» JCPOA Violation? Throw the Ball to Opponent’s Ground!
This editorial concentrates on the significance as well as the rationale of Iran’s adherence to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
The writer maintains that the U.S. has no intention to stick to its obligations regarding JCPOA due to animosity with Iran. To Iran, however, JCPOA is a done deal and there is no point in beginning negotiations over it again. Although American authorities have made remarks about Iran’s non-compliance with JCPOA, the International Atomic Energy Agency has continually confirmed otherwise. Iran should keep adhering to JCPOA so that it won’t be blamed for any violation of JCPOA even if incited by the U.S.
Based on this editorial, the U.S. is after a legal way to breach JCPOA. Despite the fact that Donald Trump cannot do so, he can drive Iran to a corrosive war. The U.S., more than going to war with Iran directly, tries to push Iran and Saudi Arabia to war to sell weapons and enjoy its benefits. So it is Iran that should be cautious enough not to play in the opponent’s ground and keep abiding by the nuclear deal, concludes the editorialist.
An Editorial in “Navavran” Newspaper on Sunday, Aug. 6th, 2017
» Governmental Distribution of Drugs in Iran: Questions, Concerns
This editorial addresses the issue of legalization of narcotic drugs including opium in Iran, referring to recent discussions over the distribution of drugs by the government. The questions posed in this regard are as follows: How are drugs provided in Iran? Is cultivating drugs authorized in this country? If opium is cultivated in Iran, is there any guarantee that it will not be smuggled abroad?
The writer notes that Iranian authorities have not been able yet to control or manage methadone and tramadol either at drugstores or in a free market, let alone opium. Also, if they plan to give out diluted opium, they should be reminded that diluted opium is already provided by pharmacies in Iran but is not well received.
Another topic that the editorial discusses is a rivalry between the government and drug traffickers both price-wise and quality-wise. The writer holds that smugglers, by providing drugs at a lower price than the government, will win this competition.
In conclusion, the editorialist warns against legalizing the use of dangerous drugs in society, saying it would lead to increase in a number of users that are currently only one million; that is, fewer than 3 percent, in Iran.
An Editorial in ‘Arman Emrouz’ Newspaper on Monday, Aug. 7th, 2017
» Circumventing Sanctions: An Option
This editorial centers on circumventing sanctions as Iran’s best option under current conditions.
Iranian authorities, from President Rouhani to Central Bank Governor, unanimously acknowledge that sanctions have not been lifted to their expectation. Despite some positive changes, such as increasing oil export, purchasing aircraft and signing car deals, the process of banking relations is still the same as it was during the sanctions era.
Under such circumstances, the editorialist notes, Iran has two options which cannot be considered as opposed to each other. One is to prevent Americans from violating JCPOA and put them under pressure to fulfill their commitments regarding lifting sanctions. The second option is circumventing sanctions with minimum cost and corruption, as the most feasible option at the time being.
The writer believes circumventing sanctions can be done without fraud and economic crimes, referring to the case of Babak Zanjani. In order to avoid such problems, those who are capable and trustworthy enough should be identified and employed as mediators of financial transactions. Furthermore, Iran can resort to signing bilateral monetary agreements with other countries, given that some of its trade partners such as China, South Korea, and India use this method in their bank transactions.
An Editorial in ‘Khorasan’ Daily on Tuesday, Aug. 8th, 2017
» Creating Money and Corruption in Iran
This editorial addresses the economic corruption caused by illegal credit and financial institutions in Iran.
Following the serial bankruptcy of unauthorized credit and financial institutions in the country, the Governor of Central Bank of Iran (CBI) recently announced uprooting of such institutions. Yet Iran’s economy is still suffering from the damages such institutions inflicted.
The writer believes that lack of sufficient supervision on financial networks during past decades has caused such problems. As corruption can be detected wherever money is created, the CBI not only needs to perform its supervisory task seriously but also should keep people informed. Shortcomings of executive and judiciary branches as well as the police force were among other factors which contributed to such predicaments.
