April 9, The Iran Project – Latvian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrejs Pildegovics visit to Iran Boeing Co. signing new $3B deal with Iranian airline, Magnitude 6.1 quake striking near Mashhad in northeastern Iran, Iran hosting first international Marathon, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Defense and Foreign Affairs Mohamad Maliki Osman and Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary Zsolt Semjén visit to Iran Iran marking National Nuclear Day dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (April 03–April 09).
Politics
Iranian-American detained in Iran released on bail
An Iranian-American detained in Iran since last summer has been released on bail of approximately $60,000, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported Sunday.
N-deal mechanism based on Iran-US mutual distrust
Foreign Minister Zarif said US’s lack of commitment under the nuclear deal was not surprising, adding the mechanism of the deal was determined based on mutual distrust between the two sides.
New U.S. sanctions bill delayed by concern over Iran election
A bill to slap new sanctions on Iran has been delayed in the U.S. Senate due to concerns about Iran’s May presidential election, in which conservative hardliners hope to defeat moderate President Hassan Rouhani, U.S. lawmakers said on Tuesday.
Ahmadinejad says won’t run for president, backs ex-vice president Baqaei
Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has endorsed presumptive Principlist candidate Hamid Baqaei, who served as his vice president, for the next month’s presidential election.
Top Iranian cleric Raeesi to run for President
Hojatoleslam Seyed Ebrahim Raeesi, the chief custodian and trustee of the Astan Quds Razavi, a charitable organization holding trusteeship of the eighth Shiite Imam’s shrine, would seek the presidency in Iran’s upcoming election.
Tehran, Riyadh discuss details on Hajj services to Iranian pilgrims
Caretaker of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Hamid Mohammadi and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mohammed bin Saleh bin Tahir Benten reviewed in a meeting details about providing due services to the Iranian pilgrims during 2017 Hajj rituals.
Iranian FM lambasts US missile strike against Syrian airbase as highly “Dangerous”
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif lashed out at the US for its airstrikes against a Syrian airbase in Homs province, warning that it sets a precedence for similar acts in future.
Iran, Oman to hold joint naval exercise
An Iranian naval flotilla left the country for waters off the coasts of Oman to attend a joint drill with the Arab country in which the two sides will exercise maritime rescue and relief operations, an Iranian commander said.
FM Spox: Jordan king makes strategic mistake in defining terrorists
Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Saturday that allegations made by the Jordanian king against Iran reveals that he makes strategic blunder in defining terrorism and his statements are indicative of his sallow attitude towards regional developments.
Economy
Boeing Co. says it signed new $3B deal with Iranian airline
Boeing Co. said on Tuesday it has signed a new, $3 billion deal with Iran’s Aseman Airlines to supply 30 737 MAX aircraft to the carrier, the first major sale by a U.S. company to the Islamic Republic under new President Donald Trump.
Iran oil exports not to be affected by possible cut in Indian purchase: Minister
Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh played down threats by India that it will cut oil imports from the country if an Indian company does not win a project to develop Iran’s Farzad-B gas field, making it clear that many other customers are already vying to buy Iranian crude.
BP says got US license to operate Rhum field
UK’s energy giant BP says it has received an authorization from the United States to go ahead with operating a gas field that it jointly owns in the North Sea with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).
Iran’s Khouzestan Steel exports 1.9 million mt in latest year
Khouzestan Steel Company has become Iran’s largest exporter of steel by exporting 1.9 million mt of billet and slab in the Iranian year which ended on March 20, KSC sales deputy Bahman Tajalizadeh said Friday.
Minister: Iran’s daily oil output surpasses 3.8mln barrels
Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh announced on Saturday that the country’s daily production of crude oil has exceeded 3.8mln barrels.
Regional Affairs
US launches missile attack on Syrian airfield
According to Western media the US launched dozens of cruise missiles Thursday night on a Syrian airfield in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Khan Shaykhun near Idleb.
US aggression will never impact axis of resistance: Hezbollah
US aggression against Syria can never have any negative effect on the axis of resistance which supports the state in Damascuss in its war against the terrorist groups, Lebanese Hezbollah movement said in a statement released on Friday.
Iran’s Rouhani wants chemical attack in Syria investigated
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on Saturday for an impartial probe of this week’s suspected chemical weapons attack in Syria and warned that U.S. missile strikes in response risked escalating extremism in the region.
US afraid of real investigation into Syria chemical incident – Russian deputy UN envoy
The US missile strike in Syria “only facilitated the strengthening of terrorism,” Russia’s representative at the UN Security Council has said, adding that it shows Washington is “afraid” of a “real investigation” into an alleged chemical attack in Syria.
US missile operation against Syria clear aggression
Chief of staff of Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart General Valery Gerasimov on Saturday condemned US missile operation against Syria and called it decisive violation against an independent state and underlined that fight against terrorism will continue and intensify.
Society
Magnitude 6.1 quake strikes near Mashhad in northeastern Iran: USGS
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck 76 km east-southeast of the city of Mashhad in northeastern Iran on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.
7% decrease in Iran road crashes despite increased trips
The first two weeks of the Iranian New Year (which starts on March 20 or 21) is a major travel season with the highest number of holidaymakers along with road accidents.
Fire, sole cause of Plasco collapse
President Hassan Rouhani has said national report preparation in any incident should be a regular response to the incidents to provide transparent information to the public.
Iran’s 1st international marathon begins, with no Americans
Runners began racing in Iran’s first international marathon Friday, which was billed as an opportunity for “building bridges, breaking barriers” though no American runners are participating.
Shushtar historical hydraulic system: Amazing ancient water treatment technique
Shushtar is a city in Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran. Shushtar owes much of its fame to its historical hydraulic system. This system has been registered in UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage Sites in 2009, referred to “as a masterpiece of creative genius.”
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