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8 Pages Price 50,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 42nd year No.13847 Wednesday DECEMBER 30, 2020 Dey 10, 1399 Jumada Al Awwal 15, 1442 Revenge for Gen. Soleimani Iranian Olympic, Agricultural exports center to assassination may not be Paralympic medal winners’ increase 20% in showcase works by necessarily military action Page 2 bust unveiled Page 3 9 months Page 4 Hassan Ruholamin Page 8

Raisi calls U.S. clear example of Why has suddenly reduced ‘terrorist state’ TEHRAN — The United States is a clear sion-creating and anti-security elements,” example of a “terrorist state”, says Iranian Raisi said on Tuesday during a phone con- Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi ahead of versation with Fayek Zidan, the president the first anniversary of the U.S. assas- of the Supreme Judicial Council of . See page 4 sination of Lieutenant General Qassem On January 3, U.S. President Donald gas exports to Iraq? Soleimani and Iraqi Popular Mobiliza- Trump ordered drone strikes that mar- tion Unit deputy commander Abu Mahdi tyred General Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. al-Muhandis in Iraq. The assassination, “We are today witnessing a serious which took place near ’s inter- determination on the side of Iran and national airport, was welcomed by ISIS. Iraq for a common fight against the ten- Continued on page 2

Symphonic poem “The Soldier” released TEHRAN – “The Soldier”, a sym- sang the symphonic poem with the IRIB phonic poem produced by the Art Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Ar- and Cultural Organization of the Teh- ash Amini. ran Municipality to commemorate A chorus led by Iranian-Armenian the first martyrdom anniversary of maestro Razmik Ohanian also accompanies Commander Qassem Soleimani, was the orchestra in the symphonic poem, released on Tuesday. which was composed in five movements Arman Mehraban has composed named “Motherland”, “Battle”, “Father”, the piece with lyrics by Ali-Moham- “Allahu Akbar” and “Victory”. mad Moaddab. Amir-Hossein Samiei Continued on page 8

Iran tests first homegrown coronavirus vaccine BY FARANAK BAKHTIARI for Executing the Order of the Imam.

TEHRAN – COVIRAN BAREKAT, the The daughter of Mohammad Mokh- first coronavirus vaccine made by Iranian ber, the head of the Headquarters for researchers, was unveiled and injected Executing the Order of the Imam, was the into three volunteers during a ceremony first volunteer who received the vaccine. on Tuesday. The first injection has been performed

Maryam Kamyab The first phase of the human trial started successfully with no symptoms such as for the first COVID-19 vaccine produced shock and fever. by the research group of the Headquarters Continued on page 7 Mehr/

EU, Germany Petroglyphs dating back to 9th millennium BC Hashd al-Sha’abi guarantor of Iraq’s security, and Biden discovered in Iran unity, power: senior clerics administration TEHRAN – Ancient petroglyphs, some dating on a variety of petroglyphs that are scarred in group of prominent Iraqi clerics have thrown expansion of terrorism in the region; howev- back from the 9th millennium BC, have recent- central Iran, saying “some prehistorical res- their weight behind the Popular Mobili- er, the U.S. never wants stability and peace be agree that JCPOA is ly been found near the city of Nimvar, central idents of the migrated to the zation Units (PMU), better known in Iraq established in the region, especially in Iraq,” Markazi province. Americas.” His assumption is based on evidence as Hashd al-Sha’abi, describing it as the they said. a win-win: Kimball Over six hand-carved petroglyphs in different from similarities between the petroglyphs and guarantor of the Arab country’s security, “They have well realized that Iraq’s prosperity sizes scattered in a coherent collection have been cave painting symbols in central Iran and the unity, and power. and its growth and development is detrimental BY HAMID BAYATI found by a number of the city’s history buffs, ones found in the Americas. The Iraqi clerics expressed their support for and harmful to their presence in the country,” TEHRAN - Daryl G. Kimball, the ex- IRNA quoted Mehdi Lalbar, a local tourism chief, “After years of exploring ancient paintings Hashd al-Sha’abi in a statement released ahead the statement added. ecutive director of the Arms Control as saying on Tuesday. inside Iran’s caves and mountains and other of the first anniversary of the U.S. assassination Therefore, it said, it is absolutely necessary Association, says the European Union, The petroglyphs are estimated to date back parts of the globe, amazing achievements have of PMU Deputy Commander Abu Mahdi al-Mu- that the U.S. withdraws all its forces from Iraq Germany, and the Biden administra- from the 9th millennium BC to the 2nd millen- been made in this regard,” Nasserifard said. handis and top Iranian commander Lieutenant according to a long-overdue resolution passed tion are united in their positions that nium BC, the official added. “The ancient paintings of cave walls and General Qassem Soleimani. by the Iraqi parliament earlier this year. a full implementation of the Iran nu- “This newly discovered collection, which bears mountains in Iran have been compared with “The heart-breaking incident, which was On January 3, a U.S. drone strike authorized clear deal by each side is a “win-win”. depictions of animals including wild goat, is of ones in other parts of the world, their similarities caused by the terrorist administration [of the by President Donald Trump near Baghdad In- “The EU and Germany and the Bid- great archaeological and historical importance,” in appearance and motifs have been ‘amazing’, U.S.], shook any freedom-seeking human being ternational Airport killed top Iranian anti-terror en administration all agree that that he explained. according to quotes by professors Jan Brouwer in the world. We deem it necessary to mention commander General Soleimani, the commander full implementation and compliance He also noted that 126 petroglyphs have been and Gus van Veen,” Nasserifard explained, add- a few points on its anniversary,” the clerics said of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution with the JCPOA is a win-win,” Kimball discovered in Nimvar city so far. ing “His research and findings are presented to in the Monday statement. Guards Corps (IRGC), and his Iraqi trenchmate tells the Tehran Times as German For- Back in May, Iranian archaeologist Moham- enthusiasts and researchers for the first time.” “The U.S. and its president well know the Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. eign Minister Heiko Maas has called mad Nasserifard proposed a bold hypothesis Continued on page 6 martyred commanders were a huge barrier to Continued on page 5 for a “nuclear agreement plus”. The nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- tion (JCPOA), was signed on July 14, Russia rejects Germany’s JCPOA plus offer Tehran, Ankara can 2015 between Iran, the five permanent TEHRAN – Russia has rejected a German offer to principles of JCPOA elaboration. Adding some- reach what he called a “nuclear agreement plus”. form strong bloc members of the UN Security Council substitute the 2015 Iran nuclear deal with a new thing extra to the existing Nuclear Deal now will “A return to the previous agreement will not suf- (Russia, China, France, Britain, and deal, calling such a deal “wrong and inconvenient.” make things worse. So we think putting forward fice anyway. There will have to be a kind of ‘nuclear against imperialism: the U.S.) as well as Germany and the Sergey Ryabkov, deputy foreign minister ideas like ‘JCPOA+’ is wrong & inconvenient,” agreement plus,’ which is also in our interest. We European Union. It went into effect of Russia, said Russia has proposed a gradual Raybkov said, according to a tweet published by have clear expectations of Iran: no nuclear weapons, Turkish expert on January 16, 2016. process to revive the Iran nuclear deal - officially the Permanent Mission of Russia to the Inter- but also no ballistic missile program that threatens However, during his presidential known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Ac- national Organizations in Vienna. the entire region. Iran also needs to play a different BY MOHAMMAD MAZHARI campaigns in 2016, Donald Trump tion (JCPOA) – instead of putting forward ideas The Russian diplomat was responding to re- role in the region,” German Foreign Minister Heiko TEHRAN - Kadir