UN envoy: Zarif building bridge between Iran, Europe

TEHRAN – The UN resident coordinator in Iran has appreciated Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif for “building bridges” between the Islamic Republic and Europe to improve bilateral ties.

Iran to hold intl. conference on dust storms, details announced 

TEHRAN – Representatives from thirty countries will convene this week in Tehran to look collectively into dust and sand storms, what Iran’s environment chief Masoumeh Ebtekar hailed as “a very key event for” Iran and the entire region. 

Tehran to host Intl. Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms

TEHRAN — In a global effort toward mitigating effects of sand and dust storms Tehran will host the International Conference on Combating Sand and Dust Storms on July 3-5.

By Medea Benjamin

America will regret helping Saudi Arabia bomb Yemen

“USA Kills Yemeni People”, screams graffiti plastered on walls in Yemen’s capital Sana’a.

Iran wants ‘all states’ to condemn Tillerson remarks in letter to UN

TEHRAN – In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council on Monday, Iran strongly objected to recent remarks by the U.S. secretary of state, requesting “all States condemn such grotesque policy statements.” 

By Micah Zenko

Why is the U.S. killing so many civilians in Syria and Iraq?

Two weeks ago, the American military finally acknowledged what nongovernmental monitoring groups had claimed for months: The United States-led coalition fighting the Islamic State [ISIL] since August 2014 has been killing Iraqi and Syrian civilians at astounding rates in the four months since President Trump assumed office.

Iran, UNDP extend co-op on Carbon Sequestration Project

TEHRAN — United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Iran Forests, Range and Watershed management Organization renewed cooperation on Carbon Sequestration Project (CSP) in Iran.

Iran, UN sign MOU on carbon sequestration

TEHRAN – A memorandum of understanding was signed between Iran and the United Nations for the third phase of a carbon sequestration program in four Iranian provinces on Saturday.

Iran abrogates 2030 education agenda

TEHRAN – Iran’s Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution has decided that Tehran should back out of the UN-devised global education agenda, known as Education 2030, citing the country’s own detailed documents in the field of education.

By Kevin Sieff

The UN asked for billions to avert four hunger crises. The money didn’t arrive.

At the beginning of this year, the United Nations made one of its boldest requests ever for funding.

Iran introduces achievements in health sector to 70th World Health Assembly

TEHRAN — Iran has introduced its latest and inventive achievements in the health sector to the seventieth World Health Assembly 2017, which is being held in Geneva on May 22-31.

Human intervention, climate change threaten Zagros mountain range

TEHRAN — While Zagros Mountains provide a protective barrier against sand and dust storms, human intervention and climate change have posed a major threat to these ecologically valuable natural resources, the central Zagros biodiversity landscape conservation project director said.

By Andrew Hammond

There may be sensible method to the madness of team Trump's approach to North Korea

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday that Washington is willing to open direct negotiations with North Korea aimed at removing nuclear weapons from the country. Tillerson’s intervention, at the UN Security Council, came as he warned that the threat of Pyongyang launching an atomic attack is “real”.

Tehran to host UN summit on dust storms

TEHRAN — The United Nation will hold a summit on sand and dust storms in the fourth Iranian calendar month of Tir (June 22-July 22), environment chief Masoumeh Ebtekar said.

By Emily Rauhala

Syria strike adds awkward twist to high-stakes China-U.S. summit

The Donald Trump-Xi Jinping summit was off to a good start: Xi nailed the handshake.

For one war-wracked nation, a path to happiness

One of the world’s most fragile countries is also its least happy. According to a new United Nations report, the Central African Republic (CAR) ranks last among 155 nations surveyed for “happiness,” even below Syria. (Norway tops the rankings.) Is there a way to help this landlocked country of 4.6 million people feel more joy and hope?

UN hails Iran for embracing refugees

TEHRAN – The United Nations on Thursday hailed Iran’s generous hosting of millions of violence-stricken asylum seekers and refugees, particularly those from neighboring Afghanistan.

Zahra Nemati to participate at UN Convention on disability rights

Two-time Paralympic gold medallist, Zahra Nemati, will participate at the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Iran to object to UN human rights report 

TEHRAN – Tehran will object to a recent report by the United Nations special rapporteur on Iran in an upcoming meeting of the UN’s Human Rights Council in Geneva, ISNA reported. 

By Erik Solheim and Gary Lewis

A resurrection in the Middle East: Life has returned to a dying salt lake in northwest Iran

Lake Urmia was once the second largest saltwater lake in the world. But years of man-made disruption — from 60 years of dam building to the massive overuse of feeder rivers — has diverted the natural flow of sweet water from the surrounding basin into the salty lake.

The battle for Mosul continues

Several reports from the front lines of the battle in Mosul suggest that ISIL is on the back foot.

Iran tells UN: 8 million hectares of land in Iraq are hotspots of dust storms

TEHRAN — In a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres dated a few days ago Iran informed the international body that 8 million hectares of land in Iraq are hotspots of dust storms which hit Iran once in a while.

UN tourism chief criticizes U.S. travel ban, hails Iran’s welcome

TEHRAN – The head of the UN World Tourism Organization on Tuesday expressed disapproval of the freshly revised U.S. travel ban as an approach that still limits tourism, yet hailed Iran’s positive stance on welcoming inbound passengers.

By Frida Ghitis

Who, exactly, is running U.S. foreign policy?

Not a day goes by in the Netherlands without President Donald Trump making news. If you're an American traveling overseas, you have likely been buttonholed by locals asking you to explain what is going on with the new administration.

Tehran: Sweden’s anti-Iran move a coordinated act

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry has said a recent move by Sweden to introduce an anti-Iran resolution in the UN is nothing new.

Tehran meeting addresses UN development framework for Iran

TEHRAN – An Assembly of Iranian and international officials exchanged views on ways to implement the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Iran during a meeting which was held in Tehran on Tuesday.