August 26, The Iran Project – Ayatollah Khamenei’s message to the Pilgrims of Hajj 2018; Iranian Muslims perform Eid al-Adha prayer throughout Iran; Iran test-flies 1st homegrown fighter/trainer jet ‘Kosar’; EU agrees 18 million euro development aid for Iran; British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari temporarily released from Tehran jail; ICJ to hear Iran’s case against US sanctions; UN invites Iran, Russia, Turkey to Syria talks in Geneva next month; Google removes several blogs, YouTube accounts linked to Iran; Iran kabaddi teams beat India, S Korea to clinch 2018 Asian Games golds; Iran’s cabinet renews allegiance with I.R. founder and Iran’s Sohrab Moradi breaks weightlifting’s oldest world record in Asian Games are among major headlines dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (August 20–August 26).


 

 

Politics

Bolton repeats anti-Iran threats in Israel visit


US National Security Adviser John Bolton has arrived in Israel to continue the Trump administration’s anti-Iran campaign.

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif says US addicted to sanctions


The United States is addicted to applying sanctions on Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday in an exclusive interview from Tehran.

Iran sees no point to Rouhani-Trump summit after US withdrawal from JCPOA


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that he saw no point in a meeting between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his US counterpart Donald Trump after the latter’s decision to leave the Iranian nuclear deal.

Ayatollah Khamenei’s message to the Pilgrims of Hajj 2018


In the Name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Disavowal of Pagans ceremony held in Saudi Arafat Desert


Thousands of Iranians along with pilgrims from other countries held on Monday the Disavowal of Pagans ceremony in Arafat Desert, 20 km southeast of holy city of Mecca in west of Saudi Arabia.

IRGC denies any involvement in Qom’s Feyziyeh School protests


In a Monday statement, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) strongly condemned some of the slogans and banners of Feyziyeh School protests and denied any involvement in the event.

‘Defense Industry’ anniv. kicks off


The anniversary of ‘Defense Industry’ kicked off in the presence of President Rouhani with the motto of ‘Defense Industry, Manifestation of National Production and Defensive Sovereignty’.

Eid Al-Adha opportunity for Muslims to unite in face of divisive plots: Zarif


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said at a time that enemies are seeking to divide Muslims, Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice) is a great opportunity for Muslims around the world to unite and “come together”.

Iran test-flies 1st homegrown fighter/trainer jet ‘Kosar’


Iran has successfully test-flown the first indigenous advanced light attack and training jet ‘Kosar’ concurrent with the National Day of Defense Industry.

Russia: No talks with US over Iran’s exit from Syria


Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that his country has had no talks with the US over Ira’s withdrawal from Syria.

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).

British-Iranian aid worker temporarily released from Tehran jail


A detained British-Iranian aid worker sentenced to five years in jail in Iran has been released from detention for three days, her supporters and Iran’s envoy to Britain said on Thursday, in a move welcomed by Britain’s foreign minister.

UN invites Iran, Russia, Turkey to Syria talks in Geneva next month

United Nations Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura has invited Iran, Russia and Turkey to talks due to be held in Geneva next month on forming Syria’s Constitutional Committee, a UN spokeswoman says.

ICJ to hear Iran’s case against US sanctions

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will soon begin hearing Iran’s legal challenge against renewed sanctions by the United States.

Google removes several blogs, YouTube accounts linked to Iran


Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google said on Thursday it had identified and terminated 39 YouTube channels linked to state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

Envoy delivers Iran condolences on Annan demise to Ghana


Iranian ambassador to Ghana delivered President Rouhani’s and Foreign Minister Zarif’s letters of condolences to Ghanaian officials on Thursday.

Iran’s cabinet renews allegiance with I.R. founder


Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his cabinet members Saturday renewed allegiance with late Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

‘Americans are more focused on psychological warfare against Iran’


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Americans always resort to psychological warfare, especially against Iranians and their international partners.

 


Economy



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.

Iran says some OPEC members act in accordance with U.S. policy – report


Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said some members of oil producer group OPEC were acting in accordance with U.S. policies, Iran’s Khaneye Mellat news agency reported on Friday.

Siemens turns its back on Iran


German engineering conglomerate Siemens has announced it’s drastically scaling back its business operations in Iran. It’s yet another German company to cave in after the United States reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Iran in talks with Russia to build 3,000MW nuclear power plant: Minister


Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian said the country has resumed its negotiations with Russia on the construction of a new nuclear power plant with a capacity to produce 3,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Turkey ready for transporting Iranian passengers after EU firms stop working


Turkish airlines voiced readiness to offer air transport services to Iranian passengers after European companies stopped working in the country.

 

Regional Affairs



Millions of Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Adha in Mecca


Millions of Muslims celebrated the Eid al-Adha in Mecca on Tuesday during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia plans to execute first female political activist


Public prosecutor’s decision sets a ‘dangerous precedent’ for women activists in the kingdom, human rights watchdog says

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.

Israeli troops wound about 190 Palestinian protesters in blockaded Gaza Strip


About 190 Palestinian demonstrators have been injured in clashes with Israeli troopers during a large protest rally in the besieged Gaza Strip near the border line with the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

US will no longer accept Palestinian refugees’ right to return to occupied territories


Washington is set to announce that it will no longer recognize millions of Palestinian refugees’ “right of return” to the Israel occupied territories, Israeli media reports.

 

Society



Iran, IOC to enhance cooperation


Senior officials at National Olympic Committee of Iran (NOCI) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) called in a meeting in this Indonesian capital city for fostering bilateral cooperation in different areas.

Iranian girl makes history in 2018 Asian Games


Iranian Wushu practitioner Zahra Kiani won the silver medal of Women’s Taolu forms in Asian Games for the first time in Iran’s history.

Facebook and Twitter remove accounts linked to Russia and Iran campaigns


Facebook and Twitter say they have suspended or removed accounts linked to Iran and Russia over “inauthentic” or “manipulating” behaviour.

Iran kabaddi teams beat India, S Korea to clinch 2018 Asian Games golds

Iranians have won gold medals in both men’s and women’s kabaddi championships at the Jakarta Palembang 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.

Asian Games: Iran’s Moradi breaks weightlifting snatch record


Iranian Olympic champion Sohrab Moradi broke the world snatch record in the men’s 94kg weightlifting event at the Asian Games on Saturday.

Magnitude 5.9 quake jolts western Iran, injures 232, kills 2


A magnitude 5.9 quake hit Iranian western province of Kermanshah at early on Sunday and according to the governor general of the province so far 232 cases of injury and two dead has been reported.