NOURNEWS- The following headlines appeared in English-language newspapers in the Iranian capital on Monday, September 18, 2023.
IRAN DAILY:
-- Defense minister warns Iraqi disarmament deadline cannot be extended:
The Iranian defense minister has emphasized that the deadline for the security deal with Iraq will not be extended, as an Iraqi official stressed that Baghdad is fully committed to implementing the agreement with Tehran.
In an interview with Iran newspaper, Mohammadreza Ashtiani said that his country “will allow no extension; it will act according to the agreement it made.”
Iran has set a deadline of September 19 for the Iraqi-Kurdish authorities to take action against secessionist anti-Iranian groups stationed in northern Iraq along the common border. The agreement was made for disarmament and expulsion of terrorists from the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq.
However, Ashtiani said, “Some actions have been taken, and we will evaluate them at the 90th minute, and decide based on that.” This came as an informed source told Tasnim news agency on Friday that secessionist anti-Iranian groups in northern Iraq have agreed to lay down their arms and leave the areas along the common border between Iran and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has practically started the activities to draw the opposition parties away from the Iranian border.
Iraq in full control of its borders
Also on Sunday, the spokesman for Iraq’s Joint Operations Command said that government forces have begun to gain full control over all border points with neighboring Iran, stressing Baghdad is fully committed to implementing the security agreement with Tehran, Press TV reported.
“Iraqi government forces have begun to establish control over all border points with Iran, and apply Iraq’s laws and sovereignty there,” Major General Tahsin al-Khafaji said in an interview published on Sunday. “The step is meant to prevent the use of Iraqi soil to launch an attack on neighboring states, as emphasized in the Iraqi Constitution,” he added.
“Iraqi forces have the military capabilities to control the common border strip between Iraq and Iran,” he said. “The central government in Baghdad and the KRG coordinate at high levels in this regard.”
Khafaji underscored that Iraq is fully committed to implementing the security agreement with Iran because the pact is in the interest of Iraq’s national security. Last Monday, President of Kurdistan Region Nechervan Barzani said Erbil adheres to the Iran-Iraq security agreement. In March, the two countries signed a security agreement that includes coordination in protecting the border between the two countries in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad.
-- Owji: Iran stands firm on Arash gas field share:
Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Owji on Sunday reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to its share in the Arash gas field in the Persian Gulf.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 17th IranPlast International Exhibition in Tehran, the minister also expressed optimism regarding the resolution of issues concerning the Arash field through ongoing negotiations with Kuwait, IRNA reported.
He gave assurance that Iran remains steadfast in claiming its rightful share in the gas field.
The offshore gas field, known as Dorra in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, has long been a source of contention between the three countries. The field is located in the neutral zone between the three Persian Gulf states.
Additionally, the Iranian oil minister emphasized the country’s determination to export oil unhindered. The minister reported that by the year’s end, nearly five petrochemical complexes would become operational in the country, significantly contributing to production.
Iran will export crude oil and gas condensates wherever it wants, Owji said, adding that 3.3 million barrels of oil and gas condensates currently produced in Iran per day are consumed inside the country or shipped abroad.
Pointing to the IranPlast International Exhibition, the minister said it is one of the top exhibitions in the region, adding the Oil Ministry’s umbrella is open to protect petrochemical companies and industrialists.
Shifting to the incumbent administration’s determination to collect associated petroleum gas and use APG as petrochemical complexes’ feedstock, Owji vowed that his ministry will prevent the burning of Iran’s national wealth at gas flares.
Investment opportunities
Speaking at the event, Iran’s National Petrochemical Company (NPC) managing director said 150-billion-dollar investment opportunities will be created in upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors of the country’s petrochemical industry by the end of the country’s 8th Development Plan (2031).
Morteza Shahmirzaei also noted that the twentyfold increase in the number of foreign participants of the 17th IranPlast International Exhibition means that “economic sanctions and threats have no place” in the petrochemical industry.
Iran has started a leaping and transformative move in its petrochemical industry, which creates value and job opportunities and boosts foreign currency inflow, he added.