Ertach Celik, a Turkish aca- launched intensive campaigns such as JCPOA + which will make things worse. cent remarks by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a recent interview with the German demic, believes that Iran and Turkey can form “a against the multilateral agreement “Gradual steps & reciprocity, proposed by Maas who had recently said that the JCPOA is magazine, Der Spiegel. strong bloc against imperialism” in the Caucasus and threatened to tear it up if he is Russia FM Lavrov back in the days, were key no longer enough and that there is a need to Continued on page 3 and Central Asia, and especially in West Asia. elected president. On May 8, 2018, Pointing to the significance of “strategic coopera- Trump officially pulled the U.S. out tion” between Iran and Turkey as two great neighbors, of the landmark agreement and re- the analyst predicts the “rise of regional powers” turned nuclear sanctions and added which is also “one of the most important conditions new harsh ones under his administra- for Middle East (West Asia) peace.” tion’s “maximum pressure” campaign “If this union happens, both wings of the Islamic against Tehran. world will come together. Thus, the rise of the Islamic Trump imposed a total ban on world begins,” Celik argues. Iran’s oil export and even made the The following is the text of the interview: import essential commodities such How do you assess the new American a medicine and medical supplies Food safety sanctions’ impact on Turkey and the region? very difficult. He even disregarded U.S. sanctions against certain countries should demands by the United Nations to be understood in American foreign policy as a broad loosen sanctions during the coro- innovations approach. navirus pandemic. Sanctions are important leverages and parame- Now hopes are rising for the reac- unveiled ters in targeting countries in terms of political and tivation of the nuclear deal as Pres- economic power. First of all, it is necessary to look ident-elect Joe Biden will enter the National achievements in the area of at CAATSA law. White House on January 20. Biden food safety were unveiled at Shahid The CAATSA law is an act against the adver- served as vice president under Presi- Beheshti University of Medical Science saries of the USA through imposing sanctions. dent Barack Obama, when the JCPOA in Tehran on Tuesday. In other words, the country that is sanctioned was inked. The comprehensive food safety pro- under this law is supposed an enemy of the USA. Kimball says each side of the nu- gram started in 2014. High pressure Although the U.S. administration claimed that clear deal “must avoid provocations Akbar Badrkhani processing, steam vacuums, steam these sanctions were imposed also on Russia, and statements and threats that could pasteurization, and antimicrobials are this step against Turkey as a NATO member is seriously problematic. derail” the revitalization of the JCPOA. Mehr/ all examples of advances in food safety Continued on page 2 technology. Continued on page 5 I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y POLITICS DECEMBER 30, 2020

People honor General Revenge for Gen. Soleimani assassination may Soleimani ahead of his martyrdom anniversary not be necessarily military action, says envoy POLITICAL TEHRAN — People around Iran are holding deskcommemoration ceremonies ahead of the first POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iran’s am- the attack. anniversary of the assassination of the commander of the IRGC deskbassador to Baghdad has The U.S. embassy in Baghdad came under Quds Force, Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, to show said the Islamic Republic’s revenge for the rocket attacks on December 20. According to their respect to the late commander. U.S. assassination of Lieutenant General Iraqi press reports, at least 23 rockets land- In the city of Qom, a movement called Resistance Youth Front Qassem Soleimani is not a military action ed in the Green Zone of Baghdad, a heavily is formed to support the cause of General Soleimani and Abu necessarily. fortified district in which the U.S. embassy Mahdi al-Muhandis who defeated the ominous phenomenon of “Revenge for the assassination of General and other government buildings are located. Daesh, Press TV reported. Soleimani is not a military action neces- The embassy’s C-RAM defense system Also scholars, youths, activ- sarily, rather, the expulsion of American was activated to intercept the rockets, the ists, and resistance movement forces from the region can be revenge for embassy said in a statement. supporters from countries like General Soleimani’s blood,” Iraj Masjedi “The U.S. embassy confirms rockets tar- Iraq, Syria, , Afghanistan, said, Tasnim reported on Tuesday, citing geting the International Zone (Green Zone) Pakistan, Bangladesh and India Al-Ahed news. resulted in the engagement of embassy de- attended the ceremony in Qom Masjedi said Tehran reserves the right fensive systems,” the statement said, adding to tell the world that General to take revenge against the Americans for that the rockets have inflicted only minor Soleimani’s cause will not be the “historic crime” of assassinating General damages to the embassy compound. forgotten. Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. While the U.S. pointed the finger at Iran, On January 3, U.S. President On January 3, U.S. President Donald the Iranian Foreign Ministry has strongly Donald Trump ordered strikes Trump ordered drone strikes that martyred denied any involvement in the attack. that martyred General Soleim- Soleimani, chief of the IRGC Quds Force, Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for Iran’s ani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhan- and al-Muhandis, the deputy commander Foreign Ministry, called the attack “unac- dis, the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). cil (SNSC) said Iran is determined to take moves in Western Asia, which reached its ceptable” and “dubious”. of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization In the early hours of January 8, the IRGC “tough revenge” against the assassination peak with assassination of Soleimani and Speaking at a weekly press conference on Units (PMU). attacked Ain al-Assad airbase in western Iraq, in order to prevent the continuation of their al-Muhandis. December 21, Khatibzadeh said, “Unfortu- Millions of mourners took where U.S. forces were stationed, as part of terrorist acts. Masjedi also dismissed claims that Iran nately, Iran’s diplomatic places in Iraq had to the streets in Ahwaz, , Tehran, Qom, and Kerman its promised “tough revenge” for the U.S. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined has turned Iraq into a place for the settlement also been attacked. We had pursued a steady – Soleimani’s hometown – to attend the top general’s funeral terror attack. to take tough revenge on the perpetrators of problems with others. policy that targeting diplomatic missions and procession. Iran has also vowed to retaliate against the of this historic crime, prevent the contin- Iran does not seek to interfere in Iraq’s residential areas is unacceptable.” In the early hours of January 8, the IRGC attacked the U.S. perpetrators of the attack at the right time. uation of America’s terrorist, destabilizing affairs and would never dictate its policies He added, “But the kind and timing of airbase of Ain al-Assad in Anbar province in western Iraq as Masjedi said that Iran’s missile attack acts, and force them to leave the region,” Ali on the neighboring country, the ambassa- this attack [on the U.S. embassy], as well as part of its promised “tough revenge” for the U.S. terror attack. on the U.S. military base of Ain al-Assad in Shamkhani said. dor stated. the statement issued by the U.S. secretary of Last month, Iran’s Judiciary announced that it has formed a Iraq was a response to the martyrdom of Shamkhani said the U.S. exit from the He further dismissed the accusation of state, show that [the attack] is very dubious. committee to chase and track down those accused of complicity General Soleimani. region will pave the way for sustainable peace Iran’s role in a recent rocket attack on the U.S. Its timing is dubious. And more importantly, in the assassination. In remarks on December 22, the secretary and security. embassy in Baghdad, saying Iran does not it seems that as if they had already prepared Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the special aide to the speaker of Iran’s Supreme National Security Coun- He said the U.S. intensified its destabilizing support any group that may have launched a statement to publish.” of the Iranian Parliament on international affairs, said on Sun- day that the list of individuals involved in the assassination of Soleimani has been updated from 45 to 48. Iran’s Judiciary has added new names to the list of individuals U.S. military activities manifest its fear: top security official involved in the January assassination, Amir-Abdollahian said. