NOURNEWS- The following headlines appeared in English-language newspapers in the Iranian capital on Monday, September 11, 2023

IRAN DAILY:

-- Raeisi: Terrorist, separatist provocations weaken regional security:

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi said any act of provocation by terrorist and separatist groups undermines regional security and will not be tolerated.
In a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of Iraq on Saturday, Raeisi said Tehran and Baghdad have been strengthening their security cooperation to establish sustainable peace.
Sudani, for his part, reiterated the commitment of the Iraqi government and nation to fight against all the elements that pose a threat to sustainable security in the region.
Iran has set the deadline for Iraq to disarm terror groups in the Kurdistan Region by September 19, and has reiterated in recent days that the deadline would not be extended.
PUK president in Tehran
The president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Bafel Jalal Talabani, arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Sunday morning, leading a high-level delegation from his party.
Media outlets affiliated with the PUK reported that Talabani is scheduled to hold several “important” meetings with officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran during his visit, Shafaq News reported.
Recently, Qasim al-Araji, the national security adviser of Iraq, said in a speech that Baghdad is making great efforts to implement the provisions of the security agreement with Iran.
“We emphasize our desire to strengthen relations between the two neighboring countries in a way that benefits the nation and the country and strengthens stability and security in the region,” Al-Araji added, according to Mehr news agency.
The Almutalee website recently reported that Tehran, Baghdad, and Erbil signed a tripartite agreement to expel terrorist Kurdish elements from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to the western regions of the country.
Justice for Gen. Soleimani
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of Iraq said on Friday that Baghdad seriously pursues justice with respect to the assassination of top Iranian anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimani and his Iraqi trenchmate Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a US drone strike in January 2020.
Sudani made the remarks in a meeting with a delegation of Iranian media representatives in Baghdad, Press TV reported.
The prime minister said the Judicial Council of Iraq and the government pursue the issue seriously. He denounced the targeted killings as a blatant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.
Sudani said a committee comprising security inspectors has already been formed to compile the necessary information and present evidence in legal forums.

-- Iran, Russia can help resolve Caucasus conflict: Ex-envoy:

Iran’s former ambassador to Azerbaijan and expert on the Caucasus affairs said that Iran and Russia can cooperate to help relieve the escalating tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Mohsen Pakaein told ILNA that if Russians do not follow the path drawn for them by the US and Europe, they can, in cooperation with Iran, “help resolve this conflict in the interest of establishing peace in the region, which is in the interest of all”.
The ex-envoy said that the main goal of the US and Europe in interfering in the Caucasus issues is to put pressure on Russia, not to work in favor of Armenia or Azerbaijan.
Evaluating the recent developments in the Caucasus region, Pakaein added that if Russia takes a more active approach, fulfills its monitoring duty, and supports the territorial integrity of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the United States and Europe would have no excuse to be active in the region.
This comes as Azerbaijan said on Saturday that Armenian forces had fired on its troops overnight, and that Azerbaijan Army units took “retaliatory measures”. Armenia denied the incident.
The Armenian government said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held telephone conversations on Saturday with Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi as well as with the leaders of France, Germany, Georgia, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Reuters reported. Azerbaijan said its foreign minister discussed the situation with a senior US State Department official.
Azerbaijan, Iran hold meeting
Meanwhile, the representatives from the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran held the third meeting of the Joint Commission on Military Cooperation on Saturday.
The head of the Iranian delegation Major General Mohammad Ahadi noted that some elements are attempting to undermine the current friendly and neighborly relations between the countries by spreading unfounded and false information in recent days. As such, he stressed the importance of mutual visits and working meetings.
The two sides also exchanged views on expanding relations in several areas of cooperation in the military sphere, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense said in an announcement. The previously implemented measures were highly appreciated by both sides.

-- China tops Iran’s export destination in March–August:

Iran exported non-oil commodities valued at $5.6 billion to China during the first five months of the current Iranian year (March 21–August 22), more than any other business partner, the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) announced.
IRICA also announced that exporting non-oil goods worth $7.1 billion to Iran, China was Iran’s second source of imports in the five-month period.
Figures published by the Tehran Chamber of Commerce indicate that during the said period, $19.3 billion worth of non-oil commodities were exported from the country.
Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were reportedly the second and third-largest consumers of Iranian goods by importing $3.5 billion and $2.3 billion worth of products, respectively, according to ISNA.
Trade between Iran and the United Arab Emirates has surged as the Gulf’s commercial capital eased restrictions on business activity between the two neighbors, officials and traders told the Financial Times.
Executives said the UAE has in recent months rolled back limits on corporate registrations and the issuance of visas to companies from Iran, which remains subject to tough US sanctions. Iranian financiers are also exploring how to enhance bilateral trade by creating financial mechanisms to fund legitimate transactions, they added.

