Daily look at Iran’s late-breaking news and upcoming events:
 
Ayatollah Khamenei warns neighboring Iraq against American plots
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called on neighboring Iraq to remain vigilant in the face of American plots, warning that the US is not trustworthy.

 
President in a meeting with Iraqi PM: Iran to always support Iraqi gov’t, nation in fighting terrorism, boosting unity
The president described unceasing support and devotion of the people, officials and wisdom of the authorities in Iraq in resolving its problems and crises, and stated: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the Iraqi nation and government in fighting terrorism, strengthening unity and solidarity, and maintaining Iraq’s territorial integrity and will continue to do so”.

IRGC smashes terrorist team northwest of Iran
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) forces attacked a terrorist team in the northwesternmost corner of Iran on Wednesday night, killing all of the terrorists and confiscating their weapons.

 
Zarif lambasts US fake sympathy for Iranians
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif took a swipe at US authorities for their “faux sympathy” for the Iranian nation, saying Washington had better stop rehashing the fake expression of support for the Iranian people.

 
Iran, Syria discuss agenda of Astana talks
Diplomats from Iran and Syria met in Tehran to discuss the agenda of the seventh round of Syria peace negotiations in the Kazakh city of Astana and the latest developments in Syria.

 
Iran urges boost to trade ties with Iraq
Iran’s first vice-president called for efforts to expand trade exchange with Iraq, saying the two neighbors need to promote banking interaction as well.

 
Iran, Uganda open hospital in Kampala
Iran-Uganda hospital was inaugurated in the Ugandan capital of Kampala, in a ceremony attended by visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Thursday.

Human rights report on Iran influenced by political games: UN envoy
Iranian envoy at the UN said that his doesn’t accept the report of the UN special rapporteur on human rights on Iran because she used inauthentic sources and unrealistic cases.

 
Iran expects to sign more than $20bn of energy contracts in 2018
Iran expects to seal energy contracts worth more than $20bn over the next year despite the threat of new US sanctions as it pushes ahead with negotiations with international oil companies, including Royal Dutch Shell, the Anglo Dutch group, and Kremlin-controlled Rosneft.

 

Zarif off to Niger
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif left the Ugandan capital, Kampala, and departed for Niger on Thursday at the this leg of his tour of Africa.