Iran Daily


Pope urges peace in Christmas message
Pope Francis on Sunday offered a Christmas hope for peace in a world lacerated by war and terrorism, urging people to remember migrants, refugees and those hit by economic instability caused by �idolatry of money�.

Iran says it sealed Boeing plane deal at half price
Iran said on Sunday it had negotiated to pay only about half the announced price for 80 new Boeing airliners in an order that the American planemaker had said was worth $16.6 billion.

Tunisia security forces warn of returning terrorists
Tunisia�s security forces called on the government Sunday to take �exceptional measures� to combat the return of those fighting for terror groups abroad.

�No survivors� as Syria-bound Russian jet crashes
A Russian military plane crashed on its way to Syria on Sunday, with no sign of survivors among the 92 onboard, who included dozens of Red Army Choir members heading to celebrate the New Year with troops.

Rouhani, Putin discuss anti-terrorism cooperation
Iranian and Russian presidents for the third time over the past month held a telephone conversation to discuss ways for further cooperation against terrorism.

Iran to hold major military air maneuvers
Iran begins five-day military air drills in the southern parts of the country today to display its might and raise its integrity and cohesiveness.

Iranian officials� Christmas messages to Christians
A number of Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, congratulated Christians around the world on the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ (PBUH).


Tehran Times

British presence in Persian Gulf unlikely to affect power equation: Shireen Hunter
Shireen Tahmaasb Hunter, a professor of political science at Georgetown University, is of the opinion that the British presence in the Persian Gulf �is unlikely to dramatically affect power equation in the region.�

Iran expects ATR deal to be signed next week
Iran will start the final round of negotiations with planemaker ATR in Tehran on Wednesday and a deal is expected to be signed next week, Deputy Transport Minister Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan said on Sunday.

Rouhani offers Christmas greetings to Pope, Christians
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has congratulated Pope Francis ahead of Christmas and the new Gregorian calendar year, expressing hope that the world would see peace and justice.

Syrian army kills dozens of ISIL terrorists east of Aleppo
The Syrian army has killed dozens of terrorists in military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ Daesh) Takfiri terrorist group to the east of the recently-liberated city of Aleppo.

Ex-FM says deep state in U.S. promotes conflict with Iran
Iran�s former foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said that the hidden masters who rule the United States are beating the drums against the Islamic Republic and the nuclear agreement.

Iran allows free foreign exchange at banks in move to unify rates
Iran authorized some banks on Saturday to deal in foreign exchange trading at a free-market rate, the central bank said, as authorities try to unify exchange rates.

Pope Francis: Christmas has been �taken hostage� by materialism
Birth of Jesus should remind world of the suffering of children today, pontiff says in Christmas Eve address at Vatican.

Iran set to stage military exercise in southern provinces
Iran�s military will start a five-day military drill in southern areas where the Bushehr nuclear plant is located, Farzad Esmaieli, commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base, announced on Sunday.

Iran sympathizes with Russia over plane crash
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi expressed sympathy with the Russian government and people over a plane crash on Sunday.

Rouhani, Putin lay emphasis closest consultation
In a phone conversation on Saturday Hassan Rouhani and Vladimir Putin, the Iranian and Russian presidents, said the two countries will continue cooperating and holding consultations.

Top IRGC commander says military precedes politics
The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has said politics and diplomacy come next to military power, warning that officials should not trust Washington.

Zarif wishes peaceful world in new Christian year
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif congratulated on Sunday the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ (PBUH), wishing a �peaceful� world in the year 2017, which starts next Sunday.

Iranian MPs back Citizen Rights Charter
Iranian MPs issued a statement on Sunday expressing support for the Citizen Rights Charter declared by President Hassan Rouhani on December 19.