Busy week of diplomacy in Tehran

Iran media imagery of diplomacy being conducted during the past week in Tehran:

President of Iraq Faud Masum (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 24NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

Left to right: First Vice President of Iran Eshaq Jahangiri, Prime Minister of Algeria Abdelmalek Sellal and Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 24NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Bolivia Evo Morales (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 24NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 23NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 23NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 23NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin (L) with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei (R), dated 23NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin (L) with President of Iran Hassan Rouhani (R), dated 23NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov (L) with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R), dated 24NOV15 on sidelines of GECF in Tehran.

President of Bolivia Evo Morales (L) with with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) on 24NOV15 in Tehran

Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn (L) with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) on 24NOV15 in Tehran

Group photo of leaders and ministers attending third Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Tehran

Maja Gojkovic, President of the National Assembly of Serbia with Ali Larijani, Speaker of Parliament of Iran, dated 23NOV15 in Tehran

Maja Gojkovic, President of the National Assembly of Serbia, with Eshaq Jahangiri, First Vice President of Iran, dated 23NOV15 in Tehran.

Maja Gojkovic, President of the National Assembly of Serbia, with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of Iran, dated 23NOV15 in Tehran.

Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Erlan Idrissov (L) with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of Iran, dated 23NOV15 in Tehran.

Crispin Blunt, head of the Foreign Relations Committee of the British Parliament, with Ali Larijani, Speaker of Parliament of Iran, dated 21NOV15 in Tehran

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency, Khamenei.ir and Ali Abbaspour at Fars News Agency

First Iran Hajj Stampede Dead Flown Home (2)

Iran media imagery of remains of Iranian victims of the 2015 Mina stampede, returned to Iran on 03OCT15:

Aircraft transporting victims to Tehran - Mehrabad International Airport (THR) is IRIG Boeing 707-3J9C, reg. EP-AJD / 1002 (cn 21124/910). This venerable VIP aircraft went through overhaul and four-engine replacement in 2013, with updated livery also applied.

What appears to be IRIAF aircrew of EP-AJD, veteran captains and first lieutenants, and an IRGC first lieutenant

Artesh presidential honor guard serve as pallbearers during solemn transport procession

Looking upon the transport procession, left to right:
- First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri Kouhshahi
- Speaker of Parliament Ali Ardashir Amoli Larijani
- President Hassan Rouhani
- Chief Justice Ayatollah Sadeq Ardeshir Amoli Larijani
- Hojjatoleslam Mohammad Mohammadi-Golpayegani, Leader of Islamic Revolution chief of staff

In attendance: Basij Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Naqdi

COMMENTARY: According to Wikipedia, on 24SEP15 an overcrowding situation caused the death of at least over 1,223 people who suffocated or were crushed to death during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, Mecca. The incident happened at the intersection of streets 204 and 223 leading up to Jamaraat Bridge. The death toll is expected to rise since there are about 1,200 people still missing, and over 900 injured. Some of the injured were placed in induced comas. The official Saudi figures say that at least 769 were killed and 934 others injured due to the stampede, though other sources have estimated the death toll to be much higher. It was the deadliest accident to occur in the Hajj since the 1990 disaster that killed 1,426 people.

Of the victims of the 2015 Mina Stampede incident, more than 450 were Iranian.

On 29SEP15, it was reported King Salman of Saudi Arabia congratulated Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, on the “success of the Hajj.”

High ranking officials in Tehran from Netherlands, Japan and IAEA

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on 20SEP15 in Tehran

According to DutchNews.nl:

Koenders arrived in Iran at the weekend in what is the first visit by a Dutch minister in 14 years.

According to the NRC, Zarif said the oil and gas industry, water sector and farming are all areas which offer prospects to Dutch companies. He also said he regretted the fact that the long relationship between the two counties had suffered because of sanctions.

At a press conference after their meeting, Koenders said the Netherlands is keen to strengthen economic, political and cultural ties between the two countries ‘on equitable terms’.

In addition, he said that Iran is ‘indispensible’ in a ‘very difficult region in which we have to find peace and stability’. ‘I also welcome the involvement of the Iranian government in trying to engage in productive talks… on issues like Syria and Yemen,’ the Dutch minister said.

