Iran sympathizes with Turkey over devastating quake 

TEHRAN - The Foreign Ministry spokesman, in a message on Saturday, voiced Iran’s “deep” condolences to the bereaved families of victims, the Turkish government and people over the Friday quake in the eastern part of Turkey that left a sum of 20 people killed and tens more wounded.

By Fatemeh Salehi

Berlin conference on Libya, a breakthrough or the rivals’ saber-rattling

TEHRAN - The Berlin conference was held on Sunday to find a solution to put an end to the crisis in Libya. The meeting, which was attended by representatives of 12 countries, ended without achieving any practical breakthrough out of the crisis.

Turkey voices concern over regional tensions

TEHRAN — Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has voiced concerns over regional tensions in the aftermath of the U.S. assassination of Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, calling for concerted action to preserve stability and calm.

Turkey: Soleimani killing poses ‘serious risk’ to regional peace

TEHRAN — Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday that the United States’ assassination of Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani poses a “serious risk” to peace in the region.

By Fatemeh Salehi

Riyadh scenario for closing a criminal case

The Saudi judiciary has triggered a controversy by issuing verdicts for the culprits in the assassination of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and acquitting the former consul-general in Istanbul.

Vocalist Shahram Nazeri to record videos to promote tamboura  

TEHRAN – Vocalist Shahram Nazeri plans to record three music videos to promote tamboura, a string instrument native to Kermanshah that is the homeland of the world-renowned artist.

Iranian provinces tasked to expand own overseas tourism markets

TEHRAN – In order to promote decentralization in the domestic tourism industry, each Iranian province is tasked to develop its own tourism market abroad, particularly for visitors from nearby countries.

Yalda is a beautiful manifestation of Iran’s cultural heritage: tourism minister

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister has said that Yalda Night is a beautiful manifestation of Iran’s intangible cultural heritage.

Iran, Russia, Turkey to hold parliamentary talks in Ankara: Russian MP

TEHRAN — Iran, Russia and Turkey are set to hold parliamentary consultations in Ankara early next year, a Russian lawmaker said on Tuesday.

By Payman Yazdani

Future Party will attract some voters of AKP: Logoglu

TEHRAN –Referring to the launching of the new Future Party by Ahmet Davutoglu, a senior member of CHP says the new Future Party will have an impact on AKP as it will attract some voters from.

Iranian arrivals in Georgia plunge 34.5% in October

TEHRAN - Iranian arrivals in Georgia has decreased 34.5 percent in October from a year earlier, according to data compiled by the National Statistics Office of Georgia.

Asia sees regional security dependent on co-op with Iran: Larijani

TEHRAN – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Sunday that the Asian countries see regional security dependent on cooperation with Iran.

Iran seeking to win four joint UNESCO tags in 2020

TEHRAN – Iran is seeking to secure four world heritage status jointly with other countries in 2020.

Larijani says Iran, Turkey are active in establishing regional security

TEHRAN – Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani said on Saturday that Iran and Turkey are active in helping establish long-lasting security in the region.

Larijani set to visit Turkey on Saturday

TEHRAN – Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani is scheduled to visit Turkey on Saturday to partake in the 12th Plenary Meeting of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA).

Russia, Iran discuss war on terror

TEHRAN – Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergei Naryshkin has exchanged views with top Iranian Intelligence Ministry officials about cooperation in the fight against terrorism, says SVR spokesman Sergei Ivanov.

Zarif says Iran backs ‘Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process’

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday that Iran supports an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process with the participation of all political groups and factions.

International arrivals in Iran reach 6.7 million since March

TEHRAN – Some 6.7 million foreign nationals have visited Iran since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21), IRNA reported.

Iranian cuisine, culture attracts visitors at Slovenia exhibit

TEHRAN – Visitors to a Slovenian charity exhibition highly welcomed Iran’s stalls which turned the spotlight on the country’s cuisine, handicrafts, ancient traditions, and tourism destinations.

Turkey picked as guest of honor at Tehran Intl. Book Fair 

TEHRAN – Iran has selected Turkey as the guest of honor at the 33rd edition of the Tehran International Book Fair.

Discover Kandovan, the lesser-known fellow of Cappadocia

TEHRAN – Iran’s historical village Kandovan, which is situated in Osku county of East Azarbaijan province, pretty much resembles the Turkish fellow Cappadocia. However, Kandovan is lesser-known when it comes to tourism.

Tehran hosting intl. exhibition of household appliances

TEHRAN- The 19th International Exhibition of Household Appliances of Iran kicked off at Tehran Permanent International Fairground on Tuesday, IRNA reported.

By Hossein Amiri

White House-Ak Saray relations: From close friendship to conflict of interests

Relations between the U.S. Turkey have strained since the failed July 2016 coup in Turkey. Now, the most important reasons for the tension is Washington's strong opposition to Turkey's plan to buy S-400 missile system from Russia and Turkish military invasion into northern Syria.

Iran promoting tourism, traditions and arts at Ankara exhibit

TEHRAN – Iranian exhibitors, tour operators, artists and craftspeople are promoting tourism, traditions and arts of the ancient land at the 4th Travelexpo Ankara (locally named “Turizm ve Seyahat Fuari”, which is currently underway at the Turkish capital city.

By Hamid Bayati

From Operation Peace Spring to sea of tension

It is 20 days since the incursion of the Turkish army and its allied militia into northern Syria and the eastern Euphrates. The attack came to a halt a few days later through Russian mediation and a ten-article agreement between Ankara and Moscow.

Iran ranks 6th in Halal travel revenues

TEHRAN – Fetching $8 billion, Iran is ranked 6th in terms of Halal travel revenues based on the State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2018/19.

Putin highlights Iran-Russia-Turkey role in settling Syrian crisis

TEHRAN – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Iran, Russia and Turkey play a constructive role in settling crisis in Syria.

The Great Wall of Gorgan: longest ancient barrier between Central Europe and China

TEHRAN – Stretched for almost 200 kilometers along northern Iran, the ancient Great Wall of Gorgan was constructed from 420s CE to 530s as a northern frontier of the then mighty Persian Empire, which was then ruled under Sassanids.

*By Robert David Steele

Peace in the Middle East by 2024?

It has been a pleasure as well as an honor for me to be published by Tehran Times and the American Herald Tribune as well as the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC).

Turkish FM to possibly meet Russian and Iranian counterparts in Geneva

TEHRAN – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday that he will possibly meet with his Russian and Iranian counterparts in Geneva a day before the meeting of the Syrian constitutional committee, IRNA reported.