied for full membership in the organization on March 24, tual trust” to facilitate the full implementation of Iran’s Niger took over as the Council chief for September. 2008. However, because it was under sanctions levied by the United Nations at the time, it was blocked from admission as a new member. The SCO stated that any country under UN sanctions could not be admitted. After the UN sanctions were lifted, Chinese President Xi UAE normalization deal with Israel is ‘apostasy’: deputy speaker Jinping announced its support for Iran’s full membership in the SCO POLITICAL TEHRAN — Amir-Hus- committed to the exchange of embassies and stated, warning that “unfortunately, the United during a state visit to Iran in January 2016. desksein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, ambassadors, and to begin cooperation in a Arab Emirates has made a big mistake and we the first deputy speaker of the Iranian Parlia- broad range of fields including education, hope it would change its wrong tack. We warn ment, dismissed on Friday a normalization healthcare, trade, and security,” according to them against giving Israel a foothold in the Exclusive: UK picking deal between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi as an a White House statement issued on August 13. region, then they will be treated differently.” mysterious agent as new act of apostasy by the UAE. Iran has denounced the deal as a “big Hashemi said the UAE has had secret “Islam, as a religion, has a number of mistake”, calling it a “betrayal” to the Pal- political and security contacts with Israel commercial attache in Iran obligations, rules, and dos and don’ts. One estinian people. and what happened now is the declaration of Islam’s obligations is to defend the op- “They thought that if they approach the of these contacts. TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The UK government has reportedly decided pressed and counter oppression. When the Zionist regime, their security and economy According to the deputy speaker, some to assign an Iranian-British woman with a background of involvement UAE officially establishes and declares re- would be ensured, while this is wrong and Muslim groups had doubts about the UAE’s in security activities to serve as Britain’s commercial attaché in Iran. lations with Israel, this, in fact, amounts to their relations, the first such deal between 100% condemned, and it is a clear betrayal to contacts with Israel. But now that the UAE has Tasnim has found that the British government is going to choose the issuance of a statement declaring the Israel and an Arab country since 1994. The the Palestinian people, the cause of al-Quds declared the contacts, these groups’ doubts Margot Arthur as its commercial attaché and dispatch her to Tehran. apostasy of this country,” Hashemi told Fars last time an Arab country signed a deal with and Muslims,” said President Hassan Rou- have been dispelled. Ms. Arthur has an Iranian grandmother and has been working news agency on Saturday, referring to the Israel to normalize relations was on October hani, shortly after the deal was announced. Citing opinion poll numbers, Hashemi for the desk of Iran at British Council since 2016. She is a well-known U.S.-brokered normalization deal between 26, 1994, when Jordan signed a peace treaty “The rulers of the United Arab Emirates also said that 85 percent of Muslims oppose anti-Iranian figure in the cultural arena, and also a staunch advocate the UAE and Israel. with Israel. U.S. officials hailed the deal as a should know that they have gone in the wrong establishing relations with the Zionist regime of mounting pressure of sanctions on Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump announced “historic diplomatic breakthrough.” direction if they think that they can buy se- and that the Emiratis should expect that the Arthur’s background includes cooperation with a number of people on August 13 that he brokered a “historic deal” Under the deal, officially known as the curity for themselves by getting closer to the policies of other countries toward the UAE convicted of security-related crimes, such as Ms. Aras Amiri. She between the UAE and Israel to normalize Abraham Accords, Israel and the UAE “have enemies of Islam and Iran,” the president would be changed. is therefore deemed to be one of the main elements of the plot for infiltration into Iran. The first question that comes to mind when hearing speculation about Arthur’s appointment is what role a person with such cultural Defense minister says Iran plans to upgrade range of air-based missiles and security background is going to play in her new post as a com- mercial attaché in Iran. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Defense Minister Brigadier face ballistic missile with a range of 1,400 kilometers A merchant involved in business between Iran and the UK says deskGeneral Amir Hatami has announced named after top anti-terror commander Lieutenant that London has practically suspended all economic interactions with Iran plans to boost the range of its air-based cruise mis- General Qassem Soleimani, who was martyred by the Tehran in recent years in complete obedience to the U.S.’ unilateral siles to over 1,000km. U.S. military in January. and illegal sanctions against Iran, and has not provided any support “We have reached the range of over 1,000 kilometers Iran has also developed a cruise missile, named Martyr for bilateral trade either. The merchant, speaking on condition of in anti-surface and marine cruise missiles, the range of Abu Mahdi, which has a range of over 1,000 kilometers, anonymity, said the commercial office in the British embassy is almost nearly 1,000 kilometers in ground-based cruise missiles he said. closed and the whole contacts that the business people make with the and the range of 22 kilometers in air-based cruise mis- “The country’s achievements in the defense industry office to address their problems have gone unanswered. siles which will soon increase to over 1,000 kilometers,” over the past four decades are not comparable to any The UK government’s economic policies on Iran are absolutely Hatami said in an interview with the Persian-language other period,” General Hatami said, describing the ac- clear, as a number of British companies, such as British Airways, left Iran newspaper published on Saturday. complishments as a “basis for military self-reliance and Iran even before the U.S.’ withdrawal from the JCPOA, in spite of the The defense minister added that Iran produces over a must for [maintaining] the country’s independence”. economic benefits of working with Iran. 90% of its Armed Forces’ needs to weapons, noting that Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also assassinated along Is the mysterious British-Iranian figure really going to settle the the remaining 10% does not play a decisive role in the with General Soleimani and a number of their comrades economic problems between Tehran and London after working in national defense power. equipment, including a long-range ballistic missile and in a U.S. drone raid near the Baghdad International Egypt, Bahrain, and Iraq? General Hatami said that after the removal of the a cruise missile system. Airport on January 3, 2020. A simple Internet search and the information available in the UN arms embargos against Iran, the country will be an The two missiles, designed and manufactured by Ira- Commenting on the new achievement’s features, Iran’s virtual space about Ms. Arthur reveal that the nature of her activities exporter of weapons and military equipment, adding nian experts, were unveiled on the occasion the National Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Qassem Ta- is based on security activities. It is surprising that she used to work that a number of products that have not been mentioned Defense Industry Day in Iran. qizadeh said the speed of the Martyr Qassem Soleimani as an English teacher for the British Council in Cairo, but is going by the sanctions are being exported now. The unveiling ceremony was held in the presence of missiles makes their interception impossible. to take office as a commercial attaché in Tehran. When she was in Arms embargo against Iran ends on October 18. The Iranian President Hassan Rouhani via video conference. He added that the cruise missile is capable of flying Egypt, Arthur tried to improve her Arabic and Persian to prepare U.S. feels unsettled as the expiry date is fast approaching. Speaking at the event broadcast live on TV, General at a low altitude and getting around the enemy’s missile herself for new missions to the regional countries. Iran in August unveiled several home-made defense Hatami said the country had inaugurated a surface-to-sur- systems. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS Tehran: Swiss FM’s visit has nothing Iranian swimmer Asghari sets new Guinness record

