WWW.TEHRANTIMES.COM I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y 16 Pages Price 20,000 Rials 1.00 EURO 4.00 AED 39th year No.13253 Tuesday NOVEMBER 13, 2018 Aban 22, 1397 Rabi’ Al awwal 5, 1440 Larijani urges Saudis close to Bin Mohammadi named Martyna Kosecka to conduct Europeans to act more Salman tried to kill Iran’s freestyle Poland’s independence independently 2 Iranian officials 2 wrestling coach 15 concert in Tehran 16 ‘EU to continue transport co-op See page 13 with Iran despite sanctions’ ECONOMY TEHRAN — Euro- in Tehran, Maja Bakran Marcich said “the Rockets desk pean Commission’s EU will continue to cooperate with Iran deputy director-general for mobility and in the framework of agreements signed in transport said EU is going to continue its various fields of transportation.” transport cooperation with Iran despite The official noted that 80 percent of U.S. sanctions, IRNA reported on Monday. the world’s trade is conducted through Speaking in a two-day workshop on sea transport and since a big chunk of fired at ports, maritime and logistics held by Iran’s this trade is between Asia and Europe, Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) it cannot be stopped under any circum- in collaboration with the European Union stances. 4 occupied UNWTO chief sees Iran as a safe, peaceful destination TOURISM TEHRAN — The vis- stated, Tasnim reported. deskiting United Nations He made the remarks in a press conference World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) followed by the opening ceremony of the 40th lands secretary general on Monday said “We are UNWTO Affiliate Members Plenary Session, willing to introduce Iran to the world as which opened in the city of Hamedan. a safe and peaceful destination.” “We know that dozens of hotels are “We are here to help Iran become under construction in the country that more powerful, and as a result, to create jobs… all of these investments and make the World Tourism Organization efforts made by the government will help more powerful,” Zurab Pololikashvili bring more tourists to Iran.” 10 Top Obama-era officials urge immediate end to U.S. involvement in Yemen war Top Obama administration officials have Susan E. Rice and former CIA director drafted a letter acknowledging their re- John Brennan, said the Obama admin- sponsibility for initiating U.S. involvement istration decided in 2015 to provide in Yemen’s destructive civil war and call- limited support to a Saudi-led military ing for the Trump administration to halt coalition in an attempt to ensure a pru- America’s role in the conflict. dent operation against Yemen and to Thirty former senior officials, in- steer the conflict toward a diplomatic cluding former national security adviser resolution. 13 ARTICLE Elections were a referendum on Trump: Anna Eskamani ARTICLE Ebrahim Fallahi elections is still present, and efforts to scare voters Syed Zafar Mehdi Tehran Times journalist EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Journalist By Javad Heirannia and divide us continues. Republicans still hold the majority in the from New Delhi TEHRAN — State House Representative, Senate but Democrats succeeded to win the House Anna V. Eskamani, says that the recent after 7 years. Why led to the victory of Democrats The impact of U.S. elections in the U.S. were a referendum on in the House? Taliban talks: President Trump. A: Democratic candidates were inspirational sanctions on Iranian Democratic member for the Florida House and issue-based. We offered a vision for the future Dialogue and of Representatives also says “President Trump’s that focused on everyday Americans. oil industry, market influence over elections is still present, and efforts Now, Democrats have the majority in the violence can’t go to scare voters and divide us continues.” House. Can this impact Trump’s foreign policy, in focus Following is the text of the interview: especially toward Iran? together Some argue that the congressional elections ight from the day Trump withdrew A: Absolutely, but I think it is more likely were a referendum on President Trump. What ialogue and violence cannot go from Iran’s nuclear deal, announc- that divisions between the two chambers and is your opinion? a referendum on President Trump. However, I hand in hand. The first cardinal ing his plan for cutting Iranian oil two parties will continue, leading to not much R A: Yes, I agree that these past elections were will add that President Trump’s influence over change for the next two years. Dprinciple of ‘peace negotiations’ is exports to zero, the oil scholars and experts an unconditional ceasefire. That is how all around the world begun contemplating the two warring sides build trust, bury the the impacts of this decision on the Iranian hatchet and make peace with each other. oil industry especially on the country’s