Iran will sign a deal with France‘s Total today for the development of gas production at a major offshore field in the Persian Gulf, the Iranian Oil Ministry said.

The Heads of Agreement (HOA) for the development of Phase 11 of the important South Pars field is worth $6 billion (5.4 billion euros), a ministry spokesman told AFP.

The accord must be finalized within six months, the spokesman added.

The agreement involves a consortium led by Total, which includes the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Iran’s Petropars.

The deal marks the return of Total to Iran.

It’s also the first such agreement between Iran and a Western petroleum company after a nuclear deal with world powers took effect in January, lifting some international sanctions.

The offshore South Pars field, shared by Iran and Qatar in the Persian Gulf, contains some 14,000 billion cubic meters of gas – 8 percent of the world’s known reserves.

Iran set to award major gas deal to Total

An official from Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum told AFP that the agreement will be signed on Tuesday (8 November 2016) over the development of South Pars Phase 11 – the same project over which the French major was negotiating with Iran before the US-led sanctions drove it out of the country in 2012.

The accord must be finalized within six months, added the official who has been identified as a spokesman of Iran’s Ministry of Petroleum.

The deal marks the return of Total to Iran. It is also the first such agreement between Iran and a Western petroleum company after a nuclear deal with world powers took effect in January, lifting some international sanctions, AFP added.

Total’s negotiations with NIOC over the development of Phase 11 also included the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in what was expected to become Iran’s first such project named Pars LNG. The project, however, was abandoned after the French energy giant had to quit Iran after the sanctions against Iran were intensified. It is still not clear whether the same LNG scheme will be again put on the agenda for the development of Phase 11.

President of Middle-East & North-Africa Total Exploration & Production, Stephane Michel, said on Saturday that oil giants are in competition to come back to Iranian market.

The Persian daily, Iran, quotes Michel as saying that in the wake of lifting the sanctions and implementation of the Joint Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran’s international relations have undergone major change.

The ice of economic and commercial relations between Iran and other countries in the years of sanctions are getting melted.

He said that the oil industry, standing as the most important source of income for Iran, was one of the Iranian economic sector which suffered from the sanctions.

Under sanctons, oil production fell down due to restrictions on oil exports due to lack of proper and timely investment to the extent that export of gas lowered to less than one million bpd from more than 2.2 million bpd.

However, good predictions were envisaged for the propspects of Iranian oil economy were made in 2014.

In addition to reforms in government’s macro policies, which led to considerable growth in oil production even before lifting the sanctions, new atmosphere was created for return of investors and oil giants to Iran.

From the early days of the the nuclear deal, directors of the the international companies active in oil industry visited Tehran along with their respective country’s economic delegations and voiced interest in resumption of the ties cut-off for years.

Officials of the most reputable European oil companies held talks with Iranian officials.

Total SA of France, the world’s fourth major oil company that signed four contracts with Iran in the years prior to sanctions, is willing to come back to Iran.

The subject of the first contract is purchase of 160,000 bpd oil from Iran by Total, indicating the company’s interest.

In the post-sanctions era, Total team of experts and senior officials visited Iran four times following up issues of mutual interest.

This time reporters went to the 46-storey building of Total in Paris to hold talks with the senior officials.

Michel took part in the Q&A session with reporter of the Persian daily of Iran.

During the interview, the senior director of Total said that the French company is highly willing to return to Iranian oil industry.

He said that all the world oil giants have got prepared for entering Iranian oil industry and are competing with each other.

Michel said Total team of managers set two main conditions for resumption of ties with Iran and that fortunately two of the conditions have been met.

The first condition of Total was elimination of international sanctions on Iran, that was met in January 2016, and now all sanctions are lifted.

The second condition was related to oil contracts. According to the Total official, Iran’s previous contracts, which was the basis of cooperation with foreign companies, was based on the buy-back model, being less beneficial for the foreign party.

For this reason, foreign companies had called for amendment of Iranian oil contracts.

Of course, Iranian government had prior to the sanctions lifted, decided to attract foreign investment.

After months of debate and approval of the new model of oil contracts, the so-called IPC, the contracts were finalized and published.

In an interview with Iran, Michel reiterated Total’s willingness for presence in Iranian oil industry.

‘We are fully prepared for beginning projects and signing contracts with Iran. We are only waiting release of the new oil contracts to foreign companies. Total is ready for cooperation in oil production and exploration, willing to enter Iranian petrochemical industry.’

The Total of France official said that the contract for joint production of engine oil, signed several years ago between a private Iranian company and Total, will be activated.