SPORTSTEHRAN — Iranian female swimmer Elham to do with Iran-U.S. issues deskSadat Asghari swam 10km in the Oman Sea Iran has serious doubts about U.S. intentions, says Khatibzadeh wearing hijab to set a new Guinness World Record. POLITICAL TEHRAN – The Foreign Germany on the other. deskMinistry has announced On September 2, Cassis discussed his that Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cas- upcoming visit to Iran with Pompeo via sis’s visit to Tehran has nothing to do with telephone. Iran-U.S. issues. “In view of my trip to Iran, we discussed “This trip has nothing to do with Iran- the Swiss financial channel for humani- U.S. issues. This trip has already been tarian goods,” he wrote in a tweet after a planned within the framework of reciprocal telephone conversation with his American ties and regular trips by both countries’ counterpart. foreign ministers,” Foreign Ministry Iran has serious doubts about spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on U.S. intentions, says Khatibzadeh Friday evening, the Foreign Ministry In his Friday remarks, Khatibzadeh said website reported. two transactions have taken place so far via Khatibzadeh touched upon reports on the Swiss financial channel. She swam with one hand for four hours and 59 minutes to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s con- “The first one was conducted in Feb- register a new record. tacts with the top Swiss diplomat, saying, ruary 2020 on a trial basis,” he said. “And Asghari had also registered Guinness World Record Certificate “The U.S. secretary of state’s hasty contacts back in June, the first official transaction after registering her 5,488 meters swimming both in the Caspian with dignitaries who are going to visit Iran was conducted through this channel. Both Sea and a swimming pool in Tehran in 2019. It’s the farthest swim are nothing new.” transactions included the transfer of med- whilst wearing handcuffs. “Out of desperation, Pompeo seeks to ications using Iranian financial resources Back in 2017, the 37-year-old Iranian sportswoman complet- pursue Washington’s ‘maximum pressure’ in Switzerland.” ed the challenge of swimming handcuffed for more than three policy one way or another. So, he tries to Cassis is scheduled to discuss bilateral a key role in paving the way for prisoner He also slammed U.S. destructive moves hours non-stop in the Persian Gulf waters off the coast of the dissuade third countries from having nor- and regional issues with Iranian officials swap deals between the two countries. with regard to the financial channel, saying, southwestern port city of Bushehr, located 1,050 kilometers (652 mal relations with Iran. Of course, he has in a two-day visit to Tehran. Cassis’s visit comes amid heightened “We have serious doubts about the United miles) south of the capital Tehran. failed in his attempts so far. The Americans During his visit, he is slated to meet with tensions between Tehran and Washington, States’ intentions.” failed in their efforts, too, during a trip to several high-ranking Iranian officials includ- with the latter having recently resorted to a “Of course, it is clear that everything Iran by director general of the International ing President Hassan Rouhani, Secretary political ploy to reimpose the UN sanctions conducted so far through this financial Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi. This of the Supreme National Security Council on Iran under the 2015 nuclear agreement channel has been done with Iranian as- Rahman Rezaei takes charge time, too, their pressure will fail to be ef- Ali Shamkhani and Foreign Minister Mo- it ditched in May 2018. sets in Switzerland,” the spokesman said. fective,” he said. hammad Javad Zarif. The U.S. move, which comes under a “We welcome any move that would see of Zob Ahan According to the spokesman, the Islamic Switzerland has represented U.S. inter- mechanism commonly known as “snapback”, this channel get rid of the U.S. pressure SPORTSTEHRAN — Zob Ahan football club hired Republic has time and again announced its ests in Iran since 1980 and has acted as a has been rejected vehemently by other par- and ease the shipment of commodities and deskRahman Rezaei as new head coach on Friday, official stance on the Trump regime’s recalci- go-between to deescalate tensions between ties to the deal, including Iran on the one medicines by using Iran’s assets in other hoping their former defender can turn around the fortunes trance, and Iran’s position has not changed. Tehran and Washington. It has also played side and Russia, China, France, Britain and countries,” he added. of the ailing club. Rezaei had served as technical director of the Isfahan based football team last season. UAE deal raises questions about manipulation of Jared Kushner by Israel Rezaei, who played for Zob Ahan five years from 1996 to 2001, has been appointed as Zob Ahan coach on a one-year contract. 1 Under the deal, officially known as the Abraham policy goals that could set the region on fire. He has played in Serie A football team Perugia, Messina and Accords, Israel and the UAE “have committed to the “Kushner’s measures would touch off violence in Palestine Livorno from 2001 to 2008. exchange of embassies and ambassadors, and to begin sooner or later, because he is driving the Palestinians to Rezaei replaced Croatian coach Luka Bonacic who parted cooperation in a broad range of fields including education, despair,” Nosratollah Tajik, the former Iranian ambassador company with Zob Ahan after avoiding relegation last season healthcare, trade, and security,” according to a White to Jordan, told the Tehran Times. He said the president’s in Iran Professional League. House statement issued on August 13. son-in-law took measures that further incited the public The deal once again revived debate over whether Kush- opinion in the region against Israel. ner is being manipulated by Israel and the UAE given the “Kushner is a plaything that seeks to accomplish Zionist past efforts by Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi to exploit Kushner’s goals in the region but he will fail,” Tajik added. Persepolis sign Milad Sarlak “naivety and inexperience”. According to the former ambassador, Kushner’s push According to a 2018 Washington Post report, the UAE, for the normalization of ties between Israel and Arab states SPORTSTEHRAN — Iranian football team Persepolis Israel, China, and Mexico “privately discussed ways they as well as Israeli policies toward the Palestinian territories, deskhave completed the transfer of Milad Sarlak can manipulate Jared Kushner” to their advantage. business deals with the Saudis in the technology sector, especially the Israeli plan to annex large swaths of the West from Shahr Khodro. Citing U.S. officials, the Washington Post wrote, “Kush- three days before his older brother Jared paid a visit to Bank, could create a sense of frustration among the Palestinians The 25-year-old defensive midfielder has joined Persepolis ner’s contacts with certain foreign government officials have Saudi Arabia. He is the founder and managing partner and push them into violently resisting Israel’s expansionism. on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee. raised concerns inside the White House and are a reason he of the investment firm Thrive Capital. During his visit to Tajik also alluded to the recent meeting between various Sarlak will likely replace Mohsen Rabikhah in Persepolis. has been unable to obtain a permanent security clearance.” Saudi Arabia, Jared attended an economic conference Palestinian groups in Beirut, saying the meeting was a step He is Persepolis’s fifth signing for the new season. “Within the White House, Kushner’s lack of govern- in the kingdom, during which Mohammad bin Salman toward creating unity among the Palestinian. Persepolis have previously completed the signing of goalkeeper ment experience and his business debt were seen from declared that the country was going to invest billions of The former diplomat touched on Mohammad bin Zayed’s Hamed Lak, Sanat Naft forward Issa Alekasir, Sepahan left back the beginning of his tenure as potential points of leverage dollars in technological projects. ambitious goals in strengthening the bond among the UAE, Saeid Aghaei and Zob Ahan winger Ehsan Pahlavan, with all four that foreign governments could use to influence him,” the A spokesman for the firm said at the time that Joshua’s Kushner, and Israel, saying that the MBZ seeks to become players have joined the Reds on two-year deals. Washington Post added. trip to Saudi Arabia wasn’t aimed at making investments. the president of the UAE by dominating other emirates The AP also reported that special counsel Robert Mueller However, a year after the founder visited Saudi Arabia, the constituting the UAE. investigated Kushner’s foreign contacts. A former U.S. official firm earned one billion dollar worth of investments, which The possible manipulation of Kushner by Israel doesn’t told the AP that Kushner’s contacts with foreign officials have raised some concerns over a possible conflict between Jared’s seem to make a difference in terms of making efforts to A top foreign coach to lead been a part of Mueller’s investigation. During its interviews private and public interests, as he transferred parts of his achieve unjust peace between Israel and Palestine. Kushner Iran at Olympics for what came to be known as the Russia probe, Muller’s investments to Thrive Capital, which is managed by his seems to be dedicated to moving forward with his plan to team has asked people about the protocols Kushner used younger brother, Joshua. further alienate the Palestinians with the efforts to make a SPORTSTEHRAN — Technical committee of the Is- when he held conversations with foreign leaders. Joshua is also a co-founder of Oscar Health, a firm found- just, genuine peace. He clearly says that he, “as the grandson desklamic Republic of Iran Volleyball Federation Kushner is widely known to have a close relationship with ed in 2012 to provide health services. The New York Times of two Holocaust survivors”, is very happy to serve Israel’s (IRIVF) on Saturday approved the federation will appoint a top many leaders in the region, especially Saudi Crown Prince reported that Joshua has been fervently talking to the Saudis interests while chipping away at the Palestinians’ hope for foreign for the National Team. Mohammad bin Salman who made use of his rapport with about Oscar Health. The firm received $165 million in financ- achieving statehood. The new head coach will be appointed within the next two the president’s son-in-law to mitigate the U.S. response to ing five months after the co-founder’s visit to Saudi Arabia. “To have played a role in its creation, and I say this as weeks, the Committee confirmed. the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi This maybe was the reason why U.S. officials voiced con- the grandson of two Holocaust survivors, it means more to The first session on choosing the new head coach was held Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. cerns over possible manipulation of Jared Kushner by Israel me and to my family that I can ever express,” Kushner said in the federation’s headquarters with the participation of the Joshua, the younger brother of Jared, also quietly and some Arab countries as he was tasked with devising a during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister committee members and experts. managed to build a business relationship with Saudi plan for “peace” in the region. Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. National Security Advisor IRIVF president Mohammadreza Davarzani has already said Arabia. According to a New York Times report, Joshua Analysts and former diplomats believe that Kushner could Robert O’Brian in Jerusalem last week. He was referring to Iran aim to finish among top four teams in the Tokyo Games, traveled to Saudi Arabia in October 2017 to discuss possible have been manipulated by the Israelis to pursue foreign the UAE-Israel normalization deal. that’s why the appointment is taking so long. The Committee emphasized that the new head coach should have experienced the Olympic Games. Iran, Russia underscore nuclear co-op amid U.S. pressure It was also decided the Iranian coaches should be appointed as assistants in the National Team. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iranian The JCPOA was struck between Iran and three European countries to the pact The second session will be held on Wednesday. deskAmbassador to Moscow six world powers, including the U.S., China, have failed to fulfill their commitments Kazem Jalali and Deputy Head of Russia’s Russia, France, Britain and Germany in 2015. to the agreement. Rosatom Company for International Af- After the deal was signed, Iran and Russia The participant states of the Joint fairs Nikolai Spassky have met to discuss started to build the second and third blocks Commission of the Joint Comprehen- Mehdi Taremi increases Iran-Russia nuclear cooperation in the face of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. sive Plan of Action (JCPOA) gathered of U.S. pressure. In 2018, the U.S. unilaterally pulled out in Vienna on Tuesday to address Iran’s Porto followers During the meeting, the two sides discussed of the deal and pursued a policy of “max- complaint and also discuss Washington’s the developments in bilateral cooperation imum pressure” against Iran to force it to latest move to invoke the UN sanctions In just 24 hours, FC Porto’s Instagram account gained over 30 in the field of peaceful nuclear activities and negotiate a new deal. snapback against Iran. thousand new followers. the obstacles faced by Iran and Russia, Mehr Russia and China have strongly opposed In a statement, they asserted that the U.S. Spassky Jalali The hiring of striker Mehdi Taremi from Rio Ave, who signed until 2024 with a termination clause of 60 million euros, is the reported on Saturday. Washington’s anti-Iran measures, which in- cannot invoke the UN sanctions snapback will be reinstated on September 20 after the Jalali and Spassky emphasized the need cluded targeting top Iranian officials with against Iran, emphasizing that full imple- reason of the matter. In an analysis made by the newspaper O U.S. “activated the snapback mechanism”. Jogo, the Portuguese champion has 57,200 Colombian followers to continue bilateral collaboration in the face sanctions and assassinating Iran’s top an- mentation of the agreement by all sides However, the claim was strongly de- of U.S. attempts to destroy the Iran nuclear ti-terror general Qassem Soleimani. remains crucial. and 97,000 Mexicans. That is, in just one day, FC Porto attracted nounced by other signatories of the nu- more than a third of the total followers. agreement, officially called the Joint Com- Since the U.S. quit the nuclear deal U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has clear deal including Iran, the EU, Russia prehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). and imposed sanctions on Iran, the announced that all UN sanctions against Iran The arrival of Casillas, for example, had a huge media and China. impact worldwide, but it was not reflected significantly on social networks. Iran is a country where Portuguese coaches Carlos Queiroz, Iran welcomes meeting of Palestinian groups Nelo Vingada and Manuel José have worked there. Three Iranian players namely, Taremi, Amir Abedzadeh (Maríti- leaders of Palestinian groups, stressing that the only way to plans put forward by some treacherous Arab governments,” mo) and Mohammadi (Aves) are currently playing in Primeira Liga. secure the liberation of the occupied Palestine and the holy Khatibzadeh said. (Source: O Jogo) Quds is that all Palestinian and resistance groups to remain He added that governments as well as freedom-seeking united against the criminal and occupying regime of Israel. and resistant nations across the world will stand with Pal- In a statement on Saturday, Foreign Ministry spokes- estinians on the path to achieving their demands. man Saeed Khatibzadeh said the meeting indicates the On Thursday, leaders of all Palestinian factions and groups Mazaheri leaves Tractor tactfulness of Palestinian leaders in countering the Israeli in Ramallah and Beirut held a meeting to discuss a “unified Tasnim— Tractor goalkeeper Rashid Mazaheri canceled his regime as well as its supporters and accomplices, the For- strategy” to counter Israeli-U.S. plots, including their land contract with the team on Saturday. eign Ministry website reported. grab agenda, following a controversial Washington-brokered He had been left out of the Tabriz-based football team starting “The resistant Palestinian nation has proved over the past normalization accord between Israel and the UAE. lineup in recent weeks. decades that it will not give up its determination to stand The meeting was attended by Palestinian Presi- Mazaheri was absent in the Hazfi Cup final against Esteghlal, up to those who have usurped Palestine despite years of dent Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas political chief Ismail where Tractor won the title for the second time. POLITICAL TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Minis- occupation, killing and crackdown by the occupying Israeli Haniya, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad He has been linked with Tehran-based football teams Esteg- desktry has welcomed a recent meeting of the regime against Palestinian people as well as compromise al-Nakhalah, among others. hlal and Persepolis. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

