To avoid Iran ire, Japan may send ships off Yemen: report

Japanese government sources say Tokyo is not willing to join a U.S.-led naval mission purportedly aimed at protecting shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf, but is mulling over sending ships off Yemen.

‘Iran won't hesitate to safeguard its security’ in the Persian Gulf, Zarif insists

Zarif: Persian Gulf is a ‘national security priority for Iran’

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday that the Persian Gulf is a “national security priority for Iran” and that Tehran will not “hesitate to safeguard its security” in this strategic waterway, which he described as a “vital lifeline” for the Islamic Republic.

By Negar Asadi

Healthy economy is antidote to sanctions on Iran: scholar

TEHRAN - A prominent scholar, believes that fighting corruption and building a healthy foundation for economy are catalysts to resist sanctions and external pressure on Iran.

Iran has right to counter Israeli presence in U.S.-led coalition in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – Tehran says it has a right to counter the presence of Israel in a U.S.-led coalition in the Persian Gulf.

MP: U.S. coalition in Persian Gulf doomed to failure

TEHRAN – A top lawmaker has slammed the U.S. decision to form a naval coalition in the Persian Gulf, saying such efforts will definitely lead nowhere.

'US-led PG mission will sow insecurity in region'

'US-led PG mission will sow insecurity in region' Iran's defense chief says a United States-proposed coalition, which Washington purports would seek to beef up maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, will foment insecurity in the region.

Plan on protection of southern coasts to be prepared

TEHRAN – A comprehensive plan for environmental conservation and management of coastal areas in southern Iran will be prepared by the next year, Mehr news agency reported on Wednesday.

Sanctioning Iran’s foreign minister is futile: FT

TEHRAN - In a commentary on Tuesday, the Financial Times criticized the U.S. sanctions against Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister, saying the Trump administration has “probably blocked the best path back to mediation” by sanctioning Zarif who is “considered by his peers as one of the canniest diplomats around.”

MP warns against trans-regional military presence in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – The military presence of trans-regional countries in the Persian Gulf region is a full example of foreign interference, an Iranian parliamentarian warned on Tuesday.

Iran unveils new smart bombs

TEHRAN – Iran on Tuesday unveiled three new precision-guided smart bombs, in a ceremony with Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Website.

By Afshin Majlesi

The ancient art of making ships in southern Iran

TEHRAN – Maritime trade, shipping and shipbuilding have long been practiced in Iran. There have been many small or big shipyards across the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf.

Any Security Arrangement in Persian Gulf Should Be Endorsed by Iran: US Academic

TEHRAN – An American academic and political analyst said any measures aimed at boosting security in the Persian Gulf region need to be endorsed by all stakeholders, including Iran.

By Sadeq Dehqan & Amirhadi Arsalanpour

MP: US has no choice but to return to JCPOA

In order to preserve a nuclear agreement with Iran, “there is no choice for the United States and the European countries but to adhere to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” said the Iranian lawmaker, Seyyed Hossein Naqavi-Hosseini.

Military conflict in Persian Gulf highly unlikely, says Iranian general

TEHRAN – Head of the Iranian Army’s Strategic Studies believes that the possibility of a military conflict in the Persian Gulf region is decreasing as no state wants to see a new crisis in the region.

IRGC seizes foreign tanker smuggling fuel

TEHRAN – Forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have seized a foreign oil tanker in the Persian Gulf that was smuggling fuel to Arab countries.

By Morteza Khansari

Germany hampering Brexit and Johnson’s administration 

TEHRAN - These days, Germany is receiving many requests from the United States and Britain to join an international coalition to control the Strait of Hormuz and take part in joint navy projects in the Persian Gulf. 

By staff and agency

Europeans to opt for route of dialogue with Iran

Nathalie Tocci, special adviser to European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, has said that the Europeans will opt for “dialogue” and “diplomacy” with Iran on the issue of security in the Persian Gulf region.

Russia: Persian Gulf mission crude attempt by U.S. to pressure Iran

TEHRAN - On Thursday Russia spoke against a U.S.-proposed naval coalition in the Persian Gulf, saying it is a pretext for Washington to further pressure Tehran and destabilize the Persian Gulf region.

By staff and agency

UN chief calls for ‘maximum restraint’ in Persian Gulf region

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for “maximum restraint” to prevent further escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf region.

Tehran, Abu Dhabi sign MOU on maritime security cooperation

TEHRAN – The United Arab Emirates and Iran on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance maritime border security cooperation.

By staff and agency

Spain, Japan reject to join U.S.-led Persian Gulf coalition

Madrid and Tokyo have rejected an official request from Washington to participate in a naval coalition in the Persian Gulf.

Iran expresses positive view toward Russia’s Persian Gulf security proposal

TEHRAN – Tehran has expressed its positive outlook towards a Russia-proposed security plan to reduce tension in the Persian Gulf region.

By Zahra Mirzafarjouyan:

Signs of tension reduction appearing in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN– After years of tensions between Iran and some Persian Gulf states particularly in recent months in the Strait of Hormuz, reports indicate the emergence of tensions reduction in this strategic region.

Iran draws a record 600,000 medical travelers in four months

TEHRAN – Iran hosted a record high of nearly 600,000 medical travelers during the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-July 21), nearly equal to the figure for the whole past year (March 2018-19), according to an Iranian association for the health tourism promotion.

Iran, Russia to hold joint naval drills in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – The commander of the Iranian Navy has said Iran and Russia will soon hold a joint war game in the Indian Ocean which will extend to the Strait of Hormuz and also the Persian Gulf.

IRGC releases video of capturing UK ship

TEHRAN – The Islamic Revolution Guards Crops (IRGC) on Monday released audio and video footages warning a British Royal Navy warship to stay out of way as IRGC boats move to seize a UK-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

Don’t interfere in my operation: IRGC boat warns UK warship

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Crops (IRGC) has released audio and video footage of its warning to a British Royal Navy warship to stay out of way as it moves to seize a UK-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

Iran should welcome de-escalation gesture with Arab neighbors, MP says

TEHRAN - Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, a member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, is of the opinion that Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region are seeking to de-escalate tension in the region, a movement which he says Iran should welcome.

Solving Persian Gulf crises entails collective wisdom: envoy

TEHRAN – Iran’s ambassador to Ecuador has said solving the crises facing the Persian Gulf region requires multilateral efforts and collective wisdom.

Italy after de-escalation of tensions, envoy says

TEHRAN – Italian Ambassador to Tehran Giuseppe Perrone has said his country’s goal is to reduce the tensions in the Persian Gulf, calling on Tehran to return to implementing the 2015 nuclear agreement which was unilaterally ditched last year by the United States.