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POLITICS Page 2 • Iran condemns G7 statement, calls it baseless • Iranian military warns against fabricating stories 8 Pages | Price 50,000 Rials | 1.00 EURO | 4.00 AED | 43rd year | No. 14008 | Sunday | AUGUST 8, 2021 | Mordad 17, 1400 | Dhul Hajjah 28, 1442 • IRAN IN FOCUS Page 3 • Iran says raising Kurdistan flag at Tehran airport was mistake • Iran diplomat lambasts Israel at UN Security Council U.S., Uk Launch Campaign of • Iran’s lack of preparation for World Cup qualifiers ECONOMY Page 4 • About 10,000 km of railway projects Page 3 STAY UPDATED #FalseFlagOperation under study Bullying Against Iran • Iran’s largest silo to go operational next fiscal yea Interview • Domestic contractors able to construct 1m housing units per year By M. A. Saki TOURISM Page 6 • Golestan Palace: one of the top things Yazidis still to do in Tehran • Iranian handicrafts: Namakdan-Bafi suffering from SOCIETY Page 7 repercussions • Spikogen vaccine enters third phase of clinical trial of ISIS crimes: • 32 eco-schools being built for energy management Yazidi activist CULTURE Page 8 • “No Place for Angels” takes top place TEHRAN – The Yazidis in Iraq are still suffering from the repercussions of ISIS crimes, a Yazidi ac- at Independent Celebration of Iranian tivist says. Documentary Cinema On 3 August 2014, ISIL militants attacked and • Actress Mahchehreh Khalili’s awards, took over Sinjar in northern Iraq, a Kurdish-con- personal effects donated to Film trolled town that was predominantly inhabited by Museum of Iran Yazidis. Iran wraps up “On the 3rd of August 2014, the Yazidi regions and villages in Iraq were subjected to the most Tokyo 2020 with heinous massacre, abuse, kidnapping, mass and individual killing, chases, theft, land confiscation, Op-ed crop burning, house demolitions, selling of women and children, killing of men and youth, and brain- seven medals By Abir Bassam washing of teenagers to change their religion and their ideas,” Murad Yazidi tells the Tehran Times. Reuters “All this and more have been exercised against The maritime and four bronze medals in the previous edition in Rio. er Mahmoud Namdjou, who was 38 when he took the Yazidis systematically, some crimes of which Report are still continuing, as more than 3,000 children Shooter Javad Foroughi won Iran’s first medal in bronze at the 1956 Melbourne Games. attacks in Oman and women are still missing or held in the terrorist the Games in the men’s 10-meter air pistol. It was Iran’s first medal in shooting in the history camps,” the Yazidi activist adds. By Masoud Hossein Foroughi set an Olympic record with 244.8 of Olympics. Yazidis, an ethnoreligious minority group of TEHRAN – Iranian athletes won seven medals – points, finishing 6.9 ahead of silver medalist Damir Greco-Roman wrestler Mohammadreza Ger- Gulf; what lies about 550,000 people, mostly reside in northern three golds, two silvers, two bronzes – at the 2020 Mikec of Serbia. China’s Pang Wei, the 2008 gold aei claimed the second gold for Iran. He defeated Iraq, an area also populated by Kurds and Arabs. Olympic Games in Tokyo. medalist, took bronze. Ukraine’s Parviz Nasibov 9-1 in the men’s Gre- behind the bushes ISIS regards the Yazidis as “devil worshippers” The Iranian delegation had won three gold, one silver The 41-year-old Foroughi surpasses weightlift- co-Roman 67kg final bout. Page 3 who must either renounce their religious views or On the 30th of July, Yediot Aharonot reported die. an attack on the “Israeli” Ship “Mercer Street”, an oil tanker. It was attacked at night in Oman’s Gulf According to international organizations, ISIS Iran’s new president holds talks with OPEC secretary general and two crew members were killed. The attack was was responsible for the killing and abduction of TEHRAN - New Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim of some powers to weaken the position of OPEC nization would become more active and construc- followed by tales of hijacking the “Asphalt Prin- roughly 9,900 Yazidis and destroying 68 Yazidi Raisi hosted a meeting with the Secretary-Gener- and noted that the OPEC secretariat should con- tive in the future and the members would be more cess” on the 3rd of August, which is an industrial shrines in 2014. al of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting sider the rights and interests of its members as the coordinated and cooperative. ship. And then again, the Marine Traffic reported When the terrorist group entered the Yazidi an- Countries (OPEC) Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo in basis for adopting all measures and mechanisms. “The OPEC Secretariat should play a more ac- the disappearance of “Golden Brilliant”. Both ships cestral city of Sinjar on Aug. 3, 2014, they murdered Tehran on Friday, Shana reported. “The Islamic Republic of Iran, as an effective tive role for coordinating between member and were in the Gulf of Oman near Fujairah port in UAE. roughly 5,000 men and boys and enslaved thou- Barkindo briefed Raisi on the condition of the member of OPEC, emphasizes on promoting the non-member countries,” the president stressed. The U.S., Britain, and Israel mainly pointed the fin- sands of women and children. Page 5 gers at Iran and Arab liberation movements, main- global oil market and emphasized the significant global position of this organization and promoting Iran completely ready to return to oil market role of the Islamic Republic of Iran as one of the its role in managing the global energy market,” he ly Hezbollah, for the suspected incident. On the same day, Barkindo also met with the founders of this organization which has always stated. It is not a complicated issue to grasp when Is- outgoing Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zan- played a key and constructive role in the oil market. rael is involved. It is a regime that is striving to Congratulating the 60th anniversary of OPEC ganeh to discuss the oil market and the possibility Opinion prove its right of existence as part of the region. In the meeting, Raisi also referred to the efforts establishment, Raisi expressed hope that the orga- of Iran’s return to the market. Page 4 Therefore, the history and the presence of this il- By Faranak Bakhtiari legitimate regime are full of evidence that shows its criminality against its own people and others. IRGC general: Anything is justified for the sake of getting more Borderless sympathy and support from its operators, mainly Enemies will face Britain and the United States, who take turns in collaboration playing this role. Since Iran has declared the establishment of its “tough response” new oil pipes line, it is currently able to refill its for a borderless oil tankers without the need to pass through the if they test Iran Strait of Hormuz. No one was pleased. Iran’s oil disaster exports no longer pass under the observation of TEHRAN — The head of the aerospace force the American military bases in the Arab countries TEHRAN – Sand and dust storms (SDSs) are of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) in the (Persian) Gulf. blowing thousands of kilometers in and out of the has warned the enemies against any aggressive The “giant project” was launched on the 20th national borders of 150 countries these days, and behavior against Iran, saying that if they test of July. It is aimed to transport oil from Bushehr their statelessness necessitates negotiations for Iran’s strength again, they will face a “tough province to Jask port in Hormuzgan province and political intervention between several countries. response”. enabled Iran to avoid transiting oil through the Sand and dust storms are common meteoro- Resistance Axis and Iran: Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh made Strait of Hormuz. This step has saved the oil tanker logical hazards in arid and semi-arid regions. They the remarks on Saturday after Israel and 1000 miles of navigation. are usually caused by thunderstorms – or strong A new chapter certain Western countries accused Tehran of It was a major economic leap for Iran. Howev- pressure gradients associated with cyclones – president.ir attacking an Israeli tanker abandoned off the er, the attacks on ships started at the end of July, which increase wind speed over a wide area. coast of Oman. which coincided with the inauguration of Mr. Ibra- These strong winds lift large amounts of sand TEHRAN — In separate meetings with leaders Movement Ziyad al-Nakhalah on Friday evening, They have failed to provide any evidence to con- him Raisi’s assumption of power. Page 5 and dust from bare, dry soils into the atmosphere, of the Axis of Resistance, Iranian President Seyyed Raisi stressed the need to support the oppressed firm their claims against Iran. Tehran has denied transporting them hundreds to thousands of kilo- Ebrahim Raisi reiterated Iran’s unwavering sup- people of Palestine against aggression and mur- any involvement in the incident and categorically meters away. port for the Resistance Axis, lauding their fruitful der, and stated, “The Islamic Republic of Iran has no refuted the unfounded allegations. COVID-19 The main sources of this mineral dust are the moves and tactics. Speaking in a meeting with the doubt in supporting Palestine and we will defend Hajizadeh said, “The Islamic Republic has arid regions of Northern Africa, the Arabian Penin- secretary general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad the rights of these oppressed people.” Page 2 passed the test and does not need to retest, but it sula, Central Asia, and China. Comparatively, Aus- can retest Iran if it wants.” Page 2 vaccination of tralia, America, and South Africa make minor, but still important, contributions. foreign students Global estimates of dust emissions, mainly de- Susa: get to know Iran’s legendary ruined city rived from simulation models, vary about two bil- TEHRAN – Ancient Susa is one of Iran’s most been continuously inhabited since 4,200 BC placing decline by favoring Babylon and shortly after, fol- lion tons per year, about 27 percent of which origi- treasured sights. The UNESCO-designated city, now it among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in lowing a revolt, the city was burnt to the ground. to begin in weeks nates in Asia-Pacific. flanked by the modern city of Shush, formerly be- the world. In addition, there are traces at Susa of a Subsequently rebuilt by Sapor II (309-379 CE), it TEHRAN – The vaccination of foreign nation- Currently, dust storms are a major challenge to longed to the Elamite, Persian, and Parthian empires. village inhabited around 7,000 BC and painted pot- was renamed Iranshahr Shapur and later helped als who are studying at Iranian universities will sustainable development, especially in arid and Situated in the lower Zagros mountain range, tery dating from ca. 5,000 BC at the site. in the resistance against the Arab invasion of 645. start in the next Iranian calendar month (August semi-arid regions, where more than 151 countries around 250 kilometers east of the Tigris river and be- Artifacts discovered at the site include carved After the fall of the Achaemenid Empire and the 23-September 22) along with Iranian students, are directly affected, and 45 countries are classi- tween the Kharkeh and Dez rivers, Susa is identified as cylinder seals, jewelry, clay balls, and clay tablets reign of Alexander the Great, who married in Susa, according to the National Headquarters for Coro- fied as SDS source areas, according to UNCCD. Shushan in the Book of Esther and other Biblical books. with cuneiform inscriptions recording business the city became part of the Seleucid empire. It was navirus Control. Dust storm belts range from the Sahara Desert It was once the winter residence of Persian kings transactions, political history, and mathematical now called Seleucia on the Eulaeus. A palace in “Some 57,675 foreign nationals from 133 coun- and West Asia to the Great Desert of India and the after having been captured by Cyrus the Great. calculations. Greek style was erected, next to Darius’ palace. The tries are studying in Iranian universities, many of deserts of central latitudes of Central Asia, Chi- Susa became part of the Persian Empire under It is said that Alexander of Macedonia captured administrative center, however, was in the south- whom have returned to their country with the out- na, and Mongolia. Thus, with such a wide range Cyrus II, the Great in 538 or 539 BC. Susa in 330 BC and plundered the city, seizing ern part of the city, where nearly all Greek and Par- break of the pandemic,” Afshin Akhoundzadeh, an thian inscriptions were discovered. In the Parthian of cross-border effects, managing dust storms Archaeological evidence suggests that Susa has some 40,000 talents of gold and silver from the official at the Organization of Student Affairs has requires global and regional cooperation. Page 7 treasury. Alexander the Great initiated Shushan’s age, the city minted coins. Page 6 said. Page 7 POLITICS Resistance Axis and Iran:

AUGUST 8, 2021 Straight Truth A new chapter 2 TEHRAN TIMES Iran asks for unraveling hidden dimensions of Mazar-e-Sharif incident

TEHRAN — On the 23rd anniversary of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as in martyrdom of Iranian diplomats in Mazar-e-Shar- the past, stand with their brothers and sisters in if, the Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement Afghanistan and help find a solution to end more asking for the clarification of the truth behind the than four decades of ruthless war and protect the terrorist incident. achievements of the Afghan people, and the blood of thousands of martyrs. The statement reads as follows: Ziyad al-Nakhalah (L) in meeting with Raisi Falih Alfayyadh (L) meets with Raisi Naim Qassem (L) meets with Raisi “The 8th of August is a reminder of one of the The Islamic Republic of Iran, while commemo- bitterest days for the diplomatic apparatus of the rating the martyrs of this incident and strongly From page 1 The president described the sole way for victory against the Zionists, “The Zi- front. Islamic Republic of Iran. 23 years ago, on such a condemning the terrorist act, continues to pursue Islamic Jihad as an influential group in defend- onist regime has not honored any of the contracts For his part, Sheikh Qassem relayed regards day, Iranian diplomats and a journalist were cow- the clarification of the hidden dimensions of this ing the rights of the Palestinian people and said, and treaties it has signed, and those seeking the from Hezbollah Secretary General Seyed Hassan ardly martyred at the Consulate General of the case as a definite demand of the Iranian govern- “Today, the power to determine the fate of Pales- normalization of ties with that regime will soon Nasrallah. ment and people. tine is in the hands of the warriors and resistance admit their mistake,” Raisi pointed out. Islamic Republic of Iran in Mazar-e-Sharif, Af- He also noted that despite the difficult social ghanistan,… in violation of international laws and Finally, the ministry reiterates its call on all groups, and this will continue until the final victo- Raisi lauds Hezbollah for reaction against Zi- ry is achieved.” conditions in Lebanon, the resistance current is treaties, and Islamic and human logic. parties to the war in Afghanistan to end the onist aggression in good situation because of genuine unity with International sympathy is with the people and conflict and fratricide and seek a solution in the Noting that the final victory belongs to the right Praising Hezbollah for displaying a successful people. negotiations, and continue to facilitate and host front, Raisi stated, “The wrong front is desperate government of Iran in the wake of this terrorist model of resistance, President Raisi said the Leb- Sheikh Qassem also described Hezbollah as incident and the expression of special sympa- these talks.” and helpless against the right front in Gaza, de- anese resistance movement has acted success- spite having armed and material power.” the only group that has been able to maintain its thy from the oppressed people of Afghanistan On August 8, 1998, Taliban forces captured fully in standing against the Zionist enemy and unity with people in Lebanon against the Zionist who were themselves victims of blind terrorism, Mazar-i-Sharif. After seizing the city, 11 Iranian In the meeting, Islamic Jihad leader al-Na- Takfiri groups. enemy’s acts of aggression and plots. highlights another shining manifestation of the diplomats and a correspondent from Iran’s state khalah also congratulated Ayatollah Raisi on his In a meeting with Hezbollah Deputy Secretary “PMF is a great support for Iraq’s progress” deep ties between the peoples of the two coun- news agency IRNA were attacked at the Iranian victory on behalf of the Palestinian people and General Sheikh Naim Qassem on Friday, Raisi said tries. The ties that have always been formed amid consulate and subsequently disappeared. Unoffi- resistance warriors, saying, “The Islamic Republic Speaking in a meeting with the Chairman of unjust wars against the oppressed people of Af- cial reports from the city indicated that all these of Iran has become a model in the world for the Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Falih ghanistan, reiterate the mutual support of the men were killed. Later it was confirmed that 8 of peaceful transfer of power, while we witnessed a Alfayyadh on Friday evening, Raisi praised the Iranian people for their oppressed Afghan broth- the Iranian diplomats and the IRNA correspon- chaos in America a few months back.” valuable role of the mobilization forces in the co- ers and sisters. dent were killed. The Taliban spokesmen said the He pointed out, “The message of your speech hesion and unity of Iraq and defending the peo- The deep and true ties between the two nations Iranians had been killed by renegade forces who on the day of the inauguration was to support ple against terrorist groups. had acted without orders. The final death toll “ of Iran and Afghanistan leave no choice but to rights, justice and the oppressed, and we will be “Hezbollah has been able to “The initiative of the people in forming the was confirmed later to be 11 according to Tehran adopt constructive approaches that aim to ensure by the side of Islamic Iran until the liberation of display effective deterrence popular mobilization forces was a smart move the interests of both countries. The people and Times. Holy Quds.” that have had –and will have- many blessings in the face of the Zionist en- “We have never had and will never have any for the country and the Iraqi people,” President emy, the Takfiri groups, and Raisi remarked. Military dismisses false statements, warns Iran doubt in backing Palestinians’ rights” In the meeting with Haniyeh, Raisi reaffirmed the overt and covert seditions The president added, “The popular mobili- that Iran will continue to support Palestine as the in general,” Iranian President zation is a great support for the development will not allow military engagement in region main issue of the Muslim world. and progress of Iraq and defending the people Ebrahim Raisi notes. against the conspiracies and plots of foreigners, “We have never had and will never have any just as what Imam Khomeini did in Iran.” TEHRAN— A senior spokesman for the Irani- chi said that such a move showed the enemy’s doubt about this policy. In our view, Palestine an Armed Forces General Staff dismissed false fear for the integrity of the Islamic Republic. has been and will be the first issue of the Muslim Raisi also commemorated the memories of martyrs Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi statements made by the United States about “The United States has not participated in the world,” he noted. recent attacks on Israeli-operated tankers in the Al-Muhandis, saying, “Thanks to the blood of interaction in the past and currently. They have Raisi