The gas industry is also one of the main priorities of Total for investment in Iran.

Of course, the point Michel is stressing is transfer of the technical and engineering know-how.

The director said the MoU signed between Iranian Ministry of Petroleum and the company was enforced during visit of Iranian president to Paris.

He added that since the deal was signed, Total team of experts launched needs assessment job on the projects for cooperation, amount of investment and the technology.

Noting that Iran is a big country and is an influential player in energy for enjoying giant oil and gas reserves, Michel said Total SA of France can meet part of the investment needed for the oil projects, in parallel with transfer of technology and know-how.

He noted that of course, due to the world’s economic recession over the past several years, investment has been on the downward trend so far.

iIn 2014, Total SA of France made more than 28 billion euros investment and it is predicted that the figure will rise to 15 billion to 17 billion euros in 2017. /IRNA

Deputy oil minister said Total S.A. Company has put forward a proposal to cooperate in development of Phase 11 of South Pars gas field.

Ali Kardor made the remarks underlining that two more foreign firms have also voiced readiness to launch partnership in the gas project.

Managing director of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) emphasized that Iran’s new oil and gas projects will be put out to international tenders asserting “despite receiving proposals from Total of France and two other companies, no contract has become finalized or inked for developing Phase 11 of South Pars joint gas field.”

Apparently, Eni of Italy and South Korea’s Hyundai are the two firms who, in addition to total S.A., have expressed willingness to cooperate over the only South Pars phase which has remained undeveloped.

On the other hand, the Foreign Minister of France Laurent Fabius, in his earlier visit to Tehran, appreciated the activities of Total in Iran’s oil industry saying “the French company has been active in Iranian oil projects for the past 20 years while new windows are expected to be opened for Total’s presence in developmental projects of Iranian oil fields.” Iran’s Oil Minister had also made similar remarks on the sidelines of his meeting with the French FM.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC) Ali Akbar Shabanpour had stated earlier that talks were underway to hand over the drilling project of Phase 11 to two Iranian companies; “Phase 11 is as large as two ordinary phases and the drilling sections will be undertaken by Iranian firms,” he had underlined.

The development project of Phase 11 aims to transfer the produced gas to Phases 6, 8 and 12 in order to exploit their vacant refining capacity as well as to enhance access to required materials in the phase./MNA

Iranian athletes have secured twelve medals, ranking 21st at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The Iranian athletes concluded their participation in this summer’s Olympics with a total of twelve medals comprising three gold, six silver, and three bronze.

In Greco-Roman wrestling, Saeed Esmaeili and Mohammad-Hadi Saravi each won gold in the 67 kg and 97 kg categories respectively. Alireza Mohmadi also won silver in the 87 kg category.

In freestyle wrestling, Hassan Yazdani (86kg), Amir-Hossein Zare (125kg), and Rahman Amouzad (65 kg) each earned a silver medal.

Additionally, Taekwondo practitioner Arian Salimi (+80kg) claimed a gold medal for Iran. Taekwondo athletes Mehran Barkhordari (-82 kg) and Nahid Kiani (-57 kg) each took home a silver medal.

Furthermore, Mobina Nematzadeh (-49 kg) in Taekwondo, Amin Mirzazadeh (130 kg) in Greco-Roman wrestling, and Amir-Ali Azarpira (97 kg) in Freestyle wrestling each won bronze medals.

The Iranian sports delegation took part in the 33rd edition of the Olympic Games in Paris, fielding 40 athletes across 14 disciplines.

They concluded their participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics with a 21st-place finish, ascending six ranks from their previous performance in Tokyo.

In the preceding Tokyo Games in 2021, the Iranian team secured three gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.

The 33rd Olympic Games in Paris, which kicked off with the opening ceremony on July 26, officially came to a close on August 11.

In the latest update by Iranian Health Ministry on Thursday no COVID-related deaths were reported over the past 24 hours.

It is the first zero daily death toll since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country in early 2020.

Iran’s Health Minister Bahram Einollahi issued a message in which he hailed the zero daily COVID death toll after the country’s 2 year and 100 days of fight against the pandemic.

Bahram Einollahi said that Iran witnessed its first day without any COVID-related deaths while high death tolls are reported in the United States and Europe.

He congratulated Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and the whole Iranian nation on this achievement.

He called on the Iranian nation to observe the health protocols until the country celebrates the end of the pandemic.