The editorial then sheds light on contradictions in the country’s laws which have paved the way for economic corruption. Some of the bankrupt institutions truthfully claimed they had received a license from the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security. This was done according to financial and monetary laws of Iran. The CBI, however, says that any financial institution which is active without a license from this bank is illegal.
The editorialist concludes that Iran’s financial laws need to be reformed so that no such economic corruptions can become rampant.
An Editorial in ‘Setara Sobh’ Daily on Wednesday, Aug. 9th, 2017
♦ 5,300 prisoners await enforcement of death penalty
Spokesperson of Parliament’s Legal and Judiciary Commission Hassan Norouzi emphasized that all factors have been considered for commuting sentences for drug convicts, adding that currently, 5,300 people in prisons await death penalty. Norouzi said the majority of those lawmakers who were judges in revolutionary courts admit that death penalty should be issued for those with previous convictions and for drug trafficking leaders.
Arman
♦ Turkey started building wall in border with Iran
A Turkish news agency reported that Turkey has started building a wall in its joint border with Iran – just like the one that is built on its border with Syria. Dogan News Agency said Soleiman Elban, governor of Agri province in Turkey, paid a visit to the construction site of the border wall with Iran on Tuesday. The wall will be 2 meters wide and 3 meters high.
Turkey is building the wall in its borders with Iran to strengthen its security through preventing illegal infiltration of paramilitary forces and smugglers into this country. In January, Recep Tayyip Erdogan had announced Turkey’s plan for building the border wall with Iran and Iraq – like the 911-kilometer wall that is under construction on its border with Syria.
Arman
♦ Combatant Clergy Association: Put Ahmadinejad on trial!
4 years after the end of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government, Combatant Clergy Association demands that Ahmadinejad should be put on trial. Principlists are always late in their confrontation with Ahmadinejad, even when it is about putting him on trial. Whereas the judiciary system had summoned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his last days as head of government and numerous cases of violations of Ahmadinejad and those close to him have been publicized since then, Combatant Clergy Association is bringing up this issue now.
The remarks of the spokesperson of this association indicate that Combatant Clergy Association’s last meeting had been focused on the necessity of putting Ahmadinejad on trial. Gholam Reza Mesbahi Moghadam said that Combatant Clergy Association demands that Judiciary investigate Ahmadinejad’s cases, adding that Ahmadinejad himself has had many violations – parts of which had taken place during his presidency.
Shargh daily
♦ Iranian drone comes within 100 feet of U.S. fighter jet
CNN said that an Iranian drone has come within 100 feet of a U.S. F-18 fighter jet while attempting to land on an aircraft carrier. According to two U.S. defense officials, the fighter jet was attempting to land on USS Nimitz when the drone came within 100 feet below the aircraft, forcing the F-18 to maneuver several times to evade it. The drone which didn’t seem to be armed left the area after officials on the ship took an emergency radio frequency to issue a warning.
Jam-e-jam
♦ 27 ISIS members arrested by Intelligence Ministry
Iranian Intelligence Ministry, in a statement, announced arresting 27 members of ISIS. A terrorist group affiliated with ISIS which intended to carry out terrorist operations in religious cities of the country were identified and arrested before managing to carry out any measures, according to the statement. The terrorists were trying to transfer weapons and ammunitions into the country by hiding them inside house appliances.
In this regard, 10 people were arrested across Iranian border in the controlling center of this group, and 17 inside Iran. 5 of those arrested inside the country were going to carry out the operation, and the rest were playing the logistic role.
Eghtesad Online
♦ Formation of committee by Omid Fraction to lift house arrest
Tehran’s reformist MP Gholam Reza Heidari pointed out to reformists’ support for Hassan Rouhani in his second term of presidency, saying that Rouhani has had meetings with former president Mohammad Khatami and other reformist figures for the 12th cabinet.
