Washington to pay $7b in exchange for four spies

TEHRAN-- The Lebanese news network, Al Mayadeen reported that the Islamic Republic has agreed to release four Americans accused of spying for the CIA. In exchange, Washington will release four detained Iranians, in addition to unfreezing $7 billion of Iranian assets in the U.S.

FICP names Zarif as presidential candidate

TEHRAN— Hossein Mar’ashi, spokesman for Functionaries of Iran's Construction Party (FICP), announced the final shortlist of its presidential candidates.

Khalilian announces presidential candidacy

TEHRAN— Former minister of agriculture who served in Ahmadinejad’s administration from 2009 to 2013, announced that he would run for president in the upcoming presidential election.

Relief foundation, IRGC join hands to create jobs for the deprived

TEHRAN – The Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation in cooperation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will generate 50,000 jobs for the underprivileged individuals in the current Iranian calendar year (began March 20), IRIB reported on Sunday.

Spa tourism to take off the ground in Ilam 

TEHRAN – The tourism infrastructure of the natural spa region in Dehloran, the western province of Ilam is planned to be developed, the provincial tourism chief has said. 

Gang of excavators arrested in northwestern Iran

TEHRAN –Iranian police have recently arrested a gang of illegal diggers in Khodabandeh county, northwestern Zanjan province.

Authorities to free up lands surrounding historic ice storage

TEHRAN – Local authorities have approved to free up [private] lands, which are situated within the legal boundaries of a mudbrick ice storage near the Iranian capital.  

2800 historical documents restored in National Library of Iran

TEHRAN – A total of 2800 folios of manuscripts and historical documents were restored by panels of experts at the National Library of and Archives Iran throughout the past Iranian calendar year ended on March 20.

“The Decadent Society” dominates Iranian bookstores

TEHRAN – American writer Ross Douthat’s book “The Decadent Society: How We Became the Victims of Our Own Success” has recently been published in Persian.

Iran holds Quran exhibition in Uganda

TEHRAN - An open-air exhibition of the Holy Quran is currently underway at the culture center of the Embassy of Iran in the Ugandan capital of Kampala. 

“White Winged Horse” named most innovative short at Canadian festival

TEHRAN – Iranian director Mahyar Mandegar’s movie “White Winged Horse” has won the Senior Youth Jury Award for Most Innovative Short Film at the 23rd Reel to Reel Festival in Vancouver, Canada.

Persian poet Ahmad Shamlu’s “Abraham in the Fire” published in Italian

TEHRAN – “Abraham in the Fire” by Ahmad Shamlu, one of Iran’s most influential literary figures of the 20th century, has been published in Italian.

Culture Ministry honors composer Taqi Zarrabi, painter Amir-Hushang Jazizadeh 

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance honored maestro Taqi Zarrabi and painter Amir-Hushang Jazizadeh on Sunday for their lifetime achievements in training several generations of students.

London Grosvenor Gallery showcases prints by Parviz Tanavoli

TEHRAN – Prints created by Iranian artist Parviz Tanavoli during the 1970s are on display in an exhibition at Grosvenor Gallery in London.

Rome exhibit turns spotlight on Bushehr tourism 

Russian museum hangs artworks inspired by Persian poet Nezami 

TEHRAN – The State Museum of Oriental Art in Moscow is showcasing artworks inspired by Nezami Ganjavi, the Persian poet who lived during the 12th and early 13th centuries. 

Sassanid-era citadel to turn into cultural heritage base

TEHRAN – Qale Iraj, a gigantic mudbrick citadel dating back to Sassanid period (224–651) in southern Tehran, is set to be turned into a national cultural heritage base.

Traditional Lenj boat to emerge as three-star hotel in southern Iran

TEHRAN – A traditional Iranian Lenj vessel is set to be turned into a three-star hotel in the port city of Kong, southern Iran.

Museum of archaeology in Yasuj ready for inauguration 

TEHRAN – The construction operation of an archaeology museum has been finished in the ancient city of Yasuj, the capital of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

Iran imports 1m doses of COVID-19 vaccine from China

TEHRAN – Iran received the largest shipment of coronavirus vaccine, containing 1 million doses, from China on Sunday, IRNA reported.

Raisi holds large leads over others in opinion poll

TEHRAN – Presumptive presidential candidate Ayatollah Seyed Ibrahim Raisi is leading all other potential candidates in the upcoming presidential election of Iran, a recent poll showed. 

International conference on law and armed conflicts to be held in Qom

A conference on Yemen war and International Law of Armed Conflicts to be held in Qom on 06 May 2021.

Syrian expo to showcase Iran’s potential in medicinal plants industry

TEHRAN – Iranian knowledge-based companies will attend the Agritex Exhibition for Agriculture and Veterinary Supplies 2021, which will be held in Syria on 19-24 June, to put the country’s potential in the field of medicinal plants on display.

DOE, Interpol to cooperate on fighting wildlife trafficking

TEHRAN – The Department of Environment (DOE) and the International Criminal Police Organization will set up a joint committee in Iran to fight against wildlife trafficking, ISNA reported on Sunday.

Vienna talks to lead to ‘new deal’: senior MP

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian lawmaker has said that the Vienna nuclear talks between Iran and world powers are expected to lead to a new deal, warning the Iranian negotiating team against falling into the American “trap.”

Faraz Kamalvand named Saipa coach

TEHRAN – Faraz Kamalvand was named as new coach of Saipa football team on Sunday.

Rouhani orders IRICA to facilitate clearance of basic goods

TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has ordered the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) to take the necessary measures for the clearance of basic goods deposited at the country’s customs.