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8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 43rd year No.13952 Wednesday MAY 26, 2021 Khordad 5, 1400 Shawwal 14, 1442

EU welcomes extension Skocic names 29 mining projects Iranian, Russian universities of surveillance deal squad for World Cup ready to go operational launch Iranistica between Iran, IAEA Page 3 qualifiers Page 3 across Iran Page 4 Encyclopedia project Page 8

Zarif holds high- level talks in – Iranian Foreign Minister Iran presidential lineup has embarked See page 3 on a tour of the South Caucasus region amid soaring border tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia. The chief Iranian diplomat began his tour with a visit to Baku where he met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday. Continued on page 3 Water projects worth over $185m inaugurated TEHRAN – Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian on Tuesday inaugurated seven major water industry projects valued at 7.81 trillion rials (about $185.9 million) through video conference in three prov- inces, IRIB reported. Put into operation in the eighth week of the ministry’s A-B-Iran program in the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21), the said projects were inaugurated in Hormozgan, Fars, and Kurdestan provinces. Continued on page 4 “Ambushing a Rose” published in eight languages TEHRAN – Eight translations of “Ambushing a Rose”, a biography of Lieutenant-General Ali Sayyad Shirazi who served as commander of Ground Forces during the Iran–Iraq war, have recently been published. Continued on page 8 Eagle of Asia turns 55 Israel losing the war of Israel threatens to kill senior

BY MASOUD HOSSEIN moral awakening Hamas leader in Gaza ranians will never forget a spe- cial day in the 90s, when they BY MAHMOOD MONSHIPOURI Jewish state was founded in 1948. Israeli Finance Minister Israel Katz launched a Mengistu and Hisham a-Sayed, who are held emerged victorious over pow- The recent war between Israel and the Pal- One nagging question persists: Has the threat to Hamas leadership on Monday and said by Hamas. However, Israel allows the entry of I estinians in Gaza has raised many questions. rhetoric of a two-state solution provided a that even the slightest breach of the ceasefire urgent supplies into the Palestinian enclave. erhouses thanks to Ah- madreza Abedzadeh’s performance Foremost among them is the question of why cover for Israelis to prolong their subjuga- between Israel and Hamas will prompt Israel to The finance minister rejected criticism from between the sticks. after 73 years of occupation, Israel cannot live tion of the Palestinians? Palestinians living act forcefully, even targeting its leader Yahyah other members of the Cabinet who were not In any discussion about the Iran’s with its Palestinians citizens and residents under occupation lack an army of their own. Sinwar. pleased with the results of the operation in Gaza. best goalkeepers, the name Abedzadeh inside Israel proper and in the occupied Neither do they own an airport to keep reg- Speaking to the Ynet studio in an interview, Katz also praised the police for cracking down invariably comes up. territories. Israel, which is technologically, ular commercial transactions with the rest Katz — a senior Cabinet member and close ally on Arab riots that erupted across the country On Nov. 29, 1997, Iran staged an as- economically, and militarily stronger than of the world. Meanwhile, Israeli right-wing of Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, Ben- and called to continue the efforts to eradicate tonishing late rally to grab the last berth its neighbors, today faces an unprecedented forces have kept the forced eviction of many jamin Netanyahu — said that Israel will come protests in Arab society. in the 1998 FIFA World Cup finals on inter-communal strife that threatens their Palestinian families from East Jerusalem. for “Yahyah Sinwar’s head.” The fighting between Israel and Palestinian the away-goals rule after a 2-2 draw with nation’s social fabric and political cohesion. The Palestinian Israelis, nearly one-fifth Although Sinwar was seen in public since resistance in Gaza began on 10 May after weeks Australia in . That along with some attacks on Israel em- of Israel’s population, feel less secure from a ceasefire whose terms remain undisclosed of rising Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Je- Abedzadeh, beyond a shadow of a doubt, anating from Lebanon and other Palestin- crimes or attacks by Israeli extremists who took hold, Katz claimed that he was not given rusalem that culminated in clashes at al-Aqsa, played a significant role in the match and ians in the West Bank have added a new have been encouraged by the country’s bur- immunity from Israeli assassination as part of a holy site revered by Muslims. Hamas began sent the Iranian team to the World Cup layer of complexity to this conflict. Israel, geoning right-wing government and Western the agreement. firing rockets after Israeli authorities stormed after 20 years. as Thomas L. Friedman has noted https:// leniency (Michael Jansen, “United in Rejec- The Likud lawmaker also conditioned ex- the site, triggering retaliatory air strikes. Plucky Abedzadeh were jumping over the www.nytimes.com/2021/05/23/opinion/is- tion,” Panorama: Gulf Today, May 21-27, tensive rebuilding of the Gaza Strip and civilian At least 243 people, including more than Australian stars and showed great fighting rael-hamas-biden.html), has rarely faced 2021:38-39). assistance on the return of the bodies of soldiers 100 women and children, were killed in Gaza, spirit in front of the 85,000 fans at MGC. that kind of multi-pronged threat since the Continued on page 5 Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul and captives Avera according to its health ministry Led by young strikers and , the Socceroos spent the entire first half laying siege to the Iran seeks UNESCO status for ancient nomadic routes Two-state solution: Iranian goal. With and TEHRAN – Iran is preparing a dossier for ancient Bakhtiari nomads live a life defined by the nated by a wide range of interethnic relations. making inroads on the routes and paths used by its Bakhtiari nomads to tradition of migration and the ability to adapt to It is home to about 20 ethnic groups who live in Settlement or flanks, and pushing be submitted to the United Nations Education- climatic conditions and the natural environment, different regions of the country. prolongation of suffering forward from midfield, it seemed an al, Scientific and Cultural Organization in near the official explained. Apart from modern roads, highways, and Aussie avalanche was inevitable. future, ILNA reported on Tuesday. This tribal lifestyle is one of the most prom- bridges that are ubiquitous in modern Iran, BY AHMAD ABAYAT The nation will never forget Abedza- “A comprehensive archeological, ethnographic inent characteristics and symbols of Bakhtiari there are still arduous paths, flattened by the deh’s smile during the game while the After a grinding war launched by the Israelis on the and ecological survey on the nomads’ roads, scat- culture, and it could be added to the UNESCO’s feet of nomads and the hooves of their livestock Gaza Strip and desecration of Muslim’s first qibla, match could be chaotic for Iran. But the tered across Andika county in southern Khuzestan prestigious list as one of the oldest living cultures, in the ever-repeating movement of migration Captain kept the score level with some the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, many international province, has been started,” Andika’s tourism he added. for millennia. organizations, humanitarian institutions and ob- inspired goalkeeping. chief Seyyed Ali Musavi said. Iran has a culturally diverse society domi- Continued on page 6 The Iran and Persepolis legend turns servers are raising questions about the settlement 55 today. based on a two-state solution: Palestine and Israel. His son, Abedzadeh, who currently The question that presents itself is: Does the plays for Portuguese club Marítimo, is one two-state solution really lead to a viable settlement of Iran’s goalkeepers in the 2022 World to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict? The Cup qualifiers. conflict that has always concerned those in charge Amir always says that his father is his Children of proposing this initiative. role model and it’s completely true. Before the recent escalation which was sparked Ahmadreza Abedzadeh was a member of in Tehran after Israeli forces and the extremist Jewish settlers Iran national football team in the “Mother stormed the core sanctities of Islam and Christian- of All Games”, where the Persians defeated show ity in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, no one in Israel could their old foes USA 2-1 at the elegant Stade imagine dimensions of the crisis. de Gerland in Lyon. Now Israel is facing a global condemnation. The As a Persepolis goalkeeper, Abedzadeh sympathy voices of the free people are placing the Israeli regime won four titles with the Reds in Iran foot- in an isolated position. ball league but he had already claimed a with Israel did not take into account the repercus- domestic title with Persepolis archrivals sions of storming Al-Aqsa, arresting worshipers, Esteghlal as well as 1991 Asian Club Cham- Palestinians putting them into prison, and humiliating them in pionship title with the Blues. front of the eyes and ears of the world. Most radios Abedzadeh had previously stolen the and televisions across the world covered the event. Children in Tehran gathered at Felestin It was not in the calculations of the authorities of show in the 1990 , helping (Palestine) Square on Monday evening to Iran win the gold medal in Beijing after the Israeli regime that the fire of their weapons, their show sympathy with Palestinian children militarism and their arsenal would not scare the Pales- 16 years. Two years before, he saved three who are under Israeli brutal attacks. penalties in the 1988 AFC Asian Cup third- tinians. Rather, Israel made Palestinians tougher and The event was held with the theme more resistant in the face of what they had suffered place match against China and sent the Fatemeh Aali of “Nightmare Is Not Children’s Share.” Iranians home with a medal. for over seven decades, including the occupation and According to statistics, Israeli air seizure of property, slaughtering, displacement and Abedzadeh will stay in Iranians’ heart strikes have killed 243 people, includ- Mehr/ destruction of their most valuable possessions and so on. forever. ing 66 children since May 10. Happy birthday to you, the Legend. Continued on page 5 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MAY 26, 2021 POLITICS ELECTION WIRE CANDIDATE PROFILE Hamas ascribes victory against Eventful 12 hours marks historical Israel to Iran’s support POLITICAL TEHRAN — Hamas has said the Palestinians day for presidential election deskwere “victorious” in the latest confrontation with Israel thanks to the support provided by Iran. POLITICAL TEHRAN — The unequivocally support him. the decision of the In an interview with Press TV on Monday, Hamas repre- desk2021 election has Azar Mansouri, spokesperson for and does not seek reconsideration. sentative in Iran Khaled al-Qaddoumi said rockets fired from been one of a kind so far, yet events the “reformist front” said on Tues- “I will not ask even my brother to Gaza were in response to Israeli atrocities against Palestinians occurred on May 24 and 25 made the day morning that the front did not consult with authorities to confirm at al-Aqsa Mosque and the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in presidential elections all the more in- appreciate the purported list, saying me,” he said. Jerusalem al-Quds. teresting. that the disqualifications will lead to Sadegh Amoli Larijani, ’s Asked about who was the victor in the latest confrontation, It all began at 00:00 of May 25, decrease in participation in the pres- brother, is a member of the Guardian al-Qaddoumi said, “It is not the matter of who is the victor. It’s when Fars News published a list of idential polls. Council. the matter of how much the resistance fighters managed to thwart seven candidates, stating that prom- At around 11 in the morning, rumors He asked people to passionately par- the goals of the Israeli regime and to convey the message of the inent figures such as Mahmoud Ah- exploded Twitter stating that Presi- ticipate in the elections. Shortly after Palestinian people to the international community.” madinejad, Es’haq Jahangiri, Masoud dent Rouhani has written a letter to Larijani’s statement, Ali Motahari, who “The Zionist regime’s narrative is starting to be isolated,” Pezeshkian, and more importantly, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution himself was rejected as presidential he said, noting that there are Jews in the U.S. state of New Ali Larijani have been disqualified by requesting him to make changes in the hopeful, criticized the Guardia Coun- York who oppose the Israeli atrocities as well as European the Guardian Council. list confirmed by the Guardian Coun- cil for disapproving Larijani, saying nations who are questioning their governments’ support for The list Fars News published con- cil. This all came out after no official that he cannot understand the logic the Israeli entity. sisted of surprising names, such as at the Ministry of Interior refuted or behind the decision. He added that “Yes, we were the victors,” he finally said. Abdolnasser Hemmati, the current approved the list published by Fars. he does not have any objection to his Al-Qaddoumi also dismissed the casualty figures given by head of Iran’s central bank, Mohsen When asked about the letter, Ali disqualification. the Israeli authorities, saying they were “not accurate”, and Mehr Alizadeh, current presiding board Rabiei, the government spokesman, said A video released by Ebrahim Raeisi that Israeli fatalities were higher than the official numbers. member of Kish Free Trade Zone Or- that he will ask and inform the media. exploded Twitter. It said that he has Israel said 12 people were killed by rockets fired from Gaza. ganization, and Alireza Zakani, cur- “So far as I know, the president been consulting with authorities to Foreign media outlets have said the firing of rockets at major rent head of the Parliament Research only writes to the Leader on important “make the election scene more com- areas in Israel have demoralized the settlers and the army. Center. Zakani had been disqualified occasions,” he remarked. petitive.” Analysts said that Raeisi is Iranian military figures have likened the victory of re- in the 2017 presidential election. Mohammad Mohajeri, a principlist trying to meet with the Leader to get sistance forces against Israel to Hezbollah’s win against the The list published by Fars sparked political activist who claimed that Rou- his approval on qualifying Mahmoud Israeli Army in the 33-day war in 2006. Hezbollah’s victory lots of responses on social media, par- hani has written to the Leader, said Ahmadinejad, Ali Larijani and Saeed shattered the myth in the Arab public opinion that Israel ticularly on Twitter and Clubhouse. that the president has prevented the Mohammad, three figures expected was invincible. Many Larijani supporters rushed into Ministry of Interior from releasing the to have large bases. According to al Jazeera, after Israel announced to un- Clubhouse sessions and called on the names of the final candidates. Es’haq Jahangiri, a prominent conditional ceasefire, thousands of people in Gaza and the Guardian Council to approve Larija- Mehdi Faza’eli, a media activist, pro-reform nominee, issued a statement Palestinian territories poured onto the streets to celebrate ni, stating that there is no legitimate tweeted on Tuesday expressing hope hours after the announcement stating the ceasefire, waving flags and flashing ‘V’ signs for victory. reason to disqualify him. that Larijani will emerge victorious that he had entered the election race The ceasefire took effect Rumors began to circulate on Twit- from this “test,” sparking speculation “to help develop Iran, knowing all the at 2:00am on Friday (23:00 “Israel ter that Larijani has been disqualified regarding Larijani’s disqualification. challenges.” His statement was issued GMT on Thursday). announced because his daughter, Fatemeh Larijani, Pressures mounted on the ministry hastily and out of anger, yet inviting On to the achievements a unilateral is currently studying in Ohio. to announce the names and they did people to participate in the election. made by the resistance forc- Abbasali Kadkhodaei said on May so at 14:15. , another pro-re- es, the Hamas representative ceasefire after 24 that the Guardian Council has in- The list published by the ministry form candidate, issued a statement said they managed to attack the rocket fire vited a few candidates to listen to their was the same that Fars leaked at op- thanking all his supporters and elites, “at least six airbases” in the oc- from Gaza plans, including Hemmati. He fielded eration 00:00. The official candidates saying that he has no objection over cupied Palestinian territories, candidacy, yet he did not announce were Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi, Mohsen the Guardian Council’s decision. including Hatzerim airbase, eroded the which political party or faction he Rezaei, Saeed Jalili, Abdolnasser Perhaps the strongest reaction as well as a battery of the Iron morale of the belongs to. Hemmati, Amir Hossein Qazizadeh came from Sadegh Amoli Larijani. Dome missile system. Israeli army Another surprise on the Fars list was Hashemi, Mohsen Mehr Alizadeh, and He harshly criticized the Guardian He said Israel announced Mohsen Mehr Alizadeh, who had been Alireza Zakani. Council over the disqualification of a unilateral ceasefire after the officers and left off radar since the 2005 presidential The list faced reactions from all his brother. rocket fire from Gaza eroded “70 percent” of elections, in which he entered and was around the world. The quickest reaction Mohsen Mehr Alizadeh, an approved the morale of the Israeli army Israelis hiding disqualified. The Guardian Council came from Ali Larijani, who had long presidential candidate, wrote on his officers and left “70 percent” of later received an order from the Leader been speculated to be disqualified. He Twitter page on Tuesday afternoon Israelis hiding underground. underground.” of the Islamic Revolution to qualify him. released a statement minutes after the saying, “Reformism is alive as long Referring to the barrage of Mehr Alizadeh is commonly known as official announcement by the Interior as Iran is alive,” declaring his sup- rockets fired at Israel during the latest confrontation, al-Qa- a reformist in public opinion, yet the Ministry saying that he thanks everyone port for Es’haq Jahangiri and Masoud ddoumi said the Israeli siege imposed on Gaza has helped the reformist front did not seem eager to supporting him. He said he accepts Pezeshkian. resistance fighters to find innovative ways to defend themselves. He also attributed the Palestinians victory to the support provided by Iran to the Palestinian resistance, including rocket technology. Prominent candidates withdraw election race in favor of Raeisi “This technology has been transferred [to us] also from other brothers in the Muslim Ummah,” he said, adding Iran “was on POLITICAL TEHRAN — In separate statements released the top of them”. deskon Monday night, five presidential hopefuls, The Iranian Foreign Ministry and top officials, including including Rostam Qasemi, Mohammad Hassan Nami, Alireza the Judiciary chief, parliament speaker, senior advisor to the Afshar and , withdrew from the election Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Armed Force Chief of race in favor of Ebrahim Raeisi and the “Revolution Front”. Staff, have congratulated the Palestinian nation for succeeding Dehghan, the former defense minister in Hassan Rou- to defeat the Israeli regime. hani’s first administration, said after careful consideration “The heroes of the nation of Ibrahim (PBUH) and Moham- and consultation with advisors he decided to quit the race in mad (PBUH) in oppressed Palestine rubbed the noses of the favor of Raeisi. Zionists, who are the greatest enemies of God and humanity in Ghasemi, the oil minister in ’s Ghasemi Dehghan our time. Iran will not hesitate to fully support the oppressed second administration who was also chief of the Khatam-al withdrawal will help Raeisi win more voters. people of Palestine,” Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Anbiya Construction Headquarters from 2007 to 2011, also The presidential election will be held on June 18. Qalibaf tweeted. issued a statement saying that he quits in favor of the “Rev- On Tuesday, the names of presidential candidates confirmed Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Seyed Ebrahim Raeisi said, “Resist- olution Front.” by the Guardian Council were released by the Interior Ministry. ance missiles exposed the fragile security of the Zionist Israeli Mohammad Hassan Nami, a former military officer, also The candidates found competent to run for the presi- regime more than ever, and the strong will of the Palestinians issued a statement on Monday night announcing that he is dential post are seven persons. They are Judiciary Chief overcame the Zionists’ multi-layered defense systems, turning quitting the election race in order to increase Raeisi’s share Raeisi; Expediency Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei; for- the idea of Israel’s invincibility into a baseless assumption. of votes. mer Supreme National Security Council secretary Saeed Under these circumstances, the rootless government of Tel Alireza Afshar, another principlist candidate who served Jalili; Deputy Parliament Speaker Amirhossein Qazizadeh; Aviv saw the continuation of the war as a further scandal in- as deputy interior minister during the Ahmadinejad admin- MP Alireza Zakani; central banker Abolnasser Hemmati; side and outside the occupied territories, and by surrendering istration, withdrew from the race in favor of Raeisi. and former Physical Education Organization chief Mohsen to the resistance of the Palestinian people, took the lead in In a statement issued on Sunday night, he said that his Mehr-Alizadeh. accepting the ceasefire.” , a senior advisor to Leader of the Islam- ic Revolution and former foreign minister, said the historic victory proved the false aura of the occupying Zionist regime. Government says unity lies in high voter turnout Reiterating Iran’s decisive policy toward the Palestine issue, Velayati said Palestine is the Islamic world’s most important these days. The government, not only as a duty lieves that the Islamic nature of the political the authorities to provide the ground for hope issue and this is unchangeable. He also said Intifada has changed but also as an understanding of the situation system requires that its republican aspect be especially in issues related to national inter- the balance of power to the detriment of Israel. in Iran and the future needs of Iranians in protected. The government deeply believes ests and ensure the continuation of stability, Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mo- today’s turbulent world, believes that maxi- that providing the conditions for political security and progress of the country. hammad Baqeri also said the battle and confrontation of the mum participation at this juncture will have participation is a civil right and a duty of Responding to a question about Rouhani’s Palestinian Mujahedeen against the occupiers of Jerusalem, more functions for Iran and Iranians than the rulers.” letter to the Leader of the Islamic Revolu- which after 12 days led to the unilateral ceasefire by the Zi- ever before,” Rabiei noted, responding to a He added in a religious democracy it is the tion on rejection of certain candidates by the onists and the victory of the oppressed Palestinian people in question about election participation. rulers who have the duty to provide conditions Guardian Council, the spokesman said that the geography of the Intifada, revealed that the “glass of life Rabiei pointed out that low turnout in for participation of people in the elections. he will ask about it and inform the press later. of the shameful occupiers” has come under the will of the elections is not in anyone’s interest and the “From this day on, the government expects “So far as I know, the president writes to Palestinian Mujahedeen, and it is the Islamic resistance that POLITICAL TEHRAN — Speaking at main losers will be the people. from all institutions involved in the election the Leader only on important occasions,” determines the fate of the battle. deskhis weekly press briefing “No political group will win minimal process to consider the need to strengthen said the spokesman. Palestinian resistance fighters in Gaza succeeded to fire on Tuesday, government spokesman Ali Rabiei participation,” he noted. national unity in the current situation of the The names of the candidates were officially hundreds of rockets at different parts of the occupied terri- responded to various questions regarding He added, “We deeply believe that unity country with foresight and commitment to announced on May 25 by the Ministry of tories despite the fact that the coastal strip has been under the June presidential elections. makes sense in participation and not lack of the spirit of the constitution,” he said. Interior after confirmation by the Guardian the Israeli blockade since June 2007. “There is talk of a presidential election participation. The government deeply be- The government spokesman also asked Council.

Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi Saeed Jalili Mohsen Rezaei Mohsen Mehr Alizadeh Alireza Zakani Abdolnasser Hemmati Amir Hossein Qazizadeh Hashemi

61 years 56 years 66 years 64 years 56 years 63 years 50 years

Judiciary chief Member of the Expediency Council Secretary of the Expediency Council Member of the Kish Free Zone board Legislator Head of the Central Bank of Iran First Vice Speaker of Parliament

Independent Principlist Principlist Reformist Principlist Moderate Principlist I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MAY 26, 2021 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS Iran presidential lineup Skocic names Iran squad for World Cup qualifiers POLITICAL TEHRAN – The Iranian can discharge its legal duties even when it deskInterior Ministry finally comes to disqualifying high-level figures. SPORTSTEHRAN — Dragan Skocic has named his issued the much-awaited list of candidates This brings us to the issue of the fluidity desk26-man team for the 2022 World Cup qual- who were found eligible to run for president, of the vetting process, which is more subject ification in . ending a wave of rumors and speculations to present-day considerations than to past The team will begin the two-day training camp in Tehran on over the potential array of candidates in the experiences. In some cases, the Guardian Tuesday and then travel to Kish Island on Thursday to continue June presidential election. Council confirms individuals who have been the training until May 31. The ministry said in a statement that it disqualified in the past and vice versa. This Iran will meet Hong Kong, Bahrain, Cambodia and Iraq, re- received the list of candidates whose qualifica- does not mean that council’s criteria for spectively from June 3 to 15 in Group C. tions were confirmed by the Guardian Council. screening are changing from time to time. The ‘Persian Leopards’ are third with six points in their group The list included a number of prominent The standards and criteria of the Guardian of five, but have a game in hand over their opponents. figures such as Saeed Jalili, Seyed Ebrahim Council are subject to law as a yardstick for Iraq are top on 11 points, with Bahrain second on nine after Raisi, Alireza Zakani, Seyed Amir Hossein who will be qualified or disqualified. five matches. Qazizadeh Hashemi, , Regardless of the standards, the council Squad Mohsen Rezaei, and . performs its duty in legal but quiet ways. Goalkeepers: These candidates are now allowed to start Usually, the oversight body does not pub- , Payam Niazmand, , election campaigns and promote themselves licly reveal the reasons behind its decisions Mohammadreza Akhbari in the eyes of millions of voters across the regarding the candidates. And this has paved Defenders: country. the way for some political factions to unfairly Shoja Khalilzadeh, Mohammadhossein Kanaanizadegan, The list of candidates came as a surprise blame it for disqualifying certain candidates. , , Sadegh Moharrami, Mi- to many observers as it did not include some reformists or close to the reformist faction. Rouhani. Despite these criticisms, the council continues lad Mohammadi, Jafar Salmani prominent figures who have been widely This was a clear indication that the Guard- But the Guardian Council made it clear to protect the confidentiality of the vetting Midfielders: thought to be qualified for the 13th pres- ian Council refused to vet candidates on the that its vetting process is by no means subject process. This has much to do with protecting Ehsan Haji Safi, , , Ahmad idential election of the Islamic Republic. basis of their political affiliation. In fact, the to political or “expediency” considerations. the privacy of candidates. Nourollahi, , Vahdi Amiri, Danial Esmaeilifar, Former Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, First- council set a clear example of impartiality Instead, it would examine the candidates in If the council reveals the reasons behind , Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri, and Saeed and abiding by law by disqualifying Larijani, strict accordance with the law. the disqualifications, the disqualified candi- Forwards: Mohammad, the former chief of the Islamic who currently serves as an advisor to the In fact, the disqualification of Larijani dates’ reputation may be damaged; at the end , , , Karim Ansa- Revolution Guard Corps’ engineering con- Leader on international affairs. indicated that the council never discriminates of the day, the vetting process also includes rifard, , Mehdi Ghaedi glomerate Khatam al-Anbiya, were among Larijani was widely promoted by moderate against candidates from different political security details about the candidates. That’s the disqualified candidates. and reformist political circles as a candidate and social backgrounds. At the end of the why the Guardian Council continues to vet According to Fars News, the election vet- whose ties to the establishment enable him day, Larijani has held high-level posts in the candidates in a legal way while protecting Iran No. 8 shirt awarded ting body disqualified at least 18 candidates to earn qualification from the council and Islamic Republic for years and now is currently the candidates’ reputation from being under- to Croatia ambassador who are principlist or close to the principlist turn the tide in favor of reformists and their serving as an advisor to the Leader. This is mined by a formal process that is designed to faction. It also rejected 14 candidates who are moderate allies in the government of Hassan another indication that the Guardian Council increase social and political cohesion. to Tehran

