December 24, The Iran Project � Extraordinary meeting of Islamic parliaments on Palestine kicking off in Tehran; Holding 1st national conference on citizens� rights in Tehran; Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif participaition in the 5th trilateral Iran-Azerbaijan-Turkey in Baku; Magnitude 5.2 earthquake hiting Malard in Tehran province; Iranians celebration of Yalda night and Head of President�s Office Mahmoud Vaezi trip to Azerbaijan and meeting with senior officials dominated the country�s media outlets in the past week (Dec 18�Dec 24).


 

 

Politics

Extraordinary meeting of Islamic parliaments on Palestine kicks off in Tehran�


The Parliamentary Union of Islamic Countries (PUIC) Committee on Palestine started an extraordinary meeting in Tehran on Monday.

Iran, Turkey Azerbaijan agree to reject US decision on al-Quds at UN


Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan have rejected a US decision to recognize Jerusalem al-Quds as the �capital� of Israel. The three neighboring states agreed to adopt a united stance on Washington�s new policy at an upcoming meeting of the UN General Assembly on the issue.

Trilateral talks efficient method for boosting regional cooperation: Zarif


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hailed a Wednesday meeting between the Islamic Republic, Turkey, and Azerbaijan and said holding trilateral meetings is �an efficient method� for boosting regional cooperation.



UN has no authority to investigate claims of Iranian arms supplies to Yemen � diplomat


The UN Secretariat has no authority to investigate claims of purported Iranian arms supplies to Yemeni rebels, voiced recently by the United States and other countries, Russia�s deputy UN envoy, Vladimir Safronkov, said.

Zarif: Iran to lodge complaint against US accusations


Tehran is to file a formal protest against the US to the United Nations Security Council, said Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Wednesday.

Vaezi meets Azerbaijani president in Baku�


On the sidelines of Islamic Solidarity Conference in Baku, the head of the Iran�s president office met and talked with Azeri president Ilham Aliyev and the two sides stressed the necessity of accelerating their economic and financial projects.

Iran Judiciary official rejects reports on upcoming release of Zaghari


The head of the Tehran Judiciary Office has rejected British media reports that�Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari � now serving time in Iran for sedition � might be released in a swap deal.

Iran, Russia, Turkey issue joint statement on Astana Syrian talks


Representatives of three peace-guarantor countries � Iran, Turkey and Russia � issued a joint statement at the 8th round of inter-Syrian negotiations on the Syrian crisis.

Iran, Switzerland underline promotion of nuclear safety cooperation


Ambassador of Switzerland to Iran Markus Leitner in a meeting with Head of Iran�s Nuclear Safety System Center Hojatollah Salehi on Saturday underlined promotion of nuclear safety cooperation.

FM Zarif wishes a �Merry Christmas� for world�s Christians


Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif congratulated new Christian year (2018) to world Christians in a message on Saturday hoping that all would accept Christ�s global message of peace in the new year.

Iran MPs pass bill on Jerusalem al-Quds as permanent capital of Palestine


Iranian lawmakers have approved a double-urgency bill that recognizes Jerusalem al-Quds as the permanent capital of the state of Palestine.

Iran Speaker: Terrorism result of cultural misinterpretation


Terrorism in the region is the outcome of cultural misinterpretation, said Iran�s Majlis (Parliament) Speaker in the Pakistani capital on Sunday.

 

Economy



Total�s activities in South Pars project on track: POGC


Managing director of Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC), which is in charge of developing Iran�s giant South Pars gas field, said Total is completely following its commitment regarding its deal with Iran and the company�s activities are on schedule.

Turkey seeking more oil imports from Iran, Azerbaijan


Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said Turkey imports oil and gas from both Iran and Azerbaijan and is seeking to buy more oil products from the two countries.

Tehran wants Gazprom to join Iran-Oman gas pipeline project � Deputy Minister


Iran is interested in Gazprom�s participation in the construction of the Iran-Oman gas pipeline, Iranian Deputy Petroleum Minister and Managing Director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Ali Kardor stated in an interview with the Gazprom magazine, published on Friday.

Iran to receive 2 more ATR planes on Friday


Iran will receive 2 more ATR airplanes on Friday, bringing the number of ATR72 delivered to Iran by the western company to 8, a source in Iran Air told Mehr News Agency on Friday.

Industry min.: Iran attracts $2bn foreign investment to SMEs


Iranian Industry Minister Shariatmadari has reported on absorbing of foreign investment worth two billion dollars for the country�s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

 

Regional Affairs

US vetoes UN Security Council resolution on Al-Quds


Every members of the UN Security Council except the US, which used its veto, backed a UN resolution calling for the withdrawal of Donald Trump�s recognition of al-Quds (Jerusalem) as Israel�s capital.

128 countries vote in favor of UN call for US to withdraw Jerusalem decision


The UN General Assembly has overwhelming adopted a resolution calling on the US to reverse its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. One hundred and twenty-eight countries voted in favor of the motion.

US, Turkish military forces must leave Syria: Jaafari


Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations and head of the government delegation to intra-Syrian peace talks,�Bashar al-Jaafari, says US and Turkish military forces should leave his conflict-plagued Arab country immediately.

Hamas chief: US may recognize Israel as �Jewish state�


The politburo chief�of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, says he has obtained confidential information that Washington may take new decisions regarding Jerusalem al-Quds and the Palestinian cause.

Saudi crown prince asked Abbas to accept US �copy of Netanyahu vision�


Informed Palestinian officials say Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman tried to persuade Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to agree to a so-called Middle East peace plan put forward by the US during a recent meeting.

 

Society

German band Schiller talks of memorable nights in Tehran


After five nights of live performance in Tehran, Christopher von Deylen, the founder and sole member of German electronic band Schiller, says he will never forget the moments on stage.



Yalda, valuing family ties in the longest night of the year


Yalda is one of the most celebrated traditional events in Iran which marks the longest night of the year.

800 Iranian elites return home: Official


An official with Iran�s National Elites Foundation says at least 800 Iranian elites graduated from universities abroad have returned to their country.

First woman to publicly complete a Marathon in Iran speaks out: �I showed women have strength�


Women were not allowed to run in Iran�s first International Marathon last year, but that did nothing to stop�Mahsa Torabi.

Persian Turquoise, jewel of the Orient


For at least 2,000 years, the region once known as Persia, has remained the most important source of turquoise. Its sky-blue turquoise has always been a magnet for beauty seekers throughout history.