Iran Oil Show 2020 to open Oil, petchem downstream industries on Oct. 12 only for experts

ECONOMY TEHRAN —The 25th edition of Iran Interna- desktional Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemical should target domestic market Exhibition (Iran Oil Show 2020) will be held at Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds during October 12-15, however it is not going to be open to the public like the previous years. 1 the development of the down- rent situation (considering the sanctions According to Shana news agency, due to the special conditions stream industries has been quite good and the lack of access to technology in caused by the pandemic, in this year’s exhibition only senior and we are currently one of the major oil some industries and also foreign invest- managers of the government sector, managers of the private and product exporters in the region.” ment) Hosseini said: “There is only one cooperative sectors, distinguished professors and students of the “With the recent improvements in key solution, and that is focusing on the country’s universities, political officials, and guests of exhibitors the South Pars gas field development domestic market.” and specialized professional associations will be allowed to visit project and the increase in the output of “We need to shift the focus from and participate. the field we currently have the capacity exports to domestic demand, to what The exhibition, however, will be held following restrict health- to export 500,000 to 600,000 barrels of the Iranian consumers need, we are an care and safety protocols and standards. various products like gasoline or gas oil 80-million market, several big economies Iran Oil Show is among the most significant oil and gas events in to the neighboring countries,” he said. are willing to do anything to access the the world in terms of the number of participants and its diversity. Hosseini, however, noted that Iran Iranian market and we are not using should not take the advances in the this potential ourselves,” he regretted. neighboring countries’ downstream “Consider, for instance, the textile TCCIMA to hold online sectors for granted, since “in a not very industry, there is a need for at least 1.2 Iran-Russia business forum long time, Iraq or even Afghanistan will billion square meters of textile in the have their own modern refineries and domestic market, while the country is in late-Sep. Iran won’t be able to export as much currently producing less than 400 million products anymore.” square meters.” ECONOMY TEHRAN — Tehran Chamber of Commerce, So the government should start putting Supporting the development of the deskIndustries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) is more importance on the capacities of the textile industry would mean empowering going to hold an Iran-Russia business forum via video conference domestic market and industries because both the upstream sector and domestic on September 21, the portal of TCCIMA announced. “soon it will be needing it.” production. The virtual event is going to be attended by officials and busi- Asked about the petrochemical indus- be exported since the domestic industries sanctions, that is not going to happen.” “The government should cut some of nessmen from the two sides. try, Hosseini said the same pattern is also (not being properly developed) only have He further mentioned other problems the budgets it is spending on constructing In this meeting, Iranian traders and businessmen active in true about the petrochemical industries. the capacity to absorb 20 percent of the that the development of the downstream new plants and spend it for supporting the fields of telecommunications, IT, training and technology “Unfortunately, we have not been output, he said. sectors is currently faced with, saying: the downstream industries because we transfer, oil and gas, agricultural machinery and products, med- following long-term plans in the devel- “It is also true about urea and am- “oil, gas, and petrochemical industries already have enough feed for which there ical equipment and services, and metals, are also due to hold opment of our petrochemical industries moniac, we are producing 7.5-8 million are all very high-tech and very expen- is no export destination.” B2B talks with representatives of 20 Russian companies from as well, and our projects have been de- tons of such products while the domes- sive industries, we need technology, we If we want to improve, we need to Russia’s Samara region. fined without the considerations for the tic demand is only 1.5 million, the rest need investment and without these two, move toward products for which there demand in the global market.” should be exported and considering big development is not happening.” is a demand in the domestic market, and For instance, 80 percent of the metha- rivals like the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Russia Asked about the solution for the that is the only way forward, at least for Trade between Iran, Iraq nol that we are currently producing should and China, and considering the current above-mentioned problems in the cur- now, he said. rising via Chazabeh border

ECONOMY TEHRAN — Despite high customs duties en- deskforced by Iraq, trade between Iran and Iraq is rising via Chazabeh border, an Iranian provincial official told Industry Ministry approves $850m of foreign investment in 5 months IRNA on Friday. 1 The largest volume of foreign investment in and India. Saeed Mousavi, a director in the Chamber of Commerce of the mentioned period was attracted by the groups of Also, Sistan-Baluchestan, Khouzestan, Tehran, and Ahvaz (center of Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province), said manufacturing chemical products ($405 million of in- East Azarbaijan provinces were the top four provinces commodities are transported to Iraq via this border on Sunday vestment), basic metals ($45 million), food products and in terms of the volume of approved foreign investment. and Wednesday every week. beverages (S32 million), and equipment and machinery Back in July, the Industry Ministry published the He said 320 trucks carrying Iranian products passed through ($26 million). foreign investment data for the first three months of Chazabeh border on last Wednesday. Accordingly, the first four countries in terms of the the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-June 20), Mousavi further underlined that rising trade via this border is value of investment were Germany, United Arab Emirates based on which the figure stood at nearly $800 million. happening while Iraq is enforcing high customs duties on some (UAE), China, and Turkey, with $341 million, $54 million, As previously reported by the Industry Ministry, Iran products such as tile, ceramic, marble, tomato paste, and plastic $32 million, and $30 million of investments, respectively. expects a 10-fold increase of foreign investment in indus- products. The largest number of investments were made by try and mining sectors by the end of the Sixth Five-Year Afghanistan with 17 cases, followed by China, Turkey, National Development Plan (2021).

Aluminum ingot output rise 70% in 5 months on year ECONOMY TEHRAN— Production Iran’s major aluminum producers pro- aluminum production is expected to be dou- deskof the aluminum ingot duced 275,716 tons of aluminum ingots in bled with that unit going operational. in Iran rose 70 percent during the first five the past Iranian calendar year (ended on The official put the value of the Iranian months of the current Iranian calendar year March 19), according to the data released mining industry’s production at about $22 (March 20-August 21) compared to the same by the Industry, Mining and Trade Ministry. billion, saying that the country is relatively period of time in the past year, according The country’s aluminum ingot production self-sufficient in minerals and a great deal to the data released by Iranian Mines and in the past year fell eight percent in com- is also exported every year. Mining Industries Development and Ren- parison to the figure for its preceding year. He went on underlying, “The country’s ovation Organization (IMIDRO). The data show that among the country’s capacities in the sector, saying that Iran is He announced that Iran has exported products worth $700 The IMIDRO’s data put the country’s alu- top producers, Iranian Aluminum Company ranked 18th among the world’s top aluminum million to Iraq via Chazabeh border in the past Iranian calen- minum ingot output at 175,000 tons during (IRALCO) had the best performance regis- producers, and with this new plant going dar year (ended on March 20), and mentioned constructional the five-month period, IRNA reported. tering a four-percent rise during the men- operational the country will climb four places materials, dairy products, and home appliances as the major Production of this product had also risen the previous year. tioned period. to stand at 14th place.” exported items. 49 percent during the first four months of Production of the aluminum ingot in the On April 23, during the inauguration cere- Iran plans to reach the annual produc- The economic and political relations between Iran and Iraq the year (March 20-July 21) and 63 percent country is planned to increase 63 percent mony of Iran’s biggest aluminum production tion of 1.5 million tons of aluminum ingot has increased significantly in the past few years and the two during the first quarter (March 20-June by the end of the current Iranian calendar complex (in the central Fars province), the by the Iranian calendar year 1404 (March neighbors are seeking ways to facilitate financial transactions 20), compared to the same time spans of year (March 20, 2021). former industry minister said the country’s 2025-March 2026). and boost their trade ties. The two countries have it on the agenda to increase the value of their bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2021. Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visited Tehran in late July. Raw materials account for 84% of Iranian imports During his two-day visit, al-Kadhimi discussed how to ECONOMY TEHRAN – Head of Iran’s Trade of weight, the figure was 8.9 million tons, which is strengthen ties between Iran and Iraq as well as their coop- deskPromotion Organization (TPO) Hamid 0.8 percent less than the figure for the same period eration in a number of fields. Zadboum said that most of the country’s current im- last year. Several senior Iraqi officials including Minister of Finance ports are limited to the raw materials or basic goods. Since the re-imposition of the U.S. sanctions, Iran and Prime Minister Assistant for Economic and Energy Af- “Over 84 percent of the imported items include has been focusing on the promotion of domestic pro- fairs Ali Abdul Amir Allawi, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, raw materials, basic goods or intermediaries that are duction and limiting the imports in order to move Petroleum Minister Ehsan Abdul Jabar, Health Minister Has- necessary for the production and operation of do- the economy toward self-sufficiency and resilience. san Mohammad al-Tamimi, Minister of Planning Khaled mestic units,” TPO portal quoted Zadboum as saying. In early April, Industry, Mining, and Trade Min- Battal, Defense Minister Joma Enad, Electricity Minister Referring to the restriction of order registration istry outlined its major programs for supporting the Majed Hantoush, National Security Advisor Qassem al-Araji for goods that have similar productions inside the domestic production in the current Iranian year that and Head of Trade Bank of Iraq Faisal al-Haimus accompa- country, the official said: “Last year, the imports of is named the year of “Surge in Production” by the nied the prime minister on his first visit to a foreign country 1,600 items with an eight-digit HS code was banned. Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali since taking office. The number, however, has reached 2,400 items this Khamenei. [Iranian calendar] year (started on March 19).” Developing technology and promoting knowl- Passenger car manufacturing He further put the value of imports in the first four edge-based industries, development of domestic months of the current Iranian calendar year (March production in line with the Leader’s stresses on surge up 20% 20-July 21) at $11 billion saying: “We are trying to in production, managing imports and development reduce the registration of orders for goods that are According to the official, Iran’s imports during of non-oil exports, improving the business environ- ECONOMY TEHRAN — Manufacturing of passenger cars already produced inside the country by weekly mon- the first quarter of this Iranian calendar year (March ment, development of financing and investment, and deskin Iran has increased 20 percent during the itoring of imported goods and gradually in the near 20-June 20) exceeded $7.6 billion, which compared finally development of logistics were reported to be first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (March future, we will completely ban the import of all such to the $10.4 billion in the same period last year, expe- the seven major axes of the Industry, Mining and 20-August 21) compared to the same period of time in the past products in order to boost domestic production.” rienced a decrease of 26.8 percent, and yet in terms Trade Ministry’s works in the current year. year, IRNA reported. As reported, among the major Iranian carmakers, namely Iran Khodro Company (IKCO), SAIPA Group, and Pars Khodro, Iran Khodro accounted for the lion’s share of the production, while the company’s five-month output rose 39 percent year on year. TEDPIX gains 10,000 points on Saturday Three major carmakers manufactured 863,263 vehicles during ECONOMY TEHRAN — TEDPIX, TEDPIX dropped five percent to 1.631 It should be mentioned that the index the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19). deskthe main index of the million points at the end of the past week. had hit the record high of two million During the previous year, IKCO manufactured 393,812 ve- Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), which As reported, most of the trades were points on August 2, and while it had hicles, of which 35,953 were produced in the last month Esfand is Iran’s major stock exchange, climbed conducted through the indices of the Na- been experiencing an unprecedented (February 20-March 19). 10,096 points to 1.642 million on Satur- tional Iranian Copper Industry Compa- trend of rising over the recent months, Production by SAIPA stood at 363,379, of which 23,696 ve- day, which is the first day of the Iranian ny, Ghadir Investment Company, Bank it witnessed several days of drop in the hicles were manufactured during the last month. calendar week, IRNA reported. Saderat, Mobarakeh Steel Company, and past three weeks. Pars Khodro manufactured 106,072 cars during the past year. As reported, 10.202 billion securities Bandar Abbas Oil Refining Company. While Iran’s stock market has not re- Production in Esfand reached 9,300 vehicles. worth 119.328 trillion rials (about $2.841 TEDPIX had also experienced a ceived any external shocks such as those Iran has been following a program for supporting domestic billion) were traded at the TSE on Saturday. two-percent fall in the week ended on form the foreign currency exchange rate, manufacturing of auto parts since due to the U.S. sanctions the The first market’s index rose 16,019 August 28, an 11.3-percent drop in the inflation, parallel markets, and interna- country’s automakers have been facing some problems in sup- points while the second market’s index week ended on August 21, and a two-per- tional issues, some internal factors have plying their needed parts and equipment. fell 14,511 points. cent fall in the week ended on August 14. caused the recent drops in this market. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 SOCIETY 5

