February 17, The Iran Project – Zarif visit to Lebanon and meeting with senior officials; Iranians rally to support Islamic Revolution on 40th anniversary was held; Iranian nation gives crushing response to ‘Trump, the liar’: Hatami; Ali Larijani trip to Japan; Islamic Revolution’s 40th anniversary means 40 years of failed US policy, Zarif tweets; Terrorists attack IRGC bus; Iran vows revenge; Iranian DM, IRGC commander vow harsh revenge for Wednesday terrorist attack; Certain foreign spy agencies had hand in terror attack on Iran forces: Leader; The “Second Phase of the Revolution” Statement addressed to the Iranian nation; Spokesman censures Bolton’s delusive remarks on Iran; Rouhani participates in Sochi summit; Terrorists mustn’t feel safe not only in Syria, but also anywhere in world: Iran president; Zarif trip to Germany to attend 2019 Munich Security Confab and hold meetings with top world leaders in the margins of the event; Javad Zarif warns it would be ‘suicidal’ to go to war with Iran; EU, Germany reject US’ call for leaving JCPOA; Iran: Sabotage may be behind failed satellite launches; Iran warns Saudi Arabia, UAE of retaliatory measures and terrorist attack perpetrators linked to intel services’ are among major headlines dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (February 11- February 17).


 

Politics

Zarif leaves for Beirut for bilateral talks

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif left Tehran for Beirut on Sunday morning to hold talks with senior Lebanese officials.

Iran awaits Lebanese ‘desire’ to accept its military aid: foreign minister

Iran is waiting for Lebanon to show a desire to accept its military assistance, Iran’s foreign minister said on Sunday, reiterating an offer of support to the U.S.-backed Lebanese military.

Iran stands by Lebanon, Zarif tells Lebanese political parties

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday held talks with representatives of political parties and movements in Beirut.

IRGC showcases ballistic missiles on Islamic Revolution anniv.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has put a number of its ballistic missiles on display on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iranians rally to support Islamic Revolution on 40th anniversary

Millions of Iranians from all backgrounds have taken to the streets around the country to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution at a time of intensified US-led pressure.

Iran to have more meaningful presence in oceans: Khanzadi

Commander of Iranian ?Army Navy Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said that Iran will have ‘more meaningful’ presence in oceans during the next 10 years.

Iranian nation gives crushing response to ‘Trump, the liar’: Hatami

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said that today, massive rallies of the Iranian nation gave a crushing response to US President Donald Trump, ‘the liar’.

Iranian Parliament Speaker departs for Japan

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani departed for Tokyo, the capital of Japan, after attending Bahman 22 (February 11) rallies, marking the 40th victory anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Zarif congratulates establishment of Lebanese gov’t

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif congratulated setting up of the Lebanese government in a meeting with Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri, describing it a major achievement.

Islamic Revolution’s 40th anniversary means 40 years of failed US policy, Zarif tweets

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif minces no words while listing the United States’ failures over the past 40 years after US President Donald Trump shares his perception of Iran’s performance during the same period.

Iran’s FM, Nasrallah review developments in Lebanon, region

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif on Monday reviewed latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

Iran’s authority never to be affected by Warsaw Conf.

Chief of General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said that anti-Iran conference in Warsaw will have no effect on Iran’s power.

Iran, Japan entering new chapter of bilateral ties: Official

President of Japanese House of Councilors, Chuichi Date, said that the visit of the Iranian delegation to Tokyo marks the start of a new chapter of bilateral ties between the two countries.

Expediency Council found no link between FATF bills, INSTEX: member

A member of the Expediency Council, Gholamreza Mesbahi, said the Council held a session today to study any possible connections between the four FATF-related bills and the EU’s trade mechanism for Iran (INSTEX).

Spokesman censures Bolton’s delusive remarks on Iran

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman hammered US National Security Advisor John Bolton for his comments about the Islamic Republic’s 40th anniversary celebrations, saying he had better abandon delusive dreams about the Iranian nation and recognize the realities.

Europe’s behavior unacceptable for Iranian people: Velayati

Senior Adviser to Iran’s Leader Ali Akbar Velayati said that European countries’ behavior is not acceptable for Iranian people.

The “Second Phase of the Revolution” Statement addressed to the Iranian nation

On the Occasion of the Fortieth Anniversary of the Victory of the Islamic Revolution. February 11, 2019

Iran Leader: Not worth talking to US, be careful with Europeans

Iran can only lose by negotiating with the United States and must be careful to limit any dealings with some “untrustworthy” European states, the Islamic Republic’s top leader said on Wednesday.

Terrorists attack IRGC bus; Iran vows revenge

A number of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) forces have been killed in a terrorist attack in southeastern Iran.

Certain foreign spy agencies had hand in terror attack on Iran forces: Leader

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has denounced a bloody terrorist attack that targeted members of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), saying the spy agencies of certain regional and trans-regional countries certainly had a hand in this crime.

Rouhani says govt. to prioritize implementation of Leader’s guidelines

President Hassan Rouhani says his government will give priority to implementation of guidelines outlined by the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian DM, IRGC commander vow harsh revenge for Wednesday terrorist attack

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami and Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari in separate messages condemned the Wednesday terrorist attack in Southeastern Iran against the IRGC personnel, promising the nation to take a harsh revenge.

Iran president in Sochi for trilateral summit on Syria

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived Thursday in Sochi, the Russian city on the Black Sea coast, to take part in the trilateral summit on Syria.

