By Mohammad Mazhari

Iran may act more decisively in response to violation of nuclear deal: Russian expert

TEHRAN - If Iran comes under more sanctions pressure, it may take more decisive actions, predicts a senior Russian expert.

U.S. political approach fails in global coronavirus fight, Iran says

TEHRAN – The United States has practically failed in the fight against COVID-19 by taking a political approach toward the global crisis, said Iranian Cooperatives, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari.

Washington is pushing its European vassals to assume a more aggressive posture against Iran: Italian

Federico Pieraccini, an Italian independent geopolitical analyst at the Strategic Culture Foundation, tells the Tehran Times that the resolution adopted by the IAEA and drafted by the UK, France, and Germany is "a new excuse" to put much pressure on Iran, while "Iran has actually been too cooperative with the IAEA."

Zarif: U.S. punishes law-abiding countries

TEHRAN- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has criticized the U.S. for violating the nuclear deal, known as JCPOA, saying the U.S. government is "bullying others to do so."

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.

Trump admin has no way but revising wrong policies: Vaezi

TEHRAN – Iranian Presidential chief of staff Mahmoud Vaezi has said that the Donald Trump administration has no way but revising wrong policies and making up for past mistakes, especially economic and medical terrorism against Iran.

By Payman Yazdani

Europe complicit in allowing drug trade: Canadian prof.

Being a neighbor to one of the biggest producers of drugs in the world has caused the Islamic Republic of Iran to shoulder a heavy burden as one of the main routes for drug transport.

Unlawful sanctions disrupt Iran’s anti-drug fight: official

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy foreign minister has criticized the U.S. sanctions for hindering Iran’s effort and cooperation with other countries in the fight against drug trafficking, saying other countries will not be immune from the consequences.

Tehran to boost ties with Damascus amid sanctions: Mousavi

TEHRAN — Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi has denounced the new U.S. sanctions on Syria, saying that Tehran will maintain and boost economic ties with Damascus.

Tehran: U.S. regime to soon kneel in front of Iranian nation

TEHRAN — Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi has censured the U.S. regime for relying on “knee on neck” approach to its people and other countries, saying Washington will soon kneel in front of the Iranian nation.

Tehran says will never surrender to U.S. sanctions

TEHRAN — Tehran says it will never surrender to the United States’ maximum pressure policy, urging Washington to abandon its illegal measures.

By staff and agency

U.S. drops Iran sanctions case

In a rare move, federal prosecutors are seeking to withdraw a criminal case against an Iranian banker who was convicted of violating U.S. sanctions, Bloomberg reported on Saturday.

Who are the secret puppet-masters behind Trump’s war on Iran?

(Pressenza) – On May 6th, President Trump vetoed a war powers bill specifying that he must ask Congress for authorization to use military force against Iran. Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign of deadly sanctions and threats of war against Iran has seen no let-up, even as the U.S., Iran and the whole world desperately need to set aside our conflicts to face down the common danger of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sanctions hinder GEF to finance environmental projects in Iran

TEHRAN – Unfair and unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States has hindered the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to finance environmental projects in Iran.

Iranian people are victims of Trump’s decisions: Colorado University professor

TEHRAN - Sven Steinmo, a professor of political science at the University of Colorado, has said that the Iranian people are victims of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decisions and their lives are in danger because of sanctions.

Sanctions a barrier to sustainable development goals, Iran says

TEHRAN – The U.S. sanctions have acted as a barrier to achieve the sustainable development goals, deputy director of the Department of Environment (DOE) said, noting that global solidarity is needed in moving towards sustainable development regardless of the abuse of political power to put pressure on others.

Tehran slams U.S. sanctions on nuclear scientists

TEHRAN — The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has reacted to Washington’s decision to blacklist two Iranian nuclear scientists, saying such measures are indicative of the U.S. government’s hostile approach towards Iran.

By Payman Yazdani

Tehran signals its oil trade 'legitimate': Japanese expert

TEHRAN– Sachi Sakanashi believes that message of Iran's move to send oil tankers to Venezuela is that Tehran's oil trade is legitimate and the country is ready to send its oil even across the Atlantic Ocean when there is a customer.

Russia condemns U.S. cancellation of nuclear sanction waivers

Russia said on Thursday the United States was acting in a dangerous and unpredictable way, after Washington withdrew from a key military treaty and moved to ramp up pressure on Iran, China Global Television Network (CGTN) reported.

Tehran to Washington: We shatter your max pressure with max resistance

TEHRAN — Tehran says it shatters the United States’ maximum pressure campaign with maximum resistance and relying on domestic capabilities.

Tehran urges lifting of ‘inhumane’ sanctions on Syrians

TEHRAN – Ali-Asghar Khaji, the Iranian foreign minister's special assistant for political affairs, on Wednesday called the sanctions against the Syrian people “inhumane” and said it is necessary to remove the bans as soon as possible.

Humanitarian exemptions in U.S. sanctions on Iran just a claim: expert

TEHRAN – Fatemeh Sharifi, an expert on international relations, has written an article stating that it is just a claim that humanitarian aid is exempted from U.S. sanctions against Iran.

Unilateralism is a lethal poison for intl. community: Kharrazi

TEHRAN - Kamal Kharrazi, chairman of Iran’s Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, said on Tuesday that unilateralism is a “lethal poison” for international community, noting the necessity of forming an “international democracy”.

Columbia University professor urges removal of Iran sanctions

TEHRAN - Robert Jervis, a professor of Columbia University, has slammed the United States’ sanctions on Iran, urging their removal in the coronavirus pandemic.

By staff and agency

China says U.S. sanctions destabilize West Asia

Wang Qun, the China’s ambassador to the United Nations in Vienna, said on Friday that the United States’ sanctions on Iran are distorting global oil supply and further destabilizing West Asia, Reuters reported.

UN human rights chief urges U.S. to lift sanctions on Iran

TEHRAN - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has urged the United States to lift sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, stressing that the sanitary situation called for such a move in order to save lives.

Sen. Feinstein says U.S. and Iran need a coronavirus peace plan

TEHRAN - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein has said that the United States should provide partial, temporary sanctions relief to Iran when the country is fighting the coronavirus.

Chicago university professor says removal of sanctions is essential

TEHRAN - Nathan Tarcov, a professor at the University of Chicago, has said that it is essential to remove sanctions against Iran.

Cornel University professor says people shouldn’t be denied access to medicine

TEHRAN — Under international law and basic ethical principles, people should not be denied access to food and medicine, says a political science professor at Cornel University.

Sanctions make Iran’s coronavirus crisis more deadly, former diplomat warns

TEHRAN — Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator who now works as a researcher at Princeton University, has urged the United Sates to abandon its maximum pressure campaign against Iran and lift the sanctions, which have made Iran’s coronavirus crisis more deadly.