COMMENTARY: Following the signing of JCPOA in Vienna, Zarif has received in Tehran high ranking officials from France, Italy, United Kingdom, Austria, Syria, Iraq, Brazil and now Netherlands and Japan (see below).

Zarif has also undertaken diplomatic trips to Syria, Lebanon, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Russia, China and Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Bert Koenders and female member of Dutch delegation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on 20SEP15 in Tehran.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders with Iranian Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani, on 21SEP15 in Tehran

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders with Iran Navy Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, on 21SEP15 in Tehran.

Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister Kentaro Sonoura with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on 20SEP15 in Tehran.

According to PressTV:

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says a nuclear agreement reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in July will prepare the ground for more economic relations between Iran and Japan.

“Japan, by making an investment in different sectors, can restore its previous economic position in Iran,” Zarif said in a meeting with Japanese Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Kentaro Sonoura in Tehran on Sunday.

According to Tehran Times:

A trade delegation, led by Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Chairman Hiroyuki Ishige, is scheduled to visit Iran on October 7, according to the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI).

The delegation will be comprised of CEOs of some companies from the Japanese private sector, the IRNA news agency reported on Sunday.

Ishige is planned to visit TPOI Director Valiollah Afkhami-Rad to explore ways for the expansion of trade and economic ties between Iran and Japan.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano and Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, on 20SEP15 in Tehran.

According to AFP:

Amano held talks with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani as well as atomic agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi.

Under a deal sealed in July with six world powers aimed at ending a 13-year standoff, Iran agreed to curbs on its nuclear activities that experts say would make any dash to produce a weapon all but impossible.

Amano also addressed a 12-member committee set up by the Iranian parliament to examine the deal

IAEA delegation with Iran parliamentary committee, on 21SEP15 in Tehran

COMMENTARY: In the above photo, among the Iranian committee members, the following individuals can be identified: Sayyid Hossein Naqavi, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Hojjat al Eslam Vahid Ahmadi and Alireza Zakani.

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Larijani flies Lufthansa A380 first class to NYC for UN conference

For travel to the United Nations on 29AUG15, Iranian Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani flew first class on a Lufthansa A380-841. (Flight details provided below, sourced from Flightradar24.)

According to PressTV:

[Larijani] is scheduled to participate in the Fourth World Conference of Parliament Speakers convened by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in cooperation with the United Nations at the UN headquarters.

The Iranian official is expected to hold talks with his counterparts attending the conference on various issues including mutual interaction, economic development and joint ventures as well as key regional and international matters.

During his stopover in Frankfurt, Germany, the Iranian parliament speaker had a telephone conversation with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, where Larijani said Germany played a positive role in nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries - the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and China.

He expressed hope that exchange of visits between Iranian and German officials would improve economic relations.

The German foreign minister, for his part, said the ground is prepared for the expansion of ties with Iran in all fields given Tehran’s great capacity for enhanced economic cooperation.

Larijani met with his Japanese counterpart Tadamori Oshima on the sidelines of the Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament convened by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in New York. According to PressTV:

The top Japanese parliamentarian... said his country stands ready to work with Tehran to help promote peace and stability at regional and international levels.

Japan is prepared to open up a new chapter in its relations with Iran on political, parliamentary, economic, trade and cultural fronts, Oshima further said.

Meanwhile, Hossein Sheikholeslam stated that two unnamed U.S. senators have requested for a meeting with Parliament Speaker. According to Tasnim News Agency:

Hossein Sheikholeslam, the adviser [to Larijani] pointed to requests by two unnamed American lawmakers for a meeting with Iran’s parliament speaker, saying, “There has been talks (on the issue), but nothing is finalized yet.”

Sheikholeslam also announced that there are speculations about Larijani’s meeting with a Saudi Arabian delegation, saying that if it happens, it would be aimed at showing Iran’s goodwill as well as reminding Riyadh of the repercussions of its behavior.

COMMENTARY: Iranian Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani is a supporter of JCPOA.

File photo of aircraft that transported Larijani to JFK International Airport in New York City: Lufthansa A380-841, reg. D-AIMM (cn 175).  [photo: Miguel Alia]

Motorcade and security provided to Larijani's diplomatic delegation, including New York City Police Department Highway Patrol escort vehicle.

