NOURNEWS- The following headlines appeared in English-language newspapers in the Iranian capital on Monday, August 21, 2023:
IRAN DAILY:
-- Diplomatic ’Fantasy’:
The recently released Netflix series ‘The Diplomat’ is gaining attention for its IMDb rating of eight. The show falls within the political thriller genre and prominently features Iran in its storyline. Unlike earlier depictions, this series provides a novel viewpoint on Iran, highlighting its diminished condition due to Western sanctions. Reports suggest that the series is already in the process of producing its second season. However, what truly sets this series apart is Iran’s significant role within the narrative’s development.
Historically, Western representations of Iran often echoed the portrayal expressed by George Bush Jr. post September 11 attacks, labeling Iran as part of the “axis of evil.” In contrast, the image of Iran depicted in ‘The Diplomat’ differs from the past. There has been a noticeable shift in how Westerners perceive Iran. The series showcases Iran as a nation heavily impacted by Western sanctions, no longer willing to confront Western powers. Throughout the show, Iranian leaders exhibit a keen interest in cooperating with the West, aiming to extricate themselves from their predicament, even if such collaboration strains Iran’s relationships with its friendly nations.
Crafting such depiction of Iran in the Netflix series seems to be a response to prevailing Western public sentiment. Presently, Western societies grapple with questions surrounding the efficacy of the US-imposed sanctions that were originally intended, according to Western politicians, to bring Iran to reason. The series raises inquiries about whether these sanctions have truly achieved their intended impact, or if Iran can still pursue its international foreign policy goals in spite of them. Additionally, the series appears to conduct a psychological maneuver against Iranian society. Westerners are seemingly striving to position themselves as the victors in the sanctions' scenario, thereby influencing Iranian perceptions. Ultimately, ‘The Diplomat’ aims to depict Iran as an untrustworthy ally capable of betraying its partners at any juncture.
-- Raeisi: Iran eyes raising trade with LatAm, ASEAN nations:
In meetings with a number of new foreign ambassadors to Tehran, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi expressed Iran’s willingness to broaden economic and trade relations with other countries, particularly with nations of Latin America and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The president on Sunday received the credentials of the new ambassadors of Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Angola, and Cambodia at separate meetings in Tehran, according to Tasnim news agency.
The president highlighted ample opportunities for the promotion of trade ties between Iran and Ecuador, called for the removal of obstacles to cooperation with Peru, and voiced Iran’s readiness to share its experiences with Colombia in the fight against drug trafficking.
The Western hegemonic powers are the main sponsors and supporters of drug production and trade, Raisi warned.
In his meeting with the new Cambodian envoy, the president said Iran is willing to broaden ties with ASEAN and strengthen regional interaction with its members, including Cambodia.
In another meeting, Raeisi hailed the friendly relations between Iran and Angola, stressing the need for plans to enhance the economic and trade cooperation between the two nations.
The ambassador of Ecuador noted, “The two countries have very good capacities for interaction with each other, and Ecuador is interested in cooperating in the fields of medicine, industry, technology, and science with Iran.”
The non-resident ambassador of the Republic of Peru also conveyed the warm greetings of the president of his country to Raisi, saying, “In addition to the missions assigned by my country, due to the deep historical and civilizational roots of Iran and Peru, I am interested and have strong personal motivations to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.”
-- Middle East booting out US, ending ‘American century’: Report:
The US president is pushing for a Saudi-Israeli deal, a breakthrough on Palestine, and an understanding with Iran. However, the Guardian suggests that the ‘American century’ is long gone.v
The British news organization wrote on Sunday on the uncanniness of the way America’s declining influence across the Middle East seems to be tracking the previous, humbling retreat of the British Empire from the same area. It’s as if the countries of the region, having ditched one overweening imperium, are now rejecting
another.
-- Over 50 intelligence agencies set up Iran desks: Minister:
Iranian Minister of Intelligence emphasizes that foes have not stopped their enmity towards Iran’s Islamic Revolution, as over 50 intelligence services have set up Iran desks to confront the emerging power at the international level.
Addressing commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Sunday, Esmail Khatib said that the country’s intelligence agencies have arrested spies from France, Sweden, Britain, and several other states, adding that some of those spies were sentenced to capital punishment and executed despite certain pressures, IRNA reported.
The minister also announced that about 200 terrorists have entered Iran, attempting to destabilize the country and the region during the Arbaeen march in Iraq, but have been arrested.
KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL:
-- President Raisi to Head to South Africa Wednesday:
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will travel to South Africa on Wednesday to participate in the annual meeting of the BRICS group of emerging economies.
In addition to giving a speech to the summit, the Iranian president will also meet with a number of leaders in attendance. Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Raisi will meet in New York in September, Kyodo news agency said on Sunday, quoting unnamed Iranian diplomatic sources.
-- Iran Summons Swedish, Danish Envoys Over Desecrations:
Iran’s foreign ministry on Sunday summoned the Swedish and Danish charges d’affaires in Tehran to protest the burning and damaging of copies of the Qur’an in the two countries.
“Iran lays the full responsibility and the serious repercussions of the Holy Koran’s desecration on the Swedish and Danish governments,” the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s human rights department said.
-- Report: Albania Cuts Internet Access to MKO Camp:
The government of Albania has cut access to the Internet for members of the terrorist Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) at their camp near Tirana, Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
The measure is the latest against the Ashraf-3 camp near Manze, a small hill town 30 kilometers west of Tirana.
