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• Enemy’s bases under Iran’s surveillance, commander says P2 • Raisi: Iran seeking to improve ties with Latin America P2 8 Pages | Price 50,000 Rials | 1.00 EURO | 4.00 AED | 43rd year | No. 14025 | Thursday | SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 | Shahrivar 11, 1400 | Muharram 24, 1443 • Iran, France top diplomats discuss JCPOA P2 • Iran looking to start World Cup qualification on highP3 • Army chief meets Amir Abdollahian P3 Iran and the Reconciliation • Iran FM underlines need to respect borders in Caucasus P3 • Iran FM hails talks with UAE PM P3

Page 3 • Reaching 8% economic growth possible: PBO head P4 Drive in the Region • ‘Economic diplomacy seeks to expand relations with neighbors’ P4 Report • Over 4m tons of basic goods stored at “Will you shut up Iranian ports P4 Iran unveils ‘Alborz’ and • U.S. hate crime hits 12-year high P5 man?” • Speeding up vaccination atop agenda: health minister P7 TEHRAN — We all know that Biden and Trump are • National Nanotech Contest slated for not much different. Yet, in some angry outbursts from ‘Borhan’ air defense former lame duck president Donald Trump, he has Friday P7 blamed Biden for the embarrassing evacuation from • Royan Institute hosting intl. congresses Afghanistan, as if, four years of chaos did not happen under his watch. systems on biomedicine, stem cell P7 Trump called on the present Biden administration to • “Charcoal” star Hadi Eftekharzadeh wins get “every penny” of U.S. equipment out of the region or runner-up prize at ImagineIndia festival P8 “bomb the hell” out of the country. • Iranian children win top prizes at Japanese “Never in history has a withdrawal from war been handled so badly or incompetently as the Biden drawing contest P8 Administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan,” Trump wrote in an email statement on Monday. “In addition to the obvious, ALL EQUIPMENT should be demanded to be immediately returned to the United States, and that Interview includes every penny of the $85 billion dollars in cost.” These remarks are a direct threat towards the people of Afghanistan. Although he himself might have Biden did what forgotten, history will never forget what Trump did to Afghanistan. Trump set out to On November 21, 2020, Mike Pompeo, United States’ then-Secretary of State met with a Taliban delegation, do in Afghanistan: led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Doha. “I would be most interested in getting your thoughts professor on how we can increase the probability of a successful outcome,” reporters heard Pompeo telling the Afghan negotiating team. The Taliban and Afghanistan’s By Mohammad Mazhari government began their negotiations for the first time TEHRAN – With regard to Afghanistan, the globe is in September 2020 in Doha after the Taliban and the U.S. Mehr/ Ali Haddadi Asl witnessing a consensus between current U.S. Pres- signed a deal in February. ident Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump, According to the agreement signed on February 29 TEHRAN - “Alborz” and “Borhan” air defense tem, has been produced with the aim of intercepting Alborz Radar is also able to track 300 targets an American professor says. between the Taliban and the United States, the two systems were unveiled with the commander of the and detecting long-range aerial targets with low ra- simultaneously. The Borhan System is a com- “Biden did what Trump set out to do in Afghan- agreed on a comprehensive peace agreement, consisted Army Air Defense Force Brigadier General Alireza Sa- dar cross-section and stealth. mand-and-control weapons center at low altitude istan, but Trump is dishonest on this,” Professor of four parts. bahifard in attendance on Wednesday morning. The maximum radar range of this system is 450 as the last line of command in the point-defense of Robert Y. Shapiro tells the Tehran Times. command-and-control air defense network. Page 2 In an interview with the Fox News on August 15, Pompeo Alborz fuzzy array, a three-dimensional radar sys- km and is able to identify targets at low altitude. Trump called on his successor Biden to reconsider bashed Biden’s strategy with regard to the Taliban. its decisions after the Afghan government collapsed “We shouldn’t be begging them to spare the lives of and the Taliban ceased control of Afghanistan’s cap- Americans, we should be imposing costs on the Taliban Former CBI governors stress bank’s authority in economic decisions ital Kabul. until they allow us to execute our plan in Afghanistan,” Trump, in a statement on Sunday, said that it was TEHRAN – The former governors of the Central Speaking in this meeting, former CBI Governor “Instead of putting pressure on the government Pompeo said. time for Biden to resign for what he has allowed Bank of Iran (CBI) have said the president should not Mohammad-Hossein Adeli said the first and fore- and the banking system, treasury bonds can be used happening in Afghanistan. Fox News anchor Chris Wallace responded by pointing intervene in the country’s specialized economic deci- most issue that the government should consider is to compensate for the budget deficit. These bonds out that Pompeo himself had pushed to legitimize the sions which are mainly made by the CBI, Mehr News to have its own income. are underdeveloped and the methods used for pre- His statement comes after the Afghanistan gov- Taliban’s leadership under the Trump administration, paring them are not appropriate. Now it is up to the ernment collapsed with President Ashraf Ghani Agency reported. “The government is able to make internal and ex- which eventually inked a ceasefire deal that largely financial policymaker to build the right market for leaving the country and the Taliban’s entry into the In a meeting on the sidelines of the Islamic Bank- ternal arrangements to increase its income,” Adeli resulted in the Taliban shifting their military attacks to such treasury bonds,” he added. capital. ing Conference on Wednesday, the officials stressed stressed. target local security forces and the Afghan National Elsewhere in the meeting, Tahmasb Mazaheri said: However, many political observers say that with- the need to stop following the wrong policies of the The official noted that reforming the budget Army. Page 2 “I advise the government not to follow in the foot- drawing from Afghanistan was planned by Trump’s past and to use treasury bonds to compensate for structure requires decreasing the government costs steps of the previous government to improve the administration and Biden is following the same pol- the budget deficit. and this is the only way forward. situation. Page 4 icy. National programs Although Republicans have attacked Biden’s move when it comes to Afghanistan, it was a public to develop 24 Iran FM hails talks demand that is critical of America’s endless war. “The public has supported getting out of Afghan- species of medicinal with UAE PM istan but is not happy with how the U.S. withdrawal TEHRAN – New Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein took place, making the U.S. look incapable and weak,” plants Amir Abdollahian has commented on his meeting with the American academic says. Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mo- Maybe a part of the Afghanistan crisis is due to TEHRAN – Three national programs for the tech- hammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the sidelines of a the U.S. refusal to collaborate with its rivals includ- nological development of 24 species of medicinal regional summit in Baghdad earlier this week. ing Iran and China, especially the Republicans who plants have been prepared with the support of the have a deep-rooted animosity towards Iran. Vice Presidency for Science and Technology. “I had positive and cordial talks with Prime Minis- ter of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed Due to its historical and cultural ties with Afghan- Herbs that are going to be harvested under the bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the sidelines of the Bagh- istan and the privilege of being a neighboring coun- 10-year national plans include damask rose, cucur- dad Conference for Cooperation and Partnership. In try, Iran is considered among regional players that bita pepo, thymes, chamomile, savory, mint, Persian line with mutual cooperation, Iran and the UAE can can play significant role in Afghanistan. cumin, coriander, tarragon, Hypericum perforatum, make great strides and achieve neighborly diploma- But over the last two decades, Washington valerian, rosemary, blacksamson echinacea, hyssop, cy,” the Iranian foreign minister said on Twitter. Marian thistle, Melissa, passion flowers, marjoram, preferred to deprive itself of the advantages of saffron, common sage, aloe vera, fennel, pot mari- He added, “In this conversation, we talked about cooperation with regional players to stabilize Af- gold, and hibiscus tea. the positive intentions and determination of the ghanistan. Page 5 leaders of the two countries to bolster ties, and One of the agricultural potentials of Iran is me- stressed the importance of brotherly relations be- dicinal plants, which for some reason, has been less tween the two countries. In order to enhance bilat- Amir Ostovari considered so far. Despite the fact that out of about eral ties and the realization of regional cooperation, Japanese Persian 8,000 plant species in the country, more than 2,500 we will consult our neighbors, and cooperate and species are classified as medicinal plants, but the Saeid Afrooz adds to Iran’s Paralympics gold medal tally empathize with them. The 13th Iranian administra- calligrapher Hisako research carried out during the last decade has met tion prioritizes working with neighboring countries.” a small percentage of the needs in this field. Javelin thrower Saeid Afrooz gave Iran a gold medal on Day 8 of the 2020 Paralympic Games. The UAE prime minister also commented on Tsunoda honored by The Iranian won the gold in the men’s javelin F-34 with a throw of 40.05 meters. In the field of medicinal plants, it is very difficult the meeting. “I wish him success in his new duties to obtain suitable seeds and healthy plant organs, Colombian throwers Mauricio Valencia and Diego Fernando Meneses Mendina won the silver through the development of positive relations with Iranian association and the preparation and implementation of research and bronze medals with 37.84 and 37.11 meters, respectively. neighboring countries and consolidating relations plans and projects, especially in the field of technol- Afrooz’s gold was Iran’s eighth gold medal in the Games. based on the principles of wisdom and the interests TEHRAN – The Iran Calligraphers Association has ogy and processing of medicinal plants seeds is an of nations.” Sheikh Mohammad said on Twitter celebrated the artistic achievements of Japanese inevitable necessity. Persian calligrapher Hisako Tsunoda with an honorary By defining three national programs, these gaps Millennia old Iranian village nominated for UNWTO label diploma. are to be filled and 24 species of medicinal plants TEHRAN – Iran’s millennia-old village of Kharanaq “Kharanaq has been nominated as one of UNW- emonies and rituals were among the criteria The honorary diploma and a copy of the Divan will be harvested in the country, ISNA reported on of Hafez were presented to Tsunoda by the Iranian Wednesday. has been nominated for the ‘Best Tourism Villages’ TO’s best tourism villages. And, the village has ob- being assessed for the initial evaluation, the label, which will be granted to a selection of rural tained necessary points in a preliminary evaluation official explained. cultural attaché in Japan, Hossein Divsalar, the Persian Herbal species in Iran service of IRNA reported on Wednesday. destinations by the World Tourism Organization [conducted by the UNWTO experts],” IRIB quoted the According to UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab So far, about 30,000 plant species are identified (UNWTO). deputy tourism minister, Homa Khorshidi, as saying Pololikashvili, tourism can be a driver of positive 64-year-old Tsunoda has spent about 30 years of in the world. Embracing a labyrinth of streets, tunnels, pas- on Tuesday. change for rural communities all around the world. her life learning Persian literature and calligraphy. While medicinal plants account for one-third of sageways, and impressive buildings such as a tiny Indicators and initiatives such as sustain- “We want to recognize the uniqueness of each village “Iran and Japan owe their long cultural relations to the medicines used in human societies, the share of mosque, a shaking minaret, and an old caravanserai, able tourism; economic, social, and environ- and showcase the best initiatives to make tourism a the great efforts made by the Japanese Iranologists, world trade in these products is about $124 billion Kharanaq is sometimes referred to as a photog- mental factors; historical, cultural, and natural means for a better future in rural areas. As we re- Islamologists, scholars and artists who have played and Iran’s share is $570 million, which is only 0.5 rapher’s dream. The village is situated in Ardakan attractions; tangible and intangible cultural start tourism, we work to ensure that we leave no a key role in raising mutual knowledge between percent of the total. Page 7 county of Yazd province. heritage; local communities; traditional cer- one - and no village- behind.” Page 6 Iranians and the Japanese, Page 8 From page 1 “Do you regret “We can only imagine how many giving the Taliban that legitimacy? Do thousands of terrorists have been you regret pressing the Afghan gov- airlifted out of Afghanistan and into ernment to release 5,000 prisoners, neighborhoods around the world,” POLITICS which they did, some of whom are now Trump wrote. “What a terrible failure. back on the battlefield fighting with NO VETTING. How many terrorists will SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 the Taliban?” asked Wallace. Joe Biden bring to America? We don’t Pompeo’s response implied that know!” Straight Truth the Trump administration would have The Pentagon has stated that “sev- used military force against the Tal- eral thousand” Americans remain in 2 TEHRAN TIMES iban, before they take over the cap- the country and that those who want ital. This is sentiment reverberated to leave will be evacuated. The effort by other Trump officials as well. They to evacuate Afghans from the coun- don’t however offer an explanation as try remains centered around those to how long the United States should deemed vulnerable who have applied Iran unveils ‘Alborz’ and ‘Borhan’ air stay in Afghanistan, if engaged in an- for Special Immigrant Visas (SIV). other military combat against the Tali- In earlier statements Trump wrote, ban. Trump’s idiocy was clear to every- “Can anyone even imagine taking out defense systems one. Now, it is more evident. our Military before evacuating civilians Biden defends shameful with- and others who have been good to our drawal “Will you shut Country and who should be allowed to From page 1 After receiving and analyzing struction and deception of air targets. It also sends seek refuge? The Americans come out information from all sources, this system provides this information to missile systems by combining In his presser on Tuesday afternoon, first. But we’re also going to help peo- them to the highest levels of command to make de- data received from electro-optical systems with Biden said that some level of chaos in ple that helped us. And we have to be cisions in the shortest possible time to communicate data received from radar systems. the evacuation was unavoidable; yet, he defended his decision to withdraw very careful with the vetting, because the necessary decisions to carry out the mission and In addition to the ability to detect the target in up man?” you have some rough people in there, destroy the target. from Afghanistan. passive mode, the Borhan System also has the abil- but we’re going to help those people.” Borhan, with its effective detection and process- ity to sends commands to deal with electronic dis- “The bottom line is there is no evac- that, by early 2021, the average wait then starved the system of resources The Government Accountability Of- ing capability, makes it possible to engage in the de- ruption. uation from the end of a war that you time for an SIV had soared to well over to do the job. can run without the kinds of complexi- fice (GAO) report from Aug. 10, 2017, two years. The number of SIVs issued dropped ties, challenges and threats we faced,” said that the U.S. government had ap- In 2006, Congress established by the hundreds. Iraqi SIVs fell from he said. “None.” propriated $76 billion since fiscal year SIVs for Iraqis and Afghans who had 557 in 2017 to 152 in 2019; the number 2002 for “various DOD and State pro- Raisi: Iran seeking to improve ties The last U.S. troops left after night- worked for the U.S. military and U.S. of Afghan SIVs went from 4,120 in 2017 grams to support Afghan security,” ac- fall of August 31, ending two decades government agencies. Initially, SIV to 1,799 in 2020, as the number of ap- cording to the Special Inspector Gener- of invasion. issuance was painfully slow. Only 371 plicants ballooned. al for Afghanistan Reconstruction. with Latin America Iraqi and Afghan principal applicants The departure of U.S. troops marked The processing time for Afghan SIV Two Republicans on the House (plus family members) received SIVs the final stage of an evacuation that applicants in early 2021 Oversight Committee drafted a letter in 2008, as former flew more than 120,000 people, most- reached 703 days. on Aug. 23 requesting information TEHRAN — In a phone call between Iranian Pres- ly Afghan allies, out of the country. employees on the list Trump went on to from the Pentagon over its plans to ident Ebrahim Raisi and Daniel Ortega, the