Iran’s petrochemical output stood at nearly 1.5 million tons in 1977, said the NPC chief, adding the industry’s installed capacity has now topped 92 million tons per year in spite of war and reconstruction of petrochemical plants that on the whole lasted around 15 years.
The NPC CEO said Iran will become self-sufficient in producing catalysts by the end of the incumbent government’s term.
Based on the plans, he continued, all products and equipment of this industry will be indigenized.
The 17th IranPlast International Exhibition, which opened at the Tehran International Permanent Fairgrounds in the presence of a number of Iranian and foreign officials and experts, will run through September 20.
According to the exhibition director, Farid Dousti, 560 domestic and 210 foreign companies have participated in the exposition.
-- Chabahar port could complete corridor to Europe:
The Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman planned an economic corridor connecting the country with India to the Middle East and Europe. This plan was kept hidden from the media before it was presented.
On the occasion of the G20 summit, India and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding for this economic corridor project. It is not yet clear what the role of China and Pakistan will be in this corridor.
In light of preliminary information, it can be inferred that Pakistan is currently being kept out of this corridor project. However, it will not be possible to ignore Pakistan for long.
According to the Saudi Gazette, the objective of the India-Middle East and Europe Corridor project is to increase economic connectivity, improve and upgrade infrastructure, and promote trade between the participating parties. Addressing an event on the corridor project on the sidelines of the G20 leaders’ summit in Delhi, MBS said, “I am happy that we are connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe.”
He added that the project is the result of their joint efforts during the last few months. It will increase economic ties and partnerships in the respective countries, while also having a positive impact on the global economy as a whole.
The project will contribute to the improvement and upgrading of infrastructure, including railways, port connectivity, and the delivery of goods and services. This will in turn increase trade between the participating parties. The transmission of energy will also be facilitated within the same corridor, which will start from India and reach Europe through Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and the Balkans.
This multilateral project has a sea route to connect India to Iran, and another land-sea route that will enter Iraq from Indian ports through Chabahar port. After a long delay by Iran, the contract for making berths for anchoring large ships in deep waters in Chabahar port is being given to India once again.
Iran has laid a network of roads and a railway line up to Chabahar, which has been completed to Iraq and connects Saudi Arabia by road. The route from Iran to Turkey and Europe is already paved.
The closest and most profitable land route between India and the Middle East and Europe passes through Pakistan. However, the Indian government of Narendra Modi wants to ignore Pakistan and move forward with the project.
Sources say that before visiting India in 2019, the Saudi Crown Prince advised the Pakistani authorities not to link their disputes with India to economic activities.
-- Oyster exports opportunity to bring revenues:
The production of Babylon Spiral oysters has provided a good opportunity for bringing in foreign exchange for Iran; this has made researchers of the fishery industry conduct related studies and identify target markets, said Mastoureh Doustdar, the member of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences.
Babylon Spiral oyster is a type of valuable species in the country. The species is considered a kind of oyster which can make money for the country, as it can be sold in global markets for about four to five dollars per kilogram, according to Mehr news agency.
Babylon oyster is not considered a halal aquatic species to eat, but Makran beach in Sistan and Baluchestan (a southeastern province of Iran) has a high capacity to produce the species, which can draw attention.
Approximately 10% of fishing in the southern waters of the country, equal to 60,000 tons, consist of religiously non-edible species. Religiously non-edible aquatics comprise more than 10 species and are classified into five groups of fish including crustaceans, Mollusca, echinoderms and other kinds of aquatics.
The financial turnover of aquatics reaches over $100 million per year, which has been a significant growth promoted over the past 20 years.
Catching Babylon Spiral oyster is estimated at 650 tons to 750 tons annually in Sistan and Baluchistan waters, which enables the country to export the products and have a substantial income from it.
The feasibility study of reproduction and feeding of the Babylon Spiral oyster has been carried out by the country’s researchers in the Chabahar region for the first time over the past few years.
Iran is to set up farms to culture Babylon oyster in the south of the country.
Babylon Spiral is one of the important commercial oyster species in the world.
The ecological basis of the habitats of this mollusk in the coastal waters and in the areas of the continental plateau is a significant help to fishermen and operators.
