Magnitude 5.7 quake leaves 2 dead, 400 injured

TEHRAN – A 5.7-magnitude earthquake that shook the northeastern province of North Khorasan on Saturday night claimed two lives and left more than 400 injured.

Iran's “Noruz in Tajikistan” wins award at U.S. festival

TEHRAN – Iran’s Documentary and Experimental Film Center announced on Sunday that “Noruz in Tajikistan”, one of its productions directed by Mehdi Bemani, won the award for best music at the Archaeology Channel International Film and Video Festival, which was held in Eugene, Oregon in the U.S from May 4 to 7. 

“Preventing smuggling of goods, currency will create jobs”

TEHRAN – If smuggling of goods and currency is halted it will lead to creation of jobs at home, a presidential candidate has said.

Jahangiri says to consider coalitio

TEHRAN – Presidential candidate Es’haq Jahangiri has for the first time in the presidential race spoken about a possible coalition.

Officials will soon hear public cry for justice: Raisi

TEHRAN – Presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi has said “officials will soon hear people’s cry for justice.”

ICT Ministry halts developmental, maintenance projects during election campaigns 

TEHRAN – The Ministry of ICT has decided to halt all developmental and maintenance projects during the election campaigns to prevent a possible outage of services.

Barin, one of fanciest ski hotels ever

An undated photo depicts the bizarre exterior of Barin Hotel in the Alborz mountain range, northern Iran.

Museum of bazaar and occupations opens in Tabriz

TEHRAN – A three-story museum complex dedicated to traditional bazaar (marketplace) of Tabriz and its associated occupations has opened its doors to the public in the northwestern Iranian city.

Rouhani says not satisfied with nuclear sanctions lift 

TEHRAN – “We are never satisfied with the removal of nuclear sanctions,” presidential candidate Hassan Rouhani told some 20,000 fans in Azadi Stadium on Saturday, insisting “all sanctions have to be lifted.”

Israel unhappy over Iran’s presence in ‘de-escalation zones’: source

TEHRAN – Speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not object to “de-escalation zones” arrangement in Syria but voiced opposition against Iran’s presence in those areas.

New rates set for eco-lodges in Iran

TEHRAN – The Association of Eco-lodges in conjunction with the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization has fixed new rates for eco-lodges that are scattered across the country.

Spain willing to invest in Iran’s tourism infrastructure

TEHRAN – Spain is willing to invest in tourism and hospitality infrastructures across Iran, IRNA quoted Matilde Pastora Asian Gonzalez, Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain, as saying on Friday.

Iran, Russia, Turkey to discuss Syria de-escalation zones, Lavrov says

TEHRAN - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that Russian, Turkish and Iranian experts plan to meet in a week or two to discuss parameters of de-escalation zones in Syria.

‘Rouhani doesn’t have enough votes to secure election in first round’

TEHRAN – Conservative politician Mohammad Ali Amani has predicted that the election will not be decided in the first round, saying President Rouhani does not have enough votes to secure the election on May 19.

Candidates should address poverty: Seddiqi

TEHRAN – Interim Friday Prayer preacher of Tehran Ayatollah Kazem Sediqqi has called on the presidential candidates to address the problems of the needy and to tackle poverty.

‘ECO puts tourism boost atop agenda’

TEHRAN – The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has placed a high priority on the expansion of tourism industry amongst the member states, the visiting ECO deputy secretary-general Ahsan Ali Mangi said on Wednesday.

By Semih Idiz

dds appear stacked against success of Erdogan-Trump meeting

Omens for the long-awaited meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Donald Trump at the White House on May 16 do not bode well. Despite the smiles both leaders will no doubt have for the cameras, all the signs are that their talks will be tough.

Rouhani meeting with MPs was friendly: deputy

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani’s deputy for parliamentary affairs on Wednesday said that a meeting between Rouhani and reformist MPs earlier the day had been very friendly.

Hashemi Taba: Universities in scientifically bad situation

TEHRAN – Presidential candidate Mostafa Hashemi Taba has complained that Iranian universities are in a scientifically bad situation.

The fittest is not one who slanders rivals: Nouri Hameidani

TEHRAN – The fittest choice is not the one who slanders his rivals, Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani said on Wednesday in reference to presidential candidates.

Qalibaf urges attempt to materialize Islamic civilization

TEHRAN – “Let us all try and materialize the Islamic civilization,” presidential candidate Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Wednesday in a meeting with ethnic chiefs and elites of Khuzestan province.

Mirsalim: I would like it if a candidate steps down for me

TEHRAN – Presidential candidate Mostafa Mirsalim has said that he would be happy if any of his rivals stepped down in favor of him.

Pakistan summons Iran’s ambassador over commander comments

TEHRAN – Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Tehran’s ambassador to Islamabad over remarks made by the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri.  

Raisi says will appoint female ministers if becomes president

TEHRAN – Presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi has said he will use women in his cabinet if he becomes president.

Iranians cannot vote in Canada in upcoming election

TEHRAN – According to the federal Canadian government, no polling stations will be set up for Iranian citizens in Canada to participate in Iran’s upcoming presidential election.

Abyaneh village, open-air museum of living traditions

TEHRAN – Dominated with reddish hues and lost in labyrinth of heights, Abyaneh village is one of the oldest in Iran. It is an example of human adaptation to nature, wherein one can redraw the boundaries of time and feel a flavor of ancient Iranian culture and civilization.

EU backs full implementation of nuclear deal: Mogherini

TEHRAN – EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said that the EU will stand by the Iran nuclear agreement, describing the deal as a “milestone” belonging to the entire international community.

U.S. company to help Iran build equipment for oil, gas industry

TEHRAN – An American company is to start cooperating with Iran on manufacturing oil and gas equipment for the country, IRNA reported on Wednesday quoting an Iranian official.

Mine blast one week on: 43 bodies recovered, rescue efforts underway

TEHRAN -- Rescue operations are still underway after 43 corpses recovered from a coal mine that exploded in the northeastern province of Golestan on May 3.