The hypothetical compromise: The ‘UAE to open embassy in Israel within 3-5 months’

A senior Emirati official says his country will open an embassy end of 10 years of war in West Asia in the occupied territories within three to five months in the wake of a deal between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and By Abir Bassam that crossed to the continent through Turkey, whom it used as a pressure card to manip- Israel to establish full diplomatic relations. On my way back from the south to Beirut ulate Europe for greater benefits. Israel Hayom newspaper quoted the unnamed UAE Foreign two months ago, Elea crossroad in Saida was This has provoked different Europe- Ministry official as saying that the Israelis could get a visa to closed. As I took the long [S] turn to be able an countries that saw their interests were travel to the Persian Gulf Arab state after the opening of the to reach Beirut road again, I came across the threatened, not only by Turkey but also by diplomatic mission. Lebanese Army. I stopped the car next to one the United States. The latter has taken the “I think the Israelis will be able to obtain travel visa to the of the officers and asked him: “What is going world into economic chaos after the election UAE from an embassy that will open in Israel after three to on? They are not more than 20 young men of Donald Trump, who canceled all trade five months from now,” he said, adding that Abu Dhabi is also and women! How could they? Why don’t you agreements and the nuclear agreement with considering opening “a consulate in Haifa or Nazareth that send them back home? The officer said: “It is Iran. Trump prohibited European trade works alongside the embassy”. better to let them steam off!” He added: “It with Iran and China and issued sanctions “We aspire to a peace agreement with Israel, but peace is is the Turkish intelligence! They are sending that disabled Europe. in reality with all Israelis, and it is very important for us to be millions of American dollars to start eruption Therefore, Iran’s successive diplomatic and available to the Arab population of Israel, whom we consider an and chaos in Lebanon.” legal victories at the UN Security Council in important partner for warm peace,” he further claimed. The Lebanese Army confirmed the in- August were the first step towards a solution formation a while after the incident. On and a serious step towards peace in the region. the 4th of July, Lebanese Interior Minister They represent the first political triumph of India, China defense ministers Mohammad Fahmi announced that four the axis of resistance. The sequence of events citizens, including two Syrians, were ar- is directing now towards another series of meet amid rising border tensions rested as they were trying to smuggle $4 steps that should be perceived soon. million. He said that the money was meant Soon the Syrian forces and its allies Defense ministers of India and China have met in the Russian to finance “violent street movements”. He are heading towards implementing the capital as the two Asian nuclear powers try to resolve rising added that instructions were given via Astana Accord by force. As soon as the tensions along their disputed border in the eastern Ladakh region. WhatsApp to promote violence against Syrian Army is in control of Jesser al-Shogor Neither side gave details of the meeting on Friday between the government. and the Zawiah Mountain again, it will India’s Rajnath Singh and China’s General Wei Fenghe - the The Turkish role in the Arab countries take control of the Syrian territories from first high-level contact between the two sides since the standoff has been escalating since the war on Syria in “The main force behind the current Latakia to the Syrian-Iraqi borders, east erupted months ago in the Himalayan region, where a clash in 2011. It is not a secret anymore that tens of events in West Asia was the U.S. plan to of the Euphrates included. June killed 20 Indian soldiers. thousands of terrorist fighters entered Syria Once the Syrian accomplishment is reached The ministers met on the sidelines of a gathering of the defense through Turkey and were protected by Recep create what they call” the New Middle in Jesser al- Shogor, the Americans are not chiefs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which comprises Tayyip Erdogan’s regime. Unfortunately, the East”. The plan was supposed to be only leaving Iraq but Syria as well. In addition, China, India, Pakistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Arab region is not only facing a new Ottoman the Iranians are leading now negotiations and Uzbekistan, al Jazeera reported. dream but also a new wave of colonialism led applied by force in 2003, starting with with Western powers through the German by the Americans and their puppets. the war on Iraq, but it failed.” mediator concerning the nuclear agreements. In his speech on the 10th of Muharam, However, an informed person revealed that the Ashura, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah several Asia (the Middle East). It witnessed the dis- vision, and the resistance was able to force talks are including terms to end the American Gas pipeline blast kills 11 times repeated that Syria has won the war. covery of gas fields in the Eastern part of the the final withdrawal of the Americans in presence in Syria. This means that all foreign praying at Bangladesh mosque Nasrallah’s description of Syria’s situation Mediterranean Sea. Countries and their major 2011. Ironically, in the same year, the Arab forces, including Turkish ones, are leaving, is shared with several observers, who per- companies are rushing to ensure shares in the eruptions started in different Arab countries. through force or voluntarily. However, the ceive that Syria awaits the international new gas fields’ investments. Amongst them Nonetheless, ten years of a brutal war on Turks are negotiating with the Russians the An underground gas pipeline near a mosque exploded during political solution. Nonetheless, whether it is Turkey, which is demanding a place in the Syria revealed the following aims: possibility of keeping a couple of cities, but evening prayers outside the capital of Bangladesh, leaving is going to be a compromise, or it is going eastern Mediterranean shores. 1- The war mainly aimed to secure the the Syrians refused it. at least 11 Muslim worshipers dead and dozens injured with to coincide with Syrian political demands, Accordingly, through the “Muslim Broth- safety of Israel. The Americans set in mind After the big blast in Beirut’s harbor on critical burns, officials said Saturday. we need to wait and see. erhood” parties, Turkey has found a way that controlling Syrian territories will even- the 4th of August, the Turkish foreign min- According to AP, the blast occurred Friday night as people It is practical to understand the compli- to be part of the struggle in West Asia. It tually lead to controlling the flow of arms ister offered to rebuild the harbor when he were finishing their prayers at Baitus Salat Jame Mosque at cations in West Asia. The region has been seems that Turkish President Erdogan is to Hezbollah. visited Beirut. This must have provoked the Narayanganj, local police chief Zayedul Alam said. on a hot tin roof since the burst of the Arab trying to undo the Ottoman’s defeat in the 2- Controlling the gas and petrol pipes French again. Erdogan’s new attempts to By Saturday morning, a young boy and 10 others succumbed eruptions in 2011. The Americans titled the First World War. He is leading constant running through Syria to Turkey and Europe. be involved in Lebanese affairs has raised to their injuries as doctors at a burn unit of a state-run hospital eruptions as “the Arab Spring” are now rec- wars against Arab countries. For most of By doing so, Iran, Russia, and eventually China doubts over his intentions for the European were treating at least 37 people with up to 90 percent of burns ognized as the “Arab Drought.” the Arabs in the region, these wars are ma- fuel trade will be monitored and controlled. Union [EU], especially France. Paris tries not on their bodies, said Samanta Lal Sen, a coordinator of the unit. The area has been going through an nipulating the Islamic world and leading to 3- Changing the Arab regimes to to allow Turkey to approach Beirut’s harbor. endless chain of wars with terrorism and the destruction of their countries. It distorts pro-Turkish or Islamic Brotherhood’s gov- This would leave Turkey as the biggest loser occupation forces, which exhausted it and the attention from the true enemy, which ernments and Saudi controlled ones to control in the region again. India coronavirus caseload awaiting compromises. Complicated and is “Israel,” and leads to the rise of Islamic the Arab decision in the Arab League and The upheaval Turkey created with Greece interrelated files, such as the war on Syria, “radicalism” and terrorism. eventually dissolve it. is leading it again to a conflict with Europe. crosses 4M, stretching resources Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt, and Libya, need to Turkey has accelerated the struggle with 4- Making way for the (Persian) Arab Although Germany is leading serious nego- be solved. However, there are two factors Arab countries in Libya. Add to that, the cur- Gulf countries to sign peace treaties with tiations with all sides of the dispute, it seems India’s coronavirus cases crossed 4 million Saturday, leading that delay the solution. The first is Turkey, rent military exercises by Greece and Turkey Israel, this has already started with Abra- that there are not