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Persian Gulf along with other warships. He said the Judiciary has stepped up efforts to prosecute desk the individuals who ordered and perpetrated the criminal act, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council U.S. naval and air assets, meanwhile, conducted joint adding that six countries have been given warrants from Iran’s (SNSC), has said the U.S. military’s increased activities in exercises with the Royal Saudi Air Force and Royal Saudi Judiciary so far for the arrest of the culprits. the region is a manifestation of the Washington regime’s Navy in the Persian Gulf, the fifth such exercise this year. fear due to its past evil acts. The Politico website cited a military official as saying “The U.S. military’s increased activity in the region is that the U.S. military was on heightened alert and shoring Iran marks anniversary of 2009 just a defensive show and stems from fear due to its past up its forces in the Middle East. acts of mischief,” Shamkhani said in a tweet on Monday. Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of U.S. Central Com- pro-Islamic Republic rallies “Such measures only intensify entropy of insecurity and mand (CENTCOM), said, “We do not seek conflict, but we lead to harmful misunderstandings,” he said, adding that must remain postured and committed to respond to any TEHRAN (Press TV) — Iran is commemorating the 11th an- the security of the region can only be realized through the contingency or in opposition to any aggression.” niversary of mass rallies on December 30, 2009 that put an withdrawal of anti-stability foreign elements. The show of force comes ahead of the first anniversary end to post-election unrest back then and renewed the nation’s Last week, the Washington Post reported that an Israeli of the U.S. assassination in Baghdad of West Asia’s iconic allegiance to the Islamic establishment. submarine had embarked for the Persian Gulf as a warning anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimani, who The occasion is also known as the Dey 9 epic, which refers to to Iran and that Israel was preparing for a battle amid rising was the head of Iran’s Quds Force. the huge demonstrations held in the capital Tehran and other hostilities. An Iranian lawmaker has said Iran will consider the ar- our national security will be strong and massive,” spokesman cities on the ninth day of the Persian calendar month of Dey in Earlier this month, the U.S. military sent two B-52H rival of an Israeli submarine to the Persian Gulf “an act of for the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign support of the Islamic Republic. bombers to the Middle East on a short-notice mission. It aggression” and that Tehran will have the right to respond Policy Committee Abolfazl Amouei was quoted as saying by The million-strong rallies restored tranquility to the country also moved the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier back into the “Israel must know that our response to aggression against ’s Al Jazeera network. after months of political wrangling and foreign-backed riots, and ended what the Iranian authorities described as sedition ensuing the presidential election in June 2009. During the riots, a group of demonstrators offended the sanc- Region suffered enough from U.S. interventions: Tehran tities of the Iranian people on the day of Ashura, which marks the POLITICAL TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign by the interventions of the US outlaw regime.” U.S. ahead of the first anniversary of the as- Nasrallah said in an exclusive interview with martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia desk Imam and grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Ministry has said Iran will On January 3, U.S. President Donald sassination. al-Mayadeen television network. The unrest was orchestrated by Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein never forget or forgive the U.S. assassination Trump ordered drone strikes that martyred Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hez- “Hajj Qassem was a very special person on Musavi, two of the candidates who had lost the election, claiming of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, Major General Soleimani, chief of the IRGC bollah Resistance Movement Seyyed Hassan the humanitarian and moral levels… he had a that the results had been rigged. Both remain under house arrest on saying West Asia has suffered enough from Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the Nasrallah suggested on Sunday night that the special charisma and a strong ability to have charges of provoking the public and harming the national security. Washington’s interventions. deputy commander of Iraq’s Popular Mobili- assassination was carried out at the request of an influence on anyone who knows him,” he Each year, Iranians mark the occasion with rallies, but no such “By cowardly assassinating Gen Soleimani, zation Units (PMU). the Israeli and Saudi regimes. highlighted. events were scheduled for this year due to the coronavirus outbreak. US committed a grave mistake,” the Foreign Iran has vowed to target whoever had a “The criminal assassination of General “Militarily, Hajj Qassem was the frontline Ministry wrote in a tweet on Tuesday. role in the cowardly assassination of General Soleimani was not only an American crime, man not the man in the operation room, he was It added: “Iraqi MPs’ vote to expel US troops Soleimani, who was on a peace mission to Iraq but I believe that Israel and were the many of strategy and tactics… Politically is the beginning of the end of the malign presence when he was targeted by the U.S. military. culprits in this crime as well, even if their role and culturally, he was well-educated in vari- in our region. Our region has suffered enough Tensions have risen between Iran and the was just to provoke Washington to commit it,” ous fields,” the Hezbollah leader emphasized. Raisi calls U.S. clear example of ‘terrorist state’ 1 The U.S. cited at the time an imminent threat lution regarding the exit of the Americans [from Iraq] tion Center of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council, made posed by Soleimani against U.S. interests in the region. will guarantee the security of Iraq,” the top judge added. the announcement in a statement as he was explaining General Soleimani, however, was on a peace mission to Back in January, two days after the assassination, the latest developments related to the case. Iraq that was targeted by the U.S. military. the Iraqi parliament voted for a resolution requiring “The Iraqi Judiciary has made good progress in the Iran has vowed to target whoever had a role in the the government to order the withdrawal of U.S. troops investigation of this incident and intends to put a definite cowardly assassination of the general. from Iraq. end to it,” the senior judicial official said. ‘9th of Dey dashed ill-wishers’ hopes’ American political analyst Stephen Lendman has said “There is no need for the presence of American forces He said the Special Court of Inquiry has completed In a message issued on Tuesday, Iran’s Intelligence Minister “Trump provided no evidence of a Soleimani threat.” after defeating Daesh,” Ammar al-Shibli, a lawmaker sitting the case and collected all the evidence by gathering the Mahmoud Alavi congratulated Leader of the Islamic Revolution Lendman also said the claim by Trump that “he acted on the Iraqi Parliament legal committee, said at the time. statements and testimony of witnesses to the incident, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and the Iranian people on the in self-defense was a bald-faced Big Lie.” “We have our own armed forces which are capable such as the staff of the Baghdad International Airport occasion. Raisi said the United States is the common enemy of of protecting the country,” he added. and the security forces present there. On the Dey 9 epic, he said, the Iranian nation neutralized the the Iranian and Iraqi nations, saying the two