Archive for category: News

Iran, Azerbaijan Agree on Removing Visa Barriers

TEHRAN – Iranian Communications and Information Technology Minister Mahmoud Vaezi announced that Tehran and Baku have agreed on easing issuance of visas for the two countries’ nationals.

“Iran and Azerbaijan Republic reached the final agreement to issue visas at the borders and the agreement will be implemented in the near future,” said Vaezi.

The Iranian communications and information technology minister said that the two sides had also negotiated the promotion of banking and tourism relations.

In relevant remarks mid-February, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Valiollah Seif said that the CBI “plans to establish a completely independent bank in the Republic of Azerbaijan”.

“The country plans to found a bank in Azerbaijan with 100 percent Iranian ownership,” Seif told reporters.

The CBI governor said the plan made a branch of the bank Melli Iran in Azerbaijan to an independent Azerbaijani bank.

Elsewhere, in his comments, Seif emphasized that on the agenda for Iran and Azerbaijan are certain plans to use their national currencies in mutual business.

“Central banks of both countries are planning to create accounts in national currencies to facilitate trade between Iran and Azerbaijan,” said the CBI governor.

The branch of the bank Melli Iran began to operate in 1993 in Azerbaijan.

At present, 32 banks (including 15 banks with foreign shares) operate in Azerbaijan and 36 banks (including branches of five foreign banks and one common bank) in Iran.

Iran tour with Wild Frontiers: review
By: Nick Boulos

This 15-day tour of southern Iran takes the most iconic destinations in the country, a handful of the World Cultural Heritage sites and some unknown places. It begins and ends in the capital Tehran – travel by bus. The group size was 11 (maximum 12), which mostly consisted of single travelers aged 50 and over.

Iran is home to some of the world’s most magnificent examples of Islamic architecture

Telegraph expert’s overall rating: 7/10
A wonderful introduction to this fascinating and misunderstood country, this tour ticks all the boxes: history through the bucketload, places of cultural importance and epic panoramas.

There is also a nice flexibility to accommodate spontaneous detours with plenty of opportunities to interact with locals. Nothing more is done to dispel the prejudices that plague this warm and welcoming country.

Persepolis’s famed ancient ruins

Itinerary: 8/10
A good blend of classic and dark, this tour shows the diversity of Iran. Among the highlights are the legendary cities of Isfahan and Shiraz and the ancient ruins of Persepolis, which once stood in the heart of the Persian Empire. There is countryside and nature, with a day hike in the remote Dena mountains and an unforgettable afternoon with the nomads of the Bavanat Valley.

Built at the time of Sultan Husayn of Safavid around 300 years ago, Abbasi Hotel has been restored to its former glory

Accommodation: 5/10
Do not expect much in the way of luxury. Most of the mid-range hotels on this trip are clean and comfortable, but rather tired and in urgent need of TLC. All offer free Wi-Fi – although quality is very different. Be sure to pack your own toiletries.

The landmark Abbasi hotel in Isfahan is the upscale property on the tour and is considered one of the best in the country, presumably because of its lovely courtyard and teahouse. Located in Yazd, the Dad Hotel is a 19th-century former caravanserai and has a rooftop restaurant. The quirky three star Hotel Abyaneh in the rural village of the same name is overloaded with eccentric trinkets. The lobby is the home of two talkative parrots. The four other four sights are recommended, but well located.

Iran is the land of kebabs but Iranian cuisine is much more diverse,

Dining: 6/10
All meals are included on this tour, which is both a blessing and a curse. Since it is impossible to get an a la carte menu proved disappointing, as the menu selection in most restaurants, especially since Persian food is often considered one of the best kitchens in the world. On most occasions the dinner was repeated: chicken and lamb kebabs, sometimes trout, served with salad and rice. Several portions were ordered and shared between the group, but not always of sufficient quantity to satisfy all.

Sometimes there were also ways to try more elaborate dishes like fesenjan, a thick chicken pot with walnuts and pomegranates. On the travel days, picnic lunches were served with tuna fish, cheese and freshly baked “dimple” -sangak bread.

Iran guides: Intelligent , Knowledgeable and affable

Tour manager and guides: 9/10
This tour had both a tour guide and tour guide. Jake Cooke – an experienced, organized and approaching tour guide originally from Great Britain, now living in Cambodia – was responsible for logistics. In Iran, however, his knowledge of the country was limited.

The true star of the show was our  guide, a Tehran born leader who speaks fluent English (as well as French and, of course, Farsi). Engaged and very knowledgeable – both about the complex history of Persia and modern Iran – He provided insights with warmth and humor.

Iran buses comfortable and spacious with welcoming drivers

Transport: 8/10
Flights are not included, but can be arranged by the organizer. Those who have chosen to fly from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester to Teheran via Doha with Qatar Airways and were supported by the tour guide on arrival and departure. With only 13 on board the 30-seater coach meant everyone had plenty of space. Drives between each city ranged from four to seven hours, with regular tea and toilet breaks.

Value for Money: 7/10
With a price of £ 2.995 (only land), including all accommodation, meals and entry fees, this tour offers good value for money. The cost of an Iranian visa (about 200 €) is not included, but once there are only cinnamon tea, shovel saffron ice cream and the obligatory purchase of a souvenir Persteppich.

Iran displays ancient Persian artifacts returned from the US

Iran displays hundreds of ancient and Persian artefacts, some of which are up to 3,500 years old, all of which have recently come from museums and collections in Western countries.
Mohammad Hassan Talebian, deputy head of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran, told The Associated Press that all of the items on display were repatriated over the past two and a half years from England, Belgium, Italy and the United States.
He credits the improved relations between Tehran and the West after the 2015 border crossing to enable the process.

“The atmosphere after the nuclear deal was very important,” said Talebian. “It made it easy to bring all these items back home.”

The special exhibition opened on Monday in the National Museum of Tehran shows 558 different artifacts.

These include hunting tools and stitching needles from the Iron Age and a pair of necklaces dating back more than 2000 years to the Achaemenid Empire of Cyrus the Great – the culmination of Persian rule.

Among the oldest items are dozens of clay bowls, jugs and engravings dating back to 3,500 years, formerly housed in the famous Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.

Iran and the United States had no diplomatic relations since 1979 when Iranian students stormed the American Embassy and took 52 Americans for 444 days.
The 2015 agreement between Teheran and the world powers limited the Iranian Atoprogram against the abolition of international economic activities.

However, the short thaw in Iranian-American relations can be short-lived. The new US President Donald Trump has strongly criticized the agreement and has already engaged in a war with words with the leadership of Iran, and “Tehran” has been “attentive” to a recent ballistic rocket test.

The items from the University of Chicago had previously been shown on their own in May 2016, but this is a first time that all the elements repatriated by these four countries have been shown together.

Myriam Rahgoshay, an art enthusiast, said that the return of these and thousands of other historical artefacts still abroad is a major impetus to the Iranian national identity.

 Iran Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (IHTIC)

 IHTIC will attract an international audience of senior figures and decision-makers involved in all aspects of hotel and tourism investment in Iran. The conference will focus on hotel development and tourism attraction in Iran. Join us in Tehran and hear from the regions industry experts on the opportunities available in the region, find out what lessons they have learnt about doing business in the country and how they have overcome development and operational challenges. Find out how government is stimulating foreign investment into the country, what incentives and projects are available.