also commended Haniyeh’s optimistic ” these martyrs and other martyrs of the resis- Sea of ??Oman, warning enemy Iran that it will been trying to overthrow the Iranian government. stance on the liberation of al-Quds and the end of the approach adopted by the resistance groups not allow any possible military contact to break including Hezbollah against the arrogant powers tance, the relations between the two nations will As long as the Americans are under the influence the occupation of Palestine, saying “Operation al- be deeper and stronger.” out in the region. of the Zionist regime, their approach of dealing Quds Sword” - the Palestinian resistance groups’ has turned into a successful and inclusive model. On Saturday, Brigadier General Abolfazl with Iran will not change,” he said. 11-day retaliatory rocket and missile launches in “Hezbollah has been able to display effective For his part, PMU chief Falih Alfayyadh also Shekarchi condemned in an interview with jour- response to Israel’s brutal bombing campaign on deterrence in the face of the Zionist enemy, the congratulated Ayatollah Raisi on his election vic- The general warned that although the strate- tory. nalists the story fabricated by the U.S., Israeli and gies of the United States, Britain, and Israel are Gaza in May - showed that a great leap has been Takfiri groups, and the overt and covert seditions Saudi media outlets about Iran’s involvement in based on creating insecurity, the Saudi media made in the fight against the occupiers. in general,” the Iranian president added. He also referred to the impact of General the recent attack on the Mercer Street oil tanker, have also joined them, intensifying fear of Iran, “Today, signs of great victory of the resistance He said the hope for resistance that Hezbollah Soleimani’s “courage and blood” on the deep which was an attempt to contribute to the Irano- adding that Iran’s strategy is to strengthen the movement have emerged and Operation al-Quds has created among the nations has prompted bond between the two nations of Iran and Iraq, phobia. security of the Persian Gulf. Sword was one of the signs of this victory,” he the enemies to halt the promotion of such work- saying, “The people of Iraq respect martyr Qa- ssem Soleimani, and he has become a symbol of Commander also warned that in the event of a He also refuted the United States’ claim that added. able model with every possible means and that military confrontation with the enemy, Iran will is why the adversaries are restricting or blocking the heartfelt relationship between the two na- the wreckage of an Iranian drone was recovered Also, in the meeting with the PFLP officials, the tions.” not allow a battle zone to form in its surrounding from the water after the Mercer Street attack, new Iranian president described resistance as the the media outlets affiliated with the resistance areas. saying that it is not clear which laboratory exam- “If we are going to fight the (military) enemy, ined such undocumented evidence. we will make a clear announcement, just as we The commander pointed out that for Zionists did in Ein al Assad,” the general added, noting that who have a long experience in such operations, IRGC general: Enemies will face “tough response” Iran launched a large-scale missile strike on U.S. it is not difficult to fabricate untenable evidence. air bases in Iraq in January 2020, in retaliation for “It’s not even difficult to create an explosion on a the assassination of Iran’s top commander, Lieu- ship,” he said. if they test Iran tenant General Qassem Soleimani. The unity and solidarity of Iran’s Islamic insti- General Shekarchi denied the recent enemy tutions angered the United States, and the Unit- story about Iran’s role in the attack on Israeli ed States fabricated such stories as a way to in- From page 1 “They let us stand the test The Israeli-operated ship Mercer Street was ships. As part of the psychological action, Shekar- crease pressure on Iran, Shekrachi added. and know the answers they will face. We have attacked off the coast of Oman on July 29 while both the power and the will to exercise pow- traveling from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to the er. We will definitely respond harshly and they United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah. The oil Ambassador calls accusations against Iran over cannot make such a mistake,” the general add- tanker, managed by Israeli shipping magnate ed. Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Maritime, was reportedly at- suspicious attack on Israeli tanker ‘delusional’delusional According to reports, on July 29, the Libe- tacked by suicide drones. Zodiac Maritime said rian-flagged Mercer Street operated by the two crewmen, a British and Romanian national, died in the attack. TEHRAN - Iran’s ambassador to Paris on Friday that has the most coastline with the Persian Gulf Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime Company was rejected as “delusional” accusations against Tehran and the Sea of Oman and enjoys several thousand suspiciously hit near the island of Masirah, “With profound sadness, we understand the regarding a suspected drone attack on an Israe- years of civilization - has always made great efforts Oman. Two crew members were killed in the incident onboard the M/T Mercer Street on 29 li-managed oil tanker. throughout its history to strengthen regional peace incident. July, 2021 has resulted in the deaths of two crew members on board,” the UK-based Israeli The comments by Bahram Qassemi comes as the and stability and protect security of the Persian Gulf “Don’t test us” He noted, “In any case, we know how to send and freedom of navigation. company said in a statement on Friday after- a message to Iran in our own way.” Israeli regime along with certain Western countries In similar remarks on Friday, Iranian For- noon, a day after the attack. have accused Iran of the drone attack against the “Peace, stability, freedom of navigation, and the eign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh The UK also followed suit. “We believe this tanker without presenting a shred of evidence to safeguarding of strategic waterways in the Persian warned Israel against any “foolish move,” Israel, the U.S. and the UK blamed Iran for attack was deliberate, targeted, and a clear vi- substantiate their claims. Gulf and the Sea of Oman, and even in other parts of saying that Iran will decisively respond to any the attack without presenting any evidence to olation of international law by Iran. UK assess- support their accusations. Iran has called the claims against Iran a false flag the world, are an undeniable principle and necessity reckless military adventure. ments have concluded that it is highly likely that operation intended to demonize Tehran. for Iran,” he added. “In another brazen violation of Int’l law, Is- Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett Iran attacked the MV Mercer Street in interna- The Iranian envoy also warned that Tel Aviv and raeli regime now blatantly threatens Iran with claimed that Tel Aviv knows with certainty Iran tional waters off Oman on 29 July using one or In a highly provocative statement, Israel’s min- attacked the Mercer Street ship and will re- more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),” said ister of military affairs Benny Gantz has said the its partners are trying to disrupt Washington’s new military action. Such malign behavior stems policy on a political settlement of Iran’s nuclear is- from blind Western support,” Khatibzadeh said spond to it. a UK statement last week. “The UK is working regime was prepared to “take military action with our international partners on a concerted against Iran.” sue. on Twitter. “We state this clearly: ANY foolish “I determine, with absolute certainty – Iran act against Iran will be met with a DECISIVE re- carried out the attack against the ship,” Ben- response to this unacceptable attack.” Ambassador Qassemi said Iran will make Tel Aviv “Enraged by possible continuation and progress of the diplomatic process and negotiations as well sponse. Don’t test us.” nett stated, according to the Jerusalem Post. Iran said it was not behind the attack on the and its Western allies regret for igniting flames of a “The intelligence evidence for this exists and Israeli ship. Khatibzadeh has responded to al- war in the region, Press TV reported. as new approaches in the U.S. government on the He was responding to a threat issued by Is- resolution of issues ahead through political chan- raeli War Minister Benny Gantz against Iran. we expect the international community will legations by U.S. and UK top diplomats against The Israeli-operated ship Mercer Street was sus- nels, the occupying extremists and their allies are Gantz said Israel is ready to take military ac- make it clear to the Iranian regime that they Iran about last week’s attack on an Israeli oil piciously attacked off the coast of Oman on July 29 doing their best to undermine this process, and in tion against Iran. have made a serious mistake.” tanker off the coast of Oman. while traveling from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to their evil path, they are using every trick to create the United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah. The oil an unconstructive and destructive atmosphere for tanker, managed by Israeli shipping magnate Eyal warmongering,” he said. Ofer’s Zodiac Maritime. Zodiac Maritime said two crewmen, a British and Romanian national, died in “Relying on false and baseless accusations and Iran condemns G7 statement, calls it baseless the attack. fabricated scenarios by third parties is like plant- ing mines in the path of rationality and disrupting An Iranian envoy to the United Nations said the diplomatic trends.... Their recent adventures in the TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry allegations have customers among cer ship “a targeted and deliberate occupying entity is “playing victim” to divert the Mercer Street incident will be neither their first con- spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh is- those who are immediately ready for attack,” pointing fingers towards world public opinion from its crimes and inhumane spiracy nor their last anti-Iran measure. Iran will sued a statement on Saturday stating unrealistic and irrational conclusions. Iran. practices in the region. pass through such warmongering multi-purpose that attributing suspected attack on “In fact, for the experts and those Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekar- Qassemi emphasized that Iran - as the country traps more vigilantly than ever.” an Israeli-operated oil tanker to Iran familiar with the history of this re- chi, a senior spokesman for the Ira- are “baseless scenarios” designed to gion, the planning of such conspira- nian military, has said that “if we are Diplomat warns UN Security Council on Israeli deception complicate the atmosphere. cies by the Zionist regime at different going to confront the enemy, we will “We condemn the baseless times is not new,” he added. explicitly declare it, like the attack on statement of the G7 foreign minis- Ein al-Assad base.” TEHRAN — The United Nations Security Coun- fabrications” he added. The Foreign Ministry spokesman ters and the European Union High concluded by saying that Iran is fully Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander cil must confront Israel’s adventurism in the West The suspicious drone attack on the Israeli ship Representative for Foreign Affairs, Asia region and reject its deceptions and fabrica- committed to securing the strategic of the Islamic Republic Guard Corps on July 29 has led to wild speculations ranging which is full of baseless allegations waterway of the Persian Gulf and the Aerospace Force, also reacted to tions, Iran’s ambassador to the UN has said. from an Israeli “retaliatory” strike inside Iran to against the Islamic Republic of a manifestation of the democratic transfer of power in Iran. Strait of Hormuz and considers it a threats against Iran in regard to “Today, Israel and its supporters presented derailment of the already faltering nuclear talks Iran,” Khatibzadeh said in response part of its security. the suspected attack on the ship, fake information on recent incidents in region- between Iran and the West in Vienna. to the statement of the G7 foreign “Such baseless scenarios, which Khatibzadeh added Iran will not saying, “They have already tested al waters to convince UNSC to censure Iran and Israel seems eager to intensify these specula- ministers. are often the work of the Zionist re- us and know what kind of response failed,” Majid Takht Ravanchi tweeted on Friday. gime from behind the scenes, are de- hesitate to defend its sovereign tions by taking advantage of the attack and sin- The spokesman added that the rights in the strategic waterway. they will face… therefore they must “We strongly reject these allegations. The UN gling out Iran as a threat to international security. Mercer ship incident occurred just a signed to confuse the atmosphere,” know that if they want to do any Security Council must confront Israel’s adven- This is while Iran strongly repudiated the allega- few days before the inauguration of he added. On August 6, the G7 issued a state- adventure (against Iran) they will turism in the region and reject its deceptions and tions Israel leveled against it. the new Iranian president, which is According to the spokesman, these ment calling the incident for the Mer- receive a crushing response.” U.S., UK launch campaign Iran in focus AUGUST 8, 2021 of bullying against Iran Straight Truth TEHRAN – In a concerted effort Oman. Once again, they accused Iran of TEHRAN TIMES 3 meant to pressure Iran ahead of the ex- playing a role. pected resumption of nuclear talks in Iran fully understood the ulterior mo- Vienna, Washington and its European al- tives behind the drama. Iranian officials lies are exploiting a mysterious attack on warned the West against engaging in an Israeli-operated oil tanker to extract dirty games of propaganda to extract more concessions from Iran. concessions. Commenting on the alleged SPORTS In doing so, they are unwittingly play- hijacking attempt in the Gulf of Oman, ing into the hands of an Israeli scheme the Iranian embassy in the UK said on designed to torpedo the very same nu- Twitter, “Misleading the public all around clear deal Washington and the Europeans the world for diplomatic gain in New York are allegedly trying to revive. is not fair game.” Iran wraps up Tokyo 2020 with seven The controversy over the recent attack But this unfair game may backfire. on the Israeli-operated ship Mercer Street The U.S. and the UK have enlisted the medals continues unabated, with the U.S. and the help of Israel in their campaign of pres- UK taking the issue to the UN Security sure against Iran, a move that is likely to From Page 1 Sajad Ganjzadeh also claimed a gold medal in the men’s karate kumite competi- Council, though they failed to create a con- have unintended consequences for Lon- tion in the +75kg category. sensus against Iran in the UN body. to lift all the sanctions imposed by the options, rejecting the outcome of the Vi- don and Washington. Because Israel may He defeated Tareh Hamedi from Saudi Arabia in the final match. Hamedi was given a disqualifi- The Israeli ship came under attack Trump administration as well as give enna talks under Hassan Rouhani. At that be on the same page with the U.S. and cation penalty for kicking Ganjzadeh hard in the upper body or head. off the coast of Oman on July 29 while guarantees that it will not withdraw from time, a source familiar with the matter the UK in terms of turning up the heat traveling from Dar es Salaam in Tan- the JCPOA again. told the Tehran Times that Iran may seek on Iran, certainly Tel Aviv seems to be Weightlifter Ali Davoudi won a silver medal at the +109kg weight class. He lifted a total weight seeking different goals toward Iran than of 441kg. His snatch lift was 200kg, with the clean and jerk of 241kg. zania to the United Arab Emirates port The sixth round was held while Iran to reject the outcome and lay out a new those the UK and the U.S. of Fujairah. The oil tanker, managed by was undergoing a transition of power agenda for the talks with the West with Freestyle wrestler Hassan Yazdani took Iran’s second silver medal in the 86kg weight class. He Israeli shipping magnate Eyal Ofer’s Zo- due to the June 18 presidential election the purpose of solving the outstanding Israel’s Ambassador to the US and UN lost to David Taylor from the U.S. 4-3 in the final. diac Maritime, was reportedly attacked in which Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi won by issues in a new format and spirit. Gilad Erdan has shed his inhibition and un- Greco-Roman wrestler Mohammadhadi Saravi won a bronze medal at the 97kg category. He by suicide drones. Zodiac Maritime said a landslide. In an apparent bid to influence Iran’s veiled part of these goals. He said that Is- defeated Finland’s Arvi Savolainen 9-2 in the bronze medal match. two crewmen, a British and Romanian calculations, the U.S. sought to ramp up rael would ultimately like to see the Islamic national, died in the attack. Sensing a change of calculations in Amirhossein Zare also won a bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 125kg, beating Chinese Deng Tehran, the U.S., along with its European diplomatic pressure on Iran ever since Republic of Iran overthrown. “In the end, Zhiwei 5-0 in the bronze medal match. This attack, blamed by Tel Aviv, Lon- the end of the sixth round. They threat- we would ultimately like to see [the gov- allies, embarked on a diplomatic cam- Iran sent 66 athletes to Tokyo in 16 sports. don, and Washington on Iran, marked the paign to intimidate Iran into returning ened to withdraw from the talks, openly ernment] overthrown and [for there to be] beginning of a coordinated diplomatic to the Vienna talks without any new opposed lifting all the sanctions, and regime change and Iran,” Erdan told Army campaign against Iran at a time when the demands. The main concern of the U.S. even prepared new oil sanctions on Iran. Radio on Thursday, when asked about Isra- nuclear talks over the 2015 Iran nuclear was that the new Iranian president’s Then there was the attack on Mercer el’s strategy vis-à-vis the Islamic Republic, Ganjzadeh wins Iran third gold at deal reached a deadlock after six rounds negotiating team would come back to Street, which was seen by the U.S. and according to the Times of Israel. of painstaking talks in Vienna. Vienna with new spirit and demands, its allies as a gift to further squeeze Regardless of what Israel pursues vis- Tokyo 2020 The last round of Vienna talks was something that amounts to the abroga- Iran. While the kerfuffle over this at- à-vis Iran, the current approach of Lon- concluded more than a month ago with tion of the “progress” made in the last six tack is still ongoing, the UK and its allies don and Washington is unlikely to bear the differences over how to revive the rounds. This concern was not gratuitous; cooked up stories about the hijacking of results as Iran has made it clear that it TEHRAN – Sajad Ganjzadeh from Iran claimed a gold medal in the men’s karate kumite compe- Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action The Tehran Times reported in early July several commercial ships off the coast of will not be intimidated into giving up its tition in the +75kg category of the 2020 Olympic Games on Saturday. (JCPOA) still not bridged. The U.S. refused that Iran had considered, among other the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of legitimate rights. He defeated Tareh Hamedi from Saudi Arabia by Hansoku in the final match. Hamedi was given a disqualification penalty for kicking Ganjzadeh hard in the upper body or FM Zarif meets Bangladeshi, Nicaraguan diplomats head.