neighboring A senior Iraqi judicial official said on Monday that Nouri added that the results obtained through the enemies’ conspiracies thanks to its “exemplary insight” and dashed countries should pursue the U.S.’s criminal assassination appropriate court orders will be issued in the coming days work of the investigation committee, review of relevant the ill-wishers’ hopes. through international legal channels. regarding the suspects in the January 3 assassination. footages and official statements issued by the Trump Iran, he said, is commemorating this historic day as the anniver- “The implementation of the Iraqi parliament’s reso- Haider Ali Nouri, a supervising member of the Informa- administration are being finalized. sary of the cowardly assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and his zealous companions by the blood-thirsty U.S. terrorist regime draws near and weeks after the martyrdom of [senior nuclear scientist] Mohsen Fakhrizadeh by the fake Israeli regime. EU, Germany and Biden administration agree that JCPOA is a win-win: Kimball Alavi also assured the nation that Iranian intelligence forces 1 Here is the text of the interview waivers effective when the IAEA confirms that future plans for its nuclear program, missile will spare no efforts to perform their tasks aimed at preserving with Kimball: Iran has once again fully met its obligations proliferation in the Middle East, and the res- and protecting lasting peace in the Islamic Republic. Biden wrote in a September op-ed for under the JCPOA. olution of destabilizing and deadly conflicts Army: Historic rallies eliminated sedition CNN that “I will offer Tehran a credible The EU foreign policy chief, Josep in the region, including the horrific war that Additionally, the Iranian Army released a statement on Tues- path back to diplomacy,” if he is elected Borrell, has stressed that the 28-mem- is devastating the people of Yemen. day, saying the occasion uprooted sedition fueled by internal and president. However, Trump is moving ber bloc remains intent on preserving Saudi Arabia says the Persian Gulf external elements and brought disgrace and defeat to the sworn quickly to increase sanctions against the nuclear deal but German Foreign Arab states must be consulted if the enemies of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran, policies that would be difficult for Minister Heiko Maas recently said that nuclear agreement is revived. What “The cunning enemy has over the past three decades tested all a new president to reverse. How could the 2015 deal was no longer enough is your view? ways against the great Iranian nation, including coups, imposed Biden overcome barriers? and a form of “nuclear agreement plus” Saudi Arabia is not a party to the JCPOA wars and cowardly assassinations, etc. In 2009, it wanted to With one of the key supporters of the JCPOA is needed, so how do you explain this and should be informed about developments transform the [Islamic] establishment and Revolution under entering the White House on January 20, the duality? relating to the JCPOA like any other member the mask of seeking democracy, protecting the popular vote United States and Iran and the other parties There is no “duality” at play here. The EU of the United Nations and the IAEA. [by] launching a soft revolution. This is while the Western to the agreement have an important opportu- toration of compliance with the terms and and Germany and the Biden administration Until such time as President Biden’s and powers have always supported the most dictatorial countries nity restore compliance with the agreement, obligations of the JCPOA. Biden, once sworn all agree that that full implementation and President Rouhani’s representatives can for- in the region and have on their hands the blood of innocent which will help restore confidence that Iran into office, can waive the application of the compliance with the JCPOA is a win-win, but it mally meet and work out an agreement on the people seeking democracy and fighting against tyranny,” the is not pursuing the development of nuclear nuclear-related sanctions that the United States is clear that the JCPOA does not address every process and sequencing for the United States statement read. weapons and will help provide the economic waived when Iran implemented its obligations security issue of concern to Iran and to other to rejoin the JCPOA and waive the relevant The people’s huge and spontaneous rallies on the Dey 9 and financial relief that the Iranian people were under the JCPOA in January 2016, as well JCPOA participants. Foreign Minister Maas sanctions, and for Iran to fully meet its JCPOA epic can be considered “a vaccine that insured the Islamic hoping for when the JCPOA was concluded as other duplicative sanctions imposed by is referring to the interest of his government, obligations, each side must avoid provocations Revolution in the face of domestic and foreign seditionist and in 2015. Mr. Biden’s public remarks clearly the Trump administration. Washington and and others, for a dialogue with Iran on other and statements and threats that could derail rioters,” it added. indicate that he supports a simultaneous res- Tehran might agree to make those sanctions issues of mutual concern, including Iran’s this important process. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y DECEMBER 30, 2020 IRAN IN FOCUS 3 SPORTS Russia rejects Germany’s Iranian Olympic, Paralympic medal winners’ bust unveiled

SPORTSTEHRAN – Bust of five Iranian Olympic and JCPOA plus offer desk Paralympic champions were unveiled on Tues- 1 He added, “We need this agreement third-party entities and individuals. 3. day at the Hall of Fame in Tehran. precisely because we distrust Iran. I have Resolve the compliance issues fairly and Sports and Youths Minister Masoud Soltanifar and Reza already coordinated with my French and impartially. 4. Properly handle regional Salehi Amiri, head of National Olympic Committee (NOC), were British counterparts on this.” security issues. China has proposed to es- present at the ceremony. But Russia said that there is no need to tablish a multilateral dialogue platform in The bust of Mokhtar Nourafshan, who won four gold medals expand the JCPOA in order to address other the [Persian] Gulf region to start an inclu- at the 1988, 1996 and 2000 Paralympic Games in discus and issues such as Iran’s missile program and its sive dialogue process to build consensus javelin events as well as two silver medals at the 1996 Paralympic regional influence because there are plenty on regional security issues through equal Games in discus and shot put and a bronze medal in discus in of formats to do so. Ryabkov alluded to at consultation and incremental progress, Hua 2004 Paralympics, was unveiled at the ceremony. least four such formats. Chunying, the spokeswoman for China’s The busts of Jafar Salmasi, the weightlifter who won Iran’s first “There are separate formats for JCPOA-un- Foreign Ministry, said in a thread Olympic medal at 1948 Summer Olympics, Abdollah Mojtabavi, related issues: security concept for the Persian following the ministerial meeting. 1952 Olympic Games bronze medalist (wrestling), Mohammadali Gulf by Russia; multilateral dialogue platform The European signatories to the JCPOA – Sanatkaran, 1964 Olympic Games bronze medalist (wrestling) by China; HOPE Initiative by Iran; dialogue France, Germany and the UK (E3) – agreed to and Askari Mohammadian, two-time silver medalist at the 1988 between European External Actions Service. drop their preconditions during the meeting, and 1992 Olympic Games in wrestling were also unveiled. Iran & others. But the key task - to restore according to Abolfazl Amouei, the spokes- In June, the busts of six Olympic and Paralympic champi- JCPOA as it is,” the Russia deputy foreign man for the Iranian Parliament’s National ons, namely Mahmoud Mollaghasemi (wrestling), Ali Mirzaei minister said. Security and Foreign Policy Committee. The (weightlifting), Mehdi Yaghoubi (wrestling), Emamali Habibi These formats were all presented to help spokesman said that Western countries have (wrestling), Mohammad Ebrahim Seifpour (wrestling) and late de-escalate tensions in the region. Russia reconsidered issues such as extending the Siamand Rahaman had been unveiled at the Hall of fame in Tehran. presented its “concept of collective security” JCPOA’s sunset clauses and regional issues, to the United Nations on July 23, 2019. Russia tion of Islamic Cooperation], GCC [Persian China once again presented