Vaezi: SPV to become operational in weeks

TEHRAN – Presidential chief of staff Mahmoud Vaezi said on Wednesday the special purpose vehicle (SPV), a European mechanism which aims to facilitate trade with Iran in defiance of U.S. sanctions, will come into effect within two or three weeks.

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.

Rouhani urges unity in face of psychological and economic war

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the United States and his regional allies have started a psychological and economic warfare against Iran and it is necessary to keep unity to counter it.

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.

‘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.

By staff and agency

Iran’s VP urges Japan to stand against U.S. unilateralism

Iranian Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri has called on Japan use its power and influence to put an end to “U.S. unilateralism” in the world.

Iran blames Israeli occupation as the root cause of Middle East conflicts

Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations has described the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as the root cause of all existing conflicts and crises across the Middle East region.

Funeral held for victims of Chabahar suicide attack

TEHRAN – A funeral procession for two victims of the Chabahar suicide terrorist attack was held on Friday.

Zarif says 2231 resolution doesn’t limit Iran’s missile program

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday that the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and the 2015 nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, do not restrict Iran’s missile program.

‘EU failed to make tangible efforts to save nuclear deal’

TEHRAN – The European Union has not made any tangible efforts to save the 2015 nuclear agreement while the Islamic Republic has remained committed to its obligations under the international pact, a top lawmaker said on Wednesday.

Iran rejects arbitrary interpretation of resolution 2231

TEHRAN – In a statement on Tuesday, Iran’s diplomatic mission in the United Nations rejected any arbitrary interpretation of the UN Security Council resolution 2231, IRNA reported.

Iran says has no plan to have missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi has rejected the “groundless” concerns raised by certain Western countries about Iran’s missile program, saying the country has no plan to have missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Retirees’ recruitment ban will break ‘closed management circle’, Leader says

TEHRAN - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that ban on employment of the retired managers will “break the closed management circle”.

U.S. may be adjusting intelligence to fit its anti-Iran policy: Fitzpatrick

TEHRAN – Mark Fitzpatrick believes the United States may be in the process of adjusting intelligence to serve its anti-Iran agenda ahead, rather than basing its foreign policy on intelligence.

Zarif urges Pompeo to study UN Resolution 2231 

TEHRAN – The U.S. secretary of state needs to study the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has suggested in reaction to Mike Pompeo’s tweet which claimed that Iran’s missile testing activities violate the resolution. 

European financial mechanism with Iran to be announced soon: Araqchi

TEHRAN – Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that European financial mechanism to save the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran now that the U.S. has exited the agreement will be announced in the near future.

Zarif: U.S. foreign policy based on surrealism

TEHRAN - Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that that “surrealism” shapes the United States’ foreign policy.

Iran: Brian Hook enters ‘childish show’

Tehran won’t reject neighbors’ positive gesture: Qassemi

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Monday that Iran seeks a stable Middle East region and will not give negative response to any positive gesture by any neighboring country.

Zarif, Haniyeh discuss U.S. draft resolution against Hamas

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh held a phone conversation on Monday discussing latest developments in Palestine including the U.S. draft resolution against Hamas at the UN General Assembly.

Larijani says Majlis, administration have consensus over national security issues

TEHRAN – Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Saturday that the parliament and the administration have consensus over national security issues.

Mark Fitzpatrick: Iran missile test not a ‘violation’ of UNSCR 2231

TEHRAN – Mark Fitzpatrick, the executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) says despite Washington’s claims, Iran’s missile testing activities do not violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231.