Presi- were being targeted for Trump is as Biden said his administration bash the president recover or destroy billions of dollars dent of Nicaragua, both sides discussed improving murder in Iraq. worked tirelessly to help Americans for evacuating 4,000 worth of U.S. equipment now in the relations as well as approaches to neutralize U.S. reponsible for leave Afghanistan, adding that diplo- In 2017, the new ad- Americans (15 percent) hands of Taliban fighters. actions. ministration tried to matic efforts would continue now that Afghanistan as out of the 26,000 total The letter was signed by Rep. James implement a ban on Speaking on Tuesday night, Raisi stated that the military operations have ended. people evacuated, cit- Comer of the Committee on Oversight Muslims entering the coincidence of the Islamic Revolution in Iran with the Who is responsible for Afghani- Biden ing a statement leaked and Reform and Rep. Glenn Grothman U.S. and ordered the Nicaraguan Revolution paves the way for strength- stan crisis? from the Pentagon re- of the Subcommittee on National Se- implementation of “ex- ening ties between the two nations. ported by Politico’s Alex curity. Both lawmakers requested The debate over the chaos in Af- treme vetting” of foreign nationals, Raisi said, “Iran’s foreign policy approach is to Ward. “documents sufficient to show a full He added, “Today, the United States openly tar- ghanistan has swirled around why the including SIV applicants. improve ties with Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. was so slow in evacuating Afghan He also questioned the Biden ad- accounting of all U.S. military equip- gets Latin American countries with its various Under the White House’s direction, include Nicaragua.” allies eligible for Special Immigrant ministration’s evacuation process, ment provided to the Afghan National moves. They targeted the alliance that united us and Department of Homeland Secu- The president went on to say that close coopera- visas (SIVs). There are many reasons. speculating that the Taliban would Security Forces, or affiliated military with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Therefore, in these rity leadership, Washington agencies tion between the two countries in international fo- One is that the Trump administration not allow their “best and brightest” to group, since 2003.” circumstances, it is very important to maintain unity proposed new and, in some cases, rums is necessary to neutralize U.S. sanctions and intentionally broke the SIV processing board flights out of the country. All four U.S. presidents, from Bush and strengthen the solidarity of the two nations.” duplicative and impractical vetting to make the U.S. actions against independent coun- system in 2017 creating a huge back- Jr. to Biden, are fully and equally re- procedures. In rude and rather xenophobic tries, especially Iran and Nicaragua, costly. Given the growing awareness in the world, it is log of Afghan partners who could have statements, Trump implied that with sponsible for the current situation in necessary that Nicaragua and Iran campaign for Ortega said his country would continue to been evacuated earlier. In effect, President Trump and his the evacuation, immigrants, or as he Afghanistan. Yet, Trump must know peace and justice in the world by strengthening re- senior advisor Stephen Miller greatly strengthen relations with Iran. The system was so gummed up called them “terrorists”, will enter the that nobody can forget his words. They lations. increased the vetting workload and U.S. are forever recorded in history. Enemy’s bases under Iran’s surveillance, commander says MP: Raisi admin. will overcome problems if it strictly follows Leader’s instructions TEHRAN - The commander of this system is 450 km and was able the Army Air Defense Force Brig- to identify targets at low altitude. TEHRAN – An MP says Leader of the Islamic Rev- preme Leader of the Revolution is calculated, and olution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei in his recent the correct implementation of these recommen- adier-General Alireza Sabahifard “Alborz Radar is also able to meeting with President Ebrahim Raisi and his cab- dations has led to development and realization of said on Wednesday that Iran is able track 300 targets simultaneously.” to monitor all bases and move- inet team gave valuable advices and if the govern- justice. Therefore, all statesmen, especially govern- ments of the enemies and has the Sabahifard also said the Borhan ment follows those guidelines, it will undoubtedly ment officials, are expected to prioritize this import- power to destroy from a distance of System is a command-and-con- succeed to solve the problems and restore hope and ant issue,” the parliamentarian highlighted. trol weapons center at low alti- over 200 kilometers. trust among the people. He described the country’s scientific and military tude as the last line of command In an interview with IRNA on Monday, Qodratollah progress as a successful example of the strict im- Sabahifard made the announce- in “the point-defense of com- Hamzeh said, “The Supreme Leader of the Revolution plementation of the Supreme Leader’s instructions. ment in a press conference on the mand-and-control air defense net- in various meetings has always advised the govern- occasion of the establishment of work.” “This is also applicable in economic, cultural, po- the air defense in Jihad Self-Suffi- ment officials and statesmen and given guidelines litical and social fields, and it is hoped that the ad- By developing such an air de- ciency Organization. for better progress.” ministration will be able to achieve these goals,” the fense system, the commander said, In his first meeting with the new government of MP pointed out. “After the formation of the air Iran has succeeded to end a mo- Raisi on Saturday which took place on the occasion defense force, we were able to at- nopoly of certain great power in Hamzeh also said that paying special attention to of National Government Week, the Leader addressed tain great achievements. We pro- this field. justice in all branches of the government are among duced the equipment that have domestically-made equipment in He added that the Air Force units the whole gamut of state affairs and outlined the the Leader’s most important concerns. placed us at the top of the ad- “With producing this equipment, the air defense. operate radars that have a detec- path of the country in the coming years. we defeated the hegemony of glob- “The current administration is expected to end vanced technology in the world,” he tion radius of 800 kilometers. Ayatollah Khamenei called on the new govern- al arrogance. The Borhan System, Until late last year Iran was un- discrimination that has made people frustrated and told reporters, according the Mehr “Number of radar platforms has ment to seize the opportunity of serving the people after receiving and analyzing data der the arms embargo. However, by focusing on solving people’ problems it can take news agency, increased by about 400 times” and make tireless and around-the-clock efforts to from all sources, provides them the embargo was lifted according great steps in fulfilling the slogan of the revolution- improve the “difficult” situation in the country. The “Iran is the first in the region with the highest levels of command to UN Security Council Resolution Saqafifard also said that the ary administration.” in the field of air defense. In the 2231. The lifting of embargo an- Leader said that the Raisi administration “will cer- to make decisions in the shortest number of radar platforms has in- He added as the Leader suggested the Raisi gov- world, we have a lot to say in air gered the Trump administration. tainly overcome problems” if it makes such efforts. possible time to communicate the creased by about 400 times in the ernment’s slogan of revolutionary spirit in manage- defense as well, and this authori- necessary decisions to carry out Iran’s progresses in defense in- country, compared to the time be- Ayatollah Khamenei called on the new govern- rial affairs should be accompanied with shrewdness. ty and capability has the mission and de- dustry has surprised the West. fore the Revolution. ment to “revolutionize” all economic, reconstruc- caused the enemy to “Although the administration took office with the stroy the target,” Sa- Radars have had their technol- tion, service, foreign policy, cultural, and educational change its behavior,” “Iran’s air slogan of being a revolutionary administration and bahifard explained. ogy upgraded from old intercep- sectors. The Leader also underlined the need for the the top military offi- Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fel- Raisi administration to be popular, pursue justice, jihadi management, but as the Supreme Leader of The commander tion systems to hybrid mode, he cial highlighted. defense has low at the hawkish Foundation for and combat corruption. the Revolution pointed out this orientation must be added, “The Borhan Defense of Democracies in Wash- said, noting that radars are cur- accompanied by rationality.” Gen. Sabahifard System with its ef- rently equipped with optical and MP Hamzeh said, “Every administration that has no rival in the ington, D.C., has acknowledged that “So that in addition to implementing programs called air defense the fective detection and sound-detection sensors, and oth- used these guidelines has been more successful, but Iran has succeeded to indigenize with speed, they should refer to experts’ opinions front line of defense region today” processing capability er types of sensors that cannot be negligence in this regard has caused a lot of dam- military industry. and take steps in this direction with sufficient study against the enemy, enables the possibil- mentioned. age.” noting, “Today air de- “With a likely emphasis on home- and knowledge,” the MP remarked. ity of destroying and “At a low anti-cruise altitude, we The legislator added the guidelines issued by the fense force of Iran has reached land defense and long-range strike deceiving air targets. It also sends have at least five to six projects Leader are well-considered. Hamzeh went on to say that the country’s prob- such a great power that has no capability,” Iran will likely pursue this information to missile systems that are between the testing and lems can be resolved with the support of all bodies. need to other countries. Air de- more selective modernization, “Undoubtedly, each of the guidelines of the Su- by combining data received from operational phases, including Ma- fense is advancing rapidly, and all Taleblu said in October 2020. electro-optical systems with data jid, Nawab, Zubin and Dezful sys- the equipment used in this force is received from radar systems.” “Iran able to target micro air tems,” he said. 100% indigenous.” vehicles” In addition to the ability to de- “After 10 years of endeavor in Iran, France top diplomats discuss JCPOA The commander also said, “With tect the target in a passive mode, A senior Iranian commander has the field of directed energy, we the high capabilities we have in air the Army official said, the Borhan also praised the Air Defense Force’s have been able to reach a point defense, we monitor all enemy’s TEHRAN — France’s foreign minister told his all the nuclear activities carried out by Iran in vi- System has the ability to send or- achievements over the past years, that the countries possessing this bases and movements, and from newly-appointed Iranian counterpart in a tele- olation of a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. ders to deal with electronic disrup- saying the country, a pioneer in the technology claim to be standing a distance of over 200 kilometers, phone call that it was urgent for Tehran to return tion. technology of directed energy, is at. Directed energy means that we Iran started to gradually remove limits on its we can destroy targets.” to nuclear negotiations immediately, the French nuclear program since Washington abandoned the He went on to say that Iran today capable of targeting micro can get rid of the MAVs intruding Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednes- nuclear agreement in 2018 and imposed the sanc- Stating that 87 projects have stands first in area of air defense air vehicles (MAVs) that violate its into our skies. That means hitting day. tions against the country. The U.S. did it in viola- been inaugurated in a few days, technology. airspace. a $900,000 cruise missile at a cost Sabahifard stressed the indigenous In an interview with ISNA news of only $10,” he explained. “The minister underlined the importance and tion of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that Moragheb (Watchdog) radar would “Iran’s air defense has no rival in the urgency of an immediate resumption of nego- endorsed the agreement. the region today and also can com- agency published on Wednes- The commander also pointed to start its mission by monitoring the tiations, interrupted by Iran since June,” the For- Iran started to remove cap on its nuclear pro- pete with other air defense systems day, First Brigadier General Mehdi the progress that the Air Defense country’s sky. Saqafifard, the deputy head of the eign Ministry said after the conversation between gram one year after Donald Trump quit the deal at the global level. Our enemies Force has made regarding elec- Jean-Yves Le Drian and Hossein Amir Abdollahian, “As well as 10 sports projects planning department and the European parties to the deal, including know these abilities, tronic warfare. Reuters reported. and 18 projects related to envi- of Khatam Al-Anbia France, did nothing to compensate Iran for the and this awareness “In the field of electronic war- ronment, 35 important projects “Iran able to Air Defense Base, said Le Drian expressed his concern with regard to sanctions. has caused a change fare, we have reached a point that related to infrastructure and con- the Air Defense Force in their words and be- target micro the world does not believe,” he said. struction such as gas supply have havior, and this is due has become self-reli- Following the non-delivery of been inaugurated, and regarding to the absolute power ant and rendered inef- Raisi says U.S. must be held accountable for air vehicles” Russia’s S-300 missile defense command-and-control l6 projects of air defense,” Saba- fective the sanctions system, Iran managed to manu- have also been inaugurated,” the hifard pointed out. imposed on the coun- human right abuses in Afghanistan commander of the Army Air De- try by the West. facture Bavar-373 with the guid- He added, “Despite all the re- fense Force stated. ance of Leader of the Islamic TEHRAN — At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, phe has been going on in this country.” strictions, threats and cruel sanc- Prior to the 1979 Islamic Revo- Revolution and efforts of knowl- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that “a silent The top military official referred tions, we succeeded in turning lution, he said, Iran was only able The president went on to say that the experi- edge-based companies run by the catastrophe” has occurred in Afghanistan, refer- to the Alborz project as one of the these threats into opportunities, to detect flying objects from a dis- ence of the U.S. presence in different countries Defense Ministry, Saqafifard said. ring to the recent events in Afghanistan. honors of Iran and said, “Alborz and the result today is the achieve- tance of 380 kilometers through proves that it has never been creating security. On “Today, the Bavar-373 strategic fuzzy array, a three-dimensional ment of high air defense power at use of Western-supplied equip- Raisi described what has happened in Afghan- the contrary, Raisi said, it has been detrimental to system has nothing less than the radar, has been produced with the the regional level.” ment. istan for at least over the last two decades as a security, stability and peace. S-300, and in some areas it is even aim of intercepting and detecting Today, however, the country has clear sign of blatant human rights abuses. “Americans with such a background and prac- long-range aerial targets with low The commander of the Army air more advanced. In the near future, defense force underscored that been finalizing projects that enable “If only the number of women and children tice, instead of being held accountable in the face radar cross-section and stealth.” the Air Force to intercept targets we will hear good news from this the air defense was developing system to break the record and in Afghanistan that have been killed, injured or of public opinion of the world, resort to smear The commander also underlined within a distance of up to 3,000 exponentially and moving forward reach the levels of the next system, maimed in Afghanistan over the years is paid into campaign against other countries under various that the maximum radar range of rapidly and Iran’s Army is using all kilometers, said the commander, consideration, we will see what a silent catastro- pretexts,” Raisi stated. according to Press TV. the S-400.” TEHRAN – A wind of reconciliation In addition, since April, Iran and is blowing across the region. Many Saudi Arabia began several rounds of countries are patching up their relations what can be called exploratory talks in after years of antagonism. But will this Baghdad concurrently with the nuclear IRAN IN FOCUS reconciliation drive expand to include a talks between Iran and major world thaw in Iran-Saudi Arabia relations? powers in Vienna. SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 On August 30, while many observers But all these diplomatic efforts were busy taking a deep dive into the failed to break the wall of mistrust Straight Truth outcome of the Baghdad regional currently prevailing in the Iran-Saudi summit, a very important phone relations, which were cut in 2016 after TEHRAN TIMES 