its initiative which means the Europeans have effective- presented its initiative to the UN as tensions Gulf Cooperation Council],” the Russian during the recent JCPOA ministerial virtual ly abandoned their push to reach a nuclear soared in the region following the unilateral document said. meeting on December 21. The foreign min- agreement plus. Sanat Naft move top of IPL, withdrawal of U.S. President Donald Trump Russia has once again offered this initiative isters of Iran, China, France, Germany, the This change in European behavior has from the Iran nuclear deal. At that time, the in recent weeks. Russian Federation, and the United King- happened only after the Iranian Parliament Sepahan held by Machine Sazi Russian initiative was distributed as an official China also presented a similar initiative to dom, as well as the High Representative of passed a law that if implemented, would sub- SPORTSTEHRAN – Sanat Naft shared the spoils in a document approved by the United Nations. soothe tensions. The Chinese initiative was the European Union for Foreign Affairs and stantially increase Iran’s nuclear activities. desk1-1 draw with Saipa in Iran Professional League Russia’s state news agency TASS published first presented during a visit by Iranian Foreign Security Policy, attended the meeting dur- According to Amouei, nuclear law has (IPL) on Tuesday. some of the initiative’s contents shortly after Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to China in ing which Chinese Foreign Minister Wang forced the Europeans to abandon their push The Abadan based football team moved up top of the table it was distributed in the UN. October. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Yi offered to start a new process to resolve to expand the JCPOA – at least for now. with their away draw, one points above Gol Gohar who will host “Practical work on launching the process at the time that Beijing proposed to “build a regional security issues. The Guardian reported that the Europeans Esteghlal on Wednesday in Sirjan. of creating a security system in the Persian regional multilateral dialogue platform with Wang Yi made a 4-point proposal: have agreed not to set fresh preconditions Reza Jafari gave the hosts a lead in Tehran’s Dastgerdi Stadium Gulf may be started by holding bilateral and equal participation of all stakeholders.” The 1. Make relentless efforts to uphold the on a revival of the nuclear deal, believing but Sanat Naft forward Mohammad Ahleshakheh canceled out multilateral consultations between interested platform, China said, would enhance mutual JCPOA and firmly against the maximum Tehran and Washington should be able to his goal in the dying moments of the match. parties, including countries both within the understanding through dialogue and explore pressure. 2. Push for an early and uncon- come back into full compliance with the In Tabriz’s Bonyan Diesel Stadium, struggling Machine Sazi region and outside of it, UN Security Council, political and diplomatic solutions to security ditional U.S. return to the JCPOA. The agreement without at this stage needing to came from two goals down to claim a 3-3 draw against Sepahan. LAS [League of Arab States], OIC [Organiza- issues in the region. U.S. should lift sanctions on Iran and on accept to extend or strengthen it. Sepahan forward Sajad Shahbazzadeh scored twice from the penalty spot in the 23rd and 44th minutes and Georgian defender Giorgi Gvelesiani scored in the 35th minute. Ireland to do everything it can to preserve JCPOA at UN Security Council Machine Sazi forward Peyman Babaei scored a hat-trick of SPORTSTEHRAN — Ireland has said it will work she continued. penalties in the 38th, 59th and 76th minutes. deskto preserve a 2015 nuclear deal between Nason vowed that Ireland will work at the UN body to Iran and major world powers when it secures a seat on the UN ensure the survival of the JCPOA. Security Council in early January, vowing to do everything “As an EU country, Ireland will of course do everything it in its power to preserve the nuclear deal. can at the Security Council to preserve the JCPOA agreement,” Four Iranians shortlisted for Ireland will become a UN Security Council member from she pointed out, noting that Ireland sees the JCPOA as a 2020 January 1 alongside Norway. major diplomatic achievement and the best way to constrain Two weeks before Ireland takes its seat on the Security Iran’s nuclear program and to help bring peace to the region. SPORTSTEHRAN – Four Iranian players have been Council, Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland’s permanent rep- Nason stated, “Our long history of support for nuclear desknominated for the Best Footballer in Asia 2020, resentative to the UN, told the Oireachtas foreign affairs disarmament and non-proliferation allows us to play an im- presented by Titan Sports. committee that Ireland will work to preserve the Iran nuclear partial but principled role in the Council’s role on this issue.” Mehdi Taremi (Iran - Rio Ave & Porto), (Iran - deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of The Irish diplomat also addressed other issues related Zenit St. Petersburg), Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Iran - Persepolis) Action (JCPOA). to the West Asia region. She said that Ireland’s approach on and Shoja Khalilzadeh (Iran - Persepolis & Al Rayyan) are the “One key area we will watch very carefully will be Iran, 2021 is “likely to be a critical year and a difficult year for the the Security Council will be guided by three key principles: Iranian players in the list to vie for the accolade. and the future of the JCPOA nuclear deal, in the context Iran nuclear deal,” given Iran’s next presidential election. building peace, strengthening conflict prevention, and en- The Best Footballer in Asia 2020, recognizing the best male of possible U.S. re-engagement,” Nason said, adding that “The window for both sides to re-engage is narrowing,” suring accountability. footballer in Asia in 2020, is the 8th edition of the Best Footballer in Asia. Son Heung-min was awarded the best player of 2019. The List of Nominees: (Morocco) - Al Nassr, (Qatar) Russia has full right to seek technical-military cooperation with Iran: Lavrov - Al Sadd , Alex Teixeira (Brazil) - Jiangsu Suning , Andres Iniesta POLITICAL TEHRAN — Currently undoubtedly has the right to guarantee its that resolution said that the supply of arms (Spain) -, Bashar Resan (Iraq) – Persepolis, Bafetimbi deskthere is no restriction in defense capability, strictly adheres to its inter- to Iran and from Iran would be subject to Gomis (France) - Al Hilal , Daichi Kamada (Japan) - Eintracht the UN Security Council on the technical-mil- national obligations and follows the priority consideration by the Security Council and Frankfurt, Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Iran) – Persepolis, Hwang itary cooperation with Iran and that Russia of maintaining stability and security in the that on the 18th of October, 2020 this re- Hee-chan (Korea Rep.) - Red Bull Salzburg & RB Leipzig, Jaloliddin has every right to seek such cooperation with region,” the chief Russian diplomat noted. gime of sales to Iran would stop. There is no Masharipov (Uzbekistan) – Pakhtakor, Junior Negrao (Brazil) Iran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lav- Russia was a staunch supporter of Iran embargo and there would be no limitations - Ulsan Hyundai, Kaoru Mitoma (Japan) - , rov has said. during the Iran-U.S. showdown at the UN Se- whatsoever after the expiration of this time- Mathew Ryan (Australia) – Brighton, Mehdi Taremi (Iran) - Rio “At present, there are no restrictions in curity Council in September when the Trump frame established by the Security Council.” Ave & Porto, Mitch Langerak (Australia) - , the UN Security Council on technical-mili- administration sought to extend a UN arms Back in October, Lavrov’s deputy Sergey Safawi Rasid (Malaysia) - Johor Darul Ta’zim & Portimonense, tary cooperation with Iran. Our government embargo on Iran by triggering what came to Ryabkov said that his country was not afraid of Sardar Azmoun (Iran) - Zenit St. Petersburg , Shoja Khalilzadeh has a full right to interact in this direction,” be known as the snapback process, a legal questioned the U.S. push to extend the UN arms U.S. restrictions on Iran and will move forward (Iran) - Persepolis & Al Rayyan, Son Heung-min (Korea Republic) Lavrov said. mechanism built into the JCPOA which allows embargo on Iran. Lavrov had said that there with military