Iran news headlines on Thursday include India continuation of Iran oil exports despite sanctions; Egypt denial of suspension of Iran-Egypt flight under pressure of  hardliners; China reaffirmation of Iran's right to civilian nuclear energy; US offer of help to Iran after deadly quake; Iran’s former nuclear negotiator announcement for running in presidential election and an Iranian scientist claim of invention of ‘time machine’.
 
India will not cap oil imports from Iran: Govt Officials
India is unwilling to impose restrictions or cap its oil imports from Iran, and will continue its energy ties with Tehran as long it gets a “good deal” and logistic support, even as one national insurance companies has stepped in provide reinsurance for oil imports from Iran staving a crisis for now, senior government officials told reporters on India’s energy strategy.

 
Egypt denies hardliners halted Iran tourism
Egypt’s presidential spokesman says tourist flights from Iran were not suspended because of pressure from “any particular groups.”

Ehab Fahmy’s comments come after an outcry by hardline Sunni Muslims, known as Salafis, who were angered by the Egyptian government’s push to improve ties with Shiite Iran.

China reiterates Iran’s right to civilian nuclear energy
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei has reaffirmed Iran’s right to civilian nuclear energy under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

“As a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran possesses the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes while following relevant international obligations,” Hong said on Wednesday.

 
U.S. offers condolences, aid following Iran quake
The White House has offered U.S. condolences to Iran over the earthquake that killed at least 37 people and injured some 850 others in southern Iran.

National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden also said in a written statement that Washington is ready to “help the Iranian people in this time of need.”

 
Former nuclear negotiator joins Iran’s presidential race
A former Iranian nuclear negotiator announced on Thursday he would run for president, the most moderate contender so far to bid to succeed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a June election dominated by conservatives.

Hassan Rowhani, 64, was head of the powerful Supreme National Security Council under presidents Ali Akbar Rafsanjani, considered a master of realpolitik rather than an ideologue, and Mohammad Khatami, who pushed for wide-ranging social and political reforms.

 
Iranian scientist claims to have invented ‘time machine’
An Iranian businessman claims to have mastered time with a machine that allows users to fast forward up to eight years into the future.



Ali Razeghi, a Tehran scientist has registered “The Aryayek Time Traveling Machine” with the state-run Centre for Strategic Inventions.

 

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