-- A seemingly impossible scenario:

In recent days, the Republic of Azerbaijan has significantly intensified its political and military pressures. In the political arena, the Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly threatened Armenia, stating, “If Armenia continues its uncooperative approach to the Zangezur Corridor project, Baku will pursue its Plan B to open this corridor. Azerbaijan will continue its activities in this route through Plan B, and even if Armenia does not participate, it will still be implemented. However, in that case, Armenia would simply be excluded from the list of beneficiaries.”
In the military domain, there is ample evidence that the Republic of Azerbaijan is intensifying its military readiness in the region. In recent days, numerous videos have surfaced depicting the movement of military units, equipment, and weaponry of the Azerbaijani army and the mobilization of their forces, showcasing their combat readiness.
Most reports indicate intense activity by the Baku Air Force in relocating equipment and ground forces along the Armenian border. Furthermore, the observation of cargo planes departing from occupied areas suggests the movement of weapons to various points within the Republic of Azerbaijan.
In the span of three weeks, four transport flights, operated by Silk Road Airlines, using the Ilyushin IL-76TD aircraft with registration 4K-AZ40, have been conducted from the Republic of Azerbaijan to Israel. During the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, Silk Road Airlines also served as the primary aerial logistics route for Baku to procure weapons from Israel.
Two flights took place on the 15th and 29th of August, and two more flights on the 1st and 2nd of September (just a few days ago and coinciding with the start of the Azerbaijani army’s movements). The destination for all four flights was the Ayouda Airbase in Israel, located approximately 60 kilometers from the city of Eilat.
Amidst the tensions in the Azerbaijani region, the visit of Turkey’s new Foreign Minister to Iran and his meetings with Iranian officials contained significant points that should not be overlooked. While Iran’s stance and red lines regarding regional developments have previously been transparently articulated by the esteemed leadership and the honorable President, it’s essential to acknowledge that the issues raised by Foreign Minister Fidan are part of a broader discussion. Erdoğan had explicitly stated at the beginning of the current summer during his meeting with Aliyev that “the opening of the Zangezur Corridor is an issue with Iran, not Armenia, and Iran’s approach in this regard is a source of discomfort for both Azerbaijan and Turkey.”
It seems that Aliyev has fallen into a cognitive error regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s role in the developments in the northern Aras region. Turkey, NATO, and the Zionist regime, which have placed him in this position, are pursuing a repetitive scenario: transforming Azerbaijan into a speed bump and a dirty wound for Iran, similar to Ukraine’s role for Russia. However, what these actors have overlooked is Iran’s regional influence and its spiritual penetration among the people of Azerbaijan. Although, in recent years, the authorities in Baku have attempted to downplay this influence through coercion and force, it remains an undeniable reality. If Baku continues on its erroneous path, it may lead to significant social and political transformations in the country in the near future.

KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL:

-- Russia, Iran to Cooperate on Building Research Spacecraft:

Top universities from Iran and Russia have embarked on a joint project to manufacture a research spacecraft. In an interview with Tasnim, the president of the University of Tehran said the academic center has recently signed an agreement with the Moscow State University to develop a research spacecraft within two years. Muhammad Moqimi noted that the execution of the project has kicked off, a working group has been set up, and the scientific activities related to the joint project have gotten underway. A secretariat has also been established at the University of Tehran’s scientific and research department to oversee the project, he added. He said the Iranian vice president has assigned the Plan and Budget Organization of Iran to finance part of the joint project. 

-- Bagheri: Iran Welcomes Cooperation With EU:

Iran has demonstrated its resolve to engage with the European Union and welcomes any initiative to open new avenues for cooperation with the bloc, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani said Saturday. Bagheri meting with Luigi Di Maio, the EU’s special representative for the Persian Gulf region, here as he underlined Iran’s dynamic and agile foreign policy, saying it has created unparalleled opportunities for international players to engage with the Islamic Republic. Di Maio acknowledged the influential role of the Islamic Republic in the region and beyond and underscored the willingness of all EU member states to promote dialogue and interaction with Iran. Di Maio, a former Italian foreign minister, also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian earlier in the day.