3 conversation took place between a mob of Iranian protesters angry over Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the execution of a prominent Shiite Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy cleric by Saudi Arabia stormed the Supreme Commander of the United Saudi embassy in Tehran. Aarab Emirates Armed Forces, and Recep Some in the region would like to Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey. predict that Tehran and Riyadh, even if The two leaders “reviewed the they continue their talks, will likely fail to prospects of reinforcing the relations reach a deal on patching up their relations between the two nations in a way Iran and the because the type of rivalry between the that serves their common interests two countries is far more different than and their two peoples,” the UAE that between, for instance, the UAE and official news agency, WAM, reported. reconciliation drive Turkey. Because the rivalry between Iran It said they exchanged views over a and Saudi Arabia has implications that Iran looking to Iran futsal team number of international and regional are deeply embodied on the ground. start World Cup defeat Belarus in issues of interest. in the region But it’s too early to get disappointed This conversation came almost at the prospect of a thaw in Tehran- qualification on two Friendlies a week after UAE National Security But disagreements began to fade second round of exploratory talks with Riyadh relations simply because the Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al earlier this year when Saudi Arabia hosted Turkish officials in preparation for the talks between the Iranians and their high TEHRAN – Iran national futsal team defeated Nahyan paid a surprise visit to Turkey, a summit of the Persian Gulf Cooperation normalization of relations between the Saudi counterparts have not reached Belarus in two friendly matches. where he met with Erdogan. Council with the participation of the two countries. their end yet. TEHRAN – Iran national football team are looking Iran beat their hosts 5-1 in the second friendly. emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Amid all this, Iran stood out as the only Ankara and Abu Dhabi have been Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Iraj Masjedi forward to begin the final round of the 2022 World Team Melli had defeated Belarus 8-2 in the first at loggerheads over the last decade Al Thani. The Al Ula summit accelerated country in the region whose relations has recently announced that the fourth Cup qualification on high. reconciliation among Saudi Arabia, the warm-um match. since the eruption of several upheavals with its regional rivals remained tense round of Iran-Saudi talks is expected to Iran are to play Syria in Group A on Thursday in UAE, and Egypt with Qatar, and most The matches were held as part of preparation in some Arab countries. While Turkey, and strained. But will this trend continue take place soon. Speaking at an event in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium and Dragan Skocic wants recently Turkey. The recent Baghdad for the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup. together with Qatar, supported Islamist or Iran, too, will jump on the bandwagon Baghdad, the ambassador said, “So far, to start the campaign with a win against west regional summit amended what was Iran are in Group F along with the U.S., Serbia factions such as the Muslim Brotherhood of reconciliation? we have had three rounds of talks with Asian heavyweights Syria, wince the Persian have a left of disagreements between these and Argentina. Iran lost to the U.S. at the 1992 FIFA in the Arab world, UAE and Saudi Arabia, First of all, it should be noted that the Saudi side, and the fourth round will difficult task ahead in the upcoming matches. along with Egypt and Bahrain, strongly countries. In Baghdad, the emir of Qatar be held following the formation of the Futsal World Cup and failed to win a bronze medal. Iran had already joined the reconciliation Old foe South Korea, archrivals Iraq, the UAE and opposed the rise of political Islam. met with Egyptian President Adel Fattah new Iranian government.” Group A consists of Lithuania, Venezuela, drive but no tangible success has been Lebanon are also in the group. This political polarization reached al-Sisi, a rare meeting that served as the achieved. Iran has announced on multiple Underlining that Iran is a large and Kazakhstan and Costa Rica. Uzbekistan, its climax in 2017 when a quartet of latest indication of reconciliation in the occasions that it was ready to open a civilized country and is ready for any kind Iran are a team with a lot of confidence at the Guatemala, Russia and Egypt are in Group B. moment after winning their previous five games in Arab states – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, region. A few days earlier, Sheikh Tamim new chapter with Saudi Arabia. Former of dialogue with other countries, including Thailand, Portugal, Morocco and Solomon Islands a row and they have managed to do that with real and Bahrain – severed diplomatic ties met with Sheikh Tahnoun. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Saudi Arabia, Masjedi said, “Iran has have been drawn in Group C. Brazil has been drawn style and flair. with Qatar and imposed a blockade on And Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Javad Zarif even voiced readiness to visit declared its readiness for dialogue and in Group D along with Panama, Czech Republic and it for its alignment with the Islamists Hamdi Sanad Loza will pay a visit to Riyadh and dispatch an ambassador to peace and has extended its hand to help The Persian Stars have kept four clean sheets in Vietnam. And Group E consists of Angola, Japan, and Turkey. Ankara on September 7-8, to hold the Saudi Arabia. neighboring countries and the region.” that period of time and scored 20 goals, including Paraguay and Spain. a resounding 10-0 victory against Cambodia with The top two teams of each group and the four Sardar Azmoun scoring four goals in that run of best third-placed teams advance to the round Iran FM underlines need to respect borders in Caucasus games. of 16. Syria are hoping to make footballing history The 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup will be the within this tournament as the country have never ninth FIFA Futsal World Cup, the quadrennial TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir on the latest developments in bilateral relations actually qualified for the World Cup, which is international futsal championship contested by the Abdollahian on Tuesday underlined the need to and regional issues. something that they will look to change. men’s national teams of the member associations preserve internationally recognized borders in the Earlier on July 27, Khatibzadeh expressed regret However, they will need to improve on the last of FIFA. Caucasus region days after clashes erupted between over the casualties resulting from sporadic border time that the two sides met, which was as recently The competition will be held in Lithuania from Azerbaijan and Armenia that led to the blocking of a clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia, urging the strategic Armenia road used by Iranian merchants. as March in a friendly that saw Iran walk away with September 12 to October 3. two neighbors to exercise restraint. a comfortable 3-0 victory. The remarks were made during a phone In reaction to the continuation of sporadic border Despite that loss and the fact they head into this conversation between Abdollahian and his Azerbaijani clashes between border guards of the Republic of counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov. game on the back of a 3-1 defeat to China in their most Azerbaijan and Armenia, Khatibzadeh expressed recent outing, Syria are actually in good form at the Esteghlal The Azerbaijani foreign minister has telephoned his sorrow over casualties on both sides, and called on moment after winning six of their last eight games. Iranian counterpart to congratulate him on winning the two countries to exercise restraint, according to a complete signing Parliament’s vote of confidence to become Iran’s new statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The 12 teams are divided into two groups of six, with the winners and runners-up of each top diplomat. of Azerbaijan, which claimed lives on both sides and of Abolfazl Jalali Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a deadly war last group qualifying, while the third-placed teams will aroused concerns in neighboring countries in the Abdollahian thanked Bayramov, saying Iran is year in September over the Nagorno-Karabakh region advance to the Asian playoff to determine the side South Caucasus region. TEHRAN – Esteghlal football club completed the ready to expand ties with the Azerbaijan Republic in which resulted in the latter retaking large swathes of that will advance to the intercontinental playoff all areas including assistance with reconstruction Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed the region. After the war, which lasted for 44 days and signing of Saipa left back Abolfazl Jalali. The action begins on Sept. 2 with an exciting efforts in the liberated areas [in the Karabakh region]. Khatibzadeh expressed concern over the continuation was ended thanks to a Russian-brokered ceasefire The 23-year-old player has penned a two-year clash in Group A when FIFA World Cup regulars of border clashes between the border guards of deal, Azerbaijan and Armenia clashed from time to contract with Esteghlal. Amir Abdollahian also stressed the need for Korea Republic host Iraq in what is expected to be respecting internationally recognized borders, according Azerbaijan and Armenia. time in border areas but the clashes soon subsided a thrilling duel at the Seoul World Cup Stadium at Jalali started his playing career in Saipa in 2018 to a statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. with both sides accusing each other of firing first. Khatibzadeh expressed regret over the deaths and 8pm (local time). and stole the show in the team. Tensions between the two countries over the He said all disputes in the Caucasus region should injuries of the two countries’ nationals, and called on Esteghlal are looking forward to bring an end region have been simmering since the end of a war Iran, who are aiming for their sixth appearance be resolved peacefully. both parties to show self-restraint. to its nine-year title drought in Iran Professional in the 1990s and last year’s in the FIFA World Cup, then face Syria, who will be The Azeri foreign minister also called for increasing Armenia’s Defense Ministry League. escalation of violence was aiming to maintain their fine form from Round 2 cooperation with Iran and asked for the Islamic said at the time that three of the deadliest in two decades. of the Asian Qualifiers, at the Azadi Stadium in Republic’s help with the rebuilding of the liberated its troops were killed and two Amir Abdollahian More than 5,000 people Tehran at 8.30pm. areas [of Karabakh]. more were wounded in clashes lost their lives and tens of with Azerbaijani forces on the stressed the need Sardar Azmoun; Bayramov also called for transit cooperation with thousands were displaced. Iran and briefed the Iranian foreign minister on the border between the two ex- for respecting The peace deal brokered by among players to latest developments in the Karabakh region. Soviet nations, which have Syria coach been locked in a decades-long internationally Moscow saw Armenia forced Abdollahian and Bayramov invited each other to tug-of-war over the Nagorno- to cede significant territory to Mahrous watch visit Iran and the Azerbaijan Republic, respectively, in Karabakh region, AP reported. recognized borders. Azerbaijan. as short a time as possible. They expressed hope the Both countries have optimistic about TEHRAN - Twelve teams will start their AFC visits will happen soon. Azerbaijan announced that two of its troops were wounded. The two South repeatedly accused each World Cup Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar campaign on The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry issued a similar Caucasus nations once again blamed each other other of violating the terms of the agreement since it Thursday for four automatic spots to the FIFA statement. “On August 31, 2021, a telephone for the latest flare-up which came on the heels came into force on November 10. qualifiers World Cup Qatar 2022. conversation took place between the Minister of of another clash a week earlier. Azerbaijan said In addition to his conversation with Bayramov, Asia’s elite national teams booked their spots Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Armenian forces opened fire at its positions on Abdollahian also received a phone call from Croatia’s in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar after a Bayramov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the the Kalbajar section of the border. The Armenian top diplomat Gordan Grlic Radman who has phoned TEHRAN – Syria national football team head grueling and mentally taxing second round heavily Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amirabdollahian. military said its personnel was attacked by the Abdollahian to congratulate him on winning the coach Nizar Mahrous is optimistic about 2022 World impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov congratulated his Iranian Azerbaijani forces. Iranian parliament’s vote of confidence. Cup qualification Round 3. The-AFC.com took a look at players who can counterpart on his appointment as the Minister of Syria are scheduled to meet Iran in Group A on change the outcome of matches for their teams Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Khatibzadeh underlined the necessity of the Abdollahian and Radman discussed Iran-Croatia Thursday in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. in Group A. wished him success in his activities,” the Azerbaijani peaceful settlement of border disputes between ties and also the Islamic Republic’s relations with the statement said. Baku and Yerevan. European Union. “This spell is different because we haven’t had Islamic Republic of Iran are spoilt for choice much time together before the Qualifiers, though when it comes to attacking players but Sardar It added, “Minister Jeyhun Bayramov stressed He stressed that the two countries must During the telephone conversation, the foreign we are optimistic. We hope things will go our way, Azmoun arguably remains the ace in the pack in the existence of relations based on the principles of overcome the tensions and clashes, and respect the ministers of Iran and Croatia underlined the need to and if we can manage to get a settled squad, we’ll the Team Melli attack. friendship and cooperation that have deep historical internationally recognized borders. expand ties between Tehran and Zagreb in all areas. have the solidity we need to push for qualification,” roots, broad-spectrum bilateral cooperation agenda The spokesman further emphasized the They agreed that deals signed by the two sides A superstar of the Asian game, Azmoun has Mahrous said in an interview with FIFA.com. between Azerbaijan and Iran, and noted that a number necessity of establishing sustainable peace in regarding investment, customs cooperation and also been scoring for fun since joining Russian Premier of projects have been successfully implemented by the South Caucasus region as soon as possible, cultural cooperation must be put into practice. Mahrous faces a tough task, with Syria drawn into League champions Zenit Saint Petersburg in early a Group A containing Korea Republic, Iran, UAE, Iraq, 2019 and has been even better for the national the two countries. The sides also exchanged views on and expressed Tehran’s preparedness to provide Abdollahian also outlined Iran’s stance on the and Lebanon, a section described by the veteran team, taking his career tally to a sensational 37 in the current situation in the region and some issues of any kind of assistance for the establishment of nuclear talks in Vienna. He said it’s not Iran’s policy coach as both “easy and tough” at the same time. 55 matches with seven goals in the second round bilateral cooperation.” sustainable peace in the region. to hold talks for the sake of talks, noting that any of the Asian Qualifiers for Qatar 2022. Bayramov also invited his Iranian counterpart to On July 27, a few days before the start of border negotiations must exclusively focus on fulfilling the Asked about his side’s chances, he said: “There’s pay an official visit to Azerbaijan, according to the clashes, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad nation’s interests. not much between the teams and we’re in with a Team Melli’s opponents will need to get plenty chance, especially if we have a settled squad. We right if they are to find joy against them over the statement. Zarif and his Azeri counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov Abdollahian said the U.S. should know it can only hope we can identify the line-up that will make us next months but stopping their 26-year-old goal In July, Iran expressed concern twice over continued had a telephone conversation. use respectful language when talking to the Iranian competitive at this vital stage of the Qualifiers.” machine looms as priority number one. border clashes between Armenia and the Republic During this phone call, the two sides conferred people. Army chief meets Amir Abdollahian TEHRAN - Chief Commander of the Iranian Army Major of the Army for Coordination Affairs Rear Admiral The foreign minister stressed that defense country in difficult and critical conditions. He cited the General Abdolrahim Mousavi sat down for talks with Habibollah Sayyari and Deputy Commander of the Army diplomacy is an essential part of Iran’s foreign policy, Armed Forces’ help to