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Reuters:
"Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Wednesday accused
Saudi Arabia of hampering the transfer of bodies of Iranian pilgrims
killed in a crush at haj last week, adding fuel to a growing spat over
the disaster in which nearly 800 people died. Iran has been the most
vocal in its criticism of Saudi Arabia for the disaster last Thursday,
in which at least 239 Iranians were killed. Tehran says 200 of its
pilgrims are still missing. Iranian officials say Saudi Arabia has not
done enough to identify and transfer the bodies of the victims to Iran.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on
Wednesday that Iran will not allow a single Iranian to be buried in
Saudi Arabia. 'Saudi Arabia failed to help the injured and are causing
trouble in transfer of the bodies to Iran ... the slightest disrespect
to Iranians will be met with a harsh reaction from us,' Khamenei told
graduates of the Iranian Army's military academies in the city of
Noshahr. 'We have shown self-restraint so far, but the Saudis should
know Iran is more powerful and has more capabilities and they cannot
compete with us in any front,' he added." http://t.uani.com/1N177mu
AFP:
"The Saudi-led coalition said on Wednesday it had seized an
Iranian fishing boat in the Arabian Sea loaded with weapons destined
for Shiite rebels it is fighting in Yemen. A coalition statement said
that the vessel was intercepted on Saturday and that 14 Iranians and
weapons including anti-tank shells were found on board. It said that
papers found on board the boat showed that it was registered to an
Iranian and was licensed for fishing by the Iranian authorities. It
listed the weapons seized as 18 anti-armoured Concourse shells, 54
anti-tank BGM17 shells, 15 shell battery kits, four firing guidance
systems, five binocular batteries, three launchers, one launchers'
holder and three batteries. The vessel was seized 150 nautical miles
off the Omani port of Salalah, the coalition statement said." http://t.uani.com/1KRs0ut
Guardian:
"The Iranian government is earning more from tax than oil for the
first time in almost half a century as the country shifts its
traditional reliance on crude to taxation revenues in the face of
plummeting oil prices. President Hassan Rouhani's economic strategy is
to significantly reduce the government's dependency on oil and instead
collect tax more systematically, according to Ali Kardor, the deputy
managing director of the national Iranian oil company (NIOC). 'For the
first time in 50 years, the government's share of the oil revenue is
less than what it is earning from tax, including VAT,' he told the
Guardian on the sidelines of the second Europe-Iran forum in Geneva.
'Only around 10% of Iran's GDP is currently dependent on oil.' Almost
20% of oil income goes into a sovereign wealth fund, which is reserved
for development purposes." http://t.uani.com/1P5waUW
Nuclear Program
& Agreement
Fars (Iran):
"Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali
Shamkhani underlined the end of inspections and visits to the country's
military site in Parchin. 'No other visits will be paid to Parchin at
any level,' Shamkhani told FNA on Wednesday. Asked about
Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Yukiya Amano's visit to Parchin, he said, 'No inspection was carried
out and Amano's presence at Parchin was just visit different from
inspection.'" http://t.uani.com/1P5wSBy
Congressional
Action
Free Beacon:
"House Republicans are still considering a lawsuit and other
measures to prevent the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal and the
provision of billions of dollars in sanctions relief to Tehran,
according to one of the leading lawmakers opposed to the agreement.
Rep. Peter Roskam (R., Ill.) told the Washington Free Beacon in an
interview that the Obama administration still needs to address a
'serious legal question' about the nuclear deal and the Iran Nuclear
Agreement Review Act, which allowed Congress to evaluate the agreement
before it was fully implemented. According to the review act, lawmakers
were supposed to be granted access to the text of the agreement as well
as 'any additional materials related thereto, including annexes,
appendices, codicils, side agreements, implementing materials,
documents, and guidance, technical or other understandings, and any
related agreements.' However, Roskam and other lawmakers have said that
they have been prohibited from viewing the 'side deals' that govern the
International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) inspections of Iran's
nuclear facilities. Agency officials have said that such inspection
deals typically remain confidential... House Speaker John Boehner (R.,
Ohio), is 'actively considering' a legal challenge against the
administration for violating the review act, Roskam said. 'That will
ultimately be a legal decision based on consultation, but I know that
the appetite for litigation is there,' he said. A lawsuit against the
administration could have a couple of effects, he said. A federal judge
could issue an injunction against the implementation of the nuclear deal
until the administration provides all side agreements, delaying
sanctions relief for Tehran. The prospect of litigation could also
deter Western companies from investing in Iran as the sanctions are
lifted. 'If [companies] get the sense that this is an unsettled
question-there's litigation, and there's a majority in the House
against it, and a majority in the House has already spoken and said
that [the review act] hasn't been complied with-if you're that company,
are you that anxious to jump into the Iranian market if you think it
might jeopardize your relationship to the American market?' he
said." http://t.uani.com/1QL1RkR
Free Beacon:
"Iran is refusing to pay more than $43 billion in court judgments
issued to U.S. victims of the Islamic Republic's terror operations,
prompting two leading senators to back an effort that would prohibit
the Obama administration from unfreezing more than $150 billion in
Iranian assets until that country has settled its debts. The $43
billion in damages to American terror victims were assessed as a result
of some 50 U.S. court cases in recent years, according to official
government estimates. As the Obama administration prepares to release
more than $150 billion in unfrozen cash assets to Iran, Congress is
demanding that these terror victims finally be awarded their money.
