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12 Pages Price 40,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13597 Wednesday FEBRUARY 5, 2020 Bahman 16, 1398 Jumada Al thani 10, 1441 U.S. claim of lifting Zarif lauds China’s successful Iranian women 3x3 Action film “Day Zero” medicine embargo measures to contain basketball want a place brings Jundallah founder on a sheer lie 2 coronavirus epidemic 2 at Tokyo 2020: official 11 Rigi back to life 12

Foreign investment in Iran up 50% in 10 months Iran third fastest — Foreign investment in investment despite the tough condition Iran has risen 50 percent during the resulted from the unjust U.S. sanctions, first 10 months of the current Iranian IRNA reported. calendar year (March 21, 2019-Janu- The official also noted that the country’s ary 20, 2020) from the same period of non-oil exports during the first 10 months time in the past year, Iranian Finance of the current year have experienced a growing tourism market and Economic Affairs Minister Farhad 20-percent rise in terms of weight. Dejpasand announced. The value of the country’s foreign trade Speaking in a press conference on hasn’t changed in the mentioned period Tuesday, the minister said the country compared to the figure for last year’s nine- See page 8 has witnessed this rise in the foreign months, according to Dejpasand. 4

CIA agent sentenced to death for espionage crimes: Iranian Judiciary TEHRAN — Iran’s top court has upheld vice. He will soon be held to account,” a death sentence against a person who Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein was spying on Iran’s civilian nuclear sites Esmaeili told a regular news briefing, for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Press TV reported. (CIA), the Iranian Judiciary announced Esmaeili added that two other spies, on Tuesday. who were collecting information for the “The Supreme Court has recently U.S. under the guise of a charity orga- confirmed a death sentence handed nization, have also been given ten year down to Amir Rahimpour, who was a sentences each over espionage. highly-paid CIA agent, seeking to pass The pair also received a five-year some information on Iran’s nuclear jail term each for acts against national program to the U.S. intelligence ser- security. 2

Referendum only solution to Israeli- Palestinian issue: parliament committee TEHRAN — Iranian Parliament’s National only solution for the Palestinian problem Security and Foreign Policy Committee is to hold a referendum among the main issued a statement late on Monday con- residents of the Palestinian lands, including demning the so-called “deal of the century”, Muslims, Christians, and Jews. asking all parliaments of Muslim countries In its statement, the parliamentary