any foreseen solutions in the world in new infections and deepening misery in the which seems to have its own agenda. And the over the rights of natural gas fields and the ham Accord. the near future. Europeans now identify Er- country’s vast hinterlands where surges have crippled the second is the so-called Deal of the Century. legal rights in the marine economic zones. The 5- Giving Israel full control over gas and dogan as the supporter of radical militant underfunded health care system. Today, the struggle has been fueled exercises have escalated the EU awareness oil production and distribution through the groups fighting in different Arab countries. Initially, the virus ravaged India’s sprawling and densely among the allies, who started the war on towards Turkish intentions. Subsequently, Mediterranean Sea to Europe. These actions are of great concern to Eu- populated cities. It has since stretched to almost every state, Libya, Syria, and Yemen. According to it led to further tension with the EU. Not all of the goals set were achieved! rope. Rumor has it; Turkey now needs to spreading through villages and smaller towns, AP reported. several resources, the powers that have The main force behind the current events The power of Turkey was controlled in Tuni- be controlled. Western powers are planning With a population of nearly 1.4 billion people, India’s massive led the wars are now accelerating the steps in West Asia was the U.S. plan to create what sia, Egypt, Sudan, and Libya. Furthermore, to divide it again into two states, Western caseload isn’t surprising experts. The country’s delayed response towards proper solutions. And each one of they call” the New Middle East”. The plan Europe now considers Turkey as a greater Turkey and Islamic Turkey. Of course, that to the virus forced the government to implement a harsh lockdown them is trying to save face and withdraw was supposed to be applied by force in 2003, danger to the peace and security of West Asia, is left for time to tell. in late March. For more than two months, the economy remained with minimum losses. starting with the war on Iraq, but it failed. Northern Africa, and Greece. In addition, The opinions expressed in this article are shuttered, buying time for health workers to prepare for the worst. Ten exhausting years have passed on West Combined regional forces resisted Iraq’s di- Europe was flooded by waves of migrants those of the writer. But with the cost of the restrictions also rising, authorities saw no choice but to reopen businesses and everyday activities. Most of India’s cases are in western Maharashtra state and the four southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Lebanese analyst expects Hezbollah to play a constructive role and Karnataka. But new surges are popping up elsewhere. in government formation process 1 He warned about the consequences of a failure vast majority of political groups. Taliban return to Doha setting by the Lebanese parties to fulfill what they had pledged According to Lebanese media outlets, there was a meeting by the end of October. between the Lebanese political blocs to reach a consensus stage for Afghan peace talks Javad underlines that it was clear that there was a about the next prime minister, and this matter was evident great French effort to form a national unity government during the visit of the French leader to Lebanon. Taliban officials say a senior delegation returned early Saturday or national consensus government. “In his meetings with the Lebanese politicians and to Qatar, paving the way for the start of peace talks with the “This government is a salvation government, and its officials, Macron insisted on French interests and concerns in Afghan government that are expected to take place in the mission is to unify the Lebanese to contain the economic, Lebanon, pointing to French-Iranian and French-American Persian Gulf Arab state. social, financial, and political crises that we are living convergence there,” the Lebanese analyst says. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they in,” Javad remarks. Javad notes that “apparently there is no objection by were not authorized to speak to the media. Macron added in a press conference that he had contacted the United States and regional countries to the French role The negotiations are the second, critical part to a peace deal his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, Saudi Crown on the basis of consensus at this difficult historical phase.” the US signed with the Taliban in February in Doha. Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and international leaders Responding to a question about the possibility of a to discuss ways of helping Lebanon, explaining that he felt fundamental change in Lebanon’s political structure, the Resistance News these leaders had a will to allow Lebanon to follow its path. Lebanese analyst believes that “we need a completely new In fact, Macron’s domain of activities have been very political structure, but there will be a transitional phase wide, starting from Iran, which was flexible in response that the French try to exploit the shock caused by the Beirut and preparation for the parliamentary elections.” Serbia embassy move makes to efforts to form a new government, and Hezbollah, blast and take the initiative when the Americans are busy “Afterwards, it is possible to talk about a move towards a which responded positively to what the French president with their elections. new political system and a new political formula. Currently, Palestine victim of Trump’s has proposed and its willingness to cooperate based on Javad confirms that there was a French pressure on we are in a transitional phase, and of course, Lebanon needs a set of considerations. the Lebanese factions to form a government of national an internal and external consensus in order to move towards electoral ambitions: PLO On the other hand, some Lebanese observers believe unity, or at the very least, a government supported by a political stability,” according to Javad. INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN— The secretary general of the deskPalestine Liberation Organization (PLO) says U.S. President Donald Trump has made Palestine a “victim” of Turkish expert criticizes EU’s double Standard toward Islam his electoral ambitions as Serbia moves its embassy to Jerusalem TEHRAN –Deniz Caner, a Turkish ana- the magazine’s offices in Paris, killing 12 people, August 28, far-right street painter Dan al-Quds following a Washington-brokered deal. lyst, believes that Europe, which accepts many of whom worked for the publication. Park and Danish racist politician Rasmus On Friday, the American president announced that the U.S. had human rights and is very sensitive about The attack, condemned by Muslims across Paludan had been in Malmö for two weeks brokered an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, two Balkan anti-Semitism, cannot prevent the ugly the world, was allegedly a response to the and also made many attempts to provoke archrivals, two decades after they went through a bloody war. attacks against Muslims and Islam. magazine’s offensive cartoon of the Prophet Muslims,” Caner said. From the deal, however, came out two unexpected decisions During an illegal gathering on August 28, of Islam (PBUH) a few years earlier. “For two weeks, it seemed that these too. Serbia said that it would relocate its embassy from Tel supporters of right-wing Danish politician Anti-Muslim moves have been on the provocateurs were expected to burn the Aviv to the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds, some three years Rasmus Paludan, who leads the anti-Is- rise across Europe in recent years. Muslim Qur’an in a completely helpless manner after Washington, in a highly provocative move, recognized lamic group Tight Direction (Stram Kurs), leaders in Europe and around the world have by the Swedish police,” she added. the city as Israel’s “capital.” burned a copy of the Holy Qur’an in the reiterated their unequivocal condemnation Commenting on the European leader’s Majority-Muslim Kosovo, for its part, vowed that it would southern Swedish city of Malmo. of the anti-Muslim acts. double standards regarding human rights, recognize the occupying regime, adding that it would also set On Tuesday (September 1), French Mag- Moreover, the rise of far-right ideology the Turkish expert highlighted, “While Eu- up its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem al-Quds after earning azine Charlie Hebdo republished offensive and the propagation of anti-immigration Deniz Caner. rope, which accepts human rights and the Israel’s recognition. cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be policies have exacerbated religious minori- “Although the Swedish authorities did rule of law as its basic principle, is very “Palestine has become a victim of the electoral ambitions of upon Him) on the eve of suspects’ trial in a ties’ status in Europe, particularly Muslims. not allow the demonstration of provoca- sensitive about anti-Semitism, it is still not President Trump, whose team would take any action, no matter deadly attack on the paper’s office five years To shed light on the issue, we reached tion against the Quran and imposed an able to prevent these ugly attacks against how destructive for peace... to achieve his re-election” in November, ago. In January 2015, two terrorists attacked out to Turkish researcher and expert entry ban on the so-called politician, on Muslims and Islam.” Saeb Erekat tweeted on Friday. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM SEPTEMBER 6, 2020

