Iran is ‘valuable ally’ of Russia, diplomat says

TEHRAN - Levan Dzhagaryan, the Russian ambassador to Tehran, said on Tuesday that Iran is a “valuable ally” of Russia and that Moscow attaches great importance to Tehran in its foreign policy.

By staff and agency

Russian, Iranian, Chinese, Pakistani heads of intelligence services discuss Daesh threat

Sergei Ivanov, the chief of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service’s press bureau, has said that heads of intelligence services of Russia, Iran, China, and Pakistan held a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday to discuss the measures against the threat of Daesh in Afghanistan.

Velayati calls Iran-Russia ties ‘strategic’

Velayati says his strategic mission to Moscow not affected by ‘itinerant’ Netanyahu 

TEHRAN – Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution who is in Russia for an official visit, has shrugged off the concurrent trip to Russia by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying “nobody cares” about the Netanyahu’s “baseless and illogical remarks”.

Iranian, Russian figures discuss media cooperation 

TEHRAN – Figures from Russia and Iran held their first round of talks on media cooperation in Tehran on Wednesday.

India will lose 'special privileges' if it buys crude from Saudi Arabia, U.S.: Iranian diplomat

Iran will end “special privileges” for India if New Delhi tried to replace Iranian crude with supplies from Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United States, said a senior Iranian diplomat in New Delhi on July 10.

By Javad Heirannia

‘EU and China could take steps within WTO to protect their trade relations with Iran’

TEHRAN - Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association in Washington, is the opinion that “The reimposition of U.S. nuclear-related sanctions is a twofold abrogation of U.S. commitments under the JCPOA. Not only did the United States commit not to reimpose sanctions, Washington also committed not to interfere with the full realization of sanctions relief.”

By Mohammad Ghaderi

Does Europe decide on independence from U.S. finally?

TEHRAN - The 4+1 Summit was launched in Vienna Friday to try to repair the damage done when the U.S. reneged on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA.

Russia, China back full implementation of Iran deal: Lavrov

TEHRAN – Moscow and Beijing are interested in preserving and fully implementing the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Friday.

Iran has advisory role in anti-terror fight in Syria: Russia

TEHRAN – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has said that Iran’s presence in Syria is limited to military advisers and servicemen assisting Syrians in the fight against terrorism, Sputnik News reported on Saturday.

Ministerial summit on JCPOA under consideration: Moscow

Arranging a summit of foreign ministers on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – the official for the Iran nuclear agreement - is currently on the agenda, Russia’s permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna has said, the TASS news agency reported on Friday.

By Javad Heirannia

It would be crazy to pretend that Trump is trustworthy: Jenkins

TEHRAN - Peter Jenkins, former UK Ambassador to the IAEA and UN says that “It would be crazy to pretend that President Trump is trustworthy.”

By Javad Heirannia

No country trusts Trump’s pledges or intentions: Bianchi

TEHRAN – Robert R. Bianchi, a Professor at the University of Chicago, believes that “single meeting with no defined goals cannot produce lasting improvements in the deeper tensions between Pyongyang and Washington or in the Asia-Pacific region.”

By Mohammad Ali Haqshenas and Payman Yazadani

SCO long term investment for Iran, not solution to urgent issues: Bininachvili

TEHRAN - Dr. Albert Bininachvili, professor of political science at the Columbia University believes Iran's SCO membership is a long term investment for Tehran and doesn’t necessarily provides Iran with solutions to its most urgent issues.

Iran, Russia to carry out joint research on Caspian Sea

TEHRAN – Iran and Russia have signed a contract to conduct geological studies on the Iranian part of the Caspian Sea, head of Geological Survey and Mineral Explorations of Iran (GSI) Khalil Bahar-Firouzi says, ISNA reported on Saturday.

Russia approves draft convention on Caspian Sea status

TEHRAN – The Russian government has approved the draft convention on the legal status of the Caspian Sea.

By Seyyed Mostafa Mousavi Sabet

Iran’s Russian concerts, carrying coals to Newcastle

An ensemble composed of musicians from the Tehran Symphony Orchestra and National Orchestra put on two concerts last Thursday and Sunday in Saint Petersburg, Moscow and Kazan.

By Ebrahim Fallahi

OPEC’s big test: A choice between right and wrong

As the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) prepares to meet later this week in Vienna, tension is rising among some of the cartel’s biggest members on what is said to be one of OPEC’s biggest decisions since its establishment.

Host Russia too strong for Saudi Arabia

MOSCOW – Russia started the 2018 FIFA World Cup on a high note, thrashing Saudi Arabia 5-0 on Thursday.

VNL: Russia beat plucky Iran

Dmitriy Muserskiy offers his teams much with his spiking ability and his massive block, but today it was only the attacking side of his game that really functioned, but boy did it function. In a match where every set was decided by a few key moments, the 24 points scored by Russia’s number 13 – made up of 23 spikes and 1 ace – went a long way to swinging this match the way of the European Champions 3-1 (28-30, 25-23, 27-25, 25-21).

Russian and Iranian diplomats hold talks on JCPOA

TEHRAN – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Mehdi Sanai held a meeting on Friday to discuss the Iran nuclear deal, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Iran suffer losses at Women’s FIBA 3x3 World Cup

TEHRAN – Iran lost to the U.S. and Uganda respectively in the Women’s FIBA 3x3 World Cup on Saturday.

Jahangiri congratulates Russian PM on reappointment

TEHRAN – Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri on Sunday congratulated Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev on re-assuming the post of prime minister in Russia, Tasnim reported.

Putin: U.S. nuclear deal exit could trigger instability

TEHRAN – Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday that the U.S. exit from the 2015 nuclear deal could trigger dangerous instability.

By Payman Yazdani

Pompeo speech an exercise in idiocy: Prof. Zonis

TEHRAN - Marvin Zonis, Professor of international political economy believes that the Pompeo speech was an exercise in idiocy that only provides Trump with excuse to pressure the government in Iran in any way possible to bring about regime change in Iran.

Russia: U.S. demands to Iran ‘totally unacceptable’

TEHRAN – Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday the U.S. has put forward totally unacceptable demands to Iran, criticizing the U.S. government for its policy of “ultimatums” and “threats” towards Iran.

Rugs dedicated to FIFA World Cup unveiled

TEHRAN – Seven rolls of handwoven rugs dedicated to the 2018 FIFA World Cup were unveiled during a ceremony, which was held in the northwestern city of Tabriz on Saturday.

By Payman Yazdani

EU too weak to challenge U.S. hegemony: Prof. Entessar

TEHRAN - Chair of Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice at the University of South Alabama believe the EU is too weak politically to challenge America's global hegemony even if it decides to do so.

Putin reaffirms Russia’s commitment to Iran deal

TEHRAN – Russian President Vladimir Putin has underlined Moscow’s readiness to remain committed to the 2015 landmark nuclear deal despite the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement, Press TV reported.