February 18, The Iran Project – Sokhoi Superjet 100 lands in Tehran; 3 bodies recovered from Sanchi oil tanker return home; Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zartif paticipating in the Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq (KICRI) and meeting with senior officials on the sidelines of the event; Iran’s Leader’s adviser meets head of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee; Ali Akbar Velayati travel to Iraq; Iranian President Hassan Rouhani trip to India and meeting with senior officials; Iran, India finalize deal over control of Chabahar port; Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attendance in 54th Munich Security Conferenceare and Plane carrying 66 people crashes in southern Iran are among major headlines dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (February 12–February 18).

 

Politics

Iran says Canadian-Iranian committed suicide in jail; more arrests expected


Iran’s judiciary said on Sunday an Iranian-Canadian activist had committed suicide in detention because of the weight of evidence against him in a spying case, an Iranian news agency reported.

Shias, Sunnis together in hardest times: Supreme Leader


Shia and Sunni Muslims are standing by each other in the most difficult times, The Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said.

Leader pardons, commutes sentences of 565 convicts


Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pardoned or commuted the sentences of a number of Iranian convicts on the occasion of the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution victory.

Zarif, Mogherini meet in Kuwait


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with the European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini in Kuwait.

Int’l confab on reconstruction of Iraq kicks off in Kuwait


The International conference on reconstruction of Iraq started in Kuwait on Wednesday with representatives from many world countries and international bodies.

Kuwaiti emir lauds Iran’s role in fighting Daesh, developing Iraq’s economy


Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, has praised Iran’s role in fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, and the Islamic Republic’s contribution to Iraq’s stability and economic development.

Zarif, al-Abadi call for expansion of Iran-Iraq ties


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zartif and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi vowed to boost bilateral ties between Iran and Iraq, in a meeting on Wednesday in Kuwait.

Lunatic attempts signify Israel’s impermanence: General Soleimani


Israel’s horror, maniacal measures and vain attempts indicate that the Zionist regime is not going to last long, senior Iranian commander Major General Qassem Soleimani said Thursday.

Iran president slams US recognition of Jerusalem as capital


Iran’s president on Friday strongly criticized the Trump administration’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and urged Muslims to support the Palestinian cause.

Ammar Hakim hails Iran’s help in defeating ISIL, regaining territory


In a meeting with Ali Akbar Velayati, Head of the National Wisdom Movement of Iraq praised Iran’s role in defeating ISIL and regaining its territory.

Tehran, New Delhi sign 15 pacts


The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of India signed 15 documents and MoUs to deepen relations.

McMaster’s remarks part of US Iranophobic policies: Iran


US National Security Adviser H. R. McMaster’s recent remarks in Munich are a threat issued to other countries and against Iran’s nuclear deal, says Tehran.

US to regret any nuclear deal violation: Iran’s Rouhani


Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has once again reiterated the Islamic Republic’s full compliance with the 2015 multilateral nuclear agreement, stressing the United States would undoubtedly regret any violation of the deal.

 

Regional Affairs



Russia, Iran, Turkey foreign ministers to discuss Syria in Astana next month


The foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey plan to meet next month to discuss the situation in Syria, Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said on Tuesday.

Iraqi Kurd authority hails Iran’s role in Baghdad-Erbil relations


Iran’s role in handling the crisis between Baghdad and Erbil is of great importance, said the head of the Department of Foreign Relations of Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Syria’s downing of Israeli warplane ‘very big’ achievement, Hezbollah chief says


The secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement has praised the recent downing of an Israeli F-16 fighter jet by the Syrian air defense systems as a “very big military achievement.”

Turkey, US to work together in Syria occupation: Cavusoglu, Tillerson


Ankara and Washington have reached an agreement to work together in their occupation of Syria, where the two NATO allies have been on a collision course over the US’s support for the Kurdish militants operating at Turkish doorstep.

Iran, Europe discuss latest developments in Yemen


Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in a meeting with his European counterparts discussed the latest developments in Yemen.

 

Economy



Total chief told Trump to stick with Iran nuclear deal


The chief executive of French oil company Total has urged Donald Trump to keep faith with the Iran nuclear deal and told the US president that oil and gas investment would help Iranian reformers in their struggle against hardliners in Tehran.

Iran gains PIC/S membership


Iran’s Food and Drug Administration (IFDA) has gained more reputation internationally following membership in the Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PIC/S).

Iran attracts about $10bln in foreign investment post-JCPOA: Minister


Iranian Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari said the country has managed to attract $9.7 billion in foreign investment since the coming into force of the 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran, India finalize deal over control of Chabahar port


Iran has awarded a much-awaited agreement to India over the management of part of its strategic Chabahar port – a move that could enable India to dodge Pakistan and reach markets in Afghanistan, Central Asia and beyond.

Sanchi tragedy slashed Iran’s oil exports to South Korea


Recent figures show that Iran’s exports of oil to South Korea dropped by almost a half in January after a tanker incident off China’s shores, but the country’s exports to India rose nonetheless by above 50 percent.

 

Society

Abu Ghraib Strait wins top Fajr Film Festival prize


“The Abu Ghraib Strait” was awarded the crystal Simorgh for best film at the 36th Fajr Film Festival of Iran, while the film’s leading man Amir Jadidi won for best actor and Sara Bahrami took the top prize for best actress for “Woodpecker”.

Air Pollution in Iran’s Southwestern city 60 times higher than safe levels


Heavy air pollution caused by haze and dust particles in Iran’s southwestern city of Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, has surged to 60 times above safe levels, crossing the “hazardous” level, in which the entire population is likely to experience adverse health effects.

IRGC Chief praises film about fight against ISIS


IRGC Chief-Commander Major General Mohammad-Ali Jafari has lauded an Iranian film about Tehran’s role in the fight against terrorism in Syria, praising its director for his allegiance to the Islamic Republic.

Iran unveils poster of 2018 Fajr International Film Festival


Iran has unveiled the poster of the 36th Fajr International Film Festival (FIFF) scheduled to be held in late April on the 120th anniversary of introduction of cinema in the country.

Iranian wrestler gets 6-month ban


Young Iranian wrestler Alireza Karimi was banned for six months by the United World Wrestling for his intentional defeat in U23 World Senior Wrestling Championship for avoiding facing an Israeli opponent.