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad especially the country’s neighbors, and expressed portant and called for using appropriate methods Javad Zarif held a meeting with senior diplomats hope that relations and collaborations between to continue cooperation between the two countries. from Nicaragua and Bangladesh. Tehran and Dhaka would further expand in the The Iranian foreign minister also pointed to the Zarif held talks with Shahriar Alam, the State coming period, and the use of creative ways to pro- similarities between the people of the two coun- Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, who mote mutual cooperation will continue. tries in terms of enduring the economic pressures was in Tehran on behalf of his government to The Bangladeshi diplomat, in turn, highlighted imposed by the unilateralism of the United States attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new the grounds for the promotion of mutual coopera- of America and stressed the undoubted success of president, Seyed Ebrahim Raisi. In the Friday tion in various bilateral fields as well as other areas the people of the two countries in this field. of cooperation. He also praised Zarif’s eight-year meeting, the Bangladeshi diplomat and the Ira- The Nicaraguan foreign minister, for his part, ex- efforts for relations between the two countries. nian foreign minister conferred on issues in bi- pressed his satisfaction with the invitation and at- lateral relations in different political, economic, Issues related to the Rohingya refugees, coop- tendance at the inauguration of the president of the and cultural spheres, according to a statement eration at the OIC, and direct flights between the Islamic Republic of Iran, referring to the historical re- by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. two countries were among other topics discussed lations between the two countries and thanked Zarif Zarif thanked the Bangladeshi government for by the two top diplomats.Zarif also met with Nica- for his efforts to expand cooperation between the sending a high-ranking delegation headed by the raguan Foreign Minister Denis Ronaldo Moncada two countries over the past eight years. country’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs to the on Saturday. During the meeting, the two sides Zarif met with many foreign diplomats who par- inauguration ceremony of the Iranian president. discussed the latest developments in bilater- al relations and important issues in the Latin ticipated in the inauguration of Ayatollah Raisi. One He also reviewed different aspects of relations American region, as well as the two countries’ such meeting was held between Zarif and Kuwaiti between the two countries in bilateral and multi- resistance to unilateralism and the interference Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Turkey’s Ugur Aktas and Japan’s Ryutaro Araga took the bronze medals. lateral areas, especially collaborations at the Orga- of some parties in the affairs of independent Al-Sabah. In the meeting, the two ministers dis- nization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Dhaka’s countries. cussed bilateral ties as well as the latest situation The sport is not on the program for Paris 2024, and its long-term Olympic future is up in the air. stances regarding the issue of Palestine. In this meeting, Zarif appreciated the partici- of the region and other issues of mutual interest. Shooter Javad Foroughi and Greco-Roman wrestler Mohammadreza Geraei had also won two Foreign Minister Zarif further praised the Dhaka pation of the high-ranking Nicaraguan delegation In his Thursday meeting with Zarif, the Kuwaiti gold medals for Iran delegation in the Games. government’s cooperation in the past eight years headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the in- foreign minister once again expressed his con- on promoting ties with Iran. auguration ceremony of the new president of the gratulation on the election of Raisi as Iran’s new He also pointed to President Ebrahim Raisi’s Islamic Republic of Iran, described the relations president, reiterating Kuwait City’s determination special attention to ties with the regional countries, between the two countries in various fields as im- to expand all-out relations with Tehran. Iran’s lack of preparation for World Cup qualifiers Iran diplomat lambasts Israel at UN Security Council TEHRAN – Iran national football team will begin the third round of the 2022 World Cup qualifi- cation with no warm-up matches, while their opponents in Group A have started their preparation TEHRAN – An Iranian diplomat at magnate Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Maritime, against commercial navigation. Only in go unpunished and that the UN must for the competition. the United Nations Security Council was reportedly attacked by suicide less than two years, this regime has take a stand against Israel. “The Secu- The UAE, headed by Bert van Marwijk, have started their preparatory camp in Serbia as they has criticized Israel for playing victim drones. Zodiac Maritime said two attacked over 10 commercial vessels rity Council must prevent Israel’s un- ramp up preparations for the third and final round of qualifiers from Aug. 6 to 13. bridled adventurism in the region. The to divert the attention of the public crewmen, a British and Romanian na- in regional seas. On 17 January 2021, Iraq, coached by Dutchman Dick Advocaat, will also hold a training camp in Serbia. The Iraqis will Security Council must also prove that away from its crimes in the region. tional, died in the attack. the Syrian Prime Minister stated that play Oman and Croatia in their camp. “We just heard a distorted state- “With profound sadness, we under- 7 oil tankers en route to Syria were it is not trapped by Israel’s deceptions attacked. Israel was behind these and fabrications,” Ershadi stated. Ivan Hasek will have the Lebanese players at his disposal for an entire month before the start ment about the Mercer Street ves- stand the incident onboard the M/T of the final round of the qualification after the FA decided to postpone the start of the domestic incidents that caused serious fuel She once more rejected accusa- sel incident. Let me say a few words Mercer Street on 29 July, 2021 has re- league to give the coach time to prepare the national team. about it. First, our thoughts are with sulted in the deaths of two crew mem- shortage in Syria. On 11 March 2021, tions leveled against Iran concerning the families of those who have lost bers on board,” the UK-based Israeli mainstream media outlets reported the attack on Mercer Street. “We cat- Lebanon will also have two preparatory camps in Turkey and UAE before their first match their loved ones in that unfortunate company said in a statement on Friday that Israel targeted at least a dozen egorically reject the unfounded accu- against the UAE in Dubai on September 2. incident. Immediately following this afternoon, a day after the attack. vessels bound for Syria, mostly car- sation of Israel on the Mercer Street Dragan Skocic’s side have won every game since the return of international football including a rying oil.” vessel incident as we have written win in Bosnia and Herzegovina but they have a tough task in the final round since just two teams event, Israeli officials accused Iran of Israel, along with the U.S. and the in our recent letter to the Council’s out of six teams will qualify for the 2022 World Cup directly for the finals. the incident. This is what they usual- UK, blamed Iran for the attack without The Iranian diplomat went on to ly do. It is a standard practice of the President. The Israeli regime cannot presenting any evidence to support enumerate Israel’s malign activities Iran national football team will start training camp in Tehran from Aug. 25. The ‘Persian Leop- Israeli regime. Its aim is to divert the whitewash its destabilizing practices their accusations. against Iran and beyond. ards’ will not be playing a friendly match prior to the competition and it could make hard for Iran attention of the world public opin- and vicious policies by blaming and She pointed out, “On 23 April 2021, who look to participate at the World Cup for the third times in a row. ion from the regime’s crimes and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Ben- accusing others. This regime has been an oil tanker off Syria’s coast was inhumane practices in the region,” nett claimed that Tel Aviv knows with the main source of threat, instability attacked by a drone. Three Syrians said Zahra Ershadi, ambassador and certainty Iran attacked the Mercer and insecurity in the region for over including two members of the crew Charge d’affaires ad interim of the Street ship and will respond to it. 7 decades. Its weapons of mass de- were killed. Again, Israel was respon- Former Iran midfielder Azizi passes away Permanent Mission of the Islamic Re- struction continue to endanger the “I determine, with absolute certain- sible for the attack. These are only a public of Iran to the United Nations. ty – Iran carried out the attack against entire region. It is the sole possessor few examples of adventurism and de- of nuclear weapons in the region. It is TEHRAN – Former Iran and Persepolis football team midfielder Alireza Azizi passed away on She added, “To that end, they ac- the ship,” Bennett stated, according to stabilizing activities of the Israeli re- also the only non-party to the NPT in Saturday. cuse others of wrongdoing. In almost the Jerusalem Post. “The intelligence gime at regional seas. Such unlawful evidence for this exists and we expect the region and its dangerous nuclear He lost his battle with cancer at the age of 72 in Tehran. all incidents in the Middle East, Israel and terrorist acts seriously threaten facilities and activities are not un- the international community will make Azizi was a member of Iran national football team who won 1976 AFC Asian Cup title in Tehran. accuses Iran. They do it immediately maritime security, disrupt freedom der the IAEA’s comprehensive safe- it clear to the Iranian regime that they and provide no evidence.” of navigation and endanger energy guards,” Ershadi stated. The Abadan-born player started his club career in 1972 with Homa and joined Persepolis after have made a serious mistake.” security. Likewise, Israel continues its three years. She made the remarks in a state- She also denounced the Israeli de- He noted, “In any case, we know systematic and persistent aggres- ment on Friday after a closed-door fense minister’s threat to attack Iran. Tehran Times extends deepest sympathy to Azizi’s family, loved ones, and friends over his de- how to send a message to Iran in our sions against sovereignty and terri- meeting of the UN Security Council on “The Israeli regime also continues to mise. own way.”Iran strongly rejected the a recent incident for an Israeli-operat- torial integrity of regional countries. brazenly threaten to use force against ed oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. accusation, saying it was not involved These illegal acts constitute a serious regional States. Again, yesterday its The Israeli-operated ship Mercer in the attack. threat to regional and international defense minister threatened to use Street was attacked off the coast of “Playing victim, lying and deception peace and security. The latest exam- force against Iran. Iran warns against AFC inspectors to visit Iran for 2027 Oman on July 29 while traveling from are part of their toolbox,” Ershadi said ple is its recent air strike on Lebanon.” any such adventurism and miscalcu- Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to the Unit- of Israel, noting, “Israel’s hue and cry Ershadi underlined that these activi- lations. Yet, Iran will not hesitate to AFC Asian Cup ed Arab Emirates port of Fujairah. The on the Mercer Street incident is aimed, ties are gross violations of internation- defend itself and secure its national oil tanker, managed by Israeli shipping in particular, at hiding its terrorist acts al law and the UN Charter and shall not interests,” Ershadi concluded. TEHRAN – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) inspectors will travel to Iran in November to visit the stadiums and infrastructures for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. The host of the 2027 Asian Cup was due to be announced at the 31st AFC Congress in November Iran says raising Kurdistan flag at Tehran airport was mistake 2020, but this decision is now due to take place in 2022, because of travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic delaying inspectors visits to bidding countries. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has published the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bid Books of the TEHRAN — Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman a mistake by the executive welcoming team sta- spected the territorial unity and integrity of Iraq, and four Member Associations that remain in contention to host the AFC’s flagship competition – the Saeed Khatibzadeh says raising the Kurdistan Re- tioned at Tehran airport. has an unchangeable policy in this regard, the For- All India Football Federation (AIFF), the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), gion’s flag upon the arrival of the KRG president was Khatibzadeh stressed that Iran has always re- eign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. the Qatar Football Association (QFA) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). ECONOMY Iran’s new AUGUST 8, 2021 president holds

Straight Truth 4 TEHRAN TIMES talks with OPEC About 10,000 km of railway projects secretary general under study From page 1 Speaking in this lifted. meeting, Zanganeh noted that after He further underlined the critical role the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions Iran that OPEC plays in the global economy, was robbed of its right for exporting TEHRAN — Iran’s outgoing saying: “OPEC is the only third world two million barrels per day (bpd) of oil transport minister said that economic organization that is influenc- which would equal about $120 billion of President Seyed Ebrahim Raisi (R) holds talks with OPEC Secretary General about 10,000 kilometers of ing the world’s economic interactions.” revenues. Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo in Tehran on Friday. railway projects are currently The key concept that OPEC has been under study. The minister expressed Iran’s com- able to act on and succeed in, has been saw in the recent meeting. during his tenure, adding: “We hope that plete readiness for returning to the Pointing out that the length cooperation among members despite Barkindo for his part praised Zan- Iran will continue to play a key and im- oil market after the U.S. sanctions are of the country’s railway net- rivalry and political differences, as we ganeh’s positive work and actions portant role in OPEC and the oil market.” work has reached 14,000 ki- lometers, Mohammad Eslami said, “Eight rail lines in three provinces will be connected to Iran’s largest silo to go operational next fiscal year the country’s railway network. The projects for connecting Kordestan, Ardebil, and Cha- TEHRAN - Behrouz Aghaei, the director-gen- of transportation and storage of goods in south- harmahal-Bakhtiari provinces eral of Ports and Maritime Department of Sis- eastern Iran,” Aghaei added. to the national network have a tan-Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran, As Iran’s only oceanic port on the Gulf of Oman, noticeable progress at the mo- has said the country’s largest fully mechanized Chabahar port holds great significance for the ment and will be inaugurated in grain silo, with a loading and unloading capacity country both politically and economically. The the coming months.” which was built inside Afghani- ridor with a progress of about of 1,200 tons per hour, will be put into operation country has taken serious measures for develop- As the deputy minister has stan and was put into operation 70 percent can be put into op- in the next Iranian calendar year (starts in March ing this port in order to improve the country’s mar- recently announced, 825 ki- in recent months, and the sec- eration as one of the country’s 2022). itime trade. ond is the Yazd-Eqlid 271-km rail priorities by the end of this lometers of railroads are go- The construction operations of the Shahid Be- The port consists of Shahid Kalantari and Shahid railway, which is almost com- year, he noted. ing to be constructed across heshti port’s 100,000-ton silo in southeastern Beheshti terminals, each of which has five berth pleted, the official explained. the country by the end of the Also, the Hamedan-Sanandaj Chabahar port city were started in late October facilities. The port is located in Iran’s Sistan-Bal- current Iranian calendar year The Zahedan-Khash railway railway line is 151 km long and 2020 and the silo will be put into operation in the uchestan Province and is about 120 kilometers (March 20, 2022). is also part of the north-south has a physical progress of 76 Iranian calendar year 1401, Aghaei told IRIB. This silo has been constructed with the aim of southwest of Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, This year, eight railway proj- corridor, 150 km of which has percent, Khademi added. The silo has a dynamic capacity of 600,000 tons increasing the port’s storage capacity for the ships where the China-funded Gwadar port is situated. been laid, and the process of ad- ects are in priority, and with The development of the rail- per year, he added. carrying basic goods to the region, he stated. Iran has already started working on a 600-kilo- justing its line is underway, and their opening, 825 km will be way industry has also been According to the official, the silo will be equipped “By increasing storage capacity as one of the meter-long railway line connecting Chabahar port it seems that its operation will added to Iran’s railway, Khei- among the top priority plans of with an electronic unloading system and two economic factors of the country’s ports, this proj- to Zahedan, the provincial capital of Sistan-Balu- be final this year, he said, add- rollah Khademi, who is also the governments in recent years. transmission lines to transport goods from docks. ect will have a great impact on reducing the costs chestan province close to the Afghan border. the managing director of Iran’s ing that the Bostan Abad-Tabriz The country’s Sixth Five-Year Construction and Develop- railway with a progress of about National Development Plan ment of Transportation Infra- 90 percent and a length of 44 (2016-2021) has envisaged structures Company (CDTIC), km will be ready to open in the that the railway will account stated. near future. Mining sector needs €19b investment for at least 30 percent of cargo One of the priority railway The Rasht-Caspian Railway, transportation and 20 percent lines in the present year was the as an important part of the of passenger transportation in TEHRAN – Official statistics Three of the country’s major min- Khaf-Herat railway, 140 km of 37-kilometer north-south cor- Iran. indicate that $19 billion of invest- ing industry firms namely, Golgohar ment is required for the realization Company, National Iranian Copper of the development plans set for Industries Company, and Chador- Value of exports from Semnan the country’s mining sector for the malu Industries were the main in- horizon of the Iranian calendar year vestors of the project. 