Norouz Celebrations in Tehran

Presidents of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Iraq will take part in an international Norouz (Nowruz) festival hosted by Iran. Kyrgyz deputy prime minister, Qatari Crown Prince and Omani Foreign Minister will also attend the ceremonies, held in Tehran on 27 and 28 March.

Norouz, which coincides with the first day of spring on the solar calendar, is celebrated as the New Year in Iran and the neighboring countries.

Photo: Norouz’s Haft Seen set to mark the coming of the New Year / Press TV

UN to Name Human Rights Investigator for Iran

The UN Human Rights Council agreed today to establish a UN human rights investigator for Iran. The 47-member Geneva-based council approved the resolution by 22 votes in favor, 7 against, and 14 abstentions. The council voiced concern at Iran's crackdown on opposition figures and increased use of the death penalty, and called on the Islamic Republic to cooperate with the UN envoy to be named to the independent post. The Council's predecessor body, the Human Rights Commission, named a special rapporteurs on Iran in 1984, who was withdrawn in 2002 during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami.

Karun 3 Dam

The Karun 3 dam built over the Karun in Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. The dam’s power plant has 2,280 MW capacity and generates 4,137 GWh annually. The dam itself is a concrete double arch type, 673 ft high with a width of 97 ft.

Photos by Amir Pourmand, ISNA

Oil Rising

Brent Crude future today hit $116 per barrel. The price of Iran’s Heavy, the country’s main export crude grade, is pegged to Brent, nearing $110 per barrel.

HRHI Report on Political Detentions in Iran

During the Iranian calendar year 1389, which ended on 20 March, 1,256 persons were imprisoned for their opposition to the government and their political views, Human Rights House of Iran (HRHI) reported today. To read the complete HRHI report in Farsi, please click here.

Border Bazaars in Kurdistan

Bazaars in the border areas of Iran's Kurdistan province. The Kurdhish residents earn their livings by carrying cargo on their back through the difficult terrains in the mountainous region between Iran and Iraq. For more photos, please see the original post at Payvand.

Photos by Abdolrahman Hasani, Mehr News Agency

Iran Cargo Plane Kept in Turkey - UPDATE

The Turkish authorities have kept the Syrian-bound Iranian plane grounded in Diyarbakir airport. The Ilyushin civilian cargo plane was ordered to land in Turkey’s southeastern airport on Saturday on suspicion that it had illicit cargo on board. The inspectors have discovered a box containing automatic rifles and the aircraft’s seven-man crew was taken to a police station for questioning. The authorities have confiscated the weapons and are expected to allow the plane to take off en route to Syria.

UPDATE: Turkey says the plane returned to Iran Tuesday night without the seized cargo.

Tehran Police Review - Pictorial

click photos to enlarge

Bajaj 150 cc 4-stroke single police motorbikes

Motor officers clad in black leathers

Mercedes-Benz C 200 highway patrol cars

Honda highway patrol motorcycles

Iran Khodro Samand police cars

BMW R 11oo RT-P highway patrol motorcycle

(a personal favorite of the author's)

Mercedes-Benz C 200 police response cars. Note policemen issued with body armor.

Traffic speed camera in use by Tehran metro police

Mountain police equipped with Yamaha YFM400 4x4 ATVs

Mountain police issued with skiing equipment

Photos: Mohammad Hassanzadeh at Fars News Agency

Bahrain Accuses Iran Embassy of Smuggling Weapons

The Iranian Embassy in Manama has denied a report that one of its staff members was involved in smuggling weapons in Bahrain. Al Ayam daily had earlier reported that an Iranian embassy staff member was detained by Bahraini security forces while trying to smuggle weapons and communication gears out of Salmaniya Hospital in the capital city Manama. The newspaper quoting security forces said some employees of the hospital were part of the smuggling network, apparently bringing in weapons to the hospital stored in imported medical equipment boxes. The Iranian embassy said it had sent a letter to the newspaper denying the allegations, but the letter has not been published yet. The embassy did not disclose the name of its staff member and his position. It was not clear if the staff member has been freed because of his diplomatic immunity.

Growing Tension in Iran-Bahrain Relations

Iran today expelled a Bahraini diplomat stationed in Tehran after Bahrain took similar action against an Iranian diplomat posted in Manama. The diplomatic row is the latest developments in the worsening relations between the two countries. The king of Bahrain has accused Iran of being the instigator of the Shia uprising in his country, while senior Iranian leaders have harshly criticized the Bahraini government’s crackdown on peaceful protests by its people and the Saudi and UAE intervention in Bahraini affairs.

Obama Marks the Iranian New Year

President Barack Obama marked the Persian New Year with a message of solidarity to Iranian youth.

"The future of Iran belongs to the young people, the youth who will determine their own destiny," Obama said on Sunday. "Your talent, your hopes and your choices will shape the future of Iran, and help light the world. And though times may seem dark, I want you to know that I am with you."

Iranian New Year 1390

Happy Norouz!

New Year starts at:

020545 on Monday 21 March in Tehran

232054 on Sunday 20 March, GMT

192054 on Sunday 20 March, Eastern Standard Time

Photo: The 7 Seen, Mehr News Agency

Iran Plane Forced to Land in Turkey

An Iranian cargo plane en route to Syria was forced to land in Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakir airport for an inspection. The plane, a civilian Ilyushin, landed on Saturday night on the orders of the Turkish authorities. On Wednesday, an IRGC cargo plane was also forced to land at the same airport for inspection, but the authorities could not find any material “contrary to international standards" [AFP, 20 March].