-- Trial Opens in Terrorist Attack on Shah Cheragh:

 Iran on Sunday held the first trial session for the three perpetrators of last month’s deadly terrorist attack on the Shah Cheragh shrine in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz.
During the hearing, the representative of Fars province’s general and revolutionary prosecutor accused the prime suspect, Rahmatollah Nowruzof from Tajikistan, of waging war on God, corruption on earth, and membership in the Daesh terrorist group with the intention of acting against Iran’s security.
He also accused the two other suspects of abetting the commission of the aforesaid crimes, calling for a severe punishment.
On August 13, Nowruzof, nicknamed Aslamyar, went on a shooting spree in the Shah Cheragh shrine, martyring two and injuring seven people. He carried an assault rifle and eight magazines with 240 bullets, 11 of which he managed to get off before being arrested.
The Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the terrorist assault.
Speaking during the trial, Nowruzof said that he had joined Daesh through a foreign messaging application and was recommended to travel to Turkey.
The terrorist added that from Turkey, he had illegally entered Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, saying the latter was the place where he received military training.
He said that after re-entry to Iran, he had lived for almost a month at a home near Shah Cheragh shrine, reconnected with Daesh, and taken delivery of weapons.
“I did not count the number of the people targeted, but I intended to continue the operation until the last bullet in the magazine,” the terrorist further said.
He said that he had been ordered to get two containers of gasoline, however, he had entered the holy shrine with one gasoline container in his backpack and was arrested before he could torch the carpets where the worshipers were.

-- France Ought to Stop Being US Agent against Iran:

Saturday’s abortive terrorist assault on the entrance of the Iranian embassy in Paris by a group of criminals, who have fled justice from the Islamic Republic, would not have occurred without the knowledge of, and in all probability a nod from the French regime.
Of course, the administration of President Emanuel Macron, which blatantly meddles in Lebanon’s internal affairs, brazenly supports terrorists in Syria, and plunders the rich natural resources of West Africa, will deny any involvement by saying that French policemen (belatedly) prevented further damage by dousing the burning tyres and keeping away the assailants from barging into the embassy premises.
Such claims do not exonerate France from hostility towards Iran in view of the undeniable fact of its sheltering of hundreds of Iranian terrorists and traitors, and using them to indulge in propaganda against the Islamic Republic – even fanning street riots.  
The regime in Paris very well knows that steaming water doesn’t burn buildings and over the past 44 years of blind animosity towards Iran at the behest of the US it has utterly failed in stopping the spectacular progress of the Iranian people in all fields, in spite of violating commitments and sabotaging legally signed techno-industrial agreements.
Yet, like its predecessor regimes in the Elyse Palace which could barely hide their complicity in the terrorist bomb blasts that martyred some senior officials in Tehran during the 8-year imposed war of the 1980s when aggressor Saddam was supplied lethal French armaments for targeting cities and merchant shipping, it continues its policy of harming the interests of the Iranian people.
In addition, Paris pursues an active policy of Islamophobia to hurt sentiments of Muslims worldwide by supporting blasphemous caricaturists, and infringing upon the freedom of Hijab of the law-abiding morally upright women and girls in schools, colleges, and offices, when Christianity also frowns upon scantily clad and morally-loose women and licentious men for corrupting the society.       
This is while, Iran has never tried to cause inconvenience to the French people. In contrast to Paris’s harbouring of the terroristic MKO hypocrites, Tehran has never granted asylum to any member of the outlawed militant groups of France such as “Action Directe” and “Armed Nuclei for Popular Autonomy”.
Iran has also never attempted to interfere with the mass protests being staged throughout France by the Yellow Vest Movement or the pensioners demonstrating for better payments and improved facilities. 
If Macron or the one who succeeds him as president – a third term is ruled out by the French constitution – have any desire to rectify their misconstrued policies against the Islamic Republic and the Iranian people, they should extradite to Tehran the hypocrites and the terrorists, in view of the lawsuits being formally prepared against them for their crimes against humanity.
Then only Iranian diplomats and missions will be safe from the mischief of the miscreants and Tehran and Paris can resume sound and healthy diplomatic and other relations, with a commitment from France not to act as an American agent against the Islamic Republic and its regional and international interests.

-- Iran Women Ice Hockey Team Runner-Up at EHL Tournament:

The Iranian women’s ice hockey team ranked second place at the Emirates Hockey League (EHL) tournament held at Hili Fun City in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Iranian women’s ice hockey team lost to an Emirati team, Al Dhabi, 4-2 in the final match and stood in second place in the sporting event.
Iranian sportswomen reached the semi-finals by defeating opponents from the Philippines, Mexico, and the UAE.
In the semi-finals, Iran’s squad thrashed Bani Yas Sporting Club 9-0 to reach the finals.
The tournament wrapped up on September 9 in the city of Al Ain.