1404 (starts in March 2025). This year too, the plan for provid- province increases 79% As IRNA reported, based on the ing the required road and electricity Iranian Mines and Mining Industries infrastructure for 56 mines is going Development and Renovation Or- to be implemented by IMIDRO in ganization (IMIDRO) data, over 68 collaboration with the energy and percent of the mentioned invest- Industry ministries. ment is related to the steel chain. Signing a memorandum of under- The mentioned resources are re- standing (MOU) with the Transport quired for providing infrastructure Ministry for the construction of the for the country’s mines and mining 778-kilometers (km) Bafgh-Sangan industries, including water, roads, railway with an investment of 81 railways, and electricity. trillion rials (about $1.9 billion), the Sustainable water supply for construction of a road in Sangan mines and mining industries is one district with an investment of eight of the basic measures that is being supplying Persian Gulf water to $3.88 billion) has been invested trillion rials (about $190 million), led by IMIDRO in collaboration with central Iran through pipelines was in the mentioned project which is and the signing of an MOU for the large companies and major banks. put into operation in the previous being implemented by the Energy construction of Lamerd-Parsian highway with an investment of 10 In this regard, the first phase of Iranian calendar year (ended on Ministry in collaboration with the March 20). Industry, Mining, and Trade Minis- trillion rials (about $238 million) Iran’s major water desalination and are among IMIDRO’s development Some 163 trillion rials (about try. transfer project which is aimed at goals for the current year.

Domestic contractors able to construct 1m housing units per year

TEHRAN - The value of exports from Sem- The IRICA head mentioned liquefied gas, TEHRAN - Deputy Head of Iran’s Mass Con- the government is restored, the issue of taxation nan province, in the center of Iran, has risen 79 polyethylene, iron semi-finished products, struction Association Iraj Rahbar has said the on housing projects is resolved and the govern- percent during the first four months of the cur- methanol, gasoline, iron and steel ingots, steel country’s contractors are capable of constructing ment’s dues to the private sector contractors are rent Iranian calendar year (March 21-July 22), as products, iron rods, liquid propane, bitumen, one million housing units a year if the necessary paid on time, mass builders will be more motivat- compared to the same period of time in the past and copper cathode as the main exported prod- funding and land is provided, IRNA reported. ed to participate in construction projects, he said. year, a provincial official announced. ucts in the said time span. Mentioning a plan for the construction of one The official noted that private sector investors Ali Sa’dedin, the director-general of the He said major export destinations of the Ira- million affordable housing units per year by the have huge resources that can be guided into mass province’s customs department, said that over nian non-oil goods were China with about 10 new government, Rahbar said: “allocating land construction projects if they are encouraged and 78,000 tons of products worth $96 million has million tons worth $4.3 billion, Iraq with 10.9 and financing are two important factors for the appropriate incentives are considered by the gov- been exported from the province in the four- million tons worth $2.8 billion, the United Arab successful implementation of any housing proj- ernment. month period, indicating also 11.5 percent rise Emirates (UAE) with 4.3 million tons worth $1.6 ect, and if these two are provided, building one Referring to the recent rise in the prices of ce- in terms of weight. billion, Turkey with one million tons worth $923 million housing units per year will be easily pos- ment and steel as main items used in construc- sible.” The official said that the commodities have million, and Afghanistan with 1.8 million tons tion, he continued: “The rise in the prices of ce- been exported to 31 countries, including Iraq, worth $728 million. The official noted that over the last three years, ment and steel is one of the obstacles in housing many efforts have been made to allocate the production that the government must address; Afghanistan, Turkey, Russia, Armenia, and Per- The official further announced that Iran has ing 1.3 million affordable housing units across the sian Gulf littoral states. imported 12.5 million tons of non-oil commodi- needed land for housing projects including the the government has provided all the necessary National Housing Action Plan to the Ministry of facilities including cheap energy for the cement country. Over 60 percent of the goods was exported to ties worth $14.5 billion in the first four months Transport and Urban Development, but the land and steel production units, but we see that such Mahmoudzadeh said the required regulations Iraq, Afghanistan and Turkey, he added. of the present year, with 32 percent growth in value and five percent rise in weight year on has not been provided as needed. products are exported instead of being supplied have been prepared and facilities have been cre- He said that 38 types of products are export- year. Rahbar further stressed that there are differ- to the domestic market.” ated to provide land for the mentioned housing ed from Semnan province to the target coun- ent ways to attract financial resources for hous- Earlier this month, Mahmoud Mahmoudzadeh, units by the next government. tries, and named light and heavy hydrocarbons, He said that the basic goods accounted for ing construction projects including the use of pri- deputy transport, and urban development minis- “With the measures taken, the conditions are detergent powders, construction materials 9.4 million tons of the imported items. vate sector potentials. ter announced that planning has been made and more favorable for the new government to begin such as cement, ceramic tiles, wire and cable Mir-Ashrafi named cellphones, livestock preparations have been done to start construct- the work,” he noted. and disposable containers as the major export- corn, sunflower oil, barley, meal, wheat, soy- If the trust between the private sector and ed items. beans, sugar and rice as the main imported Despite the problems in the fields of produc- commodities. tion and export, and also the sanctions, Semnan The United Arab Emirates with four million experienced significant growth in the field of tons of goods worth $4.7 billion was the first TEDPIX gains 1,700 points on Saturday exports, and this means that this province has largest exporter of goods to Iran in the four- a high capacity in this due, the official further month period, followed by China with one mil- highlighted. lion tons of goods worth $3.1 billion, Turkey with TEHRAN - TEDPIX, the main in- pany, and Barekat Pharmaceutical the stock index will once again enter As announced by the head of Islamic Repub- 1.3 million tons worth $1.5 billion, Germany with dex of Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), Group were the most widely followed the 1.4 million-point channel by the lic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), the 351,000 tons worth $563 million, and Switzer- rose 1,718 points to 1.407 million on indices. end of the current month,” he said. value of Iran’s non-oil trade rose 47 percent land with 672,000 tons worth $539 million, the Saturday (the first day of the Iranian official stated. As forecast by a capital market According to Bayat-Manesh, the during the first four months of the current year, calendar week). analyst, TEDPIX is going to improve in government policies for support- as compared to the same period of time in the As Mir-Ashrafi has previously announced, the As reported, over 7.845 billion se- the second half of the current Iranian ing the upward trend of the mar- past year. value of Iran’s non-oil trade stood at $73 billion curities worth 59.465 trillion rials calendar month (ends on August 22). ket should continue in the coming in the past Iranian calendar year. Mehdi Mir-Ashrafi has said that Iran has (about $1.415 billion) were traded at Mehdi Bayat-Manesh has said that months in order to ensure this up- traded 50.8 million tons of non-oil products He has put the weight of non-oil trade at the TSE on Saturday. considering the current trend of cap- ward trend. worth nearly $29 billion with other countries in 146.4 million tons, and said that the figure The first market’s index rose 1,697 ital inflow into the market TEDPIX is “It is also better for the manag- the mentioned four-month period, which indi- shows a 25-million-ton annual decline, which points, and the second market’s in- expected to rise in the current month. ers of Iran’s Securities and Exchange cates also 21 percent growth in terms of weight is the result of sanctions and coronavirus pan- dex gained 12,654 points. points on Wednesday (the last work- Organization (SEO) to take the nec- on an annual basis. demic. ing day of the week). “It is expected that the upward TEDPIX rose 90,000 points, or 8.5 trend of the market in the last one essary measures for supporting the The official put the four-month non-oil ex- Iran’s non-oil export was 112 million tons val- percent, in the past Iranian calendar During the past week, the indices month, when the stock index rose market so that the stock market in- port at 38.3 million tons valued at $14.3 billion, ued at $34.5 billion, and that of import was 34.4 week. of Iran Khodro Company, Saipa Group, from 1.4 million points to 1.8 million dex can once again reach more than with a 65-percent rise in value and a 27-percent million tons worth $38.5 billion in the past year, National Iranian Copper Compa- two million points, which takes at The index closed at 1.406 million points, will continue, and it is also growth in weight. the official added. ny, Social Security Investment Com- likely that according to the forecasts, least a few months to happen.” Yazidis still suffering from repercussions of ISIS crimes: Yazidi activist INTERNATIONAL AUGUST 8, 2021 From page 1 Following is the text held in the terrorist camps. Straight Truth of the interview: ISIS as a terrorist organization fol- What is the meaning of the word lowed the same approach as the el- TEHRAN TIMES Yazidi? Is it true that the beliefs of ements of al-Qaeda did, where they 5 this sect are descended from an- killed the Yezidis on identity according cient Persian religions such as Zo- to their false attitudes, considering the roastrianism and Manichaeism? Is Yezidis as infidels or devil-worshippers. there a common ritual between the This was a false accusation made by 11/9 families pressure Biden to Yazidism and Zoroastrianism? extremists for decades with the aim of The word “Yazidi” in our language seizing peoples’ lands and properties. means “servants of God”. “Izady” means declassify Saudi documents How do you see Iran’s efforts to the one who created me. support the Yazidis, especially during It is a monotheistic, non-mission- the ISIS invasion? Family members of victims of September ary religion that believes in one God 11, 2001, attacks have called on President Joe Actually, there was no special sup- and only God. Its roots return to the Biden to stay away from memorial events next Indo-European religions and is not one port for the Yazidis from Tehran but the month unless he upholds his pledge to declas- of the ancient Persian religions such as Iranian government stood with the Iraqi sify U.S. government evidence that is widely Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism, as is defense forces to liberate many Iraqi believed to show a role played by Saudi Arabian rumored. lands from the cowardly ISIS, so this leaders in the attacks. support was not only for the Yazidis. Although there are commonalities The victims’ family members along with first between Yazidism and Zoroastrian- Unfortunately, today the Yazidi re- responders and survivors called on Biden to ism, they are two separate religions gions have become an arena for po- skip 20th-anniversary events if he does not since ancient times. There are sources began to expel and exterminate them, a hundred thousand since August 2014. litical struggles between Iraqi groups release the documents, which they say impli- confirming the seniority of the Yazidi which led to reducing their numbers Can you update us about crimes after their liberation from ISIS. cate Saudi officials in supporting the acts of religion, because it is considered a doc- from millions to a few thousand. ISIS committed against the Yazidis in How do you see the performance terrorism. trine that crystallized and developed A large number of them migrated to Iraq and Syria? of international community in The group says during the Presidential without a prophet or messenger that the former Soviet Union republics, and On the 3rd of August 2014, the shedding light on what happened election campaign, Biden pledged to be more extends to the Sumerian and Babylo- others to Iraq, which is so far considered Yazidi regions and villages in Iraq to the Yazidis? transparent and declassify as much informa- nian eras, with evidence that most of their “largest and oldest home.” were subjected to the most heinous I can say that the international com- tion as possible. its religious rituals are linked to nature There are some Yazidis in Syria, Geor- massacre, abuse, kidnapping, mass munity as a whole promised more than However, they say, now, since taking office, and its sanctification. gia, Armenia and Russia. Recently, the and individual killing, chases, theft, it contributed regarding support for the the Biden White House has ignored their letters However, the Yazidis consider Sheikh number of Yazidis has increased dra- land confiscation, crop burning, Yazidis and the Yazidi cause, but there and attempts to communicate with the admin- Adi (Sheikh Uday bin Musafir) a ****re- matically in the European Union espe- house demolitions, selling of women are some European countries whose istration. newer (founder)**** of their religion, cially in Germany, which has more than and children, killing of men and youth, positions were honorable towards our They also expressed anger saying “we had neither a messenger nor a prophet. 