December 16, The Iran Project – Iran’s Rouhani says OPEC decision to cut output was defeat for US meddling; Iran can expand range of ballistic missiles: Guards commander; Iran says it recently tested a ballistic missile; Zarif: Iran’s missile program not prohibited by UNSC resolution; Leader receives families of martyrs, shrine defenders; UN Security Council discusses implementation of Resolution 2231 on Iran’s nuclear deal; UNSC EU members reaffirm commitment to JCPOA; Iran’s 20% uranium enrichment option ‘no bluff’ if JCPOA parties fail to save it; Iran hails ‘promising’ deal between warring Yemeni sides; FM Mohammad Javad Zarif attends Doha Forum 2018 in Qatar and meeting with senior officials and Iran MPs attend IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians are among major headlines dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (December 10– December 16).

 

Politics

Iran’s Rouhani says OPEC decision to cut output was defeat for US meddling

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday a decision by OPEC and other oil producers on Friday to cut output was a rebuff for a U.S. “policy of meddling”, the state news agency IRNA reported.

Iran’s Velayati: Ending bloodshed among Muslims Imperative

Ali Akbar Velayati, an international adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, expressed deep concern about the ongoing conflicts in the Muslim world and said putting an end to the bloodshed among Muslims is an Islamic-human duty.

Iran, Pakistan hold 22nd joint border security meeting 

Security officials from Iran and Pakistan along with their accompanying delegations met in Iran’s Southeastern city of Zahedan on Monday to hold the 22nd joint meeting on border cooperation between the two countries.

Iran can expand range of ballistic missiles: Guards commander

Iran has the ability to build ballistic missiles with a broader range, a senior commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards said on Monday, according to the semi-official Fars News agency.

OPEC resistance, another failure for US: Rouhani 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the resistance of members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) by lowering their output created another failure for US policies.

Sacred Defense not over; spiritual warfare in progress

Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said the development of a revolutionary spirit is evident among all Iranian people, indicating that the enemy will be certainly defeated in its spiritual warfare, like what happened during the hard war.

Tehran hosting meeting on Caspian Sea safety protocol

he 4th meeting on the Caspian Sea’s maritime safety protocol kicked off in Tehran on Monday and will wrap up today.

APDIM board of governors to convene in Tehran within few days 

The third meeting of the board of governors of Asian and Pacific Center for the Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) is to be held in the Iranian capital on December 18-19.

Iran says it recently tested a ballistic missile 

A senior Revolutionary Guards commander said on Tuesday that Iran had recently carried out a ballistic missile test but he did not specify what kind of missile had been tested, according to Fars News.

IRGC: Enemies disappointed with sanctions’ efficiency

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari said that enemies are disappointed with imposing pressure and sanctions, and threatening Iran.

Zarif: Iran’s missile program not prohibited by UNSC resolution

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif underscored that the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 has not prohibited Iran’s missile activities.

Iran’s Rouhani voices support for intra-Yemeni peace talks

President Hassan Rouhani has expressed Iran’s support for intra-Yemeni negotiations, saying the invaders have come to the realization that making peace with the Yemeni nation is the only option available to them.

UN chief urges regional, int’l players to help preserve JCPOA

Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres once again described JCPOA as achievement of multilateral diplomacy, urging regional and international players to ensure continuance of the international accord.

Iran-Azerbaijan Republic border guard commanders meet in Baku 

Iranian Border Guard Commander Brigadier General Qasem Rezaei and Azerbaijan Chief of State Border Service and Commander of Border Troops General-Lieutenant Elchin Guliyev held talks here on Tuesday.

Safavi warns of new US, Israeli plots in region

Top Military Aide to the Iranian Leader Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi said that the United States and Israeli regime may be devising new plots in the region.

Leader receives families of martyrs, shrine defenders 

Leader of the Islamic Revolution met with a group of martyrs and families of defenders of the Holy shrine on Wednesday morning.

UN Security Council discusses implementation of Resolution 2231 on Iran’s nuclear deal 

The United Nations Security Council is discussing the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

FM Zarif reveals US new mockery of UNSC 

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif in a message disclosed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s new mockery of the UN Security Council.

UNSC EU members reaffirm commitment to JCPOA 

European members of the UN Security Council reaffirmed their commitment and support for the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers despite US pressures.

