Living in Iran is a great experience, Swiss envoy says

TEHRAN – Swiss ambassador to Iran believes that living in the country is a “great experience”, saying Swiss people mostly think Iranians are so hospitable.

Top Persian Gulf airlines continue using Iranian airspace

TEHRAN – Qatar Airways, Emirates and several other Persian Gulf airlines have been continuing to use Iranian airspace despite propaganda over security issues in the region.

Intl. conference bears witness to Iran being a safe destination

TEHRAN – Holding an international conference with the presence of leading figures in digital tourism marketing is an indicator that Iran is a safe destination to travel, deputy tourism minister Vali Teymouri said on Friday.

Iran rules out massive cancelation of inbound tours

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy tourism minister Vali Teymouri on Monday ruled out speculations that inbound tours have been massively canceled in the wake of recent tragic incidents in the country.

Security in Indian Ocean safeguards global economic interests: admiral

TEHRAN — Rear Admiral Gholamreza Tahani, the deputy commander of the Iranian Navy, has highlighted the importance of establishing security in the Indian Ocean, saying it would guarantee economic interests of countries.

Uzbek security official condemns double-standard approach towards terrorism

TEHRAN - In his speech at the second Regional Security Dialogue Conference on Afghanistan in Tehran on Wednesday, a top Uzbek security official lambasted certain countries for adopting a double-standard approach towards terrorism. 

By Mohammad Ghaderi

Elections, participation and national security

TEHRAN - Democratic establishments in the entire political structures worldwide have been founded based the people’s votes and views. It is for these reasons that people are considered the most main component in political, social, economic and cultural developments.

Enemies cannot harm Iran’s maritime security: Navy chief

TEHRAN – Chief of the Iranian Navy says presence of naval forces of the United States and other foreigners cannot harm Iran’s maritime security.

Commander hails Iran’s deterrent power as source of ‘regional security’

TEHRAN – Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, has said Iran’s deterrent power is a source of sustainable security and stability for the region.

By Afshin Majlesi

Spark your wanderlust: how influencers can help?

In the current fast-paced realm of advertising and marketing, travel influencers have changed the whole game as they have succeeded to materialize a totally new and self-directed channels to reach audiences in a more authentic and personal way, even influencing to shape their wanderlusts.

Commander: Iran monitoring all aerial moves in region

TEHRAN – The second-in-command of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base has said his forces, equipped with the most state-of-the-art systems and radars, monitor the moves of all flying objects in the region.

Borders are secure: Iranian army chief 

TEHRAN – The Iranian army chief has said full security prevails in the country’s borders thanks to the efforts by the armed forces.

By Afshin Majlesi

Eye-opening experience: As many Americans as possible should visit Iran

TEHRAN - Judith Bello, a long-time American peace activist, who has visited Iran for two times, believes such a journey “will be an eye-opening experience”.

 By Afshin Majlesi

Traveler recommends potential tourists to visit Iran before a “big influx”

Many tourism associates believe that Iran is still somewhat of a lesser-known destination for many avid globetrotters, saying the country, despite having enormous potentials, has a long way to go to occupy a dominant position in world tourism market.

The notion of negotiation has been destroyed in mentality of Iranian people, General Salami says 

IRGC chief: Iran has tied security to progress

TEHRAN – The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said on Wednesday that for Iran security and progress are interdependent. 

By Afshin Majlesi

Is Iran safe for Americans to visit?

TEHRAN – The matter of security in Iran is essentially considered as a complex question for any U.S. citizen willing to visit the Islamic Republic.

Majlis to hold closed session on economic, security issues

TEHRAN – Behrouz Nemati, spokesman for the Majlis presiding board, told reporters on Tuesday the parliament plans to hold a closed session next week to discuss economic and security issues.

Warsaw final statement testifies to its failure: Tehran

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi has dismissed the allegations raised in the final statement of the Warsaw Conference, describing the statement as a proof of the anti-Iran summit’s failure. 

Iran downgrading security ties with EU: diplomatic source

TEHRAN – Some six European ambassadors and charges d’affaires in Tehran were dismissed in less than ten minutes after they visited the Foreign Ministry to justify the European Union’s reasons for sanctioning an Iranian intelligence service and two related people, an unnamed diplomatic source told IRNA on Wednesday.

Experience contradicts Western media image of Iran

TEHRAN – An American fashion psychologist who accidentally landed in Iran believes that her perception of the country is totally different from what mainstream Western media outlets portray.

Zarif urges Pakistan to help immediately release Iranian abductees 

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday to follow up on conditions of Iranian border guards who were abducted and transferred to Pakistan by terrorists late on Monday.

Guards crush armed group on Afghan border

TEHRAN – Iranian border guards on Thursday disbanded a three-member team of gunmen as they were trying to cross the country’s border with Afghanistan, local news outlets reported

‘Iran helping 30 countries in area of security’ 

TEHRAN - Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, the deputy army chief for coordination affairs, said on Saturday that Iran has been helping 30 countries in the area of regional security.

Iran-Pakistan border to turn into one of ‘friendship’: Pakistani Army

TEHRAN – The Pakistani army has said joint efforts are underway to turn the frontier separating Iran and Pakistan into a “border of peace and friendship.”

West Asia might collapse: advisor

TEHRAN – Hessameddin Ashena, an advisor to President Rouhani, warned on Saturday that Western Asia might collapse in the near future, unless regional countries resolve their problems.

Tehran to host security conference on January 8

TEHRAN – Jamal Shafi’ee, the chief of the Center for Strategic Studies of National Security, said on Monday that the second conference on regional security will be held in Tehran on January 8.

By Afshin Majlesi

Explore Pakistan, the land unknown to many

My Travelogue of Pakistan

When I was told by my superiors to make a journey to Pakistan, I started wondering how traveling to our neighboring country could be. Soon after, I made up my mind to perceive the country objectively and feel it personally, not in the way some mainstream media portray it.

Top commander: Full security restored at Iran’s southeastern borders

TEHRAN – The chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces has underlined that full security has been restored to the southeastern borders of the country.

No election-related security problems reported: police chief

TEHRAN – Iran’s police chief said on Friday afternoon that no cases of insecurity or indiscipline has been reported in polling stations across the country.

Security forces bust several terrorist cells prior to elections: minister

TEHRAN – The Iranian intelligence minister announced on Friday that security forces have managed to smash a number of terrorist cells that intended to disrupt the process of elections on Friday, ISNA reported.