150,000 Yazidis. They are also present and brainwashing of teenagers to humanitarian cause. great hope that President Biden, who cam- What are the main strongholds of in America, Australia and Canada. change their religion and their ideas. On the other hand, we are stunned paigned on bringing truth and trust back to the the Yazidis in West Asia before and It is certain that the number of Yazidis All this and more have been exer- by the silence of Arab and Islamic coun- Oval Office, would value the lives and sacrifices after the ISIS advent? has decreased in Iraq and Syria after the cised against the Yazidis systemat- tries regarding support for the Yazidi of America’s citizens over diplomatic relations Some reports indicate that the orig- genocide they were subjected to at the ically, some crimes of which are still cause, as it is a humanitarian issue that with a country accused of mass murder” inal Yazidi population was in Turkey hands of ISIS, while it has increased in continuing, as more than 3,000 chil- should be supported by all govern- In a statement, the group wrote that “we the families say “much investigative evidence until the Ottomans came to power and Western countries and Europe by nearly dren and women are still missing or ments without exception. cannot in good faith, and with veneration to has been uncovered implicating Saudi govern- those lost, sick, and injured, welcome the pres- ment officials in supporting the attacks.” ident to our hallowed grounds until he fulfills The maritime attacks in Oman Gulf; what lies behind the bushes his commitment” In the family’s lawsuit, they note, in an affida- vit, that “based on evidence we gathered during This will no doubt be embarrassing for the the course of our investigation, concluded that American President; something he would want diplomatic and intelligence personnel of the From page 1 Many questions can be proposed killing 200 and injuring 150. a new coming round of nuclear talks between Iran to avoid. about the timing of the attack and the reasons and G5+1. And the attacks coincided with Mr. Raisi’s Kingdom of Saudi Arabia knowingly provid- In another incident, in 1942, Struma was a Bul- The statement adds that “since the conclu- ed material support to the two 9/11 hijackers behind the accusations against Iran or one resis- garian vessel, in which also ZjA crowded Jewish assumption of power in Iran. sion of the 9/11 Commission in 2004 much in- tance or liberation group by the Americans and the and facilitated the 9/11 plot… our investigation immigrants from Romania to be deported to Pal- The aims of the charade were the intensifica- vestigative evidence has been uncovered impli- shared that conclusion” Israelis. estine. The vessel was horribly overcrowded. When tion of the political blockade on Iran, by accusing cating Saudi government officials in supporting Since the attacks, three consecutive adminis- After a few days of deliberations Britain, the the engine failed the ship docked in Istanbul Har- it and its friends of committing the attacks and the attack…Through multiple administrations, trations of George W. Bush, Barack Obama and U.S. and Israel decided to hold Iran responsible bor, the Turks were trying to negotiate with Britain the Department of Justice and the FBI have ac- demonizing both Iran and Hezbollah by accusing Donald Trump also declined to declassify the for hijacking or attacking the Israeli ships. How- over the fate of the passengers. As the British were tively sought to keep this information secret them of piracy. Demonization would eventually supporting documents. All three cited “national ever, the Iranians declared absolute refutation of forcing the limited Jewish immigration to Pales- and prevent the American people from learning lead to an escalation in the UN and mobilization security concerns”. the allegations and warned against any reckless tine, they refused to receive them. The Turks towed of their allies to push towards spreading military the full truth about the 9/11 attacks.” In 2019, to justify keeping documents out of military actions against Tehran. the ship, which carried around 800 passengers to naval forces in the Gulf of Oman and the Arab Sea According to the statement, Biden is being public sight, the Trump administration invoked Zealous American and European press releas- the Black Sea. 12 hours later, a torpedo was fired to be able to monitor or hassle the Iranian ships. urged to implement two key issues. and the ship sank, killing the passengers except for the state secrets privilege. es and articles were written about the hijacking. In the last two days, another stage of lies was 1) Authorize the release of all documents one survivor. The group wrote “twenty years later, there is However, in an unprecedented step a couple of built, when an unknown group fired 4 missiles to and information to the 9/11 community that simply no reason - unmerited claims of ‘nation- days later, Britain announced that hijacking was The point is that history is full of stories in which the north of Palestine. They were arrested by the our government has accrued in its investiga- al security’ or otherwise - to keep this informa- over, and the operation ended, and the people the ZjA has scarified its own people to reach its Lebanese army. The Israelis retaliated in open un- tion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (and which that got on board have left. It is the most ridic- aim. The Americans after the incidents interfered tion secret” inhabited space. However, the Israeli appetite to former FBI agents have sworn establishes the ulous story! Who are the people? What did they and forced Britain to receive a higher number of bombard Lebanon was greater than it may imag- Kingdom’s role in 9/11) to allow us to rightfully It added “But if President Biden reneges on his want? Why did they leave? And was Britain fa- Jewish immigrants in Palestine. Hence, the details ine. It was excessive. obtain justice against the Kingdom. commitment and sides with the Saudi govern- miliar with their identity? The questions were about the number of attacks in Oman’s Gulf are of ment, we would be compelled to publicly stand in 2) Implement a policy toward the Kingdom of left unanswered! no significance. The important element in the story As a result, the Islamic resistance in Lebanon objection to any participation by his administra- Saudi Arabia that makes clear it must acknowl- In 1939, Britain, during the mandate of Pales- is that Israelis, or perhaps the Americans, are both responded. The names of the groups, who led the tion in any memorial ceremony of 9/11.” trying to play some kind of Hollywood role. retaliation, were: “Ali Kamel Muhsen”, who was as- edge its role in terrorist attacks against our cit- tine, issued a document called the “White Paper”, In an interview one member said “The buck sassinated in an Israeli attack on Damascus airport izens and residents, which in the last 20 years in which the Jewish immigration to Palestine was The Americans acted in the same manner on include not just 9/11 but the horrific murder of stops at the president.” banned, due to the high resistance in Palestine in September 11. Several reports spoke of American last year, and “Muhammad Qassem Tahan”, who Jamal Khashoggi, and the murder of U.S. service U.S. media citing a Biden administration 1936-1939. In an attempt to go around the British national security agencies’ involvement. They knew was killed in an Israeli open fire on the demonstra- members in Pensacola, Florida; and, according- source, familiar with the matter, saying the Jus- decision, in 1940 during the Second World War, about the attacks, yet they were reluctant to stop tors who were supporting the Palestinians during ly, immediately cease the Kingdom’s support tice Department is expected to begin a review the Central Office for Jewish Immigration [ZjA] them. They used the American blood and victims to operation “Saif al-Quds”. The message was clear. for acts of terrorism. of the documents to determine whether any managed to send 3 ships that arrived in Haifa justify wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If Hezbollah wants to revenge the killing of the The chairman of the Senate Foreign Rela- can be released. harbor from Romania. martyrs, who were targeted by Israel, the party Therefore, it is always useful to look behind the tions Committee, Democrat Senator Bob Me- will revenge openly and clearly. Hezbollah will not The source added “the review will include However, Britain refused to allow the immi- Hollywood charade. The ships were attacked and nendez, has weighed in on the debate saying “If hide behind its allies and supporters to do his duty documents in which states secrets or law en- grants to dock and planned to deport them in an others were hijacked. Then, all was back into order, the United States government is sitting on any forcement privilege has been cited as grounds in protecting Lebanon and his fighters. And when ocean liner named “Patria”. In order to disable the and the hijackers disappeared. The ships’ nationali- documents that may implicate Saudi Arabia in for keeping the information classified” ship from departing and sending them to Mau- ty or names are of no importance at all. What mat- Hezbollah wants to revenge for the killing of his the events of 9/11, these families and the Amer- Despite the calls for a quick release of the ritius Island in the Indian Ocean, the Haganah ters is the aim behind the declarations and the ac- members in Dabaa Airport in Homs- Syria, it will do ican people have a right to know” planted a bomb in Patria to prevent it from sailing. cusations pointed at Iran and Hezbollah, as a proxy it openly. This is only one Chrystal clear message secret documents, analysts note it is unlikely The bomb exploded in 15 minutes: the Patria sank to Iran. The timing is of particular importance with among many others. Speaking at a press conference outside the to be completed before the 20th anniversary of U.S. Capitol he added “These families want an- the attacks this year. swers. They want justice. They want account- The group says previous administrations had ability…you can’t make your case in court if you Will Israel stop playing and breaking its teeth in the “Axis of the Resistance” playground? also promised reviews only to use them as “de- don’t have the facts and information to make lay tactics to protect the Saudi government and their case” keep the American people in the dark.” close to Hezbollah’s office and another crashed goods pass through the sea, which falls into Iran’s op- Furthermore, a group of influential U.S. sena- By Elijah J. Magnier They argue “the promise of a review is sim- and was found intact, containing explosives. That erational theater and within a comfortable range of tors have also announced support for a bill that ply not enough; our expectation is that we will raised the alarm among the “Axis of the Resis- its military reach. Israel is indisputably an intelligent would push the Justice Department, the CIA and A Romanian Captain and a British security officer begin to receive the information we seek before tance” that Israel was now using this kind of kami- enemy. However, the idea to expand its operation- Director of National Intelligence to release ad- were killed by a suicide drone attack on the M/T Mercer the 20th anniversary.” kaze drones to reach its targets yet avoid account- al theater within Iran’s controlled area is arrogant, ditional information. Street oil tanker – a Liberian-flagged, Japanese-owned The 9/11 community members have been “ig- ability. The “Axis of the Resistance” then adopted provocative and counterproductive. Israel is offering Among the many documents, the family vic- ship that is part of the Zodiac Group of Israeli billionaire nored” by the attorney general, the FBI and oth- this Israeli use of suicide drones for many theaters. Iran unlimited targets in the sea to select from when tims seek to be made public are supporting ev- Eyal Ofer- sailing from Tanzania towards the United er senior officials in the administration. They In the last two and a half years, Israel claims to have it initiates this game, which will undoubtedly break its idence found during a widespread FBI investi- Arab Emirates. The first attack on the tanker caused teeth. Israel has much more to lose if it decides to re- say Biden “really needs to be the one to step up carried out several dozen attacks against Iranian targets. gation into the attacks, completed in 2016, that only material damage but was followed by a second spond to the attack because the retaliation from the and take action” adding that the families hope The ‘war of sabotage’ between Iran and Israel is no longer examined Saudi Arabian involvement. attack where the command-and-control tower was hit Iranian side will not take very long. The last response for a day when the president is “working with a secret, both sides admit their respective responsibility to cause human casualties. Al-Alam TV said the attack was significant and balanced, imposing deterrence The co-signers, along with another group us and not against us.” responded to an Israeli attack on al-Dab’aa airport in for the attacks inflicted on one another in the traditional of victims’ relatives (who have already filed a and a new Rule of Engagement that still causes con- As a 2020 presidential candidate, Biden ex- Syria where Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah were killed manner, through media leaks. The former Prime Minister federal lawsuit against Saudi Arabia’s alleged fusion and pain to Israel.” pressed support for the 9/11 families’ search and wounded. Therefore, the Israeli attack represents a Benyamin Netanyahu explicitly broke the Israeli practice complicity say “we are frustrated, tired and for “full truth and accountability” regarding the change of the Rule of Engagement (ROE), violating the of deniability and revealed the responsibility of Israel in This is not the first time that Israel has bombed the saddened with the fact that the U.S. govern- attacks and said he would direct his attorney many sabotage attacks and unlawful assassinations al-Dab’aa airport situated in the al-Quseir area. Israel ment for 20 years has chosen to keep informa- limit of acceptance in the ongoing conflict and pushing general to “personally examine the merits of all against Iranian scientists and institutions. considers the zone as a base for the “Axis of the Re- tion about the death of our loved ones behind Iran to start a “campaign between wars,” expected to cases where the invocation of privilege is rec- increase in intensity in the future. What is shocking to sistance,” a storage zone for its precision and strategic lock and key” However, it is safe to acknowledge that Israel missiles and an area implicated in the next war against ommended and to err on the side of disclosure Israel is that, for the first time, Iran showed how linked is playing with fire since it is operating outside its Israel. However, this is the first time that Israel targets In 2004, the 9/11 Commission found that in cases where, as here, the events in question all theaters are and how an Israeli hit is met with an un- comfort zone and competing in Iran’s playground. a dormitory at the airport with the apparent intention Saudi Arabia had been “problematically” partic- occurred two decades or longer ago.” expected response in the Oman Sea. Furthermore, Israel is clearly facing a severe chal- ularly when it came to sharing intelligence. of causing human casualties, killing and wounding The group says it believes the United States lenge to its authority and reputation in West Asia. Israel had carried out over a thousand strikes three people. Israel was, therefore, aware that retalia- In a report, it said the Saudi government “as is not releasing the documents because of The question is, how long it can sustain this tit-for- against targets in Syria during the decade of war tion could be on its way. However, it ignored how, when an institution or as individual senior officials’ strong diplomatic and military ties between against the Syrian army and targets belonging to tat game that it has itself initiated? and where. The Mercer Street oil tanker was initially lack of awareness and a failure to conduct over- Washington and Riyadh. the “Axis of the Resistance.” However, Israel’s only sight over institutions created an environment Iran officially denied its involvement in the -at attacked by a drone that damaged only the tanker. The The family members and survivors say the objective result was to enlarge the influence of in which such (al-Qaeda) activity has flourished” tack. However, analysts in the region believe that second attack with a suicide drone against this Israe- FBI’s investigation that wrapped up in 2016, the “Axis of the Resistance” in the Levant – that Israel is under shock because it is possible that Iran li-operated tanker appears to intentionally aim to cause It identified Saudi-based “charity groups” as won the destructive war and defeated the Takfiri showed support provided by Saudi officials for has responded in the Sea of Oman against an Israeli human casualties (two people were killed), seemingly a major source of funding for the al-Qaeda ter- the attackers. groups (ISIS and al-Qaeda) and the different Syrian attack in Syria, introducing a new ROE and choos- bringing the account with al-Dab’aa losses to evens. ror group. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers were from Saudi groups supported by [Persian] Gulf and western ing the theater directly and not through its allies or “If Israel raises the tension and the attacks, it will countries. The “Axis of the Resistance” enlarged The 2004 commission concluded it “found no Arabia. The Kingdom is being sued for billions of in the same operational theater in the Levant. This be met with similar acts unless the traditional ROE is evidence that the Saudi government as an in- and consolidated its influence on Iraq and Yemen, Iranian choice – claim analysts – indicates that dollars by the families of some 2,500 of those re-established where Israel bombs insignificant targets, stitution or as individual senior officials know- killed, and by more than 20,000 others who forming a robust front against Israel and its allies. Tehran has deliberately avoided any further impli- destroying replaceable warehouses or a kitchen or a run- ingly support or supported al-Qaeda,” sustained injuries, businesses and different in- Israel tried to operate in the Iraqi theater, sending cation of the Syrian government, clearly unwilling way. Otherwise, Israel should expect retaliation against The Saudi monarchy has also denied any con- surance companies. suicide drones that destroyed seven warehouses be- to start an open war against Israel. It is also saying its interests anywhere, with or without a U.S. naval es- nection to the attacks. longing to the Iraqi security forces al-Hashd al-Sha’abi. that Iran will no longer be contained by the Syri- cort. Iran’s bank of objectives is abundant, and Israel is The United States used the attack as a pre- Also, an Israeli drone operating from U.S. military bases an frame for retaliation or containment, and will clearly much more vulnerable than it is able to imagine. However, family members of 9/11 say they text to launch its so-called war on terror. in Syria and Iraq attacked and killed an Iraqi commander choose where to hit back at Israel for its continu- This time, the attack took place against an empty tanker, are convinced that senior leaders in the Saudi This led to a catastrophic U.S.