Iran

14 Feb 2023; MEMO: Iran has smuggled new and advanced combat drones to Russian forces through the use of boats and state-owned airlines, a report has revealed.

Feb 11 (Reuters) - The Islamic Republic marked the 44th anniversary of the Iranian revolution on Saturday with state-organised rallies, as anti-government hackers briefly interrupted a televised speech by President Ebrahim Raisi.

Raisi, whose hardline government faces one of the boldest challenges from young protesters calling for its ouster, appealed to the “deceived youth” to repent so they can be pardoned by Iran's supreme leader.

In that case, he told a crowd congregated at Tehran's expansive Azadi Square: “the Iranian people will embrace them with open arms”.

09 Feb 2023; MEMO: An Iranian official has revealed that China is one of the leading customers of Iranian-manufactured drones and that a large shipment is set to be sent to Beijing, amid the ongoing controversy over Tehran's supply of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia.

TEHRAN, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi on Tuesday issued an order for implementing the law on Iran's membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The directive was issued in a letter signed by Raisi to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, according to the website of the Iranian president's office.

Last week, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf submitted the law for Iran's SCO membership to Raisi for final approval and implementation.

Iran has revealed its first underground Air Force base, giving it the capability to house fighter jets and other combat aircraft.

According to the official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the base – named 'Eagle 44' – is capable of storing and operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and fighter jets equipped with long-range cruise missiles.

TEHRAN, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that "diplomatic dynamism" exists through different channels in the talks to revive a 2015 nuclear deal and remove anti-Iran sanctions.

Exchange of messages between different sides to the deal is continuing at different levels, Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted Nasser Kanaani as saying during a weekly press conference.

Iran has always welcomed with goodwill efforts and measures aimed at resolving the issue and achieving a nuclear agreement, he noted.

Tehran, IRNA – Member of Iran’s Guardian Council Abbas Ali Kadkhodaee on Saturday criticized the US State Department spokesman for backing the Israeli regime, saying, that means support for “state terrorism.”

Kadkhodaee, who is a jurist at the 12-member Guardian Council made the comment on his twitter page.

He said that sustainable peace and security in West Asia region will be achieved only after the US ends its support for the Israeli regime, adding that Washington’s support also means opposition to Palestinians’ right to decide their fate.

Tehran, IRNA – Iran’s export of mining and mineral industries has exceeded 9.963 billion dollars from March 21, 2022, to January 20, 2023.

The export volume consists of 39.148 million tons of different products of mining industries, indicating three percent growth year-on-year.

The bulk of export items comprised steel and its sub-products 8.685 tons and 4.643 billion dollars in terms of weight and worth respectively, constituting 46.6 percent of total exports of the country.

Tehran, IRNA –Iran has described a recent decision by Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi to disclose confidential and unverified information about nuclear activities in Iran’s Fordow plant as unprofessional.

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami said in a TV interview late on Friday that Iran had submitted a letter to the IAEA explaining incorrect issues raised in a recent report by one of the agency’s inspectors during a visit to Ferdow.

Tehran, IRNA – Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei agreed to pardon or commute the sentences of tens of thousands of convicts, including the arrestees of the recent riots in Iran.

On the occasion of the anniversary of the glorious victory of the Islamic Revolution, Iran's Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Eje'i in a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei proposed amnesty or commutation of tens of thousands of convicts which was agreed by the Supreme Leader.