June 3, The Iran Project – Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif trip to New Delhi to discuss continuation of bilateral cooperation in the face of US withdrawal from JCPOA; Tehran hosts conference on Leader’s stances on JCPOA; Man behind Iran’s worst terrorist attack killed in 2015; Students harshly criticize Iran to supreme leader; Iranian FM Zarif sends counterparts letters on JCPOA; Ali Larijani re-elected as Iran parliament speaker for 11th time and Official rejects reports of withdrawal of Iran, Hezbollah from Southern Syria are among major headlines dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (May 28–June 03).


 

Politics

Iran FM in New Delhi for talks on JCPOA


Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in New Delhi late Sunday to discuss latest issues regarding the JCPOA.

China to host Iran to avoid project disruption amid nuclear deal doubt


China will host Iranian President Hassan Rouhani next month at a regional summit aimed at avoiding disruption of joint projects, its foreign ministry said on Monday, as major powers scramble to save Iran’s nuclear deal after the United States pulled out.

EU foreign ministers seek to keep Iran nuclear deal alive


European Union foreign ministers were seeking to protect the bloc’s strategic and economic interests in Iran in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from the international nuclear deal.

Iran, India foreign ministers meet in New Delhi


Iranian foreign minister met with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi to discuss continuation of bilateral cooperation in the face of US withdrawal from JCPOA.

Iran is ready to discuss Yemen conflict with European nations


Iran will be holding a new round of talks with Europe on the Yemen conflict, negotiations that have taken on greater significance as the sides try to salvage a nuclear agreement.

Man behind Iran’s worst terrorist attack killed in 2015: Dutch Daily


A newspaper in the Netherlands has confirmed an Iranian-born victim of a 2015 death case was “most certainly” the man behind the biggest terrorist attack in Iran’s history in which dozens of top officials including the country’s prime minister were killed in 1981.

Leader orders ‘Hudud’ against convicts of sexual assault in Tehran’s school


Leader of Islamic Revolution has ordered Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Amoli Larijani to immediately carry out ‘Hudud’ against the convicts of a sexual harassment case in a high school in Tehran.

Report: Students harshly criticize Iran to supreme leader


Iranian university students in a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offered harsh criticism of the country’s direction, local media reported Tuesday, an unusually frank discussion showing the concerns many feel over the Trump administration’s pullout from the nuclear deal with Tehran and Iran’s battered economy.

Iranian FM Zarif sends counterparts letters on JCPOA


In separate letters to his counterparts, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has briefed them on the latest situation of the Iran nuclear deal.

Netanyahu planned attack against Iran in 2011: Former Mossad chief


A former Mossad chief says hawkish Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military back in 2011 to prepare for a possible attack against Iran, but he later withdrew the order due to opposition from the spy agency and the army.

EU, China share commitment to save nuclear deal: Mogherini


The European Union’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says the bloc and China share commitment to preserve a nuclear agreement signed between Iran and major world powers in 2015 and to work for its continuation.

Official rejects reports of withdrawal of Iran, Hezbollah from Southern Syria


An official close to Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement dismissed as untrue recent reports about the planned withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters and Iranian military advisers from southern Syria.



Iran supports Russian efforts to bring south Syria under army control, official says


Iran has no military advisers in southern Syria, a senior Iranian security official was quoted as saying on Saturday, adding that Tehran supports Russian efforts to bring the area under Syrian army control.

Iran Armed Forces will not hesitate to respond to threats: Military chief


Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says any threat or possible act of aggression by enemies will be met with a firm and crushing response.

Zarif lashes out at Israel on killing of Palestinian medic


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message on Sunday slammed killing of a Palestinian medic in Gaza Strip by the Israeli army snipers.

 

Economy

Swiss bank BCP says halts all new business with Iran


Swiss lender Banque de Commerce et de Placements (BCP) has suspended new transactions with Iran and is winding down activities with the country after U.S. President Donald Trump’s pullout from the nuclear deal with Tehran, the bank said on Tuesday.

Iran asks OPEC support amid US sanctions


Reacting to the recent wave of US sanctions, announced earlier in the day by the Treasury Department, Iran’s oil minister has asked OPEC to support his country against what he called “illegal, unilateral and extraterritorial sanctions”.

Iran to receive 3 more Airbus planes by year end: MP


Iran plans to take delivery of three more Airbus planes by the end of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2018 – March 20, 2019) in a major deal that it signed with the European aviation giant in December 2016, a lawmaker said.

Official expects tough days for Iran’s civil aviation


Head of Iran’s flag carrier Iran Air voiced concern about looming problems for the Iranian flights at the foreign airports as the planes are going to be refused fuel under new sanctions.

Iran oil exports highest since nuclear deal at 2.7 million bpd


Iran’s oil exports hit 2.7 million barrels per day (bpd) in May, the Oil Ministry’s news agency SHANA reported on Saturday, a new record since the lifting of international sanctions on Tehran in January 2016.

 

Regional Affairs



Saudi crown prince shot, injured in last month’s incident near palace: opposition activist


A Saudi activist has revealed that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has not been seen in public over the past few weeks, was actually shot and injured in heavy gunfire reported from outside the royal palace in the capital Riyadh late last month.

French president claims credit for getting Lebanese PM Hariri out of Saudi Arabia last year


French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly admitted that Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri had been “held” last November in Riyadh, where he abruptly announced his resignation live on Saudi TV, claiming his mediation efforts played a decisive role in resolving the political crisis back then.

Assad: No Iranian military force in Syria


‘We do not have Iranian troops,’ said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in reaction to the Israeli claim about attacking Iranian bases in Syria.

Syria FM: Iran has no combat forces, bases in the country


Syria’s foreign minister says Iranian military advisers are embedded with Syrian troops but Tehran has no combat forces or fixed bases in the country.

Thousands take part in funeral held for female paramedic killed by Israelis


Thousands of Palestinians have gathered in the besieged Gaza Strip to take part in the funeral of a female paramedic who was gunned down by Israeli soldiers.

 

Society

Tehran City Council praises national women’s futsal team


Tehran City Council held a ceremony today to appreciate the efforts of national women’s futsal team after crowning champion in Asia.



Ethnic, religious minorities enjoying equal rights in Iran: Armenian bishop


His Grace Bishop Krikor Chiftjian, Prelate of the Diocese of Iran’s Provinces of East and West Azerbaijan hailed the freedom of religious minorities in Iran and reassured that they enjoy equal civil rights with Muslims.

Iran, land of diverse Ramadan traditions


Special ancient traditions are still practiced in a number of Iranian cities during the holy month of Ramadan in addition to the common rituals and customs practiced nationwide.

Iran suspends soccer ties with Greece after friendly nixed


Iran’s official IRNA news agency says the country’s soccer federation has suspended all relations with its Greek counterpart after a friendly between the two nations scheduled in Istanbul was abruptly cancelled amid ongoing Greece-Turkey tensions.

Iran ranks third among Asian states in fresh FIDE rankings


The Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) has picked the Islamic Republic of Iran as the third greatest country in Asia, thanks to the remarkable performances of its international masters and grandmasters at continental and international sports events.