December 17, The Iran Project � Int. Seminar on terrorism in West Asia kicking off in Tehran; President Hassan Rouhani attendance in Extraordinary OIC Summit in Istanbul and meeting with Turkish President Erdogan; Holding regular meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in Vienna; Araqchi, Amano meeting on Iran-IAEA cooperation; US Ambassador Nikki Haley�s false allegations on violation of UN resolution by Iran and Iranian officials�reactions to Haley's accusations dominated the country�s media outlets in the past week (Dec 11�Dec 17).


 

 

Politics

Congress ignores Trump�s deadline on Iran nuclear deal�


Congress is about to miss what was widely seen as a deadline to deal with�President Trump�s demands for a harder line on the�Iran�nuclear deal, failing to agree on new sanctions against�Tehran�and punting the future of the deal back to�Mr. Trump.

Mogherini says renegotiating JCPOA simply not an option


European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has said that renegotiating 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries is �simply not an option.�

OIC extraordinary Summit to support Holy Quds kicks off in Istanbul


The OIC extraordinary Summit aiming to support Holy Quds (Jerusalem) started in Istanbul Wednesday with the attendance of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Istanbul, Turkey.

Pres. Rouhani: Muslims undivided in defending holy Quds�


Iran�s President Rouhani speaking at OIC summit on al-Quds on Wed. called on Muslim countries to set aside their differences for a unified defense of al-Quds and the Palestinian cause.

Rouhani stresses long-term security cooperation with Turkey over Syria�


Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has stressed the importance of long-term cooperation with Turkey on�bolstering security in the region, especially in Syria.

Araqchi, Amano discuss Iran-IAEA cooperation�


Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Abbas Araqchi and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano on Wednesday discussed cooperation between Iran and the nuclear watchdog as well as implementation of the 2015 nuclear deal.

Effective implementation of JCPOA in constructive climate stressed in Vienna�


Participants of the regular Joint Commission of JCPOA in a statement on Wednesday welcomed Iran�s full adherence to its commitments under the 2015 nuclear deal, stressing the need for its effective implementation in a constructive atmosphere.

Iran rejects Mogherini�s claims on nuclear deal text


A senior Iranian diplomat has dismissed EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini�s claim that the text of the Iran nuclear deal provides the basis for more constructive engagement with Iran in the region.

Iranian FM terms Haley�s claim as a �show��


Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley�s claim that Yemen has fired Iran-supplied missile to Saudi Arabia, describing it all as a �show�.

Human rights of strategic value for Iran: Zarif�


The Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif believes that the elements of power have changed in the world of today and human rights is one of the factors influencing power equations in the world of today.

Iranian commander calls US envoy�s claims on Yemeni missile �Absurd��


Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri denounced as �absurd� recent remarks made by US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley about Iran�s missile support for Yemen.

Iran to file complaint with UN over Haley�s claim


Foreign Minister Zarif told Sputnik that Iran will file a complaint with the United Nations over the US Ambassador Nikki Haley�s missile-related claim against the Islamic Republic.

 

Economy

Russia�s Gazprom says signs memorandum on Iran LNG


Russian gas giant Gazprom said on Wednesday it had signed a memorandum on possible cooperation in a liquefied natural gas project in Iran.

House passes bill requiring more transparency on US aircraft sales to Iran


The House passed legislation Thursday that would require Treasury Department officials to report to Congress on Iranian purchases of U.S. aircraft and how those sales are financed, and certify that they would not aid Iran�s effort to distribute weapons.

China�s CNPC weighs taking over Iran project if Total leaves � sources�


China�s top oil and gas company CNPC is considering taking over Total�s (TOTF.PA) stake in a giant Iranian gas project if the French company leaves Iran to comply with any new U.S. sanctions, industry sources said.

Iran, Russia, Turkey to boost energy cooperation: Lavrov�


Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that cooperation between Tehran, Moscow and Ankara will further improve, despite the US profiteering moves.

Iran says key oil players presented Azadegan plans�


Iran says several leading oil and gas players have submitted the results of their studies over the development of one of its biggest oil prospects � Azadegan oil field.

 

Regional Affairs



Trump�s al-Quds move united Muslim world on Palestinian cause: Commentator�


The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has issued a communique at the end of an urgent summit which was held in Istanbul on Washington�s contentious declaration on Jerusalem al-Quds, announcing that it would recognize the city as the capital of Palestine. Press TV has talked to Marwa Osman, journalist and political commentator, as well as Wafik Moustafa, chairman of the Conservative Arab Network, to get their opinion on this issue.

Volunteer forces must be under Iraqi government control: Ayatollah Sistani


Iraq�s most senior Shia cleric Grand�Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani�says the volunteer forces, who helped the army eradicate Daesh terrorists from the homeland, should be �incorporated� into state bodies.

US signals Western Wall has to be part of Israel�


The administration of US President Donald Trump has signaled that the Western Wall, a site of worship in Jerusalem al-Quds� Old City, has to be a part of Israel.

US-made jet fighters dropping American bombs on Yemen: Iran�


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the bombs dropped on the innocent people of Yemen and the jet fighters pouring them are of American origin.

Adviser to FM Zarif: Muslims must form �Quds Force� against Trump�s move�


Adviser to FM Zarif, Hossein Sheikholeslam, said a structure under the name �Quds Force� needs to be added to Islamic countries� army through parliaments of these states.

 

Society

German electronic band to give first Western pop concert in Iran in 39 years


German electronic musician Christopher von Deylen and his band Schiller will become the first pop group to perform in Iran�s capital, Tehran, since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.



2017 world�s best national team coach: Carlos Queiroz at 7th place�


Iran national football team�s head coach Carlos Queiroz sits in seventh place at the world�s best national team coach in 2017.

Iran opens first museum dedicated to female artist


Iran�has opened its first museum dedicated to a solo female artist � Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, who has received widespread international attention during decades of exile.

Wi-Fi balloons to be deployed across Iran for emergency situations�


Iran�s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi says all Iranian provinces will be equipped with balloons that provide free Wi-Fi internet services in emergency situations.

Chabahar port city; undiscovered gem in southern Iran�


Chabahar, located in Sistan and Baluchestan Province in southeast of Iran, is a beautiful port and a Free Trade Zone on the coast of the Sea of Oman.