TPO to hold seminar on business in Turkey’s market in late Jan.

TEHRAN- Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) plans to hold a seminar on doing business in the markets of Turkey on January 27, TPO website published.

Rouhani visits flood-hit Sistan-Baluchestan 

TEHRAN - President Hassan Rouhani visited the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan early Saturday to monitor rescue and relief operations to people affected by massive floods caused by heavy rains in the province. 

BY: Ebrahim Fallahi

ICCIMA unveils agribusiness training program

TEHRAN – Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture hosted a ceremony on Saturday for unveiling the country’s first agricultural business training program (called NABKA).

TEDPIX hits record high of 400,000 points

TEHRAN- TEDPIX, the main index of Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE), posted a new record on Saturday, as it jumped 10,516 points to stand at 409,962, IRNA reported.

North Azadegan oilfield’s cumulative output hits 100m barrels

TEHRAN - Iran’s North Azadegan oil field, which the country shares with Iraq in the West Karoun region, has produced 100 million barrels of oil since it went operational, Shana reported on Saturday, quoting the director of the field’s development project.

Offering LPG at IRENEX underway well, says NIGC managing director

TEHRAN- Managing director of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) said offering liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at Iran Energy Exchange (IRENEX), which started several months ago, is being conducted well and the required infrastructure is provided in this due.

Iranian football teams stand against AFC’s decision

TEHRAN – Four Iranian football clubs have announced that they will take a strong stand against the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after it decided to ban them from hosting their rivals in Iran.

2nd Algorithmic Trading Competition in Iran’s Capital Market kicks off

TEHRAN- The second Algorithmic Trading Competition in Iran’s Capital Market started on Saturday and will wrap up at the end of the next Iranian calendar month of Bahman (February 19).

By Martin Love

The U.S. now: Widespread thuggery

NORTH CAROLINA - For those who remember a time when U.S. leaders and especially those in the White House appeared at least nominally dignified and worthy of some respect, the appearance now is one of outright immoral, widespread thuggery and its attendant ills like blackmail and murder, the latter for which Trump may be liable in the International Criminal Court provided Iran presents the case of Soleimani’s assassination along with his comrades’ demise to the court.

* By Mohammad Ghaderi

How did it start “Mr. Trudeau”?  Who fueled the tensions?

TEHRAN - In a statement on the Ukrainian plane crash, the Canadian prime minister described the incident as a result of the escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran, but he did not say how the situation has been sparked.

Lavrov: There were F-35s in the air in the Iranian border when Iran downed airliner

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that Iran's accidental shooting down of a Ukrainian airliner on January 8 occurred at a time when Tehran was spooked by reports of advanced U.S. stealth fighters in the area.

German minister admits Trump pressure over Iran

Germany's defense minister has acknowledged that her country and two other European nations changed their policy on Iran because U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose auto tariffs unless they did.

IHRC: UN must hold US accountable for Soleimani assassination

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has written to the United Nations demanding that it holds Washington accountable for its extra-judicial execution of Major General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike in Iraq on 3 January.

Iran: Ukrainian plane crash should not be used for political objectives 

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi reacted to the Thursday meeting of the foreign ministers of five countries whose citizens were accidentally killed in a Ukrainian plane crash near Tehran on January 8, noting that the incident should not be used as a pretext to serve political objectives.

By staff and agency

Nuremberg war crimes prosecutor calls Soleimani assassination violation of national and intl. law

Benjamin B. Ferencz, a former lawyer and Nuremberg war crimes prosecutor, has said that the United States’ assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani is a clear violation of national and international law.

By staff and agency

Russia says E3 decision on nuclear deal is ‘worrisome’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that the decision adopted by the European Union trio, known as E3, on the 2015 nuclear deal, officially known as the JCPOA, is “worrisome”.

Gabriel Calderon: I will always speak wonders about Iran

TEHRAN - Ex-Persepolis coach Gabriel Calderon has spoken about his time at the Iranian club and insisted that the international political conflicts had not affected his life in Iran although he admitted there were problems regarding financial issues between him and the club.

Fajr festival announces short films lineup  

TEHRAN – A lineup of 10 short films have been selected to go on screen at the 38th Fajr Film Festival, the organizers announced on Friday. 

Defense Minister says U.S. surrenders to Iran’s missile power and strong resolve

TEHRAN – During a speech at Imam Ali Military Academy on Thursday, Defense Minister Amir Hatami said that the U.S. has given in to Iran’s “firm determination and missile power”.

Tehran session to discuss Herta Muller’s oeuvre

TEHRAN – A group of Iranian literati will gather at Tehran’s Book Garden today to discuss books by Herta Muller, the Romanian-born German recipient of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature.

“Death Knocks” troupe to raise funds for flood victims of Sistan-Baluchestan

TEHRAN – An Iranian troupe performing Woody Allen’s “Death Knocks” in Tehran said on Thursday that they would dedicate the three-day receipt of box office revenue to the flood victims in Sistan-Baluchestan Province.

Turkey voices concern over regional tensions

TEHRAN — Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has voiced concerns over regional tensions in the aftermath of the U.S. assassination of Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, calling for concerted action to preserve stability and calm.

Iranian photographers honored at Kyrgyzstan Ala Archa exhibit

TEHRAN – Several Iranian photographers were honored with awards at the 1st Ala Archa International Exhibition of Photography in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the organizers announced on Tuesday. 

Actor Shahab Hosseini criticizes cineastes over withdrawal from Fajr festival

TEHRAN – Shahab Hosseini, the star of Asghar Farhadi’s Oscar-winning movies “A Separation” and “The Salesman”, has criticized those Iranian cineastes who have withdrawn from the Fajr Film Festival.

Rafsanjani’s demise anniversary marked 

TEHRAN – A ceremony was held in Tehran on Thursday to mark the third year that Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani passed away. A number of political figures and lawmakers attended the ceremony. 

By Seyyed Mostafa Mousavi Sabet

Mahmudi brothers gain Iran recognition for Afghan migrant filmmakers 

The Fajr Film Festival has announced that it will screen “To Die in the Pure Water”, a drama by Tehran-based Afghan brothers Navid and Jamshid Mahmudi, in the official competition of its 38th edition.

$120m earmarked to implement Zagros forest protection plan

TEHRAN – A total budget of 5 trillion rials (nearly $120 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) has been allocated to implement Zagros forest protection plan, IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday.

Iranian, Ukrainian FMs discuss plane crash 

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Ukrainian counterpart Vadym Prystaiko on Thursday exchanged views over the latest developments regarding the Ukrainian passenger plane, which was downed mistakenly by the Iranian military near Tehran on January 8. 

Kayhan Kalhor wins globalFEST Artist Award

TEHRAN – Celebrated Iranian kamancheh virtuoso Kayhan Kalhor won the Artist Award of the globalFEST, North America’s most important world music industry event, which was held in New York last week.