Salehi in Qatar to Discuss Syrian Crisis

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has left Tehran for Doha to discuss Syrian crisis with Qatari officials. Salehi will also meet with Qatar’s new ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to congratulate him on his ascension to power.

On Tuesday, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani officially abdicated power in favor of his 33-year old son, Sheikh Tamim. Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar for 18 years, presiding over a period of immense economic growth and turning Qatar into a regional power.

File photo: Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi (IRNA)

No Change in Iran's Nuclear Stance--Iranian Nuclear Official

By: Jabbar Fazeli, MD

According to Reuters (June 28, 2013 Saint Petersburg), the head of Iran's atomic energy agency, Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani, says that the election of president Rouhani will not bring about any change in Iran's nuclear policy. Iran will continue its uranium enrichment and work on plans to develop more nuclear power plants (1,2).

It is clear that if Mr. Rouhani is to exert any influence over the nuclear issue, he first has to find a way to change the team of people in charge of the atomic agency, including Mr. Abbasi-Davani.

References:

(1) http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/06/28/iran-nuclear-idINDEE95R0A820130628

(2) http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13920407000611

Inflation at 32.6%--Iran

Public housing construction at Damavand and Golbahar

Public housing project at Damavand, Tehran Province

Construction appears to employ steel frame with concrete masonry

Opening ceremony for completed public housing units

New infrastructure evident accompanying new housing units

Public housing project at Golbahar, Razai Khorasan Province

Similarly constructed four-level public housing units, these near Mashad

Units attractively finished with landscaped gardens situated beside brick walkways

Public housing unit of the same project, awaiting landscaping details

Public housing development has been a prominent feature of the Ahmadinejad administration. Yet to be seen if this will change under the newly elected administration of President-elect Rouhani.

Photos: Nima Najafzadeh and Azin Haghighi at Fars News Agency

Pro-Population Growth Policy A Disaster--Rouhani Advisor

Dr. Reza Malekzadeh Slams Pro-Population Growth Policy

Photo source:enduringamerica.com

Dr. Malekzadeh, a gastroenterologist, an ex-health minister, and an advisor to Rouhani, slammed the current pro-population growth policy in Iran saying that increased population without improved education and employment opportunities can be disastrous for the country (1).

He also outlined some of the healthcare priorities that need to be tackled by the new administration, including solving state owned hospitals' debt issues and improved access to healthcare through a "family physician" program.

The reinstatement of sensible family planning maybe one of the few issues that don't require micromanagement by the supreme leader. President Rouhani may have some leeway to tackle population growth without the need for step by step blessing from Khamenei. 

In 2006, Ahmadinejad called for an increase in the Iranian population to 120 million and abandoning family planning. The simple one-dimensional thinking was that, unlike the reformist child in the cover photo, "more children means more Basij". 

Photo Source: UNICEF, uskowionIran,en.wikipedia.org, mediahex.com

In this interview with Fars news, Dr. Malekzadeh stressed that he is not interested in the position of "Health Minister", as there are more worthy candidates. Translated from Persian, that means he will likely be the next Minister of Health.

References:

(1) http://www.ettelaat.com/new/index.asp?fname=2013\06\06-27\22-14-53.htm&storytitle=%CF%DF%CA%D1%20%E3%E1%DF%9D%D2%C7%CF%E5%20:%CA%DE%E6%ED%CA%20%D4%C8%DF%E5%20%C8%E5%CF%C7%D4%CA%20%E6%20%CF%D1%E3%C7%E4%20%C7%D2%20%C7%E6%E1%E6%ED%CA%9D%E5%C7%ED%20%CF%E6%E1%CA%20%C2%ED%E4%CF%E5%20%C7%D3%CA

Iran Navy port call Astrakhan, Russia

From PressTV:

Iran has dispatched a naval fleet to the Russian port city of Astrakhan in a move to consolidate friendly relations between Tehran and Moscow, a deputy commander of the Iranian Navy says.

“Two missile-launching warships, which were manufactured by the Iranian young specialists and joined the naval forces in 2003 and 2006, have been dispatched for the first time to Russia’s Astrakhan Port in the form of a naval group,” said Rear Admiral Siavash Jarreh on Wednesday.

The measure is aimed at consolidating the amicable ties between Iran and Russia and conveying Tehran’s message of peace and friendship to the Caspian Sea littoral states, the Iranian commander added.

During the Iranian naval fleet’s stay at Astrakhan Port, the Iranian naval officers will visit some military and port facilities in Russia and hold meetings with a number of high-ranking Russian commanders and officials, Jarreh pointed out.

Iran Navy vessel descriptions match IRINS Joshan (P225) and IRINS Paykan (P224) Sina (Combattante II type) class patrol missile boats.

File photo: Sina class patrol missile boats

File photo: IRINS Paykan (P224)

Resolving Nuclear Impasse is Simple - Khamenei

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said today the dispute over the country’s nuclear program could easily be resolved if the West were to stop being so stubborn.

