March 18, The Iran Project – Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif travel to Pakistan and meeting with senior officials; Iran’s president meets Azerbaijan’s economy minister in Tehran; Ayat. Jannati reelected as head of Assembly of Experts; Iranians celebrate Festival of Fire to prelude New Year; Iran-Russia sign 2nd oil contract; Quadrilateral meeting between Iran, Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan in Baku; Iran, Russia and Turkey hold Syria talks in Astana; Joint JCPOA commission meeting in Vienna and Oman FM in Tehran to meet senior officials are among major headlines dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (March 12–March 18).
Politics
If Saudi Arabia faces any foreign aggression Iran would be first country to help: FM Zarif
Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif says if God forbid Saudi Arabia faces any foreign aggression or terrorism Iran will be the first country to come to its assistance.
Ayat. Jannati reelected as head of Assembly of Experts
Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati has been reelected as the chairman of Assembly of Experts for the second time in a row.
Iran jails Ahmadinejad’s vice president for corruption
Iran on March 13 jailed Hamid Baghai, a vice president under former hard-liner Mahmud Ahmadinejad, following his conviction for corruption, Iranian media reports said.
Prominent Iranian academic sentenced to 18 months in jail
A prominent Iranian academic was given an 18-month jail sentence on Tuesday after giving an interview to German news organization Deutsche Welle, according to a press release from DW.
Tehran mayor resigns: City Council member
A member of the Tehran City Council confirmed on Wednesday that the mayor of Iran’s capital has resigned.
Iran’s Supreme Leader receives Assembly of Experts members
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Thursday received members of the Assembly of Experts.
Quadrilateral meeting between Iran, Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan starts
Quadripartite meeting between the foreign ministers of Iran, Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan kicked off in this Azeri capital on Thursday.
US Navy official claims Iran’s drastic behavioral change in naval forces
Spokesperson for the US Special Operations Command William Orban claimed that eye-catching and dramatic reduction in confrontation between Iranian and American naval forces in the Persian Gulf is a sign of change in behavior of the Iranian side.
Iran, Turkey, Russia trying to guarantee peace in Syria
The Astana trilateral meeting with the attendance of Iran, Russia and Turkey urged in a joint statement establishing peace in Syria.
All participants at 8th meeting of Joint Commission vow to continue adherence to JCPOA
A regular meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) took place in Vienna on Friday during which all participants noted their continued adherence to JCPOA commitments.
Iranian official urges dialogue between Yemen factions: state media
A senior Iranian security official has called for dialogue between factions in Yemen to end the conflict there, Iranian state media reported on Saturday.
Ex-Head of Iran presidential office arrested
Former Chief of Iranian Presidential office Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei was arrested on Saturday.
Regional Affairs
Plane crash reason not clear: Turkish spox
The reason behind the Turkish plane crash that happened in Iran late on Sunday is still unclear, said Turkey’s government spokesman.
Saudi cabinet approves atomic policy ahead of bin Salman’s US visit
Saudi Arabia’s cabinet has approved a national atomic energy policy, as the oil-rich kingdom tries to rationalize an ambitious plan to supposedly diversify its energy resources.
IMN says Nigeria will keep Ibrahim Zakzaky detained until he dies
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) said the government in Abuja plans to keep the movement’s Leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife Zeenah in detention until they die.
Report: Trump asked Saudi king $4bn for Syria goals
US President Donald Trump asked Saudi King Salman for $4 billion to spend on advancing Washington’s objectives in Syria, which Riyadh also shares, a report says.
Russians cast ballots in 2018 presidential election
On March 18, almost 111 million Russian citizens will choose the country’s president for the next six years. Sputnik is keeping its eagle eyes trained on the process.
Economy
Iran signs $740 million agreement on oil project
Iran’s state-run oil company has signed a $740 million agreement with a Russian-Iranian consortium to develop two oil fields near the Iraqi border.
European powers propose new Iran sanctions to meet Trump ultimatum
Britain, France and Germany have proposed fresh EU sanctions on Iran over its ballistic missiles and its role in Syria’s war, according to a confidential document, in a bid to persuade Washington to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.
OPEC unlikely to change output cut plan: Iran
Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh said: “OPEC may choose to alter its output cut plan which I think would be unlikely.”
New trade corridors to connect Asia, Europe
The foreign ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iran signed an agreement on projects to create a transportation and transit corridor between the Indian Ocean and Europe in Baku on March 15.
Iran, Oman resolute to grow banking relations
Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi reassured the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Governor Valiollah Seif that banking ties between Iran and Oman will grow as the officials of the two countries are determined to do so.
Society
Chaharshanbe Soori, ancient Persian festival of fire
Iranians are celebrating Chaharshanbe Soori, an ancient fire festival held on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Iranian calendar year.
Former Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz offered Iran contract extension
Carlos Queiroz has been offered a contract extension to remain as head coach of Iran beyond the World Cup finals in Russia, a source close to the Portuguese coach has told to Reuters.
Parviz Tanavoli, leading phenomenon in world modern art
Iranian iconic artist Parviz Tanavoli is globally renowned as a leading figure in the history of modern art and the founder of Iran’s modern sculpture.
Iran’s position remains unchanged in FIFA rankings
Iran national football team maintained its spot at 33 in FIFA world rankings released on Thursday.
Iran launches iFilm2 TV channel for Dari speakers
Building on a notably-successful and long-running first experience, Iran has launched iFilm2 television channel for Dari speakers within and outside the country’s borders.