October 15, The Iran Project – IRGC Navy holding parade in Persian Gulf; Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Augustine Mahiga and Oman Air Force Commander Major General Matar bin Ali al-Obaidani trip to Iran and meeting with senior officials; Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani participating in 137th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Russia; Celebration of Hafez Day in Shiraz; Trump refusal to certify Iran nuclear deal and Iranian officials reaction to Trump decision dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (Oct 09–Oct 15).


 

Politics

IRGC Navy holds parade in Persian Gulf


The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has held a parade in the Persian Gulf to display its military might and preparedness.

IRGC, FM share similar views on defense, security programs


IRGC commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari said there is an excellent understanding between IRGC and FM Zarif in stating our stances against the enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Oman, Iran discuss military cooperation


Oman Air Force Commander Major General Matar bin Ali al-Obaidani met with Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces for international affairs Brigadier General Qadir Nezami on Tuesday.

Iran FM briefs MPs behind closed doors on Trump threats against JCPOA


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has attended a parliamentary session to brief the lawmakers on a range of issues, including recent US threats against the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and six world powers.

Trump refuses to certify Iran nuclear deal


US President Donald Trump has refused to certify the international nuclear agreement with Iran and warned he might ultimately terminate it, in defiance of other world powers and undermining a landmark victory of multilateral diplomacy.

Declaration by the Heads of State and Government of France, Germany and the United Kingdom


Joint statement from Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron following President Trump’s statement on the US’ Iran Strategy.

General vows Iran’s push to boost defense power after Trump’s speech


Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces reaffirmed the country’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities to counter the “corrupt American regime” after US President Donald Trump’s Friday speech against the Islamic Republic.

It was US envoy to UN who advised Trump to decertify Iran nuclear deal – Reports


Despite Tillerson’s and Mattis’ efforts to the opposite effect, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley reportedly prepared the ground for not recognizing Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal.

Trump is in no position to verify Iran’s compliance with nuclear deal: Zarif


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has stressed that US President Donald Trump is in no position to verify Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal.

Interior ministry says Trump admits Iran is powerful


In a statement issued on Saturday, Iran’s interior ministry says that anti-Iran remark of US President Trump is a desperate confessions to Iran’s power.

 


Economy

Tehran, Yerevan eye enhanced energy ties: Official 


A senior Iranian energy official said Armenia has indicated keenness to buy more natural gas from Iran, adding energy relations between Tehran and Yerevan will bolster in the future.

Iran eyes enhanced oil production thru $5b investment package 


Iran is preparing a $5 billion investment package for maintaining and enhancing production of the country’s oilfields, Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh said.

IMF forecasts sustained growth for Iran’s economy 


The International Monetary Fund in its latest World Economic Outlook report has projected that Iran’s real GDP will expand by 3.5% and 3.8% in 2017 and 2018 respectively. In 2022, the IMF estimates Iran’s economic growth will stand at 4.1%, the fund’s website reported.

Treasury slaps sanctions on Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards as US raises pressure on Tehran


The Treasury Department on Friday slapped sanctions on an elite Iranian military organization, part of its broader strategy to ramp up pressure on Tehran.

Boeing and Airbus sales of planes to Iran safe for now 


President Donald Trump’s decision not to re-impose sanctions against Iran is good news for Boeing and its European rival, Airbus, which can continue doing business with Iranian airlines that are desperate for new planes.

 


Regional Affairs



Hezbollah chief says US helps Daesh, does not allow it to be eliminated 


The secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah says the United States does not want Daesh Takfiri group to be destroyed and is providing Takfiri terrorists with assistance through its bases in Syria.

IRGC Quds Force Commander praises Jalal Talabani personality 


Commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Qasem Soleimani expressed condolences over the death of ex-President of Iraq Jalal Talabani and he praised his personality.

Rival Palestinian factions reach national reconciliation deal in Egypt capital 


Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says it has reached a national reconciliation deal with rival party Fatah with the aim of ending a decade-long political rift mainly over the governance of the Gaza Strip.

Iraqi premier denies army, allies plan attack on Kurdish Peshmerga forces 


Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has denied an attack plan against the positions of Kurdish Peshmerga forces amid ongoing tensions between the central government in Baghdad and authorities of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Mass grave of 21 Christian Egyptians beheaded by ISIS in Libya recovered after 2 years 


As time passes by, more brutal stories on ISIS’s violence in war-torn areas unravel and circulate basically through alternative media and some media outlets, at the time mainstream outlets remain silent.

 

Society

Tehran Police equipped with body cameras 


Police officers in Iran’s capital of Tehran were equipped with body cameras as part of a new scheme to ensure respect for the citizenship rights.




135-million-year-old cave; A newly-discovered attraction in Iran 


A cave belonging to 135 million years ago, which was discovered less than ten years ago in southwestern Iran, has turned into a popular tourist attraction.

Iranians commemorate national day for prominent poet Hafez 


Iranians commemorate National Day of Hafez, a 14th-century Persian poet and mystic highly revered by by famous writers and scholars all across the world.

Iranian robotic team wins “Best Idea” award in AIChE 2017 


A robotic team from Iran’s University of Kashan has won the “Best Idea” award in the world’s Chem-E-Car Competition, AIChE 2017, held in Barcelona, Spain.

Archaeologists find traces of Neanderthals in Western Iran 


Recent discoveries of ancient stoneware in western Iran reveal that Neanderthals had advanced into western Iran during Paleolithic era, says an Iranian archaeologist.