SPORTSTEHRAN — Iran national football team head deskcoach Dragan Skocic awarded Iran No. 8 shirt EU welcomes extension of surveillance deal between Iran, IAEA to Croatian Ambassador to Tehran Drago Štambuk. POLITICAL TEHRAN – The European Union on unless the West lifts sanctions on Iran. report on the latest state of the Vienna talks,” Abolfazl Amouei, Skocic met his countryman in Croatia Embassy in Tehran desk Monday welcomed a decision by Iran to The nuclear law stipulates that the Iranian government spokesman for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and on Monday. extend a surveillance deal between Tehran and the UN nuclear should take certain nuclear measures such as raising the level Foreign Policy Committee, told reporters on Sunday. Skocic was accompanied by his assistants Mladen Žganjer watchdog, calling the decision “good news.” of uranium enrichment to 20% and suspending the voluntary “This meeting was held in the presence of our country’s and Marijo Tot in the meeting. Political Director of the European External Action Service implementation of the Additional Protocol if the Western par- chief negotiator Araghchi in order to review the latest status Iran national football team’s training camp started on Tuesday Enrique Mora expressed satisfaction at the statement issued by ties failed to honor their obligations under the 2015 nuclear of the Vienna talks and in line with the parliamentary over- in Tehran and the team will depart for Manama on May 31 to Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action sight status,” Amouei continued. “This meeting was held for take part at the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Energy Agency (IAEA), regarding the extension of a February (JCPOA). Iran’s monitoring deal with the IAEA came a few a relatively long time with the presence of the members of the The ‘Persian Leopards’ will meet Hong Kong, Bahrain, Cam- monitoring deal between Iran and the IAEA. days before the nuclear law came into force. Committee and after the fourth round of negotiations between bodia and Iraq, respectively in the qualification. “Good news from @RafaelMGrossi on the prolongation of Iran and the IAEA reached in February a temporary deal the Islamic Republic of Iran and the P4+1 group of countries. Iran are third with six points in their group of five, but have the technical understanding reached between @iaeaorg and allowing the Agency to continue its monitoring of Iran’s During the meeting, Mr. Araghchi presented a report on the a game in hand over their opponents. Iran. It allows for a bit more space to reach an agreement in nuclear facilities for a period of three months, which expired negotiation process. During the meeting, the deputy foreign Iraq are top on 11 points, with Bahrain second on nine after Vienna. We resume tomorrow. We will redouble efforts to on Monday. The deal was reached during a two-day visit minister gave explanations to the deputies regarding the course five matches. get full JCPOA implementation soon,” Mora said on Twitter. by IAEA chief Grossi to Iran. of several rounds of negotiations.” Grossi said Monday he had agreed with Iran to extend On Monday, Grossi was informed of Iran’s decision regard- The spokesman added, “According to Mr. Araghchi, in these by one month the necessary verification and monitoring ing the February deal. “Iran’s decision on the continuation of negotiations, the negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of Iran, IPL: Persepolis come from activities carried out by the Agency in the country, according the data-recording for utmost one more month was informed due to its diplomatic logic regarding the lifting of the sanctions, to an IAEA statement. today to @rafaelmgrossi the Director General of the IAEA,” has been able to bring a large part of the sanctions to a stage where behind to beat Zob Ahan Director General Grossi made the announcement after Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Ambassador to the Vienna-based the Western and American sides accept that they should be lifted.” SPORTSTEHRAN — Persepolis football team came reaching the agreement with Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the international organizations, said in a tweet. Araghchi himself said that his meeting at the Parliament desk Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). He added, “The pre-recorded data of the past 3 months had lasted for 4 hours. from a goal down to defeat Zob Ahan 2-1 in “Under their agreement, the information collected by the will still be kept at the AEOI (IRAN). We recommend the “Yesterday I spent 4hrrs before our Parliament’s National Iran Professional League (IPL) Monday night. Agency monitoring equipment covered by a Technical Under- negotiating countries to seize the extra opportunity provided Security/Foreign Policy Commission to brief MPs on Vienna Sina Asadbeigi scored for the hosts in the 37th minute, standing signed last February will continue to be stored for a by Iran in good faith for the complete lifting of sanctions in a talks. Very tough. But useful. Bottom line is same: Having left taking advantage of a poor clearance of Persepolis goalkeeper further period of one month up to 24 June. They also agreed practical and verifiable manner.” JCPOA, U.S. must first provide verifiable sanctions lifting. Iran . that the equipment will continue to operate and be able to collect The extension came amid intensive nuclear talks in Vienna will then resume full implementation. Is the U.S. ready?” the Persepolis, who look to win the IPL title for the fifth time and store further data for this period,” the IAEA statement said. between Iran and the remaining parties to the JCPOA. Nucle- top Iranian nuclear negotiator said on Twitter. in a row, put Zob Ahan under pressure and eventually leveled “I am happy that, through our continued dialogue, we ar negotiators from Iran and the P4+1 group of countries as Following the end of the fourth round of talks, Araghchi said the score in the 69th minute. were able to agree on this matter today,” Grossi said during well as the U.S. have just concluded the fourth round of talks the negotiations have made progress and that the negotiators Substitute Shahryar Noghanlou headed past Zob Ahan the meeting. aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. They will begin the reached a position where they can reach a general conclusion. goalie Shahab Gordan with a well-taken pass from Ahmad “I welcome this development. The expiration of the Tech- fifth round soon, which is expected to be decisive. “During these discussions, we tried to reach a conclusion Nourollahi in the 69th minute. nical Understanding, which enabled the Agency’s verification The European Union said on Monday that the Joint Com- on the issues at stake, either to resolve the differences or to With nine minutes left, scored a goal with a and monitoring, would have been a serious loss at this critical mission of the JCPOA will resume in a physical format on decrease them, and the result is that we are in a position where header to give Persepolis all-important three points. time,” he added. “This agreed way forward ensures continuity Tuesday, 25 May, in Vienna. we can have a general conclusion,” he said. Foolad and Tractor shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Ahvaz. of knowledge for a limited period of time.” “The Joint Commission will be chaired, on behalf of EU He continued, “There are some key issues that need to Foolad forward Sasan Ansari scored a goal just three minutes On Monday, Iran confirmed that it had extended the Feb- High Representative Josep Borrell, by the Deputy Secretary be resolved and there is agreement on the rest; the texts into the match but Abolfazl Razzaghpour equalized the match ruary deal. General/Political Director of the European External Action have been well written and so now is the time to go back in the 34th minute. “Due to the ongoing technical negotiations on the settle- Service, Enrique Mora. It will be attended by representatives to the capitals and have the final consultations and then In Abadan, Esteghlal earned a late win over 10-man Sanat ment of safeguards issues between Iran and the International of China, France, Germany, , the United Kingdom and continue the negotiations.” Naft. Arman Ramezani scored the winner in the dying mo- Atomic Energy Agency, which are taking place in parallel with Iran. Participants will continue their discussions in view of Ali Rabiei, spokesman for the Iranian government, also ments of the match. the Vienna talks, the storage of surveillance cameras data will a possible return of the United States to the JCPOA and on echoed the same assessment. He said on Tuesday that a general Sepahan sit top of the table above Persepolis with 48 points continue for one month from May 24 so that the necessary how to ensure the full and effective implementation of the understanding have taken shape about the unresolved issues. thanks to their superior goal difference. opportunity is provided for the progress and conclusion of the JCPOA,” the EU said in a statement. “General understandings about the differences have been Esteghlal are third with 37 points negotiations,” Secretariat of Iran’s Supreme National Security The negotiating teams returned to Vienna on Monday night made and the remaining details are minor. After reviewing and Council said in a statement. in preparation for the fifth round of talks. Iran’s Deputy Foreign evaluating the negotiation process, the Supreme National Security added to Iran The top security body also underlined the continued sus- Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who leads the Iranian negotiating Council, after consulting at the highest levels of the establishment, pension of the voluntary implementation of the Additional team in Vienna, announced that he has left Tehran for the Austrian concluded that the negotiations are moving forward and in order coaching staff Protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in capital to participate in the next round of the nuclear negotiations. to show the goodwill and seriousness of the Iranian side, it agreed accordance with a parliamentary nuclear law obliging the On Sunday, he briefed Iranian lawmakers on the outcome to extend by one month the agreement reached between Iran SPORTSTEHRAN — Persepolis football club an- Iranian government to restrict cooperation with the IAEA of the Vienna talks. “The deputy foreign minister presented a and the International Atomic Energy Agency,” Rabiei explained. desknounced the addition of their coach Karim Bagheri to Iran national football team coaching staff. Bagheri has been named as Dragan Skocic assistant as a temporary coach. Interior Ministry announces presidential candidates Iran will participate at the 2022 FIFA World Cup qual- POLITICAL TEHRAN – In a state- putting an end to a wave of speculations Jalili, Seyed , Alireza to start election campaigns and then ification, which will be held from June 3 to 15 in Bahrain. deskment on Tuesday, Iran’s over who will be confirmed. Zakani, Seyed Amir Hossein Qaziza- stop campaigning 24 hours before the After the competition, Bagheri will return to his former Interior Ministry officially announced the The statement said seven candidates deh Hashemi, Mohsen Mehralizadeh, election day. position at Persepolis. candidates who have been qualified by the were approved to run for office. The and Abdolnaser Hemmati. The 13th presidential election will be Persepolis football club, in a statement, announced that Guardian Council to run for president, candidates are as following: Saeed The candidates are now allowed held on June 18. they have accepted to release their coach with the aim of helping the National Team. Zarif holds high-level talks in Azerbaijan amid Sardar Azmoun voted RPL soaring Baku-Yerevan tensions Player of the Year SPORTSTEHRAN — Iranian striker Sardar Az- 1 In the meeting, the two sides expressed content with encroaching on its territories. deskmoun has been voted as the best player the growing bilateral ties in recent years, calling for further In mid-May, Armenia accused Azerbaijan of advancing in Russia by his peers in the vote organized by Sport promotion of mutual relations, according to a statement into its southern territory. Armenian Acting Prime Minister Express. issued by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Nikol Pashinyan has said Azerbaijan’s armed forces crossed A total of 11 players from each of the 16 Russian Premier “Also on the agenda of the talks were the latest develop- the state border of the Republic of Armenia and advanced League clubs got to vote for the three best footballers of the ments pertaining to Tehran-Baku relations, joint economic as far as 3.5 kilometers in Syunik province. season, giving their first choice three points, second two points projects, Iran’s participation in operations to clear mines and “This is unacceptable to the Armenian side, because and third one point. reconstruct liberated areas, the latest developments related it represents an encroachment on the sovereign territory The top 10 players in the poll were: to a statement on a ceasefire between Armenia and the Azer- of the Republic of Armenia. It still remains to be seen 1. Sardar Azmoun (Zenit, 222 points) baijan Republic and the recent border tensions between the why such an action was possible, but it should be noted 2. (Zenit, 121) two countries, communication corridors, rail links between that this is an act of subversive infiltration. It should 3. Nikola Vlasic (CSKA, 93) Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia, the necessity of implementing also be stated that our armed forces responded early 4. Christian Noboa (Sochi, 76) a six-way regional cooperation initiative along with other this morning with appropriate tactical maneuvers and The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry accused “official circles” in 5. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Rubin, 70) issues of mutual interest,” the statement added. other necessary measures,” Pashinyan said in a meeting Armenia of using border tensions for pre-election purposes. 6. Jordan Larsson (Spartak, 65) On Monday, Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for Iran’s with Armenian military officials. Khatibzadeh has said Iran was “closely and sensi- 7. Grzegorz Krychowiak (Lokomotiv, 62) Foreign Ministry, said Zarif will also pay a visit to Armenia. On the other hand, the Republic of Azerbaijan has con- tively” following border tensions between Armenia and 8. Djordje Despotovic (Rubin, 22) Zarif’s tour came after border tensions escalated between firmed that it deployed troops to areas bordering Armenia but Azerbaijan and hoped that the dispute would be settled 9. Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv, 21) Armenia and Azerbaijan, with Yerevan accusing Baku of said this deployment occurred inside Azerbaijan’s territories. in peaceful ways. 10. Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Zenit, 19) I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY MAY 26, 2021

PMO raises annual 29 mining projects ready investment attraction target by $119m ECONOMY TEHRAN — Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organ- to go operational deskization (PMO) plans to increase the attraction of private sector investment in the country’s ports by five trillion ECONOMY TEHRAN – Head of In line with Iran’s major plans for distancing rials (about $119 million) in the current Iranian calendar year deskIranian Mines and Min- the country’s economy from oil and moving (started on March 21), an official with the organization said on ing Industries Development and Renovation toward a resilient, oil-free economy, the mining Tuesday. Organization (IMIDRO) Vajihollah Jafari has sector has become one of the major areas of According to PMO’s Deputy Head for Ports and Economic announced that 29 projects in mines and focus in recent years, since the country is one Affairs Farhad Montaser Kouhsari, the organization has increased mining industries are ready for inauguration of the world’s top 10 mineral-rich countries the target for attracting investment in the current year from 160 across the country. where 68 types of minerals have been identified trillion rials (about $3.8 billion) to 165 trillion rials (about $3.9 Jafari noted that 13 of the mentioned so far, including the world’s largest deposits billion). projects are related to the steel chain, six of copper, zinc, and iron. are related to the copper chain, and 10 are Expansion and exploitation of these huge implemented by Iran Minerals Production sources of income have become a top prior- and Supply Company (IMPASCO) in other ity for the government in recent years, and fields like producing minerals and machinery. various programs have been defined for the According to the official, more than $1.9 improvement of this industry. billion worth of projects in the steel, copper, Reviving idle small mines, increasing the lead, and zinc, gold, ferrochrome, nepheline tariffs on the exports of some raw minerals, syenite, phosphate, and mining infrastruc- defining new exploration projects, signing ture sectors will be operational by the end memorandums of understanding with domestic of the current Iranian calendar year (ends and foreign manufacturers for the renova- in March 2022). tion of the country’s mining equipment and He further said that six development machinery, and allocation of funds for the projects will be inaugurated this year in the units. industries soon. completion of semi-finished projects in this country’s copper industry which includes the Back in February, Jafari had announced Jafari said these projects worth over $355 sector can be mentioned as some of the pro- development of Sarcheshmeh Copper Mine, that his organization will inaugurate 23 de- million would create direct jobs for 1,053 grams introduced by the government for the and several projects in copper concentrate velopment projects in mines and mining persons, and indirect jobs for 2,655 persons. development of the country’s mining sector.