cooperation with the country. - Tottenham , (Japan) - Real Mallorca & Villarreal, The Russian foreign minister made the a “JCPOA participant state” to restore all UN would be no limitations whatsoever on arms “Russia is not afraid of U.S. sanctions (Japan) – Bologna, (Japan) - remarks in an interview with the Russian sanctions, including the arms embargo, on supplies to and from Iran after the expiration because it is accustomed to them,” Ryabkov Stuttgart , Won Du-jae (Korea Republic) - Ulsan Hyundai and Sputnik news agency published on Tuesday. Iran in case it didn’t uphold its obligations of the UN arms embargo in September. said, adding, “Russia is developing multi-as- Yoon Bit-garam (Korea Republic) -Ulsan Hyundai “Russia’s military technology cooperation under the nuclear deal. Most of the Security “There is no such thing as an arms embargo pect cooperation with Iran and cooperation policy is fully compliant with international Council members said the U.S. had no legal against Iran. The Security Council, when it was in the military-technical sphere will proceed law and fully complies with Russian export right to trigger the mechanism because it adopting the comprehensive Resolution 2231, depending on needs of the parties and mu- control laws, which are one of the strictest withdrew from the JCPOA on May 8, 2018. which endorsed [the] Joint Comprehensive tual readiness to [move forward with] such AFC inspectors to travel to in the world,” Lavrov pointed out. But despite global opposition, the U.S. Plan of Action, which settled the nuclear issue cooperation in a calm fashion.” Iran: official He underlined that Russia will abide by triggered the process with no success be- for Iran, and this was adopted by consensus Following the expiration of the UN arms international laws in dealing with Iran. cause almost all members of the UN Security under the chapter 7 of the United Nations’ embargo in October, Iran has moved forward Tasnim – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) inspectors will “I repeat: during the implementation Council refused to acknowledge the legality charter,” Lavrov said in an interview with with arms cooperation with various countries travel to Iran within next three months to visit the stadiums, secretary of military technology cooperation with of the U.S. move. Alarabiya in September. and it even signed deals with countries in general of Iran Football Federation Mohammad Mehdi Nabi stated. the Islamic Republic of Iran, Russia, while Russia was one of these members which Lavrov added, “The Security Council in this regard. Iran is among the final four countries which have expressed its interest in hosting the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has published the AFC Persian Gulf militarization doesn’t benefit anyone, Iran insists Asian Cup 2027 Bid Books of the four Member Associations that remain in contention to host the AFC’s flagship competition – the POLITICAL TEHRAN — On Tuesday, Iranian gov- the spokesman said. “As we have stated many times, tion” in various spheres, Rabiei noted, “This cooperation All India Football Federation (AIFF), the Football Federation of desk ernment spokesman Ali Rabiei reiterat- including during the presentation of the Hormuz peace is going on at regional levels in addition to bilateral level. the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), the Qatar Football Associ- ed Tehran’s long-held stance that a militarization of the initiative, security in the Persian Gulf region must be The two countries’ common positions on the fight against ation (QFA) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). Persian Gulf serves no one’s interest, Iran’s state news secured by the coastal countries of this region. This is terrorism and extremism have provided a common ground “We had already submitted for hosting the AFC Asian Cup but we agency IRNA reported. the only way to achieve fair security for all countries and for regional cooperation, including in Syria.” had problems in terms of infrastructure. But we solved the problems Speaking at a weekly press briefing, the spokesman to ensure long-term peace and stability.” He also said that Iran is not responsible for what is and the final match of the 2018 AFC Champions League was held in underlined the need for the Persian Gulf region’s countries Rabiei pointed out that the region needs to avoid happening in Iraq, underlining that there are a lot of groups Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. We are ready to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup to ensure the security of the region without the presence militarization. that seek to end the occupation in line with their national since our stadiums have been strengthened since then,” Nabi said. of foreign troops. “We do not see the militarization of the Persian Gulf region and ethnic motives. “Their actions have nothing to do with Iran has previously hosted the 1968 and 1976 Asian Cups. Rabiei was responding to a question on the possibility in the interest of any country in the region or the world, Iran,” Rabiei asserted. that Iran establishes a joint military base with Russia and and we hope that the United States will finally abandon The government spokesman also warned of possible China in the Persian Gulf. its extraterritorial adventurism by abandoning its policy provocations and false flag operations in Iraq aimed at “Our friendly relations with Russia and China are at of interfering and sowing division among the countries tarnishing Iran’s image, adding that Iran will hold the Iran’s boys second at their peak, and we have no restrictions on deepening of the region,” the spokesman continued. U.S. regime and its regional clients responsible for these these relations in all political and economic aspects,” Underlining that Iran and Russia have “good coopera- operations. Asian University Chess Championship Sanctions on Iran ‘illegal,’ Turkey says IRNA – Iran finished in second place at the 2020 Asian University Chess Championship-Boys on Tuesday. POLITICAL TEHRAN — Sanctions Turkish-Russian talks and cooperation,” the because it purchased Russian-made S400 desk Iran and Indonesia earned 19.5 points but the Indonesian on Iran are “illegal” and a chief Turkish diplomat said, according to missile defense systems while the U.S. has team claimed the top spot with a better tie break. “wrong political decision,” Turkish Foreign Fars News agency. “We oppose sanctions imposed sanctions on Iran because it didn’t Kazakhstan came third with 17.5 points. Minister Mevlut Chavushoglu said on Tuesday. on any country…. We have reiterated many like a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and The 2020 Asian University Chess Championship-Girls came Speaking at a joint press conference with times that these sanctions are illegal. We also major world powers. to an end on December 17 with Iran ranking third. his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Cha- believe that sanctions against Iran are illegal Turkey has long said that the U.S. sanctions A total of 48 players participated in the event. vushoglu said that U.S. sanctions on Turkey and a wrong political decision.” on Iran are wrong. Last year, the Turkish The 2020 Asian University Chess Championship was hosted and Russia had no effect on the cooperation The United States has imposed sanctions foreign minister said in an interview with online by the National University Sports Federation with the between Moscow and Ankara. on Iran and Turkey, each under different pre- Aljazeera that Turkey considers U.S. restric- “We also consider Washington’s sanctions against Iran wrong,” he said at the time. help of the Chess Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran “The West’s sanctions have no effect on texts. The U.S. slapped sanctions on Turkey tions on Iran wrong. from December 27 to 29. I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 4 ECONOMY DECEMBER 30, 2020

Loading, unloading of goods rise in Anzali, Astara ports Why has Iran suddenly

