Taliban needs to reform based on democratic ways, says Zarif

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif spoke at the Raisina Dialogue 2021 forum on situation in Afghanistan on Friday, saying the Taliban needs to reform itself.

E3 negotiators meet with Iran’s Araghchi in Vienna

TEHRAN — In continuation of consultations between Iran and the P4+1 talks for a possible revival of the JCPOA, heads of the E3 delegates met with Seyed Abbas Araghchi, head of the Iranian negotiating team in Vienna on Friday.

Tehran calls Washington’s sanctions on Russia a wrong move 

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Friday that new U.S. sanctions against Russia is a wrong move and completely unacceptable.

Iran expresses ‘grave concern’ over recent events in Iraq

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Friday expressed grave concern over the events in the past few days in Iraq, particularly a car explosion at Baghdad, which left four people killed and 20 wounded.

Rouhani criticizes Europeans for misconception about Iran’s nuclear decision 

TEHRAN — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday harshly criticized the European countries for their recent comments on Iran’s nuclear activities, saying Europeans have formulated a wrong perception about Iran’s nuclear activities. 

Natanz sabotage is U.S. job, says Iranian MP

TEHRAN — Seyed Mahmood Nabavian, a senior Iranian MP, on Friday blamed the U.S. for the sabotage in the Natanz nuclear facility, saying Israel will not do anything without the permission of the United States.

Iran insists Ukrainian plane shootdown was accidental 

TEHRAN — Spokesman for the secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council said on Friday that Iran has explained to the Ukrainian National Defense and Security Council secretary that the downing of the Ukrainian passenger plane near Tehran on January 8, 2020 was a result of human error. 

Actor Mohsen Qazi-Moradi dies at 80

TEHRAN –Iranian actor Mohsen Qazi-Moradi died at his home in Tehran at the age of 80 on Wednesday, his wife actress Mahvash Vaqari announced.

Troupe to give reading of Simon’s “The Good Doctor” in Tehran

TEHRAN – A group of actors will perform a reading of American playwright Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor” in Tehran, Mehr reported on Friday.

‘Iranian free zones register positive trade balance over past 2 years’

TEHRAN - The Secretary of Iranian Free Zones High Council Hamidreza Mo’meni said the trade balance of the country’s free and special economic zones has been positive in the past two years despite the negative balance of the country's foreign trade.

By Mohammad Araghi

Most popular festivals that reflect Iran’s cultural spirit 

TEHRAN - In order to promote the rich Iranian culture, we have explored the most popular Iranian festive and commemorative events by going on a journey into the Iranian world of religious spirituality and cultural entertainment.

“Radiograph of a Family” to compete in Krakow film festival 

TEHRAN –“Radiograph of a Family”, a co-production of Norway, Iran, and Switzerland by Firuzeh Khosrovani will go on screen at the International Documentary Competition at the 61st Krakow Film Festival.

Namayesh Radio reviews works by Mark Twain

TEHRAN –Works by American writer, humorist, novelist, and lecturer Mark Twain were reviewed during a program on Thursday on Namayesh Radio, an IRIB’s radio station dedicated to audio plays and performances.  

What’s in Tehran art galleries

Note: Some of the following art exhibitions are being organized online in order to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

Mirror of the sky: Visit Hoz-e Sultan to be turned into tourism hub

TEHRAN – Tourism directorate of Qom province is set to turn Hoz-e Sultan, a lonely salt lake in the heart of Iran, into a tourism hub.   "Hoz-e Sultan, which is one of the biggest natural mirrors in the country, will be turned into a tourism hub… and one of its goals is to empower the local communities by creating job opportunities," the provincial tourism chief, Alireza Arjmandi, said on Thursday.  

Iconic souvenirs and gifts to bring home from Iran

TEHRAN - Strolling through any bazaar in Iran, you see rich diversity, especially in Persian handicrafts and confectionery, that makes it difficult to choose one. 

Vacation destinations in northern Iran: Gilan awaits you with wonders

TEHRAN - The lush green Gilan province, bounded by the Caspian Sea and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the north, is one of the most picturesque places to visit in Iran.

Iran to avoid protracted nuclear talks: FM Zarif

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has ruled out the prospect of Iran and the P4+1 engaging in a process of talks for the sake of talks, saying the duration of the nuclear negotiations is determined by national interests. 

Iranian universities hosting students from 133 countries

TEHRAN – Students from 133 countries are currently studying in Iranian universities, Afshin Akhoundzadeh, head of the office for non-Iranian students at the Organization of Student Affairs said on Thursday.

Health projects worth $12.6m inaugurated

TEHRAN – Some 29 health projects worth 530 billion rials (nearly $12.6 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) were inaugurated in Zanjan province on Thursday.

West considers Iran-China strategic ties a threat, says Iranian diplomat

TEHRAN — In an interview with the Global Times published on Thursday, Mohammad Keshavarzzadeh, the Iranian ambassador to Beijing has pointed out that the West is propagating against strategic ties between Iran and China, since it considers the cooperation as a “threat.”

Iranian coach Dastneshan dies of COVID-19

TEHRAN - Iranian football coach Nader Dastneshan passed away on Friday from COVID-19.

Mohsen Bayatinia named Saipa interim coach: IPL

TEHRAN – Mohsen Bayatinia has been named as Saipa football team interim coach on Friday.

IMF revises estimates of Iran’s reserves following CBI objection

TEHRAN - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its estimate of Iran’s total gross official reserves to $115 billion, following the Central Bank of Iran (CBI)’s objection about the fund’s incorrect estimates of the mentioned index.

Nearly $4b paid to SMEs, semi-finished projects in a year

TEHRAN - Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mining and Trade’s data show that 167 trillion rials (nearly $3.97 billion) has been paid to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and semi-finished industrial projects with an over 60 percent physical progress during the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20).

TSE experiences a slight weekly decline of its main index

TEHRAN- TEDPIX, the main index of Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), dropped 6,000 points, or 0.5 percent, in the past Iranian calendar week.

Leader: Nuclear deal talks must not be prolonged

TEHRAN — In a televised speech broadcast late on Wednesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pointed to the ongoing negotiations in Vienna for a possible revival of the 2015 nuclear deal, saying negotiations must not last long.

177 industrial units start activity in Zanjan province in a year

TEHRAN- As announced by a provincial official, 177 new industrial units started activity in Zanjan province during the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20).