Iraqi, Afghan nationals top list of arrivals in Iran

TEHRAN – Citizens from Iraq and Afghanistan were the main tourists visiting Iran during a span of 70 days from October 23 to December 22, 2021, Mehr reported on Tuesday. 

By Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary

Self-Determination

 IMAGINE yourself as a Kashmiri born in Srinagar on Jan 5, 1949. You are 73 years old, and have completed nearly every phase of your life. You took decisions on what to study, where to work, how to contribute, and preparing to retire. A full circle of life. But at every stage, you were reminded that you were not free, that you were under Indian occupation, a kind of colonial rule. That’s the story of every man and woman who lives in the Valley of Kashmir or the Jammu region. You feel helpless and angry.

Pakistan resumes flights to Mashhad after five-year hiatus

TEHRAN -  Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights to Iran’s Mashhad, after a five-year gap to develop people-to-people contacts, local media reported on Thursday.

Iran FM meets with Pakistan army chief

TEHRAN - Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian met on Sunday with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa as he continued his meetings with Pakistani officials on the sidelines of the OIC conference.

Iran, Saudi Arabia FMs hold brief meeting in Pakistan

TEHRAN – The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held a brief meeting in Islamabad on Sunday on the sidelines of a regional summit on Afghanistan, the spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry said. 

FM: Iran considers sustainable security and political stability in Afghanistan fruitful to region

TEHRAN— Speaking at the 17th extraordinary session of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian reiterated that Iran supports the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

Ex-Pakistani diplomat says Iran’s demands in Vienna talks are logical

TEHRAN — Asif Ali Khan Durrani, Pakistan’s former envoy to Tehran, has said that Iran’s demands in the Vienna talks that sanctions must be lifted totally are reasonable, IRNA reported on Sunday.

Looming crisis in Afghanistan directly affecting Pakistan and Iran, PM Khan says

TEHRAN – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has criticized a continued freezing of Afghanistan's assets by the United States as the war-hit country is grappling with looming humanitarian crisis, warning that the deterioration of the situation will cause more problems for Pakistan and Iran as Afghanistan’s neighbors, IRNA reported on Thursday.

Iran-Pakistan maritime cooperation can lead strategic ties: Navy official

TEHRAN — An Iranian Navy official said on Sunday that Iran-Pakistan naval interactions will lead to deep and strategic relations between the two friendly and neighboring countries.

Iran, Pakistan reach barter trade agreement

TEHRAN – Iran and Pakistan have reached an agreement to use barter trade in order to boost bilateral trade in the face of U.S. sanctions, Pakistani news outlets reported on Friday.

Iran, Pakistan examine strengthening border, maritime cooperation

TEHRAN — In a virtual meeting, Iran’s Border Guard Commander and the director-general of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency have reviewed the latest developments related to bilateral cooperation in maritime and border management as well as conducting operations and patrols, IRNA reported on Friday.

Under the lens of CNN: Iran pavilion among the most ‘spectacular’ at Expo 2020

TEHRAN – A recent CNN report has selected Iran pavilion as one of the most “spectacular” structures that participating countries have set up at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

Taliban must assure neighbors there won’t be threat from Afghanistan: Iran FM

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said on Wednesday that it is necessary that the current Taliban rulers in Afghanistan give assurances that there will be no threat against countries neighboring Afghanistan.

Tehran foreign ministerial meeting on Afghanistan begins

TEHRAN – The foreign ministers of the countries neighboring Afghanistan started their meeting in Tehran on Wednesday morning.

A manufactured crisis Azerbaijan must avoid

TEHRAN — After Amir Abdollahian’s phone call with his Azeri counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov, Iranian social media exploded with an astounding piece of news. The Republic of Azerbaijan blocked the Azeri Sahar TV website, as well as religious websites close to Iran.

Busy day for FM Amir Abdollahian

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian had a very busy day on Monday. He spoke with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Iran, Pakistan to hold joint naval drill

TEHRAN — Expressing confidence over the results of his visit to Pakistan and emphasizing the common ground between the two neighbors on various issues, Major General Mohammad Baqeri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said that both sides agreed to expand intelligence sharing as well as holding a joint naval drill in the future.

Tehran’s policy toward Afghanistan depends on Taliban’s behavior: Official

TEHRAN — Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, said on Wednesday that Iran closely monitors the policies and behavior of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Iran, Pakistan agree to expand security ties, help establish peace in Afghanistan

TEHRAN — Islamabad had a busy day on Tuesday, when two Iranian delegations arrived in Pakistan. A delegation representing the Iranian parliament, and a high-rank military delegation headed by Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Baqeri.

Baqeri to visit Pakistan on Tuesday

Iranian military chief will meet PM Imran Khan

TEHRAN — Major General Mohammad Baqeri, Chief of the Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, is scheduled to pay an official visit to Pakistan on Tuesday at the invitation of Pakistan’s Army Commander General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

By Saeed Azimi

Ex-ambassador: From Pakistan’s view Taliban government is not inclusive

TEHRAN – In a live interview with the Tehran Times on Tuesday, former Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran says from viewpoint of his country the caretaker Taliban government is not inclusive.

Iran's membership in SCO strengthened prospect of Asian cooperation: expert

TEHRAN - A senior expert on strategic issues says Iran's change of membership from observer to permanent in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has strengthened the perspective of Iran's cooperation with the organization bilaterally and multilaterally.

Iran president, Pakistan PM insist on formation of comprehensive government in Afghanistan 

TEHRAN – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan insisted on the need for formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan during a meeting on the fringes of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Thursday afternoon.

Intelligence chiefs meet in Islamabad to discuss Afghanistan

TEHRAN — Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed on Saturday hosted intelligence chiefs of regional countries in Islamabad to discuss the Afghan situation, according to Pakistani media outlets.