-led invasion while he was traveling towards the Iraqi-Syrian borders. ous attacks on Iranian targets in the Levant. but enough to increase the price of insurance and cause monarchy knew about the planned attack and and occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq. Two did nothing to stop it. Two years ago, Israel sent two suicide drones According to a high-ranking official in the “Axis of financial repercussions on Israel,” revealed the source. countries, which many experts say had abso- onto the Lebanese capital Beirut. One exploded the Resistance,” Iran is aware that “90% of Israel’s (Source: Press TV) Since the commission ended its investigation, lutely nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks. TOURISM Golestan Palace: one of the top AUGUST 8, 2021 things to do in Tehran Straight Truth TEHRAN - One of the top things to do in the Ira- 6 TEHRAN TIMES nian capital is visiting the most magnificent histor- ical monument downtown; the UNESCO-registered Golestan Palace. This majestic complex was once the official resi- Susa: get to know Iran’s legendary dence of the Qajar monarchs who ruled the country between 1789 and 1925. It displays a remarkable ruined city mixture of ancient Persian and contemporary Eu- ropean architectural styles, which characterized From page 1 During the Sa- much of Iranian art in the 19th and 20th centuries. sanian age, the city had a large Golestan Palace is on a lavish scale, and it can be Christian community. It was overwhelming to figure out where you should start sacked by the Sasanian king your sightseeing. You can simply spend half a day Shapur II, who transferred the admiring several key structures that make up the population to Iwan-e Karkheh, palace, including lots of spectacular halls, cham- but Susa was sufficiently recov- bers, museums, and gardens. All of them were built ered in the early seventh century during the rule of the Qajar kings. to fight against the Arabs, who A few of the key sites you won’t want to miss are nevertheless captured the city the stunning Karim Khani nook, which was the for- which remained important until mer residence of the founder of the Zand dynasty the thirteenth century CE. (1751 to 1779), and the brilliant Mirror Hall, which Different archaeological sea- was used for royal weddings and coronations. sons in Susa have yielded ample Be sure to also not miss Shams-ol Emareh (“the relics including pottery, arms, Edifice of the Sun”), a palace that offered a pan- walking around. Next to the palace, you will also tures and marketplaces are associated with the ornamental objects, metalwork, oramic view of the city for the monarchs, and Bril- see the bustling Tehran Grand Bazaar, which is a 19th century onwards, the history of trade in the bronze articles, as well as clay liant Hall, which is known for its incredible display great place to get a glimpse of local life. bazaar is rooted much deeper in time. tablets. Susa is also a gateway of mirror work done by Iranian artisans. to several worthy destinations Some visitors to the bazaar refer to it as “a UNESCO says that the complex exemplifies ar- such as the UNESCO-tagged It may likely take you two to three hours to ex- city within a city” because it also includes several chitectural and artistic achievements of the Qajar ziggurat of Tchogha Zanbil, the himself. It is capped by an un- Relics unearthed from the re- plore the whole of Golestan Palace. You can relax by mosques, guesthouses, banks, and once-thriving era including the introduction of European motifs ruins of Achaemenid Apadana usual white cone which some gion demonstrate that even the the gorgeous pond in the main garden after all the caravansaries. While most of its covered struc- and styles into Persian arts. Castle, Shush Castle (Akropol), belief was formerly a stone ‘Star earliest potteries and ceramics Prophet Danial Shrine, Muse- of David’. in Susa were of unsurpassed um of Susa, the archaeological Susa was also associated with quality, decorated with birds, First agritourism farm comes on stream in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad mount of Haft Tapeh. Daniel’s vision of a ram and a mountain goats, and other ani- In the Bible, Susa is known goat in the third year of Belshaz- mals designs. The finest pottery primarily from the story of Es- zar. According to the book of Es- was found in the lowest strata TEHRAN – The first-ever agritour- duction and services. and belonged to two different ther in which Haman the Agagite ther, Shushan once had a mag- ism farm has been inaugurated in the Agritourism and nature-tourism civilizations, both Neolithic, ac- planned to defeat the Jews of nificent palace that included a southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boy- enterprises might include outdoor cording to Britannica. Persia. According to the story, great hall formed from mag- er-Ahmad province, the provincial recreation (fishing, hunting, wildlife Esther outwitted him by per- nificent columns and a highly The archaeological site, iden- tourism chief has said. study, horseback riding), education- suading her husband, King Aha- impressive frontage. According tified in 1850 by W.K. Loftus, With an area of 17 hectares, the al experiences (cannery tours, cook- suerus of Persia, to sabotage to inscriptions discovered in the consists of four mounds. One farm has created direct job opportu- ing classes, or tea or coffee tasting), Haman’s plan. The episode is ruins, the palace was built by the held the citadel and was exca- nities for 30 people, Majid Safai an- entertainment (harvest festivals or commemorated every year in Persian kings Darius and Artax- vated (1897–1908) by Jacques nounced on Saturday. barn dances), hospitality services de Morgan, who uncovered, the Jewish Purim festival which erxes. Panels of colored glazed “Back in April, an operating permit (farm stays, guided tours, or out- among other objects, the obe- is marked with costumed parties bricks can still be seen in the ru- was issued for the farm, which has fitter services), and on-farm direct lisk of the Akkadian king Man- and other celebrations, accord- ins today and a number of sourc- come on stream in collaboration with sales (u-pick operations or roadside ishtusu, the stele of his succes- ing to Ancient Origins. es list cedar from Lebanon, teak the private sector.” stands). sor Naram-Sin, and the code of Susa is also mentioned in from Gandara, and gold from Agritourism is a subset of a larg- Hammurabi of Babylon. A sec- Such permits are granted to eli- Nehemiah and Daniel, both of Sardis and Bactria. er industry called rural tourism that ond mound to the east was the gible farm owners in the country to whom lived in the city during According to UNESCO, “the includes resorts, off-site farmers’ location of the palace of Darius I launch agritourism businesses, aim- the 6th century BC in the period excavated architectural monu- markets, non-profit agricultural and was excavated (c. 1881) by ing to set certain standards in a move known as the Babylonian captiv- ments include administrative, most important plans of the prov- to activities conducted on private ag- tours, and other leisure and hospital- Marcel Dieulafoy. A third mound to ensure the quality of their services, ity when several Jews were held residential, and palatial struc- ince’s cultural heritage department ricultural lands, which might include ity businesses that attract visitors to to the south contained the roy- according to the official. captive following the siege of tures” and the site contains sev- in the current Iranian year 1400 are fee-hunting and fishing, overnight the countryside. Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. eral layers of urban settlement al Elamite city, while the fourth Agriculture tourism is intended the development of rural tourism, stays, educational activities, etc. mound consisted of the more to generate income for indigenous The lesser-known Kohgiluyeh and A tomb known as Shush-Daniel dating from the 5th millennium the establishment of nomadic camps, Experts believe that in addition Boyer-Ahmad province is a cradle for is believed to be that of Daniel BC through the 13th century CE. modest houses. communities and help achieve rural and the development of ecotourism development, he explained. to the customer services jobs, agri- nomadic life. Sightseers may live with to promote economic prosperity in tourism pays special attention to the a nomadic or rural family for a while The best choice for villages and the rural areas. production sector, saying agricultur- or enjoy an independent stay and prosperity of the province is to pro- Agritourism is a relatively new al tourism is much more important assist them with day-to-day life. It Iranian handicrafts: Namakdan-Bafi mote agritourism or farm tourism, he branch of the travel industry in which and practical than other branches also opens up an opportunity to feel mentioned. tourists stay with local people in rural of tourism because it creates a new rustic routines, their agriculture, tra- Weaving Namakdan has solid He also noted that among the areas. Farm/ranch recreation refers chain and diversity in the field of pro- ditions, arts, and culture. rules based on the following four principles: The front is woven by Pich-Ba- fi (a special kind of knot of Kilim). Safavid-era mansion undergoes restoration in Belad Shapur The bottom is woven like car- pets. The back is a plain Kilim TEHRAN – Restoration work has commenced on and in the west to the upper Tigris and Euphrates with strip design, and finally, the Kohzadi Mansion, a Safavid-era (1501-1736) mon- river valleys. two sides are Pich-Bafi. ument located in the ancient city of Belad Shapur. Under Sassanids, Persian art and architecture Moreover, various motifs The façade of the mansion, its floor covering, experienced a general renaissance. Architecture and patterns are applied to and rooftops are subjets of the restoration project, often took grandiose proportions such as palaces make the saddlebag. Patterns a local tourism official announced on Saturday. at Ctesiphon, Firuzabad, and Sarvestan that are of Howz (a small pool), strips, A budget of 3.5 billion rials (about $84,000 at amongst highlights of the ensemble. regular polygons, repetitious the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dol- Crafts such as metalwork and gem-engraving polygons, fishes, birds, Setareh lar) has been allocated to the project, CHTN quoted grew highly sophisticated, yet scholarship was en- Kharchangi (craby star), and Esfandiar Abab as saying couraged by the state. In those years, works from foliage are some of the designs both the East and West were translated into Pahla- that can be seen in Bakhtiari Located in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad prov- vi, the language of the Sassanians. Namakdan that, being made by ince, Kohzadi Mansion is one the most beautiful rich and bright colors, attract monuments in the city with two side rooms, a cen- Rock-carved sculptures and bas-reliefs on the praise of the viewer. Green, tral yard, and water well, the official added. abrupt limestone cliffs are widely deemed as char- blue, dark red, yellow, and Last November, the provincial tourism chief Ma- acteristics and striking relics of the Sassanian art, TEHRAN – Namakdan, a kind Namakdan is designed so that brown are the most common jid Safai announced that the historical neighbor- top examples of which can be traced at Bishapur, of handwoven saddlebag, is one the salt does not pour out. colors of Namakdan. hood of Dehdasht and the historical monuments Naqsh-e Rostam, and Naqsh-e Rajab in southern of the ancient handicrafts being country in terms of size and number of historical Iran. In 2018, UNESCO added an ensemble of Sas- For nomadic people of the re- Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari lies located inside it is planned to be restored and re- practiced across Chaharma- buildings. Inscribed on the National Heritage list in sanian historical cities in southern Iran -- titled gion, the salt is a valuable bless- in the southwestern part of the vived. hal-Bakhtiari province. ing, related with thankfulness, 1985, the ancient city of Belad Shapur is one of the “Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Re- country. Its capital is Shahre- A budget of 20 billion rials ($476,000 at the of- Such saddlebags are made and greetings of the guests. top tourist sites of the province. gion”-- to its World Heritage list. kord. The province has various ficial rate of 42,000 rials) has been allocated to to contain products like grains People may swear in the name unique traditions and rituals boost tourism infrastructure in the ancient city of Belad Shapur, known by its current name, was Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province is known of wheat, oats, beans, and salt. of Namak (the salt) and use the relative to the ‘tribal’ lifestyles. Belad Shapur, the official explained. built at the time of Shapur I, also known as Shapur for its nomads and nomadic life. Sightseers may They are woven on looms usually word “Namak Nashnas” (a per- Special forms of music, dance, the Great, (reigned 241 CE–272), the second king live with a nomadic or rural family for a while or Despite all the destruction that took place in by nomadic and villager women. son who does not pay the rights and clothing are noteworthy. It of the Sassanid Dynasty. Under his leadership, the enjoy an independent stay and assist them with this historical city in different eras, with an area of Nomadic shepherds use Namak- of Namak) to describe unwor- has considerable potential to empire stretched from Sogdiana and Iberia (Geor- day-to-day life. It also opens up an opportunity to more than 45 hectares, it is currently considered dan to carry chunks or grind salt thy people who use the salt but become a vibrant tourist attrac- gia) in the north to the Mazun region of Arabia in feel rustic routines, their agriculture, traditions, as one of the largest historical structures in the to meet the necessities of the break the salt holder, according tion because of its changing nat- the south; in the east, it extended to the Indus River arts, and culture. herd. to Visit Iran. ural landscape. In addition, nomadic people When it comes to form and The province is also a hub for put salt in Namakdan and hang design, Namakdan could be con- making wool felt products, ma- Inmates to be offered handicrafts courses it in corner of their tents for sidered an important, valuable, jorly of which exported abroad. cooking. Grind salt is very hard and even holy object. It consists It is home to some 500 crafters, to prepare, and it is important to of a body and a head, which in over 250 workshops, making TEHRAN – Prisons across the western province educational and promotional programs, identify- be taken care of. That is why the makes it look like a prayer rug. handmade felt products. of Ilam are scheduled to hold handicraft courses ing talented prisoners, and improving their social for the inmates, the provincial tourism chief has status. announced. The deputy tourism minister Pouya Mahmoud- Old trees, waterfalls in Mazandaran The courses will be held under a memorandum ian said that handicraft products made by pris- of understanding recently signed between the oners have been displayed in various exhibitions, made national heritage province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handi- and the income generated from selling these crafts Department and the Prisons, Security, and products has been returned to the prisoners and Corrective Measures Organization, Abdolmalek their families. TEHRAN – A selection of the list. Shanbezadeh said on Saturday. With 14 entries, Iran ranks first globally for the eight natural properties across Stretched along the Caspi- By taking part in the courses, inmates can be- the northern province of number of cities and villages registered by the an Sea and Alborz mountain come job-ready upon their release, the official World Crafts Council, as China with seven entries, Mazandaran has recently been range, Mazandaran is a popular added. inscribed on the national heri- Chile with four, and India with three ones come worth of handicrafts during the first eleven destination for domestic holi- The MOU also aims at holding handicrafts ex- next. tage list of Iran. daymakers, while it is home to months of the calendar year 1398. Of the figure, hibitions to promote the prisoners’ handmade The value of Iran’s handicrafts exports stood some $190 million was earned via suitcase trade The Ministry of Cultural Her- more than 3500 villages and products and create a market for them to generate itage, Tourism, and Handicrafts rural areas. at $120 million during the first eleven months of (allowed for customs-free and tax-free transfer) income, he noted. the past Iranian calendar year 1399 (March 20, through 20 provinces, according to data compiled announced the inscriptions on Having an opulent tourist Tourism ministry helps empower inmates 2020 – February 18, 2021), Mehr reported. The by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Saturday in a letter to the gov- circuit with 26 UNESCO World country’s handicrafts exports slumped during Handicrafts. ernor-general of the province, Heritage sites, of which the In October 2020, the Ministry of Cultural Heri- CHTN reported. vast Hyrcanian Forest and Lut tage, Tourism, and Handicrafts signed a memoran- the mentioned months in comparison to the Ceramics, pottery vessels, handwoven cloths as Old plane, maple, and oak Desert are among the natural dum of understanding with the Prisons, Security, same period last a year earlier due to the dam- well as personal ornamentations with precious and trees as well as Shey Alim, Mij, properties, Iran seeks to acquire and Corrective Measures Organization to create age the coronavirus pandemic has inflicted on semi-precious gemstones are traditionally export- and Hali Dareh waterfalls were a greater share of the global jobs and make income for prisoners. global trade. ed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, the U.S., the UK, among the properties added to tourism industry by 2025. The MOU also aimed at implementing special The Islamic Republic exported $427 million and other countries. Spikogen vaccine enters third SOCIETY phase of clinical trial AUGUST 8, 2021 Straight Truth TEHRAN – The Iranian-Australian coronavirus vaccine Spikogen started the third phase of the TEHRAN TIMES 7 clinical trial with the participation of 17,000 people on Saturday. The first phase of the study was performed on volunteer Australians and received the necessary COVID-19 vaccination of foreign students to begin in weeks approval, the second phase was administrated to 400 Iranians, which has had no serious side ef- fects, Payam Tabarsi, researcher of the vaccine From page 1 During the pandemic, the admis- study project said. sion of foreign students increased by 20 percent, The second human testing showed good results, most of whom were admitted from neighboring with 70 percent antibody, he stated, adding, the countries, especially Iraq, and most of whom are pay- delta variant is now very strong and many vaccines ing tuition, he noted. have not been effective against the mutant. However, 4,000 non-Iranian students have been Vaccines against viruses can be divided into applied with a scholarship, he further added. three main categories: live attenuated, inacti- With the online university education system, more vated/killed, and subunit vaccines. Recombinant than 15,000 international students returned to their protein subunit vaccines are composed of at least country and communicate with their professors in 1 type of viral antigen. These vaccines are signifi- Iran through virtual education. cantly more secure than live attenuated and inac- tivated vaccines. Some 30,600 of the whole students are studying in universities affiliated with the Ministry of Science, Iran is also producing vaccines jointly with two while 25,000 others are receiving education in Azad students, which has increased to 77 in 2021. countries of Cuba and Russia, which may also be University, and about 2,000 in medical universities. released by September. Earlier in May, Indrika Ratwatte, Director of the Fifty-seven percent of the international students Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific at the The Iranian-made Sputnik vaccine is undergoing are studying for a master’s degree, 27 percent for a are expected soon. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees the final testing phase, and Pastu Covac received vaccine on February 9. bachelor’s degree and 15 percent are educating to re- the emergency use license. (UNHCR), appreciated Iran for vaccinating foreign While Iran continues efforts to mass-produce According to the Food and Drug Administration, ceive a Ph.D., while the remaining one percent study nationals Iran. Mass vaccination against COVID-19 started on local candidates, over 13 million doses of foreign 14 vaccines are being domestically developed in the at other levels. Iranian citizens with the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccines have already been imported and others country which are in different study phases. In light of the pandemic, all refugees, even those Law, Persian literature, and computer engineering undocumented, benefited from access to free pri- are the top three fields of study for foreign students mary health services and free COVID-19 related in Iran, while civil engineering, business manage- testing, treatment, and hospitalization, just like Ira- ment, political science, English language and litera- nian nationals. 32 eco-schools being built for energy management ture, Quran and hadith sciences, international rela- tions, and electrical engineering, and other majors The same happened for the vaccination when the with the highest number of non-Iranian students. country has generously considered foreign nation- citizenship, and climate change. Countries consid- construction is important and green manage- al and refugees over the age of 75 for vaccination ering their own socioeconomic and cultural char- ment indicators should be observed in building In 2013, 35 centers were allowed to admit foreign against coronavirus. acteristics must be able to adapt these criteria into schools, he said. their own particular circumstances. Many eco-schools in different parts of the coun- The materials used in these schools are na- try were built, among which, a school was opened ture-friendly, and each is built in four days and in Tehran’s District 5 with a green management PEOPLES OF IRAN costs about 40 percent lower than the regular approach, and is planned to make maximum use of schools, IRNA reported on Saturday. solar energy and water recycling, he explained. By managing the consumption of energy, wa- Earlier in March, Barekat Charity Foundation, gions and with Assyria. ter, and materials, eco-friendly schools will play affiliated to Headquarters for Executing the -Or The population of eastern Iran and Afghanistan an important role in the development of knowl- der of the Imam, inaugurated 100 nature-friendly about 2000 B.C.E. is virtually unknown, so conjec- edge and the formation of environmental ethics, schools across the country. ture is rife. We may suppose that, similar to the he further emphasized. Current environmental problems are rooted in Elamites in the southwest, here the people of the TEHRAN – A total of 32 green schools are un- In fact, organizations today intend to minimize the lack of proper awareness and cultural weak- Indus valley civilization, possibly proto-Dravid- der construction across the country, aiming to environmental damage by developing green build- ness regarding the relationship between man and ians, dominated the east, at least in culture and promote energy management in the education ings in cities and villages and managing energy, nature. Under such circumstances, environmen- influence. sector, Mehrollah Rakhshanimehr, director of the water, waste, and materials, he highlighted. tal issues have only belatedly been recognized in North of the Hindu Kush range it is conceiv- Organization for Development, Renovation, and Rakhshanimehr went on to say that the country school activities worldwide and led to the initiation able that ancestors of the Hunzakut, the Buru- Equipping Schools, said. is facing problems in the field of energy that have of green schools. Effective school programs should shaski-speaking people of present-day Hunza (in Eco-schools, also known as green schools, bring reached their peak this year. not only help students to progress the knowledge, Northern Areas, Pakistan), had a presence so far attitudes, and skills necessary for responsible en- a range of benefits, including waste management, So that, energy-saving comes to the center (Part 2) to the west. Some scholars have suggested that, waste reduction, biodiversity, energy, water, trans- vironmental behavior, but also have the potential previous to the expansion of the Indo-European of attention, in addition to culture promotion, to spread awareness of the concept. Arrival of the Iranians. A general picture of the port, health, global sustainability, healthy nutrition, peoples of Iran at the beginning of the second mil- speakers, a family of peoples extended from the lennium B.C.E. might be reconstructed, from cune- Atlantic Ocean to India, the relics of which were, or iform sources of Mesopotamia and from later rel- are, the Basques, Etruscans, Rhaetians, some Cau- Borderless collaboration for a borderless disaster ics, as follows: in the southern plains (Khuzestan) casian peoples, and the Hunzakut plus the Dravid- were the Elamites (see ELAM), who extended to the ian Brahuis of Baluchistan (Berger, 1998, pp. 1-25). east perhaps as far as Sistan and in the north pos- This is an unproved theory, and we can only say From page 1 The most important factors of 30 populations. was formed, which has been able to manage this sibly to the Alborz mountains. that it is most probable that the Indo-European dust storms are land degradation, desertification, Globally, 334 million people and 14 percent of the issue to a very good extent, he further highlighted. It would be more accurate to say that Elamite speakers did not come upon empty areas in their climate change, unsustainable land, and water use, world’s children experience asthmatic symptoms. Tajrishi went on to state that the headquarters culture and influence reached so far, as may be in- expansion on the Iranian plateau but found earli- strong winds, increasing drought, and its severity er, unrelated inhabitants. The role of these people Some infectious diseases can be transmitted first identified internal and external dust hotspots, ferred from remains of material culture and traces over time. in conveying new culture, both material and oth- by dust. Meningococcal meningitis, a bacterial in- of proto-Elamite writing. Obviously many dialects based on which it was determined that about 35 er, to the arriving Indo-Europeans is a subject of Natural sources of SDSs (including dried lakes fection of the thin tissue layer that surrounds the and forms of social life existed, but the basic racial million hectares are generating dust in the coun- much speculation. This holds true especially for and rangelands affected by vegetation depletion) brain and spinal cord, can result in brain damage features of Caucasoids remained constant. try, two million hectares of which are in critical those settled in the northeasternstaging ground account for 75 percent of the world’s dust emis- and, if untreated, death in 50 percent of cases. Above Elam, the expanse of territory of the for entry to the plateau—i.e., the area termed the sions and the share of human-caused SDSs (such condition. peoples north and west across and beyond the as land-use change, agriculture, water diversion, Outbreaks occur worldwide, yet the highest in- Bactriana-Margiana Archeological Complex (for Studies have shown that 40 percent of the crit- Zagros was labeled vaguely as “Gutium” (q.v. at and deforestation) is about 25 percent. cidence is found in the “meningitis belt”, a part of overview, see Possehl, 2002, pp. 215-36, with lit.). sub-Saharan Africa with an estimated population ical dust sources are dried wetlands. To manage iranica.com) by the states of Mesopotamia from Dust storms have both internal and external the third millenium on. This convenient term A long period of contact there between the set- of 300 million. These outbreaks have a strong sea- this section, we are going to have a meeting with tled agriculturists and the Indo-Iranians to the origins, but their negative consequences are very sonal pattern – many studies have linked environ- would continue in use down to the arrival of Per- wide and include serious risks to human health up the Ministry of Energy, he added. sian rule in Babylon (as on the Cyrus cylinder, in north may have been characterized by a symbiosis mental conditions, such as low humidity and dusty to major economic losses in the fields of transpor- About 350 million hectares of surrounding Pritchard, 1974, pp. 315-16). similar to that between Bactrians and Scythians conditions, to the time and place of infections. (see below, “Pre-Islamic Period”) in and after the tation, agriculture, water, and air quality. countries affect Iran, which is mainly raised from In the north, the Caspians and other tribes or Researchers believe that the inhalation of dust Achaemenid period. The Indo-Europeans, as their Impacts on human health sub-tribes lived in the Alborz mountains and on particles in hot dry weather may damage nose Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, the United migration proceeded southward, also must have the southern shores of the Caspian seacoast in Airborne dust presents serious risks for human and throat mucosa creating favorable conditions Arab Emirates, Oman, and Turkmenistan, he not- benefited from the existence of routes linking Bac- relative isolation and independence—a condi- health. Dust particle size is a key determinant of for bacterial infection. Moreover, iron oxides em- ed, adding, so that the Ministry of Foreign affairs tria with other trading points across Iran. the potential hazards to human health. Particles tion which persisted in varying extent into the bedded in dust particles may enhance the risk of started negotiations with the international com- The Semitic and Hamitic peoples of the Near larger than 10 micrometers are not breathable, Islamic period. infection. munity to tackle the problem. East and Africa are not in the purview of our inves- thus can only damage external organs – mostly In the northwest of Iran, in Azerbaijan, and ex- Dust also plays a role in the transmission of tigation, even though small numbers of Semites causing skin and eye irritations, conjunctivitis, and During this period, about 110,000 hectares un- tending into Anatolia, were probably the ancestors valley fever – a potentially deadly disease – in the did move onto the plateau at various times. enhanced susceptibility to ocular infection. dergone seedling plantation, more than 750,000 of historical peoples who would exert important Southwest of the United States and in Northern hectares of protection, trapping and grazing op- influence on the arriving Iranians—namely, the The expansion of the Indo-Europeans in the Inhalable particles, those smaller than 10 mi- Mexico by acting as a transporter of Coccidioides second millennium B.C.E. changed the face of Iran. crometers, often get trapped in the nose, mouth erations in pastures with dust-raising potential, Manneans (successors in the Zagros and Lake Ur- fungi spores. mia region, if not lineal descendants, of the Hurrian The IE languages are usually divided into two ma- and upper respiratory tract thus can be associated soil stabilization in 150,000 hectares, including Internal SDSs hotspots people of the 3rd-2nd millenia) and the Urartians jor groups, the centum (western) and the satem with respiratory disorders such as asthma, tra- mulching, construction of live and non-living (eastern), from the Latin and Avestan words re- Masoud Tajrishi, deputy head of the Depart- (the dominant people of the Caucasus in the early cheitis, pneumonia, allergic rhinitis, and silicosis. windbreaks, equipping 100 stations for forecasting spectively for the number 100. The following is a ment of Environment (DOE) for the human en- first millenium). However, finer particles may penetrate the low- speculative reconstruction but has a good chance and warning, about 360 thousand cubic meters of The fortified town excavated at Hasanlu (q.v.) er respiratory tract and enter the bloodstream, vironment stated in June that a total budget of of verisimilitude. dredging operations, improving routes for water to in Azerbaijan provides valuable glimpses of the where they can affect all internal organs and be €450 million has been earmarked to contain economic and cultural interaction across these re- (Source: Encyclopaedia Iranica) responsible for cardiovascular disorders. A global sand and dust storms (SDSs) nationwide over reach wetlands and about 100 kilometers of water model assessment in 2014 estimated that expo- the past three years. transmission channels to humidify areas with dust sure to dust particles caused about 400,000 pre- Accordingly, in 2017, a special working group potential in 27 dusty provinces were among the ac- mature deaths by cardiopulmonary disease in over called “national headquarters for SDSs control” tions have been taken, he explained. COVID-19 UPDATES ON AUGUST 7 ENGLISH IN USE LEARN NEWS TRANSLATION New cases 26,439 New deaths 387 کیتهای ایرانی تشخیص کووید 19 ماه آینده روانه بازار میشوند All-Iranian COVID-19 diagnostic kits to be released within month Total cases 4,119,110 دبیر ستاد توسعه زیستفناوری معاونت علمی و فناوری ریاست جمهوری گفت: کیتهای تشخیصی کووید 19، فروردین ماه وارد بازار میشوند. Iran will commercialize domestically-made COVID-19 diagnostic kits by مصطفی قانعی، دبیر ستاد توسعه ز یستفناوری معاونت علمی و فناوری ریاست جمهوری، the Iranian calendar month of Farvardin (March 21-April 22), secretary of biotechnology development of Vice Presidency for Science and Technology Total deaths 93,473 اظهار داشت: به دنبال فراخوان این ستاد برای ساخت کی تهای آزمایشگاهی تشخیص .announced کووید 19، با پنج شرکت دان شبنیان برای ساخت این کی تها قرارداد منعقد شده است. Following a call by the headquarters for the production of COVID-19 diagnostic New hospitalized patients 3,705 تشخیص، مهمترین راه ورود به درمان بیماری کرونا است. -kits, a contract was signed with five knowledge-based companies and manufac در حال حاضر بیماران مبتال به کرونا به وسیله کیتهای تشخیصی که در قالب .turing process began, ISNA quoted Mostafa Qane’ei as saying on Monday Diagnosis is the most important part of coronavirus treatment, he high- Patients in critical condition 6,375 مساعدت و خرید از طریق سازمان بهداشت جهانی، کشور چین و یونیسف وارد ایران شدهاند شناسایی میشوند؛ اما ستاد توسعه زیستفناوری معاونت علمی و فناوری lighted. Patients suspected to coronavirus are currently being identified by ریاست جمهوری با انتشار فراخوانی از دانشبنیانهای توانمند دعوت کرد تا به حوزه diagnostic kits that have entered Iran in the form of assistance and purchases Total recovered patients 3,515,263 ساخت این کیتها ورود کنند. .by the World Health Organization, China and UNICEF, he said به گزارش از مرکز ارتباطات و اطالع رسانی معاونت علمی و فناوری ریاست جمهوری، So, the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology decided to manufacture the kits domestically, he noted. Diagnostic tests conducted 26,399,374 وی افزود: کیتهای وارد شده تا دو ماه آینده کافی هستند اما بعد از این مدت با کمبود Existing imported kits are sufficient for the next two months but after this کیتهای تشخیص کرونا مواجه خواهیم شد. به همین دلیل با کمک توانمندیهای period we will be faced with shortages of kits, however, the domestic ones will داخلی این نیاز را مرتفع میکنیم. .enter the market, he concluded Doses of vaccine injected 