Exemption of Chabahar project from U.S. sanctions win-win for India, Iran You cannot extend an olive branch and oil exports. INTERNATIONAL TEHRAN — In a significant carrying of “non-sanctionable” goods through project, which will keep Islamabad out of the point the barrel of gun at the same time. Today, near five months after Trump’s deskdevelopment that augurs well the port to Iran. equation and give India direct access to Kabul That renders the whole exercise futile. announcement and while the U.S. has for Iran-India relations, New Delhi has managed “After extensive consideration, the Secretary through Iran. Over the past few weeks, Afghan Taliban re-imposed sanctions on Tehran, still to keep the strategic Chabahar Port project out- has provided for an exception from the imposition India is scheduled to hold a ministerial-level has been actively involved in so-called nobody has a clear idea about the out- side the ambit of U.S. sanctions against Iran that of certain sanctions under the Iran Freedom and meeting with Tehran and Moscow this month to ‘peace talks’ with the U.S. government, comes of the U.S. actions against Iran, came into effect on November 5. Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (IFCA) with implement the much-delayed International North even though the group has intransigently and there is still great disagreement After getting snubbed by New Delhi, to respect to the development of Chabahar Port South Transport Corridor (INSTC), according refused to engage with the Ashraf Ghani over the magnitude of the impact on save itself from further embarrassment, and the construction of an associated railway to a report in daily Economic Times. government in Kabul, calling it a “pup- Iranian oil industry and especially on the U.S. administration “granted” exemp- and for the shipment of non-sanctionable goods The report said Indian officials held pet government”. What makes the U.S. crude exports. tions to eight countries, including India, through the Port for Afghanistan’s use, as well detailed discussions with the U.S. on the government a credible ‘stakeholder’ in However, the oil markets have been and announced that the Chabahar project as Afghanistan’s continued imports of Iranian one hand and with Iran-Afghanistan on the this whole peace exercise is something through various changes in the past few and Afghanistan specific railway project petroleum products,” the spokesperson was other to continue and expand its presence only the Taliban leadership can explain. months based on which we can draw a (under INSTC) would be kept out of the quoted saying. at Chabahar Port. U.S. government recently appointed relatively neat picture of what to expect purview of sanctions for the purpose of Chabahar and INSTC are important strategic Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, while ad- seasoned diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad as in the future. “development” in Afghanistan. projects for India and Afghanistan and New dressing an Indo-Pacific connectivity meet in its ‘peace emissary’ to facilitate talks with Markets moving toward ‘oversupply’ A report in India Today, quoting the U.S. State Delhi had been exerting pressure on Washington New Delhi last week, announced that India will the insurgent group. According to reports, In January 2017 OPEC and a group Department spokesman, said the U.S. would for a waiver, according to sources. Chabahar continue to use Chabahar Port as part of its wider he held first round of talks with the group, of non-OPEC producers including Rus- allow the projects to move forward and allow is seen as a counter to Pakistan’s Gwadar port Indo-Pacific connectivity project. 6 which however did not yield anything ex- sia began cutting their output in order cept a few handshakes. Before Khalilzad, a to balance an oversupplied market in few senior Trump administration officials which the oil prices had fallen from over had held secret parleys with representatives $100 a barrel to under $30. After OPEC+ from Taliban’s political office in Doha, agreement the glut was slowly drained and Paper dino in during which Taliban were reportedly the prices stared to move in an upward offered a role in Kabul government too, trend reaching $80. much to the chagrin of anti-Taliban po- The rise in oil prices started to concern Shiraz marks litical stalwarts in Afghanistan. Trump’s administration who were close to Not to be left behind, America’s tra- the midterm elections and also planning ditional rival Russia has also jumped the to re-impose sanctions on Iran; and the Origami Day bandwagon, offering to facilitate ‘peace talks’ surging oil prices were not at all in line Iranian art students from the University between the Taliban and Afghan govern- with their interests. This made Trump to of Shiraz pose with a huge origami dino- ment.