the Health Ministry to contain Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Tuesday, for Intelligence Affairs Brigadier General Abbas Jafarinia. adding that the Army’s strong presence in different the coronavirus as an example. The Army chief added according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry. Major General Mousavi expounded on the Army’s fields not only will ensure security, but also has a that the ministry has provided the hardware and message of peace and friendship for regional nations, software requirements of the Army in the fields of In the meeting at the Foreign Ministry, the top Army extensive efforts in regional and international arenas, the statement noted. ground, air, defense and naval warfare. commander congratulated the new foreign minister air defense capabilities of the Army, and the armed on his post and wished him success. forces’ cooperation with health workers in the battle Abdollhian’s meeting with the Iranian military “Undoubtedly, the role of the Army of the Islamic against the coronavirus. officials came after his visit to Baghdad and Damascus Republic of Iran in protecting the borders of Islamic Iran Major General Mousavi said he and the armed For his part, Amir Abdollahian appreciated where he met with a number of Iraqi and Syrian leaders. and improving the defense capability of the Army will forces under his command are ready for close and outstanding measures implemented by the Army The Army chief also visited new Defense Minister frustrate the enemies and thwart their conspiracies full cooperation with the Foreign Ministry to advance to provide security and defend the Islamic Republic Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani on and sinister plans,” the top general remarked. foreign policy goals of the Islamic Republic, according and national borders. He stressed that the Foreign Tuesday. In the meeting, General Mousavi praised Mousavi also praised the fruitful efforts of to the statement. Ministry is fully prepared to enhance and advance the combat and defense readiness of the Army. He Brigadier General Hatami and congratulated General The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chief defense diplomacy. particularly lauded the Armed Forces’ services to the Ashtiani on his appointment as Minister of Defense. ECONOMY Reaching 8% economic SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 Straight Truth growth possible: PBO head TEHRAN TIMES 4 TEHRAN – Head of Iran’s Planning Outlook (MPO) report for spring and Budget Organization (PBO) has 2021, the Iranian economy is said achieving an eight percent projected to grow by 2.1 percent economic growth is possible if the in the current fiscal year (March government manages the budget 2021-March 2022) as the domestic properly and implements correct markets are getting back on track planning, IRNA reported. and the negative impacts of the Speaking in a ceremony on the coronavirus pandemic begin to occasion of the government week wane. on Tuesday, Masoud Mir-Kazemi According to the mentioned said: “We can achieve eight percent report, Iran’s Gross Domestic economic growth if we try, and it is Product (GDP) is going to continue possible.” its positive growth over the next Iran’s new government that took two fiscal years (2022-2024), office last month has pledged to expanding by 2.2 and 2.3 percent, make economic growth its main respectively. priority. “Despite an initial COVID-19 Last week, the new Minister induced shock to GDP, a strong of Finance and Economic Affairs rebound in mid2020 led to a modest economic expansion in Ehsan Khandouzi said ensuring include enhancing the role of income. Former CBI governors stress bank’s economic growth is one of the main 2020/2021. The COVID-19 output the Ministry of Economy in The World Bank also expects the loss since Feb 2020 was less priorities of the ministry during his macroeconomic tenure. Iranian economy to pronounced [in Iran] than in other authority in economic decisions policy-making to World Bank says follow an upward countries,” the report stated. Stating that the country’s restore stability trend in the next economy requires several short- to the country’s Based on the report, the inflation From page 1 What we saw in President Rai- have all the specialties of the private sector. Iranian economy is few years as the in the country will also decrease si’s government plans in the economic sector The private sector can easily bypass the sanc- term programs with good economy, reducing country is emerging effectiveness, the official said: “Of price and currency projected to grow over the next three fiscal years. The is that a large part of them are the repetition tions,” he said. from the negative bank sees the inflation to stand at of the policies and views of previous govern- course, these short-term measures fluctuations and aftershocks of Further in the meeting, Valiollah Seif referred must be considered in the long- stabilizing the by 2.1 percent in the 29.3 percent in the current Iranian ments.” to the independence of the central bank and the coronavirus calendar year (ends on March 21, term path toward economic markets, and then current fiscal year. pandemic. Mahmoud Bahmani for his part stressed the said: “I have not seen any country where the reform.” moving rapidly 2022), while the figure is seen need for battling corruption, saying: “It is very governor of the central bank is a member of the According to falling to 21.7 percent and 18.6 According to Khandouzi, the toward economic difficult to fight corruption because there is a government; in my opinion, the governor of the growth and increasing per capita the World Bank’s Macro Poverty percent over the next two years. lot of resistance against it.” central bank should not be from the govern- ministry’s short-term measures “We advise the government to pursue privat- ment at all.” ization through the stock exchange and do not Iran’s 31st Islamic Banking Conference kicked stop the privatization in case some problems off at the place of the Central Bank of Iran in ‘Economic diplomacy seeks to expand relations with neighbors’ occur in the process. The government does not capital Tehran on Tuesday. TEHRAN - “By promoting economic diplomacy, settle the subject of the comprehensive plans of we can develop relations with neighboring coun- these zones, I think by the end of this year, the new ‘Shares offered by government in tries, which will also lead to prosperity for the free free zones will be added to the existing ones.” zones”, Hossein Garousi, the acting managing di- According to Mo’meni, the trade balance of the rector of Arvand Free Zone Organization, stated. country’s free trade zones and special economic stock exchange to be marketed’ “Diplomacy should not be just political,” he said, zones has been positive over the past three years. adding, “We need economic diplomacy, especially “With the measures taken for the promotion with neighboring countries to improve people’s of exports in the country, the trade balance of Council of the Stock Exchange, which was livelihoods”. the free trade and special economic zones has held in the presence of the new minister The creation of joint free zones could expand become positive over the past three years,” the of finance and economic affairs, it was ap- relations and improve economic conditions, the official said. proved that according to this resolution, the official noted. shares offered by the government in the ini- “However, there are still weaknesses in the first tial public offering mechanism will be traded He described the free zones as an opportunity also established in the country since then, in- and second generation of the country’s free trade by the Market Development Fund”, Moham- for the country, and said that the full implemen- cluding Chabahar in southeastern Sistan-Balu- and special economic zones, which we will try to mad-Ali Dehqan Dehnavi said on Tuesday, tation of the law on how to manage free zones can chestan Province, Arvand in southwestern Khuz- minimize by improving the infrastructure in these Securities and Exchange News Agency remove existing problems and obstacles. estan Province, Anzali in northern Gilan Province, zones”, he reiterated. (SENA) reported. Arvand Free Trade Zone is located in Iran’s Aras in East-Azarbaijan Province, and Maku in He said that the country’s free trade zones lack West-Azarbaijan Province, both in the northwest Previously, these offers did not have a southwestern province of Khuzestan. a comprehensive development plan which means of the country. market maker, but in this meeting, it was The establishment of free trade zones (FTZs) in the managers of each zone act based on their own approved to allocate a quota of the govern- Iran dates back to the Iranian calendar year 1368 While near three decades have passed since preferences. ment’s initial public offerings to the Market (March 1989- March 1990) following the fall in the the start of free trade zones activity in Iran, their Exports, transfer of technical knowledge, at- TEHRAN- Simultaneously with the first Development Fund, and the fund undertook country’s oil income in the preceding year which planned objectives have not been fully achieved tracting domestic and foreign investment, and appearance of the new minister of finance to assume the obligations of marketing the prompted the government to promote the non-oil and their development is still facing some imped- creating sustainable employment are among the and economic affairs in the meeting of the government’s initial public offering shares exports. iments. expectations from free trade zones, and in order Supreme Council of the Stock Exchange, it for one year, the official explained. The first two free trade zones of Iran were es- As announced by Secretary of Iranian Free Zones to prepare a comprehensive plan for the develop- was approved that from now on, the shares Today’s meeting was the first meeting tablished in the south of the country. The first one High Council Hamidreza Mo’meni in mid-July, some ment of free zones, these issues should be consid- offered by the government in the stock ex- held in the presence of the new minister of was Kish Free Trade Zone established in 1368 on new free trade zones are planned to be set up in ered for the next 50 years. change will be marketed by the Market De- finance and economic affairs, during which Kish Island in the Persian Gulf and the second one the country in the current Iranian calendar year “If we can settle the subject of the comprehen- velopment Fund, the head of Iran’s Securities the members of the council were introduced was Qeshm Free Trade Zone established the year (March 20, 2022). sive plans of these zones, I think by the end of this and Exchange Organization (SEO) stated. and their concerns about the capital market after on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Saying that new FTZs will be set up based on the year, the new free zones will be added to the exist- “Today, at the meeting of the Supreme were expressed, he added. Some five other free trade zones have been order of the president, the official said: “If we can ing ones,” Mo’meni stated. Electricity supply in winter to face problems if power plants fuel not supplied Over 4m tons of basic goods

TEHRAN – Managing Director and there is a concern that we country’s power plants during of Iran’s Thermal Power will not be able to fully meet the the cold season. stored at Iranian ports Plant Holding (TPPH) Mohsen country’s electricity needs this “Given last winter’s Tarztalab has said the Energy winter either.” experience, if we do not provide TEHRAN – Head of Iran’s Ports and Mari- Ministry is going to face serious “This summer, due to the fuel for power plants in late problems in meeting electricity time Organization (PMO) Mohammad Rastad restrictions, we were forced to autumn and winter this year, says over four million tons of basic goods demand in the cold season if fuel cut off electricity to industries we will have a lot of difficulty in is not supplied for power plants, are already stored at the country’s ports, the and domestic and commercial meeting electricity demands; we PMO portal reported on Wednesday. IRNA reported. subscribers and if this trend must think about the necessary “Insufficient gas and liquid continues in the winter, it will preparations for the winter Rastad noted that 11.4 million tons of basic fuel supply for power plants cause serious problems for the of 1400 (the current Iranian goods have also been cleared from the coun- in winter and the consumption electricity sector; in this regard, calendar year started on March try’s ports since the beginning of the current of fuel oil and its consequent we are trying to overcome power plants annual overhaul 21) from now on,” Jafarzaeh was Iranian calendar year (March 21). pollutants have this problem by program in such conditions is quoted by the portal of Power The official said 24 vessels loaded with 1.3 caused serious managing the issue very sensitive, saying: “With the Generation, Distribution, and million tons of such commodities are cur- concerns for the Necessary of fuel supply to beginning of the thermal power Transmission Company (known rently waiting at the ports to unload their power generation measures power plants,” plants overhaul program, we as Tavanir). cargoes. sector,” TPPH should be Tarztalab stated. must prepare diesel units to He pointed out three main At present, the storage of basic goods is quoted Tarztalab as He further noted offset the power deficit in winter reasons for the importance of mainly at the Imam Khomeini Port with more saying. and make up for gas shortages; and Transportation Organization Darioush taken to ensure that since natural fuel supply to power plants than 3.2 million tons, Rastad said, adding that Amani said that over 154 million tons of basic Mentioning the gas consumption On the other hand, we must during the cold season, saying: the total number of ships that are unloading sustained prepare the same units for next goods were transported through Iran’s roads thermal power by the domestic “first, considering the fact that in the country’s ports is 18, of which 10 are at in the first three months of the current Irani- plants’ problems supply of fuel sector increases summer to compensate for the we are witnessing a decrease Imam Khomeini Port. imbalance between production an calendar year (March 21-June 21) of which regarding the significantly in the in liquid fuel reserves in power Referring to the importance of Imam Kho- to the power and consumption. Surely, if we 6.5 million tons were distributed from the supply of fuel in the cold season and the plants compared to the previous meini port, Rastad said in the fifth month of cannot use the full capacity of country’s ports. previous year’s cold plants during Oil Ministry will not year, the fuel condition is very the current Iranian calendar year (July 22-Au- these units, we will face more “Some 62 percent of these basic goods season, the official be able to reduce important.” gust 22) about 1.5 million tons of goods were said: “Currently, the cold season. its supply to this problems.” were distributed from Imam Khomeini port The increase in gas unloaded at this port, with a daily average of and the rest from Bandar Abbas and Amira- our main concern sector, so the only Earlier on Sunday, Meysam consumption by households in 46,750 tons. is about the supply of fuel to the way to solve the problem is to Jafarzadeh, the director-general bad ports,” Amani told IRIB. winter causes less gas to be “Every day, on average, 52,799 tons of country’s thermal power plants supply enough liquid fuel for the of the Crisis Management Office According to Amani, last year, a total of supplied to power plants, and if goods were also distributed from this port by in the winter. We have faced power plants in order to prevent in the Iranian Energy Ministry, 502 million tons of goods were transported liquid fuel storages are not full, truck and through the rail network,” he add- serious problems last year due power outages. has stressed the need for taking through the country’s road network, which power plants will face problems ed. to the lack of gas and liquid fuel Tarztalab pointed out that necessary measures to ensure operating on full capacity, he was unprecedented and grew by 5.6 percent required by the power plants, the implementation of the sustained supply of fuel to the explained. Back in July, Head of Iran Road Maintenance compared to the preceding year. TEDPIX jumps 24,500 points on Wednesday