“This goal will be achieved by creating a proper space for investment in the ports and by providing the necessary in- Water projects worth over $185m inaugurated centives for investors, as well as awarding production and out in the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March conversion projects,” Montaser Kouhsari said. 1 Water supply to several rural areas in the mentioned 20) 250 water and energy projects worth 500 trillion rials The official noted that his organization has revised its con- provinces, some wastewater and water treatment plants, (about $11.9 billion) were inaugurated in several provinces. tracts to minimize the risk of investment and provide significant some surface water collection facilities, as well as a tunnel The third phase of the program was officially started incentives to the investors. for water transfer were among the inaugurated projects. on April 6 and like the previous phases, this year, too, the Underlining the significance of attracting investment in Under the framework of the A-B-Iran program, the Energy Energy Ministry is planning to inaugurate numerous water port infrastructure projects, Kouhsari said: “Ports’ access to Ministry has inaugurated many projects to supply drinking and electricity projects in various provinces every week. transport networks and the improvement of infrastructure water to the country’s rural areas. Last week, Ardakanian inaugurated 10 electricity projects in the ports’ hinterland play an important role in facilitating The first phase of the A-B-Iran program (the acronyms worth 3.36 trillion rials ($80 million) in 10 provinces, in and accelerating operations in ports.” A and B stand for water and electricity in Persian) was in- the seventh week of the A-B-Iran program. “In fact, the existence of appropriate logistics is the pre- itiated in the Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended on March The inaugurated projects comprised of 8,142 sub-projects requisite for increasing the efficiency of ports in the country,” 19, 2020), during which 220 major projects with a total including numerous electricity supply projects, as well as he added. investment of 335.6 trillion rials (about $7.99 billion) were power network modification and optimization projects. He further mentioned establishing logistic parks and spe- put into operation across the country. man, and Kermanshah provinces through video conference, The said projects were put into operation in Fars, Ker- cial economic zones in the hinterland of the country’s ports In the second phase of the program that was carried IRIB reported. as a good way for developing the country’s productivity and supporting domestic production. Considering the significant role of ports in the promotion Tehran, Yerevan explore expansion of transport co-op of foreign trade especially export, Iran, which has adopted the strategy of boosting its non-oil export to counter the U.S. ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iran and creating opportunities for Iranian companies route becomes more attractive for traders Armenia,” Eslami said. sanctions on its economy, has many programs underway for deskArmenia are exploring for participation in Armenian projects, in- to use for transiting their goods, the official The Iranian Minister also mentioned the development of its ports. ways for expanding transport and trade co- vestment in transit and logistics development explained. some positive talks held between Iran and In this regard, the PMO has put the attraction of invest- operation as the Islamic Republic is looking projects, and finally reducing tolls were among “Today’s geopolitical condition and the Armenia in the field of infrastructure in ment to the ports on agenda, and despite the restrictions and for using Armenia as part of its South-North the issues discussed during the meetings be- situation in the region have created new both railway and road sectors and added: limitations created by the outbreak of the coronavirus, invest- transit corridor. tween Eslami and Armenian officials. opportunities that have been discussed in “Today, good talks were held at the Min- ment-making in the Iranian ports increased significantly over The two countries, which eye boosting Upon Arrival, Eslami met with the Arme- trilateral or quadrilateral interactions; now is istry of Territorial Administration and In- the previous Iranian calendar year. mutual trade up to $1 billion annually, have nian Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan in a good time to improve the country’s transit frastructure and executive decisions were exchanged several trade delegations over the Yerevan, during which the two sides addressed and transportation status with new agree- made for cooperation in the two sectors of past few months to discuss areas of cooperation. some of the above-mentioned issues. ments,” Eslami said. railways and roads.” TEDPIX climbs after several In this regard, heading a delegation, Iranian Following the meeting, Eslami announced Eslami and Kerobyan had also discussed “Considering the decisions made, it is Transport and Urban Development Minister the signing of a memorandum of understand- promoting joint investment in border ar- hoped that the cooperation between the days of drop Mohammad Eslami traveled to Yerevan on ing (MOU) for the removal of transit barriers eas, especially in industrial parks of the two countries will increase both in terms Monday to meet with Armenian officials and between the two countries. mentioned regions as a great potential for of size and value.” ECONOMY TEHRAN — TEDPIX, the main index of desk negotiate ways of expanding ties. Based on the MOU, at first, transhipment boosting the two sides’ trade. Eslami was accompanied by Head of Iran Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), rose 9,747 Using the country as part of the South-North is going to be eliminated so that the trucks of “By expanding cooperation and boost- Road Maintenance and Transportation Or- points to 1.105 million on Tuesday, after several days of fall. transport corridor which extends from the the two countries can commute easily, and ing the level of investment and trade to ganization Darioush Amani, and Head of As reported, 5.603 billion securities worth 42.983 trillion Persian Gulf to the Black Sea, construction secondly, conditions will be created so that $1 billion, Islamic Republic of Iran can the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways Saeed rials (about $1.023 billion) were traded at the TSE on Tuesday. of -Jolfa and Yerevan-Tbilisi railways, by eliminating transit tolls, the Iran-Armenia immediately become a trading partner of Rasouli in his visit to Armenia. The first market’s index increased 7,338 points, and the second market’s index rose 19,800 points. Mohammadreza Pour-Ebrahimi, the chairman of the Iranian parliament’s economic committee has said recently that the stock market is going to follow a positive trend in the current Thermal power plants’ output to increase 3,500 MW by Friday Iranian calendar year (started on March 21). ECONOMY TEHRAN — As announced by the “The efficiency of the country’s thermal power plants desk “[This year] the profits of major industries and influential managing director of Iran’s Thermal improved by over 0.4 percent from the 38.56 percent in the companies in the capital market have been assessed positively, Power Plants Holding Company (TPPH), the output of the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20) to reach which is why the market will follow a positive trend this year,” country’s thermal power plants will be increased by 3,500 39 percent,” Tarztalab announced. Pour-Ebrahimi told IRIB. megawatts (MW) by the end of the current Iranian calendar According to Tarztalab, the mentioned improvement has The official said that part of the current negative trend in week (Friday). decreased the fuel consumption of the country’s power plants the market is due to psychological factors and the fact that Making the remarks in a meeting of the Energy Committee of by 846 million cubic meters in the mentioned year. people have lost their trust in the capital market. Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture The TPPH head emphasized that the 0.4-percent increase (ICCIMA) on Monday, Mohsen Tarztalab stated that the in the efficiency of power plants has resulted in more than 35-percent decrease in the amount of rainfall has severely one percent increase in annual fuel saving. limited the output of hydropower plants, and said: “We are “Annual fuel savings add value and preserve national capital, trying to complete the repairs of the thermal power plants so measures to increase the power plants efficiency are among by the end of this week to add 3,500 MG of new generation the most important goals of the company,” he stressed. capacity.” Tarztalab underlined the implementation of the annual Saying that there will be about 10,000 MW shortage of overhaul program at the country’s power plants as one of the electricity generation in this year’s summer peak consumption Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2022). determining factors in achieving the mentioned efficiency period, the official explained, “Last year, due to problems Tarztalab also said that the conversion of gas-fired power ratio and added: “Technical issues and problems that occur related to gas supply to power plants, we were not able to plants to combined cycle ones, applying gas turbines with during operation can affect the power plants’ efficiency; such start repairs of thermal power generation units on time, new technology, upgrading the gas units and scrapping the issues are resolved during the implementation of the annual and inevitably the steam units using liquid fuel were kept worn-out power plants are some of the programs to increase overhaul program to prevent the decline in the power plants’ in production cycle.” efficiency in thermal power plants. efficiency”, he stated. Last month, Tarztalab had announced that 69,000 Referring to the announcement of the new energy document The official also stressed the significant impact of installing megawatts (MW) new capacity of thermal power plants to the electricity industry, he said: “According to this document, steam units in the country’s gas power plants on improving Meanwhile, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) will enter the network by mid-June and after the end of the by Iranian calendar year 1420 (started in March 2041) the their efficiency and said: “The efficiency of large gas power has said predictability of the economy is a prerequisite for the overhaul operations. efficiency of the country’s thermal power plants should reach plants is 31 percent on average; this figure can be increased stability of markets adding that the central bank welcomes “The overhaul operations of the power plants are now 50% percent, which will require heavy investments.” to more than 45 percent by turning them into combined cycle the prosperity of the capital market. underway and efforts are being made to complete this before On April 16, the official had announced that the efficiency plants.” “Stability of all markets along each other is of utmost im- the peak load”, he stated. of Iran’s thermal power plants has reached a new record high In this regard, last year, a total of 1,936 megawatts (MW) portance for the central bank, therefore the bank supports the As announced by the official, the efficiency of Iran’s thermal of 39 percent for the first time in the history of the country’s capacity of combined cycle power plants joined the country’s stability of the capital market,” Abdolnasser Hemmati said power plants will reach 40 percent by the end of current electricity industry. national electricity network, he added. in a meeting with the representatives of the capital market. He emphasized that the approach of the Central Bank is to support the capital market, stating: “One of my personal economic beliefs is that our problem in economics is the un- IME’s monthly worth of trades up 16% derdevelopment of financial markets and capital market in ECONOMY TEHRAN — The value of On this floor the exchange traded 1.189 412,630 tons of bitumen, 238,686 tons of During the past year, about 3.5 quadrillion particular.” desktrades at Iran Mercantile million tons of steel, 12,780 tons of copper, polymeric products, 155,372 tons of chemi- rials (about $83.5 billion) worth of commodities According to Hemmati, inflation expectations affect the Exchange (IME) rose 16 percent in the past 480 tons of molybdenum concentrate, 48 tons cals, 12,238 tons of oil, 490,300 tons of vac- were traded at the mentioned market. bank interest rates and consequently the market, therefore Iranian calendar month (ended on May 21). of precious metals concentrate, 11,690 tons of uum bottom, 4,450 tons of sulfur, 350 tons In the past year, several new records were it is hoped that lower inflation expectations will lead to lower As reported by the IME’s Public Relations aluminum, 239,000 tons of iron ore, 1,000 of argon, 150 tons of insulation and 132,500 achieved in terms of the volume and value of inflation and lower interest rates. and International Affairs Department, 2.925 tons of zinc, 400 tons of coke, 10,000 tons of tons of lube cut. transactions in the mentioned market’s various “All markets are highly sensitive to change and inflation million tons of commodities valued at $1.828 sponge iron and 250 tons of lead. Moreover, the IME saw trade of 11,505 tons floors including the industrial, petroleum, and expectations, and this is not limited to the capital market,” billion were traded at the exchange in the pre- The other trading floor of the exchange was of commodities on its side market within this petrochemical floors. Hemmati said. vious month, indicating also a six-percent rise the oil and petrochemical on both domestic month. IME is one of the four major stock markets The Iranian capital market has been going through some in terms of weight. and export rings of which customers purchased The value of trades at Iran Mercantile of Iran, the other three markets are Tehran turbulence over the past few months and in this regard, the The IME witnessed trades of 1.464 million more than 1.449 million tons of commodities Exchange in the previous Iranian calendar Stock Exchange (TSE), Iran’s over-the-counter government and related entities have been taking serious tons of commodities worth more than $1.044 valued at almost $770 million. year (ended on March 20) rose 108 percent (OTC) market known also as Iran Fara Bourse measures for stabilizing the market. billion on its mineral and industrial trading floor. Commodities traded on this floor were compared to the preceding year. (IFB), and Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX). I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MAY 26, 2021 ANALYSIS/INTERVIEW 5