Coronavirus figures kept declining in Iran thanks to the government’s mass vaccination campaign. So far, 64,550,043 people have received the first dose of the COVID vaccine, 57,866,919 people the second dose and 27,562,033 people the third dose, and the total number of vaccines injected in the country reached 149,978,995 doses.

Coronavirus and US Sanction against IRAN

Iran has been battling one of the deadliest outbreaks in the world, with the crippling sanctions slapped on the country by the US significantly hampering the country’s efforts to rein in the spread of the virus and provide vaccines from other countries.

The sanctions were imposed by the administration of former President Donald Trump under a “maximum pressure” campaign and have been maintained by the current administration of Joe Biden, which has refused to soften the bans to ease pandemic-related hardship on Iranians.

Iranian officials have described the sanctions as “economic terrorism” and “medical terrorism” for their deadly impact on ordinary people.

The bans, however, backfired and helped the Islamic Republic rely on its own medical and pharmaceutical capacities to develop domestically-manufactured anti-COVID vaccine, so much so that the country’s health experts rose through the ranks and promoted Iran as one of the few exporters of the coronavirus jabs.

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Tuesday endorsed the decree of Ebrahim Raisi as the next President of Iran.

Based on article 110 of the Iranian constitution, the endorsement of the presidents’ decrees is among Supreme Leader duties.

The Late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini confirmed three presidents and Ayatollah Khamenei has confirmed four others so far. Raisi is the fourth president-elect, who is being confirmed by the Supreme Leader. The Leader himself was the last president, who was confirmed by late Imam Khomeini as president.

The various confirmations of presidents are proof to the fact that the Islamic Republic is based on Islamic laws and the votes of the people. In all confirmation texts recited by Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei, the expression of “confirming people’s vote” comes before “appointment as President.”

Prior to the endorsement ceremony Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli presented a report of the process of holding the 13th presidential elections.

Leader urges formation of new cabinet ASAP

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called on new President Ebrahim Raisi and the Parliament to pave the ground for the formation of the new administration due to the current situation of Iran.

Supreme Leader made the remark during the endorsement ceremony of the new president in Tehran on Tuesday, noting that resolving economic problems is a time-consuming job and the revered people of Iran are well aware that problems cannot be solved over one night or in a short period of time.

It is important that an all-out effort is needed to narrow down the time period, Ayatollah Khamenei said, adding that with the help of the almighty God, the job will be done and progress will be made.

There is a piece of necessary advice, which is the acceleration of forming a new government because the current situation of the country does not allow any delay, the Leader said, noting that the honored president should speed up offering his proposed ministers to the parliament and the revered lawmakers should accelerate endorsing the cabinet picks and of course they are expected to comment frankly on the proposed ministers to form the new government sooner.

Pointing to President Raisi’s communication with ordinary people as a good opportunity to find out day-to-day problems, the Leader asked Raisi to utilize the elite’s expertise as well.

Fortunately, Raisi reiterated that he will rely on the principle values of the Islamic Revolution, including justice and the fight against corruption, which is a correct path, the Leader mentioned.

Supreme Leader also stated that every economic or non-economic move should be part of a scheduled program to guarantee progress in the country.

Ayatollah Khamenei thanked God for the opportunity that the Iranians could cast their vote during the 13th presidential election to show the importance of religious democracy and the fact that the Iranian people firmly responded to the enemies’ plots.

The shift of power is promising because many new officials will take power and fresh enthusiasts especially the youths will find the opportunity to collaborate, the Leader added.

Iran’s new President: Iran presidential election symbol of religious democracy

Ebrahim Raisi, the new President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said on Tuesday that the June 18 presidential election was a symbol of religious democracy during which the Iranians showcased a glorious turnout.

Raisi made the remark during his endorsement as president by Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution of Iran Seyyed Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Tuesday.

The new president thanked Almighty God for His numerous mercies in particular the Iranian people’s confidence and the Leader’s endorsement.

The shining sun of religious democracy has risen more than 40 years in the country under the guidance of the Grand Imam and with the help of the great and responsible people to present a new model of governance to the world, Raisi stated.

This kind of governance represents a new version of governing by using religion along with world issues, science along with morals, justice along with progress, and dignity along with welfare, he said, noting that all should know that spirituality has been interrelated with the life of contemporary human beings.

Religion can rule all aspects of human life and in one word, republic along with Islamic and independence along with freedom are interconnected, he argued.

The statesmen and people have made all efforts to materialize the objectives of democracy over 40 years, Raisi said, adding that paying attention to the guidelines of the Leader caused progress, while ignorance to the guidance led to problems in Iran.

