August 20, The Iran Project – Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi appointing as new head of Iran Expediency Council, Pres. Rouhani introducing cabinet appointees to Parliament, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri visit to Turkey and meeting with senior officials and New ambassadors of Serbia, Austria and Uruguay submitting credentials to Iranian President dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (Aug 14–Aug 20).


 

Politics

Hashemi Shahroudi appointed new head of Iran Expediency Council 


Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi has been appointed by Iran’s Leader as the new head of the country’s Expediency Discernment Council, replacing the late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Iranian parliament begins discussions on President Rouhani’s proposed ministers 


Iranian Majlis (Parliament) started a public session on Tuesday morning to review President Rouhani government’s plans and to give vote of confidence to his proposed ministers.

BBC says Iran freezes local assets of Farsi service staff 


An Iranian court order has frozen the local assets of over 150 people associated with the BBC’s Farsi-language service, the British broadcaster said on Tuesday, the latest effort by Tehran to crack down on the service’s popular newscasts.

Moscow hopes Iran will not quit nuclear deal 


The Russian top diplomat hopes the US will not violate its obligations under the deal



Iran to bolster missile power, deterrence: General 


Iran will reinforce its missile capabilities in all areas, particularly in ballistic and cruise sectors, a top defense official said here on Thursday.

Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei rips Trump over Charlottesville debacle 


Iranian Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has some advice for US President Donald Trump: instead of meddling in the affairs of countries across the globe, concern yourself with your own backyard.

Turkey to boost military cooperation with Iran after army chief’s visit 


Turkey and Iran have agreed to boost military cooperation after talks in Ankara this week between the Iranian armed forces chief of staff and Turkish leaders, President Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman said on Thursday.

Iranian pilgrims in good state: Hajj official 


Despite misinformation spread about Iranian Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, they are in a good state, head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs Organization said on Friday.

Newly-released US documents confirm UK role in Iran’s 1953 coup 


US State Department recently released a trove of confidential documents that disclosed more details of Britain’s role in the 1953 coup in Iran, an issue London strongly denied in the past.

Iranian parliament begins last day of debates on president’s proposed ministers 


The fifth and the last day of Majlis (Iran’s Parliament) open session to discuss plans of President Hassan Rouhani’s proposed ministers started here on Sunday.

 


Regional Affairs

Iraqi Kurds’ independence referendum risks civil war: Turkish FM 


Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has warned that a plan by Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region to hold an independence referendum late next month will lead to “civil war” in the conflict-stricken Arab country.

Iran, Russia, Turkey working on de-escalation zone in Syria’s Idlib 


Russian, Turkish and Iranian experts are working on the establishment of the de-escalation zone in Syria’s Idlib, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

Moscow, Tehran, Ankara preparing for 6th Astana talks: Russia 


Moscow, Tehran and Ankara, as well as other participants are ‘actively preparing for the sixth high-level international meeting on Syria’ in Kazakhstan capital, Astana, the Russia Foreign Ministry announced.

Iran, Iraq enjoy historic, stable ties 


Leader of a political party, the Sadrist Movement and the leader of Saraya al-Salam Muqtada al-Sadr pointed to historic and stable ties between two countries.

Iraqi PM Abadi announces start of Tal Afar liberation operation 


Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has announced the commencement of a major offensive to liberate the northern city of Tal Afar from the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

 

Economy

S.Korea’s July Iranian crude oil imports jump 27 pct 


South Korea’s crude oil imports from Iran rose 26.5 percent in July from a year ago, driven by Seoul’s strong appetite for competitively priced Iranian light oil as Tehran looks to boost market share.



FM Zarif: Iran’s security, economic power from within 


Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif emphasized that Iran’s security and economic power come from within.

Japan’s Inpex may get involved in development of Iran’s Azadegan oil field 


Japan’s biggest oil and gas explorer Inpex Corp might participate in a tender to develop the Azadegan oil field in southwestern Iran and form a consortium with other foreign oil firms to that end, a high-ranking Iranian official said.

Iran ready to swap half a million barrels of oil per day 


Iran has prepared itself for transfer of 500,000 barrels of oil from the Caspian Sea countries per day in the form of swap deals, a senior Iranian official announced.

Pertamina pushes Iran for exploration of oil fields


Indonesia’s state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina says it has asked Iran to allow the company to accelerate exploration of two major oil fields in the southwestern Khuzestan province.

 

Society

Female archer books berth at Archery World Cup Final 


Parisa Baratchi, female Iranian archer, has been awarded a place at 2017 Archery World Cup Final to convene in Italy.



Bam Citadel restoration in 2 years 


Restoration of Bam Citadel will be complete in two years, the head of the provincial office of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said.


Iranian charity supporting thousands of Christians 


Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation (IKRF), an Iranian charitable organization, is providing support for thousands of Christians living in the country,

The legacy of Massoumeh Ebtekar in Iran’s Department of Environment 


Here’s a brief look at Ebtekar’s legacy after four years in charge.

Iran’s Kandelous historical village: Green, beautiful


Among the green and fertile villages in Iran, Kandelous shines as a pearl in the heart of Alborz Mountain in the northern province of Mazandaran.