Israel losing the war of moral awakening Texas gets ready to allow 1 The Israeli government has also sealed inhumane treatment. The unrest in East unlicensed carrying of handguns its borders with Gaza, rendering the latter Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza have the largest prison in the world for nearly 2 sent similar reverberations throughout the Texas is poised to remove one of its last major gun restrictions million Palestinians who live in one of the region, as many people in the Middle East after American lawmakers approved allowing people to carry world’s most densely populated areas un- (West Asia) and North Africa took to streets handguns without a license, and the background check and der rampant unemployment, abject poverty, in a show of solidarity with the Palestini- training that go with it. and humiliating conditions. Living under ans who have survived daily indignities for The Republican-dominated Legislature approved the measure military rule has prompted Hamas to fire more than seven decades. Working under Monday, sending it to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has said he will rockets at civilian targets in Israel (The New occupation and suspicion, suffering from sign it despite the objections of law enforcement groups who say York Times, May 23, 2021). Neither acts— the daily humiliations of being stopped and it would endanger the public and police. occupation or the firing of rockets at civilian harassed repeatedly at checkpoints, and Gun control groups also oppose the measure, noting the state’s centers—are warranted, as military strategy not enjoying equal rights and privileges recent history of mass shootings, including those at an El Paso and tactics have often proven counterpro- in Israel have all rendered life miserable Walmart, a church in Sutherland Springs, and a high school ductive in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian for many Palestinians and are likely to fuel outside Houston. conflict. Under such conditions, the peace further destruction, conflict, and bloodshed Texas already has some of the loosest gun laws in the country process has become a distant prospect, and between the Israelis and the Palestinians and has more than 1.6 million handgun license holders. the pursuit of Greater Israel will prove to be in the coming months and years. Supporters of the bill say it would allow Texans to better defend a destabilizing and disruptive possibility. The younger generation of Jews living in themselves in public while abolishing unnecessary impediments There is a need for a new beginning and new the West are less sympathetic to the linger- to the constitutional right to bear arms. Once signed into law, Tex- policy proposals for what should come next. ing occupation and now more than ever are as will join nearly two dozen other states that allow some form of The Palestinian issue continues to galvanize likely to question the ongoing domination unregulated carry of a handgun, and by far be the most populous. the Arab public and remains central to the of Israelis over the Palestinians. The bru- The National Rifle Association was among those supporting Arab identity narrative in the growing social tal, untenable reality of the occupation has the measure, and a spokesman called it the “most significant” media and new public sphere (Monshipouri, again shown its ugly face and has attracted an Mahmood Monshipouri, PhD, teaches Middle Eastern Politics, and Migration and gun-rights measure in the state’s history. Middle East Politics, 2019). The lingering international spotlight as never before. The “A right requiring you to pay a tax or obtain a government vestiges of the plight of the Palestinians as Refugee Crisis at San Francisco State University and UC-Berkeley. He is the author Biden administration will squander a great of Middle East Politics: Changing Dynamics, NY: Routledge, 2019. permission slip is not a right at all,” said Jason Ouimet, executive stateless people are felt throughout the larger opportunity should it choose to condone or director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. Arab world and continue to cast a shadow of abet the Israeli confiscation of Palestinian Texas already allows rifles to be carried in public without a skepticism over a right-wing regime in Tel The brutal, untenable reality of the territories. If the two-state solution is given license. The measure sent to Abbott would allow anyone age 21 or Aviv that ironically seeks to normalize its occupation has again shown its ugly face a low-key status, or pursued lackadaisically, older to carry a handgun as long as they don’t have violent crime relations with its Arab neighbors. the fragile ceasefire between the two sides will convictions or some other legal prohibition in their background. Despite enjoying a vast power differ- and has attracted an international spotlight be short-lived and both parties will be back But there would be no way to weed them out without the state ential with their neighbors, Israelis today as never before. to square one in the not-too distant future. background check currently in the licensing process. face a new reality: the status quo is unten- The Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be left The bill would not prevent businesses from banning guns able in the wake of a new wave of moral Israel’s military power over the past 73 years for a dignified life—one that is free from to fester; it is simply in no country’s interest on their property, and federal background checks for some gun awakening in the Arab world and beyond. has failed to upend the Palestinians’ quest living under the yoke of occupation and in the region that it does. purchases would remain in place. Texas has no state requirements for background checks on private guns sales. Texas has allowed people to carry handguns since 1995, and has been reducing the cost and training requirements for getting Two-state solution: Settlement or prolongation of suffering a license for the last decade.

1 However, the measured and calculated response of ties of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the rest of the holy sites for the resistance factions and the global uprising in support Muslims and Christians until hearing the last Palestinian of the defenseless Palestinian people, and the marches breath out. Political turmoil in Mali: UN of peoples for this painful catastrophe undermined the Based on this fact, how can we expect “Israel” to accept claims by Israel and its influence in the United Nations. the idea of ??a “two-state solution”, which means the urges immediate release of Israelis had assumed that the Palestinian cause has establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state in detained president, premier lost color with the passage of time as some Arab countries the West Bank and Gaza alongside itself? normalized their ties with Israel, including the Emirates, It should be noted that the West Bank, including The West African country of Mali seems to be in the grip of a Bahrain and Sudan. Jerusalem, for the Jews, is the core and essence of the fresh political unrest, with the country’s military reported to have The Israelis are well aware that they cannot resort to biblical land. Will Israel give it up? Why? And under arrested the president and prime minister. The development has any legal move or seek the help of any international body which pressures? prompted calls from the United Nations for calm as well as the to legitimize their measures and policies, whether in the Another obstacle facing the two-state solution is set- “immediate and unconditional” release of the detained leaders International Court of Justice, Amnesty International tlement operations; the presence of settlers, and the The move has stirred fears of a new coup. and other bodies that they should be held accountable. absolute control of “Israel” over more than half of the Interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar In the recent crisis in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, West Bank, according to the Oslo agreement, makes it Ouane were taken by soldiers to the Kati military camp on the where the Palestinians have been facing discrimination difficult for the establishment of a Palestinian state with outskirts of the capital Bamako, AFP cited two senior officials, since 1972, an Israeli plot to displace them and build of the gates of hellfire on them. real sovereignty, due to lack of independence, security who declined to be named. settlements on the ruins of their homes under the claim The Zionist regime considers the formation of any and economic components as it is surrounded by Israel Just before being taken away by the military officers and before that the land on which their homes were built by the future Palestinian government is synonymous with fac- from four sides; in addition to its sky and what is under his line was cut, Ouane managed to tell AFP in a phone call on Jordanian government was rented. These are intended ing a huge human force that is not stopped by the F-35 its land (i.e. from its six sides, not the four)., “Israel” Monday that soldiers had “come to get him.” to legalize their existence and occupation. fighters or cruise missiles and is not prevented by tanks will never abandon Jerusalem due to political, religious, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also The international community, including the General like Super Sherman nor Merkava. economic and tourism considerations. expressed concern over the detentions and called for calm. Assembly of the United Nations and the Security Coun- Some Israelis who are in a state of euphoria and One of the other main obstacles to achieve the two- Reports suggest that Defense Minister Souleymane Doucoure cil, as well as the United States of America, European deluded by the idea of building a state based on their state solution (a Palestinian state with full sovereignty is also under arrest. countries, and official and unofficial bodies have talked military power designate the Palestinians as terrorists over the borders of June 4, 1967) is the idea of ??return The detentions have drawn condemnation from the African a lot about the two-state solution to resolve the crisis groups willing to cut settlers into pieces while others (in to homeland -- the return of Palestinian refugees to their Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOW- between Israel and Palestine, but our question is about the best cases) who are more realistic believe that the homeland from which they were forcibly evicted. AS), the European Union, the UK and the U.S. They urged for the the seriousness of this initiative and can it be applied Palestinians are a people who do not compromise their The right of return is the essence of the Palestinian unconditional release of Mali’s top politicians in a joint statement in practice on the ground or just launching a slogan to cause and do not accept trading their homeland despite cause. Although the Palestinian political leadership which was also signed by the UN. prolong the crisis and distract the Palestinians from the fact that the world has abandoned them. constantly reiterate the “right of return,” they are fully The detentions came just hours after a government reshuffle, their demands until they steal the last inch of their land. So, the formation of a Palestinian state means an aware that this will not be achieved in light of the cir- which aimed to appease critics of the interim government amid Much effort has already been made in the path of putting arsenal of weapons and a formidable military force, and cumstances that Palestine is experiencing at regional anger at the military’s dominance in the transitional government an end to such a situation, including nearly three decades the Palestinians will not give up their right. and international levels. and the slow pace of promised reforms. The reshuffle saw ex-de- of diplomacy; the Oslo Accords, the Camp David summit, They were fighting with stones, but with the establish- Consequently, in the event that they are unable to fense minister Sadio Camara and ex-security minister Colonel the Clinton Parameters, the Taba summit, the Arab Peace ment of the state, they would target Israel with missiles, return refugees to their homeland, what is the benefit Modibo Kone, who took part in last year’s coup, replaced. Initiative, the road map for the Middle East, and Abbas and fighters, and all that they would possess. of the two-state solution if half of the Palestinian people The arrests raised fears of a second coup after a putsch in Au- Olmert’s talks in the context of the Annapolis process, and The first presumption is difficult as Israelis cannot remain homeless and scattered? gust ousted president Ibrahim Boubakar Keita following weeks John Kerry’s efforts to achieve peace and other relentless accept to continue their life with threats that comes to With all this evidence that we have mentioned, it of protests against his handling of the Takfiri insurgency and attempts. them from everywhere. makes it impossible for Israel to accept this level of perceived government corruption. The Israelis believe that the formation of a Palestinian Accepting a Palestinian state means living alongside embarrassment; and even though it is now not in a The caretaker government was installed after the 15-nation state that unites its people, houses the displaced, and the Palestinians in their vicinity, and not to continue position to be forced to make all these concessions, West Africa bloc ECOWAS threatened sanctions on the country. brings them together with various orientations, will open bombing, killing, displacing or desecrating the sancti- knowing that this step can end its existence. Resistance News EU cuts Belarus’ air links to bloc over diversion of Ryanair flight Palestinian man killed by Israeli The European Union (EU) has banned Bela- capital, Athens, to Lithuania’s Vilnius. It The EU leaders also warned they would entering Belarusian airspace over the incident. undercover unit in West Bank rusian flights from using the bloc’s airspace, proceeded to fly to Lithuania after a sev- adopt further “targeted economic sanctions” Meanwhile, Belarus’ state TV said on shortly after Minsk forced a flight carrying en-hour stop. against the Belarusian authorities. Some 88 Monday that Protasevich had confessed to INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — A Palestinian man was shot desk a dissident figure to land and arrested him. Protasevich, 26, has been charged in Belarusian officials and seven companies are organizing “riots.” and killed by undercover Israeli forces early EU leaders decided at a meeting in Brussels Belarus with promoting extremism on the already on an EU blacklist over a crackdown “I am treated quite well,” he was aired on Tuesday in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, hours on Monday to cut Belarus’ air links with the Telegram channel “Nexta.” He stands accused on opposition. saying. “I continue to cooperate with the before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in the bloc, also banning EU aircraft from flying in of organizing and reporting on protests chal- Furthermore, Ursula von der Leyen, the investigation and I am giving a confession country for talks. Belarusian skies. lenging the re-election of President Alexander president of the European Commission, an- concerning the organization of mass riots Ahmad Jamil Fahd, from al-Amari refugee camp, was shot Belarus on Sunday ordered a fighter Lukashenko back in 2020. nounced that the EU’s three-billion-euro in- in Minsk.” by the Musta’ribeen unit in the Umm al-Sharayit area, Pales- jet to make a Ryanair flight -- en route to Back in October last year, Belarus’ Su- vestment and economic package for Belarus Russia has so far thrown its weight behind tinian witnesses said, and was left to bleed to death before an Lithuania -- to land in Minsk over a bomb preme Court designated Nexta as an extremist would remain on hold. She also called for a Belarus in the case, with foreign ministry ambulance could arrive. threat that later turned out to be a hoax. channel. In February this year, Belarus is- full investigation by the International Civil spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying in a The undercover unit is made up of Israelis who are disguised The plane was carrying dissident journalist sued an extradition request to Poland, where Aviation Organization (ICAO). Facebook post on Monday, “We are shocked as Palestinians and often conduct raids to arrest or kill. Raman Protasevich, who was arrested along Protasevich and another journalist, Stepan Separately, U.S. President Joe Biden sup- that the West calls the incident in Belarusian According to a spokesman for the Palestinian health ministry, with an associate of his, Sofia Sapega, once Putilo, were believed to be based. Protasevich ported Brussels’ measures against Belarus, air space ‘shocking,” accusing Western na- Fahd was shot multiple times at close range. the plane was grounded. faces up to 15 years of imprisonment under and U.S. Congressmen urged the Biden ad- tions of “kidnappings, forced landings and The killing took place on the same day that Blinken, who The flight was heading from Greece’s Belarusian law. ministration to prohibit U.S. airlines from illegal arrests.” said his trip was to support “efforts to solidify a ceasefire”, met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. He is scheduled to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas later in the day. WHO in ‘imminent danger’ due to funding shortage: top expert An Israeli security official told AFP news agency during “at- tempted arrests” of “activists in Ramallah one of the people aiding The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing “[The] underfunding and earmarking of funds risks million in financial aid from the WHO, accusing it of the activists was killed by border police”. a critical funding shortage, which is impeding its paralyzing WHO’s ability to provide rapid and flexible mismanaging the coronavirus pandemic and being However, an official from the Fatah movement in al-Amari urgent operations and putting the UN body in “immi- support to countries and is already having consequences too trusting of China. refugee camp told local Palestinian media that Fahd was not nent danger” amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, for current operations,” the expert added. However, the Joe Biden administration has resumed wanted by the Israelis. according to its top emergency expert. The WHO had to suspend its crucial aid to about working with the UN organization. Amin Abu Radaha said Fahd, a former prisoner in an Israeli “The funding shortfall of more than 70% when only 10,000 healthcare workers across conflict-hit Yemen The WHO’s funding shortfalls come amid wide- jail, was in the Umm al-Sharayit neighbourhood with his friends, received funds are considered has left the organization in November last year because of a “financial gap.” spread reports that wealthier countries, including and left his car for 20 minutes in order to buy knafeh sweets. in real imminent danger of being unable to sustain “Due to an unprecedented financial gap, WHO & the United States, are hoarding millions of doses “As soon as he returned to the car, undercover Israeli forces core functions for urgent priorities,” Mike Ryan, ex- health partners have been unable to continue their of COVID-19 vaccines, a practice that international shot him and left him bleeding until he was martyred,” Abu ecutive director of the health emergencies program financial support to the health care workforce in Yemen. health experts say is undermining the global response Radaha said. at WHO, told the annual assembly of health ministers Up to 10K health workers are affected,” the WHO’s to the pandemic. The official added the Israeli unit was after Fahd’s uncles, who on Tuesday. Yemen office tweeted at the time. Amnesty International condemned wealthier coun- are wanted by Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, the Shin Bet. He renewed the WHO’s appeal in February for $1.96 In April 2020, the administration of former U.S. tries last month for failing a “rudimentary” test of Khalil Rizk, a representative of the family, said the Israeli billion for 2021 to fund its global pandemic response. President Donald Trump moved to withhold $400 global unity by stockpiling vaccines. forces committed a crime and executed Fahd. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 6 HERITAGE & TOURISM MAY 26, 2021

