By: Ebrahim Fallahi

Iran gas situation: Are power plants facing feedstock shortage?

TEHRAN – Following the new wave of cold weather blanketing Iran in recent weeks, natural gas consumption by the Iranian households has hit new record highs, ringing warning bells about possible problems regarding fuel supply to the country’s power plants and industry sector which mainly consume natural gas.

NIDC digs 96 oil, gas wells in 10 months

TEHRAN- National Iranian Drilling Company (NIDC) dug and completed digging operation of 96 oil and gas wells during the first ten months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2019-January 20, 2020), Shana reported.

TPO to hold conference on sustainable supply of basic commodities

TEHRAN- Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) is planning to hold a conference on the stable supply of basic and strategic commodities on March 3, the organization’s Public Relations Department reported.

By Mohammad Ghaderi

Assassination threat against Ghaani originates from fear

U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook on Thursday threatened assassination against Esmail Ghaani, the new commander of the IRGC Quds Force, and impudently said, “This isn’t a new threat”.

By Mohammad Jafari

Iraq will be turned into new Vietnam for U.S. troops if they don’t leave: senior journalist

TEHRAN - Millions of Iraqi people, who gathered in Baghdad on Friday, urged the U.S. troops to leave their homeland otherwise they will face another Vietnam war, the managing director of Al Nakhil News Agency says.

Pakistan welcomes Tehran, Riyadh readiness for dialogue

TEHRAN - Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has welcomed a readiness by Tehran and Riyadh to hold dialogue to reduce tensions.

EU’s Borrell extends timeline for dispute mechanism on Iran deal

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday he had extended the time available to discuss ways to save the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran under a dispute mechanism triggered by France, Germany and Britain.

Iran totally seized 814,477 kg of different types of narcotic drugs in 2019

TEHRAN - Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the Vienna-based international organizations, has said that Iran seized totally 814,477 kilograms of different types of narcotic drugs in 2019.

Iranian diplomat says maximum pressure will spread unilateralism

TEHRAN - Bahram Qassemi, Iran’s ambassador to France, said on Thursday that intensification of the United States’ maximum pressure against Iran will just spread unilateralism.

By staff and agency

U.S. CBP accused of acting ‘above law’ after expulsion of Iranian student

The United States’ Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is facing backlash after it was revealed the agency had refused entry to an Iranian student with a valid visa and forced him on a flight back home, despite a judge issuing an emergency stay of removal, Newsweek reported on Wednesday.

Tehran slams so-called ‘Trump Deal’ as American hubris

TEHRAN — Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi has slammed the unveiling of the so-called “Trump Deal”, saying it showed the Americans’ deeply embedded hubris.

Hatami: Effects of Iran’s military response to U.S. ‘will remain in history’

TEHRAN — Iran is powerful enough to respond to any aggression and threat by the enemies, says Defense Minister Amir Hatami.

Denmark urges all JCPOA signatories to honor their obligations 

TEHRAN - Christina Markus Lassen, political director at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Wednesday voiced her country’s concern over the activation of the dispute mechanism in the nuclear deal by the European sides, urging all signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to adhere to their commitments. 

Lake Urmia water level keeps rising

TEHRAN – The level of water at Lake Urmia is on the rise, as increased by a 1.7 billion cubic meters compared to the previous year, according to the studies conducted by the Lake Urmia restoration program committee.

'Normal’ countries don’t attack neighbors, Zarif tells S. Arabia 

TEHRAN – In an open reference to Saudi Arabia which has been striking neighboring Yemen since March 2015, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on his Twitter account on Friday that “normal countries don’t attack their neighbors, cause a humanitarian crisis, and refuse to talk.” 

E-motorbikes come to curb air pollution in metropolises

TEHRAN – The first phase of electric motorcycles development project will be implemented aiming at reducing air pollution in Tehran and other metropolises, IRNA news agency reported.

Shamkhani hails Iraqi people’s historic anti-U.S. rally

TEHRAN — Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), has said the historic demonstration in neighboring Iraq shows the Iraqi nation’s move toward expelling the U.S. from the region.

Iranian winter festival highlights “Chinese New Year”

TEHRAN – A winter tourism festival opened in the Iranian city of Hamedan on Friday, concurrent with the start of the Chinese New Year, which has been selected as one of the main themes for the event.

Seljuk-era relics found during illegal excavation

TEHRAN – Iranian police have recently confiscated historical relics related to Seljuk era (1037–1194) from an illegal excavation in a house located in the city of Abhar, west-central Zanjan province.

IRGC destroyed U.S. grandeur: cleric

TEHRAN — Mohammad-Hassan Aboutorabi Fard, an interim Friday prayer preacher, has said the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has destroyed the grandeur of the United States in the region.

Iran formulates action plan to get tourism back on track

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has developed an action plan in order to get the country’s tourism sector back on track as it has suffered losses in the wake of recent political tensions in the region.

Iran issues travel warning for China amid coronavirus outbreak

TEHRAN – Tehran’s embassy in Beijing has issued a travel advisory over deadly coronavirus outbreak in China, raising the threat level both for potential travelers and residents, ILNA reported on Friday.

Fajr Film Festival announces jury

TEHRAN – The organizers of the 38th Fajr Film Festival announced the jury for the documentary, short film, and New Look sections on Friday. 

What’s in Tehran art galleries

An exhibition of photo-collages by Mehdi Mirbaqeri is currently underway at Atbin Gallery. The exhibit named “Poke Side” will run until February 4 at the gallery located at 42 Khakzad Alley, Vali-e Asr Ave. near the Parkway Intersection.

Troupes from 5 countries to attend Fajr theater festival

TEHRAN – Troupes from five countries will be performing in the international competition of the 38th Fajr International Theater Festival, the organizers announced on Thursday.

International calligraphers join Iranians to select Yase Yasin winners

TEHRAN - Davut Bektas from Turkey, Obeida Mohammed Saleh Al Banki from Syria and Abdulridha Behiye al-Farjawi from Iraq have joined Iranian calligraphers Abodolsamad Haj Samadi and Mohammad Hosseini to select the best works in naskh and thulth styles of calligraphy in the Yase Yasin International Calligraphy Awards, the organizers have announced.

Culture minister praises Fajr music festival for good discipline

TEHRAN -- Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi has praised organizers of the 35th Fajr International Music Festival for their good planning and discipline.

Iran a major producer of glass in world

TEHRAN- The secretary of Iran’s glass union says through producing 2.2 million tons of glass per year Iran is a leading producer of the product in the world.

Handball captain Esteki retires from Iran duty

TEHRAN – Iran national handball team captain Allahkaram Esteki has retired from international duty, bringing to an end a 15-year career with Team Melli.