Beyond the Presidents official celebration, there is likely to be an even more important topic of discussion: Iran is looking at Kuwait as a bridge for rapprochement with Saudi Arabia.Tehran has been pushing, both openly and through back-channel talks, for a visit by Rouhani or Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Riyadh. However, Saudi Arabia has been cautious, and the two countries are still divided in their positions over the Syrian crisis.
Deputy Foreign Hossein Amir Abdollahianmaintained a firm line on Sundaywhile heralding Rouhanis engagement:
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabahs Tehran visit shows that political issues in Persian Gulf do not move through the Big Brothers canal.
In recent years some countries in Persian Gulf such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, being affected by regional and North-African developments and in line with some superpowers countries, have tried to isolate and restrict Iran. However, since the last Presidential elections in the country, Islamic Republic of Iran has adopt a new approach to handle the situation in Persian Gulf.
Iran is also hoping the Kuwaiti talks will re-open Tehrans economic relations with the Gulf States. Trade has suffered amid US-led sanctions, especially through the regional hub of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
A delegation from the UAEarrived in Tehran on Sunday morningto discuss trade and economic relations with Iranian officials.
State mediareinforced Rouhanis message, All regional countries should help for the establishment of peace and security in these regions; however, they also added a specific challenge over Syria and Iraq, quoting the Presidents invocation to fight terrorism and extremism.
IAEA Praises Iran for Nuclear Co-operation
Yukiya Amano, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency,praised Irans co-operation with the agency on Monday.
Iran and the IAEA have signed a series of agreements for inspections, supervisions, and provision of information since November, as Tehran and the 5+1 Powers pursue a comprehensive nuclear settlement.
Amano told the IAEAs Board of Governors, I welcome the fact that the practical measures agreed with Iranhave been implemented by Iran as planned. Iran has engaged with the agency substantively.
Material given to the IAEA has included data on explosive-wire detonators, which the US and European partners have said can be used in a militarized nuclear program.
We are analysing the information provided by Iran, Amano said, adding that the IAEA will provide an assessment in due course, after acquiring a good understanding of the whole picture.
Leading Reformist Tajzadeh Given Another Year in Prison
Prominent reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh, detained since just after the disputed 2009 Presidential election,has been sentencedto another year in prison for propaganda against the regime.
Tajzadeh, a former Deputy Minister of Interior, was given the term for writing letters to the Supreme Leader. He is already serving a six-year sentence for assembly and collusion to disturb national security and propaganda against the regime.
Iran Farda To Re-Appear After 14 Years
The magazine Iran Farda, banned in May 2000,will soon re-appear, now that all legal obstacles have been removed.
Linked to the National-Religious Coalition, Iran Farda was led by Ezzatollah Sahabi, who died in 2011.
The first issue of the renewed magazine will publish material on the anniversary of Sahabis death, as well as articles on Irans political and economic situation.
Central Bank: Inflation at 30.3% for 2013-2014
The Central Bank said on Sunday that inflation rate for the 12-month period that ended on May 21was 30.3%.
The figure is higher than that given by Presidential advisor Mohammad-Baqer Nobakht last week of 28.4%.
Economy Minister Ali Tayyebnia said in March that inflation would be below 15% by March 2015.
The Rouhani Government inherited a rate of more than 40% in August.
FM Zarif Addresses Friends of Syria Conference in Tehran
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarifaddressed Tehrans second Friends of Syria conferenceon Sunday, declaring:
The foreign powers should give up the illusion of attaining their own strategic wishes and aspirations in Syria through military means and accept that the Syrian crisis has no way but a political solution based on the resolve and will of the Syrian people which will be shown through the ballot box.
All of us should accept that based on the common interests of all actors and more importantly, as regards the Syrian peoples interests, any political solution needs joint campaign against extremism and violence, ending the interferences and preventing the dispatch of weapons to irresponsible groups.
Iran convened the session of MPs from other countries to support President Assads nominal re-election on Tuesday. The first conference was held in March, just after the failure of the Geneva talks to bring political resolution.
Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani also asserted:
The political solution to the Syrian crisis should come out of the ballot box and not from behind closed doors in certain countries who can decide for a nation and another country like the Syrian nation.
We pursue fighting terrorism in the region through democracy and not by sending weapons.
It is unknown if Larijani mentioned Irans significant military assistance to the Assad regime.
Iranian officials saidnine countries will send observersto Tuesdays Presidential election, with Bolivia, Venezuela, Philippines, Tajikistan, Zimbabwe and Uganda joining Iran, Russia, and Lebanon.
Rouhani Maintains Fight Against Hardliners on Cultural Front
Having renewed his battle with hardliners with a speech on Saturday, President Rouhani maintained the campaign on Sunday
Under pressure over issues such as the hijab and access to the Internet, Rouhani admonished his critics on Saturday, They have no work, no profession, they are with delusions. They are incessantly worried about peoples religion and the afterlife. They know neither what religion is nor the afterlife, but theyre always worried.
By EA WorldView
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