Therefore, to identify the ecological characteristics of the Babylon Sea snail habitat in the northern waters of the Sea of Oman, water sampling was done by researchers to determine temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, turbidity, and sediment, the total organic matter and the type of substrate, Babylon species.
The results revealed that nutrients play an important role in the density of Babylon in this region. With the increase of nutrients, the density of Babylon increases with a sharp peak and reaches a maximum in October and November; after that, with a decrease in food, there is a decrease in the density of Babylon oysters.
-- FM: No party can hamper regional land trade:
The Iranian foreign minister has asserted that no party can close the borders of regional countries, emphasizing support for resistance as a cornerstone of Iran’s foreign policy, saying that defending resistance means defending peace, stability, and security in the region.
In an interview with Al-Wefaq newspaper, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian discussed the latest developments related to Iran’s foreign policy in the region and on the international stage.
The foreign minister had paid a visit to Syria and Lebanon, which coincided with significant developments, including US movements on the eastern borders of Syria and threats from the Zionist regime against Palestinian resistance leaders.
Amir-Abdollahian said that there are two main aspects of the Syrian issue. One is the Arab world’s new approach toward Syria, including restoration of ties, Syria’s return to the Arab League, reopening of embassies, and establishing various forms of cooperation with Syria.
Another issue related to Syria is the discussion of borders and the security of the common borders between Turkey and Syria. Syrian authorities claim they have the necessary capability and readiness to ensure the security of the shared border with Turkey from within Syrian territory.
Amir-Abdollahian said that during a recent four-party (Iran, Syria, Russia, and Turkey) foreign ministers’ meeting in Moscow, Iran proposed an idea for Turkey and Syria to agree on the withdrawal of Turkish military forces from Syrian soil. However, this equation involves both sides. Turkey is concerned about the security of its borders and wants to ensure that its territory is not threatened by destabilizing elements in the region, while Iran and Russia serve as guarantors in this matter.
Regarding the question of whether the US aims to cut off relations between Iran, Syria, and Iraq by obstructing their transit line to impact the economies of the resistance countries, Amir-Abdollahian said that while this issue has been raised in the media, investigations show that there have been no field operations to support such claims.
“However, we must say that the Americans have been trying to cut off these ties for a long time. But thanks to the plan that was prepared based on the common interests of Iraq and Syria, these borders were reopened, and, in fact, they were the borders of common economic cooperation between the two countries,” he
added.
He concluded by emphasizing Iran’s fundamental policy of supporting the Axis of Resistance, which is based on defending the oppressed and the vulnerable while safeguarding regional peace, stability, and security.
-- Iran’s response to ’excessive demands’:
Iran has confirmed it withdrew accreditation from several inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency in a move it called a legal response to the “excessive demands” of Europe and the United States and their “abuse” of international organizations, including the IAEA.
During the quarterly meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors, no binding resolution was issued against Iran. However, the political pressure exerted by Western nations on Tehran through the IAEA persisted. In a joint statement, the so-called European Troika (Britain, France, and Germany), along with the United States, reiterated earlier claims about Iran’s lack of cooperation with the IAEA under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal or the JCPOA.
They urged Iran to “provide, without further delay, technically credible information on the current location(s) of nuclear material and contaminated equipment in relation to Turquzabad and Varamin.”
Western nations are expecting Iran to uphold its JCPOA commitments and fully cooperate with the IAEA while the European parties either couldn’t or didn’t want to keep their side of the bargain after the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the deal in 2018.
They even fail to recognize that Iran’s scaling back of its JCPOA obligations is essentially a response to their own lack of commitment, and Iran’s inability to reap the benefits of the nuclear agreement. Mohammad Eslami, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, pointed out that “Iran is retracting its commitments as per Articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA because the Western parties haven’t upheld their end of the deal.”
The joint statement from the European trio and the United States regarding safeguards and the request for detailed information about the locations of Turquzabad and Varamin harks back to an older, long-standing issue which was initially raised based on claims by Israel. Iran, however, has cooperated with the IAEA, addressing questions about two out of the four alleged cases. Negotiations and cooperation concerning the remaining two facilities are ongoing.
