Coronavirus costs Iran’s tourism $2.8b so far, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s travel sector has suffered a loss of 12 trillion rials (some $2.85 billion at the official rate of 42,000 rials) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan said on Monday.

Safety of para athletes is top priority of Iran’s NPC: Tabe

TEHRAN - The health, wellbeing, and safety of the para athletes is top priority of Iran’s National Paralympic Committee (NPC), the top official said.

‘Diplomacy Package’ to help Iran recover virus-hit tourism

TEHRAN – Iran is formulating a new initiative called “Tourism Diplomacy Package” to help the tourism sector recover from the coronavirus impact through using diplomacy to accelerate development projects and increase incoming tourists.

Freed POWs praise medical staff battling COVID-19

TEHRAN – A number of freed prisoners of war (POWs) went to the Khatam al-Anbia specialized hospital in Tehran on Saturday, appreciating medical staff for their efforts in the fight against the coronavirus.

Third group of Iranians living in Tajikistan return home amid COVID-19

TEHRAN – Some 70 Iranians living in Tajikistan returned to the country due to the global outbreak of coronavirus. This is the third group of people that came back from Tajikistan since the onset of the pandemic.

By Farrokh Hessabi

Dragan Skocic faces dilemma as World Cup qualifiers postponed

TEHRAN - Despite the returning of football matches around the world after a long time on hiatus, the international games are still under the influence of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers are still unclear as to when and how they will be held.

By ZHANG Yuan

International cooperation is indispensable to ease economic pain caused by COVID-19 pandemic

The trade cooperation and friendly exchanges between China and Iran will continue to deepen

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused nearly 20 million confirmed cases around the world. Affected by the epidemic, the world economy is at a more dangerous time than the 2008 financial crisis. The widespread recognition of economic liberalism has shaped an interdependent international society. At least in economic relations, since globalization, the exchanges and cooperation between countries have basically been mutual and been based on fair competition.

Iranian artist Zahra Tarkhan honored at India’s art competition on COVID-19

TEHRAN – Iranian artist Zahra Tarkhan has won an award at an international art competition on COVID-19 organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Iran welcomes Russia’s success in producing COVID-19 vaccine

TEHRAN – Iran welcomes Russia's success and achievements in COVID-19 vaccine production and believes that the international community should also welcome it, the Iranian ambassador to Russia has said.

Sanctions on Iran to affect all countries in COVID-19 battle

TEHRAN – U.S. sanctions against Iran, which have led to a lack of prevention and treatment equipment, will affect all other countries as well, head of the Medical Council has stated.

Iran to play Uzbekistan as planned

TEHRAN – Despite postponement of all Asian qualifying games for the 2022 World Cup, the friendly match between Iran and Uzbekistan will take place as scheduled.

First Tehran-Vienna flight since COVID-19 outbreak scheduled for Saturday 

TEHRAN - Iran’s flag carrier Homa, known internationally as IranAir, is scheduled to resume flights to the Austrian capital, Vienna, following months of suspension over the coronavirus outbreak.

Iran calls for enhanced regional cooperation against COVID-19

TEHRAN – The health program of the Mediterranean countries, in which Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan work together under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), should be expanded in the region, especially in the fight against coronavirus, Health Minister Saeed Namaki has stated.

Iran hosts AFC Media online workshop

TEHRAN – The "Media Rules and Responsibilities Workshop" with the cooperation of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), successfully took place in an online format on 11 August.

The world will degenerate into ‘might makes right’ if U.S. is allowed to ignore law, Zarif warns

Zarif cautions if powers do not respect UN Security Council principles then no nation will acknowledge its authority 

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned that if the United States is allowed to ignore international law “the world will slide backwards toward a ‘might makes right’ standard”.

Putin: Russia becomes first country in the world to register COVID-19 vaccine

Russia has become the first country in the world to register a vaccine against COVID-19, President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday during a government meeting.

Iranian, Italian universities to hold webinar on COVID-19

TEHRAN – Bu-Ali Sina University and Hamedan University of Medical Sciences from Iran and Bari Aldo Moro University of Italy will be holding a webinar on COVID-19 on August 11, ISNA news agency reported.

Corona is a reality but it cannot stop traveling, tourism minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister on Tuesday said that it is true that the coronavirus pandemic is a [bitter] reality but it cannot bring traveling to a complete standstill.

COVID-19 negative PCR test needed for Iraqis visiting Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian authorities have announced that the COVID-19 negative PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test is required for all Iraqi travelers to enter the country, IRNA reported on Tuesday. 

Capable health system helps Iran contain coronavirus, Hamelmann says

TEHRAN – The World Health Organization Representative in Iran, Dr. Christoph Hamelmann, has said that the country’s capable health system has greatly helped it contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Iran, UAE agree to continue dialogue on ‘theme of hope’: Zarif

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday that Iran and the United Arab Emirates agreed to “continue dialogue on theme of hope”.

Qatar Airways increases Doha-Shiraz flights

TEHRAN – Qatar Airways, the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, has increased its Doha-Shiraz flights from four times to seven times a week.

“The Messiah” director Nader Talebzadeh tests positive for COVID-19

TEHRAN – Cinema Organization of Iran director Hossein Entezami said on Sunday that Nader Talebzadeh, director of the TV series “The Messiah”, has contracted COVID-19.

Iran rejects BBC Persian claim of under-reporting COVID-19 mortality

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Health has rejected a BBC Persian’s claim about under-reporting daily COVID-19 deaths and new cases in Iran, suggesting the British Broadcasting Corporation to reveal the doubtful coronavirus statistics reported by the UK government.

IKIA requires negative coronavirus test for passengers

TEHRAN – All passengers coming to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) will need to provide proof they have tested negative for coronavirus to gain entry, said a senior official with the airport.

“Bride of Fire” director Khosro Sinai dies from coronavirus

TEHRAN – Khosro Sinai, director of acclaimed Iranian drama “Bride of Fire” and several documentary films, succumbed in his battle with COVID-19 and died at Tehran’s Amir Alam Hospital on Saturday. He was 79. 

Kuwait Airways to resume Iran flights

TEHRAN - Kuwait Airways has scheduled to resume its service to and from Iran on August 1.