July 30, The Iran Project – Iran, China inking contract to electrify Tehran-Mashhad railway, Iranian IRGC forces starting drills for Army Games 2017 in China, A group of lawmakers from Lebanon’s Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc visit to Iran and meeting with senior officials, IKSLC opening with test launching of Simorgh satellite carrier into space, the country starting building Mideast’s largest solar farm and Iran Majlis committee passing motion to counter US hostilities dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (July 24–July 30).


 

Politics

Spokesman: US citizen arrested in Iran, accused of certain crimes


Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Monday that the Chinese-American citizen arrested in Iran had been prosecuted for certain accusations against him.

Iran’s IRGC forces start drills for Army Games 2017 in China 


The Airborne Special Forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force began their exercises in China to prepare themselves for an international competition due to be held later this month in the East Asian country as part of the Army Games 2017.

Lebanese parliamentary delegation meets with Zarif 


A group of lawmakers from Lebanon’s Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarifon Tuesday evening in Tehran.

Iran, Russia to speed up implementation of nuclear projects: Official 


Iran and Russia enjoy good cooperation in the area of nuclear energy, spokesman for Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said Tuesday evening adding that the two sides intend to increase the pace of projects implementation.

Iran successfully tests Simorgh satellite carrier 


Iran has successfully tested Simorgh space-launch vehicle for sending satellites into space.

Senate passes sanctions bill targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea 


The Senate has passed a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, 97-2.

Unlike US Iran complied with nuclear deal: FM 


Iran, unlike the United States, has complied in good faith with the letter and spirit of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action(JCPOA), the Iranian Foreign Minister says.

US Treasury slaps sanctions on Iranian companies after rocket test 


The US Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Iran over what it called Tehran’s “continued provocative actions,” including Thursday’s successful test of a satellite-launch rocket.

IRGC raps US repeat of ‘provocative move’ in Persian Gulf 


Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has slammed US Navy for another display of a “provocative and unprofessional” move in the past week in the Persian Gulf.

EU’s Mogherini to attend Iran President’s swearing-in ceremony 


The European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini will travel to Tehran on August 5 to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, according to her spokeswoman.

Iran Majlis committee passes motion to counter US hostilities 


The Iranian Parliament’s Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy has passed the general outlines of a motion to counter the terrorist and adventurous US measures in the region.

 

Economy

Iran ranks first worldwide in sponge iron production 


The CEO of a leading Iranian steel production company says Iran is the world’s leading producer of direct-reduced iron (DRI), also called sponge iron.

Iran to anchor China’s global one belt, one road ambitions 


Tehran will be a key player in Beijing’s multibillion-dollar One Belt, One Road initiative to resurrect the ancient Silk Road with massive international land and sea trade and transit investments.

Iranian judiciary, oil ministry form committee to review gas deal with Total 




A member of the Iranian parliament’s Energy Commission said the country’s Oil Ministry and the Judiciary have established a joint committee to review a controversial $5 billion gas deal recently signed with France’s energy giant Total.

Iranians consider U.S. sanctions on missile program a breach of nuclear deal, poll finds 


President Trump is no fan of the “disastrous” Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran. Though his administration recertified Tehran’s compliance with the deal this month, it did so only after a heated internal debate. Even after its recertification, Trump warned this week that Iran had become “emboldened” and that it could face “big, big problems” if it violated the terms of the deal.

OIEC, Gazprom agree to develop 2 Iranian oilfields 


Oil Industries’ Engineering and Construction (OIEC) has inked a cooperation agreement with Russia’s Gazprom over development of Azar and Changuleh oilfields.

 

Regional Affairs

Israel’s occupation core of all regional crises


Iran’s Ambassador to United Nations said Tue. that the occupation of Palestinian territories by the Israeli regime, emboldened by Trump’s administration, is the core of all current crises in the Middle East.



Hezbollah chief says nearing victory in Lebanon’s Arsal 


The leader of Lebanon’s resistance movement says Hezbollah is winning a tough battle in Arsal region with the cooperation of the Syrian army despite numerous difficulties. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah made the remark in a televised speech nearly a week after the start of the operations in Arsal.

46 injured as clashes erupt between Palestinians, Israeli police at Aqsa Mosque 


Dozens of people have sustained injuries after clashes broke out between Israeli military forces and Palestinians at al-Aqsa Mosque as thousands of Muslim worshippers entered the holy site in the occupied Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds after abolition of the Tel Aviv regime’s restrictive measures.

Syrian army reaches Daesh-held Sukhna town: Monitor 


A monitoring group says Syrian government forces have reached the last town held by the Daesh Takfiri terrorists on the road to the Arab country’s beleaguered eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr.

7 journalists of Turkey’s Cumhuriyet released, 4 still in jail 


Seven Turkish journalists of opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet have been released after nine months in jail as calls increase on authorities to also free four other staffers of the daily who remain behind bars on accusations of abetting terrorism.

 

Society

Iranian female swimmer breaks Guinness record 


Iranian female swimmer Elham Sadat Asghari says she has set a new Guinness World Record for swimming in open waters while wearing handcuffs.

Iranian karateka vice-champion at TWG 2017 


Karate practitioner Amir Mehdizadeh suffered a loss against Azerbaijani rival to stand on the second podium at The World Games (TWG) 2017 underway in Poland.

Hatami honored in Canada 


Phoenix Cultural Center and Cine Iran Festival in Toronto held a special event for Iran’s accomplished actress Leila Hatami on July 22-23 at the main venue of Toronto International Film Festival.

UN coordinator congratulates national day of girls 


The UN Resident Coordinator in Iran Gary Lewis in a twitter message released in his twitter account, highlighted the national day of girls in Iran and congratulated the day.

29th Informatics Olympiad kicks off in Tehran 


The 29th International Olympiad in Informatics has convened in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Scientific and cultural delegations from 84 countries are attending the event. Our correspondent has more details.