An informed security source told Tasnim that after Albania’s decision to keep a curb on the terrorist activities of the MKO, the notorious cult members have been forced to use mobile Internet or illegal methods for cyber activities.
In June, the Albanian police forces raided the camp hosting the MKO due to its engagement in “terror and cyber-attacks” against foreign institutions.
They seized 150 computer devices linked to terrorist activities. At least one MKO terrorist was killed and dozens of others were injured during the clashes at the camp.
Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama later said the MKO must leave the country if it wants to use Albanian soil to fight against Iran, adding that his country has no intention of being at war with Iran and “does not accept anyone who has abused our hospitality.”
Earlier this month, Tasnim said an Albanian court had placed an entry ban on MKO ringleader Maryam Rajavi.
In a ruling, Albania’s Special Court on Corruption and Organized Crime had ordered state authorities to prevent Rajavi from entering the country, it said.
Informed sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the verdict came after Albanian officials examined available pieces of evidence and concluded that the MKO was using the country to organize anti-Iran terrorist attacks.
The European Union, Canada, the United States and Japan had previously listed the MKO as a “terrorist organization.”
-- 32 Zionists Killed in Palestinian Retaliatory Ops Since January:
At least 32 Zionist settlers have reportedly been killed since the beginning of the current year as a result of Palestinian retaliatory attacks in the West Bank and the 1948 occupied territories, amid a sharp uptick in deadly raids by Zionist troops and rampages by extremist settlers on Palestinians.
According to a report published by the Israeli free-to-air and Hebrew-language Keshet 12 television channel, 21 Zionists lost their lives in shooting operations, while another four were killed in car-ramming attacks.
A settler was killed in a stabbing assault, and one person was killed when a rocket fired from the besieged Gaza Strip landed in the Israeli-occupied territories.
The report noted that the number of Israeli deaths in Palestinian retaliatory operations marks a fresh record.
On Saturday, two Zionist men were shot dead in a retaliatory operation by a Palestinian gunman south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank.
Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) ambulance service said a 60-year-old man and his 29-year-old son were shot in the Palestinian town of Huwara. Paramedics said the two people were targeted inside a carwash.
The Zionist military said it had launched a manhunt for the assailant and closed off a number of roads in the area.
-- Junior Wushu Fighters Bag 2 More Gold Medals for Iran at Asian Championships:
Seyed Ali Miri and Mani Khaneh Keshi bagged two more gold medals for Iran at the 2023 SJM 11th Asian Junior Wushu Championships in Macao, China.
On the last day of the competitions on Sunday, Seyed Ali Miri faced the representative of Sri Lanka in the final match in the weight category of -80 kg, and after defeating his opponent snatched the gold medal of the tournament.
Miri had previously defeated an opponent from Kazakhstan.
Also, in the final fight of -56 kg weight, Mani Khaneh Keshi defeated his Chinese opponent in two consecutive rounds and won the gold medal.
Khane Keshi had defeated rivals from South Korea and India before advancing to the final match.
So far, Iran has bagged 7 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 2 bronze medals in these competitions.
TEHRAN TIMES:
China condemns US, S. Korea, Japan summit:
U.S. President Joe Biden has wrapped up a summit with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David, where they announced an agreement to enhance military ties. The leaders of the three countries also made their strongest joint condemnation yet of alleged “dangerous and aggressive behavior” by China in the South China Sea. The Biden administration held the summit in a bid to show unity in the face of China’s growing influence and the U.S. decline. In a joint summit statement, the three countries committed to consult promptly with each other and coordinate responses to regional challenges, provocations, and threats affecting their common interests. At a trilateral press conference of the leaders following the meeting, Biden strongly praised the summit, saying, “If I seem like I’m happy, it’s because I am. This has been a great, great meeting.” Biden said the meeting “was not about China”, but that “China obviously came up.” He added, “Not to say we don’t share concerns about the economic coercion or heightened tensions caused by China.”
-- Iran’s natural gas export rises 16%:
Iran’s natural gas exports in the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21) increased by 16 percent compared to the previous year, according to the managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC). According to Majid Chegeni, the country’s annual liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports also registered a 22 percent increase this year, IRNA reported. “Since the beginning of the 13th government tenure, more than 5,297 villages with 307,000 households and 41 cities with 94,000 households have been connected to the national gas network,” he said. He further noted that currently more than 98.6 percent of the country’s urban population and 86.3 percent of the rural population enjoy natural gas through the national network.
-- Algerian parliament speaker visits Iran:
– Ibrahim Boughali, the speaker of Algerian’s Parliament, arrived in Tehran on Saturday for high-level talks with Iranian officials. Deputy Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mojtaba Zonnouri welcomed the Algerian speaker and his entourage at the Imam Khomeini International Airport. Hassan Norouzi, head of the Iran-Algeria friendship parliamentary group, was also present at the welcoming ceremony. The purpose of the 5-day visit by the Algerian speaker to Iran has been mentioned as strengthening mutual ties in various fields in particular developing trade and economic cooperation. To this end, Boughali is scheduled to hold talks with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, and then the two speakers are expected to hold a press conference. A visit to the Holy Defense Museum in Tehran and Iranian knowledge-based and technological achievements as well as a trip to Isfahan city are among the Algerian speaker’s programs during his stay in the Islamic Republic.
NOURNEWS