Gholam Reza Heidari also announced the formation of a committee by Omid Fraction for lifting the house arrest of Green Movement’s leaders. He added that a particular workgroup for following up on lifting house arrest has been formed, hoping that their measures will be fruitful – particularly given that those under house arrest are not in good physical conditions.
Leaders of Iranian Green Movement Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, and Zahra Rahnavard have been placed under house arrest since 2011.
Khabar Online
♦ IRGC Aerospace commander: We won’t let westerners visit military centers
IRGC Aerospace commander Brigadier General Amirali Hajizadeh said westerners will not be allowed to visit Iranian military centers. He added that “IRGC with its military power will support the government to stand up to enemies’ excessive demands, particularly America.” Hajizadeh urged that with sanctions, pressure, psychological operations, they are after disarming Iran.
Tasnim news
♦ FM spokesperson: We will not let Trump violate JCPOA at Iran’s cost
Spokesperson of Iran’s Foreign Ministry Bahram Ghassemi pointed out to new U.S. sanctions against Iran, saying that Iran will not let Trump’s administration violate JCPOA at Iran’s cost, and the world support Iran in this path. Ghassemi called JCPOA a global agreement in which EU and UN participated, urging that if the U.S. refuses to fulfill its obligation in this regard, it will be isolated.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson added today Europe is following new policies which are not compatible with those of America, highlighting that Europeans want to distance themselves from this country’s unfulfillment of its obligations.
Jam-e-jam
♦ Jamshid Ansari denies lawmaker’s remarks about dual nationality citizens
Head of Administrative and Recruitment Affairs Organization of Iran Jamshid Ansari denied the existence of 65 dual national citizens in the government. Jamshid Ansari refused recent remarks of Karimi Ghodoosi, head of Parliament’s investigative committee about dual citizens in the government, as to the existence of 65 five dual nationality citizens in the government, saying that no information has been sent to his organization in this regard. He said that a list of 17 individuals was sent to Intelligence Ministry through the prosecution office, and after necessary clarifications of this ministry, it became clear that none of them would be considered as dual nationality citizens.
Etemaad
♦ Ratification of legislation for governmental distribution of drugs
Deputy head of Parliament’s Legal and Judiciary Commission Mohammad Kazemi announced ratification of legislation for governmental distribution of drugs in this commission. Rejecting remarks of deputy general-manager of Headquarters for Combating Drugs as to rejecting this legislation in Iran’s Parliament, Kazemi said that when this legislation becomes effective, the government is bound to identify addicts and provide their needs in order to reduce consumption of drugs and treating addicts and prevent social damages.
Deputy head of Parliament’s Legal and Judiciary Commission said that the government has to provide individuals with drugs in certain centers and with studied methods, according to certain regulations.
Ebtekar
♦ “Fateh” submarine to join Army’s Navy
Fateh submarine, produced by Marine Industry Organization of Defense Ministry, is set to join the fleet of strategic forces of Navy of Iran in “2017 Holy Defense Week”. Head of Marine Industry Organization of Defense Ministry Admiral Rastegari said this submarine is now going through various tough tests to be prepared for joining Iran’s navy.
ISNA
♦ Hamid Baghaei released on bail
Executive vice president of the 10th government Hamid Baghaei was once again summoned to Tehran’s general and revolutionary prosecution office and was released on bail. Baghaei was summoned for his remarks after being released from prison a few days ago. The judge in charge of the case set a bail for him. Tehran’s prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi has previously said that a 30-page indictment with 5 charges has been issued against vice president of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Bartarinha
♦ Destruction of armed team in northwest of Iran
Public relation of Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohda base of IRGC Ground Forces announced in a statement that an armed team was destroyed in the northwest of the country, and 6 armed men were killed and wounded. The statement says that “an armed team affiliated with anti-revolutionary groups, supported by foreign espionage organizations, which intended to penetrate into the country from northwest border of the country, was identified and destroyed in a clash with soldiers of Hamzeh Seyed al-Shohda base.” The statement adds that in this clash, two armed were killed, and 4 were wounded.
