April 23, The Iran Project – Iran celebrating National Army Day with military parades, opening ceremony of Intl. Quran competitions in Tehran, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visit to Georgia and Kyrgyzstan and meeting with senior officials, showcasing 12 new advanced defense projects, products, The Start of the Iranian Presidential Campaign, Defense Ministry delivering Nasir cruise missiles to IRGC Navy, Iran-Georgia inking 4 MoUs dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (April 17–April 23).





Politics




National Army Day joint armed forces parade kicks off in Tehran


The joint parade of Iranian Army and other units of Iranian armed forced started this morning with the presence of President Rouhani on the occasion of Army National Day in Late Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum.




Leader warns against enemy attempts to mar Iran presidential vote


Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned the nation against hostile attempts at marring Iran’s upcoming elections, calling for a massive turnout in the vote to disappoint the enemies.





Tehran, Beijing to sign 1st Arak reactor redesign contract, China confirms


China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that Tehran and Beijing will soon sign the first commercial contract to redesign a nuclear plant in southern Iran as part of the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers.





Iran’s Interior Ministry announces final list of presidential candidates


The Iranian Interior Ministry has released the final list of candidates qualified to run in the forthcoming presidential election.




Campaigning begins in Iran presidential election


Campaigning has begun for Iran’s presidential election with incumbent Hassan Rouhani facing a tough battle against Principlists who criticize his handling of the economy




30 bombing plots foiled in Iran last year: Intelligence min.


Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said sustainable security prevails in Iran, adding that thirty bombing plots were foiled by Iran’s intelligence and security forces in the past Iranian year, but only four cases were reported to people.




US congressman warns Trump against walking away from JCPOA


A senior Democratic congressman warned US President Donald Trump against abandoning the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.




Iran equips IRGC Navy with new anti-ship cruise missiles


The Navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) is now in receipt of a new anti-ship cruise missile, which the country’s defense minister says would take aim at potential aggressors.




Iran to broadcast presidential debates live: Interior Ministry


Iran’s Election Campaign Monitoring Committee has revised an earlier decision not to cover live the planned presidential debates in the country, the Interior Ministry says.




Falling for MKO turns out badly for US every time: Iran official


A senior Iranian official has warned the US against being misled by the anti-Iran propaganda campaign of the terrorist Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization’s (MKO), saying Washington has suffered every time it has trusted the notorious group.




Zarif arrives in Athens to attend int’l forum of ancient civilizations


Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in the Greek capital, Athens on Sunday morning to participate in the first international forum on ancient civilizations.





Economy




Iran’s South Pars phoenix rises from ashes


The phoenix of South Pars has risen from its ashes to inject new blood in the beating heart of Iran’s energy sector months before the Rouhani administration prepares to bid farewell to its first term in office. So writes Sara Maleki in an article published on Donyaye Eghtesad, Iran’s best-sold economy newspaper.




Iran unveils homegrown radars, aviation gear


A series of domestically-made equipment in the field of air defense and civil aviation, including radars and navigation systems for airports, were unveiled in a ceremony on Thursday during a visit to the southern city of Shiraz by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.




Iran’s petrochemical production capacity up by 8m tons in past 4 years


Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh said here on Saturday that Iran’s petrochemical production capacity has risen by eight million tons in the past four years.




New refinery to make Iran exporter of gasoline: IRGC Chief


A new gas condensate refinery constructed in southern Iran by an entity affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) will not only help meet the country’s domestic demands for gasoline, but also allow for the export of petroleum, the commander of the IRGC announced.




Iran can facilitate Georgia’s access to Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman: Rouhani


Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic can function as the passageway of Georgia and other regional countries to the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean while Georgia can connect Iran to the Black Sea.





Regional Affairs




FM warns against use of WMD by terrorists


Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Thursday reacted to the use of chemical weapons by Daesh terrorists in Iraq.




Russia-Iran-Turkey continue to strengthen Syria ceasefire: Lavrov


Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that his country’s cooperation with Iran and Turkey will continue to strengthen ceasefire in Syria.




Terrorists receiving chemical weapons directly from Turkey


President Bashar al-Assad stressed that what has been said on Khan Sheikhoun is a fabricated story, adding that the West and the United States blocked any delegation from coming to investigate as all narratives on Khan Sheikhoun and then the attack on Shairat airport was a false flag.




Introducing new sheriff to UN lead to continued cycle of violence: Khoshroo


pointing to the Israeli regime’s aggression, Iranian ambassador and permanent representative to United Nations Gholamali Khoshroo stressed that the issue is the root of all challenges that Middle East has faced in recent decades.




Iran condemns Friday terrorist attack in Afghanistan


Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi on Saturday condemned a suicide attack on a military base in Afghanistan on Friday which killed and injured dozens of people.





Society




‘Rudaki and 1,000 Years of Persian Poetry’ published in Kazakhstan


A book ‘Rudaki and 1,000 Years of Persian Poetry,’ containing the articles presented at a 2008 seminar with the same title in Almaty, has now been published in Kazakhstan.




Telegram voice calling blocked by judicial order


Telegram messenger, the most popular communications app in Iran, voice calling service has been blocked by judicial order.




Government doing its best to help flood victims: President Rouhani


President Hassan Rouhani who has traveled to the flood-stricken areas in north-western Iran, says his government is doing its best to help the people and address problems of the flood victims.




Fajr int’l film festival kicks off in Tehran


The 35th edition of the Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) opened in the Iranian capital of Tehran on Friday with many cultural figures as well as guests from across the world in attendance.




Farhadi: Iran stands on top of world countries in terms of scientific growth


Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mohammad Farhadi said on Saturday that the latest statistics indicate that the Islamic Republic of Iran stands on top of the world countries in terms of accelerating growth of sciences.