March 3, The Iran Project – Enemy plots to sabotage Iran missile program foiled: IRGC General; Zarif says decision-making on FATF bills should be based on ‘facts’; ‘Velayat 97” wargame ends with successful scenarios; Iran hacked US drone command center in response to Washington’s impudence: IRGC; Iran unveils domestic water jet propulsion system; Assad visit to Iran and meeting with senior officials; Iran proud of supporting Syria: Ayatollah Khamenei; Iran to help rebuild Syria, restore stability to country: Rouhani; Iran’s foreign minister Zarif resignation and return to his duties; Iran stronger than ever despite 40 years of plots against it: Leader; Armenian prime minister visit to Iran and meeting with senior officials; Zarif urges restraint as India, Pakistan come to blows; Assad invites Iran’s Zarif to visit Damascus; Iran condemns Britain’s blacklisting of Hezbollah; In Tehran, US activists slam Trump for scrapping Iran deal; Gen. Soleimani says Leader’s meeting with Assad ‘not a minor thing’; Pakistan hails Iran’s offer to mediate crisis with India ;Zarif, Guterres talk about regional, int’l issues; Palermo, CFT review postponed to next Iranian year and Europe’s behavior affects EC’s decision on FATF-related bills: Rezaie are among major headlines dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (February 25- March 3).

 

Politics

Ghadir submarine successfully launches cruise missile

Ghadir-class submarine successfully launched a cruise missile on the third day of ‘Velayat-97’ drills in the Sea of Oman.

Enemy plots to sabotage Iran missile program foiled: IRGC General

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said the enemy has sought to hamper the progress of Iran’s missile program but its plots have been foiled.

Erdogan hails ‘Significant Progress’ with Iran, Russia over Syria’s Idlib

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said “significant progress” has been made in Turkey’s ongoing talks with Iran and Russia to secure Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib.

Venezuela’s deputy FM pays visit to Iran

Venezuela’s deputy Foreign Minister for Asia, Middle East and Oceania, Ruben Dario Molina paid an official visit to Iran.

Zarif says decision-making on FATF bills should be based on ‘facts’

Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif called on officials in charge of casting the final verdict on endorsement of the two remaining FATF-related bills to base their decisions on ‘facts’.

Saudi footprint visible in anti-Iran measures: IRGC

The footprint of Saudi Arabia can be clearly seen in sabotages and measures against the Islamic Republic, said Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force.

Leader agrees withdrawing €1.5b from NDF to boost defense sector: Larijani

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has agreed to withdraw €1.5 billion from National Development Fund to strengthen the defense sector of the country.

Iran slams foreign intervention in Venezuela, backs government

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has slammed foreign intervention in Venezuela’s internal affairs amid escalation of the political crisis in the Latin American country.

‘Velayat 97” wargame ends with successful scenarios

Great naval “Velayat 97” wargame, three days after reaching the pre-planned targets terminated on Sunday evening.

Leader praises chess player for refusing to play against Israeli opponent

The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Khamenei met with chess player Aryan Gholami on Sunday, praising him refusing to play against the Israeli player.

Iran hacked US drone command center in response to Washington’s impudence: IRGC

A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran’s aerospace force has successfully hacked the US drone command and control system as a response to Washington’s impudence in claiming that it has sabotaged Iran’s missiles.

Hatami says Iran needs to build heavy submarines

Following the recent unveiling of the country’s semi-heavy class submarine ‘Fateh’, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami said that Iran now needs to build heavy-class submarines.

Iran unveils domestic water jet propulsion system

A domestically-developed water jet propulsion system was unveiled in Tehran’s Sharif University of Technology on Monday at a ceremony attended by Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami.

Iranian top officials stress full implementation of ‘Leader’s Second Phase of Islamic Revolution’

The heads of three branches of Iranian government has called for the full implementation of the Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s Second Phase of Islamic Revolution, describing it as a roadmap for progress, solidifying the revolution and the Islamic Establishment in the next decade.

Iran proud of supporting Syria: Ayatollah Khamenei

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the Islamic Republic is honored to support Syria and considers it as equal to supporting the entire resistance front.

Iran to help rebuild Syria, restore stability to country: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic is ready to help Syria with its reconstruction plans and restore stability to the war-ravaged country.

