July 31, The Iran Project – Iran's FM Zarif Africa tour that consisting visit of Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea Conakry and Mali, Pakistan’s Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security Nasir Khan Janjua visit to Iran and participation of Iranian Commandos in international war games in Russia dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (July 25–July 31).

 

Politics

 

ASEAN FMs agree on Iran’s joining to Treaty of Amity & Co-op


The foreign ministers of ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed on Iran’s joining to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.





FM spokesman: No Al-Qaeda forces in Iran


Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Tuesday dismissed the US charges that three terrorist Al-Qaeda forces are present in Iran.





Saudi, Israeli projects of Iranophobia falling flat: Zarif


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says projects by the Israeli and Saudi Arabian regimes to portray Iran as a threat to the world have been falling flat over the past years.



Zarif: Iran ready to cooperate with Ghana to fight terrorism


Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif voiced Iran’s readiness to cooperate with the African state of Ghana on fighting terrorism and extremism.





Iran’s presidential elections date announced


The Guardian Council has endorsed the decision to hold the 12th round of Iran’s presidential elections on Friday May 19, 2017.






Zarif: Trip to West Africa new chapter in ties with region


Trip to West Africa is expected to introduce a new chapter in relations of the Islamic Republic with this region, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday.





Iran, Pakistan issue statement on security


Secretary of Iran’s SNSC and Pakistan’s national security adviser have issued a joint statement on security where they emphasized upon fighting terrorism and extremism.






Iranian Commandos in Russia to take part in int’l war games 2016


A number of prominent commandos of the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) are in Russia to participate in the upcoming International Army Games 2016.





Iran Army troops gearing up for 3 major war games


Commander of Iran’s Army Ground Force said his forces are scheduled to hold three war games in different parts of the country by the end of the current Iranian year (March 2017).





Riyadh failed to rally anti-Iran support in Arab League summit: Iran


Tehran has slammed the Saudi regime for pushing ahead with its “divisive policies” in a recent Arab League summit, saying the outcome of the meeting showed Riyadh has failed to muster support against Iran.



IAEA denies leaking confidential info on Iran nuclear program


The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has denied leaking confidential information about Iran’s nuclear program.


 

Economy

 

Zarif: Banking ties available to Ghana private sector for trade with Iran


Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif said on Tuesday that banking ties are available to Ghanaian businessmen for trade with Iran.





Japan’s TonenGeneral buys first oil from Iran -sources


Japanese oil refiner TonenGeneral Sekiyu has bought its first oil from Iran since becoming independent from U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil Corp , three industry sources familiar with the matter said.





Iran crude oil exports reach new highs


The latest market figures show that Iran’s exports of crude oil have already reached the highest levels in more than four years.



Seif: Economic growth rate pegged at 5%


Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Valiollah Seif said on Thursday that Iran will experience an economic growth rate of five percent by the year end if its economic falls in right direction.





WB says $30bn of Iran’s assets unfrozen


The World Bank says a landmark nuclear deal that Iran signed with the P5+1 last year has already enabled the country to gain access to as much as $30 billion of its assets that had been frozen as a result of the sanctions.



Russia, Iran to sign industrial cooperation roadmap with over 70 Projects


Russia and Iran have agreed to sign a roadmap for cooperation in the industrial field.




Society




What foreign tourists say about Iran’s culture


A report by ISNA has pointed to excerpts from the remarks made by foreign tourists and travellers who have visited Iran throughout the history. Here’s IFP’s translation of the report:



Iran ready to launch new satellite


Deputy Head of Iranian Space Agency Jafar Roshanian said on Monday that Mesbah satellite jointly developed by Iran and Italy is ready to be launched.





Holy city of Mashhad, capital of Islamic Culture in 2017 an opportunity for promotion Muslim Unity


Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said that selection of the holy city of Mashhad as the capital of the Islamic culture in 2017 by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) provides a good opportunity for introducing Iran’s Islamic civilization.





Iranians offer oblations by making donations to environment


Animals, as well as humans, are not immune to the adverse effects of the protracted drought that the world is grappling with. Wetlands and marshes are drying up and animals’ wildlife habitats are inching forward to a complete destruction.



Crackdown on negligent animal breeders


Almost 5,000 hectares of national property, which were occupied for breeding wild animal species, have been retrieved by the Department of Environment following reports that the breeders were violating the terms of their agreements with the DOE.


 

Regional Affairs

 

Bahrain to put senior Shia cleric on trial Wednesday: Sources


The Al Khalifah regime in Bahrain has declared Wednesday as the date for the trial of distinguished cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim.



Trial of Bahrainian Sheikh Issa Qassim postpones after 10 minutes



A court in Bahrain has launched the trial of prominent bahraini Shia cleric Sheikh Qassim and court session lasted a mere ten minutes, according to reports. Sheikh Qassim was not present at the session, which produced no verdict.



Syrian President offers amnesty to militants who lay down weapons


Syrian President Bashar Assad offered an amnesty to militants who turn in their weapons insisting that the amnesty has been virtually in effect in Syria since day one of the terrorist war against the country.






Saudi giving Israeli normalization free of charge: Nasrallah


Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah has censured Saudi Arabia for a recent visit to Israel by a delegation headed by a former military general.



Without Iran help, Iraq would have fallen: Iraqi envoy


Iraq’s ambassador to Tehran says Iran’s contribution to Baghdad’s fight against terrorism has crucially helped the Arab country preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty.



Syrian Democratic Forces on verge of full liberation of Manbij in Aleppo


Latest developments in the town of Manbij indicate that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), mainly comprised of Kurdish fighters, are about to push ISIL back from its positions and capture the remaining districts of Manbij in coming hours, military sources said Saturday.