Iran backs UN chief’s proposal for nationwide ceasefire in Afghanistan

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Thursday backing a proposal by the UN secretary general for a complete ceasefire in Afghanistan.

By Salman Parviz

COVID-19 cases in the region

As cases soar affected countries scramble to action

TEHRAN - The coronavirus (COVID-19) is thought to have originated in Wuhan, China last December, has spread to more than 135 countries and territories. The global death toll from the virus as of March 16 passed 6,684 with more than 174,134 cases confirmed worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

Iran says will do its best to restore stability to Afghanistan

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Wednesday voiced Tehran’s determination to restore sustainable stability to Afghanistan.

By Hossein Amiri

U.S.-Taliban pact: Agreement on a new war in Afghanistan

Tehran- After months of ups and downs, finally, a peace deal was signed between the Taliban and the United States in Doha on February 20, 2020.

Taliban calls for talks with Kabul government

TEHRAN – Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said the future Islamic Government and complete ceasefire would be discussed if inter-Afghan talks begun.

We are ready to end war, if Kabul starts inter-Afghan talks: Taliban spox

TEHRAN– The Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid says that 'jihad' with the Afghanistan government is a must unless they, like the Americans, are willing to resolve issues through negotiations.

By Martin Love

Javad Zarif’s brain should be duplicated at the U.S. State Department

NORTH CAROLINA - Javad Zarif is so correct, saying that the U.S. never should have invaded Afghanistan (nor should the U.S. have invaded or attacked or sanctioned so many countries since World War 2 for that matter.)

Iran’s Foreign Ministry: We do not count on U.S. help

TEHRAN - Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Monday that Iran does not count on the United States’ help to counter the outbreak of coronavirus.

Iran's Zarif: After 19 years of humiliation in Afghanistan, U.S. surrenders

TEHRAN- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in his Twitter account on Sunday, wrote that the U.S. has lost the war in Afghanistan but tries to blame others for his defeat.

U.S. in no legal position to determine Afghanistan’s future: Tehran

TEHRAN — The United States is in no legal position to sign an agreement that determines the future of Afghanistan, says Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.

Azeri, UAE airlines continue flights to Iran despite coronavirus

TEHRAN – Azerbaijan’s low-cost airline Buta Airways and its Dubai-based counterpart Flydubai have announced they will continue flights to and from Iran despite the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the region.

By staff and agency

Iran urges U.S. to withdraw troops from Afghanistan after peace deal announced: Newsweek

Iran is urging the U.S. to withdraw troops from neighboring Afghanistan after the United States and the Taliban announced a tentative ceasefire ahead of a peace deal expected to be signed next week, Newsweek reported on Friday.

* By Mohammad Ghaderi

Will U.S. and Taliban manage to ink final peace agreement on Feb. 29?

TEHRAN - The Afghan armed group of Taliban, as its first reaction to inking the final peace agreement with the U.S., announced that the deal will be signed on February 29.

Zarif, Guterres discuss Afghanistan developments

TEHRAN — Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has discussed the latest developments of Afghanistan with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Iran’s special envoy meets Ashraf Ghani

TEHRAN – Mohammad Ebrahim Taherian Fard, the special envoy of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Kabul on Sunday.

Iran cruise to win over Uzbekistan at CAFA U19 Girl’s Futsal

TEHRAN – Iran beat Uzbekistan 7-1 at the CAFA U19 Girl’s Futsal Championship 2020 penultimate match on Tuesday.

Taliban to continue anti-US operations: spox

TEHRAN – Taliban spokesman Zabihollah Mujahid said on Tuesday that the group will continue its anti-US operations in Afghanistan.

U.S. presence Afghanistan’s main problem: Velayati

TEHRAN – In a meeting with UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan Tadamichi Yamamoto, Top Adviser to Iranian Leader for International Affairs Ali Akbar Velyati named presence of foreign intruders such as the US as the main problem of Afghanistan.

Iran beat Afghanistan at CAFA U19 Girl’s Futsal Championship

TEHRAN – Iran eased past Afghanistan 16-1 at the CAFA U19 Girl’s Futsal Championship 2020 on Saturday.

Iran down Tajikistan at CAFA U19 Girl’s Futsal Championship

TEHRAN – Iran defeated Tajikistan 15-0 in the opening match of the CAFA U19 Girl’s Futsal Championship 2020 on Friday.

Afghan officials, people sympathize with Iranians over assassination of Gen. Soleimani 

TEHRAN - A large number of Afghan officials, politicians and people have gone to Iran’s embassy in Kabul and consul general in Herat to extend their condolences to the Iranian nation and government over assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.

Find out why medical tourism is to be big business in Iran

Nowadays, medical tourism is considered as a booming industry on the global scene as some 20 to 24 million patients are traveling for medical treatments annually. Estimates on market size vary but the Patients Without Borders publishing group puts its value at around €60 to €80 billion worldwide.

‘A safe region, in our view, is a region that has safe neighbors’

Iran observing ‘good neighborliness’ policy: Foreign Ministry

TEHRAN — Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi has said the Islamic Republic has based its policy on good neighborliness and has tried not to intervene in the domestic affairs of regional countries.

Tajikistan warns about possible establishment of a terrorist government in northern Afghanistan

TEHRAN - A senior Tajik official on Wednesday cautioned about the consequences of the growing presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, warning about possible establishment of a terrorist government in northern Afghanistan. 

Uzbek security official condemns double-standard approach towards terrorism

TEHRAN - In his speech at the second Regional Security Dialogue Conference on Afghanistan in Tehran on Wednesday, a top Uzbek security official lambasted certain countries for adopting a double-standard approach towards terrorism. 

Unilateralism main challenge of today’s world: Chinese minister

TEHRAN (MNA) – Minister of State Security of the People's Republic of China Chen Wenqing, on Wednesday, named unilateralism and bulling behaviors as of major challenges of international arena, today.

Foreign powers are the main threat to the region, Shamkhani tells security meeting on Afghanistan

TEHRAN - Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said on Wednesday that terrorism, extremism and presence of foreign powers are the main threats to the region.

Regional security meeting to kick off in Tehran on Wednesday 

TEHRAN- Iran and six more key countries are set to hold the second session of Regional Security Dialogue in Tehran on Wednesday.

Spread of terrorism is biggest challenge to Afghanistan: Shamkhani

TEHRAN - Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), said on Tuesday that spread of terrorism is the biggest challenge to Afghanistan.