Young Journalist Club
♦ IRGC commander absent in Rouhani’s inauguration ceremony
Deputy commander of Tharallah Headquarters explained why IRGC commander major-general Jafari was absent in President Rouhani’s inauguration ceremony. Mohammad Esmail Kowsari said IRGC commander was taking part in a conference of Basij provincial commanders in Mashhad could not take part in an inauguration ceremony in Tehran due to delay in his flight. He added that Jafari planned to take part in this ceremony, but, unlike other military commanders, failed in taking part in it.
Tasnim news
♦ Velayati: We will not allow Americans to visit Iran’s military centers
Ali Akbar Velayati, head of Strategic Research Center of Expediency Council, said in response to U.S. demand to visit Iran’s military centers that they will not be allowed to do such things, and “they will not dare to invade Iran’s security”. Stressing that Americans do not have the rights to do such things, Velayati asserted that they will not be allowed to enter military centers because they are parts of Iran’s security zone.
Aftab Yazd
♦ Lawmaker criticizes not inviting Sunni significant figure to Rouhani’s inauguration
MP Mahmoud Sadeghi criticized not inviting Molavi Abdul Hamid, Sunnis’ Friday Mass Prayer leader in Sistan and Baluchistan, to Hassan Rouhani’s inauguration ceremony which was held on Saturday. Sadeghi wrote on his Twitter account that “if they justify not using Sunnis in the cabinet, how do they justify not inviting Molavi Abdul Hamid to the inauguration ceremony?”
Molavi Abdulhamid, Sunnis’ Friday Mass Prayer leader in Sistan and Baluchistan, too, criticized not being invited to this ceremony, saying that “Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani did not invite us to the inauguration ceremony.”
Anatoli news agency
♦ Zolnoor: Rouhani not willing to invite Ahmadinejad to inauguration ceremony
Despite an unprecedented number of foreign guests in Hassan Rouhani’s inauguration ceremony as president, there were many people absent from within Iran. Sunni figures were absent from this ceremony, which was criticized by political activists and a number of MPs.
Former presidents and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were also absent from the inauguration ceremony. Zolnoor, close to Resistance Front of ‘Islamic Iran’, claimed in this regard that “president’s office was in charge of inviting guests, and probably Mr. Rouhani was not willing to have Ahmadinejad in this ceremony.”
Khabar online
♦ Zarif criticized statement of 3 European countries about launching Simorgh satellite
Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, entered Tehran to take part in the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s 12th president. In her meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif, they exchanged views about issues related to implementing JCPOA, mutual relationships between Iran and EU, and regional conditions.
In this meeting, Zarif mentioned problems created by the U.S. in implementing JCPOA, saying that U.S. new administration is after preventing the Iranian Republic of Iran from benefitting from JCPOA, which is a violation of the nuclear deal. Zarif also pointed out to Iran’s missile tests, launching Simorgh satellite, and compatibility of such measures with 2231 Resolution, and criticized the joint statement of 3 European countries with the U.S. in this regard, calling it a move in the wrong direction.
Aftab Yazd
♦ Rouhani’s Cultural Advisor slams lawmakers
Cultural Advisor to Iranian President has criticized the quality and quantity of invitations, hosting, filming and sound recording at Hassan Rouhani’s inauguration. Hesamedin Ashena said on his twitter account that he was grateful to those who held the ceremony but had some complaints too. “The problem is not political, but cultural,” said Ashena, referring to a selfie taken from a number of Iran’s Parliament Members. He then hoped that an “in-depth” interview be held with “each and every” lawmaker in the selfie.