“We’ve engaged in discussions, provided clarification, and submitted numerous documents to the agency. This case has been brought up as a result of hostility, framing, and accusations that have been levied against us,” Eslami said.
The recent meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors was still ongoing when Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, made an announcement regarding a joint decision by Britain, France, and Germany against Iran.
According to Borrell, the European Troika has communicated their intention to the US to retain ballistic missile sanctions against Iran. Borrell explained that the EU foreign ministers of the European Union believed that Iran hadn’t complied with the JCPOA since 2019, and the issue hadn’t been resolved through the JCPOA’s problem-solving mechanism.
According to EU’s top diplomat, foreign ministers won’t take steps to further lift sanctions against Iran on October 18, 2023.
But what does this date signify? As per the nuclear agreement, a set of UN, EU, and UK sanctions, which encompass restrictions on individuals and entities involved in Iran’s missile, nuclear, and weapons programs, are expected to be lifted. If UN missile sanctions are lifted, Iran would be permitted to purchase and sell ballistic missiles and drones with a range of up to 300 kilometers.
At the same time, “Matthew Miller,” the spokesperson of the US Department of State, expressed support for the European Troika’s decision, stating, “We are coordinating closely with a range of allies and partners, including our E3 and EU partners on their transition day plans, and we’ll consider additional counter-proliferation efforts going forward. We have imposed a number of sanctions, as you referred to in your question, on Iran, and of course will not hesitate to continue to do so in the future if appropriate.”
This non-binding decision by Europe and the United States clearly underscores which party has abandoned the 2015 nuclear agreement and is unwilling to fulfill its obligations. Western parties, despite not upholding any JCPOA commitments, are pushing to maintain sanctions against Iran while simultaneously expecting Iran to adhere to its JCPOA commitments.
Nonetheless, Iran has repeatedly cautioned against the exploitation of international institutions, including the IAEA, by Western nations. The persistence of this situation has compelled Tehran to respond in kind. Just like in the meeting held last year in June, where Iran reacted to the IAEA director general’s political report and the joint action of the European Troika and the United States in passing a resolution against its nuclear program by removing some of the agency’s surveillance cameras at nuclear facilities. Now, Tehran has once again demonstrated a serious response to the unconstructive actions of the agency and Western countries by barring multiple IAEA inspectors assigned to the country. Iranian media and a Western diplomat said the decision concerned eight inspectors, all from France and Germany.
“Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran informed me of its decision to withdraw the designation of several experienced agency inspectors assigned to conduct verification activities in Iran” under an existing agreement, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said on Saturday.
Grossi argued that this move had been executed in a manner that would seriously hamper the IAEA’s ability to carry out its work.
In response to this development, Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, criticized the “political” manipulation of the IAEA Board of Governors by Europe and the United States.
He confirmed the withdrawal of the designation of the IAEA inspectors and stated, “Iran’s recent action is based on the sovereign rights outlined in Article 9 of the safeguards agreement between Iran and the IAEA (INFCIRC 214).” Kanaani said that Tehran would continue to engage in positive cooperation within the framework of the deals established with the agency, emphasizing the importance of the IAEA’s neutrality.
In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry denounced the European countries’ decision not to fulfill their JCPOA obligations calling the action illegal, in contradiction to their JCPOA commitments and Resolution 2231. The Foreign Ministry described it as a move that fosters tension and harbors ill intentions.
European nations have alleged that Iran has not adhered to its JCPOA commitments since 2019. However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry provided a comprehensive explanation, reminding them that “in response to the unlawful withdrawal of the United States and the reimposition of tough sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran took remedial measures in accordance with its rights under Articles 26 and 36 of the JCPOA. These steps align entirely with the procedures outlined in the JCPOA.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry also issued a warning: “We caution the European parties against implementing measures that fuels tension, as these will undoubtedly complicate bilateral relations and have a detrimental impact on the cooperation process, including negotiations aimed at lifting sanctions.”