15,133,810 “No Place for Angels” takes top place at Independent TEHRAN TIMES Celebration of Iranian Documentary Cinema www.tehrantimes.com TEHRAN – Sam Kalatari’s film “No while his young bride Tayi is a devout Place for Angels” about the national Muslim, shocked by her new husband’s Managing Director: Mohammad Shojaeian Iranian women’s hockey team has won Western tastes. Editor-in-Chief: Ali A.Jenabzadeh awards in several categories, including Khosrovani creates a poetic portrait best documentary feature, at the 12th of a fraught but loving relationship Independent Celebration of Iranian set against 1960s Switzerland and Editorial Dept.: Fax: (+98 21) 88808214 — 88808895 Documentary Cinema. revolutionary-era Iran using family Email: [email protected] Due to the pandemic, only winners photos, other archival materials, along with a limited number of crew recreated and imagined dialogue, and Switchboard Operator: Tel: (+98 21) 43051000 members were invited to the gala held the geographical dimensions of her Advertisements Dept.: Telefax: (+98 21) 43051430 at the Iranian House of Cinema on Friday childhood home. evening. Public Relations Office: Tel: (+98 21) 88805807 Sattar Uraki won the award for best Co-produced by Mohammad Shakibania composer for his collaboration in “Isatis” Subscription & Distribution Dept.: Tel: (+98 21) 43051603 and Mohsen Shahmohammad-Mirab, directed by Ahmad Dehqan. Tehrantimes79 Printed at: Jame Jam Bartar Borna - 44197737 the documentary is about the Iranian The award for best research went to national women’s inline hockey team “Return” directed and written by Farhad that is preparing to compete in South Varahram. This film also brought him No. 18, Bimeh Alley, Nejatollahi St., Tehran, Iran P.o. Box: 14155-4843 Zip Code: 1599814713 Korea. Throughout the film, these women the award for best writer. In addition, struggle with their greatest fears and Shahram Derakhshan was picked as best become stronger as they begin to believe narrator for this film. in themselves and rely on the skills and Filmmaker Sam Kalantari poses after accepting a lifetime GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL AWAKENING strength they thought they did not have, achievement award during the 12th Independent Celebration of In the mid-length documentary but were wrong. They had it in themselves Iranian Documentary Cinema at the Iranian House of Cinema on category, “Rashow” by Reza Abbasi was He who is greedy is disgraced; he who discloses his hardship all along and simply had to dig it out. August 2021 ,6. (IRNA) named best film. Mojgan Sayyadi is the producer of the film. will always be humiliated; he who has no control over his The film also brought Reza Teimuri, the award for best cinematographer. No winner was announced for best tongue will often have to face discomfort. director for “The Unseen”. This animated documentary attempts director in this section, while Mehdi Shaahin Purdadashi won the award Imam Ali (AS) When foreign dignitaries are to give a voice to homeless women taken Zamanpur Kiasari for “Kal Fatemeh” and for best location sound recordist for this expected in Tehran, the local authorities off the streets against their will, stripped Baktash Abtin for “A Termite with Milk film and the documentary “Woodgirls - A dedicate themselves to an “urban of their rights and kept incarcerated until Teeth” received honorable mentions. Duet for a Dream”. beautification” process which includes their death. “Aqueduct” by Hadi Afarideh was Noon:13:10 Evening: 20:44 Dawn: 4:21 (tomorrow) Sunrise: 6:18 (tomorrow) Prayer Times Ensieh Maleki was also selected as the rounding up of unsavory characters Director Firuzeh Khosrovani was selected best short documentary and best sound engineer for her collaboration - drug addicts and prostitutes - from honored with the special jury award for Mohsen Zarifipur was named best director in “No Place for Angels” and “The Unseen”. the streets. The men are released after “Radiograph of a Family”, which is a co- in the short documentary competition for History of art in Iran: Hayedeh Safiyari and Farahnaz Sharifi a few days, but the women are kept as production of Iran, Switzerland and Norway. his “Lullabies of Abu Hamizeh”. also shared the award for best editor for wards of the state in perpetuity. They Khosrovani investigates her parents’ Documentarians Hamidreza Ahmadi “No Place for Angels” and “Radiograph of are sent to holding centers on the unusual marriage in this documentary Lari and Sam Kalantari were also honored post-Qajar painting a Family” respectively. outskirts of the city where no records steeped in bittersweet history. Hossein, a with lifetime achievement awards at the Behzad Nalbandi was named best are kept by the social workers. radiologist, is secular and sophisticated, celebration. Chronological survey The beginnings of modern art in Iran can be traced back to Mohammad Ghaffari, also known as Kamalolmolk (1852-1940), the last court painter of the Qajar shahs. Actress Mahchehreh Khalili’s awards, personal effects During the latter half of the 19th century, when Iranians were being gradually introduced to the marvels of new technology, and photography was a novelty, Kamlolmolk broke with the formal stereotyped painting style of his day, and adopted instead a naturalistic style that competed with the photographic lens in the rendering donated to Film Museum of Iran of fine detail. Abolhassan Khan Ghaffari, another eminent Qajar painter, had visited Italy in mid-19th century to study museum announced on Saturday. Khalili produced her masterpiece in European painting techniques in the museums of Rome and Florence, but what he had learned from the Khalili, the star of Iranian TV series such as “Mokhtarnameh”, director Davud Mirbaqeri’s TV series European masters affected his own work only. “Mokhtarnameh” and “The Pahlavi Hat” and acclaimed about an uprising organized by Mokhtar Saqafi after Kamalolmolk’s study, and adoption, of the academic style—undertaken first at Tehran’s newly created movie “Wishbone”, died of pancreatic cancer in August the events of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, to take revenge against the killers of Imam Hussein (AS). She polytechnic, the Dar ul-Fonun, and several years later at the Louvre (ca. 1902) and elsewhere in France and Italy, 2020 in London. She was 44. created a more fundamental change that affected the norms of painting and its appreciation in Iran over the portrayed Jarieh, Mokhtar’s sister in the blockbuster. Khalili had a degree in architecture from Oxford next several decades. Director Ali Atshani’s 2017 acclaimed drama University and completed courses at Method Acting, a The traditional mediums of miniature, manuscript illustration, and lacquer-work were finally replaced by “Wishbone” features one of her last appearances in college school in London that provides acting classes the film industry. Western-style easel painting as the Iranian artist’s primary medium of expression. and lessons. Khalili who held dual citizenship in Tehran and Not only had Kamalolmolk’s meticulously detailed canvases made him a legendary figure in his own lifetime, She was a grandchild of veteran actress Parvin as the painter par excellence, but the school of fine arts, Madrasa-ye Sanaye-e Mostazrafeh, that he established London gave birth to her only son, Parvaz, in Iran to Solemani and made her debut with Iraj Qaderi’s in Tehran in 1911 and personally directed until his retreat to Neyshabur in 1928, helped train and launch a host of let him have Iranian nationality. drama “Black Eyes” in 2000. disciples who popularized the new style at the expense of the traditional styles that still survived. “I wanted my son to be born in Iran. I wanted him to A poster for the objects donated by actress “Havana File” by Alireza Raisian, “Trap” by Sirus have an Iranian identity card and passport. This was Mahchehreh Khalili’s family to the Film Alvand and “Mask” by Kazem Rastgoftar are some of very important for me, because I had lived far from Museum of Iran. the movies in which Khalili starred. Iran for twenty years, but I always wished to live in However, she did some of her best work in the TV Iran, and I have always considered myself an Iranian,” TEHRAN – The family of the late Iranian actress series “In the Eye of the Wind” by Masud Jafari Jozani Khalili had earlier said on Dorehami, an Iranian TV talk Mahchehreh Khalili has donated awards and some of and “The Pahlavi Hat” by Ziaeddin Dorri, both of which show hosted by director and actor Mehran Modiri. her personal effects to the Film Museum of Iran, the chronicle part of contemporary Iranian history. Khalili was buried in a cemetery in London. Karlovy Vary festival picks movies from Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian movies “Ballad of a White Cow” The 55th edition of the Karlovy Vary festival will and “Hit the Road” will be competing in the Karlovy take place in the west Bohemia region of Czech from Vary International Film Festival in Czech. August 20 until 28. Directed by Behtash Sanaeiha and Maryam Iranian filmmakers have been frequent visitors to Moqaddam, “Ballad of a White Cow” is about Mina, the Karlovy Vary festival. whose life is turned upside down when she learns Leila Hatami won the best actress award for her that her husband Babak was innocent of the crime role in “The Last Step” at the closing ceremony of the for which he was condemned and executed. The 47th edition of the festival in 2012. authorities express their regret for the mistake, offer her financial compensation and consider the matter She received the award for her portrayal of a closed. But it isn’t closed for Mina. This drama is beautiful and gifted Iranian film star named Leila “Baghdad Fortuneteller” by Mohammad Ghaffari – Kamalolmolk. about the price of forgiveness, if such a cost can be in “The Last Step”, which has been directed by her calculated at all. husband Ali Mosaffa. All through the twenties, thirties, and even forties, while in Europe cubists, surrealists, expressionists, “Hit the Road” directed by Panah Panahi, revolves Hatami was a member of the jury at the festival in abstractionists, etc. changed places at the vanguard of modernism, in Iran the accepted types of “modern” around a four-member family that is driving through Maryam Moqaddam acts in a scene from 2006. painting were mostly academic renderings, in oils or water colors, of Iranian subject matter: family gatherings, a picturesque, mountainous Iranian landscape. “Ballad of a White Cow”, that she co-directed In their visit to the festival Iranian photographer street scenes, landscapes, and floral still lifes. But it soon becomes clear that this is no ordinary with Behtash Sanaeiha. and filmmaker Seifollah Samadian and film family outing… In his remarkably mature debut, distributor Mohammad Atebbai personally named a Less serious practitioners made oil or watercolor copies of Central European landscapes featuring snow- blends with tears and loud music. capped peaks, scenic lakes, and chateaus. Panahi shows an uncommon sense for capturing the single massive tree near the Hotel Thermal in Karlovy dynamics of familial relationships and offers a vibrant “Hit the Road” was a success during Directors’ Vary after the world-renowned Iranian filmmaker Although suffering a severe decline, some of the traditional arts continued to be produced in the early portrait of one family in a road movie where laughter Fortnight at this year’s festival in Cannes. Abbas Kiarostami. decades of the 20th century and “popular art” continued to flourish. Murals and oil paintings were used to decorate local coffeehouses, from which their appellation coffeehouse painting is derived. “Women Who Read Are Dangerous” appears in Persian They were used inter alia by local storytellers in their recounting of the stories of the Shahnameh and the accounts of the sufferings of the Shia martyrs. Votive art, such as those employed in shrines and saqqakhaneh, banners, standards, and symbols of TEHRAN – German author Stefan to read whatever they want, whether for selling “Women Who Read Are Dangerous”. martyrdom used in the Shia mourning ceremonies and processions, provided another level of expression for Bollmann’s “Women Who Read Are pleasure or instruction. This book presents portraits and Iran’s artists and would prove a rich source of iconography for later painters. Dangerous” has been published in Persian. Works by a diverse range of artists, from profiles of fearless women writers past The establishment of the University of Tehran in 1934, and the creation of its School of Fine Arts in 1938 where Translated into Persian Fatemeh Torabi, Vermeer, Manet and Whistler to Edward and present. several disciples of Kamalolmolk occupied key positions, held back for another decade or so Iran’s modernism to the book was released by the Saless Hopper and photographer Eve Arnold, Writing has not always been a level that would admit only the impressionists while miniature painting in the Safavid style would continue to publishing house in Tehran. are accompanied by commentaries that considered a suitable career for women. be practiced by a residual school of artists best represented by Hossein Behzad. This highly acclaimed book presents explain the context in which each image Indeed, it was once common for women During World War II, Iran was invaded (1941) and occupied by the Allied Forces, causing among other things a compelling selection of paintings, was created. authors to adopt a masculine pseudonym contacts with Western culture to increase. drawings, prints and photographs of Also featuring a foreword by novelist in order to be taken seriously. And In the wake of the war, many young Iranians traveled to Europe and America to pursue their education women reading through the ages. Karen Joy Fowler and an engaging even today, some women writers still abroad, and some of them studied art. Artists have long sought to capture the introduction exploring reading as a female struggle to obtain the same recognition intimacy and tranquility of reading in their pursuit, “Women Who Read Are Dangerous” that is given to their male counterparts. Meanwhile, a number of group exhibitions were organized in Tehran in which most of the practicing will appeal to book lovers everywhere. Nevertheless, women throughout the Front cover of the Persian modernists participated. work. There was a time, however, when female literacy was a radical idea, and Stefan has also authored “Women Who ages have overcome these obstacles to translation of Stefan Bollmann’s The most noteworthy of these were the 1946 exhibition at the [Iran] Soviet Cultural Society (VOKS), and the women have certainly not always been free Write Are Dangerous”, a sequel to the best- create literature of enduring importance. “Women Who Read Are Dangerous”. series of exhibitions held at Mehragan club, home of the National Teachers’ Association during the early fifties. These shows were still dominated by canvases of the Kamalolmolk school. Real modernism intruded onto the scene with the return of a number of foreign-educated Iranian artists from France and Italy in particular. Iranians reading “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” Fired by examples of rapid modernization in many aspects of Iranian life and culture, they too embarked on a course to inject avant-gardism in visual arts into the minds of the Iranian public. Jalil Ziapur (1928-), a graduate of the School of Fine Arts at University of Tehran, who had freshly TEHRAN – Japanese writer Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s novel In “Before the Coffee Gets Cold”, we meet four visitors, Kawaguchi’s beautiful, moving story explores the age- returned from a sojourn of several years in France, where he had studied with the Cubist painter André “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” has been published in Persian. each of whom is hoping to make use of the café’s time- old question: what would you change if you could travel traveling offer, in order to: confront the man who left them, back in time? More importantly, who would you want to Lhote, started with the help of his friends an art club and a monthly publication called Khorus-e Jangi (The Moon is the publisher of the novel rendered into Persian receive a letter from their husband whose memory has meet, maybe for one last time? Fighting Cock, 1949) which soon became the unofficial battle cry of modernism, and around which avant- by Roshanak Zarrabi. The original edition was published in been taken by an early onset of Alzheimer’s, to see their garde painters, poets, and dramatists rallied. 2015 and an English translation of the book by Geoffrey Kawaguchi was born in Osaka in 1971. He formerly sister one last time, and to meet the daughter they never produced, directed and wrote for the theatrical group Sonic With the exhibition of quasi-cubist or -expressionist and even abstractionist canvases at Tehran’s first art Trousselot was released in 2019. got the chance to know. shows, a public debate on the merits of modern art got underway, which continued, side by side with the “new Snail. As a playwright, his works include “COUPLE”, “Sunset In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café, which has vs. classical poetry” controversy, for two or three decades. But the journey into the past does not come without Song” and “Family Time”. The novel “Before the Coffee been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one risks: customers must sit in a particular seat, they cannot Gets Cold” is adapted from a 1110 Productions play by Source: Encyclopedia Iranica hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a leave the café, and finally, they must return to the present Kawaguchi, which won the grand prize at the 10th Suginami To be continued unique experience: the chance to travel back in time. before the coffee gets cold. Drama Festival.