By Hana Saada

Iran eyes strong ties with Algeria under new president Tebboune

ALGERIA - The Iranian Foreign Ministry expressed congratulations on the successful holding of the crucial presidential election in Algeria, voicing hope that the newly-elected president would chart a new era for the Iranian-Algerian deeply-rooted ties.

International arrivals in Iran reach 6.7 million since March

TEHRAN – Some 6.7 million foreign nationals have visited Iran since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21), IRNA reported.

Iran says has no immediate plan to quit NPT

TEHRAN – Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that there are several options on the table, but based on the current situation, Tehran does not have any immediate plan to leave the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). 

Daeshism still exists, not ended by al-Baghdadi's death

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi said that the US-claimed death of ISIL ringleader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi does not end terrorism and operations of the notorious terrorist group, warning that recruitment of remnants of the ISIL terrorists by Washington is still possible.

Iran says incidents for vessels in Sea of Oman is worrisome, urges clarification

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Monday urging a clarification on incidents for several vessels in the Sea of Oman on Sunday.

It is the U.S. regime which should change its nature: Iran

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Wednesday that it is the U.S. regime which must change its nature and not Iran.

Abbas Mousavi named Iran’s new Foreign Ministry spokesman

TEHRAN – Seyyed Abbas Mousavi has been appointed as the new Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, replacing Bahram Qassemi who was named Iran’s ambassador to Paris, the ministry announced in a press release on Saturday.

Bahram Qassemi bids farewell to media outlets

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi in a message bade farewell to media outlets, marking his last day as the spokesman. 

Iran calls Pompeo’s remarks ‘provocative, meddlesome, and undiplomatic’

Pompeo’s accusations against Hezbollah are ‘rude and irrational’: Iran

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Sunday calling U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s accusations against Iran “provocative, meddlesome, and undiplomatic”, saying such comments once again showed Washington’s policy of paternalism toward independent nations.

Tehran reiterates missiles are ‘non-negotiable’

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi has reiterated Iran’s firm stance on its missile program, saying the country’s missiles are “non-negotiable”.

Iran held talks with Taliban in Tehran on Sunday

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi announced on Monday that Iranian diplomats held a meeting with a Taliban delegation in Tehran on Sunday, December 30.

Tehran condemns Libya terror attack

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday denounced Tuesday’s terrorist attack in Libya, saying the people of Libya can overcome the residue of terrorism through unity and national will.

Tehran: U.S. military presence ‘wrong’ from the outset

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi has welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American forces from Syria, saying the U.S. military presence in the Middle East fuels insecurity in the region.

Iran responds to Pompeo: UN has not banned Iran’s missile program or tests

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry on Sunday rejected U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s recent claim that Tehran’s missile tests violate UN Security Council resolution 2231, saying the country’s missile program is just for defense.

Advisors misinform Trump, Iran says

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi has said that President Donald Trump is being misinformed about the Middle East by the team of his advisors.

Tehran calls Israeli president’s remarks ‘thoughtless’ and ‘rude’

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi has warned the Zionist regime of Israel against anti-Iran “thoughtless” and “rude” statements.

Iran summons UAE envoy over parade attack comments

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned the United Arab Emirates’ charge d'affaires to Tehran over comments made by an unnamed UAE official about the terrorist attack on a military parade in Ahvaz.

Foreign Ministry undergoing new changes

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Sunday that new changes are taking place at the Foreign Ministry.

Iran: Any party who violates nuclear deal will pay heavy price

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that any party that violates the nuclear deal will have to pay a heavy price.

Iran: Renewal of UN special rapporteur's mandate lacks ‘professional basis’

TEHRAN – Iran reacted strongly to a resolution by the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday which extends the mission of its Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the country, saying the resolution lacks “professional basis” and is “confrontational.”

Iran condemns terrorist attack in London

TEHRAN – Iran has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in London while criticizing what it called European countries’ “double standards” on combating terrorism.

Iran welcomes confidence vote for Yemen’s National Salvation Government

TEHRAN – The spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday hailed the Yemeni parliament’s vote of confidence for the National Salvation Government, expressing the hope that the new government would take steps to reduce the impacts of war.

Iran: Spread of violence in Turkey is source of ‘deep concern’

TEHRAN – Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned on Sunday twin terrorist bombings in Istanbul which killed 38 people, saying the spread of terrorism and violence in “friendly and neighboring” Turkey is a source of “deep concern”. 

'False accusations' favor no regional country, Iran tells S. Arabia

TEHRAN – The Iranian Foreign Ministry told Saudi Arabia on Tuesday that leveling “false accusations” is in favor of no country given the volatile situation in the region.

Tehran says no contact with Trump team over nuclear deal 

TEHRAN – Iran has made no contact with President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team over an internationally-backed nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, including the U.S.

Iran threatens to retaliate if congressional bills finalized

TEHRAN – Iran threatened on Monday that if congressional sanctions moves, which contravene the nuclear deal, are finalized Tehran will “definitely” take countermeasures.

Killing of Nigerian Muslims unacceptable: Iran

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Tuesday condemned the brutal killings of Muslims in a peaceful religious gathering in the northern Nigerian city of Kano, IRNA reported.

Tehran calls on S. Arabia, UAE not to play with Islamic sanctities 

TEHRAN – The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman has called on Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to keep Islamic sanctities out of their “mean” political game.   

Security forces reportedly open fire near Iranian embassy in Ankara

TEHRAN – A dozen shots were fired outside the Iranian embassy in the Turkish capital Ankara on Monday, media outlets reported.