Iran Daily


Rouhani: Iran needs a president to defend nation�s rights
Incumbent President Hassan Rouhani who is seeking reelection in the May 19 race urged the electorate to vote for a candidate who is capable of defending the people�s rights.

North Korea: New missile can carry �heavy nuclear warhead�
North Korea on Monday celebrated the launch of what appeared to be its longest-range ballistic missile yet tested, saying it was capable of carrying a �heavy nuclear warhead�.

Saudi Arabia, Russia push for oil output cuts extension until March
Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world�s two top oil producers, agreed on Monday on the need to extend oil output cuts for a further nine months until March 2018 to rein in a global crude glut, pushing up prices.

Nine firms ready to fund Iran plane purchases
Iran announced that several major European and Asian financiers have announced their readiness to fund the purchases of planes from global aviation giants Airbus and Boeing.

Global pushback curbs cyber attacks but disruption continues
The world�s biggest ransomware attack leveled off in Europe on Monday thanks to a pushback by cyber security officials after causing havoc in 150 countries, as Microsoft urged governments to heed the �wake-up call�.

China decries protectionism at Silk Road summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized protectionism on Monday at a summit positioning Beijing as a champion of globalization, but several European nations spoiled attempts to win full backing for his trade agenda.

French envoy says new government will respect Iran nuclear deal
French Ambassador to Tehran Francois Senemaud underlined that the new government in the European country, which is one of the signatories to the Iran nuclear deal, will honor its commitments under the agreement reached in 2015.

Mayor Qalibaf withdraws from presidential race
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, one of the candidates in Iran�s upcoming presidential elections, in a statement on Monday, announced that he is withdrawing from the presidential race while backing another candidate, Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi.

Gunmen kill two policemen in southwest Iran
Unknown gunmen killed two law enforcement forces in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, news agencies reported on Monday.

Qassemi: Tehran not after tensions with Riyadh, ready for dialogue
Iran�s Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Iran does not seek tensions with Saudi Arabia and is ready for dialogue.



Tehran Times


Iran plans 800km railway network expansion by March 2018
The national railway network is projected to be expanded by 838 kilometers in the current Iranian calendar year, which ends on March 20, 2018, IRNA quoted transport minister as saying.

Southern coasts to tap Iran maritime tourism potential
Iran aims to take advantage of southern coasts to make the best use of its maritime tourism potential by means of developing hospitality infrastructures, diversifying sea routes, and drawing private sector investors.

�Nuclear deal has helped prop up economy�
An Iranian Foreign Ministry official said on Monday that the atmosphere created after the nuclear deal has helped prop up the economy.

Professor says Trump would not trade Turkey for Kurds
Professor Nader Entessar from South Alabama University is of the opinion that the U.S. will not trade Turkey as a NATO ally in favor of Kurds either in Syria or Iraq.

Putin: Russia has nothing to do with cyber attack
Russia had nothing to do with a massive global cyber-attack, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday, calling for urgent consultations on countering the hackers.

Iran insists it seeks no tension with Saudi Arabia
The Iranian Foreign Ministry reiterated Tehran�s position on Monday that the Islamic Republic does not seek any �tension� with Saudi Arabia.

Arg-e Bam, an architectural masterpiece
The Arg-e Bam citadel, located in Bam, a city in the southeastern province of Kerman, can be traced back to the sixth century B.C. It was the largest adobe monument in the world made of unbaked clay bricks.

Ghalibaf withdraws presidential bid, endorses Raisi
Tehran mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf withdrew his presidential candidacy on Monday in favor of Ebrahim Raisi, hoping he would unseat incumbent President Hassan Rouhani.

Iran starts construction of ion therapy center
Iran began building its National Ion Therapy Center with Austrian help on Monday, in a �200 million project which follow the country�s landmark nuclear deal with six world powers in July 2015.