-- Palestinian Teenager Martyred in Al-Khalil, Resistance Fires Rocket at Settlement:

A 15-year-old Palestinian boy was martyred by Zionist troops during clashes in the West Bank city of Al-Khalil, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement.
The teenager, identified as Milad al-Raai, was shot in the stomach and back by Zionist troops in the al-Aroub refugee camp, according to the ministry. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Palestinian security sources said clashes erupted between the Zionist troops and local youths after the troops fired tear gas canisters at the entrance to the refugee camp.  
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said the young boy was shot in the back and chest during Israeli forces’ raid on the camp.
A large number of Palestinians also suffered suffocation from gas inhalation due to the use of toxic tear gas by the regime’s forces. 
Zionist troops launch raids on various cities of the West Bank on an almost daily basis under the pretext of detaining what the regime calls “wanted” Palestinians. The raids usually lead to violent confrontations with residents.
More than 200 Palestinians have been killed this year in the occupied territories and Gaza. The majority of these fatalities have been recorded in the West Bank. 
The figure makes 2023 the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since the United Nations began keeping track of fatalities in 2005.
Previously, 2022 was the deadliest year with 150 Palestinians killed, of whom 33 were minors, according to the United Nations.
Fight Until ‘Full Liberation’
 
The Gaza-based Hamas resistance movement said in a statement that Palestinians will resolutely keep up their struggle until the full liberation of occupied territories from the grip of Israeli occupation.
“Palestinians will continue their anti-occupation efforts throughout the West Bank, and confront the Tel Aviv regime’s crimes, especially in the holy city of Al-Quds and the al-Aqsa Mosque compound,” the statement said.
It underscored that the long-term battle against the Zionist enemy will finally result in the expulsion of occupiers, the liberation of occupied lands, and the restoration of Palestinians’ freedom.
Palestinian fighters from the West Bank city of Jenin fired a rocket toward a nearby Zionist settlement on Sunday, according to the Israeli military.
Claiming the attack, Palestinian armed group Ayyash Brigades said in a statement that the attack was “a response to the ongoing crimes and violations committed by the Israeli enemy.”
The group, affiliated with Hamas’ Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades military wing and located in the flashpoint city of Jenin in the northern West Bank, released video footage showing it prepared to launch a rocket at the Ram On settlement in the Gilboa Regional Council in northern parts of the occupied territories.
Also on Sunday, Israeli media outlets reported a car explosion in Haifa, located in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The car explosion occurred on Tzahal St. in Haifa on Sunday morning.
Footage circulating on social media shows that the car was set on fire after the blast.

TEHRAN TIMES:

-- Iran ready to support relief efforts in Morocco:

The Iranian Red Cresent Society is ready to assist Morocco in the ongoing relief operations following the powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the North African country late on Friday. “In this hard situation, on behalf of the IRCS and myself, I would like to express my condolence to you, your colleagues in the Moroccan Red Crescent, and earthquake-affected people and convey our sympathy with those lost loved ones,” the IRCS head, Pirhossein Kolivand, wrote in a message to the vice-president of the Moroccan Red Crescent Society, Kaddour Kharbouch. The IRCS is ready to send the medical and relief teams to assist humanitarian operations in Morocco, Kolivand added. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian sent a message to his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, announcing the country’s readiness to provide assistance to the survivors of the disaster.

-- Iran’s 1st Cooperative Economy Congress held in Tehran:

Iran’s first Cooperative Economy Congress was held in Tehran on Sunday with the presence of President Ebrahim Raisi, Iranian Labor and Social Welfare Minister Solat Mortazavi, and Head of Iran Chamber of Cooperatives Bahman Abdollahi, IRNA reported. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the congress, President Raisi called on the country’s cooperatives to try to improve productivity, increase competitiveness, pay attention to the efficiency of managers as key players in cooperative companies, and also try to develop knowledge-based and exportoriented cooperative companies, considering the expansion of the country’s foreign relations.

-- Iran team attends SCO meeting on counterterrorism:

A delegation from Iran has officially participated in a meeting of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The 40th edition of the summit took place on Friday. Participants included nine member countries—China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—as well as two observers. They debated and shared opinions on matters relating to terrorism, separatism, and extremism, and they strongly denounced the most recent terrorist assault that killed several individuals at the Shah Cheragh shrine in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz. Other significant issues brought up at the event were the necessity to concentrate on the situation in Afghanistan and the continuing war against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group. Participants also praised the efforts made to combat terrorism and paid tribute to Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani who was assassinated in a drone strike authorized by former U.S. President Donald Trump near the Baghdad International Airport on January 3, 2020.

-- Any terrorist or separatist incitement will threaten regional security: Raisi:

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has said that any act of provocation by terrorist and separatist organizations will jeopardize regional stability and this will not be acceptable. Raisi made the remarks in a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Saturday in an open reference to Iranian separatist and militant groups that have taken refuge in northern Iraqi Kurdistan. Tehran and Baghdad have been enhancing their security ties in order to achieve a lasting peace, the president remarked. He also praised the extraordinary efforts made by the Iraqi government and people to host Iranian pilgrims and organize the world’s largest yearly religious gathering, the Arbaeen ritual. The rituals represented the Muslims’ resilience and solidarity, the president pointed out. The 40-day period of mourning for Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) - the third Shia Imam, and his 72 companions who were martyred in the Battle of Karbala in southern Iraq in 680 AD – came to a conclusion on Wednesday, September 6.