Despite earlier optimism, the recent meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors became a forum for counterproductive claims by Western parties against Iran’s nuclear program. This overshadowed the relatively positive atmosphere of mutual cooperation, with their actions being seen as excessive.
KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL:
-- President Raisi Heads to New York:
President Ebrahim Raisi will set off for New York on Monday to participate in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. During his three-day visit to New York, he will deliver a speech at the annual General Assembly meeting and hold meetings with heads of states as well as Iranians residing there. He will also expound on the Islamic Republic’s positions and answer questions from political, social, religious, and media groups and elites. On Sunday, the president met with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei before departing for New York. Raisi presented a report on his travel plans, and Ayatollah Khamenei offered necessary recommendations and wished success for the president.
-- Iranian, Azerbaijani FMs Hold Phone Talks:
Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov on Sunday discussed mutual ties and the recent developments in the region over phone.
The escalation of tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia in recent days is the most significant event in the country’s northwestern borders and the South Caucasus region.
-- Report: Saudis Freeze Normalization With Israel:
Saudi Arabia has reportedly told the Biden administration that it is freezing U.S.-brokered, indirect normalization talks with Israel because prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s extremist regime is unwilling to make any concessions to the Palestinians.
According to the report Sunday in the Saudi-owned Elaph newspaper, citing officials in Netanyahu’s office, the U.S. has informed the Zionist regime of the Saudi stance.
It said that Israel was “confused” by the move, believing that the Saudis were prepared to move ahead with normalizing ties without linking it to the progress on the Palestinian issue.
The report by the London-based paper’s Israel correspondent singled out the insistence by extremist ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir that the occupying regime not make any concessions to the Palestinians, adding that without progress with Ramallah, there could be no progress with Riyadh.
Last month, Netanyahu indicated that he was open to gestures to Palestinians if a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia depended on it, and hinted that he would not let coalition members block an agreement.
“I think there’s enough room to discuss possibilities,” he added.
Netanyahu’s comments were in line with what Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said the day before in an interview with Elaph, which is often seen as a conduit for public messaging between Tel Aviv and Riyadh.
“The Palestinian issue will not be an obstacle to peace,” Cohen said.
“We also proved this in the Abraham Accords. We all have an interest in improving life in the areas of the Palestinian Authority.”
But Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners have ruled out any compromise with the Palestinians.
“We will not make any concessions to the Palestinians. It’s a fiction,” Smotrich, who heads the far-right Religious Zionism party, told Army Radio last month.
Smotrich said that while the Zionist regime is interested in the U.S.-brokered deal with Riyadh, “it has nothing to do with Judea and Samaria,” referring to the West Bank.
However, in recent weeks the Saudis have stepped up their engagement with Palestinians.
Saudi Arabia will be co-hosting an event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly this week focused on revamping the Israeli-Palestinian talks, three UN diplomats told The Times of Israel on Thursday.
The event, titled “Peace Day Effort for Middle East Peace,” will take place on Monday and is being put on by Saudi Arabia along with the Arab League and the European Union in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan, one of the diplomats said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be the keynote speaker.
Neither the Israeli nor the Palestinian missions were invited to the event, the UN diplomat said, explaining that it is focused on congregating important global stakeholders on the issue in order to “reinvigorate” the so-called peace process.
The current Zionist regime led by Netanyahu has refused to entertain the notion of peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, instead moving to radically expand the occupying regime’s footprint in the West Bank. The PA’s leadership is marred by charges of corruption.
Last month, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Jordan began serving as Riyadh’s first-ever nonresident ambassador to the Palestinians as well as its first-ever nonresident consul general to Al-Quds.
The Arab official explained that Riyadh has made clear to Ramallah that it is prepared to depart from its long-held public stance against normalizing ties with Israel absent an actualized solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and that the PA has come to terms with this development and accordingly is asking for measures that fall short of immediate statehood.
-- All Plots to Resurrect Riots Neutralized:
Iranian intelligence forces have confiscated a large cache of U.S.-made weapons and other tools to be used in riots on a vessel on the southern maritime borders, a top judiciary official announced on Sunday.
