Iraqi president to visit Iran Saturday

TEHRAN – Iraqi President Barham Salih arrives in Iran on Saturday for a two-day visit.

Kharrazi: We have no choice but to resist sanctions 

Despite claims, U.S. sanctioning the Iranian people not the government, Kharrazi says

TEHRAN - The U.S. claims that it has sanctioned Iran’s government, but in fact the people of Iran are being sanctioned, said Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, in an interview with France24 broadcast on Wednesday.

Iraq receives sanction waiver for importing gas, electricity from Iran

TEHRAN - Iraq has received a 45-day waiver over U.S. sanctions against Iran which allows the country to continue to import natural gas and electricity from Iran, Reuters reported citing the U.S. embassy in Iraq.

‘Tehran-Baghdad ties not based on tribalism’

TEHRAN – Iran’s ambassador to Iraq says Tehran-Baghdad relations are not based on tribalism, urging the two sides to act in the interest of their people and not that of the United States.

Larijani congratulates new Iraqi PM

TEHRAN – Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has congratulated the new Iraqi prime minister on winning the vote of confidence, saying the Iranian parliament is ready to contribute to closer ties between the two countries.

‘Iraq to prioritize own interests regarding Iran sanctions’

TEHRAN – New Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said on Thursday that Baghdad will prioritize its own interests and independence when it comes to implementing unilateral U.S. sanctions on Iran.

1.8 million Iranian pilgrims taking trek to Karbala

TEHRAN — Some 1.8 million pilgrims from Iran have received visas to participate in the Arbaeen trek, an official with Interior Ministry has said.

Tehran calls on Iraq to facilitate travel of Iranian pilgrims

Zarif says Arbaeen symbolizes Iran-Iraq unity

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Thursday called on the Iraqi government to facilitate travel of the Iranian pilgrims for the Arbaeen ritual, particularly in border areas.

Iraq to ask U.S. for Iran sanctions waivers

TEHRAN – The Iraqi government is planning to officially ask the U.S. to exempt Baghdad from sanctions over continued economic ties with the neighboring Iran, Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Mahjoub has said.

Army ramps up border security ahead of Arbaeen pilgrimage

TEHRAN – The Iranian Army has dispatched combat and civilian service units to borders with Iraq in order to ensure the security of Arbaeen pilgrims and provide them with a range of services, a commander said on Monday.

IRGC able to accommodate 110,000 Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN – The IRGC Arbaeen headquarters is able to accommodate as many as 110,000 pilgrims in the shrine cities of Najaf, Karbala and Samarra in Iraq during the Arbaeen pilgrimage, a military official said on Sunday.

‘History to record Iran’s support for Iraq with golden pen’

TEHRAN – Secretary-general of the Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba has hailed the role of IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani in fighting the terrorists in Iraq, saying history will register the hardships that Iran endured for helping Iraq in this struggle with a “golden pen”.

Half a million visas issued for Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN – Over 500,000 visas have so far been issued for Iranian pilgrims who are to make their ways to the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala.

Enemy misrepresenting Iran to create frustration 

TEHRAN – The Leader of the Islamic Revolution said on Wednesday that the enemy is representing a “false, negative, and disappointing” image of Iran.

Iranian center to organize photo contest on Arbaeen pilgrimage

TEHRAN – Al-Ummah, a satellite institute of Iran’s Study Center of the Islamic Revolution Cultural Front, plans to organize a photography contest on the Arbaeen pilgrimage this year.

By Ramin Hossein Abadian

Abdul Mahdi, on path to form a cohesive, national Iraqi cabinet

TEHRAN – Adel Abdul Mahdi, an Iraqi politician, was elected as the prime minister of Iraq by the new President Barham Salih.

Police to provide full security for Arbaeen pilgrims

TEHRAN – Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari told reporters in Tehran on Saturday that his forces would provide full security for citizens traveling to Iraq for the Arbaeen pilgrimage later this month.

‘Iraqi rulers should recognize importance of Iran-Iraq ties’

TEHRAN – Halmat Ghareeb, an assistant lecturer at Salahaddin University-Erbil, has stressed the importance of Iran-Iraq ties, saying any Iraqi president or prime minister should be fully aware of the significance of such relations.

General urges U.S. to release info on burial site of Iranian soldiers in Iraq

TEHRAN – A military commander has urged Washington to provide Iran with documents related to the burial locations of Iranian soldiers confiscated after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Diplomat: ‘Hidden hands’ at work to cause rift between Iran, Iraq

TEHRAN - Iraj Masjedi, the Iranian ambassador to Baghdad, said on Saturday that “hidden hands” are at work to cause rift between Iran and Iraq.

Zarif blasts Trump officials over consulate closure

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday denied that his country was responsible for increased threats against a U.S. consulate in the Iraqi city of Basra.

Daesh would have reached Europe without Iran: senior MP

TEHRAN - Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Chairman Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh said on Monday that Daesh would have reached the gates of Europe if it had not been for Iran’s fight against the group in Iraq and Syria.

Iraqi FM urges Arab states to dialogue with Iran

TEHRAN – Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Iraq’s foreign minister, said on Friday the world has no option but to start negotiation with Iran to resolve regional disputes.

Exports to Iraq up 31% in H1

TEHRAN- Iran’s exports to Iraq rose 31 percent during the first half of the present Iranian calendar year (March 21-September 22), according to the Chairman of Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce Yahya Al-e Es’haq.

Iraq appoints new ambassador to Tehran

TEHRAN – Baghdad has appointed a new ambassador to Tehran, according to Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmad Mahjoub.

Love of Hussein unites us

TEHRAN – Muslims around the globe held massive mourning ceremonies on Thursday, the day of Ashura, to commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions.

Iran supplies 70 percent of internet services in Iraq, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi said that Iran supplies nearly 70 percent of Iraq’s internet services, Fars News Agency reported.

By Marjohn Sheikhi

Currency slump gives rise to visits from neighbors, sanctions wane visits from EU

TEHRAN– The fall in Iran’s national currency value has attracted a new wave of visitors from neighboring countries, particularly Iraq. According to recent figures, the arrival of foreign tourists to Iran has had a 45% increase in a five-month period compared to last year.

Iraqis in Basra condemn attack on Iran consulate

TEHRAN – Iraqis from different walks of life on Saturday staged a march in the southern city of Basra to condemn a recent attack on Iran’s consulate in the city, Press TV reported.

Iran congratulates Iraq on electing new parliament speaker

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Saturday congratulated Mohammed Rikan Hadeed al-Halbousi on his election as the new speaker of Iraq’s parliament, hoping for the immediate formation of new government in Iraq.