“Some countries have organized a united front against Iran and are misguiding the international community and with stubbornness do not want to see the nuclear issue resolved,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. “But if they put aside their stubbornness, resolving the nuclear issue would be simple,” he added. (Khamenei.ir/Reuters, 26 June)

President-elect Hassan Rouhani, who takes office in August, has also put normalization of Iran’s relations with outside world at top of his agenda.

Photo file: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a 2012 file photo. (Reuters)

Iran Welcomes Direct Fights to U.S.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi today welcomed the idea of establishment of direct flights to major U.S. cities, the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported.

“We have no problem with the American people and welcome establishment of direct flights from Iran to the United States major cities,” Salehi said. (IRNA, 26 June)

Iran’s Mehr News Agency had reported on Tuesday that the U.S. officials were ready to allow the resumption of commercial flights to Iran. Mehr even named Delta as the first U.S. airline to resume flights to Tehran. The report has not been independently verified and it was not clear if under the current sanctions such flights could be resumed.

Vali Asr Mosque in Tehran, under construction

Contemporary design clearly evident at this late stage of construction of the Vali Asr mosque

Initial exterior and interior rendering of the completed mosque. 

Current construction of exterior depicts minor changes to the design.

Above: for comparative purposes, the contemporary design of St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco

New Pics: Mashad International Airport expansion

Expansion projects at Shahid Hashemi Nejad Airport (MHD / OIMM)

New public use storage facilities for small aircraft

New terminal expansion with high level of finish

New terminal seating at Mashad International /  Shahid Hashemi Nejad Airport

Minister Ali Nizkad disembarks from Red Crescent Society operated 

Mil Mi-171E, 6-9509 / IRC.4 (cn 171E00364073501U)

for a tour of the recent airport expansion

Photos: Nima Najafzadeh at  Fars News Agency

Iran Khodro New Cars Failing Emission Standards

Police To Stop Registering New Vehicles Built With Euro 2 Standard

By: Jabbar Fazeli, MD

The Iranian equivalent of DMV announced (on 6/22/2013) that new, locally produced, vehicles that are still made to the 1998 "Euro 2" emission standards will no longer be registered. Euro 4 emission standard will be applied for all new car registrations as of the first of the current month. Cars made before that date are exempt.

This news was announced by Ahmad Roustami, a Naja official (1). 

Two days prior, Iran also announced (on 6/20/2013) that the distribution of Euro 4 gasoline is now underway (2). Like you, I thought they said they were already using Euro 4 fuel. Some of you may remember the oil Ministry claiming that Iranian gasoline is up to standard, and that the pollution in Tehran and elsewhere had nothing to do with substandard gasoline (6).

Fars news even posted an article in July of 2012 claiming an increase in Euro 4 gasoline, that article is now deleted.

The Iranian regime pushed through synthetic, substandard, gasoline production in October of 2011 to achieve immediate self-sufficiency. They faked the euro 4 status before they finally made it, almost 2 years later. 

The action by the department of motor vehicle to refuse registration of  brand new cars illustrate the other side of the pollution coin. 

Domestically produced Iranian cars are made based on the euro 2 standards and are contributing to pollution just as much as older vehicles. By comparison European vehicles were subject to euro 5 and 6 standards since 2007 (5,7).

Iran maybe cranking up new cars every second, but they might as well be repairing old Junkers when it comes to emissions standards.

A side note: The government is refusing to register the substandard new cars, but is allowing their sale. 

I'm sure they have their reasons, but one sure consequence is that ordinary Iranians will now have to bribe someone to register their new "made in Iran" cars.

*Below is the Persian language full report by Jomhouri Islami newspaper, including an interview with officials from the Car Manufacturers association in which they admit making euro 2 standard cars but blame it on lack of availability of Euro 4 gasoline.

References:

(1) June 22, 2013

http://www.jomhourieslami.com/1392/13920402/13920402_18_jomhori_islami_eghtesadi_0006.html

(2) June 20, 2013

http://www.kayhan.ir/920330/4.htm#N410

(3) http://en.trend.az/regions/iran/2164142.html

(4) Fars news file from last year removed

 http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9103084700

(5) http://delphi.com/pdf/emissions/Delphi-Passenger-Car-Light-Duty-Truck-Emissions-Brochure-2012-2013.pdf

(6) http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-09/business/sns-rt-iran-pollutionl5e9c91lr-20130109_1_air-pollution-pollution-crisis-tehran-times

(7) http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/air_pollution/l28186_en.htm

Iran auto production figures, May 2013

 

Iran Khodro Runna (modified Peugeot 206 SD)

At the Best Selling Cars blog, matgasnier has reported on Iran's auromobile production figures for Ordibehesht, the second month of the year 1392 in the Persian calendar (roughly May 2013). He reports that production is down 57% from last year's figure for the year, to 38,537 units compared to 88,939 one year ago, due to the effects of sanctions.

Below is a reproduction of his production chart with photos for some of the listed models types:

Saipa Tiba (modified KIA Pride)

Chery MVM315 (Fulwin 2/Bonus) built in Iran by Iran Khodro

Iran Khodro Samand (modified Peugeot 405)

Iran Khodro Peugot Pars (modified Peugeot 406)

Lifan 620 (built in Iran by Kerman Motor with Lifan 720 powerplant)