Iran news headlines on Monday include Syria urging Iran presence in Syria peace talks; possibility of Rafsanjani disqualification from presidential race; country releasing of tow Azeri nationals arrested over illegal activities and Iran inauguration of new air defense system production.

Lavrov discussed Iranian role in Syria peace talks
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov revealed on Sunday that he had discussed Iran’s possible involvement in a conference to resolve the war in Syria, when he met his US counterpart John Kerry early in May. The Russians and Americans agreed during Kerry’s visit to Moscow to set up a conference of international players to end the war in Syria. Moscow wants to involve all the nations which took part in the Geneva conference on Syria last summer, and says without Iran’s participation the conference cannot succeed.

 
Iran electoral watchdog hints at Rafsanjani rejection
Iran’s electoral watchdog said on Monday it would bar physically feeble candidates from running for president, in an apparent hint that it could disqualify 78-year-old former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani from the race. Rafsanjani, if he is allowed to run, would be a significant challenge to conservative hardliners who are ultra-loyal to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and who otherwise dominate the field for the June 14 presidential election.

 
Iran releases two Azeri nationals arrested over illegal activities
Iran’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohsen Pak-Ayeen says two Azeri nationals, arrested in the Islamic Republic over illegal activities, have been released. Pak-Ayeen said that the two Azeri nationals were released Sunday morning in the northwestern city of Tabriz.


 
Iran inaugurates mass-production of new air defence system ‘Herz 9?
Iran says it has started mass producing a new sophisticated air defense missile system capable of engaging low-altitude aircraft. The Monday report by state TV quotes Defense Minister Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as saying the new system, dubbed Herz-9 or Talisman-9 in Farsi, is capable of operating at night.

 

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