New destroyers join Iran’s naval fleet

A number of twelve new destroyers joined Iran’s naval fleet during a ceremony attended by Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi on Tuesday. Vahidi said these destroyers can tow other destroyers and fire extinguishers are attached to them so they can be used for putting out fire in sea and on coast. They can also carry cargoes of 750 tons.
Army begins massive military drill
The Iranian Army started a massive military drill, dubbed Beit-ul-Muqaddas, in Isfahan Province on Tuesday. Brigadier General Ali Arasteh has said the main goal behind holding such drills is to train the newly graduated students from military academies. Arasteh also said the domestically-manufactured military equipment are mostly used during such exercises.
Majlis majority faction nominates Larijani for speaker
The Majlis principlist faction, which is the dominant group in the parliament, on Tuesday elected current Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani as their candidate for the post of the parliament speaker in the upcoming elections of the Majlis Presiding Board. The principlists also nominated Mohammad Reza Bahonar and Shahabeddin Sadr for the post of deputy parliament speakers.
Iran sets condition for talks with Saudis
The director general of the Persian Gulf and Middle East Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, has denied claims by certain media outlets that Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has been seeking to hold talks with Saudi officials. He also said that Iran will hold talks with Saudi officials on condition that Saudi troops leave Bahrain.