Iran National Oil at 60

Dr. Mohammad Mossadeq

Sixty years ago today, Iran under the leadership of Mohammad Mossdeq nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, renaming it the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). Mossadeq become premier and led the country until the British-American led coup d’état in 1953 that brought the deposed Shah back to power. And the British renamed their company the British Petroleum (BP).

Happy Anniversary!

French Fighter Jets Over Libya

The French fighter jets began enforcing the no-fly provision of the UN Security Council 1973 against Gaddafi forces. The resolution authorizes UN member states to take “all necessary measures” to protect the Libyan civilians. The no-fly zone is expected to be the start of a major air campaign by an international coalition against Gaddafi’s continued rule over Libya. Strikes against Gaddafi forces are expected to start later today. The Europeans, the Arab countries and the US are expected to actively support the military action that is being led by the French.

UPDATE: European and US forces started massive air attacks against Gaddafi's air defense systems and other military target on Saturday. US forces fired more than 100 Tomahawk missiles from US warships and submarines at longer range air defense missiles as well as early warning radar sites and the command and control communication centers; while British forces struck 20 air defense targets around Tripoli and Misurata.

Iran Navy dispatches '13th Fleet' to Gulf of Aden

From Fars News Agency:

The Iranian Navy dispatched its 13th flotilla of warships to the Gulf of Aden to defend the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against the continued threat of attack by Somali pirates.

"The Thirteen fleet of warships, comprised of Tonb [IRINS Tonb (LSLH 513) Hengam class landing ship logistic] and Delvar [IRINS Delvar (AEL 471) Delvar class support ship] vessels is tasked with boosting security for Iranian merchant containers and oil tankers in the Gulf of Aden and north of the Indian Ocean for a period of 60 days," Commander of Iran's First Naval Zone Fariborz Qaderpanah said on Thursday.

"Over the course of the last two years, the Iranian fleet of warships has successfully managed to display its powerful presence in turmoil-stricken Gulf of Aden, and foil any attempt to impair transportation routes along the country's sea border," Qaderpanah added.

The Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, when Somali raiders hijacked the Iranian-chartered cargo ship, MV Delight, off the coast of Yemen.

Hengam class landing ship logistic

Delvar class support ship

File photos: Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, 15th Edition and the U.S. Navy

Malaysia Seizes Iran-Bound Cargo Ship

Malaysian police today announced that it has seized the cargo of a ship traveling from China to Iran smuggling equipment “that possibly could be used to make nuclear weapons.” National police chief Ismail Omar told reporters the Malaysian-registered cargo ship was seized two weeks ago at a central Malaysia harbor. The Sun newspaper reported Friday that the machineries onboard the ship required a special permit put in place “to curb the trafficking of nuclear weapon components” [AP, 18 March].

UN Security Council Authorizes Force Against Qaddafi - Benghazi Erupts in Celebration

The UN Security Council today authorized its member states to take “all necessary measures” to protect the Libyan civilians against Qaddafi forces. The resolution’s sweeping language and the use of the diplomatic code words “all necessary measures” in effect authorizes military action against Qaddafi, including a no-fly zone, and strikes on his air force, tanks and heavy artillery. The Qaddafi forces have advanced within 100 miles of the opposition capital of Benghazi after defeating the rebels in towns west of the city and in the process killing many anti-Qaddafi activists, sympathizers and ordinary citizens. Benghazi erupted in celebration at news of the resolution’s passage. The UN resolution is numbered 1973.

Iranian C-704 missiles displayed at Ashdod

Israel has put on display the Iranian C-704 "Nasr" missiles found aboard the cargo ship Vistoria, in Ashdod.

Had these missiles been successfully delivered and deployed, they might have had an impact on the ongoing siege of Gaza. But they were not delivered and surprise has been lost, so the siege continues.

In the mid term, Gazans' best chance of relief appears to rest on an upcoming Egyptian government becoming truly representative, with a foreign policy reflective of Egyptian popular sentiment. It's a big "if" but if attained, the siege may finally be lifted.

IDF press cue, providing content details. Note the logo and translated addendum.

C-704 command and control system

Two box cannisters containing Nasr AShMs

C-704 "Nasr" missile detail (1)

C-704 "Nasr" missile detail (2)

H/T Tom Cooper at ACIG.org

Diverted Iranian plane in Turkey: Photo

The Iranian plane diverted to Diyarbakir airport yesterday by Turkish officials turns out to be an Ilyushin Il-76TD belonging to the Revolutionary Guard Air Force (IRGC/AF). A lengthy search found the plane was carrying 150 tons of food; it was allowed to leave on Wednesday afternoon.

Photo: Reuters

H/T Tom Cooper at ACIG.org

Kavoshgar-4 rocket launch into space

IRNA is reporting that Iran has launched a Kavoshgar-4 (Explorer-4) rocket carrying a test capsule into space on March 15.. All systems of the new rocket were reportedly tested including capsule separation and reentry, as well as biological support with what appears to be a mock primate.

Iran is establishing the technical means to support its publicly declared goal of sending a human into space by 2022.

Launch photos provided by IRNA

File photo: Kavoshgar-4 unveiling during 10 Day Dawn