Zarif to visit Iraq on July 19

TEHRAN – An informed source at Iran’s Foreign Ministry has said that Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif plans to visit Iraq on July 19.

Envoy felicitates Iraq over Mosul victory anniversary

TEHRAN — The Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad, Iraj Masjedi, has congratulated the Iraqi people and government on the anniversary of the liberation of Mosul from Daesh (ISIS).

U.S. bases might be shut down in future: ambassador

TEHRAN — The Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad, Iraj Masjedi, has said the U.S. bases in Iraq will be probably shut down in the future.

Iran to meet Syria in friendly in September: report

TEHRAN – Media reports suggest that Syrian football association has reached an agreement with Iran for a friendly match.

Iran, Iraq discuss security cooperation

TEHRAN – Iranian military attaché to Iraq Mostafa Moradian and Mohammad Reza Al Haidar, head of the Iraqi parliament’s security and defense committee, discussed security and defense cooperation on Friday.

Iran setting rules to resume foreign tourist arrivals amid pandemic

TEHRAN – The ministries of tourism and health in close collaboration with several other government bodies are defining a series of rules for admitting foreign travelers to the country amid a standstill in the global tourism industry caused mainly by the coronavirus.

COVID-19 lowers chance of Iran’s success at FIFA World Cup qualification

TEHRAN – Iran national football team could suffer a major blow if FIFA decides to hold the 2022 World Cup qualification behind closed doors.

Sanctions, Gen. Soleimani assassination won’t demoralize nation: Zarif

TEHRAN — Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said the U.S. sanctions on Iran and its assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani will not demoralize the Iranian nation, Mehr reported.

By Mohammad Mazhari

Though UN has failed in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has secured peace among great powers: CIS-EMO director

TEHRAN - The United Nations is expected to play a constructive role in the problematic and complex West-Asian context.

“Walnut Tree” exhibit to observe anniversary of Sardasht chemical attack 

TEHRAN – An exhibition of the stills of the acclaimed Iranian drama “Walnut Tree” will open at the Zemestan Gallery of the Iranian Artists Forum on Sunday to commemorate the anniversary of the tragedy of Iraq’s chemical attack on the Iranian town of Sardasht in 1987.

Iraqi FM says his first foreign tours will be to Tehran and Riyadh

TEHRAN – Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein has said that his first foreign visits will be to Tehran and Riyadh.

Iran ready to facilitate arrival of Afghan medical travelers: minister

TEHRAN – Iran is considering to make it easier for the Afghan nationals who are willing to visit the neighboring country for medical purposes, tourism minister has said.

Nujaba Movement denounces U.S. pressure on Iraq negotiation team

Nujaba Movement denounces U.S. pressure on Iraq negotiation team Iraq’s al-Nujaba Movement criticizes U.S. pressure on Iraq negotiation team and said the U.S. attempts to impose an initiative for maintaining its forces in Iraq via imposing pressures on the negotiators.

By staff and agency

Iraqi PM to visit Iran

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi is planning his first foreign tour with visits to the United States, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge-based companies to raise annual sales to $35 billion

TEHRAN – Knowledge-based companies in Iran sold products worth 1,200 trillion rials (about $28 billion at the official rate of 42,000 rials) in the previous Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19), while the figure is projected to rise to 1,500 billion rials (about $35 billion) in the current year, said Sourena Sattari, Vice President for Science and Technology.

Zarif discusses bilateral ties with Iraqi counterpart

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and the new Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Mohammed Hussein had a phone conversation on Sunday.

Coronavirus: Iran preparing to reopen doors to foreign travelers

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism ministry has forecast that the country will start hosting foreign travelers as of mid-summer with the priority given to travelers from the neighboring countries.

Skocic better coach than Wilmots: Azmoun

TEHRAN – Iran national football team forward Sardar Azmoun believes that Dragan Skocic can help Iran qualify for the 2022 World Cup since he is a better coach than Marc Wilmots.

Iran’s principled policy is expanding ties with Iraq: Rouhani

TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that Iran’s principled policy is expanding relations and cooperation with Iraq in various areas.

Ayatollah Khamenei says U.S. will definitely be expelled from Syria, Iraq

TEHRAN - Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that the United States’ forces will definitely be expelled from Syria and Iraq because of their criminal actions and warmongering.

Hatami says Iran, Iraq should become strategic partners

TEHRAN – Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said on Sunday that Tehran and Baghdad should become “strategic partners”.

By staff and agency

MBS asks new Iraqi PM to mediate between Riyadh and Tehran: Middle East Eye

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has asked new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to mediate between the Saudi kingdom and Iran, senior Iraqi political sources have told Middle East Eye.

Rouhani talks to Kadhimi on phone, says Iran will stand beside Iraqis

TEHRAN – In a phone conversation with new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Monday, President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran will stand beside the Iraqi government and people.

Rouhani congratulates new Iraqi premier on appointment

TEHRAN — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has congratulated the newly-appointed Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, calling for all-out cooperation between the two neighboring nations.

ambassador Masjedi and PM Kadhimi hold talks on banking cooperation, Khorramshahr-Basra railway project and issuing visa for the two countries’ nationals

Iranian diplomat meets new Iraqi PM

TEHRAN - Iraj Masjedi, the Iranian ambassador to Iraq, met with new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on Saturday as he chaired the first meeting of his cabinet.

Zarif felicitates Iraq over formation of new government

TEHRAN — Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has congratulated Iraq for succeeding to form a new government. 

Mustafa al-Kazemi's cabinet receives vote of confidence from Iraqi parliament

TEHRAN– The Iraqi parliament has given a vote of confidence to Mustafa al-Kazemi's cabinet as he faces difficult missions, such as implementing the resolution of expelling US troops from Iraqi territory.

Iran condemns any destabilizing action in Iraq

TEHRAN - Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi condemned on Sunday any action in Iraq which weakens stability and peace in the country.

If forced to choose, Iraq will choose Iran over the U.S.: Atlantic Council

TEHRAN — If forced to choose, Baghdad will choose Iran, not the United States, argues an Atlantic Council article.

Iraq, U.S. will start talks on exit of forces in June: military spokesman 

TEHRAN - The spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces has revealed that Baghdad and Washington will start talks on the exit of U.S. forces from Iraq in June, an Iraqi newspaper reported on Sunday.