An Iranian petrochemical installation[/caption]Iran news headlines on Saturday include US sanctions againstIran petrochemical companies;spokesman for Irans UN mission statements on US support for terrorism;Foreign Ministry condemnation ofArabsiars jail sentence; objection of some presidential candidate todebate format and country interior ministry remarks overirreplaceable time ofIran Election Day.
U.S. imposes sanctions on Irans petrochemical industry
The United States blacklisted on Friday eight companies in Irans petrochemical industry, sending a warning to the Islamic Republics global customers as Washington strives to cut off funds to the countrys nuclear program. Petrochemical companies owned or controlled by the Iranian government that are on the Treasury Department list include Bandar Imam Petrochemical Co, Bou Ali Sina Petrochemical Co and Mobin Petrochemical Co.
Tehran says U.S., not Iran, sponsors terrorism
Iranon Friday rejected a U.S. State Department report that accused Tehran of increasing its support for terrorism overseas to levels not seen for two decades, saying it is the United States that backs terrorists in the Middle East. Iranitself has been the victim of state-sponsored terrorism, which has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent Iranian people, said Alireza Miryousefi, spokesman for Irans U.N. mission.
Arabsiars jail sentence part of Iranophobia project: Foreign Ministry
Iran has condemned the sentencing of Iranian-American Mansour Arbabsiar to 25 years in prison as ridiculous and fabricated, saying the decision is in line with Washingtons Iranophobia project. On Friday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Araqchi expressed regret over the prison sentence imposed by a New York court over allegations of Arbabsiars role in a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to the United States, ISNA reported.
Several Iranian presidential candidates object to debate format
A number of Iranian presidential candidates have objected to the format of their first live televised debate. In the debate aired live on Irans state TV on Friday, the eight candidates spoke about their economic plans ahead of the upcoming presidential poll. They offered their solutions to the countrys economic problems and answered questions on major economic issues.
Iran Election Day to remain unchanged: Interior Minister
Irans Interior Ministry says the upcoming presidential and city and rural council elections will be held on the scheduled date as planned. Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar told a meeting of provincial governors on Saturday that the results of the June 14 votes will be announced at the earliest.
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