Sanctioning Iran’s foreign minister is futile: FT

TEHRAN - In a commentary on Tuesday, the Financial Times criticized the U.S. sanctions against Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister, saying the Trump administration has “probably blocked the best path back to mediation” by sanctioning Zarif who is “considered by his peers as one of the canniest diplomats around.”

MP warns against trans-regional military presence in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – The military presence of trans-regional countries in the Persian Gulf region is a full example of foreign interference, an Iranian parliamentarian warned on Tuesday.

Iran unveils new smart bombs

TEHRAN – Iran on Tuesday unveiled three new precision-guided smart bombs, in a ceremony with Defense Minister Brigadier-General Amir Hatami, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Website.

By Afshin Majlesi

The ancient art of making ships in southern Iran

TEHRAN – Maritime trade, shipping and shipbuilding have long been practiced in Iran. There have been many small or big shipyards across the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf.

Any Security Arrangement in Persian Gulf Should Be Endorsed by Iran: US Academic

TEHRAN – An American academic and political analyst said any measures aimed at boosting security in the Persian Gulf region need to be endorsed by all stakeholders, including Iran.

By Sadeq Dehqan & Amirhadi Arsalanpour

MP: US has no choice but to return to JCPOA

In order to preserve a nuclear agreement with Iran, “there is no choice for the United States and the European countries but to adhere to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA),” said the Iranian lawmaker, Seyyed Hossein Naqavi-Hosseini.

Military conflict in Persian Gulf highly unlikely, says Iranian general

TEHRAN – Head of the Iranian Army’s Strategic Studies believes that the possibility of a military conflict in the Persian Gulf region is decreasing as no state wants to see a new crisis in the region.

IRGC seizes foreign tanker smuggling fuel

TEHRAN – Forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have seized a foreign oil tanker in the Persian Gulf that was smuggling fuel to Arab countries.

By Morteza Khansari

Germany hampering Brexit and Johnson’s administration 

TEHRAN - These days, Germany is receiving many requests from the United States and Britain to join an international coalition to control the Strait of Hormuz and take part in joint navy projects in the Persian Gulf. 

By staff and agency

Europeans to opt for route of dialogue with Iran

Nathalie Tocci, special adviser to European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, has said that the Europeans will opt for “dialogue” and “diplomacy” with Iran on the issue of security in the Persian Gulf region.

Russia: Persian Gulf mission crude attempt by U.S. to pressure Iran

TEHRAN - On Thursday Russia spoke against a U.S.-proposed naval coalition in the Persian Gulf, saying it is a pretext for Washington to further pressure Tehran and destabilize the Persian Gulf region.

By staff and agency

UN chief calls for ‘maximum restraint’ in Persian Gulf region

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for “maximum restraint” to prevent further escalation of tensions in the Persian Gulf region.

Tehran, Abu Dhabi sign MOU on maritime security cooperation

TEHRAN – The United Arab Emirates and Iran on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance maritime border security cooperation.

By staff and agency

Spain, Japan reject to join U.S.-led Persian Gulf coalition

Madrid and Tokyo have rejected an official request from Washington to participate in a naval coalition in the Persian Gulf.

Iran expresses positive view toward Russia’s Persian Gulf security proposal

TEHRAN – Tehran has expressed its positive outlook towards a Russia-proposed security plan to reduce tension in the Persian Gulf region.

By Zahra Mirzafarjouyan:

Signs of tension reduction appearing in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN– After years of tensions between Iran and some Persian Gulf states particularly in recent months in the Strait of Hormuz, reports indicate the emergence of tensions reduction in this strategic region.

Iran draws a record 600,000 medical travelers in four months

TEHRAN – Iran hosted a record high of nearly 600,000 medical travelers during the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-July 21), nearly equal to the figure for the whole past year (March 2018-19), according to an Iranian association for the health tourism promotion.

Iran, Russia to hold joint naval drills in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – The commander of the Iranian Navy has said Iran and Russia will soon hold a joint war game in the Indian Ocean which will extend to the Strait of Hormuz and also the Persian Gulf.

IRGC releases video of capturing UK ship

TEHRAN – The Islamic Revolution Guards Crops (IRGC) on Monday released audio and video footages warning a British Royal Navy warship to stay out of way as IRGC boats move to seize a UK-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

Don’t interfere in my operation: IRGC boat warns UK warship

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Crops (IRGC) has released audio and video footage of its warning to a British Royal Navy warship to stay out of way as it moves to seize a UK-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

Iran should welcome de-escalation gesture with Arab neighbors, MP says

TEHRAN - Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, a member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, is of the opinion that Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region are seeking to de-escalate tension in the region, a movement which he says Iran should welcome.

Solving Persian Gulf crises entails collective wisdom: envoy

TEHRAN – Iran’s ambassador to Ecuador has said solving the crises facing the Persian Gulf region requires multilateral efforts and collective wisdom.

Italy after de-escalation of tensions, envoy says

TEHRAN – Italian Ambassador to Tehran Giuseppe Perrone has said his country’s goal is to reduce the tensions in the Persian Gulf, calling on Tehran to return to implementing the 2015 nuclear agreement which was unilaterally ditched last year by the United States.

Tehran ready to form coalition with neighbors: advisor

TEHRAN – A military advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution says Tehran is ready to form a coalition with its neighbors.

Rouhani: We don’t accept to sit at ‘surrender table’

Rouhani says Strait of Hormuz no place for ‘joking’

TEHRAN – Referring to recent U.S. and UK adventurisms in the Strait of Hormuz, President Hassan Rouhani warned on Wednesday that the strategic waterway is no place for joking.  

By Hossein Askari

Follow the leader — the UK’s Ill-advised piracy on the high seas

WASHINGTON - The United Kingdom should recognize what has become its position in the world — an important nation with an imperialistic history but now a much diminished global power. Blindly following the United States into hazardous waters could have dangerous results: America might not reward subservience or could change course in its own self-interest. While following George Bush into Iraq is now widely conceded in the UK as having been ill advised, British leaders seem to have forgotten the consequences of that disastrous decision.

First VP: Iran guards Persian Gulf security, stands against bullying

TEHRAN – First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri said on Tuesday that Iran’s Armed Forces are guarantors of security in the Persian Gulf region, stressing that Tehran will not bow to the big powers’ pressures and bullying.

Portuguese Castle of Hormuz undergoes urgent restoration

TEHRAN - The 16th-century Portuguese Castle of Hormuz Island, which is one of the last surviving monuments of the colonial rule in the Persian Gulf, has underwent some vital rehabilitation works.

‘The Bolton gambit succeeded and Britain stumbled into an American trap’

Britain blindly dances to Bolton’s war drums against Iran: Guardian

TEHRAN - In a commentary published on its website on Saturday, the Guardian said John Bolton, a notorious Iran hawk, has succeeded to lure Britain into a dangerous trap to punish Iran by deceiving London to capture a tanker carrying the Iranian oil in Gibraltar, which Iran responded in kind.

Senior Russian senator: U.S. seeks ‘advantage’ in Persian Gulf tensions

A Senior Russian lawmaker has said that the United States is “taking advantage” of tensions in the Persian Gulf in order to deploy more troops to the region, CNN reported on Saturday.