Russia calls U.S. attempt to extend arms embargo on Iran ‘unjustifiable’

TEHRAN - Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative to the Vienna-based international organizations, has said that the United States’ attempt to revise the provisions of the UN Security Council’s 2231 resolution to extend arms embargo on Iran is “counterproductive” and “unjustifiable”.

Qatar says PGCC’s Iran stance not reflecting position of members

TEHRAN - Mutlaq bin Majed al-Qahtani, a senior Qatari Foreign Ministry official, has said that the latest anti-Iran stance of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council does not reflect the position of member states.

Zarif: U.S. not in position to trigger UN sanctions snapback

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday that the United States is not in a position to trigger the snapback mechanism which returns all the UN sanctions on Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

20 wonderful, must-see cultural sites in Iran

If you ask foreign visitors to Iran about the most characteristic future they discovered during excursions in the ancient land, the most possible answers may be somewhat like these: “It is the friendliest country on Earth with loads of warm-hearted welcome!”; “It is the jewel in Islam’s crown in terms of architecture”; “Being home to fascinating cultural heritage sites”; or “a land where echoes of ancient civilizations still resonate down through the ages!”

Iran rejects claims about partial removal of sanctions

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi has rejected claims that the so-called non-targeted sanctions have been partially removed.

Five arrested in Iran for spying

TEHRAN – Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaeili announced on Tuesday that authorities have arrested five Iranian nationals on charges of spying for Israel, Britain and Germany.

Trump had four years for successful diplomacy with Iran: government

TEHRAN - Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump had four years of time to start a successful diplomacy with Iran by adopting a right and legal path.

Marzieh Motahhari

Iran-China deal: The U.S. is defied

The Iran-China deal has been drawing a lot of attention. The yet-to-be finalized 25-year partnership has been strongly criticized by American officials, as it seems to threaten U.S. interests and hegemony, particularly in the West Asia region.

New generation of running blade prosthetics unveiled

The new generation of running blade prosthetics was unveiled in a ceremony on Sunday in the presence of Sourena Sattari, the vice president for science and technology.

Decision made to counter oil sanctions, redirect liquidity

TEHRAN – At a meeting of the Supreme Council of Economic Coordination attended by heads of the three branches of government on Monday afternoon, it was decided to draw up plans to counter oil embargo and redirect the high liquidity, which is partly blamed for the high inflation rate.

Iran urges UN Security Council to reject U.S. bullying

TEHRAN - Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, has said that the UN Security Council should reject the United States’ bullying and unilateralism.

Zarif says Iran to recover its blocked money through various ways

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that Iran will return its money blocked in other countries through various ways including barter trade.

Maximum pressure policy has little to do with diplomacy: Russia

TEHRAN - Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia’s permanent representative to the Vienna-based international organizations, has said that the United States’ policy of “maximum pressure” against Iran has little to do with diplomacy.

FFIRI waits for FIFA’s advice to finalize the federation’s statutes: spox

TEHRAN – Iran football federation spokesman Amir Mehdi Alavi has said that they are waiting for FIFA’s advice to finalize the amendment of the federation’s statutes.

UNSC is facing a big test, Iran says

TEHRAN - Presidential chief of staff Mahmoud Vaezi said on Monday that the United Nations Security Council is facing “a big test” to show its independence in countering violation of the 2231 resolution.

Countryside Animafest Cyprus to screen “The Crab”

TEHRAN – Iranian director Shiva Sadeq-Asadi’s short film “The Crab” is competing in the 19th Countryside Animafest Cyprus, which is currently underway in Salamiou, Cyprus.

Maduro calls Iran-Venezuela relations ‘unbreakable’

TEHRAN – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that relations between Iran and Venezuela are “deep” and “unbreakable”.

European insurers should pay compensation for Ukrainian plane crash: Iran

TEHRAN - The chief of Iran’s Central Insurance Organization announced on Monday that the Ukrainian plane that was mistakenly downed near Tehran in early January had been insured by European insurers and therefore they should pay the compensation for the incident.

By staff and agency

Persian Gulf Cooperation Council calls for extension of Iran arms embargo: Bloomberg

In a report published by Bloomberg on Sunday, it is said that the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council has called on the United Nations Security Council to extend an arms embargo against Iran.

Iran will overcome challenges through solidarity, resistance: official

TEHRAN - Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council said on Sunday that Iran will overcome the existing challenges by doubling down on national solidarity and active resistance.

Zarif signs memorial notebook for victims of Beirut explosion

Iran ready to help rebuild ruined places in Beirut

TEHRAN – On Saturday, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visited the Lebanese embassy in Tehran to sign a notebook in memory of the victims of a massive explosion in Beirut port which left at least 150 people dead and 5,000 injured.

Final report on Ukrainian plane crash to be published soon: minister

TEHRAN - Minister of Transport and Urban Development Mohammad Eslami said on Sunday that the final report on the Ukrainian plane crash will be published soon.

Mesbahi-Moghadam: Accepting FATF is synonymous with ‘distortion’

TEHRAN - Gholamreza Mesbahi-Moghadam, a member of the Expediency Council, has said that any talk about accepting the FATF (the Financial Action Task Force) is a “distortion” of the country’s power.

Iran will stand beside Iraqis: ambassador

TEHRAN - Iraj Masjedi, Tehran’s ambassador to Baghdad, has said that Iran will stand beside the Iraqis as it did when they were fighting Daesh.

Iran searching for safe platform to organize Fajr Film Festival online

TEHRAN – Cinema Organization of Iran director Hossein Entezami announced on Sunday that the organization is searching for a safe platform to organize the Fajr Film Festival online if the pandemic continues until February 2021.

Lebanese man, daughter shot dead in Tehran

TEHRAN – A Lebanese man and his daughter were shot and killed in northern Tehran by an unknown assailant on Friday, the Mehr news agency reported.

Iran to participate in reconstructing damaged parts in Beirut: diplomat

TEHRAN - Mohammad Jalal Firouznia, Tehran’s ambassador to Lebanon, has said that Iran plans to play an active role in reconstructing parts of the Lebanese capital Beirut devastated by a huge explosion.

Iran sets up field hospital in Beirut

Iran has dispatched two shipments of humanitarian aid to Beirut following devastating explosions in the Lebanese capital, the Mehr news agency correspondent from Beirut reported. The consignments include food and medical supplies, and field hospitals for treatment of the injured.