December 18, The Iran Project � Iran�s army unveiling new gears in war game, Iran-Airbus finalizing deal, Chairman of Iraqi Shia National Coalition Ammar Hakim and Indonesian President Joko Widodo visit to Iran and meeting with senior�Iranian officials, holding of 30th International Islamic Unity Conference in Iran, Obama refusing to sign Iran sanctions renewal, holding of 10th session of the Supreme Council of the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening in the Iranian capital and Amano trip to Iran dominated the country�s media outlets in the past week (Dec 12� Dec18).

 

Politics

Iran says Persian Gulf worried about war risks with Trump


Donald Trump�s election has led to unease over threats to peace in the region, Iran�s defense minister said on Sunday, warning that a war would destroy Israel and the small Persian Gulf Arab states.




Iran tests new Toophan anti-tank missiles in ground forces drills


Iran has tested a new variant of the Toophan anti-tank missile during the ongoing Muhammad Rasulullah drills in the Gulf of Oman, local media reported Monday.




War game in Southeast Iran produced good results: Commander


Commander of Iran�s Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari hailed the good results of a large-scale military exercise in southeastern parts of the country that ended on Tuesday.




S Africa not to let anyone damage ties with Iran


South African President Jacob Zuma stressed his country�s resolve for expanding cooperation with Iran, saying no country would be allowed to damage Pretoria-Tehran ties.




Zarif raises US breach of JCPOA with Russian foreign minister on phone


Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif raised US breach of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on a phone conversation Wednesday.




Two Iranian lawyers released in Kenya following talks with officials: Deputy FM


An Iranian deputy foreign minister says two Iranian lawmakers arrested in Kenya last month have been released.




US Congress faces �Grave Consequences� if Iran deal terminated � White House


Congress will have to deal with serious repercussions if lawmakers choose to upend the Iran nuclear deal, according to White House spokesman Josh Earnest.




Iran calls for P5+1 meeting over US sanctions extension


Iran�s Foreign Minister in a letter to the European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has called for a joint commission meeting on the nuclear deal over the extension of U.S. sanctions against Iran.

 

Economy










Gazprom Neft to study two Iranian oil fields


Iran has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russia�s Gazprom Neft to study two key oil fields in the country�s west.




Lukoil begins oil exploration in Persian Gulf


A senior Russian official has reported on launch of activities by Lukoil Company in oil exploration projects in the Persian Gulf.Speaking during the 13th meeting of Iran-Russia Joint Economic Commission, Russian Deputy Minister of Energy Kirill Molodtsov touched upon major axes of talks between Iranian and Russian firms over oil, gas and energy industries saying �Russia�s Lukoil has commenced new exploratory activities in the Persian Gulf as well as conducting talks with the National Iranian Oil Company for development of oil and gas fields.�




Iran�s Aseman Airlines to lease seven Airbus jets: sources


Iran�s Aseman Airlines has agreed to lease seven Airbus (AIR.PA) jets, two aviation industry sources said on Thursday, scotching earlier reports that Iran had agreed to buy the aircraft directly from the European manufacturer.




Iran sanctions renewal becomes law without Obama signature


In an unexpected reversal, President Barack Obama declined to sign a renewal of sanctions against Iran but let it become law anyway, in an apparent bid to alleviate Tehran�s concerns that the U.S. is backsliding on the nuclear deal.




Report: Iran sanctions cost U.S. economy up to $272 billion


U.S. sanctions on Iran have carried a significant cost to the U.S. economy, a new report published by the National Iranian American Council today finds.�Losing More Billions � The Cost of Iran Sanctions to the U.S. Economy�reveals that between 1995 and 2014, the U.S. sacrificed at least $203 billion and as much as�$272 billion in potential export revenue to Iran.

 

Society







Iranian child acrobat takes Instagram by storm


A three-year old Iranian boy became a true Instagram celebrity thanks to his amazing acrobatic skills.





Tehran, Brussels to ?enhance energy efficiency cooperation


Iran and Belgium has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation on joint energy efficiency projects and climate change.




Asian young player of the year 2016: Sardar Azmoun | Talent Radar


Under our�Talent Radar banner, we have constantly strived to document and highlight the progress of the younger stars of the beautiful game, before they progress into household names. Our latest initiative�within the burgeoning Talent Radar section is the introduction of #The7 feature.




Iran�s �The Salesman� nominated for Golden Globe


Iran�s Oscar entry �The Salesman� directed by Asghar Farhadi has been nominated for the 74th Golden Globe awards in the foreign-language category.




DOE close to approving Ashouradeh tourism scheme


The Department of Environment is set to announce its final verdict on a controversial scheme to turn Ashouradeh, the only Iranian island in the Caspian Sea, into a tourist resort by the end of the Iranian month of Azar (Dec. 20).





Regional Affairs







Turkey, Russia, Iran to hold meeting on Syria in Moscow on December 27


�We are making efforts toward ceasefire and launching political talks in Syria,� Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.




Syria will not allow countries supporting terrorists on its market ? Assad


�We won�t be able to distinguish between the private sector in such states and their official policies,� the Syrian president said.





Iran summons British envoy over Syria crisis


Iran�s Foreign Ministry�has summoned the UK charg�d�affaires in Tehran to protest the UK officals���injudicious� remarks�on Tehran�s policies�with regard to the crisis in�Syria.




Shoigu discusses Aleppo with Syria, Iran MoD, Turkish intelligence head � M?D


Russian Defense Minister discussed the Syrian crisis with his Syrian and Iranian counterparts and the Turkish MIT chief.




Syria: Iran�s General Soleimani in Aleppo


New photos show the Commander of the Quds Force of Iran�s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Qassem Soleimani at the Citadel of Aleppo after its liberation as Syria is preparing to celebrate its victory in the crucially important city.