Motorcade and security provided to Larijani's diplomatic delegation, on the move from JFK to Two United Nations Plaza

U.S. diplomatic security detail assisting Iranian Speaker of Parliament Larijani upon his arrival at Two United Nations Plaza in New York City.

Iranian Speaker of Parliament Larijani makes his way to hotel accommodations at at Two United Nations Plaza in New York City.

Iranian Speaker of Parliament Ali  Larijani seen 31AUG15 participating in the Fourth World Conference of Parliament Speakers convened by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in cooperation with the United Nations at UN headquarters.

Iranian Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani with Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations

Iranian Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani with Pietro Grasso, President of the Italian Senate

Exchange of gifts between Ali Larijani and Pietro Grasso

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Larijani: Regional Powers Conspiring to Reduce Oil Prices

In Damascus to Renew Support for Assad

Iran’s Speaker of Majlis Ali Larijani said today the Islamic Republic was mindful of regional players working against Tehran in the global oil marketplace. In a not-so-veiled reference to Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, Larijani said those countries are conspiring to keep oil prices low to punish Iran.

“We will not forget which countries are conspiring to reduce oil prices,” Larijani said. “It would be a mistake if they imagine they can change the strategic and important issues of the region through oil.” (UPI, 22 December)

Larijani made the comments in Damascus during a visit to the Syrian capital. Iran is trying to retool its economy, stifled by sanctions, and now the low price of oil, off about 45 percent from its June value.

Larijani is in Damascus to renew Iranian support for Assad regime. He met with the Syrian president on Sunday, and said later that Assad will continue his determination to eradicate “terrorism,” a term used to describe Assad’s opponents and the Syrian opposition. Assad said on Sunday, however, that his government is ready to work on “reconciliation” to end the brutal civil war, sate news agency SANA reported.

Photo credit: Iran’s Speaker of Majlis Ali Larijani (l.) meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad; Damascus, 21 December 2014 (Reuters)

Iran’s Surplus Uranium and Halting 20% Enrichment On Negotiating Table – Majlis Speaker

Iran has more enriched uranium than it needs and plans to use that as a negotiating tool at nuclear talks in Geneva next week, Iran’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said in an interview with the Associated Press today.

“We have some surplus, you know, the amount that we don’t need. Over that we can have some discussions,” Larijani said, referring to next week’s talks P5+1 over the future of Iranian nuclear program.

Larijani added that the discussions with P5+1 on 15-16 October would be in the context of possibly halting its enrichment of uranium to 20 percent.

“Through the process of negotiations, yes, things can be said and they can discuss this matter,” Larijani said (AP, 9 October)

Larijani made his remarks on the sidelines of a meeting of the world organization of parliaments in Geneva. He is a former chief nuclear negotiator for Iran

My feeling is that Iran wants to see a resolution to the matter through political negotiations,” Larijani told reporters in Geneva. “I look at the upcoming negotiations positively.” (Reuters, 9 October)

“So basically the two parties need to work out a formula that provides for the two concerns (Iran’s right to enrich and Western concern over nuclear weaponization.) This shouldn't prove to be very difficult," Larijani said.

Note: It seems that Iran will come to negotiating table with a set of proposals, none new, but together they could form the basis of an agreement: swapping Iran’s current inventory of 20-percent enriched uranium and a halt to that program for a recognition of Iran’s rights to enrich uranium at 5-percent purity under strict international supervision and lifting of oil and banking sanctions that has practically brought the country’s economy to a halt. 

President-elect Rouhani meets with Iran's branches of government

Rouhani meets with Leader Khamenei on June 16th, Leader branch of government


Rouhani meets with Speaker of Parliament Larijani on June 16th, Parliament branch of government

Photos: PressTV

Larijani and Chalabi Call for Unity in Iraq

Iran’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani in a meeting with Iraqi MP and politician Ahmad Chalabi in Tehran has emphasized the need for unity among Iraq's diverse ethnic and political groups, Fars News Agency reported today.

Chalabi underscored Iran's important role in the establishment of peace and security in Iraq and called for strengthening national solidarity among diverse Iraqi factions to stem bloodshed.