Iran Daily
 
Syria war turning in army favor
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Sunday that Syria’s three-year conflict was at a “turning point” due to his forces’ military gains against terrorists, state media said.

 
Iran urges closer cooperation with WB
Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayyebnia has called for closer relations with the World Bank.

 
Molaverdi announces women’s week programs
Iran’s Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi elaborated on programs to mark the National Women’s Week (April 19-25).

 
Iranian, Azerbaijani defense ministers hold talks
The first round of talks between Defense Minister Brigadier-General Hossein Dehqan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Colonel General Zakir Hasanov began on Monday.

 
Russia says not bound by US sanctions on Iran
A top Russian official has dismissed US threats against the Kremlin over its trade ties with Iran, saying Moscow sees no reason to drop economic deals with Tehran.

 
Zarif in Abu Dhabi
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in Abu Dhabi to take part in a joint commission meeting of Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

 
Navy fits vessels with new cruise missiles
The Iranian Navy has equipped its vessels and coastal defense units with domestically developed state-of-the-art cruise missile, says a top commander.

 
AEOI: Iran needs 30,000 more centrifuges to feed Bushehr
Iran says it must build 30,000 more first generation centrifuges if it wants to meet the annual fuel needed at Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.

 
US: Aboutalebi case not affecting nuclear talks
Senior US diplomat says Washington’s recent decision to deny a visa to Iran’s newly-appointed envoy to the UN has not affected nuclear negotiations between Tehran and six world powers.

 
Government launches anti-pollution campaign
The government has adopted a nine-point plan to reduce air pollution mainly by focusing on the distribution of high-quality gasoline and providing better public transportation services.

 

 
Tehran Times
 
Iran says could be ‘reliable’ gas supplier to EU
Iran could be a “reliable, secure and long-term” supplier of gas to Europe, AFP quoted Iranian industry minister, Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, as saying in an interview published on  Monday.

Syria army retakes Maaloula
Syrian army has retaken Maaloula in Rif Dimashq Governorate, four months after extremist al-Qaedalinked militants overran the Christian town, a security official says.

Foreign companies delay selling plane parts to Iran: aviation chief
Alireza Jahangirian, the head of Iran Civil Aviation Organization, has complained about a delay by foreign companies to sell civilian plane spare parts to Iran.

 
Iran talking to EU businesses about future investment
Iran is in discussions with European and Asian businesses about potential investment in the country once sanctions are lifted, central bank  governor Valiollah Seif said.

 
Separatist unrest spreads in Ukraine, no sign of military crackdown
Pro-Russian separatists on Monday ignored an ultimatum to leave occupied government buildings in eastern Ukraine while another group of rebels attacked a police headquarters as a threatened military offensive by government forces failed to materialize.

 
Saudi Arabia is Middle East’s biggest arms spender, world’s 4th
Middle Eastern nations have increased their military expenditure by billions of dollars, with Saudi Arabia's budget now the fourth largest in the world, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

 
Iran says ready to help Azerbaijan meet its defense needs
Iran and neighboring Azerbaijan have similar views toward major regional and international issues, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan said in a meeting with his visiting Azeri counterpart Zakir Hasanov on Monday.

 
Iran moves to file complaint against U.S. over UN pick
Tehran says it is taking steps to file a complaint against the United States for its refusal to grant visa to Hamid Aboutalebi, Iran’s new ambassador to the United Nations.

 
Iranian warships equipped with new cruise missile
Iranian warships have been equipped with a new domestically manufactured cruise missile, named the Ghadir, the Fars News Agency on Monday quoted the commander of the Iranian Navy as saying.

 
Kerry’s remarks on Iran’s nuclear capability not acceptable: Israeli official
Israel described as “unacceptable” on Monday remarks by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry suggesting openness to negotiating a nuclear deal that would keep Iran six to 12 months away from the capability to develop nuclear weapons, Reuters reported.