Tehran hopes to reach agreement with Russia, Turkey on Syria

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday he hoped to reach an agreement with Russia and Turkey on the composition of a new Constitutional Committee in Syria, Reuters reported.

The West ‘parrots’ Netanyahu’s whines about Iran’s conventional missiles, Zarif regrets

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday censured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for openly boasting the regime’s “offensive missiles” after threatening Iran with annihilation with nuclear bombs.

Spy services of neighbors have targeted Iranian security: Alavi

TEHRAN - Iranian Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said on Tuesday that spy services of certain neighboring countries along with extra-regional countries are taking actions against security of Iran and provide “logistical support” for terrorist groups.

‘Those who violated nuclear deal are fake supporters of human rights’

TEHRAN – In an open reference to the Trump administration, Ali Akbar Nategh Nouri said on Monday that those who violated the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, are “fake supporters of human rights”.

Iran doesn’t sit silent toward destabilizing actions: Kharrazi

TEHRAN - Kamal Kharrazi, head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, said on Monday that Iran does not sit silent towards destabilizing actions in the Middle East region.

French police’s handling of protests ‘unacceptable’: Tehran

TEHRAN – Tehran on Monday criticized the French police for its handling of the recent protests as “unacceptable”, urging the French government to practice self-control in the face of the unrest.

‘Some in Iran overlook Trump's possible downfall’

TEHRAN – A senior political analyst believes the “pro-Trump enthusiasts” in Iran are mistaken to disregard the strong possibility of the U.S. president’s impeachment, while Trump is facing serious problems within America.

Defense minister says Iran can’t abandon boosting military power ‘even for a second’

TEHRAN - Defense Minister Amir Hatami said on Sunday that Iran cannot abandon boosting its military capabilities “even for a second” in view of threats against the country.

By staff and agency

Zarif: Blame Saudi Arabia and U.S. for regional instability

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has rejected the label of the world’s top sponsor of terrorism ascribed to Iran by Saudi Arabia and the U.S.

Russia to continue defending Iran’s interests: envoy

TEHRAN – Moscow will continue to defend the interests of Tehran as a strategic partner, a special envoy for the Russian president has said, IRNA reported on Saturday.

Erdogan pushes for stronger ties with Iran 

TEHRAN - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said late on Friday that his government is willing to strengthen tie with Iran, especially in economic sphere.

Zarif says Iran's missiles are ‘non-negotiable’

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said Iran’s missiles are for defensive purposes, reiterating that the country’s missile program is “not negotiable”, IRNA reported, citing Al Jazeera.

Princeton researcher lists reasons why Iran must focus on its missile power

Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator and a current Princeton University researcher, believes at a time that Iran is being militarily threatened from all sides, it is a “simple folly” to expect Tehran to “dismantle” its missile program.

Deterrence power has made war on Iran unthinkable: admiral

TEHRAN – Habibollah Sayyari, the deputy army chief for coordination affairs, said on Wednesday the enemies will not even think of attacking Iran because of the country’s deterrence power.

Zarif blames West, clients for regional miseries

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Thursday that the United States and its allies need to stop their “hypocritical absurdities” about Iran’s regional behavior, underlining that it is they and their clients who are responsible for the miseries in the region.

Iran among top five producers of destroyers, vessels: military 

TEHRAN – Iran is among the world’s top five producers of destroyers and vessels, deputy minister for defense and logistics affairs told a conference on Tuesday.

IRGC has found clues about Chabahar terror attackers

TEHRAN – Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said on Wednesday that the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) has found clues about the perpetrators of the recent terrorist attack in Chabahar, Sistan-Baluchestan Province.

‘Iran, N. Korea see closer ties as remedy against U.S. sanctions’

TEHRAN – Head of the Iran-North Korea parliamentary friendship group on Wednesday underlined the importance of closer relations between Iran and North Korea to counter the effect of cruel sanctions the U.S. has imposed against the two countries.

Iranian human rights organization worried over situation in France

TEHRAN – In a statement on Monday, Iran’s Human Rights Headquarters expressed concern over the violence exercised by the French police against protestors.

Leader warns of enemies’ attack on spirituality

TEHRAN - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of the enemies’ attack on spirituality and insisted on the need to boost the achievements of the Islamic Revolution.

IRGC: U.S. military threats only part of psychological warfare

TEHRAN – The spokesman for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has dismissed the U.S. military threats against Iran as bluffs and part of the psychological warfare against the Islamic Republic.

Germany: Saving Iran deal important for Europe’s security

TEHRAN – German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Monday that salvaging the Iran nuclear deal is important for Europe’s security, IRNA reported.

Trump showing true face of U.S. conspiratorial policies, Velayati says

TEHRAN – Ali Akbar Velayati, a top foreign policy adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, said on Monday that the United States has failed to impose its will on others over the past 40 years and the trend will continue.

Tehran says Saudi Arabia, UAE have monopolized PGCC

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday indirectly slammed Saudi Arabia and the UAE for turning the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council into a body to express their own views.

Iranian Navy plans to stage drills in Indian Ocean

TEHRAN - Iranian naval forces plan to stage a large-scale drill in the Indian Ocean to boost and put on display the country’s military prowess, according to a senior commander.

UN envoy hails Iran’s anti-corruption campaign

The representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iran has praised the country’s progress in campaign against crimes and corruption.

We need stronger region not strongmen, Zarif tweets

TEHRAN – A stronger region, rather than strongmen, is needed by regional countries, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday.

Parliament speakers of six Asian states condemn Chabahar terrorist attack

TEHRAN – Parliament speakers of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, China and Iran issued a joint statement at the end of an anti-terrorism conference in Tehran on Saturday condemning the terrorist attack in Chabahar, a port city in southeastern Iran.

UN has failed to fulfil duties in terror fight, Larijani says

TEHRAN – Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said on Saturday that the United Nations Security Council has failed to carry out its duties regarding the fight against terrorism, Mehr reported.

‘Intra-Afghan dialogue the only way to reach peace’

TEHRAN – Former Iranian Ambassador to Afghanistan Fada-Hossein Maleki says intra-Afghan dialogue, and not continuation of U.S. intervention, is the only way to reach peace in Afghanistan.