Iran may lease planes to take Hajj pilgrims home

TEHRAN – An Iranian lawmaker raised the possibility that the country might have to lease passenger planes from foreign airlines if Saudi Arabia would not cooperate in carrying the Iranian Hajj pilgrims back home.

Turkey starts constructing wall along Iran border

TEHRAN – Turkey has started building a wall along its border with Iran in parallel with the Turkish barrier along the Syrian frontier, a Turkish media report says.

Iran rejects ‘bizarre’ Saudi claims of support for Taliban

TEHRAN – Iran’s embassy in Kabul has dismissed as “bizarre” claims by a Saudi diplomat about the Islamic Republic’s alleged links to Taliban militants and armed groups inside Afghanistan.

Iran’s Parliament committee okays anti-U.S. bill

TEHRAN – The Iranian Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has finalized a bill aimed at confronting the U.S. support for terrorism and adventurism in the Middle East.

Iran has emerged as major player in resolving Syrian crisis, diplomat says

TEHRAN – Iran has become a significant player in resolving the Syrian conflict thanks to Dr. Zarif’s renewed efforts, Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari says.

By Mehdi Sepahvand

Kissinger, newest-comer in the ‘Persian Empire’ folly

TEHRAN – Former U.S. secretary of state Henry Kissinger warned in an article for CapX last week that Iran should not be allowed to fill the power vacuum that will be created when ISIS is wiped out.

Culture ministers of Iran, Kazakhstan meet in Tehran 

TEHRAN – Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Reza Salehi and Kazakh Minister of Culture and Sports Arystanbek Mukhamediuly met in Tehran on Tuesday.

Partial lunar eclipse seen in Iran

Photo shows a partial lunar eclipse which occurred Monday night. In Tehran it started at 23:52 local time and continued till 01:20 on Tuesday.

“Kelileh & Demneh” honored at Eurasia Intl. Film Festival

TEHRAN – Iranian animation “Kelileh & Demneh” has won the special prize of the jury in its premiere at the 13th Eurasia International Film Festival in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Jahangiri reinstated as Iran’s first vice president

TEHRAN – In an announcement on Tuesday, President Rouhani reinstated Es’haq Jahangiri as his first vice president.

Rueen, a hub of traditional textile in Iran

A woman uses an indigenous spinning wheel to make thread from natural fiber at a small-scale workshop in Rueen, a village in northeast Iran, August 5, 2107. Situated in Esfarayen County, North Khorasan Province, Rueen is famed for its delicate handwoven and industrial wrappers, colorful garments that are widely worn by women.

Iran bans state, public organizations from using social apps

TEHRAN – The National Center on Cyberspace of Iran has passed a regulation which bans state as well as public organizations from using social apps to communicate formal messages.

Iran attaches importance to Azerbaijan’s progress: FM

TEHRAN – Iran’s foreign minister has hailed the growing ties between Tehran and Baku, saying Iran attaches great significance to the Republic of Azerbaijan’s progress and stability.

IRGC busts terror group in northwestern Iran

TEHRAN – Islamic Revolution Guards Corps forces have smashed a group of terrorists in a northwestern province.

Iranian airline to launch weekly Bandar Abbas-Muscat service

TEHRAN – Iran’s Kish Airlines has obtained a license from Oman’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) to launch weekly flights connecting the port city of Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, to Oman’s capital city of Muscat.

General Rahimi appointed Tehran’s new police chief

TEHRAN – Brigadier General Hossein Rahimi has been appointed as the new commander of Tehran’s police force, Mehr news agency reported on Monday.

Rouhani’s choice for science minister finalized

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani will introduce Ali Khaki Seddiq as his proposed minister of science for the future cabinet, the incumbent minister of science has confirmed.

Commander: Iran would never allow inspection of military sites

TEHRAN – Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force has said foreign countries will never be allowed to inspect Iran’s military centers.

Iran shrugs off Muqtada al-Sadr’s visit to S. Arabia

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says Iran regards trips by Iraqi officials and figures as the internal affairs of that country, emphasizing that his country does not interfere in such affairs.

“Under the Smoky Roof” joins competition at Montreal film festival

TEHRAN – Iranian director Puran Derakhshandeh’s “Under the Smoky Roof” will be competing in the 41st Montreal World Film Festival.

Iran amends gun law, Basij get right to bear

TEHRAN – Iran has made amendments to its gun laws and accordingly three groups of people get the right to bear arms.

Iranian, Azeri clerics meet over common charter

TEHRAN – Senior clerics from Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan convened a meeting in Tehran on Sunday, where they discussed shared concerns, hoping to arrive at a common charter for future cooperation.

Bitaraf likely to head Energy Ministry once more

TEHRAN – Habibollah Bitaraf has been settled as President Hassan Rouhani’s choice for the post of energy minister, ISNA reported on Sunday.

Najafi submits plan as to-be Tehran mayor

TEHRAN – Mohammad Ali Najafi, who is widely expected to win the post of Tehran mayor, has submitted his plans to new members of the Tehran City Council, a council member said on Sunday.

Commander: Iran’s behavior in Persian Gulf in accordance to international law 

TEHRAN – The deputy military chief has said Iran would give a tough response to any hostile move by foreign vessels in the Persian Gulf.

Navy to be delivered Fateh submarine 

TEHRAN – The Iranian Defense Industries Organization is going to deliver a batch of domestically made Fateh submarines to the Navy, according to Rear Admiral Amir Rastgari, commander of the organization.

Iran dismisses Israeli claim on Intl. Informatics Olympiad

TEHRAN — In response to an Israeli tweet claiming winning four medals at the 29th International Informatics Olympiad (IOI 2017) in Tehran, the event’s spokesman dismissed claims of awarding any medals to Israeli contestants.

India sees Iran’s Chabahar ‘a gateway to golden opportunities’

Keen on boosting bilateral trade and ties, India and Iran have expressed commitment to operationalize the strategic Chabahar Port at the earliest.