Tehran, January 3, The Iran Project – Ceremonies to commemorate the anniversary of the 9th of Dey across Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei's remarks in meeting with the participants of International Islamic Unity Confab and the Iranian's massive protests following the execution of Sheikh Nimr and 46 others dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (Dec.27-Jan.3).


Politics


Int’l Islamic Unity Confab ends in Tehran
The 29th session of the International Islamic Unity Conference wrapped up here on Tuesday.


Parliament ready to retaliate US breaches of JCPOA: Iran’s Larijani
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani slammed Washington’s recent moves against Tehran, saying that the Iranian parliament is ready to retaliate such moves that are contrary to the nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and world powers.


Nimr’s execution sparks angry reactions among Shia, Sunni senior clerics
The execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a leading Shia cleric and a prominent critic of the Riyadh regime, along with 46 others by the Saudi Arabia government on Saturday morning, sparked angry reactions from Iran’s high rankings clerics who expressed condemnations in strongest possible terms.


Iran stresses maintaining security of Saudi diplomats, buildings
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaber Ansari underlined the need for maintaining the security of Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic places and sites in Tehran and Mashhad.


Leader condemns Saudi execution of Sheikh Nimr
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has strongly condemned Saudi Arabia’s execution of prominent Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.


Economy


Leader’s top aide: Iran to reciprocate US sanctions
Iranian Supreme Leader’s top adviser for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati warned the US Congress against increased sanctions against Tehran, and said such hostile moves which contradict the July nuclear deal would receive a proper response.


MSC shipping line returns to Iran after 6 years
The Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s second-largest shipping line, has returned to Iran more than six years after it docked at an Iranian port the last time, an official said.


Iran ready for promised oil output surge
Iran said on Friday that it is all set to go ahead with an immediate surge in its oil production by 500,000 barrels per day as soon as the sanctions against the country are lifted.


As Iran moves swiftly on nuclear deal, sanctions could go soon
Iran appears to be racing toward a major milestone in the nuclear agreement reached this summer with six world powers: “implementation day.”


Iran sanctions removal means rivalry for regional airlines
Aviation industrialists are speculating that the removal of sanctions against Iran will put pressure on major Middle East carriers, creating new competition for those who have built a business on connecting regional and international traffic.


Iran return to Int’l market not to worsen oil price plunge: Official
All domestic sectors are required to cooperate with the Ministry of Petroleum in crude exports in the post-sanctions era, said the director general for international affairs of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).


Military


Russia begins delivery of S-300 to Iran
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Wednesday that delivery of S-300 advanced anti-missile air defense system to Iran has begun.


Rouhani orders Iran’s missile program accelerated
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has issued an order calling on the country’s Defense Ministry to expedite efforts for boosting the country’s missile power as reports emerge of US plans for imposing fresh sanctions on Tehran over the issue.


Araqchi: Iran missile test never violates JCPOA
Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi said that missile test is conspicuously different from Joint comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and that it never runs against the Tehran-5+1 nuclear deal.


Iran has more missiles than it can hide: General
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have so many missiles they don’t know where to hide them, a senior commander said at Friday prayers, after the United States threatened to impose fresh sanctions.


Any aggressor to get Iran’s harsh response: Commander
Commander of Iran’s Army Ground Force reaffirmed on Friday that the Armed Forces would strike a crushing blow to anyone daring attack the country.


Iran has plans to optimize ballistic missiles: DM
Iran’s defense minister unveiled plans on Saturday for upgrading diverse features of the country’s ballistic missiles, but ruled out any special plans for the moment to extend the range of projectiles.


Society


Iran produces new-generation Nano solar cells
Researchers at Amir Kabir University of Technology have developed quantum dot solar cells, setting the stage for the industrial production of such cells in the country.


More American tourists to visit Iran in 2016: Official
A rising number of American tourists have booked to visit Iran in 2016, despite new visa restrictions the US administration plans to impose on travelers to the country, Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) Masoud Soltanifar said Thursday.


Parviz Tanavoli: Iranian artist who made something out of nothing
The country’s most renowned living artist on his famous ‘heech’ works, being summoned by the shah, and the resurgence of Iran’s art scene


Iran launches English TV network for kids
Iran has launched the world’s first satellite channel for Muslim kids in English language.


Iranian environmentalist Inanlou dies at 68
Iran’s most popular environmentalist Mohammad Ali Inanlou, known for his broad advocacy of natural life in the country, has died. He was 68.


Regional Affairs


Russia approves updated sanctions against Turkey
The Russian government has ratified a set of updated sanctions against Turkey amid a row between the two countries that started after the downing of a Russian jet by the Turkish military.


Turkey rejects Iraq’s warning against Ankara troop depoyment
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has dismissed Baghdad’s warning of military action to defend Iraqi sovereignty if Ankara does not pull its troops out of northern Iraq.


Saudi Arabia; Budget gone with the war
The smoke rising from Saudi Arabia’s 2015 budget is a sign that the wars it has launched are backfiring on the regime’s financial status.


Iraqi politicians condemn execution of Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia
Iraqi politicians on Saturday condemned the execution of a prominent Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, saying the move was intended to fuel sectarian strife in the region.


UN chief expresses ‘dismay’ at Sheikh Nimr’s execution by Riyadh
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he is “deeply dismayed” by Saudi Arabia’s execution of prominent Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, calling on the Riyadh regime to commute all death sentences handed down in the kingdom.


Riyadh using execution to settle political scores: Amnesty
Human rights group Amnesty International says Saudi Arabia’s execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr shows Riyadh is using death penalty to “settle political scores.”