The June 18 presidential election was an important occasion when the Iranian people overcame all hostilities of the foes and difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to display a great epic when it came to their turnout, the new president noted.

On Friday, June 18, the 13th presidential election was held simultaneous with the sixth round of city and village councils elections, the first mid-term for the 11th parliament’s by-election, and the second mid-term for the fifth Assembly of Experts election.

Out of over 59.3 million eligible voters in the presidential election, nearly 29 million took part in the national event. Ebrahim Raisi won the presidential race with 17,926,345 votes out of the total 28,933,004 ballots, which shows 48.8 percent turnout.

Photo Report|| Iran’s President-elect Ebrahim Raisi on Monday said the US should return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and carry out all its commitments to the international nuclear deal.

He made the remarks during his first press conference on Monday following his victory in the election.

Answering the question “what do you have to say to the US and Europe?”, the President-elect said he frankly advised the US to return to the JCPOA and fulfill its commitment because this is the demand of the Iranian nation.

He also said that the Iranian nation conveyed a message of unity and solidarity via their participation in the June 18 presidential elections.

“We emphasize that the US government should be sincere towards its commitments while noting that the regional and missile issues are not negotiable,” Raisi added.

During the remarks, Raisi also said the massive turnout of the elections happened despite the heavy psychological warfare by the enemies who tried to discourage people.

He said people queued to cast their votes in ballot boxes for hours despite their unhappiness about certain economic conditions.

The President-elect further stressed that people voted for change in this presidential election and said their presence sent out different messages.

He said the votes conveyed a message of national unity and solidarity and also the need for a change in their economic situation and living conditions.

They also called for fighting corruption, poverty, discrimination, and, in one word, administering justice for all walks of life.

Iran’s foreign policy not to be limited to JCPOA

Noting that the large turnout of people for the presidential elections has changed the scenario, President-elect Raisi said that the policy pursued by former US administration to exert “maximum pressure” on the Iranian people has failed to work.

The Iranian president-elect said that the US officials have to reconsider their policies towards Iran.

The foreign policy of the new Iranian government will neither begin with nor be limited to negotiations over the revival of a 2015 Iran nuclear deal (known as JCPOA), Raisi said.

“We will pursue engagement with all countries of the world as a principle and a broad and balanced interaction in foreign policy,” he added.

Iran does not favor negotiation for negotiation’s sake

He said that his government will support any negotiation which will ensure the interests of the Iranian nation.

He, however, noted that he will not favor negotiations for the sake of negotiations and will not tie the economy and the living conditions of people to the negotiations.

Top domestic priorities of Raisi government

“Our priorities in this government will be to improve the business situation and improve the living conditions of the people,” the president-elect said.

He said that dealing with the issues of employment and housing will be the first steps that his government will take.

Raisi noted that liquidity in the country must be managed and go to production.

198 correspondents from Iranian media and press as well as 182 journalists who represented 113 foreign media took part in the press conference.

On Saturday, Raisi registered his victory in the June 18 presidential election by winning 17,926,345 votes out of a total of 28,933,004 ballots.

Other candidates Mohsen Rezaei Mirqaed, Abdolnaser Hemmati, and Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh won 3,412,712 and 2,427,201 and 999,718 votes, respectively, according to the interior minister.

Shortly after the early results were out, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei urged the president-elect and those elected as village and city councilors in Friday’s nationwide elections to take the chance to serve the Iranian nation.

In a message, published as the results of Friday elections were out, Ayatollah Khamenei also hailed the massive turnout of people in the elections.

Legendary vocalist master Mohammadreza Shajarian, who was known as Iran’s king of song and once called himself the “son of Iran”, died on Thursday at 80 at Tehran’s Jam Hospital years after suffering from kidney cancer.

It was deeply shocking for his fans and the Iranian music community when the icon of Persian traditional music appeared in a video in the early days of Noruz, the celebration of the Iranian New Year celebration, in March 2016, wishing a happy New Year for Iranians and announcing that he was suffering from chronic kidney cancer.

The two-time Grammy Award nominee called the disease “a 15-year-old guest” that is “friendly” with him and added that he would soon return to the stage, a dream that would never come true.

He soon left the country for Sacramento, California to receive treatment for the disease and returned home in September that year to resume his medical treatment in the country.

His fans were shocked several times over the past few years each time they heard that their beloved, highly popular artist was admitted to the hospital. In post-revolution Iran, no other artist could capture the hearts and souls of his people as much as him.

