Iranian official: USS Lincoln in Arabian Sea

TEHRAN - An Iranian official has said that the USS Abraham Lincoln is stationed in the Arabian Sea and not moving towards the Persian Gulf. Earlier this week, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces in the region had been placed on “high alert,” but no evidence was presented to justify the elevated security posture.

5-year plan launched to safeguard Zagros forests

TEHRAN — A 5-year conservation plan for Zagros forests has been designed and gone into effect this year (starting on March 21), an official with Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Organization (FRWO) has said.

Indian Shias donate $715,000 to Iran’s flood victims

TEHRAN — Shia Muslims in India have made contributions of 30 billion rials (nearly $715,000) to help victims of recent floods in Iran, Mehr news agency reported on Friday.

Younger generations must be trusted, cleric says

TEHRAN – Mohammad-Hassan Aboutorabi Fard, the interim Friday prayer leader of Tehran, says the younger generations must be trusted in order to boost development and achieve a stronger economy.

By staff and agency

U.S. House speaker: Congress has not approved war against Iran

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday that the Trump administration does not have congressional authorization to go to war against Iran.

Akbar Kiasalari :

Devastating Flash Floods and Preventing from Its Happening in Future

According to the expert officials of the Ministry of Energy, occurrence of heavy and unprecedented spring rainfalls in the first Iranian month of Farvardin in 2016 has been unprecedented in most west and southwest part of the country, the issue of which incurred physical and financial damages to a number of dear fellow countrymen severely.

Iranian museums to offer free admission on May 18

TEHRAN – On May 18, which marks the International Museum Day, entry will be free to museums and historical sites affiliated with the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.

Zarif says Iran most sustainable, secure partner in region

TEHRAN (FNA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that his country is most reliable and secure country in the region, voicing Tehran’s readiness for broadening regional cooperation.

‘U.S. not looking for war with Iran’

TEHRAN - Brian Hook, the U.S. special representative for Iran, has said that the U.S. is not looking for war with Iran

U.S. does not seek war with Iran, says Mike Pompeo

TEHRAN - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said the United States does not seek a war with Iran, amid rapidly growing tensions between the two countries.

Iran has stopped implementing parts of JCPOA: source

TEHRAN – An informed source at the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) tells the Tehran Times that Iran has stopped implementing some parts of its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

By Yuram Abdullah Weiler

Upping the Ante: U.S. officials threaten Iran...again

“The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or regular Iranian forces.” —John Bolton

Trump dismisses report of plan to send 120,000 troops to counter Iran

US President Donald Trump has rejected a New York Times report that American officials are preparing a military plan to deploy up to 120,000 troops to the Middle East to counter any threat by Iran.

Russia says Washington is to blame for Iran’s accumulation of excess enriched uranium

TEHRAN - Tehran is unable to export enriched uranium and heavy water exactly because of U.S. sanctions that encumber implementation of certain provisions of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a Russian official has said, Sputniknews reported on Tuesday.

Iran dismisses report on alleged demand to stay in nuclear deal

TEHRAN - Tehran on Tuesday dismissed a report by Reuters which claimed that the Islamic Republic had conditioned its staying in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Europe ensuring that the country sold 1.5 mbpd of oil.

Landmark exhibit celebrates Asia’s cultural richness

TEHRAN – On Monday, at Beijing’s National Museum of China, doors opened on a major exhibition titled “The Splendor of Asia: An exhibit of Asian Civilizations,” that is aimed to present a wealth and diversity of cultural heritage across the Asian continent.

Iran, China back Afghan peace efforts under Kabul direction 

TEHRAN – The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Special Envoy on Afghan Affairs, Deng Xijun, and his entourage held talks with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi in Tehran on Monday, expressing support for efforts to bring lasting peace to the country under the leadership and supervision of the central government.

Quirky and unusual places to stay in Iran

TEHRAN – With its countless historical sites, natural and rural landscapes, foodie scenes and elegant hotels, Iran is known for being quirky and forward thinking. It is home to many unusual hostels, hotels or eco-lodges. 

U.S. waging psychological war on Iran: top MP

TEHRAN – A top lawmaker believes that the United States has waged a psychological war against the Islamic Republic.

Rouhani agrees to prioritize five security, defense projects

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani has approved five draft laws proposed by the Supreme Council for Science, Research and Technology to prioritize a number of mega national projects in security and defense fields.

Researchers discover flat cup coral habitat in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN — Researchers have discovered one of the main habitats of flat cup coral in the Persian Gulf, ISNA news agency reported on Monday.

Tehran city council mulling over gondola lift transport

TEHRAN — Tehran city council is weighing up the pros and cons of setting up gondola lifts as urban transport in northern Tehran, councilor Mohammad Alikhani has said.

Special adviser to Mogherini says U.S. pressure is making Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA impossible 

Mogherini reiterates support for Iran nuclear deal

TEHRAN – European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Monday she would continue to support the 2015 nuclear pact because Iran continued to comply with inspections, Euronews reported.

Beijing to host loan exhibit from National Museum of Iran

TEHRAN – The National Museum of China, which flanks the eastern side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, is to showcase a loan collection of relics from the National Museum of Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

Badab-e Surt: The rolling hills and lush landscape

Sure, trips to Tehran, Isfahan or Shiraz are nice — but sometimes the best vacations come from traveling off the beaten path.

Kamalvandi says Russia will continue to build other phase of Bushehr nuclear plant

Tehran says its new measures are within JCPOA framework

TEHRAN – Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization spokesman has said the country has started a new level of activities under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as a countermeasure to the United States’ withdrawal from the deal and reimposition of sanctions.

UN envoy meets Iranian ambassador to Baghdad

TEHRAN – The United Nations’ special representative for Iraq has met with Iran’s Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi.

Iran to hold permanent crafts exhibit in Vienna 

TEHRAN – Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization is going to set up a permanent handicrafts exhibition in Vienna.

Benefactors donate $480,000 to free prisoners of unintentional crimes

TEHRAN — Concurrent with the holy month of Ramadan benefactors have donated some 20 billion rials (nearly $480,000) to help free 118 prisoners who committed involuntary crimes, IRNA news agency reported on Monday.