Slander of officials is part of soft warfare strategy: Leader
Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said here on Wednesday that slandering officials of the Islamic establishment and spreading rumors about them are part of the enemies’ soft warfare strategy.

Tajik librarians attending educational courses at INLA
Tehran Times Culture Desk

TEHRAN -- The National Library of Tajikistan’s librarians and experts are attending courses at the Iranian National Library and Archives (INLA) beginning on Wednesday.

Kiarostami to judge UN video festival on migration
Tehran Times Art Desk

TEHRAN -- Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami and program director of the New York Film Festival Richard Peña are among the jury members of PLURAL + A Youth-Produced Video Festival on migration and diversity.

A paradigm shift in Singapore: Yet Apec offers no clear answers
By Ramzy Baroud

Like scores of journalists, I attentively listened as Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivering his closing remarks, and for the last time answering journalists’ questions. It was the conclusion of 17th Apec Economies Leaders’ Meeting in Singapore, on November 15, and Prime Minister Lee was clearly tired, although unruffled.

Iran, Kazakhstan set goals for $10b in trade
Tehran Times Economic Desk

TEHRAN – The Iranian commerce minister met with the Kazakh ambassador to Tehran on Wednesday and called for an increase in trade volume from the present $3 billion up to $10 billion annually.

‘Iran’s adversaries attempting to block delivery of S-300 missiles’
Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN -- Russia has delayed the delivery of the S-300 missile system to Iran due to the pressure imposed on it by Iran’s adversaries, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said on Wednesday.

Why Ahmadinejad is warmly welcomed in Brazil
Iran seeks to increase trade with Brazil from $2b to $15b

When Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva -- dubbed by U.S. President Barack Obama “the most popular politician on earth” -- hosted Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Brasília on Monday, he was doing what Mr. Obama has taken heat for proposing: engage Iran without preconditions.

Iran, Venezuela determined to deepen ties
Bolivia proud of its ties with Iran: Morales

CARACAS (Agencies) -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Venezuela on Wednesday on the third leg of his tour of South America.

Iran, China agree on $6.5b refinery project
Tehran Times Economic Desk

TEHRAN – The Chinese refiner Sinopec has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company to invest $6.5 billion for building oil refineries in Iran.