January 29, The Iran Project – IRGC Ground Forces launching massive drills in west Iran, Syria peace talks in Astana, selection of Mashhad as Islamic world cultural capital in 2017, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid al-Sabah visit to Iran and meeting with senior officials, holding 17th World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations in Tehran, opening ceremony of 35th edition of Fajr Film Festival and Iran's MFA issuing statement in response to Trump visa ban dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (Jan 23– Jan 29).
Politics
IRGC Ground Forces launch massive drills in west Iran
The ground forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) kick off massive military maneuvers in the western parts of Iran.
Former Iranian official, Pro-Tehran lobbyist hosted at Obama White House dozens of times
Two high-level Iranian government backers, including a former Islamic Republic official and another accused of lobbying on Tehran’s behalf, were hosted at the Obama White House for more than 30 meetings with top officials at key junctures in the former administration’s contested diplomacy with Iran, according to White House visitor logs that provide a window into the former administration’s outreach to leading pro-Iran advocates.
Kuwait minister calls for dialogue between Iran, Persian Gulf states in rare visit to Tehran
Kuwait’s foreign minister made a rare visit to Tehran on Wednesday and called for frank dialogue between Iran and its regional neighbors, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.
Iran to expand amicable ties with Muslim states, neighbors
President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iran seeks further expansion of amicable relations with the Muslim and neighboring countries.
Today, no time of building walls between nations: President Rouhani
President Hassan Rouhani of Iran says today is not the age of building walls between countries.
FM: US travel ban blatant insult to Muslims, Iranians
Foreign Ministry on Saturday issued a statement to call the decision made by US administration to pose travel ban to the country as ‘blatant insult’ to world Muslims as well as the Iranian nation.
Iran starts injecting UF6 into domestically-made IR-8 centrifuges: AEOI
Iran has started injecting uranium hexafluoride (UF6) into advanced domestically-manufactured centrifuge machines, known as IR-8, to launch an important phase of the country’s research and development plans, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says.
US ban on Muslim arrivals greatest gift to terrorists: Zarif
Iran says the US’s decision to restrict arrivals from the Islamic Republic shows the baselessness of the Washington’s claims of only having issues with the government in Tehran, adding that the move is the greatest gift to terrorists and their supporters.
Economy
IRISL launching new container service connecting France, Iran and Asia
Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) is launching a new service that connects the French port of Le Havre with Iranian, Middle Eastern and Asian ports.
Iranian E&P oil firm inks MoU with OMV
An Iranian oil exploration and production (E&P) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Austria’s OMV for cooperation in upstream oil projects in Iran.
Asian oil firms playing important role in post-sanctions Iran
About a year ago, the Iran nuclear deal — officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — was formally implemented. JCPOA was received by Iranians with hope of rebuilding the country’s energy industry, as well as providing an opportunity to regain the country’s share in world oil markets and access again to capital and technology.
Europe chomps most Iran oil in years with supertankers due in days
Europe is poised to receive the most Iranian crude in about five years this month in a sign that the Persian Gulf nation may be regaining its share of a market it had lost to sanctions.
Iranian carmaker inks three contracts with Germany’s Mercedes-Benz
The CEO of Iran Khodro Company (IKCO) announced that his company has recently signed three contracts with the German automaker Mercedes-Benz to launch joint ventures.
Society
89th annual Oscar nominations are announced
The latest on the 89th annual Oscar nominations announced Tuesday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from Beverly Hills, California (all times local)
ISESCO cites reasons of Mashhad election as Islamic capital
Deputy Director General of Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Amina al-Hajri, said on Tuesday that civilization and history of Mashad caused election of the city as cultural capital of the Islamic world.
Discovery of unique 7000-year old pottery in West of Iran
Pottery pieces unique in terms of the single color and bi-color illustrations dating back to the Dalma Culture have been unearthed in Nadali Beig Hill, Kermanshah Province, the Public Relations Office of the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism (RICHT)reported.
WFTGA Convention to help sustainable development
Holding 2017 Iran’s World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) Convention is in line with UN aims and is a factor to promote sustainable development, Head of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said.
I won’t exchange my instrument for entire France: Iranian Musician
Pahlevan Rasoul Bakhsh Zangshahi is a veteran musician from Sistan and Baluchestan province, south-eastern Iran, who was praised during the 32nd International Fajr Music Festival.
Regional Affairs
Syria, Iran call for nationwide truce consolidation
Damascus and Tehran have reaffirmed their support for a country-wide cessation of hostilities that has been largely holding in Syria for almost a month now.
Bahrain court sentences six to jail over anti-regime protests
A court in Bahrain has handed down prison sentences ranging from seven to ten years to six anti-regime campaigners over their alleged involvement in an attack on Al Khalifah regime forces in the Persian Gulf Arab kingdom.
Astana talks firm basis to promote political solution in Syria: Senior official
Astana negotiations is a solid basis to advance any political solution for Syria crisis, Advisor to Majlis (parliament) Speaker for International Affairs Hossein Amirabdollahian said.
IRGC Official: US, terrorist groups’ supporters marginalized in Astana peace talks on Syria
A senior Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) official underlined decline of the US power, and said Washington and other supporters of terrorist groups were marginalized in the Syria peace talks in Astana.
Iran, Russia discuss ‘excellent’ outcome of Syria conference
Foreign Minister, Mohammad-Javad Zarif, and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Saturday discussed ‘excellent’ outcome of the Syria Astana meeting.
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