While U.S. itself seeks aid to fight COVID-19 it refuses to end economic terrorism on Iran: Zarif

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says even while the United States, the world’s largest economy, needs others’ help to fight the coronavirus pandemic, it refuses to halt its “economic terrorism” against Iran.

Igor Kolakovic no more Iran volleyball coach

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Volleyball Federation (IRIVF) has parted ways with Igor Kolakovic following cancelation of 2020 Olympic Games due to the pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19).

U.S. slaps new sanctions on Iran as coronavirus takes toll

As Iran struggles to battle the spread of deadly coronavirus, the United States on Thursday heaped more economic pressure on the country by slapping a fresh round of sanctions on more than a dozen Iranian individuals and five companies, al Jazeera reported.

Iran injects 1 billion dollar into healthcare system

TEHRAN - "One billion dollars will be injected into the country's healthcare system by the National Development Fund," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said at a government economic committee meeting on Thursday.

Zarif says one wonders whether Pompeo is secretary of state or 'secretary of hate'

TEHRAN- Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday lashed out at U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for his "3rd-rate propaganda" against Iran, saying one wonders if he is secretary of state or "secretary of hate".

‘Failure to contain coronavirus in Iran will adversely impact the entire world’

The chair of the London-based NGO Islamic Human Rights Commission has censured sanctions against Iran as the country is fighting the worst coronavirus pandemic in West Asia, warning if the deadly disease is not controlled in Iran it will affect the entire world.

Iran Ministry of Sports warns teams not to train

TEHRAN - Iran’s Ministry of Sports and Youth spokesman has warned the Iranian football teams not to start their training amid coronavirus crisis.

Tough measures to be taken to contain coronavirus outbreak in Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that stricter measures will be taken in the country to combat coronavirus, also known as Covid-19.

Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games postponed

Japan’s prime minister and the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) agreed to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Games by a year yesterday in an extraordinary move, unprecedented in peacetime, as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic.

‘80 hours for 80mn campaign’ pressing U.S. to ditch Iran sanctions amid outbreak

Amid a worldwide outcry against the United States’ illegal and unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran, a popular campaign has been launched to pressure Washington into temporarily lifting the sanctions that are obstructing the Iranian people’s efforts to curtail the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Iranian Army's 2,000-bed hospital inaugurated in Tehran

TEHRAN - The Army inaugurated a 2,000-bed hospital in Tehran on Wednesday as Iran is fighting the pandemic coronavirus.

"Health defenders" to amaze world despite U.S. sanctions: Iran's top security official

TEHRAN– Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani said on Mon. that Iran’s health defenders will wonder the world despite U.S. imposition of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Covid-19 cases in Iran hit 23,049, death toll at 1,812

TEHRAN- The Iranian health ministry's spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said on Monday the number of people infected with coronavirus has reached 23,049, of whom 1,812 have died so far.

IOC considers postponing Olympics for a year

The Tokyo Olympics are going to happen — but almost surely in 2021 rather than in four months as planned.

Zarif: It is 'moral and practical' obligation to help end U.S. 'mass punishment' of Iranians

TEHRAN - In a post on his Twitter page on Sunday, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the "U.S. is not listening" to "the growing global campaign" to lift "illegal" sanctions on the Iranians and thereby "impeding global fight against Covid-19".

Pakistan PM urges US Trump to lift anti-Iran sanctions

TEHRAN– Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan called on US President Donald Trump to lift anti-Iranians sanctions due to humanitarian reasons and as long as coronavirus global pandemic is not over.

COVID-19 outbreak had no impact on Iran’s defense, security: Sayyari

TEHRAN– Deputy Coordinator of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, says the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, in the country has had no impact on Iran’s defense capabilities and security.

Iran to play Croatia in friendly, coach says

TEHRAN – Iran national football team will meet Croatia in an international friendly match, Team Melli coach Dragan Skocic said on Friday.

Qatar delivers 2nd consignment to Iran to fight coronavirus

TEHRAN – Qatar has delivered the second consignment of medical aid to Iran to help the country with fighting against the coronavirus outbreak.

Rouhani to American people: Depleting Iran's financial resources to contain coronavirus will affect entire world

TEHRAN - In a video message to the American people on Friday - the first day of Nowruz (the Persian New year), President Rouhani said in such a pandemic situation any actor seeking to undermine Iran's health system and restricting its badly needed financial resources to contain the deadly coronavirus will undermine efforts by the entire world.

Branko Ivankovic asks Iranians to stay home

TEHRAN – Ex-Persepolis and Iran national football team coach Branko Ivankovic has asked all Iranian people to stay their home during Nowruz.

19,644 infected with COVID-19 in Iran

TEHRAN– Health Ministry announced on Friday that 1,237 new cases infected with the novel coronavirus have been detected across the country which makes the total infections stand at 19,644.

Zarif: U.S. ‘vengefully’ refusing to lift sanctions; all responsible for any destructive ramifications

TEHRAN – On the occasion of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif released a video on Wednesday to congratulate the Iranian nation, who is under the US’ tough sanctions and among the hardest-hit by the coronavirus, a happy and healthy year.

Reporting by Masoud Hossein

Year in review: Iran sports

TEHRAN – The Iranian sports teams and sportspersons experienced some bright moments and some dark in the Iranian year.

Wheelchair Basketball draw postponed

Having carefully monitored the ongoing situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) threat, the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) along with the Japanese Wheelchair Basketball Federation (JWBF) have reluctantly taken the difficult decision to postpone the draw for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games wheelchair basketball competition.

By Mohammad Ghaderi

Iranians to Western nations: We will never do what you did to us in hard days!

This is my last article for the Tehran Times before the new Persian year arrives. As always, I deeply trust the almighty God’s grace and the pleasing morning of reappearance of Imam Mahdi (MGHHR) to save human being.

UNHCR ‘fully mobilized’ to help Iran contain COVID-19 

TEHRAN - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is fully mobilized to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in Iran, said Ivo Freijsen, UNHCR Representative in Iran.

Coronavirus: 91-year-old Iranian man beats disease

TEHRAN - A 91-year-old man has become the oldest person in Iran to beat coronavirus and return home.

Iran allocates €250m to import anti-corona medicine, equipment

TEHRAN – The Central bank of Iran has allocated at least 250 million euro to import medicine and medical equipment required to fight the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, ISNA reported on Tuesday.

Google Play removes Iranian app intended to curb COVID-19

TEHRAN – Google Play has removed an Iranian application from its app store, claiming that it is suspected of spying on its users.