Investment in Qazvin’s tourism sector rises by 287% Makran coast holds potential

TOURISM TEHRAN – Some 6.3 trillion rials ($150 mil- desklion at the official rate of 42,000 rials) have been invested in the tourism sector of the northwestern province of Qazvin over the past seven years, which shows a 287 percent to gain UNESCO tag increase, the provincial tourism chief has said. TOURISM TEHRAN – The natural bas, Darak is one of the few places in the deskand historical attractions world where the sea and the desert meet. of the Makran coastal strip in southern Iran Darak or Darag in the local language means hold the potential to be registered on the settling along the sea. UNESCO World Heritage list. The beach and the amazing village, along Being home to some unique attractions with the Oman Sea, are tourist destinations such as Darak village, Martian Mountains, where sand dunes, palm trees, and blue sea pristine beaches of Chabahar and sacred in a frame together create fantastic scenery. fig trees makes Makran coast a top tour- Hiking, swimming, and photography ist destination for domestic and foreign are among the best activities tourists could travelers, said Seyyed Hadi Ahmadi Ru- enjoy while traveling to Darak Beach. It is ini the director of the ministry’s office for known for its extraordinary beaches and preservation and restoration of historic has a pristine shoreline. buildings, textures and sites, IRNA reported Mars or Martian Mountains, also known With these investments, several tourism-related projects on Saturday. as “Koohaye Merikhi” in Persian, are a type such as hotels, eco-lodge units, traditional restaurants, tourist Inviting tourists to travel to the region of badlands stretched out parallel to the complexes, and travel agencies are being implemented in the and enjoy its noteworthy attractions, he Gulf of Oman. Their current shape results province, IRNA quoted Alireza Khazaeli as saying on Saturday. also noted that Makran coast is unique not from millions of years of erosion by wind The mentioned investment is in addition to the expenses in- only in the country but also in the world, and water. The height of the mountains curred for the restoration of historical monuments and structures however, its tourism infrastructure needs varies between five to over 100 meters. scattered across the province, the official added. to be provided to attract more travelers. Locals named them Martian Mountains Qazvin was once the capital of the mighty Persian Empire, To get to that point, historical buildings since it seemed as if aliens – in this case, under Safavids, from 1548 to 98. It is a major tourist destination in the region are to be restored, and some people from Mars – built them; with almost with a wonderfully restored caravanserai-turned-arts precinct, of them will be ceded to the private sector 1,000 kilometers coastline, around 750 country on the Makran coast. no vegetation, their curvy scenery stands in some quirky museums, and a handful of decent eating options. for better maintenance and preservation, kilometers is in Pakistan. Makran is very Darak village and Martian Mountains, strong contrast with the landscape around. For most travelers, Qazvin is also primarily the staging point for he added. sparsely inhabited, with much of the pop- commonly known as Miniature Mountains, For decades, Sistan-Baluchestan used to excursions to the famous Castles of the Assassins and trekking Located in the southern part of the Sis- ulation concentrated in a string of small which are located on the Makran coast, are be shunned by potential foreign travelers in the sensational Alamut Valley. tan-Balouchestan province, Makran is a ports including Chabahar, Gwatar, Jiwani, also among the top tourist destinations though it is home to several distinctive ar- Also known as the castle of the Assassins, the 12th-century semi-desert coastal strip along the coast Jask, Sirik, Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara, and in the region that eye to gain a UNESCO chaeological sites and natural attractions, Alamut castle is on top of a peak. It was once a shelter for the of the Gulf of Oman. many smaller fishing villages. tag as well. including two UNESCO World Heritage followers of Hasan-e Sabbah (1070–1124) who was a spiritual The narrow coastal plain rises rapid- Shahid Beheshti Port, which is Iran’s Located between the two important sites of Shahr-e-Soukhteh (Burnt City) and leader of an Islamic sect. In the early 1930s, British-Italian ex- ly into several mountain ranges. Of the only oceanic port, is the main port of the port cities of Chabahar and Bandar Ab- Lut Desert, shared with Kerman Province. plorer and travel writer Freya Stark described her exploration of the place in her book “The Valleys of the Assassins”. Qazvin is also home to one of the biggest roofed caravanserais of the country, Sa’d-al Saltaneh caravanserai. Dating back to the Qajar era, it’s a place for discovering tens of Hojreh or shops, Hotels offering discounts instead of raising prices cafes, yards, and a stunning mosque. It’s a place for visitors who TOURISM TEHRAN – While the hospitality four months following the outbreak of coronavirus want to experience the culture, culinary, and hospitality of Iran. deskindustry has taken a severe hit from the [which put a pause on the travel industry to help curb coronavirus pandemic on both national and international the disease].” levels, hotels are offering discounts to attract travelers. He said that the country’s tourism industry suffered IranAir resumes weekly Although the prices of Iranian hotels increase in late some 100 percent losses from the pandemic, adding September every year, this year due to the outbreak of “Part of this loss and damage must be compensated flights to Madrid the coronavirus hotels are offering up to 60 percent by the government.” discounts instead of raising their fares, the president Back in April, the Iranian government announced TOURISM TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier Homa, known of the Iranian Hoteliers Association said on Saturday. it will bail out those which are grappling with fiscal desk internationally as IranAir resumed flights to the However, with these amounts of discounts, the problems by offering loans with a 12-percent interest Spanish city of Madrid on Wednesday, after 17 years. occupancy rate of hotels is less than five to seven percent, rate. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and The round flights are scheduled once a week on Wednesdays from Jamshid Hamzehzadeh announced on Saturday. Handicrafts also suggested a rescue package for tourism Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport by closely observ- Considering the number of tourists and travelers, businesses. ing healthcare protocols, according to the airport’s official website. which has decreased drastically, increasing hotel fares The government has also allocated a 750-trillion- does not make sense and will not increase the income rial (about $18 billion) package to help low-income of hoteliers, he added. households and small- and medium-sized enterprises He also noted that if the hotel fare increases, it will suffered by the coronavirus concerns. Iran expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous be up to 20 percent, but most hotel owners are not However, earlier last week, the Cultural Heritage, tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, interested in increasing it due to lack of passengers. Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, Back in June, the official announced that the outbreak announced that over 2,400 tourism-related projects, and mansions, of which 24 being inscribed on the UNESCO of the new coronavirus has inflicted a loss of 60,000 including the construction of 500 hotels, are currently World Heritage list. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision billion rials (about $1.4 billion at the official dollar rate being implemented across the country with a total Plan, it aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals of 42,000 rials) on the Iranian hospitality industry in estimated cost of 1,370 trillion rials (around $32 billion). from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025. The four months. He also noted that responsible tourism is a workable latest available data show eight million tourists visited “Hoteliers in different provinces of the country have solution for holidaymakers to get assured of safe traveling the Islamic Republic during the first ten months of the suffered 60,000 billion rials in damage over the past during the coronavirus pandemic. past Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2019).

Back in August, the Iranian embassy in Spain announced that the license of IranAir service for the Tehran-Madrid route has been received as per coordination made by the Iranian embas- Isfahan ‘a pearl in the Middle East’: Swiss FM sy, the Civil Aviation Organization, and IranAir with Spanish TOURISM TEHRAN – Swiss For- city for walking, getting lost in its mazing tic example of town planning. Built in the domestic institutions. deskeign Minister Ignazio bazaars, dozing in beautiful gardens, and early 17th century, the UNESCO-registered The Iranian mission in Madrid has made a great deal of effort Cassis called the ancient Iranian city of meeting people. square is punctuated with the most inter- on the resumption of the service, which had been suspended since Isfahan ‘a pearl in the Middle East’ on his The city has long been nicknamed as esting sights in Isfahan. the beginning of 2001, and hopes that this important step in bi- official Twitter account after his one-day Nesf-e-Jahan which is translated into “half The Vank Cathedral (locally called Ke- lateral relations can strengthen the ties between the two nations. trip to the city on Saturday. the world”; meaning seeing it is relevant to lisa-ye Vank) is widely referred to as an Back in January, Tehran’s envoy to Madrid Hassan Qashqavi “Visit to the city of Isfahan - a pearl in see the whole world. In its heyday, it was everlasting masterpiece of architecture. drew public attention to Iran’s tourism capacities in a meeting the Middle East. Knowing the culture and also one of the largest cities in the region Located in the New Jolfa district of Isfa- held on the sidelines of a ceremony for the 40th FITUR tourism people of a country: a prerequisite for good with a population of nearly one million. han, central Iran, the Cathedral harmoniously trade fair. Referring to a 50 percent growth in the number of diplomatic relations,” the tweet reads. Isfahan is renowned not only for the abun- blends Islamic motifs and elements with Spanish tourists to Iran over the past year, Qashqavi said that Cassis paid a visit to the UNESCO-reg- dance of great historical bridges but also for those of Armenians. Vank means “monas- Iran is among the top ten countries in terms of tourist attractions istered Naqsh-e Jahan Square and some its ‘life-giving river’, the Zayandeh-Rood, tery” or “convent” in the Armenian language. diversity. The envoy pointed to the remarkable capacities of the other historical sites of the ancient city. which has long bestowed the city an original Constructed in the first half of the 17th two countries for widening cooperation in the fields of tourism, He also met with Bishop Sepian Kashchi- beauty and fertility. The cool blue tiles of century during the Safavid rulers, Kelisa-ye cultural heritage, and handicrafts, voicing Iran’s readiness for an, the Bishop of the Armenians of Isfahan han was once a crossroads of international Isfahan’s Islamic buildings, and the city’s Vank is a historic focal point of the Armenian promoting collaboration in those spheres. and southern Iran, at the centuries-old Vank trade and diplomacy in Iran. Now, it is one majestic bridges, contrast perfectly with Church in Iran. In December 2019, Spanish Charge d’Affaires to Tehran, Jose Cathedral. of Iran’s top tourist destinations for good the encircling hot, dry Iranian countryside. Modern Isfahan is now home to some Luis Solano, said, “I believe that there are very good tourism Cassis will then continue his travel to reasons. The ancient city is filled with many The huge Imam Square, best known heavy industry, including steel factories and relations between the two countries as we have many requests Tehran today to mark the centenary of architectural wonders such as unmatched as Naghsh-e Jahan Sq. (literary meaning a nuclear facility on its outskirts, however, each year from Iranians for [obtaining] visas and traveling to Swiss-Iranian diplomatic relations. Islamic buildings, bazaars, museums, Persian “Image of the World”), is one of the largest its inner core wants to be preserved as a Spain.” Iran is a country that is highly important in terms of Soaked in a rich history and culture, Isfa- gardens, and tree-lined boulevards. It’s a in the world (500m by 160m), and a majes- priceless gem. culture and it embraces all the necessary attractions for Spanish tourists who like to travel to the country, he added. “Every year we see an increase in the number of Spanish visitors to Iran, and this is constant growth.” Most popular Iranian breads Nan-e taftoon In the past, sangak was the main bread of the Persian Why studying in Iran Nan-e taftoon is an Iranian flatbread that is almost Army, and each soldier carried a bag filled with pebbles, always prepared with whole wheat flour, milk, eggs, which were used to cook the bread for the whole army. 1 And last but not least, Iran has a high-quality and up- and yogurt. The dough is similar to pizza dough, re- Today, sangak is often decorated when served, es- to-date educational system. As a Muslim country, it is also an sulting in a chewy, stringy texture. Traditionally, the pecially at festivities such as weddings and New Year. alluring education destination for many Muslim students who dough is baked on the walls of a tandoor oven for about In Iran, the bread is often consumed with lamb kebabs, come from Arab and neighboring countries. a minute, and is then removed from the walls with a and it is a typical accompaniment to kale pache, a dish metal skewer. made with sheep’s head and feet. Nan-e taftoon is often flavored with cardamom or Nan-e barbari saffron, while some cooks like to sprinkle it with poppy Nan-e barbari is an Iranian wheat-based, leavened seeds on top. The bread is mostly eaten with kebabs, flatbread. It is usually formed into a long oval shape but it can be consumed with virtually anything on the that is traditionally brushed with roomal, a flour glaze side, such as cottage cheese, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Persians traveled to India and Pakistan and learned which gives it a light golden crust, but keeps it light Nan-e shirmal the secrets of bread-making. and airy on the inside. Sheermal is a traditional Iranian flatbread made Nan-e sangak Before it is baked in traditional tandoor ovens, with maida flour, milk, saffron, and yeast. It is char- Nan-e sangak is a whole wheat leavened flatbread the bread is usually sprinkled with poppy, nigella, or acterized by its strong saffron flavor and yellow color. and the national bread of Iran. Its shape can be either sesame seeds. The name barbari derives from the old The bread is traditionally baked in a tandoor oven and triangular or rectangular, and it comes in two main disrespectful name used to refer to the Hazaras ethnic served warm, preferably with soups or meat dishes varieties: plain and special, which is topped with poppy group. It is believed they were the ones who originally such as kebabs and curries. and sesame seeds. The name sangak refers to the old brought the tradition of preparing nan-e barbari to The University of Tehran, Amirkabir University of Technology, The name sheermal means milk bread, referring to method of baking the bread, meaning little stones, Tehran and other parts of Iran. and the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad have the highest admis- one of its key ingredients, imparting a slightly sweet because it is traditionally baked in a dome-shaped oven This crispy bread is a breakfast staple in Iran; it sion rates for foreign students who are mostly from Afghanistan, flavor to the flatbread. For additional sweetness, some with a surface full of pebbles and stones. is best served freshly prepared and accompanied by Iraq, Turkey, Japan, China, Syria, Moldavia, Hungary, Ukraine, cooks like to add dried fruit into the dough. It is be- The bread can be prepared in a way that its length is creamy spreads, cheese, and a variety of fresh vegetables. Pakistan, amongst many others. lieved that sheermal has Persian roots, when numerous about two feet, which is enough to feed a whole family. (Source: tasteatlas) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 SOCIETY 7

Iran improves in Schools reopened under strict health protocols

1 The back-to-school ceremony is officially inaugurated nanotechnology by the president each year, as he rings the bells in a symbolic gesture at a chosen school. Mohsen Haji Mirzaei, Education Minister, symbolically at- tended the virtual festival. articles citation More than 15 million students started the new school year in 116,000 schools across the country, Haji Mirzaei stated. 1 According to the report, among the between 2015 and 2019, with an average of countries that have published the greatest 22.6 citations per article during this period. number of nanotechnology articles during However, Iran’s average is 10.36 citations the past five years, Singapore, Australia, per article. Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland have had Iran ranked 4th for the highest number the highest average citation per article of nano-article publications. indicator in this field. The indicator is 16.6 for the United States Despite their notable number of nanotech- and 14.5 for China, the world’s leaders in nology publications, the place of countries nanoscience publications. such as India and Russia in view of this index Australia has taken the second place in is worth pondering. average citation per nano-article, followed According to StatNano’s statistics, Singa- by Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and the Neth- pore published nearly 12,000 nano-articles erlands holding the third to fifth spots.

