Persian Gulf Star Refinery’s 3rd phase comes on stream

TEHRAN- The third phase of Persian Gulf Star Refinery (PGSR), in south of Iran, was put into operation on Wednesday, IRNA reported.

Ayatollah Khamenei: First-class idiots in Washington

TEHRAN – The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said on Wednesday that some U.S. officials are “first-class idiots”, questioning the sensibility of their failing plots against Iran.

By Mohammad Ghaderi

Who is the new member of the U.S. National Security Council?

TEHRAN - Richard Goldberg, a Grand Old Party foreign policy expert, is joining the White House's National Security Council as its new Director for Countering Iranian weapons of mass destruction. Earlier in the Obama era, he was the main designer and negotiator of the Congress on Iran's sanctions and resigned after concluding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA.

Zarif: Traditional partners prioritized amid EU procrastination

TEHRAN – Tehran would not wait for the Europeans and their special payment system and will work with its traditional partners, like India, China and Russia, in order to fulfill the interests of Iranians, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said as he visited India late Monday.

By Martin Love

A random litany of potentially better news for Iran seen from 8000 miles

NORTH CAROLINA - Iran is allegedly planning joint naval exercises with Russia in the Caspian Sea. The government in Kabul is said to be open to stronger ties and cooperation with Tehran. More countries are allegedly intending to keep open trade channels with Tehran, especially India and Pakistan, even if there’s no clear evidence yet of a European “Special Purposes Vehicle” to bypass U.S. economic sanctions on Iran for trade purposes.

Addiction treatment in Iran hampered by U.S. sanctions

TEHRAN – A recent statement by the director of Prevention and Treatment Development at the State Welfare Organization of Iran shows that despite Washington claims that sanctions are targeted at the Islamic Republic, it is ordinary Iranians in need that are to face the fallout.

Iran arrests 25 for disturbing forex market

TEHRAN – The Intelligence Ministry announced on Monday that it had arrested 25 members of two criminal networks that had infiltrated into Iran’s banking and foreign currency systems.

‘IRGC scientific progresses would revolutionize global beliefs if divulged’

TEHRAN – Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) second-in-command, said on Monday should the IRGC unveil its scientific and academic achievements, the beliefs of the people of the world would be “revolutionized”.

Joining FATF will leave no excuse by the other side: MP

TEHRAN – MP Mostafa Kavakebian has said while there’s no guarantee that Iran’s banking problems would be resolved after joining the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), doing so would put an end to excuses by the other side.

Iran named one of top ‘national security threats’ to U.S.

TEHRAN – In an official U.S. government report listing top 26 perceived security threats, China, Russia and Iran have been identified as the biggest three “national security threats” to the United States.

Space sector budget has increased

TEHRAN – Due to its priorities and missions, the budget for the space sector for the next calendar year (starting on March 21) has increased, according to a report by IRNA.

12,000 traffic-related deaths occurred in 8 months 

TEHRAN— The number of traffic-related deaths occurred in the country in the first 8 months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2018) amounted to 12,261, a 0.9 percent rise year on year. 

Tehran city council to discuss naming a street after Sanchi victims 

TEHRAN — As per a request submitted by the National Iranian Tanker Company to Tehran city council, the council will discuss naming a street after victims of Sanchi oil tanker tragedy [in which the tanker burned and sank off the coast of China on January 6, 2018], the council chairman said on Sunday.

50 houses built by Basij for the underprivileged in Tehran 

TEHRAN— Volunteer forces of Basij, the Organization for Mobilization of the Oppressed, have completed building 50 houses for the financially struggling residents of Lahak village in Islamshahr, southwestern Tehran. 

Magnitude 5.9 earthquake rocks western city of Gilan-e Gharb

TEHRAN—An earthquake measuring 5.9 on Richter scale shook the western city of Gilan-e Gharb, Kermanshah province, on Sunday. 

Australian ambassador meets Hormozgan governor 

TEHRAN – The Australian Ambassador to Iran, Ian Biggs, met with Hormozgan Province governor Fereidoun Hemmati in Bandar Abbas on Sunday.

Iran, Russia to hold naval drills

TEHRAN - Navy Chief Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said on Sunday that Iran and Russia plan to hold joint naval drills in the Caspian Sea in the near future.

By Javad Heirannia

I do not think SPV covering wide areas of trade: Nephew

TEHRAN – Richard Nephew, who served as the lead sanctions expert for the U.S. team negotiating with Iran, is of the opinion that “I do think that there will be something called the SPV eventually created that facilitates trade between Europe and Iran, but I do not think it will be the same sort of SPV that was announced in September, covering wide areas of trade.”

Seyed Amin Saneey Mehri

Reviving the glory of Mofakham Mansion and Garden is around corner

The city of Bojnord or Bijan Yord as it was called in the past, has been established in 1689 by Tavali Khan II, an Amir from Shadloo tribe, and has experienced many ups and downs during its lifetime.

Iran observes vessels construction standards

TEHRAN – Amir Rastegari, managing director of the Defense Ministry’s Marine Industries Organization, said on Saturday that Iran observes international standards in manufacturing vessels and equipment.

Ancient spearhead found in central Iran

TEHRAN – A metal spearhead, believed to be handmade in ancient times, has recently been discovered in Yazd province, central Iran.

‘Pakistan eyeing Iran’s experience to develop infrastructure’

TEHRAN – Akbar Ayub Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province’s minister for communication and works department, has expressed Pakistan’s desire to benefit from Iran’s vast experiences to develop its infrastructure.

Iranian crafters to exhibit skills in Milan

TEHRAN – Several Iranian crafters are to attend the 2019 edition of HOMI Milano international fair, which will be held in the Italian city from 25 to 28.

Bandar-Tang where desert meets sea

A small boat is at anchor in Bandar-Tang where barren desert reaches the Sea of Oman, southeast Iran, December 29, 2018.

U.S. arrivals in Iran up 27% in 7 months on year

TEHRAN – A total of 1,665 U.S. nationals visited Iran during the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2018), an increase of 27 percent year on year.

Qanats offer clues to ancient way of life in Iran

TEHRAN – For thousands of years, qanat systems have supplied water to agricultural and permanent settlements in arid regions of Iran, tapping alluvial aquifers at the heads of valleys and conducting the water along underground tunnels by gravity, often over many kilometers.

11 new eco-lodges in Kordestan get operating licenses

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism body has issued operating licenses for 11 eco-lodges, which are being constructed across the western Kordestan province.

By Martin Love

For Iran as with Syria, a critical mass of unified and determined citizens will defeat aggressors

TEHRAN - No one can say whether U.S. President Donald Trump is changing his stripes. But he is sure as the perfection of the Muslim “Jannah” or the beauty of an exquisite Iranian rose or a fine carpet from Shiraz shaking up his usual allies, and not those merely in the U.S., but overseas, too.