Iran, UAE agree to continue dialogue on ‘theme of hope’: Zarif

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday that Iran and the United Arab Emirates agreed to “continue dialogue on theme of hope”.

Qatar Airways increases Doha-Shiraz flights

TEHRAN – Qatar Airways, the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, has increased its Doha-Shiraz flights from four times to seven times a week.

“The Messiah” director Nader Talebzadeh tests positive for COVID-19

TEHRAN – Cinema Organization of Iran director Hossein Entezami said on Sunday that Nader Talebzadeh, director of the TV series “The Messiah”, has contracted COVID-19.

Iran rejects BBC Persian claim of under-reporting COVID-19 mortality

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Health has rejected a BBC Persian’s claim about under-reporting daily COVID-19 deaths and new cases in Iran, suggesting the British Broadcasting Corporation to reveal the doubtful coronavirus statistics reported by the UK government.

IKIA requires negative coronavirus test for passengers

TEHRAN – All passengers coming to Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) will need to provide proof they have tested negative for coronavirus to gain entry, said a senior official with the airport.

“Bride of Fire” director Khosro Sinai dies from coronavirus

TEHRAN – Khosro Sinai, director of acclaimed Iranian drama “Bride of Fire” and several documentary films, succumbed in his battle with COVID-19 and died at Tehran’s Amir Alam Hospital on Saturday. He was 79. 

Kuwait Airways to resume Iran flights

TEHRAN - Kuwait Airways has scheduled to resume its service to and from Iran on August 1.

“Bride of Fire” director Khosro Sinai diagnosed with COVID-19

TEHRAN – Iranian writer Habib Ahmadzadeh said on Wednesday that Khosro Sinai, director of acclaimed drama “Bride of Fire” and several documentary films, has contracted COVID-19.

S. Korea, Iran to hold talks on expanding humanitarian trade

South Korea is set to hold virtual talks with Iran today about expanding humanitarian trade like medicine exports, following the first such shipment to Tehran in May upon receiving a sanctions exemption from the U.S., Yonhap reported.

Organizer says drive-in cinema not welcome in Iran

TEHRAN – The director of the drive-in movie theater project in the provinces of Tehran and Alborz, Manuchehr Safarkhani, has said that the project has not been welcomed by filmgoers and will probably be halted by the end of August. 

By Amb. Change Hua

Understand the essence of China’s diplomacy

The world has continued to change in profound ways. As COVID-19 rages on, the health of people around the world is under grave threat, economic globalization faces unprecedented headwinds, and the world economy is plunged into deep recession. Unilateralism, protectionism, and bullyism are resurging. Deficits in governance, trust, peace, and development are widening further.

British embassy in Tehran resumes processing visas

TEHRAN – The British embassy in Tehran in a Twitter message late on Monday announced it has resumed processing visas for Iranian applicants.

Iranian government spokesman tests positive for Covid-19

TEHRAN – The office of Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Monday that the spokesman has contracted Covid-19 and that his planned press conference won’t be held due to his disease, IRNA reported.

Train tours come to halt in Iran over coronavirus fears

TEHRAN – Train tours have been stopped in Iran once again over coronavirus fears as health officials have announced a surge in virus infections in some parts of the country.

By Mohammad Mazhari

Environmental protection and climate action reduce opportunity for viruses: UN official 

TEHRAN - COVID-19 is a new virus to humans, and not much was known about it when it first appeared in China. The pandemic has caused an unprecedented health crisis, while the measures necessary to contain the virus has triggered an economic downturn.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Building Back Better: UN supports Iran’s socio-economic response to COVID-19

TEHRAN – The United Nations System in Iran has launched a ‘Program on Socio-Economic Response to COVID-19’ which focuses on three particular areas of intervention, including combined employment generation, social protection, and strengthening the health system.

WHO delivers 16 CT Scan machines to assist Iran in combating COVID-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) has delivered 16 CT scan machines to strengthen Iran’s emergency response to COVID-19.

Coronavirus: 138 healthcare workers in Iran lose lives

TEHRAN - COVID-19 pandemic has taken the lives of 138 healthcare workers so far in Iran, most of whom were doctors and physicians, Hossein Kermanpour, the director of public relations of Medical Council, has announced.

‘Customized tourism’ essential in coronavirus era, expert says

TEHRAN – The promotion of “customized tourism” is essential as the coronavirus pandemic has nearly shut down the travel sector, Iranian professor Mohammad-Taqi Toghraei said on Monday.

'One Health' approach needed to link human, animal and planetary health, Iran suggests

TEHRAN – The environmental dimensions should be integrated into the 'One Health' approach, strongly linking human, animal, and planetary health, deputy director of the DOE said, adding that key intergovernmental organizations and governments have strong commitments towards the protection of ecosystems.

Olympics' postponement a blessing for Sohrab Moradi

TEHRAN – Iranian weightlifter Sohrab Moradi says that the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics could be a blessing in disguise for him.

By Faranak Bakhtiari

Parishan Wetland: West Asia's largest freshwater at drought tipping point

TEHRAN –Parishan Wetland, the largest freshwater lake in Iran and West Asia, dried up in recent years and is struggling to death due to excessive groundwater withdrawal.

Eco-friendly disinfectants produced in Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian researchers have succeeded in developing eco-friendly disinfectants based on natural resources to address the health hazards and pollution risks of synthetic disinfectants amid coronavirus, ISNA reported on Monday.

Iranian scientists develop system for real-time diagnosis of COVID-19

TEHRAN – Iranian researchers and scientists at the Institute of Cancer and the University of Tehran managed to develop a system for the real-time diagnosis of COVID-19.

Iranians recovered from COVID-19 donate plasma

Patients who have recovered from coronavirus referred to blood transfusion center at a hospital in Tehran for plasma donation, July 18, 2020.

Iran extends ban on group tours in bid to contain coronavirus   

TEHRAN – Iran has decided to extend a ban on inbound group tours as the country is still grappling with the coronavirus pandemic, deputy tourism minister Vali Teymouri said on Sunday. However, travel agencies can organize business tours for individuals, he added, ISNA reported.

Iranian wrestler Hossein Nouri lauds medical staff

TEHRAN - The Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler Hossein Nouri, who has recently recovered from Covid-19, believes that doctors and nurses are the heroes these days.

81-year-old writer Javad Mojabi beats COVID-19  

TEHRAN – The 81-year old writer, poet and art critic Javad Mojabi, who was battling COVID-19, is feeling much better these days, his wife Asieh Javadi said on Saturday. 

Iranian publisher thanks health workers with book presents  

TEHRAN – Elmi-Farhangi, a major publishing house in Tehran, has handed out packages of its books as presents to the medical workers at the Milad and Masih Daneshvari hospitals to thank them in battling COVID-19.

Coronavirus: Emirates reinstates flights to Tehran after six months halt

TEHRAN – Emirates has resumed its flights to/from the Iranian capital Tehran after some six months of halt over the coronavirus pandemic, which has dramatically lessened travels and air traffic in the global scene.