Bartarinha
♦ Iran, Qatar, Turkey meeting in Tehran
Turkish Economy Minister said that in his trip to Iran, he will bring up the issue of using Iran’s land route for exporting goods to Qatar with his Iranian and Qatari counterparts. Nihat Zeybekci pointed out to his own and his Qatari counterpart trip to Iran for participating in the inauguration of Iran’s 12th president, saying that he will bring the issue of transit between Turkey, Iran, and Qatar. He added that they are interested in all Turkish producers selling their goods in Qatar.
Jam news
♦ Military experts of Iran, Turkey, Russia to meet soon
Russia’s Embassy in Iran announced that military experts of Iran, Turkey, and Russia will soon meet, adding that deputy Prime Minister of Russia will also have a meeting with Iran’s Defense Minister. Spokesperson of Russia’s Embassy in Iran the meeting of military experts will probably be held in August 8 and 9.
Jahan Sanat
♦ 100 thousand Iranians have brain strokes per year
A representative of Iran’s Brian Stroke Society Dr. Elaheh Taghvai Zahmatkesh pointed out to 100 thousand brain strokes per year, saying that significant decrease in age of brain stroke in the country is a warning. Dr. Elaheh Taghvai Zahmatkesh explained that stroke is the second cause of mortality and the first cause of long-term disability in Iran. She added that according to statistics, one person has a stroke in every 5 minutes, which will add up to 100 thousand strokes in Iran per year. She asserted that one out of five people who have brain stroke is under 55 years old, urging that while in recent years the strokes statistics have increased, the age of stroke is decreasing.
Ettelaat
♦ Nazanin Zaghari’s husband hopes for her release after Britain’s officials visit to Tehran
Richard Ratcliffe, British husband of Nazanin Zaghari, Iranian-British citizen imprisoned in Evin prison, expressed hope for his wife’s release, saying that a senior British official will soon meet with Iranian Republic officials regarding citizen prisoners.
Alistair Burt, the member of British Conservative Party and one of the senior officials of this country’s foreign ministry, is one of the foreigners invited to Hassan Rouhani’s inauguration on August 5 in Tehran. He is said to be meeting with Iranian Republic’s senior officials about the case of British citizens imprisoned in Iran.
Nazanin Zaghari Ratcliffe, Kamal Foroghi, and Roya Nobakht are among dual citizens who are imprisoned in Iran mainly on security and espionage charges. Nazanin Zaghari, 38, was arrested in spring of 2016 in Tehran’s airport when leaving Iran, and months after imprisonment without trial, she was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment.
Radio Farda
♦ Lawmaker: Government should not replace drug smugglers
Member of Parliament’s Judiciary and Legal Commission Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi said governmental distribution of drugs is against international conventions, adding that with distributing drugs, the government will only replace the drug smugglers. He urged that no individual or institute has the right to distribute drugs governmentally or non-governmentally.
Rahimi Jahanabadi emphasized that governmental distribution of drugs is a misinterpretation of the commission’s ratification because it will be in the direction of destroying the country.
Javan
♦ Iranian Speaker of Parliament: Iran’s policy is expanding relationships with African countries
Iran’s Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani, in his meeting with vice president of Ghana Mahamudu Bawumia, pointed out to extensive capacities of Iran and Ghana for promoting interactions, urging that Iranian Republic’s policy is based on expanding cooperation and relationships with African countries, particularly Ghana. Speaker of Parliament emphasized on expanding trade and industrial cooperation and transactions between Iran and Ghana, adding that the Iranian Republic is interested in developing trade, training, medical, industrial and agricultural relationships with Ghana.
ILNA
♦ Identification of network trafficking Iranians in Europe, 41 Iranians arrested
Spanish police, along with Europol and British Police, have arrested an international human trafficking network who took Iranians to Britain through airline companies. The center of this network was in Malaga, southern Spain, which was used as a channel for trafficking Iranians.
This network would take 25,000 Euros for each person, would give them fake passports and other documents, and a place to stay. Altogether, 101 people have been arrested in this regard, 41 of whom are Iranians.
Asr Iran