TEHRAN– TEDPIX, the main index of Teh- cent, to 1.55 million in the past Iranian calen- lined the capital market as one the major into the stock market, reducing the cost of programs that the economy ministry is go- economic growth as the main priorities ran Stock Exchange (TSE), gained 24,535 dar week (ended on Friday). priorities of his ministry during his tenure, issuing bonds by facilitating relevant reg- ing to pursue in order to improve the capital of the Economy Ministry during his ten- points to 1.52 million on Wednesday. During the past week, the indices of Na- outlining the programs for improving this ulations, canceling monopolies and facil- market. ure. As reported, 11.234 billion securities tional Iranian Copper Company, Mobarakeh market. itating licensing for stock market-related According to Khandouzi, the stock mar- “The main responsibility of the Min- worth 97.99 trillion rials (about $2.333 bil- Steel Company, Social Security Invest- As ISNA reported, increasing the role of services such as portfolio management, ket is one of the most important pillars of istry of Finance and Economic Affairs is lion) were traded at the TSE on Wednesday. ment Company, Iran Khodro Company, and the capital market in financing production marketing and brokerage, reforming cor- the economy as it will play a significant role to finance the government and ensure eco- porate governance to manage conflict of The first market’s index rose 14,523 Barekat Pharmaceutical Group were the companies and projects, diversifying fi- in financing government projects and sup- nomic development using sustainable, safe, most widely followed indices. nancial instruments in the capital market, interest between major and minor stake- porting economic growth. and low-risk methods,” Khandouzi said on points, and the second market’s index holders and finally providing incentives gained 60,213 points. Iran’s new Minister of Finance and Eco- eliminating unnecessary regulations and The minister had previously mentioned Thursday, the first day of his work as econ- barriers, facilitating the entry of companies for people to invest indirectly in the capital omy minister. TEDPIX rose 50,000 points, or three per- nomic Affairs Ehsan Khandouzi has under- market have been mentioned as the major financing the government and ensuring Something like Astana can be INTERNATIONAL helpful for Afghanistan: analyst SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 Straight Truth By M. A. Saki ginning of the end of the hegemonic TEHRAN TIMES Empire the U.S. has tried to build and 5 TEHRAN - Martin Love, an Ameri- can political analyst, believes that an maintain since the dissolution of the initiative like the Astana process can Soviet Union. The divide and conquer be an efficient mechanism to restore meme by the U.S. must be blocked fi- peace in Afghanistan. nally at a time when the U.S. itself is in political and social disarray. “Spitefulness won’t help any- one, not even the U.S. and its allies. Don’t you predict a civil war in Something like Astana could be a Afghanistan? with overwhelming bipartisan support. positive move,” Love tells the Tehran There is one notable pocket of ob- U.S. hate crime The measure, authored by Democratic Senator Times. jection and resistance to the Taliban Mazie Hirono and Representative Grace Meng, in Afghanistan and maybe others of U.S. exit from Afghanistan has hits 12 - year high designated a Justice Department employee to ex- less importance. However, I do not raised concerns about the stability pedite a review of hate crimes reported to police expect a civil war. But this is con- of this country as a pivotal point in The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation during the COVID-19 pandemic. tingent on the Taliban acting in such the region. a way that it does not alienate Af- (FBI) has reported the number of hate crimes How effective the measure will be in reporting While some political observers ghanis further as they adjust to the in America rose last year to the highest level in the actual hate crime figures will have to be ana- predict that the Taliban will commit new government. And international more than a decade. lyzed in next year’s FBI report. violence against its people, oth- assistance, too, is virtually required According to the FBI, the incidents had been ers believe that the Taliban have to help make sure civil war does not driven by a rise in assaults targeting Black vic- changed and they are ready to con- erupt. One thing seems certain: if tims as well as victims of Asian descent. There is no flag tribute to establishing an inclusive and trying to occupy another coun- no string attached. But it’s anyone’s conditions deteriorate badly, it is The 2020 data, had been submitted to the FBI government. try again, assuming it even could guess whether the U.S. has the wis- very unlikely the U.S. would attempt by more than 15,000 law enforcement agencies “Peace in Afghanistan is in my afford such a move. dom to accept all the changes. Spite- to re-invade and occupy Afghani- across the nation. big enough to fulness won’t help anyone, not even stan again. The U.S. public, generally view entirely a function of whether Do you think Afghanistan’s It identified 7,759 hate crimes in 2020, that is the Taliban holds to its assertions neighbors can present an effective the U.S. and its allies. Something like as much as it may condemn Biden hide the shame of Astana could be a positive move. for the exit and the horrific way it a 6% increase from 2019 and the highest tally that it is not the same Taliban of initiative to restore peace in the since 2008. 20 years ago, that it will be or be- country? What are the implications of has been managed, will not support the West’s crimes more American adventurism and However, experts widely acknowledge that this come inclusive, that it won’t treat Peace in Afghanistan is in my withdrawal from Afghanistan for imperialism especially there. Biden number is much lower than the actual figure for its subjects badly, that it will adopt view entirely a function of whether U.S. Arab allies? Can they rely on in Afghanistan is in enough trouble as it is. multiple reasons. the reforms it says it has internally the Taliban holds to its assertions America in times of crisis? and as well reached out to neigh- that it is not the U.S. Arab al- What are the main misconcep- The FBI data itself shows the number of offens- By John Wight bors or other Asian countries for tions by American leaders? es targeting Black Americans rose to 2,755 from same Taliban of lies are watching In a final act of savagery, just as the U.S. evacua- assistance and relatively ‘normal’ 1,930. This is while incidents against Asian Ameri- 20 years ago, closely, as they American leaders have been tion from Afghanistan was drawing to its end, a U.S. diplomatic relations,” the American cans jumped to 274 from 158. that it will be or must. Is the U.S. a stuffed with hubris and excep- drone strike ripped to pieces ten members of one Af- analyst notes. become inclusive, Afghanistan reliable ally? Can tionalism notions for far too long. 7,426 hate crime offenses have been classified ghan family in Kabul, among them children as young Following is the text of the inter- that it won’t treat it be trusted any Americans are waking up to the as crimes against people, as opposed to crimes as two years old. view: its subjects badly, exit is an longer? We know unsustainable aspects of it all, are against property, 53.4% have been classified for that it will adopt for one thing that intimidation, 27.6% have been documented for More than all the newspaper columns that have How do you evaluate the U.S. tired of Neocon-inspired wars, and the reforms it absolute stain on the U.S. seems to assault and 18.1% have been logged as aggravat- been published in Washington and London these withdrawal from Afghanistan af- struggling enough with their own says it has inter- want to shift its problems in a declining Imperium ed assault. past two weeks, lamenting the end of the West’s ter a two-decade war? perceptions of the presence in Afghanistan, more than the nauseating nally and as well focus from the such as a weak economy, monetary The figures also include twenty-two race-re- There is no other way to char- attempt to ascribe honor and nobility to what was a reaches out to Mideast and West malfeasance, inflation, Covid, rising lated murders and 19 rapes were reported as hate acterize the U.S. withdrawal from U.S., worse even squalid and brutal colonial occupation, the slaugh- neighbors or oth- Asia to confront poverty and other ills. The primary crimes. Afghanistan but to say it has been er Asian countries than the exit from the rise of China misconception is that the U.S. can ter of members of the Ahmadi family in the afore- chaotic, poorly organized and abso- for assistance and Chinese in- solve problems and make the world The U.S. Justice Department has warned that mentioned drone strike places the last 20 years in lute Hell for those wanting to leave and relatively Vietnam in 1975 fluence. There is a better place, but it cannot do this white supremacist groups represent a rising se- Afghanistan in its proper historical context. a country set to suffer even more “normal” diplo- reason to assume with military moves, and this has curity threat after the deadly January 6 insurrec- Perhaps the most salient if unsurprising point after 20 years of occupation and matic relations. that the Belt and been proven especially of late. The tion on the U.S. Capitol. when it comes to this crusade is that it was un- warfare. The sole defense for the This of course re- Road initiative U.S. has shot its wad and the only In May, the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on leashed on the back of a lie. This lie, it must never be Biden Administration is that the Tal- mains to be seen. to bind together thing that can make a difference Extremism, which has tackled racist propaganda forgotten, was that the Taliban refused to hand over iban was not expected to take over The adjustment to any new regime West Asian countries and others in now is a strong humanitarian fo- for decades, said Incidents of white supremacist Bin Laden, prime suspect as the man who ordered so quickly, but that’s an indictment in-country is difficult, especially for the region like Iran in mutual trade cus that is real and not a false one propaganda hit an all-time high in 2020, and organized the attack on the Twin Towers on 9/11. of the U.S. “intelligence” apparatus Afghanistan’s citizens, who eventu- relations and more is probably in the wrapped in military misadventures The Center on Extremism said the increased The truth is that the Taliban made clear that upon which has shown no intelligence ally must be led in such a way that offing. The U.S. has been trying for it really cannot afford any longer. propaganda is another indication of how divided receiving evidence from Washington that Osama Bin whatsoever. The withdrawal is an Afghanis ultimately welcome rule by 20 years to preclude various accords Vast profits have been made for the America has become. Laden was behind this atrocity, they would hand him absolute stain on perceptions of the natives and begin to feel like it is out suggested by China and its current wrong people for far too long, In Af- over to a third country - i.e Pakistan – in return for U.S., worse even than the withdraw- from under the thumb of Americans Russian partners. Absent another ghanistan, the U.S. did very little to “As if a pandemic, social justice protests, and a polarizing election were not enough, one of the the U.S. to cease a bombing campaign against the al from Vietnam in 1975 which was and NATO oppression. But this can war in Asia this is something that’s improve conditions for Afghans. The country that was by then underway. chaotic enough after the NVA took be helped by other countries. It has likely to fail and this failure is a good infrastructure there remains most- other things we’ve been dealing with is a signifi- over Saigon. The sole upside of this been suggested that the U.S. main- thing for peace in the region. One ly as it has been forever primitive, cant increase in efforts by white supremacists to Bush and his neocon cohort in Washington were debacle is that the U.S. may think tain its embassy in Kabul and offer may be able to view the U.S. exit as despite a two-decade-long occupa- spread their messages around the country,” not interested in justice, however. It was revenge more than twice about even invading assistance to the new government, a critical turning point and the be- tion. The U.S. attorney general, Merrick Garland, says they were after, along with the opportunity present- “preventing and responding to hate crimes and ed by 9/11 to prove that Western cultural and po- hate incidents is one of the justice department’s litical values – defined as democracy and women’s highest priorities” rights - were by definition universal, and should and could be righteously forced on uncivilized and back- Tensions escalate in south western Syria “The FBI Hate Crime Statistics for 2020 demon- ward regions and peoples of the world at the end of strates the urgent need for a comprehensive re- bayonets. sponse.” Four Syrian soldiers have been killed after Conveniently abstracted from this ‘war for civili- foreign-backed terrorists in Syria attacked army Garland says most hate crimes were motivated zation’ drivel was the underlying economic motives checkpoints in the southern province of Dara’a by race, ethnicity, and ancestry. behind the war in Afghanistan – the very same that as escalating violence by the terrorists threaten In May, Garland outlined new steps to help state have underpinned every empire and colonial project a truce deal. and local police track and investigate hate crimes. there has been. Dara’a, viewed as the region where the war on But historically hate crimes have been un- When it came to Afghanistan this economic motive, Syria began in 2011, was held for years by differ- der-reported to the FBI by local law enforcement, just as it drove the war in Iraq thereafter, was domina- ent terror groups. which is why Garland has called for the depart- tion of the world’s energy resources. The U.S. had long ment to speed up the review of possible hate sought to establish gas and oil pipelines from the Cas- In 2018, as the Syrian army advanced on the crimes and the way they are recorded. pian Basin down through Turkmenistan and Afghani- province, it finally returned to government con- He added that “these numbers confirm what stan into Pakistan and India to meet and profit from trol under a previous Moscow-backed ceasefire the rising demand for energy in this part of the world. that had allowed terrorists to stay in some areas we have already seen and heard from communi- The U.S. oil giant, Unocal, drove the project, one of the province that borders Jordan. ties, advocates, and law enforcement agencies around the country, and these numbers do not heavily supported by both the Clinton and Bush ad- But since late July, the groups have staged at- southern bastion. Damascus now views the truce on shaky account for the many hate crimes that go un- ministrations. Both negotiated with the Taliban in an tacks on government forces and residential areas The official SANA news agency said that the -at grounds because of the terror group’s violations reported.” attempt to win their support and cooperation, and from the city’s southern district of Daraa al-Balad. tack by terrorists on army checkpoints in Dara’a saying they are undermining ceasefire efforts. One of the problems is that law enforcement indeed a Taliban delegation was flown from Kabul The government has deployed more forces killed four soldiers and wounded 15 others. The original truce agreement would see around agencies are not legally required to submit their over to Unocal headquarters in Texas in 1997, where to the district in ongoing efforts to allow civil- 100 terrorists leave Daraa al-Balad for northern data to the FBI for its annual crime report. they were treated like visiting dignitaries and pro- Last week, some terrorists began leaving Da- vided with lavish hospitality. Their relegation to the ians safe passage out of the terrorist last major raa al-Balad heading to the northwestern prov- Syria, with remaining militants surrendering their There are more than 18,000 agencies in the weapons. status of terrorist sympathizers and brutal oppres- ince of Idlib; as part of a new Russian-brokered United States and more than 3,000 did not sub- sors of women came later. truce agreement. However recent sporadic terror More than 50 terrorists had already been mit their crime statistics in 2020. In the end the pipeline project was shelved when Biden did what attacks have triggered an army response target- transferred from Dara’a as part of the deal, ac- The FBI’s data may also be incomplete because, ing the terrorists’ heavily armed positions; signifi- cording to monitoring groups, but there was no talks with the Taliban leadership reached an im- among some jurisdictions, it is the local prosecu- passe, and was subsequently ended in July 2001, cantly undermining the deal. signs since Monday that the evacuations would tors, not the police, who decide what is classified Trump set out to continue. a few months before the Twin Towers in New York A foreign-based Syrian monitoring group also as a hate crime. came down. Afghanistan also happens to be a coun- do in Afghanistan: claims that government forces had increased ar- The United Nations said last week that the lat- This is while the federal government does not try rich in minerals, particularly lithium, which is a tillery attacks on Daraa al-Balad. est escalation had forced some 38,000 people to collect hate crime statistics from local prosecu- key component in the manufacture of batteries. An professor The monitor has reported an escalation in flee over the past month. tors or courts. internal Pentagon memo in 2010, after a U.S. geo- fighting as terrorist cells tried to repel an attempt Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed mil- Many activists and lawmakers maintain that logical survey revealed even larger deposits of lith- by government forces to reportedly take some itancy with various terror groups wreaking havoc ium in Afghanistan than originally thought, stated From page 1 “The Republicans more so than the actual number of hate crimes is larger than parts of the area. in the country since 2011. that the country had the potential to be ‘the Saudi the Democrats are not inclined toward multilat- those reported, arguing that local police are Arabi of lithium. eralism. We will now see how Biden proceeds go- poorly trained in identifying and classifying such ing forward given the new opportunities toward crimes and lack the required resources or even As we then see, looking beyond the usual hoopla multilateralism,” according to Shapiro. Venezuela’s opposition to join elections the interest. about democracy and freedom, a major imperative behind the installation of a government in Kabul On the other hand, the region is expected to Venezuela’s U.S.