Terrorists mustn’t feel safe not only in Syria, but also anywhere in world: Iran president

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasised five axes for restoration of security and stability to Syria and described continuation of combatting all terrorist groups in Syria until their uprooting essential.

Zarif in Germany to attend 2019 Munich Security Confab

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Germany on Friday morning to participate in 2019 Munich Security Conference.

Javad Zarif warns it would be ‘suicidal’ to go to war with Iran

The “same gang” behind the 2003 Iraq War are “at it again” in pushing for war with his country, Iran’s Foreign Minister tells NBC News.

EU, Germany reject US’ call for leaving JCPOA

Germany and the European Union on Friday rejected a call by US Vice President Mike Pence for Europe to follow in the US’ footsteps and leave the Iran nuclear deal in a bid to “isolate” the Islamic Republic.

Veep: Zahedan terror attack will further strengthen nations resolve to fight terrorism
First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri in a message late on Wednesday, said that terror attack on Khash-Zahedan Road will not undermine Iranian people’s resolve to defend the Islamic Revolution; rather it will further strengthen national determination for fighting terrorism.

Iran: Sabotage may be behind failed satellite launches

Iran’s foreign minister says sabotage by the U.S. is a possible reason for Tehran’s failed attempts to launch two satellites in recent months.

Pence’s allegations of Iran harboring Nazi-like anti-Semitism absurd: Foreign ministry

Iran has lashed out at US Vice President Mike Pence for accusing the Islamic Republic of Nazi-like anti-Semitism, saying such “absurd” allegations originating from a grudge and anger would fail to have any impact on Iranian Muslims’ opinion of Jews inside and outside the country.

Zarif, Mass discuss EU payment mechanism for Iran

The top diplomats of Iran and Germany Mohammad Javad Zarif and Heiko Maas have held talks on the sidelines of the 55th Munich Security Conference in the German city of Munich.

IRGC commander criticizes Pakistan for ‘sheltering terrorists’

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari warned certain regional countries behind a deadly terror attack in southeast Iran that the country’s patience is not unlimited and criticized Pakistan for providing shelter for the terrorists.

Terrorist attack perpetrators linked to intel services’

The Supreme Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution says perpetrators of a recent terrorist attack on border patrol forces in the southeast have links with intelliegence services both in the region and other countries.

 

Economy

Iran to overcome sanctions proudly: Oil Minister

Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh says Iran will overcome sanctions with pride.

Pakistan calls for boost of trade ties with Iran

Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar has stressed the need to increase regional trade and improve relations with neighboring countries, including Iran, in order to boost the economy.

Iran’s oil revenues up by about 49%

Despite sanctions by the US to zero Iran’s oil exports, statistics show that over the course of the first nine months of this current Iranian year, revenues from crude oil sales reached $17,152,334 which is up 48.9 percent in comparison to past year.

Lebanon has no problem for economic cooperation with Iran: FM

Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil emphasized that his country has no problem for economic cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran within the framework of international resolutions and law.

Iranian ships encounter no obstacles in int. waters despite risk of US sanctions

Deputy Chairman of Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (IMO), Hadi Haghshenas, says that despite the unjust US sanctions, there have been no barriers to Iranian vessels sailing in international waters.

Regional Affairs

Grisly killing of child bares brutal nature of Wahhabism

The killing of a six-year-old boy in broad daylight in Saudi Arabia has generated a wave of shock and revulsion and drawn attention to the brutal nature of Wahhabi school of thought which governs the kingdom.

Palestinians ask Arabs to boycott Mideast summit in Poland

The Palestinians on Monday called on Arab nations to boycott or downgrade their representation at a Mideast summit co-hosted by the United States, as President Mahmoud Abbas traveled to Saudi Arabia discuss “the dangers facing the Palestinian cause.”

UNICEF ‘deeply saddened’ by Israeli killing of Palestinian teens

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed sorrow over the recent killing of two Palestinian teenage boys by Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip, calling for an end to violence against children.

Fresh Saudi-led airstrikes kill 8 Yemeni fishermen near Hudaydah

Warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition waging war on Yemen have targeted a fishing boat in the waters off the Red Sea port city of Hudaydah, killing at least eight fishermen.

Russia to Turkey: You can’t have Syrian safe zone without Assad’s consent

Russia told Turkey on Thursday it had no right to create a “safe zone” inside Syria unless it sought and received the consent of President Bashar al-Assad, signaling tensions as a three-way summit on the Syrian conflict began.

Society

Abyar’s ‘Night of the Full Moon’ rakes in Iran’s major cinematic awards

The 37th Fajr Film Festival, Iran’s major cinematic event, named winners during a closing ceremony on Mon. evening, with Narges Abyar’s ‘Night of the Full Moon’ winning as many as six main awards.

Iranian prosecutor: New amnesty to cover large number of drug convicts

The prosecutor general of Tehran said a large number of drug offenders serving lengthy sentences will be released under recent clemency granted by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution’s victory.

Iran cinema turns into deeply-rooted tree

President Rouhani said the seventh art is a clear language for transferring human concepts and one of the main tools of cultural growth.

Official denies swine flu outbreak in Iran

An Iranian Health Ministry official denied rumors about an outbreak of swine flu in the country.

HRW Chief: US not eligible to criticize human rights in Iran

The Executive Director of Human Rights Watch in a message rejected US eligibility to criticize human rights in Iran.