World Expeditions/ Richard I’Anson World Expeditions/ to support the democratic solution of ref- committee said the United States’ new erendum in the occupied lands scheme is a declaration of war against Foreign travelers look at ancient rock–hewn tombs and bas-relief carvings at Naqsh-e Rostam, which is situated near the UNESCO-registered Persepolis, southern Iran. The parliamentary committee said the Islam. 3 PERSPECTIVE ARTICLE Masoud Hossein EU rejects U.S. one-sided ‘Deal of the Century’ In the statement, the EU foreign policy chief law that could exacerbate tensions,” the lim countries that believe it to flagrantly violate Martin Love Head of the Sport Desk of Josep Borrell noted that the plan introduced statement said. Palestinians’ rights. Political analyst from the TehranTimes by U.S. President Donald Trump on 28 Jan- “We are especially concerned by statements The American deal, which was negotiated with North Carolina uary departs from internationally agreed pa- on the prospect of annexation of the Jordan the Israeli regime but without the Palestinians, Iran football federation rameters, such as “the two-State solution, Valley and other parts of the West Bank. In refers to Jerusalem al-Quds as the undivided based on 1967 lines, with equivalent land line with international law and relevant UN capital of Israel and allows the regime to annex Iran, under extreme needs courage swaps, as may be agreed between the parties, Security Council resolutions, the EU does illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank ... as set out in the Council Conclusions of not recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the and the Jordan Valley. pressure? Superb choosing new coach July 2014.” territories occupied since 1967. Steps towards Palestinian groups “To build a just and lasting peace, the un- annexation, if implemented, could not pass All Palestinian groups have angrily rejected responses so far he Football Federation Islamic Republic resolved final status issues must be decided unchallenged.” the plan, while Israeli groups of different politi- of Iran (FFIRI) is clearly in a dilemma through direct negotiations between both par- “The European Union will continue to support cal persuasions have enthusiastically embraced o be quite clear, the bizarre creature about how to choose the new head coach ties. This includes notably the issues related to all efforts aimed at reviving a political process in it, hailing it for offering them more than they who came up with the Israel/Pal- T borders, the status of Jerusalem, security and line with international law, which ensures equal for Team Melli. The federation needs courage expected. estine “peace” deal (that has been the refugee question,” the statement added, rights and which is acceptable to both parties,” T to make the best decision since the Team have Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Ab- rejected most everywhere) is not very difficult job ahead to book a place at the final MNA reported. the statement added. bas on Saturday cut relations with the U.S. bright, and he is so waxen-looking that stage of the 2022 World Cup qualification. “The European Union calls on both sides The U.S. administration unveiled the so-called and Israel after saying he did not want his he belongs frozen in eternal silence in Sepahan coach is a po- to re-engage and to refrain from any uni- ‘Deal of the Century’ plan last week. The deal name to go down in history for betraying the London’s Madame Tussaud’s museum. tential candidate to take charge of Team Melli lateral actions contrary to international has been widely condemned among the Mus- Palestinians. 10 Except that he would not be acceptable but the Iranian club don’t let him to leave the there, even as a wax effigy, because he has team since the Yellows are in a tight title race never been good for anything. in Iran Professional League. That this guy, Jared Kushner, has any Furthermore, Sepahan will have to par- Israel, Sudan leaders ‘secretly meet, agree on normalization’ credibility at all is a miracle. He is a real ticipate in the 2020 AFC Champions League, A surprise meeting between Sudan’s leader and claimed in a tweet, “We agreed to begin coop- cooperation leading to normalization.” estate slumlord and little more, whose sole where the team have been drawn along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eration that will lead to the normalization of However, Sudan’s information minister and claim to any knowledge about the Israel/ Qatari giants Al Sadd, Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia stirred controversy in Sudan Tuesday, with the relations... History!” government spokesman said he was not informed Palestine matter is that, he asserts, he has and Emirati outfit Al Ain. government saying it wasn’t notified ahead of time Netanyahu’s office later released a statement, of the meeting and had received its news “through read 25 books on the topic. Maybe there’s Ghalenoei had an unsuccessful stint in and critics lambasting the talks on social media. saying the premier believes Sudan “is moving in the media.” something to having an undergraduate Iran from 2006 to 2008. Under stewardship Israel says it has reached an agreement with a new and positive direction,” and that he had “We, the members of the cabinet, were not degree from Harvard, but his father, a of the coach, Iran failed to book a place at the Sudan to jointly work towards normalization of expressed this point to U.S. Secretary of State notified or consulted about this meeting. We are convicted felon who spent time in jail, gave 2007 AFC Asian Cup semis after losing to ties, after leaders of the two sides held a secret Mike Pompeo. waiting for the chief of the sovereign council to Harvard a sufficient amount of money to Korea Republic on penalties. meeting in Uganda, drawing angry reactions Burhan, it added, “is interested in helping return and give clarification about this,” Faisal get his son into the university. Once bitten, twice shy; the federation should from all Palestinian factions. his country go through a modernization process Mohamed Salih said in a statement. One need not write further about the not make the same mistakes they did several The meeting took place between Israeli Prime by removing it from isolation and placing it on A senior Sudanese military official, who was proposed “deal”. It’s an abomination and years ago, since Team Melli have a difficult Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abdel Fattah the world map.” speaking on condition of anonymity, told The even Israelis, some of them anyway but task ahead. al-Burhan, the chairman of Sudan’s ruling council, Separately, a senior Israeli official was quoted Times of Israel that the Netanyahu-Burhan meet- not Likudniks and settler extremists, is being considered for at the residence of Ugandan President Yoweri by The Times of Israel as saying that the two- ing had been orchestrated by the UAE and that oppose it. Worse, almost, is Trump’s the job as well. The ex-Iran striker was Marc Museveni in the city of Entebbe on Monday. hour-long talks between Netanyahu and Burhan only a “small circle” of top officials in Sudan, expanding ban on visits to the U.S. by Wilmots’s assistant and is well-informed about It was only made public when Netanyahu “serves as the beginning of a process of bilateral Saudi Arabia and Egypt knew about it. 10 Muslims, or people from more largely the team’s condition. Muslim countries. This is a reelection The former Bayern Munich forward has strategy aimed at igniting right-wing gained B and A coaching licenses when playing nationalism and hatred amid his elec- in Germany, however, it’s noteworthy that he toral base of lunatic fascists. is an inexperienced coach and needs more Adding to the misery is that the U.S. support to bring success to Team Melli. Senate, dominated by Republicans, re- Iran will have four must-win matches in fused to permit the calling of witnesses late March and early June. in Trump’s impeachment trial. But never Team Melli will entertain Hong Kong on mind on that. Trump’s conviction was March 26 in Tehran and will meet Cambodia Oynar revives unlikely from the get go, EVEN THOUGH five days later in an away match. Republicans have essentially admitted The Persians will face Bahrain and Iraq revolutionary the charges against Trump (regarding on June 4 and 9 in Tehran. Ukraine) were valid. Thus the faux (no Iran, who are going to continue their quest witness) trial actually exposed the GOP for a sixth World Cup appearance, sit five Zainab Pasha on members of the Senate as being anti-de-

points behind leaders Iraq in Group C but mocracy, anti even the U.S. Constitution. having played one game fewer. But this is actually a good thing, because IF The eight group winners and four best run- stage at Fajr Trump had been convicted and removed ners-up will advance to the AFC Asian Cup China from office, the standing of Republicans 2023 Finals and the final round of qualifying Oynar, a troupe from East Azerbaijan, performs might have been enhanced rather than “Zainab Pasha” about Zainab Pasha, a female revo-

for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Asghar Khamseh diminished, and their re-election chances The next best 24 teams from the second lutionary of Iran’s Tobacco Protest in Tabriz during come November more secure. As it is, round of the joint qualifiers will compete in a the 19th century, at the 38th Fajr International some long established sinecures held by separate competition for the remaining 12 slots IRNA/ Theater Festival in the courtyard of Tehran’s City Republican dinosaurs in the U.S. Senate, Theater Complex on February 3, 2020. in the 24-team AFC Asian Cup China 2023. people like Sen. 7