Daily look at Iran’s late-breaking news and upcoming events:
 
Ground not prepared for Iranians to perform annual Hajj pilgrimage: minister
Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ali Jannati said on Thursday that grounds are not prepared for the Iranian pilgrims s to perform this year’s annual Hajj rituals.

 
US says banks won’t be punished for lawful business in Iran
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is reassuring European banks they won’t be penalized for conducting or facilitating legitimate business with Iran.


‘Iran oil came back much faster than expected’: RBC’s Croft
Iran has been back in the international oil markets for only four months, but it’s already shaping up to be the biggest risk to the oil price this year, says one prominent strategist.



President: Government supports armed forces to get stronger
President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the government is duty-bound to support the armed forces to boost national defense.

 
Iran deputy FM urges sustainable ceasefire in Yemen
Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Wednesday called for a sustainable ceasefire in Yemen and lift the siege laid on the country.

 

Claims of Iran missile threat to NATO unfounded – Russian foreign ministry
Assertions that Iran’s missile program posed a threat to the NATO partners in Europe are unfounded, Mikhail Ulyanov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s department for non-proliferation and arms control, said Wednesday.


 
Violent extremism top challenge in ME
Iran’s UN envoy Hossein Dehghani has addressed the UN Security Council open debate on impacts of terrorism on global peace.

 
Iran’s Assembly of Experts to pick new chairman this month
Following the Assembly of Experts election held across Iran back in February, the high-ranking body will elect a new chairman later this month.

 
Deputy FM: Iran not to annul heavy water contract with US
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi underlined that his country will not cancel the contract to export its excess heavy water reserves to the US, adding that the export was delayed because Iran wants to take the needed precautions to make sure of the US payment.


Russian, EU diplomats discuss implementation of Iran’s nuclear deal
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Deputy EEAS Secretary General discuss the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran’s nuclear program.