Tehran, May 1, The Iran Project – South African President Zuma, Mcedonia FM Nikola Poposki and Uruguay’s Vice President Raul Sendic Rodriguez visit to Iran, US Seizure of Iran’s frozen Assets and parliamentary run-off elections across the country on Friday dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (April.25– May.01).
Politics
Cultural coop. to stir up expansion of ties with Macedonia
President Rouhani said that Iranian companies and the private sector activists are ready to implement projects in Macedonia, stressing that there is no obstacle in the way of expansion of all-encompassing ties between Tehran and Skopje.
Zarif: Iran considers broadening of all-out ties with Latin America
Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underlined that Iran and Uruguay share common stances and viewpoints, and Tehran is considering expansion of all-out ties with Montevideo.
Iran, South Africa stress broadening of bilateral ties in joint statement
Tehran and Pretoria in a joint statement issued at the end of South African President Jacob Zuma’s official visit to Iran underlined the need for fast growth in expansion of ties and mutual cooperation.
FM Zarif: Seizure of Iran’s Assets Destroys Credibility of US Justice System
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the recent US court ruling whereby nearly $2bn of frozen Iranian assets would be seized from an American bank will put an end to the “credibility of the US justice system”.
White House: Agreement on buying Iran heavy water licensed
White House Secretary Josh Earnest reiterated that the United States, through the Department of Energy, did make properly licensed purchase of about 32 metric tons of heavy-water from Iran.
Leader strongly protests US-Israeli plot to seize Iranian funds
Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday strongly protested US-Israeli conspiracy to seize Iranian funds in the United States.
Tehran ready to provide any assistance to legitimate Syrian authorities
Iran is ready to provide any assistance to legitimate Syrian authorities if asked by Damascus, Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan said Wednesday.
Iran holds run-off election for parliament
Iranians cast votes in parliamentary run-off elections held across the country on Friday.
Latest results of Friday run-off elections
In the runoff elections held Fri. to determine the makeup of Iran’s 10th parliament, 34 Reformists, 22 Principalists, 1 on both lists and 11 Independent candidates secured a seat in the 290-member assembly.
Iran highly concerned about terrorists’ use of chemical weapons
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani voiced deep concern about the terrorist groups’ use of chemical weapons in the regional states, calling terrorism as a major global threat.
FM reiterates Iran’s continued support for Iraq’s campaign against terrorism
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underscored that his country will not leave Iraq alone in the war against terrorist groups.
Economy
Iran eyes direct trade with Uruguay
Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri called for direct trade and economic ties with Uruguay in the post-sanctions era.
Iran expects A320, A330 planes by 2017
Iran said on Monday that it expects to receive five to eight Airbus planes by the end of 2016.
Crude prices jump 3 percent on weak dollar, firmer oil product markets
Oil markets rose about 3 percent on Tuesday as a tumbling dollar boosted commodities denominated in the greenback after bets the Federal Reserve will hold U.S. interest rates where they are.
Petroleum minister receives Dutch ambassador
Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh hosted a meeting with the ambassador of Netherlands and representative of Royal Dutch Shell in his Tehran.
Iran’s President pledges push to recover money seized by US
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday said his administration will spare no effort to get back the Central Bank of Iran’s assets that the US has recently seized under an “illegal” court ruling.
Zarif vows European financial activities in Iran’s market
Iran’s foreign minister expressed hope that European partners take tangible and real actions to stimulate the banking and financial activities applied to relations between the two countries.
Korean pres., biggest trade team due in Iran
South Korea’s president heads to Iran on Sunday in a landmark visit targeting billions of dollars of economic and energy deals.
Society
Russia Islamic Studies Foundation to take part in Tehran Book Fair
Russia Islamic Studies Foundation is planning to take part in the upcoming Tehran International Book Fair.
Sattari: Research in need of private sector investment
Vice President for Scientific and Technology Surena Sattari said for progress in the field of science and technology and return to the past glory investment of the private and public sectors is needed.
Belgian Senator: Tehran, Brussels have common grounds for cooperation
Belgium President of Senate Christine Defraigne said on Wednesday that there are common grounds for cooperation between the two countries.
Yazd protected areas ravaged by drought
Damage caused by drought in the protected areas of Yazd Province is estimated at close to 940 billion rials ($27.5 million) since the beginning of the current water year (started September 22, 2015).
Iran marks National Persian Gulf Day
Iranian people held nationwide celebrations to commemorate the National Persian Gulf Day, the anniversary of the victory over Portuguese troops during a war in Persian Gulf in 1622.
Museum of Persian Gulf Maps opens in Hormuz Island
Museum of Persian Gulf Maps was inaugurated in Hormuz Island in a ceremony attended by Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Ali Jannati concurrent with National Persian Gulf Day (April 29).
Regional Affairs
Israel’s youngest prisoner reunited with her family
See pictures of Israel’s youngest prisoner reunited with her family after being freed from jail. The 12-year-old Palestinian girl, named Dima al-Wawi, had been imprisoned over an alleged stabbing attack.
Velayati: Iran standing by Syrian govt., nation with all might
Head of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council Ali-Akbar Velayati said on Wednesday that since Damascus got engaged in the fight against terrorism, the Islamic Republic of Iran has sided with Syria and will continue cooperating with it based on its commitment.
US senator meets Syria’s Assad, urges support for Damascus
A US state senator has held a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, calling for more support for the Syrian government.
De Mistura: next Syria talks to be held before July
The UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura briefed the Security Council on the latest developments of the Syrian dialogue after its third round was concluded in Geneva Wednesday.
Car bomb attack kills 17 Shia pilgrims in Iraqi capital
Security and medical authorities in Iraq say at least 17 people have lost their lives and 35 others sustained injuries in a car bomb attack that targeted a group of Shia Muslim pilgrims in a residential neighborhood in the capital, Baghdad.
Iraqi PM: Situation in Green Zone under control
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says the situation in the Green Zone is under control after demonstrators broke into the heavily-fortified government complex in Baghdad.