Daily look at Iran’s late-breaking news and upcoming events:
 
Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei sends new letter to Obama amid nuclear talks
Iran’s paramount political figure, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has responded to overtures from President Barack Obama seeking better relations by sending secret communications of his own to the White House.

 
New Iran UN envoy to take post after US rejects 1st pick
Iran’s choice for its ambassador to the United Nations will take up his post next week after the United States declined to issue a visa to Iran’s earlier pick for the job last year.






Shahindokht Molaverdi: Iranian women are the most educated and emancipated in the Middle East
The Iranian vice president spoke to AsiaNews about the status of women in her country. Iranian women are in a better position than those of other Islamic nations of the area in terms of education, university enrolment and health. In Iran, efforts are being made to boost women’s participation and representation in politics and the economy.

 
ISIL Tormented by Iran: IRGC Commander
The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said the ISIL terrorist group has been defeated in Iraq as it is tormented by the Islamic Republic of Iran.






UMass restrictions on Iranian students worrying: NIAC
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) has expressed deep concern over restrictions imposed on Iranian students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

 
Zangeneh orders advisory body for oil recovery
Iran’s minister of petroleum has ordered the establishment of an advisory body to maximize recovery from the country’s oil and gas reservoirs.

 
Iran rolls out ‘Smart missile’ drones
Iran’s drones now carry high-precision smart missiles that can hit high-speed vehicles with pinpoint accuracy, according to a senior military commander in Tehran.

 
Cyprus stresses Iran’s right to access peaceful N. technology
Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulidis underlined Iran’s right to access nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, and called on the international community to respond to Tehran’s positive steps in the nuclear talks with world powers.






Iran unveils 12 new home-made drugs
 Iran on Saturday unveiled 12 newly-produced home-made drugs used for the treatment of MS, cancer and diabetic patients.




Iran’s non-oil exports to Iraq exceed $5bln
Iran has considerably increased exports of its non-oil goods to neighboring Iraq in recent months, a senior Iranian trade official announced on Saturday.