Iran seeks UNESCO status Tens of hotels, apartment hotels for ancient nomadic routes

1 Migration is a way of life for nomads because herding cattle is their main source of income. In spring they with all their under construction in Mazandaran belongings head for the cooler pastures usually in mountain hill- sides where the grass is abundant for their flocks of sheep and goats. And in autumn they return to previous tropic plains as their TOURISM TEHRAN – Some 27 This volume of investment indicates that well-fed livestock getting stronger to bear the winter. deskhotels and 65 apartment investors recognize the growing tourism hotels are being constructed across the sector as a new economy in the country northern province of Mazandaran, adding and have high hopes for it, he added. 71,000 beds to the province’s hospitality Pointing to the foreign arrivals as one sector. of the important indicators of the tourism These accommodation centers are ex- sector he said that 8.6 million foreign pected to boost tourism infrastructure nationals visited the country during in the region and make the lush green the Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended province a main tourism hub of the coun- March 20, 2020), almost a 200 percent try, said Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and increase compared to 4.8 million during Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Moune- the Iranian calendar year 1395 (March san on the sidelines of his two-day visit to 2016-March 2017). the province, CHTN reported on Tuesday. He also noted that ecotourism has devel- In the course of the minister’s visit, oped rapidly and the number of eco-lodge 78 tourism-related projects worth over units increased from 400 units in 2017 to nine trillion rials ($214 million at the over 2,000 units at the beginning of 2020. official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per Stretched along the Caspian Sea and With 24 entries, Iran ranks 10th in the world in terms of the dollar) were planned to be inaugurated Alborz mountain range, Mazandaran is number of historical monuments and sites registered on the UN- throughout , the a popular destination for domestic hol- ESCO World Heritage list. report added. idaymakers and it is home to more than Amongst the UNESCO-designated sites in Iran are “Arg-e Last September, Mounesan announced including the construction of 500 hotels, with a total estimated cost of 1,370 trillion 3,500 villages and rural areas, hosting Bam” (Bam Citadel) that represents an outstanding example of that over 2,400 tourism-related projects, are being implemented across the country rials (around $32 billion). millions of domestic night-stays in a year. an ancient fortified settlement, “Bisotun” in western Kermanshah province, which is notable for its Achaemenid-era inscription carved on a limestone cliff, lavish “Golestan Palace” in downtown Tehran which is a masterpiece of the Qajar era (1789 to 1925), and millennium-old “Gonbad-e Qabus” which is a mudbrick tomb Scenic -Chalus road considered to become national heritage tower for Qabus ibn Wushmagir. TOURISM TEHRAN – Preliminary work of collecting road was once the most important route and connection of deskdata about Karaj-Chalus road, its associated the southern slopes of Alborz to the northern regions of the Tourism minister cuts ribbon structures, and nearby villages has been commenced by the country. tourism directorate of Alborz province to have the scenic As a piece of history, Chalus Road, also less well known as on traditional restaurant road registered on Iran’s national heritage list. Road 59, was constructed during the Qajar era by the local Based on follow-up field visits and preliminary investi- people with very primitive hand tools. TOURISM TEHRAN – Cultural Heritage, Tourism and gations, it was decided to develop a dossier for the national The 160 km road crossing and crawling up the Alborz deskHandicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan on registration Karaj-Chalus road as a historical, cultural, and Mountains offers beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, and springs. Monday inaugurated a traditional restaurant during his visit to natural route that has considerable potential in the field of Each season presents its own special beauty along the road. Sari, the capital of the northern Mazandaran province. tourism, CHTN quoted the provincial tourism directorate The mesmerizing view changes as one travels on Chalus; Constructed in a piece of land covering 834 square meters as saying on Monday. from trees lining up on both sides of the pavement to getting in area, the traditional restaurant is expected to generate 18 job Natural landscapes, villages with historical texture, the engulfed and surrounded by the Alborz, and sometimes have opportunities, CHTN reported. architecture of different periods, local food, traditional cloth- dramatic views of the , which runs along part of The minister was scheduled to inaugurate 78 tourism-related ing, and the original Karaji dialect are among the attractions the road. projects -- virtually or in-person -- during his two-day visit to the of the Karaj-Chalus axis, a provincial official said. The road between Tehran and the Caspian Sea has become escape the hustle and bustle of the city or for a relaxing day northern province, the report added. In connection with political geography, the Karaj-Chalous a destination in itself for many Tehranis who take it just to out with family and friends. Last year, Iran joined an online campaign launched by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to promote gastronomy as an essential part of tourism. Experts say that food is not merely an organic product with biochemical compositions. Historic Ladiz cave cleaned up by cultural heritage fans TOURISM TEHRAN – A clean- Iran is geologically a part of the Al- to west, and an obvious rise in humidity in desking project has been pine-Himalayan organic belt. According the coastal regions. In ancient times, the completed on the historical cave of Ladiz to Britannica Encyclopedia, the enigmatic region was a crossword of the Indus Valley and a nearby river adjacent to the city of evidence of human presence on the Iranian and the Babylonian civilizations. Mirjaveh in the southeastern province of plateau is as early as Lower Paleolithic times. The province possesses special signifi- Sistan-Baluchestan. The first well-documented evidence of cance because of being located in a strategic The project was carried out in collaboration human habitation is in deposits from sev- and transit location, especially Chabahar with some cultural heritage aficionados and eral excavated cave and rock-shelter sites, which is the only ocean port in Iran and the activists as well as some provincial tourism located mainly in the Zagros Mountains of best and easiest access route of the middle officials, Mirjaveh’s tourism chief has said. western Iran and dated to Middle Paleolithic Asian countries to free waters. Several tourists travel to the province or Mousterian times (c. 100,000 BC). The vast province is home to several dis- every year to visit Ladiz cave, a popular The collective province -- Sistan in the tinctive archaeological sites and natural natural wonder in the region, Abdollah list” of travelers in Iran. However, Karaftu, north and Baluchestan in the south -- ac- attractions, including two UNESCO World Kord announced on Tuesday. Ali-Sadr and Quri Qaleh, and Katale-Khor counts for one of the driest regions of Iran Heritage sites, namely Shahr-e-Soukhteh Exploring a cave may not be on the “to-do are amongst the most visited caves. with a slight increase in rainfall from east (Burnt City) and Lut desert. For members of each community, food is defined as a cultural element. The Iranian cuisine, usually embellished with fragrant herbs, varies from region to region, however, it principally ac- centuates freshness, deliciousness, and colorfulness. Friday mosque of Meybod being restored to former glory Dizi (a lamb, chickpea, and potato stew made to a centuries-old recipe), fesenjoon (chicken poached in an earthy sweet-and-sour HERITAGE TEHRAN – An exten- brick mosque dates back to the first and does it designate this purpose. sauce of ground walnuts and pomegranates) are amongst the most desksive restoration work has the second centuries AH, the report said. According to UNESCO, Meybod is a popular traditional dishes of the country. Traditional Iranian recently been commenced on the centu- Moreover, the survey showed the most remarkable example of the viability and dishes are usually not overpowered with spices though kitchens ries-old Friday mosque of Meybod, which was mostly thriving during the seventh transmission of human being’s collective are embraced with ranges of subtle and yet contrasting flavors is named after the oasis city in central Iran. and ninth centuries AH. thoughts from different generations to such as a combination of sweet and sour or mild. Exterior walls, stuccowork, window The terms “Jameh Mosque”, “Masjed-e the present one. “What is significant in Stretched along the Caspian Sea and Alborz mountain range, glasses, wooden doors, and plaster coatings Jameh” and “Friday Mosque” are used the city of Meybod is the regularity in Mazandaran is a popular destination for domestic holidaymakers are amongst elements becoming restored, in Iran for a grand communal mosque city planning. The anatomy and spatial and it is home to more than 3500 villages and rural areas. CHTN reported on Wednesday. where mandatory Friday prayers are/ structure of the city show original plans An archaeological survey conducted in were performed: the phrase is used in which conform with the old Iranian city 30 historical sites, the early 2000s revealed that the mud- other Muslim countries but only in Iran planning.” monuments under restoration across Sistan-Baluchestan Eco-lodges have enough potential to alter tourism in : official HERITAGE TEHRAN – Restoration work is currently TOURISM TEHRAN – A total of 56 eco-lodge target destinations for eco-tourism development,” the deskunderway on some 30 historical sites and mon- deskunits, which have been inaugurated official said. uments, which are dotted across the lesser-known Sistan-Bal- across Bushehr province over the past four years, has Iran’s tourism body said in 2018 that 2,000 eco-lodges uchestan province. enough potential to alter tourism across the southwest- will be constructed nationwide until 2021. Experts say each Historical houses, mansions, strongholds, castles, graveyards ern Bushehr province, the deputy provincial tourism eco-lodge unit generates jobs for seven to eight people and windmills are amongst travel destinations being restored, chief said on Monday. on average so that the scheme could create 160,000 jobs. ILNA quoted Mansoureh Molla-Elahi, the deputy provincial Construction of such lodging places is in line with Having a very diverse natural setting, Iran offers varied tourism chief, as saying on Tuesday. the directorate’s policies to support job opportunities, excursions to nature lovers. Sightseers may live with sustainable income for local communities, and the a nomad or rural family or enjoy an independent stay. development of rural tourism, Sakineh Salari added, The country is home to abundant historical mansions, IRNA reported. caravanserais, bathhouses, madrasas, and other massive A budget of 168 billion rials ($4 million at the offi- monuments, which can buttress its budding tourism cial exchange rate of 42,000 rial per dollar) has been and hospitality sectors if managed appropriately and allocated to the projects, he said. refurbished properly. The inaugurated eco-lodges have generated a total With over 6,000 years of history and significant mon- of 252 job opportunities directly and indirectly for the uments from the Elamite, Achaemenid, Parthian, and locals, she added. The houses represent the indigenous culture, local Sassanid eras, Bushehr Province is one of Iran’s most She also expressed hope that boosting ecotourism customs, traditions, and stories, while the guests are important historical centers. in the region would lead to economic prosperity in ru- served delicious food with local ingredients. Besides its cultural heritage, beautiful beaches and ral areas, comprehensive development of villages, and The growing tendency of tourists to experience in- lush palm groves make it an attractive destination for reverse migration. digenous and local cultures has made them want to world travelers. As a four-season country with pristine and beautiful get closer to natural and indigenous living conditions, The historical and architectural monuments of Bushehr nature in different parts of the country, Iran has a lot experiencing the old-fashioned way of life, considering include Islamic buildings like mosques and praying cen- to offer nature lovers and eco-tourists. that staying in these eco-lodge units is much cheaper ters, mansions, old towers, castles, as well as gardens. The collective province -- Sistan in the north and Baluchestan Eco-lodge units in rural areas and the heart of nature, than other accommodation centers. When it comes to cultural attractions, there are many in the south -- is home to several distinctive archaeological sites away from the hustle and bustle of the city, smoke, and In January 2020, Research Institute for Cultural Her- historical mounds in Bushehr including Tall-e Khandaq and natural attractions, including two UNESCO World Heritage pollution, could free people from the chaos and turmoil itage and Tourism Director Behrouz Omrani announced with Sassanid architectural style, Tall-e Marv located sites, namely Shahr-e-Soukhteh (Burnt City) and Lut desert. of modern life. that Iran has been constructing hundreds of eco-lodge near an Achaemenid Palace, and Qajar era Malek al-To- It possesses special significance because of being located in a In recent years, several historical mansions and rural guesthouses over the past couple of years to meet the jar Mansion. Qajar era Kazeruni Mansion, which has strategic and transit location, especially Chabahar which is the houses across the country have been repurposed into demands of rising eco-travelers and sightseers. been inscribed on the World Heritage List, is another only ocean port in Iran and the best and easiest access route of eco-lodge units to attract more domestic and foreign “At present, issuing guidelines for eco-tourism devel- attraction that world travelers love to see among various the middle Asian countries to free waters. tourists. opment is on the agenda. Historical villages are amongst ancient sites. