Trade between Iran, U.S. at $49m in 7 months

TEHRAN – The value of trade between Iran and the U.S. stood at $49 million from January to July 2019, according to the latest report released by American Statistical Association (ASA).

Iran-EU trade stands at €2.5b in H1

TEHRAN- The trade between Iran and European Union countries during the first half of 2019 stood at €2.56 billion, Tasnim news agency reported citing the latest report of European Union’s statistics agency Eurostat.

MPs propose entry ban on reporters from pro-sanctions states

TEHRAN – A group of lawmakers have put forward a motion that would ban entry of reporters from countries advocating Washington’s anti-Iran sanctions.

Iran, Afghanistan to accelerate electricity co-op: Iranian energy min.

TEHRAN- Iran and Afghanistan have agreed to accelerate their cooperation in the electricity sector through setting up a joint taskforce, Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian told IRNA in an interview on Saturday.

Nepalese gallery hosts exhibition of Iranian artists  

TEHRAN – “To Remember”, a mixed-media exhibition by Iranian artists Farshid Davudi, Maryam Ashkanian and Sima Shahmoradi, has been organized at the Siddhartha Art Gallery, in Kathmandu, Nepal, the organizers have announced.

“It’s a Good Day to Die” now at Tehran theater

TEHRAN – “It’s a Good Day to Die”, a play by Iranian writer Jamal Hashemi that reveals the effects of the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war on various generations, is on stage in Tehran following several performances in Europe.

China’s Writers Publishing House buys rights to Persian novels “Hasti”, “Call Me Ziba”

TEHRAN – China’s Writers Publishing House has acquired the copyrights to two young adult novels “Hasti” and “Call Me Ziba” by Iranian writer Farhad Hassanzadeh.

Ida Panahandeh on jury of Duhok Intl. Film Festival

TEHRAN – Ida Panahandeh, the Iranian director of acclaimed movies “Nahid” and “Israfil”, has been selected as a member of the jury at the 7th Duhok International Film Festival in Iraq, the organizers have announced.

“Eleventh Golestan” writer Behnaz Zarrabizadeh wins Eurasian Literature Award

TEHRAN – Iranian writer Behnaz Zarrabizadeh has received the Eurasian Literature Award for her book, “The Eleventh Golestan”, which contains memories of Commander Ali Chitsazian’s wife, Zahra Panahirava.

Iranian ship unloads oil at Syrian port: report 

TEHRAN – Sources have said that Iranian tanker Adrian Darya 1 has unloaded its oil at a port in Syria, Tasnim quoted the Middle East Eye as reporting on Saturday.

WCQ: Iran look for strong start

TEHRAN – Iran national football team are hoping to open their account with a victory in Group C against Hong Kong at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

By Martin Love

Trump and fellow gangsters look increasingly foolish

NORTH CAROLINA - The maintenance of the notion that Iran’s leadership must remain steadfast and patient, as it has been since Donald Trump dumped U.S. participation and support for the JCPOA and slammed Iran’s people with draconian sanctions, has never been more imperative, because it is in fact, however tortuous, a winning strategy.

Iranian referee Alireza Faghani plans to move to Australia

TEHRAN - Iranian international football referee Alireza Faghani is going to migrate to Australia with his family.

Iran begins injecting uranium gas into advanced centrifuges 

TEHRAN – The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has begun injecting uranium gas into advanced centrifuges, nuclear spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi announced in a press conference on Saturday.

By Quayyum Raja

The Muslims can’t survive without unity!

MASHAHD - What is the definition of survival?  In my opinion, it is not just an ability to feed oneself or even enjoy life, but an ability to have a voice without which there is no respect and honor in the world.  Whoever doesn’t have a voice, have no say in the matters and decisions affecting their lives as it has been happening ever since the establishment of the United Nations driven by the undemocratic Security Council with a political hegemony. 

By Saeed Sobhani

Biden maneuvers in Texas and Wisconsin

Tehran-Former US Vice President Joe Biden has good standing in public and state polls. This has led to concern for US President Donald Trump. On the other hand, polls show that Biden has been able to challenge Trump in two key states, Wisconsin and Texas.

Farhad Majidi satisfied with friendly match against Uzbekistan

TEHRAN – Iran U23 football coach Farhad Majidi says that the friendly match against Uzbekistan helped them to identify their weak spots.

Cuba calls on the international community to prevent U.S. actions: Alexis Bandrich

Ambassador of Cuba Mr. Alexis Bandrich Vega in the Anti-Imperialist Tribune convened by the Venezuelan Embassy in Iran, Within the framework of the No More Trump Campaign, called on the international community to prevent U.S actions against the integrity of peoples and stop the hostility, folly, and irresponsibility of the current U.S. administration. The following is the full text of his remarks:

Brian Hook offered captain multi-million dollar bribe in effort to seize Iranian tanker

Zarif says U.S. applying ‘outright blackmail’

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday accused the Trump administration of engaging in "outright blackmail" after the Financial Times reported a State Department official offered the captain of an Iran-owned oil tanker millions of dollars to divert the ship to a nation which would detain it on behalf of the United States.

IOOC saves €300m in operation costs annually: CEO

TEHRAN – Managing Director of the Iranian Offshore Oil Company (IOOC) said his company has been saving 300 million euros in its annual expenses since 2016 through structural modifications and regulations, Shana reported.

$360m earmarked for watershed, aquifer management plans

TEHRAN – Some 15 trillion rials (about $360 million) has been allocated for implementing watershed and aquifer management projects in the current Iranian calendar year, which ends on March 20, 2020.

Bypassing law is red line: Judiciary chief

TEHRAN – Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raisi has vowed that circumventing law is a red line for the body under his leadership, calling on the authorities to be completely honest with the people, Mehr reported.

Iran continues Europe talks with pessimism: cleric

TEHRAN – Mohammad Javad Haj Ali Akbari, an interim Friday prayer leader in Tehran, has said Tehran will continue to hold talks with Europe with a pessimistic attitude.

By staff and agency

‘Russia to make efforts to preserve nuclear deal’

Russian State Duma’s (lower house) Foreign Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky said on Friday that Moscow will push ahead with efforts to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Pentagon chief says not after seizing Adrian Darya 1

TEHRAN – U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Thursday the Pentagon had no plan to seize the Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, which was seized off Gibraltar in July and released after a month despite U.S. pressures.

Britain rejects to take tough stance on Iran as Netanyahu meets Johnson

TEHRAN – Downing Street on Thursday appeared to reject Israeli calls for Britain to take a harder line against Iran, despite Tehran warning it will continue to reduce its commitment to the 2015 nuclear deal this weekend.   

Europe is failing: journalist

TEHRAN – As all eyes are fixed on Europe's diplomatic efforts to salvage the Iran nuclear deal, a senior journalist gave an exclusive interview to Euronews.