Iran Daily
 

 
Leader supports closer ties with Iraq
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei lauded the performance of the Iraqi government, noting that more needs to be done in the country.

 
Farewell Mandela
South Africa’s first black president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95.

 
European energy firms meet Zanganeh
Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Vitol Group SA met with Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh in Vienna on Thursday, as Tehran takes its first steps toward reopening its energy industry following decades of sanctions.

 
ECB issues 2014 alert
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi handed investors an early hint of what’s in store if inflation stays feeble in 2014.

 
Obama defends Iran deal before Israeli diplomats
US President Barack Obama on Thursday defended his nuclear diplomacy with Iran before an audience of Israeli diplomats and senior members of the US Jewish community and officials.

 
Larijani, Sultan urge political solution to Syria
Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has emphasized the need for a political and negotiated settlement of the turmoil in Syria.

 
Russian FM to visit
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to pay an official visit to Tehran next week for talks with senior Iranian officials on key issues.

 
UK ex-FM Straw invited to Iran
Former British foreign secretary, Jack Straw has been invited to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran, a senior lawmaker said.

 
No single winner in nuclear talks
A Foreign Ministry official said there is no such thing as a single winner in the negotiations between Tehran and six world powers as a resolution of the nuclear dispute will benefit both sides.

 
Tehran Times
 
A giant leaves the stage
Former South African President Nelson Mandela died on Thursday at the age of 95 after months of struggling with illness.

 
Iran names 7 Western oil companies it wants to return
Iran on Wednesday named seven Western oil companies it wants back in its vast oil and gas fields if international sanctions are lifted and said it would outline investment terms in April next year.

 
Iran drawn with Argentina in World Cup
The Iranian football team will meet Argentina in Group F of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, according to the draw, which was held in Bahia, Brazil on Friday.

 
Activist urges U.S. to put pressure on ‘ruthless and brutal’ Bahrain
A Bahrain activist has met senior U.S. officials and has urged them to put greater pressure on the monarchy to implement long-promised reforms.

 
UN calls for urgent investigation into Rohingya Muslims trafficking case
The United Nations called on Friday for an urgent investigation into allegations in a Reuters  report that Thai immigration officials moved Myanmar refugees into human trafficking
rings, Reuters reported.

 
Turkey submits pro-Kurdish reforms to parliament
The Turkish government has formally submitted to parliament  a package of reforms aimed at boosting the rights  of the country’s Kurdish community, a parliamentary source said Friday.

 
Iran facing water crisis: energy minister
Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian says the water shortage in Iran has turned into crisis and it is showing itself across the country, the Mehr news agency reported on Friday.

 
No limit to expansion of ties with Iraq, Leader tells Iraqi PM
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei held a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Tehran on Thursday.

 
Iranian parliament speaker, Sultan Qaboos of Oman discuss ties
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani held a meeting with Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman at Bait Al Barakah near Muscat on Thursday, Oman News Agency reported.

 
Iran condemns terrorist attack in Yemen
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Aham has condemned the recent terrorist attack in Yemen which killed 52 people.

 
Iran deal is a good first step: Hagel
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Thursday spoke by phone with United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahayan on his flight to Bahrain, the Kuwait News Agency reported.

 
Iranian warships dock in Mumbai
Iranian warships have docked in Mumbai on “a goodwill visit” as part of defense ties with India.

 
Russian foreign minister to visit Iran on Tuesday
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to pay a visit to Tehran in the coming days to discuss bilateral relations and Iran’s nuclear program after clinching a landmark deal between the Islamic republic and the major powers last month.

 
Core sanctions against Iran would remain in place: Kerry
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that core sanctions against Iran would remain in place despite its interim nuclear deal with world powers, Reuters reported.