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MAY 26, 2021 SOCIETY 7 COVID-19 UPDATES Plan on early diagnosis, treatment The statistics are related to 24 hours started 2:00 p.m. May 24 of osteoporosis underway New cases 11,873 New deaths 208 SOCIETY TEHRAN – A pilot plan physical medicine and rehabilitation, said deskon the early detection and in October 2019. treatment of osteoporosis is being implement- Osteoporosis prevalence Total cases 2,855,396 ed in three cities, Baqer Larijani, director of Although osteoporosis is mainly rooted Endocrinology and Metabolism Research in genetics, low physical activity or an un- Total deaths 79,056 Institute at Tehran University of Medical healthy diet with a small amount of calcium, Sciences, said on Tuesday. gradually reduces bone calcium and causes In recent years, public awareness of os- osteoporosis. It is referred to as the silent New hospitalized patients 1,713 teoporosis and fractures has been growing, epidemic disease of the century because but there is still insufficient information, it does not create serious pain until a bone he said, adding, the training of doctors and fracture occurs. Total recovered patients 2,347,752 medical staff in this area should be given Osteoporosis is preventable and can be priority, IRNA reported. stopped with proper diet, exercise, and an- Diagnostic tests conducted 2,362,428 “There is a gap between needs and services nual checkups. in this field, so we should have appropriate Mina Kermani, a rheumatologist, an- policies in the future,” he stated, lamenting, nounced in February 2019 that about seven Doses of vaccine injected 3,146,062 a significant number of people with osteo- million Iranian people were suffering from porosis do not continue treatment, so that osteoporosis. clinical guidelines for osteoporosis should Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens be further promoted. bones, making them fragile and more likely Regarding the international cooperation to break. It develops slowly over several years in this field, he said that “we are trying to According to International Osteoporosis and is often only diagnosed when a minor Iranian bird fauna increase our cooperation at the national and fall or sudden impact causes a bone fracture. Foundation, it is estimated that over 200 (Part 5) international levels.” The most common injuries in people 1974 White stork inquiry. In 1974, the Department conducted a 80% of Iranian women above 75 million people worldwide suffer from this with osteoporosis are wrist fractures and nationwide census of breeding white storks Ciconia ciconia as suffering from osteoporosis hip fractures. disease. At least 40 percent of the women part of an international census of storks in and the Afshin Ostovar, head of Osteoporosis According to International Osteoporosis Middle East. The census revealed an Iranian population of some Research Center at the Endocrinology and and 15-30 percent of men will sustain Foundation, currently, it is estimated that 3,300 pairs, two-thirds of which were nesting in Azerbaijan Metabolism Research Institute, said that 80 over 200 million people worldwide suffer one or more fragility fractures in their province (Fotoohi and Scott). percent of women over the age of 75 across from this disease. At least 40 percent of the remaining lifetime. Greater flamingo studies. Since its discovery in the mid- the country are suffering from osteoporosis. women and 15-30 percent of men will sus- 1960s the breeding colo9ny of some 20,000 to 25,000 pairs Women are more exposed to osteopo- tain one or more fragility fractures in their but now one in two women and one in four death, he lamented. of greater flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber on islands in Lake rosis than men, he said elaborating that remaining lifetime. Aging of populations men over the age of 50. Seventeen percent of Iranians over the Urmia, Azerbaijan, has been the subject of continuous study averagely, all over the country, one in three worldwide will be responsible for a major In other words, half of the women aged 50 age of 30 and 20 percent of women aged over by ornithologists from the department. The entire lake and its women and one in five men aged over 50 increase in the incidence of osteoporosis or above experience osteoporosis fractures, 50 are suffering from osteoporosis, Ahmad islands, an area of 483,000 ha, were given reserve status in get fractures due to osteoporotic each year, in postmenopausal women. 20 to 50 percent of pelvic fractures lead to Raeisosadat, secretary of the association of 1967 and the flamingo declared a fully protected bird. Banding studies have revealed that immediately after fledging young birds undertake a wide dispersal out of the Iranian region, with recoveries coming from as far afield as Libya, Sudan, Iraqi passengers must be retested for COVID-19: health minister Ethiopia, Somalia, Pakistan, and . The adults, however, winter mainly within Iran, in the Bakhtegan Protected Region SOCIETY TEHRAN – Considering fake nega- He went on to lament that some 62 individuals, who in central Fars, and along the coasts of the Persian Gulf and desktive COVID-19 test certificates of Iraqi tested positive, have so far been temporarily quaran- Baluchistan (Scott, 1975). passengers, Health Minister emphasized tined, under a plan to rapidly identify suspected cases The wetlands and their the need for retesting all the passengers at land, sea, of coronavirus and prevent the spread of new UK strain. wildfowl. The wetlands of and air borders. Some 471 members of the IRCS cooperate for car- Iran constitute one of the main As some Iraqi passengers have violated travel checks rying out the plan in 16 provinces across the country, wintering areas for wildfowl by showing fake test certificates, and after retesting, Valipour concluded. belonging to the West Siberi- they tested positive, so that all should be tested at the With the cooperation of ministries of health and an-Caspian-Nile flyway popu- borders despite having a certificate, Namaki explained, transport, a plan is being implemented with the lation. The millions of ducks, IRNA reported on Tuesday. goal of rapidly identifying and testing incoming geese, and coots in this flyway “Therefore, all previous instructions on allowing the passengers and keeping them in quarantine facil- have long supported an annual passengers with a negative test result to enter the country ities, if necessary. harvest in the south Caspian are rejected, and all entry points from land, sea, and air Thirty border checkpoints have been selected, in- region (Schuz, 1957; Savage, borders must retest the travelers.” and Rescue Organization affiliated to the Iranian Red cluding 18 land borders, nine air borders, and three 1963; Firouz, 1968) and are Over 318,000 passengers tested at border points Crescent Society (IRCS), has stated. sea borders, all incoming passengers will be tested and increasingly attracting the Some 318,859 passengers have so far been screened During the aforesaid period, IRCS forces have con- referred to the quarantine facilities in case of necessity. attention of sport hunters. for coronavirus by thermal tests at the country’s official ducted 16,368 PCR tests and 43,386 rapid tests, he said, Around 8,000 individuals enter the country via bor- In an attempt to conserve and manage this valuable natural borders since March 10, Mehdi Valipour, head of Relief IRNA reported. ders on a daily basis. resource the Department of the Environment has introduced realistic game laws and regulations, created a number of pro- tected regions and wildlife refuges, and drawn up a detailed inventory of the nation’s wetlands. Nationwide mid-winter Kidney Foundation performs 600 transplants in year wildfowl censuses have been conducted annually since 1966, SOCIETY TEHRAN – Some failure in Iran is 320,000. preventive methods such as controlling and these have provided valuable information on population desk600 patients with renal The first kidney transplant in West Asia their high blood pressure and diabetes, size and trends (see Table 7). A booklet entitled The Wetlands failure, under the coverage of Kidney was performed in Shiraz, Iran, in 1967. he added. and Waterfowl of Iran, published by the Department of the Foundation, have undergone transplan- Mehdi Shadnoosh, the director of the According to World Health Organ- Environment in 1971 (Firouz, 1971b), gives a general account tation over the last [Iranian calendar] transplantation department at the Minis- ization, a 2015 study revealed that, in of the situation in Iran, while a paper by Ferguson looks at the year (March 2020-March 2021). try of Health, said in February 2019 that 2015, 1.2 million people died from kid- south Caspian region in some detail. A kidney transplant is the transfer there were around 8,600 people in Iran ney failure, an increase of 32 percent Iran has played a prominent role in international efforts of a healthy kidney from a compatible waiting to receive kidney transplants. since 2005. to conserve wetlands and waterfowl. In 1971 it hosted the In- donor to the body of another person with Plus, 30 thousand patients receive di- In 2010, an estimated 2.3–7.1 million ternational Conference on the Conservation of Wetlands and a disabled kidney and is the most prom- alysis every day. people with end-stage kidney disease Waterfowl, at which the final text of a convention—the so-called ising option for patients with end-stage It is estimated that, annually, the died without access to chronic dialy- Ramsar Convention—on the conservation of wetlands especially renal disease, Azam Panahi, the head of number of Iranians who receive dialysis sis. Additionally, each year, around 1.7 as habitat for waterfowl was adopted (Carp, 1972). Iran has the Foundation, has said. grow by three to four thousand, and every million people are thought to die from annual number of kidney transplants in since ratified this convention and designated eighteen major At present, more than 100,000 pa- round of dialysis costs around 4.5 million acute kidney injury. Overall, therefore, Iran has gone from less than 100 trans- wetlands for inclusion in the list of wetlands of international tients with kidney failure are covered by rials (around $107) for the healthcare an estimated 5–10 million people die plants in 1986 to 1800 transplants in importance under the terms of the convention (Scott, 1976a; this foundation, 600 of whom under- system, said Shadnoosh. annually from kidney disease. 2006, and in recent years, the rate of Carp, 1980). went transplantation, she added, IRNA Kidney transplant and dialysis are Currently, 50 percent of end-stage kidney transplants has increased again, Caucasian black grouse studies. A small population of the reported on Tuesday. free services in Iran, so there must be renal disease (ESRD) patients in Iran live with approximately 2500–2700 kidney rare Caucasian black grouse Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi was dis- The population of patients with renal more focus on teaching people the proper with a functional transplanted kidney. The transplants performed per year. covered in the upper deciduous forest zone of the Kaleybur mountains in northern Azerbaijan in 1971. A special reserve, the Arasbaran Protected Region, was established to protect the dwindling habitat of this bird, and studies of the bird’s ENGLISH IN USE ecology were initiated (Scott, 1976b). Pheasant research and management. The common pheas- ant Phasianus colchicus occurs widely in forested regions in LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION northern Iran. Four subspecies have been described: colchicus in northern Azerbaijan, talischensis and persicus in the southwest and southeast Caspian regions respectively, and principalis in northeastern Khorasan. Management of populations for sport Educational projects worth $330m hunting has centered on the south Caspian region, where special management areas have been set aside and stocks manipulated افتتاح ۱۴۰۰ میلیارد تومان پروژه آموزشی to be inaugurated (Scott and Howell, 1976). Crane project. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 common رئیــس ســازمان نوســازی، توســعه و تجهیــز مــدارس کشــور گفــت A total of 1,015 educational projects worth 14 trillion cranes Grus grus spend the winter in Iran, principally in the wetlands of central Fars, and Sastan. In addition, some 10 to ۱۰۱۵ پــروژه آموزشــی بــا اعتبــاری به میــزان۱۴۰۰ میلیــارد تومان در rials (nearly $330 million) will be inaugurated across 15 of the very rare and endangered Siberian white crane Grus leucogeranus were rediscovered wintering in Mazandaran, in سراســر کشــور بــه به رهبــرداری م ی رســد. the country, Mehrollah Rakhshanimehr, director of the the southeast Caspian, in 1978 (Scott, 1980). A cooperative project has been initiated between the Iranian Department of بــه گــزارش ایســنا، مهراله رخشــانی مهــر افــزود ایــن پــروژه هــا طــی organization for renovation, development, and equipment of schools, has announced. the Environment, Soviet biologists, and the International Crane Foundation (Baraboo, Wisconsin) to establish a new population 10 روز آینــده و بــه مناســبت چهلویکمیــن ســالگرد پیــروزی انقــاب The projects will be inaugurated by the next 10 days, of Siberian white cranes using a cross-fostering technique as -developed with whooping cranes Grus americana and sand اســامی افتتــاح خواهنــد شــد. on the occasion of the 41st anniversary of the Islamic hill cranes Grus canadensis in North America. Thus common cranes which breed in western Siberia and winter in southern بــه گفتــه او، ایــن پروژه هــا شــامل ۴۱۶۸ کلس درس، ۱۱ اســتخر، .Revolution, he stated, ISNA reported on Sunday Iran will be used as foster parents for Siberian white cranes. ,Aside from the work of the Department of the Environment و ۳۲ ســالن ورزشــی هستند. According to Rakhshanimehr, the projects include 4,168 classrooms, 11 swimming pools, and 32 gyms. the greatest contribution to our knowledge of Iranian birds in recent years has been the work of Lindon Cornwallis, who spent رخشــانی مهــر ادامــه داد تاکنــون در ســال ۹۸ حــدود ۱۴ هــزار کلس five years studying the birds of Fars province in the late 1960s درس افتتــاح شــده اســت در حالیکــه در ســال ۹۷ حــدود ۱۰ هــزار About 14,000 classrooms have been built so far this year (started March 21, 2019), compared with some 10,000 and early 1970s. His work, plus all other recent unpublished material, is currently being written up for publication in a ,comprehensive work on the bird fauna of Iran by L. Cornwallis کلس افتتــاح شــده بــود. .last year, he concluded and D. A. Scott. (Source: Encyclopaedia Iranica) Prayer Times Noon:13:01 Evening: 20:10 Dawn: 4:31 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 5:52 (tomorrow) MAY 26, 2021 ART&CULTURE I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y www.tehrantimes.com Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh

Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 “Ambushing a Rose” [email protected] Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 published in eight languages Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 1 The collection was unveiled on is a sweet story of one of its characters,” Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Tehrantimes79 Monday at the Sacred Defense Museum the Leader wrote in the recommendation during a special ceremony organized to published in April 2019. “I read the entire book thoroughly; it has No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran celebrate the liberation anniversary of P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Khorramshahr. been written beautifully and artistically. I Zip Code: 1599814713 Written in Persian by Mohsen Momeni- am quite familiar with many of the incidents Sharif, “Ambushing a Rose”, also known described,” he added. as “Waiting for the Red Rose”, has been “Of course, many other events of that translated into English, French, Italian, era and many other words about this dear Russian, Arabic, Urdu, Azerbaijani and martyr remain untold. And this is natural, Turkish by the Army’s War Archives. because the prominence of martyr Sayyad Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Shirazi cannot be showcased in a single the commander of the Army, Brigadier book. He was truly an example of a brave General Nasser Arasteh, the director of and devoted army officer. God bless his the Army’s War Archives, several military soul,” he stated. GUIDE TO attachés and some cultural figures attended Sayyad Shirazi was assassinated on SPIRITUAL AWAKENING the ceremony. April 10, 1999, outside his house while “Talking about the big victories during on his way to work by the Mojahedin-e the war brings the name of Sayyad Shirazi Khalq Organization (MKO) while serving That knowledge which remains only to our minds, and his name also brings back as the deputy chief of the Iranian Armed on your tongue is very superficial. The the sweet memories of the big victories,” Forces General Staff, the second-highest Mousavi said in his brief speech made at military office in Iran. The MKO said intrinsic value of knowledge is that you the act was in revenge for Operation the ceremony. Army commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi (2nd L) and War Archives act upon it. Mersad. For his part, Arasteh said, “All chapters director Brigadier General Nasser Arasteh (3rd R) unveil eight translations of He had led a counter-offensive called Imam Ali (AS) of Martyr Sayyad cannot be covered in a the Martyr Ali Sayyad Shirazi’s biography “Ambushing a Rose” at the Sacred Operation Mersad against the MKO single book. Many books should be written Defense Museum in Tehran on May 24, 2021. (ISNA/Mohammad-Ali Asadi) to cover various aspects of his life.” militants, who, with the help of Saddam The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, which was originally published by Sureh- Dissemination Organization. Hussein, launched an attack in the summer Ayatollah Seyyed , wrote a Mehr, a major publishing house affiliated “This is an exceptionally interesting of 1988 to capture the western Iranian city Iranian, Russian universities commendation for “Ambushing a Rose”, with the Art Bureau of the Islamic Ideology example of a report on the war while it of Kermanshah. launch Iranistica Encyclopedia project Khanian, Bahar join 2022 Astrid Lindgren Award nominees

CULTURE TEHRAN — A collaborative project has been CULTURE TEHRAN – The Children’s Book Council Khanian is the author of “A Half Day in the Interrogation desklaunched by the and Saint deskof Iran has selected the celebrated Room” and “Compass”. He has also written several other Petersburg State University to compile a Russian encyclopedia writer Jamshid Khanian and book reading promoter stories, including “Money” and “Where Is My Joseph”, which of Iranian studies named Iranistica. Abdolhakim Bahar as its nominees for the 2022 Astrid have been translated into English, Russian and Polish. Lindgren Memorial Award. The Institute for Research on History of Children’s “Khanian has been selected for the substantial role he Literature, the Iranian Association of Writers for has played in the formation of modern fiction for young Children and Youth and the Institute for Intellectual adults in Iran,” the council wrote in a press release published Development of Children and Young Adults are allowed on Tuesday. to select Iran’s nominations for the Astrid Lindgren He received the nomination for “his regard for some Memorial Award. humanitarian issues such as peace, respect for others, Previously on Monday, the Iranian Association of Writers friendship and love, as well as his care for humanitarian for Children and Youth announced writer Fereidun Amuzadeh- crises such as all types of discrimination, wars, immigration, Khalili and book reading promoter Shahla Eftekhari as its loneliness, death, identity, generation gap…” nominees for the award in 2022. Bahar was nominated for the award for his great motivation The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award amounts to SEK This combination photo is of a logo of the Astrid Lindgren for reading promotion in Iran’s remote areas. 5 million (about €570,000), making it the world’s largest Memorial Award and the Iranian nominees Jamshid Khanian and Bahar were also nominated for the prestigious award for children’s and young adults’ literature. Khanian (L) and Abdolhakim Bahar. Swedish honor to promote children’s and youths’ literature The award was established in 2002 by the Swedish National Lindgren and to promote children’s and youths’ literature in the world by the Children’s Book Council of Iran in 2021. Council for Cultural Affairs to commemorate writer Astrid from around the world. A poster for a memorandum of understanding, which will be signed by Iran and Russia on May 26, 2021 in Tehran to .compile the Iranistica Encyclopedia Iranian reading contest picks “Crime and Punishment” The project is being implemented based on a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which will be signed in Tehran on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s 1866 novel “Crime and monthly installments during 1866. Before the killing, Raskolnikov believes Wednesday by the Institute of Iran and Eurasia Studies (IRAS), Punishment” for its new edition, which will It was later published in a single volume. that with the money he could liberate himself State University and the University of Tehran, be held on June 25. It is the second of Dostoevsky’s full-length from poverty and go on to perform great the IRAS Institute announced on Tuesday. The Academic Center for Education, Culture novels following his return from ten years deeds. However, once the deed is done he The MOU will be inked by IRAS director Mehdi Sanaei, Saint and Research is the organizer of the contest, of exile in Siberia. finds himself racked with confusion, paranoia Petersburg State University rector Nikolai Kropachev and University which will be held online, and applicants have “Crime and Punishment” is considered and disgust for his actions. His justifications of Tehran director Mahmud Nili Ahmadabadi. been called on to register through bookrc.ir. the first great novel of his “mature” period disintegrate completely as he struggles with Over five Persian translations of “Crime of writing. The novel is often cited as one guilt and horror and confronts the real-world Founded in 2004, the IRAS is active as an independent, non- A copy of a Persian translation of Fyodor and Punishment” by Mehri Ahi, Parviz Shahdi, of the supreme achievements in literature. consequences of his act. profit, non-governmental think tank and publisher based in Tehran. Dostoevsky’s novel “Crime and Punishment” Asghar Rastegar, Ahad Aliqolian, Hamidreza The novel focuses on the mental anguish French writer Victor Hugo’s celebrated The institute announced that the Iranistica Encyclopedia by Asghar Rastegar. project will be compiled with contributions from experts on Atashbarab and Ahmad Banpur have so far and moral dilemmas of Rodion Raskolnikov, novel “Les Misérables” was selected for Iranian studies from both Iran and Russia. CULTURE TEHRAN – Iran’s Hasht been published in Iran. an impoverished ex-student in Saint the previous edition of the Hasht Behesht desk The encyclopedia will become the primary source for Russian Behesht Book Reading The novel was first published in the literary Petersburg who formulates a plan to kill Book Reading Contest, which was in academia in the field of Iranian and Eurasian studies. Contest has selected Russian author journal The Russian Messenger in twelve an unscrupulous pawnbroker for her money. September 2020.

“Villa Dwellers” Iranian publisher offers “The Reason I Jump” director Monir Qeidi CULTURE TEHRAN – Tehran-based publisher Questions such as: “Why do people with autism talk deskCheshmeh has recently published a so loudly and weirdly?” “Why do you line up your toy cars makes drama on women in Persian translation of Japanese author Naoki Higashida’s and blocks?” “Why don’t you make eye contact when you’re biography “The Reason I Jump: One Boy’s Voice from talking?” and “What’s the reason you jump?” Khorramshahr resistance the Silence of Autism”. Naoki’s answer: “When I’m jumping, it’s as if my feelings Higashida was only thirteen when he wrote “The are going upward to the sky.” TEHRAN — Monir Qeidi, the director of the ART Reason I Jump”, a revelatory account of autism from With disarming honesty and a generous heart, Naoki shares deskacclaimed Iranian drama “Villa Dwellers”, has the inside by a nonverbal Japanese child, which became his unique point of view on not only autism but life itself. portrayed women’s role in the 34-day resistance in Khorramshahr an international success. His insights — into the mystery of words, the wonders of against the Iraqi invaders during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war Reyhaneh Zahiri is the translator of the book, whose laughter and the elusiveness of memory — are so startling, in her new film “Squad of Girls”. English translation by K.A. Yoshida and David Mitchell so strange, and so powerful that you will never look at the was published by Random House in 2013. world the same way again. It is a one-of-a-kind memoir that demonstrates how an Higashida was born in 1992 and diagnosed autistic mind thinks, feels, perceives and responds in ways with autism when he was five. Reviews have been that few of us can imagine. Front cover of a Persian translation of Japanese author mixed, both celebrating the accomplishment of a Parents and family members who never thought they Naoki Higashida’s biography “The Reason I Jump: One mentally and emotionally challenged young author could get inside the head of their autistic loved one, at Boy’s Voice from the Silence of Autism”. and expressing discomfort with the involvement of last, have a way to break through to the curious, subtle sentences and thoughts that he is unable to speak out his communications facilitator (his mother) and and complex life within. loud, Naoki answers even the most delicate questions English language translators, Yoshida and her Using an alphabet grid to painstakingly construct words, that people want to know. husband Mitchell.

New game highlighting Gen. Soleimani’s role in battle A scene from “Squad of Girls”. for breaking ISIS siege of Amerli The film has been made based on a true story that took place during the invasion of Khorramshahr by Iraq. CULTURE TEHRAN — The Islamic is to enter the phase of creating native digital biggest victory against ISIS. Niki Karimi is among some of the notable actors and actresses deskRevolution Center for content,” Moslem Moein said in a press release. The MATNA has previously made “General featuring in the epic war drama. Digital Products and Publications – MATNA A poster for “Commander of the Resistance: in the Shadows”, a computer game depicting the Qeidi’s debut feature film “Villa Dwellers” on wives of Iranian is making a new computer game titled Amerli Battle” was also published on Monday. commanding leadership of General Soleimani fighters of the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war in a camp near the frontline “Commander of the Resistance: Amerli Battle”. Amerli, an Iraqi town of Shia Turkmen located in the battle for breaking the siege of Amerli won her the award for best first-film by director at the 35th Fajr The game, which is scheduled to be released in the Tooz District of Saladin Governorate, was by the ISIS terrorists. Film Festival in 2017. in the summer, will highlight the key role Iran’s besieged by the ISIS terrorists from June 2014, After his martyrdom, General Soleimani has Local people and volunteers from across the country joined Quds Force chief, Qassem Soleimani, played cutting off access to food, electricity and water. become the subject of several computer games A poster for “Commander of the together fighting the Iraqi forces. However, the southwestern in the battle for breaking the 89-day siege of On August 31, the Quds Force, the overseas and films, as well as a number of theatrical Resistance: Amerli Battle”. Iranian city was captured by the invaders after 34 days of the northern Iraqi town of Amerli by the ISIS arm of the IRGC under the command of and festival programs. heroic resistance. terrorists, the director of the Cyberspace Soleimani, joined the Kurdish Peshmerga Previously in January the Raymon Media designed on the air and drone battles with the Khorramshahr in the southwestern Iranian province of Organization announced on Monday. fighters and the Popular Mobilization Units Company, an Iranian center for innovation commanding leadership of the commander. Khuzestan was captured by Iraqis on October 26, 1980 during “One of our main strategies at the Islamic – Hashd al-Shaabi, breaking the siege, which and advancement of computer games, General Soleimani was assassinated during the early months of the war and was liberated on May 24, 1982. Revolution Production and Publication Center was described by some top analysts as Iraq’s released “Shadow of Revenge”, a mobile game a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad on January 3, 2020.