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.13287 Tuesday DECEMBER 25, 2018 Dey 4, 1397 Rabi’ Al thani 17, 1440 Iran not to let U.S. Experience contradicts Former Iran and Iranian film posters carriers come close Western media image Persepolis coach on display to its waters 2 of Iran 10 Stanko Poklepovic dies 15 in Prague 16 India to officially start operating Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar ECONOMY TEHRAN – Open- India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), India Zarif, Qureshi discuss desk ing an office in Iran would operate phase 1 of Shahid Beheshti on Monday, India Ports Global Limited Port for a term of one and a half year. (IPGL) has officially taken over the opera- “The short-term lease then will be ex- tions at phase 1 of Shahid Beheshti Port in tended to a 10-year lease if the two sides See page 2 Iran’s southeastern port city of Chabahar, agree to do so”, the official said. Afghan security IRNA reported quoting director of Iran’s Hassanzadeh further noted that the Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) short-term lease would see IPGL to conduct for ports and economic affairs. operations like loading and unloading, According to Mohammad-Ali Hassanza- equipment supply and marketing at the deh, under the contract between PMO and mentioned port. 4 Iran’s saffron farming system wins FAO world heritage status HERITAGE TEHRAN — A tradi- biodiversity, FAO website reported desktional saffron cultiva- on December 21. tion system in Iran has won recognition The Iranian entrée, along with coun- from FAO as Globally Important Agricul- terparts in Spain and Morocco, was tural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). designated by the GIAHS Scientific Titled “Saffron Farming System Advisory Group based on selection based on Qanat irrigation in Gonabad, criteria including global importance, Iran”, the credit reflects a unique way values in terms of supporting food and to produce nutritious foods and/or livelihood security, agro-biodiversity, spices using traditional knowledge knowledge systems, adapted technol- and skills while improving local ogies, cultures, and outstanding land- people’s livelihoods and preserving scapes. 10 Turkish-backed rebels reinforce front around Manbij as U.S. prepares to pull out Asghar Khamseh Turkish-backed Syrian rebels have rein- as Ankara and Washington have agreed forced the area around the town of Man- to coordinate on the U.S. withdrawal. bij, a rebel spokesman said on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump’s abrupt as they prepare for a withdrawal of U.S. decision has upended American policy in troops following Washington’s surprise the region and set Turkey up for a broad decision to pull out of Syria. push against Syrian Kurdish YPG forces Tehran Times/ Tehran Times/ The heightened military activity comes across its border. 13 EDITORIAL U.S. has no right to claim that Iran is “violating” 2231: Jenkins REPORT Mohammad Ghaderi He adds that “There is no agreed international intermediate-range or intercontinental. A list of Syed Zafar Mehdi Tehran Times editor-in-chief EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW By Javad Heirannia norm that outlaws the acquisition or possession missile-possessing states on the site of the Arms Journalist @ghaderi62 of missiles, whether short-range, medium-range, Control Association suggests that more than 30 from New Delhi TEHRAN — Peter Jenkins, former UK Ambas- intermediate-range or intercontinental.” states possess one or more of these categories of sador to the IAEA and UN says that “UNSC 2231 Following is the full text of the interview: missile. A 2004 UN Security Council resolution Corbyn targeting “calls upon” Iran to refrain from developing a Western countries claim that Iran’s creates certain legally binding obligation for all certain category of missiles. “Call upon” is not missile-related activities is threat for inter- states in relation to the “means of delivery” (i.e. Two anti-Pakistan the Brexit talks a legally-binding formulation.” national system. Is there any kind of agreed missiles) of certain weapons, but these obliga- figures nominated Former associate fellow of the Geneva international norm that can be used to assess tions do not include to refrain from acquiring, eremy Corbyn, the British politician Centre for Security Policy also adds that “So whether or not a weapon system is justified as manufacturing or possessing. to top security posts who has been serving as Leader of the United States has no right to claim that a defensive tool? Around Iran is full of threat from U.S. bases Jthe Labor Party and Leader of the Iran is “violating” 2231 (as it is itself) or “in A: There is no agreed international norm in region and Saudi Arabia missile and Israel in Afghanistan Opposition since 2015 in the UK, is now non-compliance” with 2231, or “failing to that outlaws the acquisition or possession of chemical and nuclear. In this area, is it logical trying to provide the ground for his own comply” with 2231.” missiles, whether short-range, medium-range, Iran ignore its missile program? 