Agriculture minister calls for global capacities to rebound from COVID-19 damage This year, education is followed in three forms of in-person, SOCIETY TEHRAN — To tackle damages caused and innovative food and agricultural policies, processes, virtual, and television-based, but our priority is school attend- deskby COVID-19 and the ongoing effects of investment, and learning could get the region back on ance, he noted, highlighting, all schools should strictly follow the chronic undernourishment, it requires the use of interna- track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 (ending health regulations so that the students are protected. tional and regional scientific capacities, Iran’s Agriculture hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture) by 2030. Maintaining a shorter duration for classes, the students will Minister Kazem Khavazi said. COVID-19 underscores the need to redouble sit 35 minutes in each class, he emphasized. He made the remarks in the 35th Regional Conference efforts to end hunger and poverty Haji Mirzaei concluded that students have been banned from for Asia and the Pacific of the Food and Agriculture Organi- The Asia-Pacific region is home to more than half of morning ceremonies and sports activities in schools this year. zation of the United Nations (FAO), held on September 1-4. the world’s undernourished people, and with the impacts All educational centers in Iran were closed from late February Innovation, solidarity, coherence, and strong partner- of COVID-19, the number of hungry people in Southern and reopened on May 16, after almost three months of closures ship among and within countries of Asia and the Pacific Asia could rise by nearly a third to 330 million in the in the wake of the pandemic after a TV announcement by the are required for the region to rebound from the damage next ten years. education minister. The schools also ran the final year exams caused by COVID-19 and the ongoing effects of chronic The participants heard how FAO’s recently launched COV- in the third week of May. undernourishment. ID-19 Response and Recovery Programme, would help In order for students to keep in touch with their studies, the That was a call made by more than 40 member countries countries mitigate the immediate impacts of the pandemic Ministry of Education launched a homegrown mobile applica- tion on April 9, called SHAD, providing students with distance of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United to reduce the costs of production,” FAO Director-General while build back better, accelerating global hunger-fighting learning programs. He added that more than 60 percent of stu- Nations concluding a four-day regional conference. About QU Dongyu said. efforts through a focus on innovation. dents and 94 percent of teachers attended 64 percent of classes 750 participants, including representatives of the private “Big data, a digital economy, and mobile technology will The Conference was chaired by the Minister for Agri- through the SHAD app, whose acronym in Persian translates as sector and civil society, pledged to work to transform food help producers achieve that.” Today, mobile technology culture and Forests of Bhutan, Yeshey Penjor, who called the Students Education Network. systems, making them more sustainable, productive, is leading innovation “and a smartphone in the hands of a for strengthened collaboration: “While great strides had Moreover, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and resilient and to feed a hungry world in a way that is smallholder farmer is his new farming tool,” Dongyu added. been made to reduce poverty and hunger by so many coun- also began to broadcast televised educational programs on a profitable for farmers yet produces healthy food that is The Conference also learned more about the establish- tries, COVID-19 has upended the momentum. We must daily basis after school closures. accessible to all. ment of a FAO Office of Innovation and the creation of prepare for higher risks ahead of us and make sure that Finally, Haji Mirzaei, announced that all schools for the new Briefing the participants of the conference on the an International Platform for Digital Food and Agriculture. there is sustainability in the food supply chain,” he said. academic year will start September 5. He said urban and rural achievements that Iran has secured in the agriculture sec- The Conference heard that agricultural innovation can “Ironically, the fact that COVID-19 has driven us to meet schools with high population density will be divided into two tor, Khavazi highlighted that “Iran has followed adaptive reduce back-breaking drudgery, and that food chains in remotely has, in some ways, helped us to move away from groups, with attendance diverted into odd-even days. He added strategies such as changing the cultivating season, changing the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly benefitting from formalities and get closer together,” said QU, referring to that low-density population areas with lower risk will have a cultivars, using new technologies, transferring cultivation technological innovation such as drones, satellite imagery, the fact the Regional Conference was held entirely in virtual normal routine. from outdoor to indoor, limiting the cultivation of some big data, and blockchains. mode for the first time in FAO’s history. “So while we are Universities reopened nationwide crops such as rice in some geographical areas, increasing “Leveraging data, innovation, and technology have separated by some 11 time zones, we have still managed At the beginning of the new academic year, all universities the volume of annually stored water through watershed shown that, here in Asia and the Pacific, we have brilliant to come together, have thought-provoking discussions started the new semester in the country under health protocols management operations, soil erosion control, and also minds, scientists, and an entrepreneurial spirit that will and reach consensus on a number of important issues.” on Saturday. increase of forage production.” lead us through the challenges presented by COVID-19 There were a number of other firsts and achievements. However, some courses will be held virtually or a combination “However, tackling these problems requires the use of and help us conquer malnutrition and poverty,” the Di- The private sector joined for the first time a FAO Asia and of face-to-face and virtual. international and regional scientific capacities. I hope this rector-General said. the Pacific Regional Conference. Civil society organizations Service facilities such as dormitories and other services will be meeting will take the necessary steps in this direction,” A special session also was held dedicated to the application also continued to have an important voice. Prior to the provided to fewer students than the total capacity of the university. the Iranian agriculture minister added. of new technology and innovation in agriculture, which are conference, which is part of FAO’s regional governance “To transform food systems for sustainable healthy wooing back young people and empowering women in the structure, national consultations were held in member diets we must have coherence, partnerships, and solidarity sector, according to participants. It was agreed that new nations across the region - another first. LET’S LEARN PERSIAN (Part 17) (Source: saadifoundation.ir) Asphalt roads make city air pollution worse in summer, study finds Emissions from asphalt are a significant with a strong dependence on temperature minimal compared with motor vehicles in urban source of air pollutants in cities, especially and other environmental conditions,” said areas, research into road asphalt is an impor- in hot weather, a study shows. Peeyush Khare, a PhD candidate at Yale and tant part of tackling the climate emergency. Researchers found that when asphalt lead author of the study published in the “It’s another important non-combustion was exposed to hot summer conditions it journal Science Advances. source of emissions that contributes to SOA resulted in a 300% increase in emissions Paved areas make up approximately 45% production. Volatile chemical products, of secondary organic aerosols (SOA), an air of surfaces in US cities, with building roofs such as cleaning products or paints, have pollutant known to have significant impacts making up another 20%, making asphalt a the largest overall estimated contribution to on public health. significant part of the urban landscape. The SOA in Los Angeles. So, one has to consider Researchers from Yale University, Carnegie researchers compared their findings with the full scope of reactive pollutant sources Mellon University and the Max Planck Insti- formation of SOA in Los Angeles, a key city “We found that emissions from asphalt and regional differences when making any tute for Chemistry collected asphalt, found for urban air quality case studies. were strongly dependent on both temper- decisions related to urban air quality plan- commonly in roads, roofs and driveways, Previous studies have estimated that a ature and solar exposure,” explained Drew ning,” he said. and heated it to between 40C and 200C in substantial fraction of pollutant compounds Gentner, an assistant professor of chemical Dr Gary Fuller, senior lecturer in air quality a tube furnace. in Los Angeles come from sources other than and environmental engineering at Yale and one measurement at Imperial College London, They observed that asphalt emissions vehicles. While emissions from motor vehi- of the researchers who worked on the study. said: “We already know road surfaces are an doubled when the temperature increased cles are likely to decrease over time as the “Hotter, sunnier conditions will lead to increasingly important source of air pollu- from 40C to 60C — levels the material often most egregious polluters are phased out, more emissions. Additionally, in many lo- tion. We have historically thought of traffic reaches in summer. the researchers say asphalt emissions may cations, asphalt is predominantly applied pollution as coming from vehicle exhausts. “A main finding is that asphalt-related contribute to air pollution as urban areas during the warmer months of the year.” This has been the focus of policy and new products emit substantial and diverse mix- expand and climate change drives temper- Gentner said although the impact of emis- vehicles have to be fitted with exhaust clean- tures of organic compounds into the air, atures higher. sions from asphalt on ozone formation was up technologies.

