Tehran, IRNA – The following headlines appeared in English-language newspapers in the Iranian capital on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

** IRAN DAILY

-- Iran’s claim to Arash gas field indisputable

The Kuwaiti authorities’ uncooperative stance regarding the shared gas field between Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia has once again brought to the forefront the disagreements between Tehran and Kuwait City.
Kuwaiti Oil Minister Saad Al-Barrak made an unusual assertion, rejecting Iran’s planned activities around the premises of the Arash offshore gas field. Barrak said he was surprised by the Iranian plan and added that the move “contradicts the basic principles of international relations”.  
A close source to Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry said that the maritime area where the field lies is part of Kuwait’s sea territories, and “the natural resources therein are shared between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia”.  

-- Russian firm to build part of Rasht- Astara railway

The Russian President’s Special Aide Igor Levitin announced that a Russian company will soon sign a deal to construct part of the Rasht-Astara railway — which itself will be part of the International North-South Corridor (INSTC).
Refraining from disclosing the name of the company, Levitin maintained that the INSTC will be an opportunity for Russia to export its surplus products, especially foods, through Iran.

--  Envoy: Palestinians can only reach goals by using ‘force’

Iran’s mission to the United Nations asserted that Palestinians could achieve their goals against Israel only through the use of force, as the regime continues its unabated onslaught on the occupied West Bank city of Jenin.
The mission added that Tehran is ready to help Palestinians win over the regime through the use of “force,”

** KAYHAN INTERNATIONAL

-- Iran’s Top Security Official Meets Putin’s Aide 

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali-Akbar Ahmadian here Tuesday underlined the need for Russia to accelerate the construction of a strategically important International North South Transit Corridor (INSTC).

In a meeting with Igor Levitin, an aide to the president of the Russian Federation, Ahmadian also stressed the importance of giving a boost to other agreements signed between Tehran and Moscow, including those on the oil and gas cooperation.

--  Iran’s Culture Week in Russia Opens

 A cultural delegation headed by the Iranian culture minister is in Moscow to develop bilateral cultural relations and participate in the Iran Culture Week in Russia. Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Muhammad-Mehdi Esmaili arrived in Moscow on Monday at the head of a delegation.
Upon arrival at Vnukovo International Airport, the Iranian minister and his entourage were welcomed by Deputy Minister of Culture the Russian Federation Andrei Vladimirovich Malyshev and Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali.

-- Iranian Men, Women Volleyballers Win at ParaVolley Asia Championships

The Iranian national men’s sitting volleyball team beat China at the 2023 ParaVolley Asia Oceania Zone Championships. The defending champions Iran beat China in three straight sets (25-19, 25-8, 25-17) in their second match in Pool B at the 2023 ParaVolley Asia Oceania Zone Championships.
The Iranian team will compete against the South Korean team in their third game in the group stage on Wednesday.

** TEHRAN TIMES

--  Iran popping up as powerhouse for radiopharmaceuticals

 Iran will soon become a center for the manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals, says the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI)

Speaking at an event on Monday, Mohammad Eslami said Iran’s capacity in producing radiopharmaceuticals for detecting and treating ailments might be raised by five to seven times.

--  Works of painter Ruholamin installed in Imam Ali’s holy shrine

 Huge digital copies of the Iranian artist Hassan Ruholamin’s paintings have been set up in the holy shrine of Imam Ali (AS) in Najaf, Iraq, Mehr reported on Tuesday. The artworks were installed prior to Eid al-Ghadir, Shia Muslims’ celebration on Dhul Hijjah 18, the day on which Imam Ali (AS) was appointed as successor to the Prophet Muhammad (S).

On the way back home from Hajj in 632, which is known as the Farewell Pilgrimage, Muhammad (S) asked for a stop in a region called Ghadir Khum, where in his sermon, he announced his cousin Ali (AS) as his successor and first Imam shortly before his death based on a revelation from God.

--  Iran targets six million medical tourists in year

 On Monday, Mahdi Safari, the deputy foreign minister for economic diplomacy, said Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to attract six million medical tourists per year. Safari made the remarks in a meeting attended by top officials from the tourism and health ministries and a host of other travel insiders, hospital administrators, and tour operators.

Attaining this target requires close cooperation between responsible organizations and institutions, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is at the service of tourism development in its various dimensions with all its strength, Safari said.

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