“With the coordination between the head of the judiciary of Bandar-e Khamir port city and the monitoring of intelligence forces, a large shipment of American weapons and tools for rioting was discovered and seized upon entering the maritime border of the south of the country,” Mojtaba Ghahremani, Chief Justice of Hormozgan province along the Persian Gulf, said.
The provincial chief justice said the cargo, which included more than 6,000 U.S.-made stun guns, had been stashed in a barge. He added two people related to the case were arrested.
The development comes as Iranian intelligence forces say they have foiled several terrorist attempts and have arrested scores of members of terrorist groups during the past days in the lead-up to the anniversary of the deadly protests and riots in Iran.
On Saturday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said it arrested a man with dual citizenship in the city of Karaj, west of the capital Tehran trying to stir rioting and cause disruptions.
The suspect was found to be in possession of “several smartphones and dollars of significant value,” the IRGC said, according to a report by the Tasnim news agency.
A member of Iran’s Basij force was martyred during events falling on the anniversary of riots, reports said on Sunday.
“One person was martyred and three people were injured” on Saturday evening in a “blind shooting” by two unknown assailants towards Basij guards in the city of Nurabad in southern Fars province, official news agency IRNA reported.
“The intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies of the province are trying to arrest the assailants” who fled after the shooting, it said.
On Saturday, authorities arrested several groups over accusations of “planning to create chaos” and producing content to serve “hostile media”, according to IRNA.
Many of the arrests were made in the province of Kurdistan, as well as Iran’s northwest and south, the agency added.
Others were arrested in the northeastern province of North Khorasan for instigating “riots”, according to the Mehr news agency.
Authorities in the central city of Isfahan have “identified 97 people”
and blocked 15 Instagram pages for attempting to stir up “public opinion” on the anniversary of the protests, IRNA said.
Iran’s security forces also arrested a team linked to terrorist groups that had plotted to open fire at people in an illegal gathering in the western province of Kurdestan on the first anniversary of last year’s foreign-backed riots.
The terrorists had entered Iran from Iraq’s Kurdistan region and sought to carry out the shooting attack in the city of Saqqez on Saturday, Tasnim news agency reported.
The Iranian security forces thwarted the plot and arrested four individuals.
Weapons and equipment, including Kalashnikov rifles, handguns, hunting shotguns, two sets of Iranian military force uniforms and a number of cold weapons were also confiscated from the terrorists.
Last month, Chief Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hussein Salami warned of a new plot by enemies to stir unrest in the country on the anniversary of the riots that broke out following the death of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian woman of Kurdish descent.
“The enemy intends to sow sedition once again on the anniversary” of the riots that broke out in September 2022, Salami said.
The 22-year-old Amini died in a hospital in Tehran, days after she collapsed at a police station.
-- Iran’s Drone & Ballistic Projects Unconnected to EU Goodwill:
The recent announcement by the so-called “Big 3” of the European Union to persist with their illegal sanctions against Iran’s ballistic missiles project even after their expiry on 18 October 2023, was not a matter of surprise for either the Islamic Republic or the people of Iran, who are fully aware of the animosity of the West since 1979.
France, Britain, and Germany have never been friends of the Muslim Ummah in general and of the Iranian nation in particular as is borne out by their atrocities in the Levant during the Crusader Wars and later during the colonial era in Africa, the Subcontinent, and other parts of the world.
Their present policies, which are dedicated to Zionism, the propagation of the myth of the holocaust, survival of the usurper entity called Israel, and sheltering of criminals fleeing justice from Iran, are continuation of the legacy of the past; hence it was understood in Iran that these three countries which along with the US never fulfilled their obligations to the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA), will never abide by any rule concerning the Islamic Republic.
The UN sanctions, which were also illegal and politicization of a purely technical issue regarding Iran’s right to enrich uranium for its peaceful nuclear project, are due to be lifted on as part of a clause that allows Iran to import and export ballistic missiles, including missiles and drones with a range of 300km or more.
The pretext of the EU Big 3 is that Iran allegedly bars inspectors of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from monitoring its nuclear installations.