-backed opposition party has At the same time, reports of hate-inspired at- friendly to Washington and the West’s prolonged witness a more active role by China and Russia decided to change strategy and take part in No- tacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders occupation of the country thereafter was greed. now that the U.S. has abandoned Afghanistan. vember’s regional and local elections, after boy- have also been on the rise, spurred by what many It led directly to suffering and death on a biblical cotting previous elections they claimed were not say were former President Donald Trump’s in- Asked about Russia and China’s efforts to fill the scale. Over 47,000 civilians, dead. 66,000 Afghan power vacuum in Afghanistan, the American profes- free or fair. flammatory remarks blaming the COVID-19 pan- demic on China. soldiers and policemen, dead. 51,191 Taliban and oth- sor notes, “They will try to do this and we will see.” The move displays a significant failure on the er opposition fighters, dead. Over 2,500 US service However, Shapiro expects U.S. forces to come part of Washington to bring down the legitimately Trump widely used the term to deflect atten- personnel, dead. 3,846 U.S. contractors, dead. 1,144 back to Afghanistan in case of deterioration of the elected government of Nicolas Maduro. tion from his administration’s devastating mis- NATO and other allied soldiers, dead. 444 aid work- situation or catastrophic results for its exit. handling of the pandemic that has led the U.S. to ers, dead. 72 journalists, dead. This does not include The opposition’s decision was made as a more- log the most fatalities in the world. “The U.S. will strike back if attacked by terror- than-two-year push to oust President Maduro the thousands more maimed, many for life, and left ists based in Afghanistan and this will pose prob- through American pressure, sanctions and military Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that tracks traumatized. racially motivated self-reported hate crimes lems for the Taliban who had promised this would attempts failed to accomplish the desired results. When it comes to governance and democracy not happen.” against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, under the U.S.-led occupation of Afghanistan, the At one point, Juan Guaido, an opposition leg- recently said there had been more than 9,000 record shows that less an outpost of Western so- islator elected in 2015, declared himself as the Maduro welcomed the opposition’s announce- anti-Asian hate crimes since the coronavirus pan- called civilization, there was turned into a casino of country’s President despite never contesting an ment as a change from calls for sanctions and mil- demic began. “The public has supported itary intervention. rampant corruption and theft. The flight of Ashraf election in his political career. In what is widely be- Speaking to the Washington Post, Judy Chu, the Ghani from the country with, if reports are to be getting out of Afghanistan lieved to have been a preplanned move, the United Speaking on state television, he says “the de- chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American believed, a horde of cash, does more to characterize States immediately recognized Guaido as interim cision to participate in the elections once again is Caucus says “while the numbers in this report are the character of the society Washington and its al- but is not happy with how the president. worthy of applause” shocking, we know that they are not even close to lies helped to establish in Afghanistan over two long However, as U.S. sanctions hit the OPEC mem- Maduro added, “I will sit in my armchair with the complete picture” decades than any amount of propaganda around the U.S. withdrawal took place.” ber’s economic woes, the opposition lost populari- popcorn on November 21 to watch Juan Guaido In April, a hate crimes bill to combat violence issue of women’s rights. ty and have now decided to change tactics. vote”. against Asian Americans passed the U.S. Senate (Source: Press TV) TOURISM Millennia-old SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 Iranian village Straight Truth 6 TEHRAN TIMES nominated for

Iran seeks UNESCO status for UNWTO label From page 1 The World Tour- villages along with their asso- leaving the town to turn to ruins, monuments inside the sun- ism Organization aims to select ciated landscapes, knowledge Ancient Origins writes. scorched village. A 19th-century Mehregan festival the best examples of rural villag- systems, biological and cultural While most of the Old Town of mosque, which is fully restored, es harnessing the power of tour- diversity, local values, and activi- Kharanaq consists of crumbling stands with a 15-meter-high ism to provide opportunity and ties, including gastronomy. minaret, known as the Shaking love. The celebrations are usually opened up homes and collapsing roofs, safeguard their communities, lo- A sun-scorched village there remain some historically Minaret of Kharanaq. The min- with keynote speeches by Zoroastrian religious cal traditions, and heritage. The aret is frequently seen shaking figures and officials, followed by Shahnameh Meaning ‘place of birth of the important and well-preserved initiative of the World Tourism monuments. and vibrating. The cause of this recitations, exciting contests, and other joyful Organization (UNWTO) will iden- sun’, Kharanaq is divided into two phenomenon remains unknown. customaries. tify villages taking innovative parts – the Old In recent years, Town, which is al- a New Town was Other highlights include an old A key feature for the event is large spreads and transformative approaches “Tourism can be a castle linked to the historical pe- in purple laden with various ingredients, dish- to tourism in rural areas in line most completely constructed deserted, and the within 2km of the riods of Islam, ancient aqueducts es, and elements each on behalf of a particular with the Sustainable Develop- driver of positive built to irrigate the surrounding belief. Fruits, vegetables, dried nuts, sweets, ment Goals (SDGs). New Town, where ancient town with tens of families government-sup- fields, and an ancient but still rosewater, grilled lamb meat, lotus seeds, and With the vision of making tour- change for rural functional bridge. silver coins, and a scale are typically placed, the continue to live. plied water and ism a positive force for trans- electricity. Apart Moreover, a well-preserved latter symbolizes autumnal equinox. formation, rural development, The Old Town communities all was constructed from a few el- caravanserai – a place where Mehregan falls on the 196th day of the Ira- and community wellbeing, ‘Best around the world.” derly people who merchant caravans are halted – nian calendar year that usually equals October Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ aims with sun-baked TEHRAN - Iran’s Research Institute of Cultur- refused to leave from the time of the Qajar dynas- 2 in the Gregorian calendar. The festivity was to maximize the contribution of mud bricks, form- al Heritage & Tourism is developing a dossier their old houses and continue ty sits on the edge of Kharanaq. used to be a traditional autumn harvest festival the sector to reducing regional ing one of the largest collections for the possible inscription of Mehregan on the to live among the ruins, the rest The caravanserai is fortified with with several accounts of its origins. inequalities and fighting against of adobe buildings in Iran. It was UNESCO World Heritage list. The Persian festi- of the Old Town’s inhabitants stables for pack animals, storage rural depopulation. It also seeks once a prosperous farming vil- val marks friendship, affection, and love. During the Achaemenid era (c. 550–330 BC), moved to the New Town. areas, and rooms for travelers to advance the role of tourism in lage, but when water supplies Mehregan was observed in an extravagant dried up the inhabitants left, There are several magnificent passing through. Mehregan is planned to be inscribed jointly style in Persepolis at a time for harvest when valuing and safeguarding rural with Tajikistan, since it is currently performed taxes were collected. Avestan texts divide the among Zoroastrian communities in Iran and Iranian year into two equal parts or seasons; the people of Tajikistan, CHTN quoted an offi- summer and winter. The advent of the two sea- cial with the institute as saying on Wednesday. sons is celebrated in Noruz and Mehregan. Historical mansion in Hamedan to turn into museum Meheregan, the largest Iranian festival after The legend says Mehregan was a day of victo- Noruz, marks the autumnal equinox when day ry for Fereydoon and Kaveh, who overcame Za- TEHRAN - The historical mansion of Sam- are being kept at museums affiliated with and night are equal and it dates back to an- hak. They imprisoned him in Mount Damavand cient times when the start of autumn brought sam in the city of Nahavand in west-central the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handi- where he later died of his wounds. After the Hamedan province is planned to be turned crafts Ministry. the start of the new year, Alireza Hassanzadeh capture of Zahak, Fereydoon was nominated as added. into a cultural heritage museum, Nahavand’s “There are many historical relics that are the king and the people celebrate this occasion tourism chief has announced. Mehregan typically brings together clusters with great fervor. The story has been narrated owned by private collectors and entities and of Iranian Zoroastrians in celebration of Mithra, in Shahnameh, a long epic poem by the illus- “The mansion is to be purchased by the the government cannot act in order to pre- an ancient goddess of friendship, affection, and trated Persian poet Ferdowsi (940-1020 CE). province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and serve them in the museums; therefore, we Handicrafts Department, and then it will be made efforts that this [cultural] heritage to transformed into a museum,” Mohsen Janjan be conserved and showcased in [their] pri- said on Wednesday. vate museums,” according to Mohammadreza Karaj-Chalus tunnels undergo It will be open to the public as soon as pos- Kargar who presides over the ministry’s mu- sible when the necessary infrastructure is in seums and historical properties department. beautification project place, he noted. Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest As of now, the mansion has undergone continuous major civilizations, embracing several phases of restoration with a total settlements dating back to 4000 BC. It also budget of 3.4 billion rials ($81,000), he men- hosts some of the world’s oldest cultural TEHRAN – Connecting tunnels of the sce- of the Karaj-Chalus axis, he added. BC) and later Achaemenian rulers, it was the tioned. monuments including bazaars, museums, nic Karaj-Chalus road, which was once the known as Road 59, Karaj-Chalus road was site of a royal summer palace. mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, The Qajar-era (1789-1925) monument was most important route connecting southern originally constructed during the Qajar era About 1220, Hamedan was captured by the gardens, rich natural, rural landscapes as inscribed on the national heritage list in slopes of the Alborz range to northern Ira- by the local people with very primitive hand sweeping army of Mongol invaders. In 1386 it well as 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites. nian coasts, have undergone a beautification 2001. tools. was sacked by Timur (Tamerlane), a Turkic con- The name of Iran, formerly known as Per- project, Alborz province’s tourism chief has So far, over 250 historical sites and monu- The 160 km road crossing and crawling up queror, and the inhabitants were massacred. sia, mostly conjures up the first Persian announced. ments have been identified across Nahavand, the Alborz Mountains offers beautiful land- It was partly restored in the 17th century and Empire, ruled by the Achaemenids (ca. 550 of which 100 properties have been registered Through the project, visual clutter in the scapes, waterfalls, and springs. Each season subsequently changed hands often between – 330 BC) and sites such as Pasargadae on the national heritage list. tunnels and their entrances will be eliminat- presents its own special beauty along the Iranian ruling houses and the Ottomans. and Persepolis. However, there are tens of ed, meanwhile, the road will be secured as road. Known in classical times as Ecbatana, Sitting on a high plain, Hamedan is gra- prehistorical sites as the Burnt City in Sis- one of the busiest tourism and transporta- Hamedan was one of the ancient world’s tan-Baluchestan, Tepe Sialk in Kashan, Susa, The mesmerizing view changes as one ciously cool in August but snow prone and tion axes in the country, Fereydoun Moham- greatest cities. Pitifully little remains from and Chogha Zanbil in the Khuzestan province, travels on Chalus; from trees lining up on freezing from December to March. In sum- madi said on Wednesday. antiquity, but significant parts of the city and Ecbatana in Hamedan which predate the both sides of the pavement to getting en- mer the air is often hazy. Ali Sadr cave, Gan- center are given over to excavations. Ecbata- Achaemenid period. Back in May, the official announced prelim- gulfed and surrounded by the Alborz, and jnameh inscriptions, Avicenna Mausoleum, na was the capital of Media and subsequent- inary steps had been taken for the national sometimes have dramatic views of the Karaj Hegmataneh hill, Alaviyan dome, Jameh From a wider point of view, Iranian history ly a summer residence of the Achaemenian registration of Karaj-Chalus road as a histor- River, which runs along part of the road. mosque, and St. Stephanos Gregorian Church can be divided into Pre-Islamic and Islam- ical, cultural, and natural route considering kings who ruled Persia from 553 to 330 BC. are amongst Hamedan’s attractions to name ic eras. The Medes unified Iran as a nation The road between Tehran and the Caspian its vast potential in the field of tourism. Hamadan has had many names: it was a few. and empire in 625 BC. The Islamic conquest Sea has become a destination in itself for possibly the Bit Daiukki of the Assyrians, of Persia (633–656) that put an end to the Natural landscapes, villages with historical many Tehranis who take it just to escape the Iran’s museums Hangmatana, or Agbatana, to the Medes, and mighty Sassanid Empire (224–651) was a texture, the architecture of different periods, hustle and bustle of the city or for a relaxing Currently, 740 museums are active across Ecbatana to the Greeks. One of the Median turning point in the history of the nation. local food, traditional clothing, and the orig- day out with family and friends. Iran and some three million historical objects inal Karaji dialect are among the attractions capitals, under Cyrus II (the Great; died 529 Discover Iron Age burial in Gilan: bizarre patterns and rituals Traditional woodturning

(Part 3) of these findings were related unique compared to other Iron revived in northeast Iran to all three cultural domains Age sites in Iran and the world. TEHRAN – According to Irani- globally for the number of cities of the Iron Age in Gilan. One an archaeologist Yousef Falla- The gray pottery and tube and villages registered by the World of them was a cylindrical bead hian, the Iron Age is considered porcelain which are of the char- Crafts Council, as China with seven with carved cuneiform artifacts a new era due to the creation of acteristic of the Iron Age had entries, Chile with four, and India in the Marlik site in the Roud- new and varied forms of metal been more or less achieved in with three ones come next. and ceramic objects, develop- bar domain. Another one was a the graves in all three domains The value of Iran’s handicrafts ex- ment, and use of gray earthen- bronze bracelet with cuneiform of Iron Age in Gilan. Grey pottery ports stood at $120 million during ware with tube spouts, updat- lines in the Toul site in the Tav- and tube porcelain discovered the first eleven months of the past ing and expanding the use of alesh domain found during the in Gilan is indeed comparable to Iranian calendar year 1399 (March iron, developing the tradition of excavations. The third one was other objects discovered in other 20, 2020 – February 18, 2021), Mehr burial settlements. two bronze wide eyes with cu- Iron Age sites in the northeast reported. The country’s handicrafts neiform lines found from the and northwest of Iran. “Logically, it has more or less Amlash region in unauthorized exports slumped during the men- common features in most re- excavations. Placing food for the dead TEHRAN – Great efforts paid off tioned months in comparison to the gions of the Iranian Plateau and has been extensively discov- same period last a year earlier due Almost in all Iron Age cem- in a northeastern Iranian village its surrounding regions. But ered in Iron Age graves in Gilan. to the damage the coronavirus pan- eteries of Gilan, the tradition where local crafters have succeed- without a doubt, each of the Perhaps, this is a consequence ed in reviving traditional skills of demic has inflicted on global trade. sites and each of the regions of burying objects as grave of the fast decomposition of woodturning, which were once on The Islamic Republic exported has some different features,” goods, near the dead bodies, the foods since there is no evi- Objects unearthed in burial sites in the Toul region, Gilan, northern Iran. the verge of oblivion. $427 million worth of handicrafts Fallahian wrote in one of his was common. In most cases, dence left behind. However, the during the first eleven months of scientific articles published by present. these objects included: pottery, reports of Deilaman and Lasulo- “For thousands of years the art seen in the Tomajan site which the calendar year 1398. Of the fig- ResearchGate. porcelain, and metal objects, kan explorations show that ver- of woodturning has been popular in was buried