ECONOMY TEHRAN — Loading and unloading of com- deskmodities in Iran’s northern Anzali and Astara ports have increased during the first nine months of the current reduced gas exports to Iraq? Iranian calendar year (March 20-December 20), compared to the same period of time in the past year, according to a provin- By Ebrahim Fallahi take actions for retaliation, that is to cut its cial official. exports using contract leverages. TEHRAN — Sharing a long border and an Iran slashed the amount of gas sent to its ancient cultural and religious heritage, Iran neighbor to five million cubic meters (mcm) and Iraq have become strong economic and from 50 mcm two weeks ago, Ahmed Moussa political allies since the fall of Saddam Hussein a spokesman for Iraq’s electricity ministry said in 2003 and Iran has played a significant role in an interview published on Monday. in meeting the Arab country’s energy needs. The Islamic Republic has also threatened Iraq relies heavily on Iranian gas to feed to further cut the gas supply to three million several power plants across the country, while cubic meters a day. This has increased the like- Iranian electricity exports also account for a lihood of electricity shortages and blackouts major part of the country’s power supply. Iran in Baghdad and other major cities. currently meets nearly 30 percent of Iraq’s daily Mutual efforts for resolving issues need to 14,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, Insisting on resolving the issue through while the country imports around 1.25 billion diplomatic measures, Iranian Energy Minister cubic feet per day (bcf/d) of gas through pipeline. Reza Ardakanian visited Iraq on Tuesday to The Islamic Republic, however, has recently meet with senior officials from the country and Mohammad-Mohsen Salimipour, the deputy head of Gilan slashed its gas exports to Iraq and has threatened discuss various issues including the country’s Province’s Ports and Maritime Department for the ports and further reduction due to the Arab country’s energy debts to Iran. economic affairs, put the amount of loading and unloading at failure to meet its payment obligations. Heading a high-ranking delegation, Arda- 1.184 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) at the mentioned ports Iraq has been claiming that the main reason deal in late 2017 to import gas from Iran to the Upon his arrival, Hemmati held talks with kanian arrived in Baghdad Tuesday morning during the nine-month period. for the country’s gas and electricity bills piling up eastern border province of Diyala, increasing his Iraqi counterpart Mustafa Ghaleb, making after which he met with Iraqi Electricity Minister The official said 1.033 million TEUs of goods have been loaded has been the banking problems created by the purchases of the Iranian fuel, which were re- headway in resolving the banking problems Majid Mahdi Hantush, the country’s Trade and unloaded at Anzali Port, which has been 38 percent more U.S. sanctions on the Islamic Republic, saying sumed in June 2017 after several years of hiatus. for settling the energy dues. Minister Alaa Al-Jabouri, and the Governor than the amount of the same period of time in the past year. the Iranian money is ready but it is frozen in The mentioned agreements have been ef- During the meeting, the Iraqi side assured of Iraq’s Central Bank Mustafa Ghaleb. At Astara Port, 151,000 tons of commodities have been loaded Iraqi state banks due to the sanctions. fective so far and despite all the pressures and the Iranian side that they were determined to During these meetings, the two sides dis- and unloaded, with a 27-percent rise year on year, he added. These claims, however, contradict the the economic hardships that the sanctions and resolve banking issues between the two coun- cussed bilateral monetary relations and explored Located in Gilan Province, north of Iran, Anzali Free Trade-In- fact that the U.S. has wavered Iraq to import the coronavirus pandemic created for Iran, tries and the debts will be paid soon. ways for resolving the existing banking and dustrial Zone is the sole free zone in the southern part of the Iranian gas and electricity, which means the the country has been constantly fulfilling its The two sides also reached an agreement monetary problems to establish a payment Caspian Sea with an area of 9,400 hectares and 40 kilometers Iraqi government would be able to use legal contract obligations, while Iraq on the other based on which the Iranian assets frozen in mechanism for settling the debts. shoreline. financial facilities to pay its energy debts to hand has been constantly falling behind on the Iraqi banks would be used to purchase Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening, Seyed Ha- It is one of the country’s seven free trade-industrial zones. Iran despite the sanctions. its payments. basic goods and medicine to be imported to mid Hosseini, a board member of Iran-Iraq Located on the North-South International Corridor, having Iran’s energy exports to Iraq Iraq’s energy debts to Iran have piled up Iran through Iraq. Joint Economic Committee, told IRNA that a special position in connection with the Caspian littoral states, Given Iraq’s need for natural gas for con- to more than $6 billion, of which $3 billion “We reached good agreements to release Iraq’s debt to Iran for electricity import has proximity to the ports of Astrakhan and Lagan in Russia, Aktau in sumption in power plants, negotiations on im- is claimed to be blocked and inaccessible in the financial resources of the Central Bank and been paid based on an electricity-for-goods Kazakhstan, and Baku in Azerbaijan, access through convenient porting Iranian gas were started in late 2010 the [state-owned] Trade Bank of Iraq (TBI). use it to secure the import of essential goods mechanism, and the consignment of the goods routes to the consumer markets of CIS countries, and proximity while a contract for gas sales to Baghdad was Empty promises and pressured for our country,” Hemmati said in October will be entered into Iran by the next days. to Rasht International Airport are some advantages of Anzali sealed in June 2013. penalty after visiting Iraq. Hopefully this time the Iraqi government will Free Zone. The two countries also inked the agreement Following Iraq’s continuous promises of However, more than two months after the decide more reasonably and take the necessary Astara Port is 60 hectares and it is the first port of the private for the deployment of natural gas to in settling dues, the Governor of the Central Bank mentioned agreement, the Iraqi side did not measures to resolve the mentioned problems sector in Iran. It is the closest and the most cost-effective way October 2015, but the exports were halted due of Iran (CBI) Abdolnasser Hemmati visited materialize the document. and to safeguard a long-lasting relationship for trade and transport between Asia, Africa, and Europe. It has to payment issues. the country in early October to discuss ways This led to frustration on the Iranian side, which has withstood numerous ups and downs been designed for loading and unloading 2,500-ton freighters. Later on, the Iraqi government approved a for resolving the issue. leaving the government with no choice but to so far. Located by the Caspian Sea, Astara has sea, land, and railway borders points with the Azerbaijan Republic. Even during the coronavirus outbreak, the port is considered one of the main points for Iran’s export and import. Agricultural exports increase 20% in 9 months ECONOMY TEHRAN — The value of Iran’s agri- Over 4.3 million people are currently active in various deskcultural exports has risen 20 percent in fields of the mentioned sector, according to the minister. There are 4,000 idle mines in Iran the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year Iran exported over $3.842 billion worth of agricultural ECONOMY TEHRAN — As the Industry, Mining and (March 20-December 20) compared to the same period of products in the first eight months of the current Iranian deskTrade Ministry has announced there are time in the past year, Agriculture Minister Kazem Khavazi calendar year (March 20-November 20), 13 percent more 4,000 idle mines throughout the country. announced. than the previous year’s same period. As announced by the ministry, from the 5,600 active mines Speaking in a parliament open session on Tuesday, Kha- The country also exported about 7.104 million tons of of Iran, 400 million tons of minerals are averagely extracted vazi noted that 6.1 million tons of agricultural products were agricultural and foodstuff products valued at $5.8 billion per annum. exported in the mentioned period, 22 percent more than in the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19). The figure was 410 million tons in the previous Iranian the figure for the previous year’s same time span. In the mentioned period, over 6.941 million tons of ag- calendar year (ended on March 19, 2020). According to the official, some 889,000 tons of horti- ricultural and foodstuff products