His popularity was not just limited to his art. His strong affinity with the people over the course of his lifetime made Shajarian their beloved artist. He was never once apathetic about the pain and suffering they went through.

For example, shortly after the devastating 2003 earthquake in Bam, Kerman Province, which claimed tens of thousands of lives and flattened the town, Shajarian and his group, composed of his son Homayun, tar virtuoso Hossein Alizadeh and kamacheh master Kayhan Kalhor, organized benefit concerts titled “Compassion for Bam” to raise funds for the victims of the disaster.

The Bam Art Garden was born out of the rubble of the earthquake based on an initiative from Shajarian and his friends.

“I was like a drop that fell from the cloud, heading to the sea,” Shajarian once said during a celebration to mark his 73rd birthday in September 2013 organized by his friends and a number of Iranian art elites, including vocalist Shahram Nazeri, filmmaker Masud Kimiai and writer Javad Mojabi.

“For me, the people of Iran and the world are the sea. And from childhood, I learned from my parents to share my happiness with others… I follow the way that people are going and the people are my most important asset. Today, many people live inside me and I live for them. Because I believe that life finds its mean with ‘you,’ therefore, I have tried to do my art for humans and humanity.

“We should first abandon our evil ways and wickedness to enable ourselves to live with others and hold meetings with them; meetings with others have always been important for me and I have tried to ignore my personal pride for the sake of national pride and culture.

“Life is difficult when we are under others’ steady gaze and spotlights, but today, the present the people give us is for having always loved them; I have tried to share my happiness with others and have regard for their concerns.”      

Born in the religious city of Mashhad, Shajarian began his vocal career from childhood with his father who taught him Quran recitation. His recitations of the Holy Quran were aired by Mashhad Radio when he was only 12.

At the same time, he was also pursuing a career in vocal music. 

In his early twenties, he left his hometown to pursue his singing career in Tehran. His father wanted him to respect his family’s reputation for their affinity with religious figures, so his singing was aired by Tehran Radio under the alias Siavash Bidgani.     

Tar virtuoso Ahmad Ebadi, who was one of Shajarian’s close friends, met his father later, convincing him to allow Shajarian to sing using his true name.

His collaborations with Golha, a professional music program of Tehran Radio that had many top musicians, in 1972 opened a window of opportunity for Shajarian. He started a friendship with many elites of Persian traditional music who played a key role in the development of his virtuosity.

As he was completing his education with the top maestros such as Framarza Payvar, Nurali Khan Borumand and Abdollah Davami, he also pursued his Quran recitations professionally. In 1978, he finished first in Iran’s nationwide Quran competition. In summer 1979, he took second place in the recitation category of a Malaysian Quran contest.

He split from Golah, and consequently, radio in early 1978. “At that time, the program was not in harmony with my feelings. I felt that the radio’s policy was being made by cabarets and cultural triviality.”   

His friends in the Sheida and Aref music ensembles also separated from the radio in protest at the killing of demonstrators on Black Friday on 8 September 1979. They teamed up to produce some protest songs, which were released in album series named Chavosh.    

The epic song “Sepideh” (“Dawn”) composed by Mohammadreza Lotfi with a poem by their close friend Hushang Ebtehaj, who is also known by his pseudonym “Sayeh”, become a smash hit that Shajarian performed with the Sheida ensemble at National University in Tehran in 1980. “In Memory of Aref” and “The Soul of the Beloved” were among the albums Sheida recorded with Shajarian.

In 1980, a recitation of an invocation, known as “Shajarian’s Rabbana”, that he improvised for his students was recorded at Iran’s national radio. The divine recitation, which is composed of four verses of the Holy Quran, opens with a prelude featuring verses of a mesmerizing Rumi poem promoting the fast during Ramadan. 

In 2017, the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization registered “Rabbana” on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

In his works, he began to perform in dastaghs and gushehs, the totality of melodies of the Persian traditional music system, which were sinking into oblivion at that time. This trend was highly inspiring for his pupils, helping save these unique systems.

In the 1980s, he pursued a teaching career in music courses, one of the outcomes of which was that his son, Homayun, is now a popular vocalist of the new generation.

His collaboration with Aref, which was led by eminent composer and santur virtuoso Parviz Meshkatian, resulted in the creation of “Injustice”, “At Presence of the Beloved”, “The Dome of the Sky” and several other albums, which are considered an unparalleled treasury of Persian traditional music.   