in separate graves The graves had no specific ure, some $190 million was earned pottery and metal figures, met- tebrate animal bones had been Torbat-e Heydarieh, but it had fallen “In Iron Age Gilan, horse buri- as well.” direction in the Iron Age cem- via suitcase trade (allowed for cus- al weapons including daggers, discovered in a container placed into neglect in recent years,” tour- al was common in all the three Here are edited excerpts of eteries in Gilan. The graves had toms-free and tax-free transfer) spears, axes, swords, maces, there as food for the dead body. ism chief of the village, Ali Moham- cultural domains as its exam- the author’s conclusion about been built in four major and mi- ornaments made of stone, madi said on Wednesday. through 20 provinces, according ples can be observed in some the Iron Age burial in the north- nor directions. Putting weapons and dec- to data compiled by the Ministry metal, etc. It seems that their However, the forgotten handicraft sites such as Marlik, Kalouraz, ern Iranian province: orative objects (jewelry) in the of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Burials in dif- richness and has been brought back to life with a and Shahran from Roudbar The form of Iron Age tombs ferent direc- abundance were graves of both men and wom- Handicrafts. domain, Kafarkosh and Toma- en was common in the Iron Age great deal of effort made by a young was not the same in Gilan. It tions can be seen Almost in all Iron related to the de- Ceramics, pottery vessels, hand- jan from Deilaman and Amlash sites of Gilan. artisan couple, who set up a wood- includes various types such as even in a single gree of wealth or woven cloths as well as personal domain, and ‘Asb Sara’ Maryan Age cemeteries of turning workshop in the city, the of- vacuolar graves, cyst graves, cemetery. Of social position of However, the total percent- ornamentations with precious and and Toul sites from Tavalesh ficial added. huge stone graves, stack stone course, the burial the person. This age of weapons (sword, dagger, semi-precious gemstones are tra- domain,” he says. Gilan, the tradition Their workshop currently employs graves, honeycomb graves, of corpses in the means that more spear, mace, etc.) in the grave ditionally exported to Iraq, Afghan- some 10 crafters who export their The researcher believes that crock graves, simple two-floor east-west direc- of burying objects valuable objects of men is more than that in the istan, Germany, the U.S., the UK, and handmade products to neighboring the burial sites of horses were graves. Loosely, these graves tion in Kalouraz are more show graves of women. On the con- other countries. relatively less common in Iron cemetery or the as grave goods, that the person trary, the percentage of festive countries and Europe, he noted. can be divided into two basic According to archaeological stud- Age Gilan, however, he men- burial of corpses who has died was objects (rings, necklaces, ear- Woodturning refers to the act categories: ies, Torbat-e Heydarieh is home to tions that the percentage of in the Northeast near the dead of higher social rings, pins, etc.) in the grave of shaping wood using horizontal In almost all Iron Age sites several historical caves due to its horse burial tradition in Gilan is and Southwest standing. women is more than that of wood scraping rotational machines in Gilan, the dead had been bodies, was favorable habitat conditions and much higher than in the rest of in Boye cemetery men. In some cases, it has been to build products like sofa legs, buried on the right shoulder or Since the pres- traces of habitation from about the country. could possibly observed that the discovered bowls, plates, etc. In other words, a the left shoulder and bent legs common. ent time, no site 40,000 years have been identified have a special graves had no burial object. For woodturning artist is a person who “Horses were buried in with low and high curvature de- was as abundant in the caves of the region. The histo- meaning. example, the seventh and tenth is able and skilled in regulating the tombs buried near their own- grees. Only a small number of and rich as the Marlik site in Gi- ry of the area stretches back to the graves excavated at Jamshid woodturning machine, selecting the er with their saddles and har- bodies had been buried supine Less writing and script works lan. Even it can be said that the Achaemenian Empire from the 6th Abad had no burial objects as appropriate wood, and shaping and nesses in some sites including (face up) in some cemeteries. had been found in the remnants volume of gold and silver ob- to 4th century BC and the Parthian these graves were of infants finishing the wood. Marlik, Shahran, Kalouraz, and A particular conclusion cannot of the Iron Age in Gilan than in jects, jewelry, and artifacts from Empire from the 3rd century BC to and children. Toul. And, horses have been be drawn on this relationship at the rest of Iran. However, three the Marlik site is notable and With 14 entries, Iran ranks first the 3rd century CE. While Iran continues efforts to mass-produce local candidates, over Speeding up vaccination atop 21 million doses of foreign vaccines have already been imported and oth- SOCIETY ers are expected soon. agenda: health minister According to the Food and Drug SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 Administration, 14 vaccines are be- ing domestically developed in the Straight Truth country which are in different study phases. TEHRAN TIMES 7 COVIRAN BAREKAT, the first Ira- nian-made coronavirus vaccine, is in the process to be registered by the World Health Organization, Asghar Abdoli, an expert in the vaccine pro- duction project, has stated. The whole process of the vaccine development and clinical trials must Flora of Iran be presented in detail from the be- ginning, which we are doing, he said, adding, “in addition to presenting the (Part 7) documents, we must also defend our scientific achievements in person.” The forest area can be subdivided into cold-de- ciduous lowland and cold-deciduous montane “Our first article on the pre-clini- forests, the dividing line marked by the upper lim- cal phase of COVIRAN vaccine will be its of a few frost-sensitive species like Pterocarya published soon.” fraxinifolia, Diospyros lotus, Albizia julibrissin, and TEHRAN - Accelerating the pace So, if we receive 60 million doses COVAX facility. Vaccine development technical Parrotia persica. of vaccination against COVID-19 is of vaccine, we can vaccinate the age The Iranian Red Crescent Society knowledge is native to the country. In Characteristic lowland species are Quercus cas- group of 30 by the beginning of No- the top priority of the government, head Karim Hemmati said on August other words, the whole process is taneifolia, Parrotia persica, Zelkova carpinifolia, vember.” Health Minister Bahram Einollahi 26 that a total of 20.390 million dos- carried out in Iran, he noted. Carpinus betulus, Carpinus orientalis, Albizia ju- has said. librissin, Gleditsia caspica, Acer velutinum, Fraxinus As per contracts signed with inter- es of the vaccine have been imported The Iranian-Australian coronavi- excelsior, and beside rivers Pterocarya fraxinifolia, The vaccination procedure will gain so far. rus vaccine Spikogen started the third Alnus subcordata, and Populus caspica. high. In dry areas, places with southern exposure, momentum over the next few weeks, Meanwhile, President Ebrahim phase of the clinical trial with the par- and river valleys subject to dry autumn winds from he wrote on his Twitter account on The whole Raisi has confirmed that 30 million ticipation of 17,000 people on August 7. The physiognomy of this kind of forest is partly the highland the beeches are replaced by Quercus Wednesday. determined by evergreens, which predominate in doses of the COVID-19 vaccine will be The first phase of the study was per- castaneifolia, Carpinus betulus, and Carpinus ori- In a televised interview on Tuesday, population imported. the undergrowth in some areas. Buxus hyrcana is entalis, or the forest disappeared. formed on volunteer Australians and common in the west, as are Laurocerasus offici- the health minister said the whole In his August 11 televised address, received the necessary approval, the For that reason, Mobayen and Tregubov population vaccination is hoped to vaccination is nalis, Ilex spinigera, Ruscus hyrcanus, Hedera pas- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Aya- second phase was administrated to tuchovii, and Danae racemosa. (1970) have subdivided these forests into Quer- be completed by mid-February next hoped to be tollah Ali Khamenei suggested that 400 Iranians, which has had no serious co-Carpinetum and Fagetum hyrcanum com- year, IRNA reported. containing the rapidly increasing A great abundance of epiphytes is character- munities. Fagus orientalis occurs up to about side effects, Payam Tabarsi, researcher istic of both lowland and montane forests. Pleu- Meanwhile, deputy health Minister wave of the Coronavirus is the first 2,400 m, but the beech forests basically disap- completed by mid- of the vaccine study project said. rocarpous mosses, especially the endemic Leu- Alireza Raisi said on Tuesday that five and foremost issue of the country. pear above 2,000 m. Between 2,000 and 2,500 The second human testing showed codon immersus, Palamocladium euchloron, and million doses of coronavirus vaccines February next year. Placing great emphasis on the m (maximum elevation 3,000 m) Quercus mac- good results, with 70 percent an- Pseudoleskeella laxiramea, often cover completely will be imported on a weekly basis as fulfillment of duties and the imple- ranthera dominates, frequently associated by tibody, he stated, adding, the delta the trunks and branches of trees and shrubs. of the next week. mentation of decisions regarding Carpinus orientalis (the Carpinetum orientalis of variant is now very strong and many the Coronavirus pandemic, Ayatollah The forests are subject to moist sea winds Mobayen and Tregubov, 1970). Raisi said in august that negotia- national manufacturers, some 100 vaccines have not been effective throughout the year, but circulation of air mass- Khamenei said “the vaccine, whether The timberline on the northern slopes of the Al- tion was underway with one or two million doses of coronavirus vaccine against the mutant. es between land and sea is especially strong imported or domestically produced, borz consists almost exclusively of Quercus mac- European countries to purchase Pfiz- should be imported by the end of in the summer period. Together with the high must be provided with double effort Iran is also producing vaccines er and Moderna coronavirus vaccines. 2021, Nasser Riyahi, the head of the temperatures it ensures permanent high atmo- ranthera, though it has been disturbed in many and in any way possible made avail- jointly with two countries of Cuba and places as a result of intensive grazing. These wood- Referring to good efforts made Association of Medicine Importers, spheric humidity. able to all people.” Russia, which may also be released by lands have been studied in detail by Jean Claude to import vaccines, he said: “By the has said. September. Annual precipitation reaches nearly 2,000 Klein (Klein and Lacoste, 1989), who distinguished end of September, we will definitely On August 25, World Health Orga- Domestically-made vaccines mm in the west, at Bandar-e Anzali, but decreas- two types, depending on climatic conditions: The import about 30 million doses of vac- nization (WHO) representative to Iran Mass vaccination against COVID-19 The Iranian-made Sputnik vaccine es steadily toward the east, totaling only about Aceri-Quercetum macrantherae, typical of the cen- cine. With another memorandum of Jaffar Hussain announced that three started on Iranian citizens with the is undergoing the final testing phase, 700 mm at Gorgan. In summer there is a gradu- tral Alborz between 2400-2800 m, under damp understanding from October, we will million doses of vaccine will be deliv- Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine on and Pastu Covac received the emer- al increase in the length of the dry season from and temperate climate, and a floristically impov- receive another 30 million doses. ered soon to the country under the February 9. gency use license. Ramsar eastward. The maximum precipitation erished type, that spread out in the eastern Alborz falls in autumn. under a drier and continental climate. Cold-deciduous montane forests (Hyrcanian Most striking is the absence of subalpine Vac- National Nanotech Contest slated for Friday montane forest; are generally located at ele- cinio-Piceetea communities in the Alborz, which vations between 700 and 1,000 m. The most are typical of the European Alps, but replaced here important difference from the lowland for- by these oak forests. Other trees of the montane TEHRAN – The second round of the 10th National calendar] year (ended March 20) increased to 750, ests is the decline or disappearance of various forests are Acer platanoides, Acer cappadocicum, cold-sensitive tree species; the upper limit for Nanotech Contest will be held on Friday with 308 compared with 647 a year before. Fraxinus excelsior, and Sorbus orientalis. In the un- Pterocarya is 500 (700) m, for Albizia 700 m, for university students competing in 21 centers na- Of the 750 products and equipment registered dergrowth such shrubs as Mespilus germanicus, Diospyros and Gleditsia 800 m, and for Ficus, tionwide. in the nanotechnology product database, 535 were several species of Crataegus, Sorbus orientalis, and Tamus, and Vitis 1,000 m. Parrotia can be found As the most significant academic event in the related to nano-products and 215 were related to Virburnum lantana occur. above 1,000 m but appears more frequently be- country, the national contest is held annually in the nano-equipment, both of which have experienced low 600 m. A second difference is the predomi- In the most favored locations the annual rainfall five fields of basic concepts, synthesis, analysis, a growing trend over the past few years, although nance of beeches (Fagus orientalis) in the mon- is about 2,000 mm. The foothills facing south re- applications, and commercialization of domestical- nano-products have grown more significantly. tane forests (Fagetum hyrcanum, Mobayen and ceive less. Between 2,400 and 2,600 m there is a ly-made products, ISNA reported. Prioritizing nanotechnology in Iran has led to Tregubov, 1970; Fagetea hyrcanica, Zohary, 1973). clear break in climate. The humid Caspian air mass- The first round of the event was held July 31-Au- this country’s steady placement among the five pi- The most abundant and best preserved rem- es press up to this level, but above it dry southern gust 2. oneers of the nanotechnology field in recent years, winds prevail. The tree line on the northern side of monthly evaluation accomplished in WoS databases. nants of the southern Caspian forests are found As of the start of a national plan to develop the and approximately 20 percent of all articles pro- at the lower levels of the mountain zone. In rainy the Alborz is determined by aridity, not by cold; its nanotechnology sector 15 years ago, more than vided by Iranian researchers in 2020 are relative to There are 227 companies in Iran registered in areas there are almost pure stands of Fagus ori- course is very uneven. 5,283 billion rials (about $125.7 million at the offi- this area of technology. the WoS databases, manufacturing 419 products, entalis. These beech forests stand more than 25 m (Source: Encyclopaedia Iranica) cial exchange rate of 42,000 rials) has been allocat- Iran has been introduced as the 4th leading mainly in the fields of construction, textile, medi- ed to nanotechnology projects. country in the world in the field of nanotechnology, cine, home appliances, automotive, and food. Nanotechnology’s trend of development is publishing 11,546 scientific articles in 2020. According to the data, 31 Iranian universities and growing in Iran, as the number of nanoproducts The country held a 6 percent share of the world’s research centers published more than 50 nano-ar- Royan Institute hosting intl. congresses and equipment developed in the previous [Iranian total nanotechnology articles, according to StatNano’s ticles in the last year. on biomedicine, stem cell

National programs to develop 24 species of medicinal plants TEHRAN – Royan Institute is hosting two inter- national congresses on reproductive biomedicine 83,000 tons of medicinal plants “During the last 2 years, we fo- and stem cell biology. worth 1.2 trillion rials (around $29 cused mainly on the development of million at the official rate of 42,000 a number of medicinal plants such as The 22nd International Congress on Reproduc- rials) are consumed in the country, saffron, rosemary, and Persian cum- tive Biomedicine is being held virtually on Sep- while in Europe this in, that their culti- tember 1-3, and the 17th International Congress amount is 900 vation is high in on Stem Cell Biology and Technology is to be held grams and in the the country and virtually on September 4-5. United States is Some 83,000 tons brought an export World Health Organization (WHO) Represen- 2.5 kilograms. revenue of 400 tative to Iran, Jaffar Hussain; and President of the of medicinal plants million dollars American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Hugh 224,000 ha annually,” he said. under cultiva- are consumed S. Taylor, have attended the event, in addition to 60 tion of medici- Statistics speakers from 18 countries around the world. one in both research and treatment of this field. nal herbs annually in the show that the Royan is a public, non-profit organization affil- consumption of iated with the academic center for education, cul- The institute also acts as a stem cell research Hossein Zeyna- medicinal plants country. ture, and research. Established in 1991, Royan is a leader and is one of the best clinics for infertility From page 1 The Sixth Nation- cultivation of medicinal plants in li, an official with in the country the Ministry of research institute for reproductive biomedicine treatment. It has 46 scientific members and 186 al Development Plan (2016-2021) 100,000 hectares. has become pro- Agriculture, said cessed, and de- and infertility treatments; and the world’s leading lab technicians. envisages the rehabilitation of 9.6 The per capita consumption of me- in 2019 that some 224,000 hectares of creased imports by $50-60 million, million hectares of rangeland and dicinal plants in Iran is about one kilo- area are currently under cultivation of on the other hand, increased the ex- medicinal plant habitats and the gram of dried plants, in other words, medicinal herbs. ports, he noted. COVID-19 UPDATES ON SEPTEMBER 1 ENGLISH IN USE New cases 33,170 LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION New deaths 599 Afghanistan thanks Iran for free Total cases 5,025,233 افغانستان از همکاری ایران برای مداوای مهاجران services to refugees during COVID - 19