Nothing could be far from the truth. As a matter of fact, no country, other than Iran, has given such extensive facilities to the IAEA to install cameras at sensitive centres for round-the-clock inspection of activities, which time and again have been certified as peaceful.
Following the US breach of the 2015 Geneva Accord and the failure of Paris, London, and Berlin, to honour their own commitments, the Islamic Republic had every right as per the clauses of the JCPOA to upgrade enrichment in accordance with the country’s requirements in the various industrial fields, in addition to disconnecting the IAEA cameras whose footage was being criminally passed on to nuclear-armed Israel.
To be more precise, several of the IAEA-assigned inspectors were under instructions from the US, France, Britain, and Germany, to spy on behalf of Israel, and provide information that will sabotage Iran’s nuclear sites.
Thus, anyone with an iota of brain should conclude that Iran should not be obligated to adhere to any part of the deal that the other party has unilaterally withdrawn from, in violation of the JCPOA clauses.
At any rate, whether or not the EU Big 3 lift their sanctions by October 18, Iran, whose drone and ballistic missile projects are homegrown and do not depend on imports from the West, will continue to upgrade its defence capabilities to the highest possible levels, coupled with fitting response to the designs of its enemies.
As for exports, this is a matter relating to the Islamic Republic’s sovereignty and security whether at home and abroad, and depending upon circumstances the necessary steps will be taken in accordance with its principled foreign policy to defend against the terrorism and destabilizing designs of both the state and non-state actors.
TEHRAN TIMES:
-- Over 200 foreign companies participating in Iran Plast 2023:
The 17th International Exhibition of Plastic, Rubber, Machinery, and Equipment (Iran Plast 2023) kicked off at the Tehran Permanent International Fairground on Sunday. As reported, 560 Iranian and 210 foreign companies are showcasing their latest products and achievements in the four-day event. The 17th edition of the international event is being held with the approach of developing the value chain, supporting national production, and promoting domestic manufacturing in an area of 3,200 square meters. The inaugural ceremony of the exhibition was attended by a number of senior officials, including Oil Minister Javad Oji, National Petrochemical Company (NPC) Managing Director Morteza Shah-Mirzaei, Deputy Oil Minister for Planning Affairs Houshang Falahatian, some MPs and ambassadors, and those active in the petrochemical industry.
-- Raisi meets Leader before New York trip:
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met on Sunday with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei before leaving Tehran for New York. In the meeting, Raisi presented a report on his agenda in New York to the Leader. And Ayatollah Khamenei gave him pieces of advice regarding the trip. Raisi left Tehran for New York early on Monday to participate in the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting. He is accompanied by a leading political delegation. During his three-day visit to New York, Iran’s president is set to give a speech at the General Assembly conference, hold talks with heads of state and government, and meet Iranians living there. The president will also elaborate on the Islamic Republic’s stances and respond to inquiries from elites in politics, society, religion, and the media. The 78th UN General Assembly session will take place on September 18-26. The presence of high-ranking officials from different countries at the annual event provides a good opportunity for international political consultations and bilateral dialogues.
-- De-designating some IAEA inspectors is based on Safeguards Agreement: Iran:
Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, said on Saturday that the Islamic Republic’s most recent decision to revoke the designation of some IAEA inspectors was motivated by the rights to governance outlined in the Safeguards Agreement between the two parties. Kanaani made the remarks just hours after Rafael Grossi, the director general of the IAEA, criticized Iran for what he called a “unilateral measure” by Tehran in de-designating a number of IAEA inspectors. In a statement, Grossi described Iran’s move as “disproportionate and unprecedented” and said these “most experienced” inspectors were tasked with carrying out verification tasks in Iran in accordance with the NPT Safeguards Agreement. Grossi claimed Iran’s action “affects the normal planning and conduct of the IAEA verification activities” and “openly contradicts the cooperation that should exist between the Agency and Iran.” In response, spokesman Kanaani stated that Iran had taken the action in accordance with the governance rights granted to the nation in Article 9 of the text containing the terms of an agreement between Iran and the IAEA responsible for applying safeguards in connection with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
NOURNEWS