Daily look at Iran’s late-breaking news and upcoming events:
 
IRGC rejects rocket test near US warships
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has dismissed US accusations of a rocket test near American warships in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. 


 
US said to be preparing new sanctions against Iran
Despite renewed hopes for reconciliation between Washington and Tehran following the Iran nuclear deal, the Obama administration is reportedly preparing new sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Spokesman warns US to step away from Iran’s defense programs
Iran’s Foreign Ministry warned the US to avoid meddling in Tehran’s plans to reinvigorate its defensive capabilities or wait for the Islamic Republic’s firm response.

 
Leader’s top aide: Iran to reciprocate US sanctions
Iranian Supreme Leader’s top adviser for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati warned the US Congress against increased sanctions against Tehran, and said such hostile moves which contradict the July nuclear deal would receive a proper response.

 
Russia to build oil rigs for Iran in Persian Gulf
Russian and Iranian ship-building companies have signed an agreement for construct oil rigs in the Persian Gulf, PressTV has reported.

 
Principlists prioritize economy for next Majlis
Spokesman of Principlist Coalition Council Gholamali Haddad-Adel mentioned economy as the watchword for principlist representatives in the fifth Majlis.

 
Iran condemns bomb attack in Pakistan
Iran has condemned a bomb attack in northwestern Pakistan, saying the act of terror was carried out as a ploy to serve the interests of the enemies of Islam.

 
Iran congratulates Iraq, Syria anti-terror victories
Iranian deputy foreign minister for Arab-African affairs has felicitated the governments and peoples of Iraq and Syria over their defeating of Daesh terrorist group.

 
UK new envoy hopeful on full Iran diplomatic ties
 UK’s new Chargé d’Affaires to Iran Nicholas Hopton expressed the hope that Tehran and London will soon enhance their bilateral relations to the ambassador level.

 
Iran’s parliament speaker congratulates counterparts on New Christian Year
Speaker of Iran’s Parliament Ali Larijani on Thursday felicitated his counterparts from Christian countries on the advent of the New Year, and called for enhanced parliamentary cooperation in the world on issues like the fight against terror.