Total deaths 108,393 مبتال به کرونا قدردانی کرد Afghanistan has appreciated Iran for offering health and treatment وزارت امور خارجه افغانستان از کمک و همکاری جمهوری اسالمی ایران به مهاجران .services to Afghan refugees infected with coronavirus free of charge The Afghan Foreign Ministry in a statement on Saturday announced New hospitalized patients 4,357 افغانی مبتال به ویروس کرونا و مداوای رایگان آنها قدردانی کرد. its gratitude and appreciation to Iran for its humanitarian efforts to وزارت امور خارجه افغانستان روز شنبه در اطالعیهای اعالم کرد: مراتب امتنان و .address the issue of Afghan refugees in the country Patients in critical condition 7,860 سپاسگزاری خود را از جمهوری اسالمی ایران در رابطه به اقدامات بشردوستانه آن کشور All measures, especially the recent decree by the Iranian president درباره رسیدگی به مهاجرین افغان درآن کشور ابراز می دارد. -to provide free medical treatment to Afghan refugees in Iranian pub در این اطالعیه آمده است: تمام اقدامات به ویژه صدور حکم اخیر رئیس جمهوری ایران برای درمان lic hospitals, have assured the Afghan government, IRNA reported on Total recovered patients 4,237,315 رایگان مهاجران افغان در بیمارستان های دولتی ایران موجب خاطر جمعی رهبری دولت افغانستان شد. .Sunday According to the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing براساس اطالعیه وزارت خارجه افغانستان، ایجاد تسهیالت در رفت و آمد کامیونهای transportation services to transit trucks and providing the necessary Diagnostic tests conducted 29,006,289 ترانزیتی و فراهم آوری مساعدت های الزم بهداشتی برای مهاجران در مناطق آسیب پذیر -health assistance to vulnerable Afghan nationals are among the mea آن کشور اقداماتی هستند که از جانب دولت افغانستان به چشم قدردانی نگریسته می شوند. .sures that are highly appreciated Doses of vaccine injected 28,067,827 Frome Page 1 therefore we are always so grateful for their help,” said Divsalar after giving Tsunoda the honorary diploma and the divan. TEHRAN TIMES “I’m really happy that we enjoy www.tehrantimes.com Mrs. Tsunoda’s close collaboration; she has eagerly made contributions Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian to the expansion of cultural ties between Iran and Japan and taken Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh big steps in learning the Persian language and calligraphy and Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 creating some fascinating artworks,” he added. Email: [email protected] Tsunoda also expressed her thanks Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 to the Iran Calligraphers Association Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 and praised Iran’s support for art and Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 educational activities in Japan. Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 Earlier in March, the Sadi Tehrantimes79 Foundation, a Tehran-based Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 organization that promotes the Persian language abroad, honored No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Zip Code: 1599814713 Tsunoda with a lifetime achievement award during a ceremony held at Iran’s Cultural Office in Japan. Hisako Tsunoda (R) received an honorary diploma of the Iran Calligraphers Association from Iran’s cultural SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 attaché in Japan Hossein Divsalar. Tsunoda received an honorary GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL AWAKENING diploma of the foundation presented to her by Divsalar. He who is deserted by friends and relatives will often find Tsunoda also has held Persian Japanese Persian calligrapher help and sympathy from strangers. calligraphy courses in her homeland. Her works have been showcased in Imam Ali (AS) several exhibitions in Japan and Iran. Hisako Tsunoda honored by A selection of her calligraphy works went on view in the Raqs-e Qalam Iranian association International Exhibition of the Silk Road Calligraphy held in Iran in January. the First Raqs-e Qalam International exhibition, which officially opened The Iranian National Commission Prayer Times Noon:13:04 Evening: 19:49 Dawn: 5:11 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:38 (tomorrow) Calligraphy works by 203 artists Exhibition and Conference of the in the northeastern Iranian city of for UNESCO was the main organizer from 30 countries were showcased at Silk Road Calligraphy in a virtual Mashhad. of the exhibition. Art in Iran: Neolithic to Median “Charcoal” star Hadi Eftekharzadeh wins runner-up prize at ImagineIndia festival TEHRAN – Hadi Eftekharzadeh has won the Aliev Murat and Akjol Bekbolotov from second best actor award at the ImagineIndia Kyrgyzstan got second prize for best DOP for the International Film Festival in Madrid for his role in film “Shambala”. Murat died of COVID-19 in 2020. the Iranian drama “Charcoal” (“Komur”). The award for best short film went to “The Written and directed by Esmaeil Monsef, the Miniaturist of Junagadh” by Kaushal Oza from India, story of the film is set in rural northwest Iran, where while “American Anomie” by Shahriar Azim from the Gheirat, a modest charcoal producer, is pushed into U.S. won the award for second best short film. a tragic spiral after his son, sentenced to jail, flees The story of “The Miniaturist of Junagadh” is to Azerbaijan. set in India in 1947. The ravages of partition have Ali Suliman won the award for best actor for his compelled an old artist, Husyn Naqqash, to sell his role in the Palestinian drama “200 Meters”. ancestral home in Western India and move with Maryna Koshkina from Ukraine was selected as his family to Karachi, Pakistan. When Kishorilal, a best actress for her role “Blindfold”, while Nimisha stoic and stone-hearted man, who has bought the Sajayan from India was given the second best actress house, comes to know that Husyn is a well-known award for her role in “The Great Indian Kitchen”. miniature painter and has an invaluable and rare miniature collection, he schemes to get hold of the Indian actor Swastika Mukherjee won the Critic´s An aerial photograph of the prehistoric site Tepe Yahya collection. But all is not what it seems and there is Choice Award for the film “House of Cards”. Hadi Eftekharzadeh acts in a scene from the Iranian a secret about the collection that Husyn’s family The jury has not yet announced the winners in drama “Charcoal” directed by Esmaeil Monsef. is holding back, not only from Kishorilal - but also Part 4 and their repulsive appearance could be thought to several categories, including best film and best from Husyn. The most interesting group among the proto- ward off equally ugly demons. director. for best director of photography (DOP) for the film Elamite cylinders shows animals acting like Aspects of the art of the third millennium BC “Dona” by Marga Meliá from Spain was awarded a humans as distinctive of the subject matter of this in Iran Wen Cao Zhou from China received the award “Cafe by the Highway”. special mention in this category. group of cylinders. From the second quarter of the third millennium Often the same figure is repeated as if a twin BC onward, the art of the Susiana was under the image were desired. Another compositional influence of Mesopotamia. In the east of Iran, Iranian children win top prizes at Japanese drawing contest peculiarity of these proto-Elamite cylinders is an however, an artistic province, which had relations indication of a balance of power: in one sealing a with Afghanistan on the one hand and the areas of lion is shown dominating two small bulls and a the Persian Gulf on the other, was partially revealed TEHRAN – Iranian children have from Bangladesh. bull dominating two small lions. All this seems to by the tantalizingly limited finds from Tepe Yahya won some of the main prizes at the Zhen You Chen from Taiwan foreshadow religious concepts of a much later age. and Shahdad. 21st JQA International Environmental won the international best prize, Most of the examples of proto-Elamite sealings Tepe Yahya was the source for some of the Children’s Drawing Contest in Japan. while Teodora V. Odobisteanu from Painting by the 11-year-old were found at Susa, but sealings of proto-Elamite chlorite carvings, which have attracted the Eleven-year-old Mohammad- Romania received the UNICEF prize. style on tablets with proto-Elamite numerals were interest of archeologists for many years because Iranian boy Mani Rabiei received a JQA special The two special prizes of Mohammad- also found at widely distant sites: in Tepe Yahya in of their distinctive iconography: serpents, animals, prize, while seven-year-old Panisa the International Certification Mani Rabiei Kerman, in Shahr-e Sukhteh in Sistan, in Tepe Sialk monsters, occasionally humans, and architectural Momtazian was honored with the Organization Network (IQNet) won a JQA near Kashan, in Godin Tepe near Kangavar, and in and decorative patterns as well as their wide special jury prize, the organizers have were garnered by Miriam Clus special prize Tepe Malyan in Fars. distribution in Iran, Mesopotamia, Syria, and the announced. from Romania and Kozul Asja from at the 21st JQA Persian Gulf areas. The small sculptures produced early in this Ailin Alizadeh and Maedeh Taheri, Slovenia. International period are as distinctive in their subjects as the The most extensively figured bowl is one in the Environmental among the 45 children participating Sara Cvetkova from North cylinders. They are figures of kneeling votaries British Museum said to be from Kafajeh in the Children’s in the event from across the world, Macedonia was the winner of another of alabaster, carved with a Diala area of Iraq, where it Drawing received the first prize of the JQA special prize. feeling for the sculpture as an was probably brought from Contest in competition, which was organized Japan. object conceived in the round, somewhere in southeastern “Children’s drawings always give by the Japan Quality Assurance a trait characteristic of the Iran. me joy and teach me many things,” From the second Organization (JQA) on the theme of art of Iran about 3000 BC. said jury president Kinutani Koji, who A fine piece with “Our Earth in 2030”. This quality is also shared quarter of the third architectural decoration was is also a painter and an emeritus These children are members by a leonine creature made found at Tepe Yahya in a level professor at Tokyo University of the them,” he noted. The organizers hope that the of the Institute for Intellectual of ivory-white luminous millennium BC later than IV B-1 which yielded Arts. contest provides the children an Development of Children and Young Since 1999, the Japan Quality magnesite, standing upright the workshop of chlorite “The pure feelings displayed in the opportunity to think about the global onward, the art of Adults across Iran. Assurance Organization (JQA) in human posture with objects. In date, these chlorite children’s works are invigorating; and International Certificationenvironment, by expressing their objects probably span the Iranian children Mohammad they convey the sentiment that clasped paws. The nature the Susiana was Organization Network (IQNet) have inspiration from nature’s bounty. of the great beast of prey, second and third quarters of Hassani, Nirvana Rustai, Nilufar animals and plants are our fellow been organizing the JQA International under the influence the third millennium BC. In addition, they believe that which seems immutable and Afshari and Elaheh Sotudeh also family members onboard this ship Environmental Children’s Drawing timeless, was used here to of Mesopotamia. A number of carvings received honorary diplomas. called Earth,” he added. Contest for children aged between the efforts to protect the global express some supernatural which have very close stylistic The Environmental Best Prize, the “I think that adults have finally 7 and 15 from around the world. The environment will be further power. relations with objects in contest’s grand prize, went to the started to resonate, because the competition is also supported by the encouraged through the appreciation A bovine creature of the Uruk and Jambat Nasr 11-year-old boy, Mahi Ahnaf Maymun, passion of children has been shaking UNICEF Tokyo Office. of such children’s drawings. silver also seen in human styles, such as the bowl in the pose, seems more like a servant figure. It is not British Museum, may be earlier. Investigations by S. impossible that the animal figures in human poses Salvatore and M. Vidale of “a good half of the site “Political Psychology of War Rape” published in Persian portrayed in cylinders were copied from models of Shahdad” resulted in an extension of the lower understanding war rape and its impact, through such as the two sculptures just discussed, which time limit of the Shahdad complex into the fourth individual experiences of war rape are shaped by may have been made at an earlier date than the millennium BC. empirical examination of the case of Bosnia. national and international discourses on gender, sexuality and politics. cylinders. In addition to chlorite vases with architectural Providing a contextual understanding of sexual The relation of the leonine and the bovine figures, and ornamental decoration the excavations of violence in war, and situating Bosnian war rape in This book will be of interest to students of two consummate works of art (which one assumes graves in Shahdad yielded statues of clay which relation to subsequent conflicts, the book offers a political psychology, war and conflict studies, to have been made at Susa) to works produced at have retained some of their paint and which are methodological outline of how sexual violence in European politics, ethnic conflict, politics and IR in sites, further east is difficult to determine. characterized by wide, angular shoulders and long, war can be studied from a political-psychological general. thin arms. perspective. Animal figures from Tepe Yahya may be “Designing a Study of the Aftermath of the War contemporary. Monstrous male figures found in a The finest object from the graves is a standard, It presents empirical findings from the field that Rapes in Bosnia”, “Victim and Survivor: Narrated group of six in a place a few kilometers southeast presumably of copper, surmounted by a well- show what war rape can entail in the aftermath of Social Identities of Women who Experienced Rape of Shiraz may be later, and may belong to a style sculptured bird. On the “flag” of the standard is a A poster for the Persian translation of Inger armed conflict for victims and their communities. during the War”, “Therapeutic Work with Victims which preserved characteristics of protohistoric representation, produced in repoussé and chasing, Skjelsbæk’s book “The Political Psychology of Through its comprehensive approach to of Sexual Violence War and Post-War” and “The War Rape”. style long after it had disappeared in Mesopotamia. of an enthroned, long-haired figure surrounded by Bosnian experiences, the volume expands the Political Psychology of War Rape” are among the squatting women. entries in the table of contents in the book. The monster-men have scaly bodies with the conceptualization of victimhood and challenges the exception of one, called a bull-man. They have a Characteristic of the style are difference in the TEHRAN – Norwegian gender studies scholar assumption that sexual violence is a particularly Skjelsbæk is a professor of gender studies at scar running from the forehead to the corner of size of the figures according to their importance, Inger Skjelsbæk’s 2011 book “The Political difficult theme to study because of victim silence. the Centre for Gender Research in Oslo. She was the mouth and hold under one arm a round object the postures of the women with their legs folded Psychology of War Rape: Studies from Bosnia and Rather, the author demonstrates there are many an associate professor at the Department of beside or under their bodies, faces with low which has been interpreted as a drum. Herzegovina” has been published in Persian. voices that can provide insight and understandings Psychology at the University of Oslo between 2015 foreheads, noses jutting out horizontally, very small It is possible, however, that these figures of war rape and its impact without having to and 2019. waist and exaggeratedly long arms. Saad is the publisher of the book rendered into foreshadow protective figurines of a later age, such compromise the safety and privacy of individual She is also a research professor at the Peace Persian by Fatemeh Ruholamini. as those buried in Assyrian times. The object which Source: Encyclopedia Iranica victims. Research Institute Oslo and served as the institute’s the figures hold under one arm may be a serpent, To be continued This book provides a conceptual framework for Finally, the book shows the ways in which deputy director from 2009 to 2015.