worth $6.392 billion were In mid-October, the pre- cultural products were exported to foreign destinations in also imported into the country. vious head of Iranian Mines the mentioned nine months, registering a 38 percent rise in Watermelons, apples, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and be able to expand the country’s agricultural exports. and Mining Industries De- terms of weight and a 43 percent increase in terms of value. shallots were the top five exported products in the previous Khavazi had earlier said that the agriculture sector ac- velopment and Renovation He further noted that the agriculture ministry is negotiating year in terms of weight, while in terms of value, pistachios, counts for nearly eight percent of the country’s gross domestic Organization (IMIDRO) had with new trade partners including members of the Eurasian apples, tomatoes, pistachio kernels, and watermelons were product (GDP) which is about $40 billion. announced that 157 idle small- Economic Union (EAEU) to conclude trade agreements to the five major exported items. scale mines had been revived throughout the country since the beginning of the current Units of 2nd ETF to be offered Tire price increases highly 2 times Iranian calendar year (March likely in next March since late March 20). Saying that the mentioned ECONOMY TEHRAN — Finance change, was the first fund from a series of ECONOMY TEHRAN — The price increasing the amount of investment making mines had been reactivated as deskand Economic Affairs three ETFs, through them shares of some deskof tire has increased two for the production of the tire in the country part of a comprehensive pro- Minister Farhad Dejpasand said that the state-owned organizations and companies times in Iran during the current Iranian calendar is a necessity. gram for reviving idle small units of the second exchange-traded fund are planned to be offered. year (started on March 20), the chairman of Kamran Kargar, the acting head of plan- mines across the country, (ETF) will be offered by the end of the cur- The shares to be offered via the men- Tehran Association of Tire and Oil Sellers stated. ning, supplying, and market regulating office Khodadad Gharibpour also rent Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2021), tioned Iranian ETFs belong to those govern- Davoud Sa’adati-Nejad said the tire price of the ministry, said the consumption of tires announced that 200 mines were planned to be put back into if the condition is prepared. mental bodies defined in Iran’s privatization rose 30 percent one time and 50 percent the is noticeable in Iran due to the country’s big operation by the end of the year. “We are trying to accelerate the transfer program, a comprehensive plan seriously next time in this year. transportation fleet. As reported, under the framework of the mentioned pro- of ownership and management of state- followed up by the government to downsize It is while, as reported, production of the “Now the ground is properly prepared for gram, 672 idle mines have been identified and prioritized in owned companies to the private sector”, and reduce its role in the economy. tire in Iran has risen 20 percent during the first the production of light and heavy vehicle tires the current Iranian calendar year, and diagnostic procedures the minister emphasized. The second ETF (dubbed First Refin- eight months of the current Iranian calendar in the country, and investment making will play have been performed on 194 mines to determine the reasons The secondary trades of the units of the ery, or Dara Second), which holds gov- year (March 20-November 20), compared to a significant role both for the establishment for the halt in their production. second ETF had finally begun in Tehran ernment shares in four major oil refining the same period of time in the past year. of new production units and for launching According to Gharibpour, since the beginning of the pro- Stock Exchange (TSE) on December one. companies, namely Tehran Oil Refining Some 175,650 tons of tires have been development projects”, the official noted. gram in March 2019 up to date 303 mines had been revived. In May, the Iranian government sold Company, Isfahan Oil Refining Company, produced during the eight-month period of Having an annual production capacity shares in three banks and two insurance Tabriz Oil Refining Company and Bandar this year. of 426,000 tons of tire, Iran accounts for companies via the first exchange-traded Abbas Oil Refining Company, was offered In terms of number, a 23-percent growth 41 percent of tire output in the West Asian Households consume over fund (dubbed Dara First). on August 26. has been also achieved. region, according to the deputy director of Dara First, listed on Tehran Stock Ex- The government owns 20 percent of In early August, an official with Iran’s -In the non-metal industries office of the Iranian 80% of produced gas change, which is Iran’s major stock ex- shares in each refinery. dustry, Mining, and Trade Ministry said that Industry, Mining, and Trade Ministry. ECONOMY TEHRAN — Over 80 percent of Iran’s deskproduced gas is currently consumed by the household subscribers, which is an unprecedented figure, Pakistan seeking expansion of trade ties with Iran the dispatching director of National Iranian Gas Company ECONOMY TEHRAN — Pakistan’s and the new date for the meeting will be country is eager for expanding trade ties with the second border crossing between the two (NIGC) announced. deskAdvisor to Prime Minister announced soon.” Iran, saying: “The Islamic Republic of Iran neighbors. Mohammad-Reza Jolaei said, “Since the beginning of the on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak He underlined his country’s new poli- and the expansion of trade and commerce Considering Pakistan’s relatively large current Iranian calendar month (December 21), and the cold Dawood said on Monday his country is seeking cies for facilitating trade with neighbors, with the country is very important for Pa- consumer market, expansion of trade with weather in the country, gas consumption has increased and to enhance ties with the Islamic Republic of including Iran and Afghanistan, and stressed: kistan, so our focus is on developing trade the country and boosting exports to its mar- we have faced a growth of 27 percent in this due.” Iran, especially in economic areas, IRNA “The barriers for trade with our country are and bringing it to a desirable level.” ket has become one of Iran’s priorities in The NIGC managing director has recently warned about the reported. gradually being removed, we are pursuing Praising the opening of the second offi- recent years. rising trend of gas consumption in the country as the winter Mentioning his upcoming visit to Tehran the same approach with Iran.” cial border with Iran, the advisor said the Iran’s exports to Pakistan in the past has come. for attending the two countries’ ninth Joint “Our relations with Iran are improving Pakistani government is keen on developing Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19) Hasan Montazer Torbati said, “The current situation is Economic Committee meeting, Dawood and we hope that the development of the border markets and infrastructure with Iran. stood at $1.18 billion, but in the meantime, a warning step to consider the issue of optimizing energy said: “This meeting was due to be held in two countries’ economic ties will go beyond The Rimdan-Gabd border was officially financial and banking problems have still consumption in parallel with the increase in gas production October but following the escalation of the political relations,” he added. inaugurated on December 19 in the presence created obstacles in the way of trade relations because we will see an increase in consumption every year coronavirus spread the event was postponed The official further emphasized that his of officials from the two countries, becoming with this country. and gas supply to industries will be limited and condition will worsen every year.” “This year, we saw the spread of the coronavirus to the point that even in the summer, gas consumption increased Iranian energy minister visits Iraq to discuss trade issues even more because the consumption of hot water increased, ECONOMY TEHRAN – Iranian Energy Minister in power sectors. In this meeting, the officials discussed bilateral monetary and according to expert analysis, this is part of the reason for deskReza Ardakanian visited Iraq on Tuesday Ardakanian, who is also the chair of the two countries