Abu Musa to organize two-day tours for martyrs’ families

TEHRAN – Abu Musa, one of the southernmost Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf, is arranging special package tours to be offered to the families of the martyrs.

Restoration of 16th-century Portuguese fort in Iran continues

TEHRAN – A fresh restoration work, which entails mapping survey, documentation, and masonry, has been commenced on the 16th-century Portuguese fort in the Persian Gulf island of Hormuz, southern Iran.

IRGC launches underground ballistic missiles in military exercise

TEHRAN — The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force on Wednesday successfully launched a series of ballistic missiles from well-camouflaged underground missile systems during a large-scale military exercise underway in southern Iran.

IRGC fires long-range ballistic missiles in war game

Iran stages war games in Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has fired long-range ballistic missiles capable of destroying hostile vessels during a war game in southern Iran.

Qeshm Geopark could lose UNESCO tag

TEHRAN – Iran’s southern Qeshm Geopark could lose its UNESCO status due to years of large-scale shrimp hatchery operations that could be referred to as an example of environmental mismanagement in the country.

Iran seeks security for all: diplomat

TEHRAN - Mohammad Ali Hosseini, Tehran’s ambassador to Pakistan, said on Thursday that Iran seeks security for all and will remain harbinger of regional peace, security and development.

Iran’s Hormuz peace initiative a dialogue-based catalyst for durable security: MP

TEHRAN - An Iranian lawmaker said on Tuesday that the Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE) proposed by President Hassan Rouhani is capable of leading the region towards durable peace and security based on dialogue. 

South Korea says consulting Iran on how to secure Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN - Seoul is consulting with Tehran on how to secure the Strait of Hormuz and the possibility of sending troops to the Middle East, a Cheong Wa Dae official said Saturday, Yonhap reported.

South Korea says has no plan to dispatch navy fleet to Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN - The South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday that his country has thus far not decided to forward any naval force to the Strait of Hormuz connecting the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman in the Middle East.

Over $950,000 allocated for Portuguese Castle restoration in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN – On Friday, Iranian tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan visited the Portuguese Castle in the Persian Gulf island of Hormuz, allocating 40 billion rials (some $952,000) for restoration of the 16th-century monument.

By Abbas Aslani

Iran-Russia-China naval drill: Another piece of the geopolitical puzzle

There is a point where Iran, Russia and China see eye to eye in holding the manoeuvre, and that is sending a message to their common adversary or rival, namely the United States. The US, in some ways, has applied a triple containment policy toward China, Russia and Iran. This would be enough to unite these three countries on some fronts.

Japan say Iran has been informed about sending warships to Middle East 

TEHRAN - Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that Japan has informed Iran about its decision to send warships to the Middle East to reinvigorate its data and information, noting that Tokyo is still resolved to continue close relations with Tehran. 

By Maryam Khormaei

Why Germany turned its back on parallel coalitions in Strait of Hormuz

Germany recently announced it will not join the French-led mission in the Strait of Hormuz. This is while, not long ago, Berlin’s lack of support for Paris’s position on “the brain death of NATO” became a hot issue.

By Mohammad Ghaderi

Decoding the rare remarks of Khatam al-Anbia headquarters commander

Commander of the Khatam al-Anbia central headquarters warned on Friday that the U.S. should act responsibly to “save the lives of its soldiers” by avoiding wrong behavior in the Persian Gulf region and the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. must act responsibly to protect lives of its soldiers: senior Iranian general

TEHRAN – Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of the Khatam ol-Anbia Central Headquarters, warned the United States on Friday to act “responsibly” in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz for protection of the lives of its soldiers.

By Mohammad Javad Zarif

Strait of Hormuz region can find its own solution

This is a significant moment for our neighbourhood. We are witnessing an escalation in tensions and insecurity, threatening to spiral out of control and result in untold tragedies. The four-and-a-half-year war in Yemen has brought the region to the brink of disaster and resulted in measures against Saudi Aramco’s facilities.

Zarif invites all regional states to join Hormuz Peace Endeavor

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has invited all regional states to join Iran’s initiative for securing the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz called “Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE)”.

Rouhani: Our response to negotiation under sanctions is negative

UNITED NATIONS – In a key speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran’s “response to any negotiation under sanctions is in the negative.”

Rouhani says E3’s statement on Aramco attacks is counterproductive

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that a statement issued by the E3 countries - Britain, Germany and France - is not constructive and useful.

IRGC seizes 7 trawlers near Strait of Hormuz 

TEHRAN – The Navy of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said in a statement on Wednesday that its forces have detained seven trawling ships in the Jask region, near the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan to send forces to Hormuz Strait if Iran gives consent: report

(MNA) – Japan is considering sending a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer separately from the U.S.-led coalition to the Persian Gulf and it will perform a mission in the Strait of Hormuz if Iran gives its consent, a Japanese newspaper reported.

Iran to take third step on JCPOA if EU fails to act: Rounahi to Macron

TEHRAN– In a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran will further reduce its commitments under the JCPOA if Europe does not abide by its obligations under the deal.

By Payman Yazdani

Indonesia interested in exchanging information, defense equipment with Iran 

TEHRAN– Indonesian Ambassador Octavino Alimudin in an exclusive interview with Mehr News Agency said Indonesia is interested in exchanging information and defense equipment with Iran to fight terrorism.

Zarif: Pressure on Iran ‘will never work’

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that the United States pressure to push Iran to the negotiating table will never work and added that Iranians never negotiate under duress.

Australia joins naval mission in Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN - Australia has joined Great Britain and Bahrain in signing onto a U.S.-led maritime security mission that the U.S. claimed is aimed at protecting international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran believes the real reason for it is to threaten its interests in the Persian Gulf.

New Zealand says has no boats to send to Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN – New Zealand's defense minister says while no formal request for assistance was made, Britain approached New Zealand about whether it had any capacity to help.

Fadavi says enemies must not even think of attack against Iran

Admiral: IRGC has reinforced military in Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN – Deputy Chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ali Fadavi has advised Iran’s enemies to learn lessons from forty years of testing Iran, warning about the dire consequences of “even thinking of carrying out a conspiracy or an attack against Iran.”

Iran’s deterrence power cannot be tested: Army air defense chief

TEHRAN – A top military commander said on Wednesday that Iran’s defense capability cannot be tested, saying if the enemies don’t dare to approach the Strait of Hormuz and are withdrawing their warships from the Persian Gulf it is because of Iran’s deterrence power.

By staff and agency

Germany reiterates it will not take part in U.S.-led naval coalition

A German government spokeswoman said on Monday that Chancellor Angela Merkel and the whole German government do not see Germany taking part in a U.S-led naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz.