Rouhani says his government’s key failed to open locked social apps

TEHRAN – The Iranian president has said his government’s measures failed to remove ban on some social apps in the country.

It is an ‘illusion’ to rewrite nuclear deal: Iran

TEHRAN – Speaking about rewriting the 2015 nuclear deal due to a pressure by U.S. President Donald Trump is just an “illusion”, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said on Tuesday.

During drills, Iran warns off U.S. warships

The Iranian Army has warned off two U.S.-led coalition battleships during the first day of military exercises involving ground, naval, and aerial forces in southern Iran.

Larijani calls Iran-KRG ties ‘strategic’

TEHRAN – Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Sunday that Iran has “strategic” relationship with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (KRG) and seeks to protect it.

Top judge divides protestors into ‘deceived’ individuals and ‘rioters’

TEHRAN – Judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani said on Monday that prosecutors should separate “deceived” people from “rioters” in dealing with cases of persons who were arrested during the recent protests in some cities across Iran.

By Mohammad Homaeefar

French foreign minister ‘absolutely wrong’: Iran

TEHRAN – The French foreign minister is “absolutely wrong” if he thinks Iran would give in to pressure and sanctions, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Monday, referring to Le Drian’s call for more pressure on Tehran over its missile program.

Iran’s Kharrazi meets Syrian president

TEHRAN – Former Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, who is the current chairman of Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, on Sunday held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad to discuss regional issues.

Iran urges quick end to military operations in Syria’s Afrin

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Sunday that Tehran is concerned about developments in Afrin, Syria, urging an immediate halt to operations in the region.

Rouhani: Nuclear deal is cornerstone of Iran-Europe ties

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday that the 2015 nuclear deal can serve as a “cornerstone” for Iran and European countries to expand ties.

Iran deal to ‘fall apart’ if Trump pulls out: Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Friday that if the United States backs out of the Iran nuclear agreement, the entire accord will “fall apart”.

Rouhani receives credentials of four ambassadors

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani received credentials of new ambassadors of Cuba, Ghana, Chile and Cyprus in separate meetings on Saturday.

Iran, Europe have held talks to remove banking obstacles

No sense to stay in JCPOA if new conditions set: Takht-Ravanchi

TEHRAN - Majid Takht-Ravanchi, deputy director of the presidential chief of staff for political affairs, has said that Iran and Europe have held talks to remove obstacles to banking relations.

UN chief warns against endangering nuclear deal

Lavrov: JCPOA failure would send alarming message for ‘international architecture’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Thursday that if the 2015 Iran nuclear deal - or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - collapses, it would send an “alarming” message to the world.

Hamas figure writes to Ayatollah Khamenei to hail Iran’s stance on Quds

Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), on Thursday sent a letter to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei praising Iran’s stance on Jerusalem al-Quds.

UN chief warns against endangering nuclear deal

Antonio Guterres, the United Nations secretary general, is urging nations not to damage Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers because of concerns they may have with Iran's nonnuclear military activities.

Kharrazi puts forward suggestions for Iran-Arab dialogue

TEHRAN - Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, said on Wednesday that Iran is ready to hold talks with Arab countries in line with solving problems in the Middle East, suggesting three proposals for the purpose.

Larijani calls for closer Iran-Pakistan co-op

TEHRAN – Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Wednesday that it is essential for Iran and Pakistan to establish closer cooperation.

Iran dismisses claims of negotiation on its missile program

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday dismissed claims that Tehran has agreed to hold talks on its missile program.

It is ‘unwise’ to talk to U.S. on defense capabilities: IRGC

TEHRAN - General Yadollah Javani, a senior official at the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, said on Tuesday that it is “unwise” for Iran to sit at a negotiating table with the U.S. on its defense capabilities.

Rouhani urges Islamic states to reduce dependence on foreigners

TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that it is necessary that Islamic countries abandon division and reduce dependence on foreigners through reliance on domestic capacities.

U.S. move in Syria may ignite ‘flames of war’: Iran

TEHRAN – Iran on Tuesday denounced a U.S. plan to deploy a militant force near Syria’s border with Turkey as a “blatant” and “clear example” of interference in Syria’s domestic affairs, saying the move “fans the flames of the conflict” there.

World not scared by ‘crazy’ Trump: Iran’s Shamkhani

TEHRAN - Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on Monday that the strategy of scaring the international community by decisions of Donald Trump, whom he described as a “crazy person”, has no effect.

Top judge: Iran won’t remain silent toward U.S. hostile moves

TEHRAN – Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani said on Monday that the U.S. should be aware that Iran will give appropriate response to any hostile move.

Sunken tanker was destined for South, not North Korea: Iran

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi has said that the sunken Iranian tanker was destined for South Korea, dismissing claims that the ship’s destination was North Korea.

Defense program non-negotiable, Iran says

TEHRAN - Behrooz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, has said that Iran’s defense program and issues related to the Middle East region have nothing to do with the JCPOA, the official name for the international nuclear agreement.

Iranian parliament says won’t accept any change to nuclear deal

TEHRAN – The Iranian parliament will not accept changes to the 2015 nuclear deal and considers any change equal to complete collapse of the agreement, its speaker Ali Larijani announced on Sunday.

Rouhani: Nuclear deal will never vanish

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that the successes of the 2015 nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), can never be wiped out.

China says nuclear deal not derailed, pledges constructive role

TEHRAN – China on Saturday pledged to continue playing a constructive role in maintaining and implementing the Iran nuclear deal, after U.S. President Donald Trump set an ultimatum to fix “disastrous flaws” in a deal.

Staff and agencies

Iran’s response to U.S. breach of JCPOA to astound the world: MP

The spokesman for the Iranian parliament presiding board has warned that in case the U.S. violates the 2015 nuclear deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Islamic Republic’s reaction would surprise the world.

Iran threatens to retaliate against new U.S. sanctions

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday condemning the new U.S. sanctions on a number of Iranian individuals and entities, threatening to retaliate.