ENGLISH IN USE LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION

افزایش سطح تراز دریاچه ارومیه بر اثر بارش Rainfall increases Lake Urmia level Recent rainfall has increased the level of Lake Urmia to 1,271 meters, بــارش هــای اخیــر تــراز فعلــی دریاچــه ارومیــه را بــه یکهــزار و ۲۷۱ متــر و ۳۸ a step closer to its ecological level of 1,274 meters. ســانتیمتر رســانده اســت کــه در حــال رســیدن بــه تــراز اکولوژیــک یکهــزار و The lake is expected to reach its ecological level within 10 years by ۲۷۴ متــر اســت. .completing the restoration plans which started four years ago بــه گــزارش ایرنــا، فرهــاد ســرخوش رییــس دفتــر اســتانی ســتاد احیــای دریاچــه ارومیــه Farhad Sarkhosh, head of the Lake Urmia Restoration Program’s office گفــت ســطح دریاچــه ارومیــه اکنــون ۵۸ ســانتیمتر بیشــتر از زمــان مشــابه ســال in West Azarbaijan province, said that the Lake’s level is now 58 cm گذشــته اســت. طبــق آخریــن پایــش صــورت گرفتــه حجــم آب ایــن دریاچــه بیــش از .higher than it was last year ســه میلیــارد و ۶۷۰ میلیــون مترمکعــب بــرآورد شده اســت. According to the latest monitoring, the lake’s water volume is estimated وی بــا بیــان اینکــه وســعت دریاچــه ارومیــه در حــال حاضــر بــه بیــش از ۲ هــزار و at more than 3.6 billion cubic meters. ۸۸۳ He added that the lake surface area has reached 2,883 square kilometers, کیلومتــر مربــع رســیده، اضافــه کــرد: وســعت ایــن دریاچــه نیــز نســبت بــه ســال گذشــته adding that the figure is increased by 538 square kilometers compared ۵۳۸ کیلومتــر مربــع افزایــش دارد. .to the same period last year هرچنــد تــراز یکهــزار و ۲۷۴ متــر بــه عنــوان ارتفــاع اکولوژیــک دریاچــه ارومیــه اعــام ,Although the ecological level of the lake is defined as 1,274 meters شــده ولی ایــن دریاچــه در تــراز یکهــزار و ۲۷۲ متــر هــم شــرایط مطلــوب خواهــد the lake will also have favorable conditions at 1,272 meters and more داشــت و بیــش از ۹۵ درصــد کانونهــای ریزگــرد آن رفــع خواهــد شــد. .than 95 percent of sand and dust storm hotspots will be eliminated Prayer Times Noon:13:03 Evening: 20:15 Dawn: 4:43 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:41 (tomorrow) SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh Iran counters Charlie Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Hebdo’s insult to Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 Webmaster: [email protected] Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 Prophet Muhammad Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 (S) with Holocaust No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Zip Code: 1599814713 cartoon exhibit 1 “I believe they are trying to promote Shojaei-Tabatabai said that the previous Islamophobia by republishing these cartoons acts by the magazine were not taken into that are against Prophet Muhammad (S),” account when they organized several cartoon asserted Shojaei-Tabatabai who is a prominent exhibits, and this time there are also plans Former secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeid Jalili (L) and cartoonist. to hold an international cartoon exhibit Art Bureau’s Visual Arts Office director Masud Shojaei-Tabatabai visit the cartoon “Creating and promoting hatred, and under the probable title of “The Atonement exhibition “Keep Calm, I Am the Queen” at Abolfazl Aali Gallery in Tehran on June hurting the hearts of millions of Muslims of the Holocaust”. 11, 2019. (Mehr/Shahab Qayyumi) GUIDE TO across the world, is a vain action and this is “The reason lies behind the fact that they SPIRITUAL AWAKENING far from logic,” he said. are justifying why the Palestinian nation Shojaei-Tabatabai was an organizer of Trumpism Cartoon and Caricature Contest “I also think the French government must pay for the Holocaust. Palestinians two previous editions of the International in 2017 and 2019 to criticize U.S. capitalism When Allah chooses to favor someone, makes him/ does not take any serious actions against have been under oppression for years Holocaust Cartoon Contest in Iran. and hegemony around the world. her the source of satisfying other people’s needs. the magazine as they say they believe in and they are still paying the price for the He also organized the international cartoon Tehran on Thursday strongly condemned Imam Hussein (AS) freedom of speech, and the Zionist regime Holocaust,” he said. exhibition “I Can’t Breathe” during June to Charlie Hebdo, saying any insult to the prophet tries to do fishing in the troubled waters as “And we are trying to find a strong response highlight protests against racism in the U.S. of Islam and other divine prophets is not well,” he said. to this by means of this exhibit,” he concluded. In addition, he organized the International acceptable at all. “Let Us Go Out into the Starry Night” at Tehran theater Culture minister meets Iran Darrudi at 84th ARTTEHRAN — An Iranian troupe is birthday anniversary deskperforming American writer John Patrick Shanley’s play “Let Us Go out into the Starry Night” at Tehran’s The Tehran Municipality has allocated a large area to the first Eternal Tile, which was embedded on the wall Mashayekhi Theater. establish a museum for the artist in the city. of her house in Tehran in May 2017. Danial Kamankesh is directing the Darrudi also thanked the minister for the visit and said The idea to install the tiles on the houses of contemporary play translated into Persian by Behrang that she loves Iran and the Iranian people, and enjoys artists, literati and religious figures was initiated by Rajabi. Asieh Razmi and Sajjad Gudarzi being honored by the love and kindness of people. the CHTHO Office for Inscription of Properties and are the members of the cast. “It took 5 years to receive the official certificate of the Revitalization of Intangible and Natural Heritage. The play deals with a thin woman museum, and I hope that I will be alive to see the opening The tile bearing the name and title of the celebrity is in a cafe who approaches a ghostly of the museum,” she added. installed on the façade of his/her house. It also carries young man who reminds her of Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Born in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, the year the artist began to live in the house. Dostoevsky. They have an intensely Darrudi has studied at Ecole Superier des Beaux-Arts “Over my life, I have regularly proved how much I love serious conversation which temporarily Salehi (R) meets surrealist painter Iran Darrudi in her house on September 4, 2020. and the École du Louvre in Paris and the Royal Academy Iran, its great history and my countrymen; I was born a transports them to a point of ecstacy of Brussels. She also received education on television lover and I have honestly expressed my love of Iran and among the stars. A poster for John Patrick ARTTEHRAN — Minister of Culture and direction and production at the RCA Institute in New its great history,” Darrudi had said. The play will remain on stage until desk Shanley’s play “Let Us Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi York City. “I’m thankful for my people’s affection to me and I September 11. Go Out into the Starry” met Iran Darrudi in her house on Friday, wishing the A few years ago, she returned to her homeland and the want to know that I merit your love; I’ve been offering “Let Us Go Out into the Starry on stage at Tehran’s surrealist painter health and happiness on her 84th Tehran Municipality promised her to establish a museum service fairly over all these years to acquaint my people Night” has previously been staged Mashayekhi Theater. birthday anniversary. in the Yusefabad district to preserve the works she had with contemporary art,” she added. by several other Iranian directors. He also expressed hope that her plan to set up a museum brought with herself from Paris. She talked about her faith in her Iranian identity and Amir-Hossein Golshani directed a reading performance of the to embrace her works will be accomplished soon, the In addition, Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and said, “My name is Iran and by selecting this name for me, play at the Samandarian Hall of the Iranian Artists Forum in 2016. ministry announced in a press release published on Saturday Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) honored her with they have assigned me a great duty.” Iranian director criticizes producers for using Turkish actors in native productions ARTTEHRAN — Iranian director Bahador Asadi has contracts in these hard days of coronavirus, and are working on deskcriticized his fellow producers for hiring Turkish their projects observing the health protocols,” he noted. actors for playing roles in movies being produced in the country. “We have shown our ignorance over the past years and have He has recently completed his TV series named “Unplanned”, not trained enough actors, and this is why producers seek Turkish which has been shot on location in Khorasan Razavi Province. actors to hire in order to turn their productions into box office The series is currently being broadcast on IRIB Channel 1. hits. But this overlooks many good-looking, talented Iranian Asadi said, “We produced this series in Mashhad, and I believe actors who could become professionals with some additional that a filmmaker needs to leave the capital and go to other cities education and training,” he added. for his productions.” Iranian filmmakers have begun hiring actors from the countries “A number of local actors are acting in this series and I believe in the region over the past few years to foster box office receipts. we have many fine, talented actors in other cities that we can In the latest case, Lebanese actress Anne-Marie Salameh, make use of in our productions,” he added. famous for her role in the Lebanese TV series “Jouzour” joined “At the present time, many TV and cinema actors have signed Iranian director Ali Atshani’s new project, “Shark”, in July. “Sun Children” star Ruhollah Zamani misses Venice festival over coronavirus ARTTEHRAN — Director handling international sales. “Sun Children” deskMajid Majidi announced premiered during February in Tehran at the Friday that Ruhollah Zamani, the star his 38th edition of the Fajr Film Festival, which child labor drama “Sun Children”, has honored it with the Crystal Simorgh for best film. missed the 77th Venice Film Festival due Co-written by Majidi and Nima Javidi, to his positive test for COVID-19. the film also won the award for best Zamani’s co-star, Shamila Shirzad, screenplay. Majidi and a number of crew members left “I hope people and officials help solve the Tehran for Venice to promote the film, which problem of child labor, and that we would is competing in the official section of the not see child workers anywhere in our cities,” festival now underway on the Italian Lido. Majid said after accepting his award during Zamani portrays Ali, a 12-year-old boy Ruhollah Zamani, the star of director the closing ceremony of the event. and his three friends who work hard together Majid Majidi’s child labor drama “Sun His “Children of Heaven” received a to survive and support their families. They Children”, attends a press conference nomination at the Oscars in 1998, but it do small jobs in a garage and commit petty during the 38th Fajr Film Festival at failed to win an award. crimes to make fast money. Everything Mellat Cineplex on February 10, 2020. The 77th Venice Film Festival opened last changes, however, when Ali is entrusted to (Mehr/Majid Asgaripur) Tuesday and will run until September 12. find a hidden treasure underground but must members of the cast were selected through Iranian director Shahram Mokri’s latest first enroll at the Sun (Khorshid) School, a auditions Majidi held among the children making drama “Careless Crime” is also competing charitable institution that tries to educate a living from peddling in the Tehran metro. in Orizzonti, a section dedicated to films street kids and child laborers. Celluloid Dreams, a major French film that represent the latest aesthetic and Zamani, Shirzad and some other teenage production and distribution company, is expressive trends in international cinema. Kuwaiti publisher Takween releases Arabic translation of Persian novel “Prison for the Criminals” ARTTEHRAN — Takween, a major Kuwaiti used in the books, and in the end, it was edited by three editors deskpublisher, has recently released an Arabic from different Arab countries to make the novel understandable translation of the Persian novel “Prison for the Criminals” to all Arabic speakers around the world,” he stated. written by Kayhan Khanjani. “I’m really happy that a prominent translator and a The book was originally published by the Persian publishing prominent publisher in the Arab world have worked together company Cheshmeh in 2018 and soon became a bestseller. on my book,” he added. It has been rendered into Arabic by prominent Arab translator Khanjani said that despite the global sanctions on Iran, the Ahmad Heidari who has translated several other books by publisher has acquired the book’s rights. Iranian writers including Sadeq Hedayat’s “Isfahan, Half of The novel is about a criminal and junky named “Zapata”, who the World” and Bozorg Alavi’s “Her Eyes”. tells stories to the prisoners, and, in exchange, they give him In a press release published last week, Khanjani said that drugs. In this book, he begins to tell the story of a woman who Heidari spent about two years translating his book. was transferred into the men’s prison. In parallel with the story, “He was in contact with me and we discussed Persian terms the stories of 15 other prisoners are also narrated.