March 4, The Iran Project – Russia vetoes anti-Iran UNSC resolution; Pres. Rouhani makes historic visit to Hormozgan and launches refinery project in Bandar Abbas; Army unveils new defense achievements; Leader receives Syrian min. of endowment in Tehran; Iran’s Rouhani meets FIFA president in Tehran; Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif trip to Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia and meeting with senior officials; Iran FM Zarif meets Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister in Tehran; Iran-Japan hold 25th round of political talks and 57th annual meeting of CBI general assembly kicks off are among major headlines dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (February 26–March 04).


 

Politics

Russia vetoes anti-Iran UNSC resolution


A UK-drafted resolution aimed at pressuring Iran over alleged weapons supplies to Yemeni fighters has failed at the UN Security Council.

JCPOA cements Tehran-Berlin science ties: German envoy


Since the Iran nuclear deal was signed, the scientific ties between Iran and Germany has improved, said German ambassador in Tehran on Tuesday.

Iran justice minister expects fewer executions under revised drug law


Iran’s justice minister said on Tuesday a recent reform of its drug laws should lead to fewer executions after the U.N. Secretary General said he remained alarmed about their high number – nearly 500 last year.

IRGC unveils new anti-armor missile, inaugurates aviation training center


The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday unveiled a new anti-armor missile, ‘Azarakhsh (Lightening)’, and inaugurated an aviation training center.

Croatia, EU fully back implementation of Iran nuclear deal


Croatian Foreign Minister Marija Pej?inovi? Buri? voiced her country’s resolve as well as the European Union’s to preserve the implementation of Iran nuclear deal.

Leader lauds Assad’s resistance against Syria’s enemies


Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei hailed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for proving himself as a “great fighter” against enemies and reiterated Iran’s continued support for the Arab country’s resistance.

Zarif terms his visit to B&H fruitful


Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a meeting with Chairman of Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Ognjen Tadic described his visit to the country as fruitful, saying that tradesman of the two countries had good meetings during his stay.

Peace in Afghanistan prerequisite for regional security: Iranian commander


Iran’s Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hassan Shahsafi said the establishment of peace in war-ravaged Afghanistan could play a key role in enhancing peace and security in the region.

Gen. Soleimani provides Iran Gov’t with documents on US- ISIS collusion


A senior Iranian official has spoken of documents provided by General Qassem Soleimani which prove the US has been working hand in glove with the ISIS terrorist group.

Iran, Japan hold 25th round of political talks


The 25th round of Iran-Japan political talks were held on Sat. in Tehran, chaired by Iranian deputy FM Araghchi and his Japanese counterpart Takeo Mori.

FM spokesman: Zarif-Kerry meeting in line with Iran nat’l interests


Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Saturday that the meeting between Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif with his former US counterpart John Kerry on the sidelines of Munich security conference was in line with Iran’s interests.

Iran, Japan review regional, int’l issues


Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a meeting with Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori in Tehran discussed regional and international issues.

Iranian scholar banned from BBC debate at American university in Lebanon


An Iranian scholar has been banned from taking part in a BBC debate about Iran and Saudi Arabia at an American University in Lebanon.

57th annual meeting of CBI general assembly kicks off


The 57th annual meeting for the General Assembly of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran has kicked off Sun. morning, with President Rouhani in attendance.

 

Regional Affairs



Putin orders daily five-hour ceasefire in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta


Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the implementation of a daily ceasefire in Syria’s Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta from Tuesday and the creation of a “humanitarian corridor” through which civilians can leave the militant-held area.
















EU urges Iran, Turkey to help de-escalate tensions in Syria


Europe called on Iran and Turkey to help reduce tensions in Syria, Armenian News Agency Armen Press reported.

Lebanon’s Hariri leaves for Riyadh on first visit since ‘resignation’


Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri left for Riyadh late on Tuesday, his media office said, for his first to the Saudi capital since he abruptly resigned there in November.

Iraq ‘will never allow US bases on its soil’


Iraq says it will under no circumstances permit the United States to build permanent military bases on its soil, which would be a violation of its sovereignty.

Trump mockingly calls Bush a ‘real genius’ over invasion of Iraq


US President Donald Trump is attacking former President George W. Bush over his decision to launch a bloody war against Iraq.

 

Economy



REFILE-TABLE-South Korea’s Iran crude oil import in January down 47.3 pct y/y


South Korea’s crude oil imports from Iran fell 47.3 percent in January from a year earlier, while its total crude oil imports rose 6.6 percent year on year to 99.8 million barrels last month, data from state-run Korea National Oil Corp (KNOC) showed on Monday.

Iran President launches refinery project in Bandar Abbas


Iranian President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated two projects at Bandar Abbas Refinery, southern Iran, to enhance the facility’s gasoline production capacity and quality of its output.

Iran, Armenia ink four economic, customs, sports agreements


Islamic Republic of Iran and Republic of Armenia signed four economic and sports agreements.

Swiss firm denies $1.4 billion rail deal with Iran


The Swiss firm Stadler Rail has denied reports that it signed a $1.4 billion contract to build 960 subway wagons for Iran.

Iran not to easily award South Pars oil production to Total: Min.


Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh announce Total’s takeover of Maersk’s oil division, saying development of the oil layer of South Pars gas field will not be easily assigned to Total.

 

Society



One million birds killed illegally every year at a wildlife site in Iran


A million wild birds a year are now being killed illegally at a single wildlife site in Iran. That is the stark warning from conservationists who say highly endangered migratory species face being wiped out in the near future there unless urgent action is taken.

Iran opens its first smart hospital


The first smart hospital of Iran has been opened in the city of Orumiyeh (also known as Urmia) in the northwestern province of West Azarbaijan.

Iran Professional League: Esteghlal edges Persepolis


Esteghlal football team edged past Persepolis in Iran Professional League (IPL) on Thursday.

Iran wrestling officials resign over Israel competition ban


The head of Iran’s wrestling federation has resigned after criticising authorities for letting players be punished because of the country’s ban on athletes competing against Israel.

FIFA chief: Iran promises to let women access football stadiums ‘soon’


The head of football’s world governing body, FIFA, says Iran has assured him that it will “soon” allow women to attend men’s football matches in the country.