Sens. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.) and Mark Kirk (R., Ill.) on Tuesday unveiled
a bill that would prevent the Obama administration from lifting
economic sanctions on Tehran until these U.S. terrorist victims are paid
for the crimes committed by Iranian-funded terrorist proxy groups, such
as Hezbollah, according to a copy of the legislation obtained by the
Washington Free Beacon. 'Iran-sponsored terrorists have killed more
Americans than the Islamic State,' Kirk told the Free Beacon. 'Families
of Americans killed by Iranian-backed terrorism have used U.S. laws to
take Iran to court and lawfully win approximately $43.5 billion in
unsatisfied damages, so if the United States fails to ensure Iran fully
pays these judgments before Iranian terror financiers get over $100
billion in sanctions relief, we risk emboldening Iran and other state
sponsors of terror to continue targeting and killing more Americans.'
... Toomey and Kirk have teamed up to sponsor legislation that would
legally prohibit the Obama administration from providing Iran with
sanctions relief, as is mandated under the recent nuclear deal, until
these victims receive payment. Rep. Patrick Meehan (R., Pa.) has
sponsored a companion version of the legislation in the House." http://t.uani.com/1KRtXY7
AFP:
"US Republicans said Tuesday they were introducing legislation
that would use frozen Iranian assets to pay American victims of Iranian
terrorism before billions of dollars are returned to Tehran as part of
the nuclear deal. Congressional Republicans are furious over President
Barack Obama's landmark accord with world powers that aims to rein in
Iran's nuclear program, in exchange for an easing of sanctions that
have crippled the Islamic republic's economy. They see the Justice for
Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act as a way to stall the deal, or at
least take a major bite out of funds that would be returned to Tehran.
The bill will be introduced this week, according to its sponsor, House
Republican Pat Meehan. 'There are some $43.5 billion in judgments which
have been rendered under American law for victims of acts of Iranian
terror,' with more than 80 lawsuits successfully prosecuted through US
courts, Meehan told reporters. 'Despite this, not one cent has been paid
by Iran,' he said. 'This is an opportunity to change that dynamic.' In
backing the bill, House Speaker John Boehner said it would be unfair
for Obama to 'provide Iran with about $100 billion of their assets
locked up in Western banks, without first paying the victims of Iranian
terrorism.' Meehan said he had virtually unanimous support in his
caucus, and expected the measure also to be introduced this week in the
Senate, where its fate remained less certain." http://t.uani.com/1MG5Tu1
Sanctions
Relief
Bloomberg:
"Iran expects about $29 billion of funds to be unfrozen and
repatriated to its central bank by January 2016 at the latest as
economic sanctions are eased after July's nuclear deal, a senior
central bank official said. 'It'll be around that time,' Gholamali
Kamyab, central bank vice governor for foreign exchange affairs, said
in an interview Friday on the sidelines of an investment conference in
Geneva... The funds are currently being held in different countries and
the sum could eventually exceed $29 billion, Kamyab said. 'There could
be other figures, but that's most of it,' he added. The holdings
include $23 billion in foreign exchange belonging to the central bank
and another $6 billion of government money, according to a recent
report on state television. Iran has no gold held overseas, Kamyab
said." http://t.uani.com/1P5shiG
Reuters:
"Oil sales have allowed Iran to start emptying oil stored onboard
tankers. Starla, the first Iranian supertanker used for floating
storage, sailed for Asia in mid July after the nuclear deal was signed.