He worked with many musicians and finally in 2008, founded his own group Shahnaz named after his master and tar virtuoso Jalil Shahnaz. His daughter Mojgan and composer and tar virtuoso Majid Derakhshani were among the members of the ensemble, along with whom he embarked on a world tour in 2010, using his innovative instruments, including the sorahi, arghanun and barbad.        

Shajarian was also quite agreeable to the innovations made by his son, Homayun, in the traditions of Persian song.

“Despite objections from those who are adherents of Persian traditional music, they [Homayun and his colleagues] are not in the least incorrect. However, they should beware of deviations. They should follow their own path based on the culture of their society; they should never go beyond due bounds in modernity, letting the next generation try their new items,” he once said in an interview.      

He was nominated for a Grammy Award in Best World Music 2004 and 2006, and was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including a UNESCO Golden Picasso Medal in 1999. He was also decorated with France’s Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in June 2014.

Shajarian was also known for his skills in Persian calligraphy, and showcased his works in several exhibitions.

Once in an interview, he called himself “son of Iran” and added, “My vice is among the ancient vices of Iranians who wanted to be remembered for the type of people they were; people of humanity, love, peace and purity.

“We have no other message for the world than that of friendship, love, life and happiness. And if we complain it is to rid ourselves of social problems so our people can live.”

Shajarian married Farkhondeh Golafshan in 1961, but divorced her in 2000. He is survived by his widow, Katayun Khansari, and his sons Homayun, Farzaneh, Afsaneh and Mojgan from his first marriage, and Rayan, another son from his second marriage.  

FM Zarif offers condolences over Iranian legendary singer’s departure

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message expressed condolences over death of Iranian legendary singer Mohammad Reza Shajarian.

“Maestro Shajarian was a great & true Ambassador of Iran, her children and—most of all—her culture,” Zarif wrote in his Twitter account on Thursday.

“I extend my deepest condolences to Iranians across the world and partcularly to his loved ones” he added.

“From God we come and to Him we return.”

Tributes pour in for world-renowned Iranian vocalist

United Nations, diplomats, Iranian and foreign ambassadors and embassies in separate messages late on Thursday offered condolences on the demise of the veteran Iranian singer Maestro Mohammad Reza Shajarian.

UN representative office in Iran said in a message that the demise of the great Iranian vocalist Mohammad Reza Shajarian caused deep grief and sorrow.

“We on behalf of the UN family in Iran express condolences to Shajarian’s family and all his lovers in Iran and world. May the departed soul rest in peace,” the message said.

Iran’s Embassy in Zagreb in a tweet also extended condolences to the honorable and culture-loving compatriots, as well as lovers of Iranian culture and art, the death of the great Iranian vocalist and the internationally acclaimed figure.

Meanwhile, Swiss Embassy to Iran expressed sincere condolences on the demise of Maestro Mohammad Reza Shajarian. “Switzerland will cherish the memories of his concerts in Lausanne and Zurich.”

The British Embassy in Tehran also extended condolences to all his fans on the departure of one of the most prominent figures in Iranian traditional music of the last century.

Iran’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Republic also paid homage to the late vocalist on his Twitter, expressing deep regret over the loss of “a towering figure in international music”.

Iran’s aluminum production reached 175,000 tons during the five calendar months to August 21, indicating a 70% hike compared with the similar span of the last year.

According to the latest data released by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization, Iran Aluminum Company (IRALCO) topped the list with 80,000 tons of the total output, registering a 6% rise year-on-year

Hormozal Aluminum Company and Almahdi Aluminum Company came next with an aggregate production of 66,000 tons during the period under review, registering a year-on-year growth of 160%.

Iran Alumina Company ranked fourth with 9,000 tons of output, witnessing a 307% jump year on year.

Iran plans to reach the annual production of 1.5 million tons of aluminum ingot by the Iranian calendar year 1404 (March 2025-March 2026).

Statistical tables showed that 6,908,000 tons of steel ingot was exported from the country in the past Iranian calendar year [from March 21, 2019 to March 20, 2020], registering a 26 percent hike as compared to the last year’s corresponding period.

According to the Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA), 5,493,000 tons of steel ingot was exported from the country from March 21, 2018 to March 20, 2019.

Of total steel volume exported last year, 4,836,000 tons of bloom and billet hit the target markets, showing a 24 percent growth as compared to the same period of last year.

A study of statistical tables indicates that 3,455,000 tons of steel products were exported from the country, recording a 16 percent growth as compared to the same period of last year.

Accordingly, 5,000 tons of steel ingot was imported into the country last year [ended March 20, 2020], showing an 82 percent decline as compared to a year earlier.