Trump ‘flat-out lied’ about Soleimani assassination: Biden

TEHRAN — U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has said that Donald Trump “flat-out lied” when offering justification for the assassination of Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani.

Russia, China slam decision to trigger Iran deal dispute mechanism

TEHRAN — Russia and China have criticized the three European parties to the Iran nuclear deal over a move to trigger the dispute mechanism.

Hamid Estili issues apology after Iran’s AFC U23 Championship exit

TEHRAN – Hamid Estili has apologized to the Iranian fans after his team failed to book a place at the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 quarterfinals.

Qeshm Island: A warm destination to escape the cold in winter

TEHRAN – Iran’s southernmost Qeshm Island is a top destination for whom dreaming of having a wintertime holiday under the sun in flip-flops and a swimsuit!

Iran Air to resume flights to Rome on Feb. 3

TEHRAN - Iran’s flag carrier Iran Air will resume direct flights to the Italian capital Rome on February 3.

Overnight stays in Ardebil province jump 40% yr/yr

TEHRAN - Overnight stays in Ardebil province rose 40 percent during the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2019) compared with the same period last year.

Majlis approves handicrafts are VAT-exempt

TEHRAN – The Iranian parliament (Majlis) on Tuesday approved a bill to exempt craftspeople and handicraft producers from paying value-added tax (VAT).

Parliamentary candidates’ vetting not final: Jannati

TEHRAN — Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, head of the Guardian Council, said on Wednesday that the vetting of parliamentary candidates are not final and they can file complaints.

$25m allocated to meet urgent needs in flood-hit areas

TEHRAN – A budget of one trillion rials (nearly $25 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) was allocated to meet urgent needs in flood-hit provinces of the country, Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, head of Planning and Budget Organization, wrote on his Twitter account.

5,555 unintentional crime prisoners released in 10 months

TEHRAN – Since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2019), benefactors have freed 5,555 prisoners who had committed unintentional crimes, head of Blood Money Organization has said.

“The Virtuous Burglar” to come to Tehran theater

TEHRAN – Iranian director Mohammadreza Jamal plans to stage Italian playwright Dario Fo’s “The Virtuous Burglar” (“Non tutti i ladri vengono a nuocere”) at Tehran’s Neauphle-le-Chateau Theater on January 21. 

Iran’s “Douch” to go on screen in Japan

TEHRAN – “Douch” by Iranian director Amir Mashhadiabbas will go on screen in a special program at the Ryukyu Shimpo Hall on Okinawa Island, Japan on February 8, Iran’s Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults (IIDCYA) that is the producer of the film announced on Wednesday. 

Istanbul to host Iranian film days

TEHRAN – A lineup of nine Iranian movies will be reviewed during a special program named “Iranian Film Days” at the Beyoglu Academy in Istanbul.

Cultural center sets up library and museum for writer Nader Ebrahimi  

TEHRAN – The House of Poetry and Literature in Tehran has established a library and museum for Nader Ebrahimi, the writer of the acclaimed stories such as “Tomorrow Is Not Like Today”, “Ibn Mashghaleh”, “A Quiet Loving” and “Dragon’s Tale”.

Fajr poetry festival launches book donation campaign for flood-stricken Sistan-Baluchestan

TEHRAN – The executive secretary of the 14th Fajr International Poetry Festival announced on Wednesday that the organizers have launched a campaign to collect books to donate to the flood-stricken people in Sistan-Baluchestan.

Heavy rainfalls fill Jazmourian wetland by 80%

TEHRAN – Recent heavy rainfalls have led Jazmourian wetland to be filled by 80 percent, Marjan Shakeri, head of Kerman province’s department of environment has said.

Any wrong step will harm Europeans: Rouhani

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that any wrong step toward the 2015 nuclear deal by the Europeans will be harmful to themselves.

New export destinations open up for Iranian fishery products

TEHRAN – Head of Iran Fisheries Organization (IFO) says new export destinations have welcomed Iran’s high-quality fishery products in the current Iranian calendar year (ends on March 19), Tasnim reported.

‘Active shipping line, a necessity for bolstering Iran-Qatar trade’

TEHRAN – Deputy Head of Iran-Qatar Joint Chamber of Commerce says having an active direct shipping line between the two countries is a necessity for the expansion of trade ties between them.

Furniture, home appliances expo underway in Tehran

TEHRAN – A five-day specialized exhibition of furniture and home appliances is being held in Tehran's Goftogu Park with the participation of 150 domestic producers.

Iran knocked out of AFC U23 Championship

TEHRAN – Iran U23 football team failed to bring an end to a 44-year Olympic qualification drought.

By staff and agency

UN calls on all parties to keep nuclear deal in place

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has called on all parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, to spare no effort to keep it in place.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Spirit of resistance must be path of future generations

TEHRAN - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that the “spirit of resistance and jihad” should be the path of future generations.

Iran won’t allow enemy exploit Ukrainian plane incident: Army chief

TEHRAN — Army Chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi has said Iran will not let the enemy take advantage of the accidental downing of a Ukrainian plane, Mehr reported.

Resistance Front to drive U.S. forces out of the region: ex-IRGC chief

TEHRAN — The Resistance Front will continue its activities until the full expulsion of American soldiers and military men from the region, says a former chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

British ambassador leaves Tehran with prior information    

TEHRAN - British Ambassador to Iran Rob Macaire has left Tehran, media sources reported on Wednesday, adding the envoy’s departure had been previously announced to the relevant bodies. 

By Farrokh Hessabi

Alarming concerns about Iran National Team

TEHRAN - Iran Football Federation is still weighing up the options following their decision to part ways with Marc Wilomts and now there are two potential candidates for the role of Team Melli head coach: Amir Ghalenoei and Ali Daei, with Yahya Golmohammadi, the third candidate, was named as the new head coach of Persepolis on Monday.

TEDPIX up 3,532 points

TEHRAN- TEDPIX, the main index of Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), rose 3,532 points to 399,445 on Wednesday, IRNA reported.

Trade centers in target markets to facilitate plastic products exports

TEHRAN- Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) will issue permits for the country’s plastic and polymer industries unions and associations to set up trade centers in the target countries in a bid to facilitate exports of these products to those markets, a deputy head of TPO announced.

3.2m barrels fuel storage facility to be launched in Qeshm Island

TEHRAN – Head of Iran's Qeshm Free Trade Zone, Hamid-Reza Mo’meni said the island’s first fuel storage facility with the capacity of 3.2 million barrels will be launched by the next 20 days, IRIB reported on Tuesday.