Since then, a further six Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) - each
capable of carrying a maximum of 2 million barrels of oil - have
sailed, a tanker tracking source said. The source said one of the
tankers - Derya - had conducted a ship-to-ship transfer with a foreign
tanker in September with at least 1 million barrels of condensate,
which was delivered to a terminal in the United Arab Emirates... U.S.
headquartered broker Poten & Partners estimated 14 VLCCs were storing
Iranian oil, down from 17 in June. Other sources said up to 20 tankers
were still currently storing oil. Windward, a Tel Aviv operated
maritime data and analytics company, estimated this week that Iran was
storing 43.098 million barrels of crude and condensate on vessels at
sea, down from 54 million barrels in early July." http://t.uani.com/1FE1OHb
Shana (Iran):
"Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh said on Saturday the main
conference on introducing Iran's new oil contracts will convene in the
near future in Tehran. 'The new oil contracts and the projects to be
developed within their scope will be introduced to foreign investors in
a conference in Tehran in month of Aban (Oct 23 - Nov 21),' he told
Shana. Saying that venue of the main event which was due to be held in
London has been shifted to Tehran, the minister added, 'The companies
that cannot make it in Tehran, can participate in the subsequent London
conference.'" http://t.uani.com/1M1A4cc
Tehran Times:
"Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates,
will increase its flights between Abu Dhabi and Tehran, the capital of
Iran, to ten flights a week from currently seven, beginning on Friday
October 2. The airline increased on April 15 its flights from three
flights a week to a daily service, the IRNA news agency reported on
Tuesday." http://t.uani.com/1Gh6zB4
Shana (Iran):
"President Hassan Rouhani said in the post-sanction era, Italian
companies have the advantage of a better ground for presence in Iran's
oil and gas industry considering their past record of activity. 'In the
new conditions, considering that some Italian firms have had
cooperation with Iran in oil, gas and heavy industries, the ground is
more prepared for their operation in Iran's economy,' he said in a
meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in New York on Monday.
There are numerous areas of investment in Iran from the oil and gas
sector to the petrochemical, transport, industries and mine sectors,
the president added, 'In the new era, in addition to investment by the
premier Italian companies, we are interested in transferring of
technology and the joint production of goods.' ... Renzi also welcomed
President Rouhani's upcoming visit to Italy as a move which can further
develop the existing bilateral ties and said, 'Iran and Italy are
treasuries of human civilization and such an infrastructure should be
employed to build a better future.'" http://t.uani.com/1KRyLwC
Trend:
"The Italian gas infrastructure company Snam has not taken a
decision so far to accompany the Italian delegation to Iran in
November, Davide Sempio, head of media external relations at Snam told
Trend Sept. 28. Italy's Deputy Minister of Economic Development Carlo
Calenda will lead a delegation of over a hundred representatives from various
companies and banks to Iran from November 28 to 30. 'We have not taken
a decision on this so far, as the organization of the visit still needs
to be defined on several levels,' Sempio underlined." http://t.uani.com/1VmZMCi
Terrorism
Guardian:
"The United States did not invite Iran to Tuesday's UN summit on
combating Islamic State and other violent extremist groups because it
still designates Iran itself as a state sponsor of terrorism... US
State Department officials confirmed that Iran's designation as a state
sponsor of terrorism was the reason for its exclusion from the
countering Isis summit being chaired by Obama on Tuesday." http://t.uani.com/1FEeqhq
Syria Conflict
AFP:
"Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad must leave office or face being
turfed out by force, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said,
rejecting Russia's bid to build support for its ally. Speaking in New
York after meeting Saudi Arabia's allies, Jubeir on Tuesday dismissed
Russia's call for a coalition to defend Assad against the Islamic State
group as a 'non-starter.' He warned that other countries would step up
support for rebels from Syria's moderate opposition, leaving Assad with
no choice but to step down or face what he called the 'military
option.' And he scorned Iran's involvement in Russia's putative
alliance, describing Tehran as an 'occupying power' in Syria and
accusing it of fomenting terrorism and extremism across the region...
As to Iran, Jubeir said, the only way it can help is to withdraw. 'Iran
is part of the problem and cannot be part of the solution,' he said.
