June 18, The Iran Project – Austrian finance minister Hans Jörg Schelling visit to Iran and meeting with senior officials, Iran's qualification for the 2018 World Cup, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif participation in  Oslo Forum 2017, Iranians observing Night of Decree nationwide,  FM Zarif trip to Africa and start of Iran-China joint naval drill dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week ( June11–June 18). 





Politics




Oslo Forum 2017 begins


Oslo Forum 2017 opened Tuesday with participation of officials from numerous countries and international organizations, including Iran’s Foreign Minister, the US former Secretary of State, Indonesia and Norway Ministers of Foreign Affairs.




Iran abrogates 2030 Education Agenda


Iran’s Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution decided on Tuesday that Tehran should back out of the UN-devised global education agenda, known as Education 2030, citing the country’s own detailed documents in the field of education.




Mideast leaders pressured Obama to bomb Iran: Kerry


The former US Secretary of State has been quoted as saying that the Obama administration was under heavy pressure from certain countries in the Middle East to bomb the Islamic Republic of Iran.




EU confirms Iran commitment to JCPOA


European Union on Wednesday confirmed Iran’s commitment to nuclear deal and recalled the importance of ensuring the necessary resources for the Agency to carry out its mission of verification and monitoring of Iran’s nuclear-related commitments.




Senate passes measure to expand sanctions on Iran and Russia


The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed legislation that would impose new U.S. sanctions that would target Iran’s ballistic missile program, human rights violations, and yet it would still comply with the Iranian nuclear deal.




Zarif’s correspondence with Mogherini over US breach of JCPOA: MP


A senior Iranian lawmaker said Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s recent letter to EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini was a reaction to the West’s default on the nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1 group.




Iran’s parliament to weigh retaliatory move after US sanctions bill


The Iranian lawmakers are going to discuss a motion to take reciprocal measures in retaliation to a bill the US Senate has passed to impose new sanctions on Tehran, an Iranian MP said.




Atlantic Council to hold meeting on Iran’s nuclear deal


The Atlantic Council (an American think tank) is scheduled to hold a meeting Sunday on the future of Iran nuclear deal also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).




IRGC Ground Force Commander denies clashes along western borders


Commander of the Ground Force of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour elaborated on the anti-terrorist operations in Qasr-e-Qand and denied any conflict along western borders of the country.




Saudi coastguard kills Iranian fisherman in Persian Gulf


Saudi Arabia’s coastguard has killed an Iranian fisherman in the waters south of Iran, a senior border official of the Islamic Republic says.







Economy




Tehran, Vienna see oil, energy cooperation opportunities


Austrian finance minister met Iran’s minister of petroleum in his Tehran office to discuss cooperation avenues in oil and gas projects.




Qatar Airways to run 300 daily trips through Iran


Director General of Fars Province Airports Reza Badiei- Fard has said that Qatar Airways will run 300 additional flights through Iranian airspace daily.




Iran clears 40% of gas fine to Turkey


Iran has cleared more than 40% of the fine it was told to pay Turkey by an international tribunal for overpricing natural gas it sold to the Eurasian country, said Asadollah Gharekhani, spokesman for the Majlis Energy Commission.




Iran: 30% progress in banks IFRS adoption


Iranian banks’ progress in adapting to their financial statements with the new model set by the Central Bank of Iran was around 20-30% during the previous Iranian year (ended March 20), said a private bank’s board member.




Iran sees gas deal with Total within weeks: minister


Iran expects to sign a long-delayed gas deal with French oil major Total (TOTF.PA) in the next few weeks, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying on Saturday.





Regional Affairs




Zarif: Iran to supply humanitarian aid for Qatar


Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran will supply humanitarian aids for Qatar.




Iran, Russia, Turkey working on agenda of next Syria talks in Astana


Tehran, Moscow and Ankara, as the main initiators of the intra-Syrian talks in Astana, are working on the agenda for the next round of Syria peace talks in Kazakhstan’s capital.




Russia: Airstrike may have killed Daesh leader


Russia’s Defense Ministry says its airstrike may have killed Daesh leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the Syrian city of Raqqah.




Photos of Iran’s General Soleimani in Iraq’s Karbala


New photos have been released showing senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Major General Qassem Soleimani, on a pilgrimage to the holy city of Karbala.


Russia proposes new Syrian peace talks in Astana


The Latest on developments in Syria (all times local):





Society




Bahram Radan to carry Olympic torch


Iranian actor Bahram Radan will be one of the torch bearers of the 2018 Winter Olympics known as PyeongChang 2018.




Undefeated Iran books berth in World Cup with clean sheet


National Iranian football team beat Uzbekistan in Tehran on Monday evening to make an early advance to 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.




President Rouhani meets national football team coach, players, coaching staff


President Rouhani met with the coach, players and the coaching staff of the national football team and commemorated the Qadr nights and said: “Imam Ali (AS) is the great example of valour and courage”.




40 countries to attend Iran’s children film festival in Esfahan


Filmmakers from 40 countries are set to participate in the 30th International Film Festival for Children and Youth, which will open in Iran’s historical city of Esfahan later this month.




Iran and UNDP strengthen efforts to combat desertification


Today, around the world, over 250 million people are directly affected by desertification.  About 1 billion people – in over 110 countries – are currently at risk of its consequences.