Iran’s foreign minister Zarif announces resignation

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stepped down on Monday, announcing his resignation on Instagram.

Rouhani believes Iran has only one foreign policy and one foreign minister: chief of staff

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stands behind Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who resigned on Monday night, Rouhani’s chief of staff said on Tuesday, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Leader urges officials to maintain prudence, hope in doing tasks

Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei called on the officials to keep their vigor and maintain hope in conducting their tasks.

Growing calls in Iran asking Zarif to draw back from resignation

More than 150 Iranian lawmakers asked President Hassan Rouhani to turn down Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s resignation, while the president’s chief of staff has rejected reports that the president has accepted the top diplomat’s resignation.

Zarif, Zanganeh, Hemmati, at front line of fighting US

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the country’s foreign ministry, oil ministry, and the Central Bank are standing at the front line of the fight against Washington.

Iran stronger than ever despite 40 years of plots against it: Leader

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said that Iran is now stronger than ever after 40 years of plots against it, which have only turned the enemies weaker.

Mine clearance top priority: Iran defense minister 

Iran’s minister of defense said Tuesday mine cleaning is a priority of engineering department at his ministry.

FM spox criticizes misinterpreting Zarif’s resignation

Criticizing some media for misreporting of Zarif’s resignation, FM spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said that President Hassan Rouhani has rejected the resignation.

No intention behind Zarif absence in Assad’s meetings

Iranian Quds Force’s Commander Major General Ghasem Soleimani said that there has been no intention behind the absence of Foreign Minister Zarif in meetings of Syrian president in Tehran.

President Rouhani officially rejects FM Zarif’s resignation; Zarif returns to duty

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani officially rejects the resignation of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, saying it runs contrary to national interests.

Iran’s president receives Armenian PM

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday received Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at Sa’dabad Complex in Tehran.

Iran Defense Minister: Economic enterprises to be separated from Armed Forces

Defense Minister of Iran Brigadier General Amir Hatami said on Wednesday that in the coming few days, good tidings will be published in regards with the separation of economic enterprises from Armed Forces.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Iran, Armenia must boost ties despite US opposition

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran and Armenia should work to further boost their relations irrespective of opposition from the US that seeks sedition, division and war across the world.

Assad invites Iran’s Zarif to visit Damascus: IRNA

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday invited Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to visit Damascus, state news agency IRNA reported, without specifying a date for the trip.

Zarif urges restraint as India, Pakistan come to blows

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has called on both Pakistan and India to exercise restraint, following recent tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

In Tehran, US activists slam Trump for scrapping Iran deal

Visiting Tehran, members of an anti-war NGO based in the US criticize the Washington administration for abandoning the multilateral 2015 nuclear deal and re-imposing bans on Iran, saying such a move is the outcome extensive lobbying by the Israeli and Saudi regimes, America’s staunchest allies in the Middle East.

Gen. Soleimani says Leader’s meeting with Assad ‘not a minor thing’

IRGC Quds Force’s Commander Major General Ghasem Soleimani said that recent meeting of Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and Syrian President Bashar Assad is by no means a ‘minor thing’.

Iran launches Kaman-12 UAV, Akhgar missile production lines

Production lines of Kaman-12 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Akhgar missile were put into operation on Feb. 28 in the presence of Vice-President for Science and Technology Sorena Sattari and Army Air Force Commander, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh.

You’ll never get a better deal than JCPOA, Iran’s Zarif tells Trump

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif highlighted the massive efforts behind the 2015 nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and said US President Donald Trump would “never get a better deal”. Radar, navigation aid systems unveiled

The radar and navigation aid systems of Moein 40 and Nasser 40 were unveiled in the presence of Khatamulanbia Air Defense Commander Ali-Reza Sabahibard.

Palermo, CFT review postponed to next Iranian year

The Expediency Council’s Saturday meeting on joining the UN Convention on Transnational Crime (Palermo bill) ended without conclusion, leaving the fate of the bill unknown till the next Iranian year (starting in March 21), a member of the council said.

Iran rejects UN special rapporteur’s ‘Baseless’ allegations

The Iranian Judiciary’s High Council for Human Rights rejected recent allegations leveled against the country by the United Nation’s special rapporteur as “baseless”, saying the person is misusing his position to propaganda against the Islamic Republic.