'It should withdraw its forces from Syria and withdraw the Shiite
militias that it inserted into Syria and then it can talk about a
diplomatic solution,' Jubeir declared. 'But what we're looking at now
is Iran is a occupying force in Syria.' And, asked whether Russia and
Iran might support a transition away from Assad's rule, he admitted:
'Hope is not that great.'" http://t.uani.com/1YOxuzC
AFP:
"US Secretary of State John Kerry suggested Tuesday that Russia and
Iran may persuade Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad to stop
indiscriminately dropping barrel bombs on his own people. Moscow and
Washington disagree sharply about Assad's longer term role in efforts
to end the Syrian war, but have begun cautiously to discuss efforts to
defeat his Islamic State jihadist foes. In an interview with MSNBC News
on Tuesday, Kerry suggested that the cooperation might go deeper than
that and that Moscow and Tehran, Assad's staunch allies, might also
help rein him in. He said that he had discussed the matter with Iranian
officials and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, whom he is to meet
again this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. 'And we
raised that yesterday,' he said. 'I did talk with Lavrov about it and I
talked with the Iranians about it.' Kerry went on to say 'they are both
in a position, in exchange perhaps for something that we might do, they
might decide to keep Assad from dropping barrel bombs.'" http://t.uani.com/1KRr09K
Yemen Conflict
WSJ:
"Yemeni President Mansour Hadi on Tuesday accused Iran of seeking
his country's destruction by backing Houthi rebels in Yemen's civil
war. In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Hadi
blamed Iran for supporting what he called a 'military and political
coup d'état' by Houthi rebels to undermine a political transition. 'We
find ourselves mixed in this battle, this fight for this country and
the legitimacy of the state to ensure the country not fall into the
hands of Iran, which would like to see the destruction of the country,'
Mr. Hadi said. 'This was indeed a desperate attempt to impose the
Iranian model through the use of force.'" http://t.uani.com/1M1sGgW
Domestic
Politics
AFP:
"The Iranian foreign minister's reported handshake with US
President Barack Obama triggered chants of 'Death to America' in
Tehran's parliament Wednesday and a warning against 'another kind of
spying'. The foreign ministry has confirmed a 'completely accidental'
encounter between Obama and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on
the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday, without
denying there was a handshake as reported by Iran's semi-official ISNA
news agency. But hardline lawmakers went on the offensive against
Zarif. 'With whose permission have they met Obama?' deputy Bahram
Biranvand asked angrily. 'Last time they talked to Obama on the phone
and this time, with whose permission' did Iran's minister shake hands
with the US leader? ... Zarif also came under indirect attack from
Iran's ultraconservative judiciary spokesman, Gholamhossein Mohseni
Ejeie, Fars news agency reported. Without naming Zarif, Ejeie alluded
to the Obama handshake and said: 'Some spies are paid but there is
another kind of spying that we have to watch out for. He prepares the
ground for the enemy. These people would say: Why not allow a friendly
handshake with the enemy? What's wrong with shaking hands with Obama?
What's wrong with sitting with them, chatting away and drinking with
them?'" http://t.uani.com/1VmUkiT
Bloomberg:
"Iranian hard-liners wasted no time labeling Foreign Minister
Mohammad Javad Zarif as 'unrevolutionary' for shaking hands with Barack
Obama. It's the first gesture of its kind between a U.S. president and
a high-ranking Iranian official in more than three decades. It took
place at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and overnight
caused a stir back in Tehran. Lawmaker Hamid Rasaee posted a picture of
a handshake between a man and a red-skinned devil with long black nails
on his Instagram account... 'Two years ago Rouhani spoke with Obama by
chance, last year, Zarif and Kerry took a stroll without any prior
intention in front of international media,' Rasaee said on his
Instagram account. 'This year, Zarif accidentally bumped into Obama and
had an exchange. History is full of these chance encounters,' Rasaee
wrote on his page... 'This action took place even though serious
warnings had been given to the negotiating team to not give the
Americans the opportunity to display such show against the Islamic Republic,'
wrote hard-line news website Rajanews... The symbolic act was 'an ugly
thing to do and Zarif should apologize to the Iranian nation for this,'
said Mansour Haghighatpour, deputy head of the parliament's national
security and foreign policy committee, according to the Fars news
agency. 'Shaking hands with the Americans and drinking Nescafe with
them, this should only happen if they apologize to us.'" http://t.uani.com/1KL61Yw
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Eye on Iran is a periodic news summary from United Against
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