13 victory and the Labor Party in the country’s n a very significant but debatable move, possible election in 2019. It seems that Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani after his success in defeating figures such ‘UAE trying to nix agreements reached in Yemen talks’ Ihas appointed two political rivals and avowed adversaries of neighboring Paki- as Tony Blair, he has more incentives for A high-ranking member of the Yemeni Houthi He described the agreements reached during and organizations to form an advisory commit- pursuing his goals. stan to two key ministries. Ansarullah movement has accused the United peace talks as a victory for the Yemeni people, tee and support the national delegation and the The news had been doing rounds for a This is in spite of the fact that Cor- Arab Emirates (UAE) of attempts to scupper agree- stressing that the triumph was scored through political leadership with their visions. byn is still facing opposition inside the week and the final announcement came ments recently reached between warring sides the steadfastness of people from all walks of so- Delegates from Ansarullah movement and as a surprise to many. Both the nominees Labor Party and, of course, rival parties. during the latest round of UN-sponsored peace ciety over the countries involved in the ongoing representatives loyal to former Yemeni president Opponents who, from the beginning of have headed the country’s spy agency – negotiations in Sweden. military aggression on Yemen. Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi sat down for a round National Directorate of Security (NDS). Corbyn’s presence as the leader of the Addressing representatives of various Yemeni Abutaleb also called on mercenaries fight- of peace negotiations in Rimbo, Sweden, earlier Labor Party, didn’t have a positive view Amrullah Saleh, a close aide of chief ex- political parties in the capital Sana’a on Sunday ing on the side of Saudi Arabia and its allies to this month. The talks resulted in the announce- ecutive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and a critic on his presence as the party’s candidate evening, Secretary-General of Ansarullah politi- withdraw from the strategic Red Sea port city ment of a break-through agreement. in the upcoming general election. of Ashraf Ghani-led government, has been cal bureau, Fadhel Abutaleb said the Abu Dhabi of Hudaydah. The document includes three provisions: a given the crucial portfolio of interior ministry. At the beginning of Corbyn’s presence regime is trying to torpedo the accords by means The top Ansarullah official then praised UN ceasefire along the Hudaydah front and the re- in the Labor Party, the security institutions Asadullah Khaled, a veteran security of its mercenaries, mainly Tareq Mohammed Security Council Resolution 2451 on Yemen as deployment of armed forces out of the city and its official who announced his own politi- and opposition parties in the UK, and even Abdullah Saleh – a Yemeni military commander more effective and helpful compared to previ- port; an agreement on prisoner exchange; and some inter-party opponents, explicitly cal movement earlier this year, has been and the nephew of the late Yemeni president Ali ous one. a statement of understanding on the southern entrusted with the ministry of defense. referred to him as a dangerous person Abdullah Saleh. He urged Yemeni political parties, factions Yemeni city of Ta’izz. 13 at the head of the Party’s equations, and The nomination of Saleh and Khaled wanted to curb his activities. to two key security posts – interior affairs These institutions and individuals be- and defense – comes at a time when the lieved that Corbyn would soon disagree Taliban movement has gained momen- with the structure of the British royal sys- tum across the country and the security tem. Even two years ago, British sources situation has deteriorated alarmingly. reported about Corbyn’s negative attitude The timing is particularly interesting as to the royal system and his support for the insurgent group has been engaged in ‘peace negotiations’ with U.S. over the past Republicans. However, the leader of the The Tehran Times Labor Party was silent against some of new pocket-sized few months, reportedly facilitated by Pakistan. these allegations, and denied some others. glossary is now avail- Both men are vocal critics of Pakistan Recently, while criticizing the agree- able on the market. and openly accuse Islamabad of providing The reader-friendly sanctuary to terror groups like Haqqani ment reached between Prime Minister is a rich source of the Theresa May and European leaders Network that targets Afghans.