Iran condemns Britain’s blacklisting of Hezbollah

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi strongly condemned a recent move by the British government to list Lebanon’s Hezbollah as a terrorist group and said the movement, which itself is a victim of terrorism, is highly popular in Lebanon.

Zarif, Guterres talk about regional, int’l issues 

Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed on Saturday with United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, during a phone call.

Europe’s behavior affects EC’s decision on FATF-related bills: Rezaie

Expediency Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said that behavior of European countries will influence the body’s final decision about ratifying FATF-related bills.

Pakistani army welcomes Iran’s mediatory role

Spokesperson of the Pakistan Army has welcomed the recent offer by the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to help achieving a peaceful resolution of dispute between Pakistan and India.

Iranian parliament finishes reviewing 1398 budget bill

The lawmakers in the Iranian parliament finished reviewing the budget bill for the next fiscal year of 1398, which will begin almost 20 days later.

 

Economy

Iran-Russia’s $500mn trade ties can hike due to potentials: envoy

Iranian ambassador to Moscow, Mehdi Sanaei, said Iran and Russia’s economic relations have hit $500 million worth of trade, saying the level could be raised even higher given the two countries’ vast potentials.

Pres. Rouhani urges entrepreneurs to shift focus toward non-oil exports

President Hassan Rouhani on Monday called on domestic companies and entrepreneurs to turn to non-oil exports to tackle hurdles created by sanctions.

Envoy: Japan to maintain economic ties with Iran

Japan’s ambassador to Tehran expressed his country’s resolve to proceed with economic cooperation with Iran.

Japan’s Cosmo to load 900,000 barrels of Iranian crude early March

Japanese refiner Cosmo Oil will load around 900,000 barrels of Iranian Heavy crude oil in early March as local refiners are rushing to lift as much barrels from Iran during the current 180-day US sanctions waivers, sources with direct knowledge of the matter told S&P Global Platts on Tuesday.

Iranian official: Efforts underway to address economic woes

Head of Iran’s Plan and Budget Organization Mohammad Baqer Nobakht said efforts are underway to deal with the tough conditions caused by the cruel US sanctions.

 

Regional Affairs

Pakistan downs two Indian jets, pilot arrested, army says

Pakistani fighter jets struck at targets inside Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday, but did so from their own airspace, according to a statement from Pakistan’s foreign ministry.

Over 80,000 kids under the age of five have died of starvation in Yemen, UN chief says

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says tens of thousands of children under the age of five have died of starvation in Yemen ever since Saudi Arabia and a number of its allies launched an atrocious military aggression against the impoverished country nearly four years ago.

Washington continues to invest in terrorism in Syria: Al-Jaafari

Syria’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations Bashar al-Jaafari said that Western states, particularly the United States, are working to prolong the crisis in Syria by investing in terrorism, stressing that a military resolution in Idleb is inevitable if the political efforts to implement the Sochi agreement fail.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah rejects Britain’s move to ban it

Lebanon’s Hezbollah group on Friday strongly rejected the British government’s move to ban it as a terrorist organization, calling it an “insult” to the Lebanese people and evidence of subservience to the United States.

OIC continuing to support Palestine cause

Organization for Islamic Cooperation underlined its continuing support for the Palestinian people to seek their rights and form an independent state with Quds city as its capital.

 

Society

Minister: Iran to send satellite into geo orbit

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi announced the country’s plans to purchase a satellite to be placed into the geostationary orbit.

Iran’s president unveils plan to increase employment via knowledge-based firms

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his administration has plans to reduce unemployment and create jobs by supporting knowledge-based economy and technology-based companies.

Yas, Iran’s new electric car to be unveiled this week 

Iran Science and Technology University is expected to unveil its electric car that could help reduce the rampant pollution in major Iranian cities.

3 killed, 11 injured as bus capsizes near Tehran

Bus capsize on Qom-Tehran road killed three and injured 11 early Friday morning, said spokesman of the Disaster and Emergency Medical Management Center (DEMMC) Mehdi Farahani on Friday.

Iran rejects UN special rapporteur’s ‘Baseless’ allegations
The Iranian Judiciary’s High Council for Human Rights rejected recent allegations leveled against the country by the United Nation’s special rapporteur as “baseless”, saying the person is misusing his position to propaganda against the Islamic Republic.