Iran’s 20% uranium enrichment option ‘no bluff’ if JCPOA parties fail to save it 

Iran’s nuclear chief says the Islamic Republic is not “bluffing” when it says it is ready to resume twenty-percent uranium enrichment in the Fordow nuclear facility in case other parties to the Iran nuclear deal fail to save the 2015 accord.

Israel regime’s disturbed dreams will never come true: Iran 

The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesman has described the Zionist regime of Israel as the main cause of instability in the region, noting that its bad dreams about Iran will never come true.

Iran hails ‘promising’ deal between warring Yemeni sides 

Iran has hailed preliminary deals between Yemeni parties as “promising”, expressing hope that they would prepare the ground for the next round of talks in order to reach a final agreement.

Trump’s pressure on states to stop trade with Iran shows US dwindling influence 

Iranian Foreign Minister reiterated that Trump, president of a country with the highest military budget in the world, sends representatives to various countries forcing them into stopping business with Iran, which indicates the decline of US influence and power.

Zarif attends Doha Forum 2018 in Qatar 

Iran’s top diplomat is on a trip to the Qatari capital to participate in this year’s edition of Doha Forum.

Zarif: US in no position to talk about UN Resolution 2231 

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif referred to US withdrawal from Iran deal, and said the US is in no position to talk about the UNSC Resolution 2231.

Iran MPs attend IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians 

A number of Iranian lawmakers attended the 5th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

 

Economy

US, EU exports to Iran soar despite sanctions 

The US and Europe diverge on the need to uphold a landmark nuclear deal with Iran, but their trade path has taken a curiously similar trajectory since Washington reimposed sanctions on Tehran in August.

Iran fully exempt from OPEC deal to reduce oil output: Zanganeh 

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said the country has completely been exempted from a resolution by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce oil production.

Iran inflation increases at slower rate in November

The latest data published by the Central Bank of Iran show that Iran’s point-to-point inflation in November reached 39.9%, the highest level in the past five years.

US sanctions not to affect Iran’s economy: Envoy

Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost says new US sanctions would have no impact on Iran’s economy.

EU will launch financial mechanism with Iran by year-end: Mogherini 

The European Union will establish a mechanism to facilitate non-dollar transactions with Iran in the near future in an attempt to circumvent sanctions imposed by the United States against Tehran, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini says.

 

Regional Affairs

Qatar rift overshadows Riyadh summit as Emir stays away 

A Persian Gulf Arab summit called for regional unity as Bahrain and Qatar traded barbs over the Qatari emir’s decision not to attend the gathering in Saudi Arabia on Sunday in a sign that a row between Doha and its neighbors is still festering.

Iraqi PMF praises Iran, Hezbollah role in defeating Daesh 

Deputy Commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis appreciated Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah for their role in defeating Daesh terrorists.

UN proposes Yemen’s warring parties pull out of key port: sources 

The United Nations proposed at initial talks between Yemen’s warring parties on Tuesday that they withdraw from the contested port city of Hodeidah, a lifeline for millions facing famine, and place it under the control of an interim entity.

UN chief: Yemen’s Houthis, ex-govt. agree to ceasefire in Hudaydah 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the Yemeni warring parties have reached an agreement on a ceasefire in the Red Sea port city of Hudaydah, as a new round of peace talks aimed at ending nearly four years of a brutal Saudi-led war on its southern neighbor came to a close in Sweden.

Erdogan: Khashoggi case tapes suggest active role of ‘Those Closest to MBS’ 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has commented on the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and on the possible operation against the Kurdish forces in Syria.

 

Society

Two Iranians shortlisted for world best futsal player 

Two world-class Iranian futsal players have been nominated to receive the World Best Player award by Futsalplanet.

Iran most capable in human rights: Top official 

Iran is most capable in human rights; that’s why the enemy targets the country there, said the secretary of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights.

Rouhani calls for transferring sea waters to central Iran 

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran enjoys considerable reserves of water in both north and south of the country which need to be used.

Iran genius teenager winner of Malaysia Abacus 2018 

Genius Iranian 12-year old teenager Yasra Soleimani from the city of Fonoj in Sistan-Baluchestan of Iran for the third consecutive year grabbed trophy in Abacus calculation 2018 in Malaysia.

1784 Iranian historic objects to be repatriated from US 

Some 1784 Iranian historic objects will be repatriated from US, Vice President and Head of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization Ali Asghar Munesan said.