Daily look at Iran’s late-breaking news and upcoming events:
 

EU agrees 18 million euro development aid for Iran


 The European Union agreed 18 million euros ($20.6 mln) in aid for Iran on Thursday, including for the private sector, to help offset the impact of U.S. sanctions and salvage a 2015 deal that saw Tehran limit its nuclear ambitions.

US putting maximum pressure on Iran to change its behavior: Bolton


US President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser John Bolton has said the United States is exerting “maximum pressure” on the government of Iran to change its behavior, adding that Washington is prepared to use sanctions to drive Iranian oil exports down to zero.

Leader appoints new Revolutionary Guards’ Navy cmdr.


 Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Khamenei has appointed Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri as the new commander of the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

7 ministers to appear before Parl. from Sat.


Seven cabinet ministers will appear before Parliament starting Saturday to answer questions on their handling of their respective ministry’s tasks.

Iran sanctions are unjust and harmful, says UN expert warning against generalised economic war


Sanctions must be just, and must not lead to the suffering of innocent people, says United Nations Special Rapporteur Idriss Jazairy.

All foreign forces staying in Syria without invitation must leave, says Lavrov


 All foreign forces staying in Syria without an invitation from Damascus must leave the country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday in comments on a statement by US National Security Adviser John Bolton.

US still top importer of Persian rugs despite sanctions


 The United States is still the main importer of Iranian carpets despite the sanctions it has imposed on the country’s economy.

Official rejects media report on presence of UK’s Quercus in Iranian project


The managing director of Iran’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) dismissed as untrue a recent report by Reuters on the pullout of a British investor company from Iran after US sanctions, saying it has never had a deal with Tehran.

Pompeo, UK FM discuss Iran, Russia ‘threat’


US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt have met in Washington, DC, to discuss the “threat” posed by Russia and Iran’s influence in the Middle East region.

Mohammed bin Salman urged Assad to cut ties with Iran, Hezbollah: Lebanese MP


A Lebanese lawmaker affiliated to Hezbollah says Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has recently offered Syrian President Bashar al-Assad huge sums of money for the reconstruction of his conflict-plagued country in case the latter severs relations with Iran and the Lebanese resistance movement.