Zarif slams Trump’s ‘cheap shot’ against Iran

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has slammed U.S. President Donald Trump’s “cheap shot” against Iran with regard to the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government, saying Iran itself has been victim to Saddam Hussein’s chemical attacks in the 1980s.

Iran to establish 24/7 centers for caring autistic children

TEHRAN – Iran’s Welfare Organization will set up round-the-clock centers in the current [Iranian calendar] year, which began on March 21, for caring autistic children across the country.

Ilam to host 2nd Intl. Conference on Dust

TEHRAN — The second edition of the International Conference on Dust will be held on April 25-27 in the city of Ilam, western Iran.

Stop dam building and water transfer projects: environmentalists

TEHRAN – A group of environmentalists have issued a statement, urging all dam building and water transfer projects around Zayanderud, Karun and Dez rivers to be halted in a bid to deal with the severe drought conditions that have affected western part of the country.

Iran insists full support for Syrian territorial integrity

TEHRAN - Iran is fully defending Syria’s territorial integrity and its sovereign government, a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said on Tuesday.

Councilors finally accept mayor’s resignation, name caretaker

TEHRAN — Despite all the efforts to convince Mohammad Ali Najafi to keep his post as mayor of Tehran, eventually the Tehran City Council accepted his resignation on Tuesday.

By Saeed Sobhani

In Europe, who is blamed for cancelling JCPOA?

TEHRAN - French President, Emanuel Macron, is still confused about the nuclear deal with Iran. In August 2017, Macron promised Donald Trump that he would do his best to include Iran's missile capability in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or try to limit our missile power in a separate agreement. However, the Elysee Palace officials have failed in fulfilling this mission so far.

Iran unveils 83 achievements in nuclear technology

TEHRAN - During a ceremony on Monday marking National Day of Nuclear Technology, 83 technological developments in nuclear industry were unveiled at the presence of President Rouhani and number of other cabinet members including Ali Akbar Salehi, the vice president and the chief of the nuclear energy organization.

Hotel discounts to liven up ‘Islamic tourism capital’

TEHRAN – Hotels in Tabriz are set to give big discounts to their foreign and domestic customers from April 21 to May 15 in a bid to juice up traveling to the northwestern Iranian city, which bears the title of ‘Islamic tourism capital’ in 2018.

‘Tehran backs sustainable security in Lebanon’

TEHRAN – The Foreign Ministry has rejected claims by a local newspaper criticizing Tehran’s role in Lebanon, saying the Islamic Republic has always supported lasting stability and security in Lebanon.

Seven substandard zoos shut down

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment has shut down seven zoos across the country which didn’t live up to the required standards set by the department, ILNA reported on Saturday.

Khalkhal Dasht’s response to a Tehran Times report: “Bitter experience of Chinese investor with Iranian contractor”

Following a report on a conflict between the Chinese oil company Sinopec and an Iranian International company called Khalkhal Dasht which was published on March 19 by Tehran Times, Khalkhal Dasht has responded to the mentioned report, what comes below is the Iranian company’s account of the events.

By Osman Faruk Logoglu

Trump expects Turkey to side U.S. aggressive policy toward Iran

The erratic and unending changes in the administration by President Trump reflect first and foremost his unique conception of the Presidency.

Plans underway to renovate taxi fleet

TEHRAN – There are plans underway for renovating the taxi fleet nationwide by replacing some 40,000 old taxis with new ones in the current [Iranian Calendar] year 1397 (March 2018–March 2019), said head of the taxi drivers’ union on Sunday.

Sailors celebrate end of voyage with Razif ritual

Iranian sailors perform Razif ritual, a time-honored musical folk dance, while boarding a wooden launch off the coasts of Bandar-e Kong in the Persian Gulf, April 7, 2018.

Tehran, Caracas ink pharmaceutical MOU

TEHRAN – Iran and Venezuela signed a memorandum of understanding to boost cooperation in pharmaceutical sector.

Tehran to help if Saudis consider political solution to Yemen crisis: Zarif

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that Tehran is ready to offer any diplomatic assistance to help resolve the ongoing Yemeni crisis if Saudi Arabia considers a political solution.

Enemies worried about Iran’s rising power: Leader

TEHRAN – The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said on Sunday that enemies are afraid of Iran because the country’s power is on the rise.

“A Passenger from Space” joins contenders at Annecy festival 

TEHRAN – “Roobi and Chickens: A Passenger from Space” from Iran will be screened at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Market in France during June, the organizers have announced.

Iran deal can still be saved: Russian official

TEHRAN – The nuclear deal, which Iran and six world powers struck in 2015, can still be saved, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Non-Proliferation and Weapons Control Department Mikhail Ulyanov has said.

Trump and Abu Dhabi crown prince talk Iran in call

TEHRAN – U.S. President Donald Trump and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, spoke about Iran and Qatar, in a telephone call, The National reported.

Commander maintains Iran’s ‘deterrence’ policy in southern waters

TEHRAN – Commander of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters said on Saturday that Iran follows the “defense-deterrence” policy through an “inclusive and active” presence in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

By Javad Heirannia

Bolton has spoken out unequivocally against JCPOA: Middle East Forum president

TEHRAN - Daniel Pipes, president of the Middle East Forum, says “The crises - North Korea, Iran and Syria - are most likely to be affected first, as the new team (assuming Pompeo is confirmed) encourages Trump's instincts to act tough.”

Bloomfield says U.S. should not create ‘new foreign policy headaches’

Iran could resume enrichment with no monitoring or sanctions if JCPOA nixed: Stimson Center chief 

TEHRAN – Writing an article in the Foreign Policy magazine on Friday, Lincoln P. Bloomfield put forward a strategy for the U.S. government to counter what he calls Iranian threats without withdrawing from the nuclear accord.

22,000 Azerbaijanis arrived in Ardebil during Noruz

TEHRAN – Some 22,000 Azerbaijani nationals arrived in Iran’s northwestern Ardebil province during the two-week New Year holidays, Noruz, which ended on April 2, IRNA reported.

Intl. rail travelers visit Isfahan

TEHRAN – A number of international rail travelers arrived in Isfahan late on Friday for a one-day excursion across the central Iranian city.

Some 8 million visited Iran’s heritage museums during Noruz

TEHRAN – Some eight million people paid visit to heritage museums and historical sites across Iran during the two-week New Year (Noruz) holidays, which ended on April 2.

120,000 qanats documented in Iran

TEHRAN – Some 120,000 qanats - ancient subsurface water supply systems - have been documented so far across Iran, a cultural heritage official has said.