Iran

31 Aug 2021; MEMO: Iran plans to hold a fourth round of talks with regional rival Saudi Arabia in Iraq after the new Iranian government is set up, the Iranian ambassador in Baghdad was quoted as saying today, Reuters reported.

TEHRAN, Aug 29 (NNN-IRNA) – The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, denounced yesterday, the mention by U.S. President Joe Biden, of “other options” to be used against Iran, “if diplomacy fails,” as “illegal threats.”

“The first meeting between (Israeli Prime Minister) Naftali Bennett and Biden, and the emphasis on using ‘Other Options’ against Iran, while being an illegal threat to another country, establishes the Islamic Republic of Iran’s right, to reciprocal response to ‘Available Options,'” Shamkhani tweeted in English, Hebrew, and Arabic.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s president on Sunday appointed a new director of the country’s nuclear department, state TV reported, replacing the nation’s most prominent nuclear scientist with a minister who has no reported experience in nuclear energy but ties to the defense ministry.

TEHRAN, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi urged the regional countries to assist formation of an inclusive government involving all ethnic and political groups in Afghanistan, Tasnim news agency reported on Friday.

Iran seeks helping hand of regional countries to establish peace and security in the region, without relying on foreign interference, said Raisi in a meeting with visiting Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Tehran on Thursday.

27 Aug 2021; MEMO: Iraq and the UAE are the top Middle Eastern countries which import goods from Iran, the head of the Iranian Trade Development Organization, Hamid Zadboum, announced today.

Zadboum said the value of non-oil exports recorded a growth of 69 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year (21 March to 20 July). Adding that Iran's foreign trade amounted to $29 billion in the first quarter.

TEHRAN (Iran), Aug 26 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday arrived in the Iranian capital on the last leg of his four-nation tour to hold a discussion with leadership on the evolving situation of Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran Rahim Hayat Qureshi and senior Foreign Ministry officials welcomed Foreign Minister Qureshi at the Mehrabad Airport.

During his visit, the foreign minister will hold meetings with newly elected Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdul Hayan.

TEHRAN, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Iranian lawmakers on Wednesday gave votes of confidence to 18 out of 19 ministers proposed by President Ebrahim Raisi, as Iranians hope that the new ministers may successfully tackle the challenges facing the country.

The process of parliamentary discussion on the qualifications of the proposed Iranian cabinet members started on Saturday. "We know that the time for service is short and the pains and problems of the people are numerous," said Raisi at the kick-off session.

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TEHRAN, Aug 25 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The head of Iran’s prison service has apologised after hackers leaked videos showing the abuse of detainees at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

The hackers released security footage showing guards beating prisoners and dragging one along a floor.

On Tuesday, Prisons Organisation chief Mohammad Mehdi Haj-Mohammadi said he took responsibility for the “unacceptable behaviour”.

Many political prisoners and dual and foreign nationals are held at Evin.

23 Aug 2021; MEMO: New Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's nominee as foreign minister said on Sunday that the next government will strive to strengthen and support Iran's allies in the region.

"The resistance movements are Iran's allies that were formed freely to ensure sustainable security in the region and in their countries, and have great potential for establishing national security in regional countries," said Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during a parliamentary session to review proposed cabinet members.

TEHRAN, Aug 22 (NNN-IRNA) – Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, yesterday denied that, the country’s military adviser was killed in Yemen.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, dismissed the recent remarks by a member of Yemeni President, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government, as “false,” concerning the killing of an Iranian citizen in Yemen’s conflicts.

“There is no Iranian military adviser in Yemen to be killed, in the bombing of the aggressors in Yemen,” Khatibzadeh was quoted as saying.