February 25, The Iran Project – Valdai conference 2018 opens in Moscow; Rescue teams find wreckage of crashed Iranian plane; Supporter of Sufi leader kills 3 police in Iran; Iran, Russia FMs discuss regional issues; Spanish and Dutch FMs trip to Iran and meeting with senior officials; Iranians commemorate victims of ATR-72 passenger plane; Iran President Rouhani attends Kharazmi Int’l Award ceremony; ‘Patterns of Regional Order in Post-ISIS Era’ conference held in Tehran and Maritime search, rescue exercise in Persian Gulf are among major headlines dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (February 19–February 25).

 

Politics

All 66 on board killed after plane crashes in central Iran


A passenger plane has crashed in central Iran during a flight from Tehran to the southwestern city of Yasuj, killing all 66 people on board, authorities said on Sunday.

Valdai conference 2018 opens in Moscow


The international Valdai Discussion Club’s conference 2018 began Monday in Moscow with Iran’s Foreign Minister as one of its participatants.

Iran has no military bases in Syria – FM Zarif


Iran has no military bases or military presence in Syria, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Monday.

Turkish, Iranian presidents discuss Syria on phone


The Turkish and Iranian presidents exchanged views over the phone late Monday on the latest developments in Syria, particularly Afrin and Idlib, according to presidential sources.

Bodies of 30 plane crash victims found in Iran’s southwestern mountains


Iranian rescue workers have spotted the bodies of 30 passengers of an Aseman Airliner that crashed with 66 people on board in the country’s mountainous southwest on Sunday.

Azeri president, Iranian defense minister discuss issues of interest


Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami, currently visiting Baku, Azerbaijan, conferred with President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday.

President Rouhani slams recent riots in northern Tehran


President Hassan Rouhani strongly condemned violent acts committed by any group, saying that his government won’t tolerate this kind of behavior and insulting the police which protect security and order in society in any way.

Tehran welcomes cementing ties with EU, including Netherlands


President of the Islamic Republic of Iran expressed satisfaction over the amicable ties and cooperation with the Netherlands and stated: “Tehran welcomes further deepening of ties with the European Union member states, including the Netherlands and seeks to promote these relations to serve the interests of both nations”.

Iran committed to security of its neighbors: Defense minister


Iran remains committed to the security of its neighboring countries and will help them maintain it, says the Iranian defense minister, who is on a two-day trip to Azerbaijan.

Iran, Spain sign two MoUs


Two memorandums of understanding on politic and railway transportation were signed by the Iranian and Spanish foreign ministers on Wednesday.

IAEA once again verifies Iran’s compliance with nuclear deal


The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has once again confirmed that Iran is living up to its commitments under the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement.

Iran bans flights of French-Italian built ATR-72 jets


Iran banned flights of all its ATR-72 aircraft following the crash of an ATR passenger plane which claimed the lives of 66 people on board this week.

Iran, Syria working closely to de-escalate situation in Ghouta: Araqchi


Iran is working closely with Syria in order to bring calm back to parts of the Arab country that have witnessed renewed violence as a result of increased terrorist activities over the past days, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says.

Iran FM Zarif: Daesh not over yet


The idea that Daesh is over should not come to anybody, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said here on Saturday.

Iran, Syria to remain committed to 30-day ceasefire: Top general


Iran’s highest-ranking military commander says both Tehran and Damascus will adhere to the ceasefire resolution, but parts of the suburbs of Damascus controlled by the terrorists are not subject to the ceasefire.

Islamic countries legal mdicine organizations chiefs in Tehran


Heads of 15 Islamic countries legal medicine organizations started a three-day regional meeting in Tehran Alzahra University on Sunday.

 

Regional Affairs




Iran prepared to mend ties between Baghdad, ErbilA top aide to the Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution says Tehran will never withhold any effort to enhance Iraq’s national unity, and is prepared to enhance ties between Iraq’s central government and Kurdistan Regional Government.

US plans to open embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds in May: Official


The United States is reportedly planning to open its embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds in May, a US official says.

Hezbollah chief warns Lebanese nation against voting for pro-US candidates


The secretary general of the Hezbollah resistance movement has warned the Lebanese nation against voting for pro-US candidates in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, saying such contenders will simply hand over the Arab country to Americans.

UN Security Council unanimously adopts resolution on Syria ceasefire


After several days of tense behind-the-scenes negotiations, the UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution proposing a 30-day humanitarian ceasefire in Syria.

Iraq rejects Riyadh’s request to extradite over 400 Saudi ‘terrorists’


Iraq has rejected a request from Riyadh to hand over more than 400 Saudi Arabians, whom it has imprisoned on terrorism charges.

 

Economy

Trump set to oppose Boeing deal with Iran Air: Report


Officials at the Trump administration are using a case against an Iranian airliner to thwart a multibillion-dollar deal between Boeing and flag carrier Iran Air for the sale of new passenger planes, US reports say.




Iran Parliament approves next year budget bill


Iranian lawmakers on Thursday approved the next year budget bill in terms of resources and consumption.

Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies not recognized in Iran: Central Bank


The Central Bank of Iran says it has never recognized bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as official currency within the boundaries of the Islamic Republic and conducts no transactions in them.

US curbs bid to take Iran off FATF financial blacklist


The world’s financial watchdog has extended a waiver for punitive measures against Iran for another six months but refused to remove the country from its blacklist.

Iran to launch saffron stock exchange for 1st time


Iran will be introducing its saffron to the stock exchange for the very first time next Sunday, CEO of Central Organization for Rural Cooperatives announced today.

 

Society

Fajr international film festival unveils poster of Cinema Salvation


The 36th edition of the Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) has unveiled the poster of Cinema Salvation competition section, designed by Hamidreza Beydaghi.



Nemati nominated for Intl. Women’s Day Award


Iranian female archer Zahra Nemati has been nominated for the 2018 International Women’s Day Award following wining 2017 world archery athlete recently.

31st Khwarizmi Intl. Award kicks off in Tehran


The 31st Khwarizmi International Award (KIA) has gone underway at IRIB International Conference Center in Tehran in the presence of President Rouhani and a number of Iranian and foreign researchers.

Laureates of 31st Khwarizmi Intl. Award honored


Laureates for the 31st Khwarizmi International Award (KIA) have been honored on Sat. for their remarkable achievements in science and technology during a ceremony attended by President Rouhani.  

Iran’s ICT ministry launches donation campaign for quake-hit people


Iran’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has launched a campaign to help the survivors of the recent earthquake in the western province of Kermanshah ahead of the Persian New Year.