IRGC holds military drills in Persian Gulf
The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) held on Saturday military drills in the general region of the Persian Gulf, displaying the defensive and deterrent power of Iran. The drills were last stage of the 12th Payambar-e Azam military exercises the first stage of which had started on December 15 in the central parts of Iran […]
US troops presence in Syria illegal, withdrawal step in right direction
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday renewed that the presence of US troops in Syria is illegal, considering the announcement of their withdrawal is a step in the right direction. During a joint press conference with his Palestinian counterpart Riyad al-Maliki in Moscow , Lavrov commented on the US announcement it will withdraw its troops […]
Azerbaijan parl. speaker to visit Iran
The Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan Republic Ogtay Asadov is set to visit Iran on Dec. 25-26 upon the official invitation of his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani. Heading a high-ranking delegation, Asadov is scheduled to hold a number of meetings with top Iranian officials including President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, […]
US government set to shuts down over border wall disputes
The US federal government partially shut down after members of Congress failed to resolve disputes over $5 billion in spending for President Donald Trump’s border wall. Trump had previously said he would be “proud’ to shut down the government unless he received the $5 billion he is seeking to fund the construction of a barrier […]
Diplomat calls Iran, Russia reliable partners
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that Iran and Russia are “reliable partners”. “I totally agree that Iran and Russia are reliable partners,” TASS quoted Araqchi as saying during a meeting in Moscow with Sergei Ryabkov, the Russian deputy foreign minister. “Our cooperation concerning the regional and international agenda […]
All uninvited forces should leave Syria, Iran says
Es’haq Al-e- Habib, the Iranian deputy ambassador to the UN, said on Friday that all foreign forces whose presence is not permitted by the Syrian government should leave the country. In an address to the United Nations Security Council meeting on the Middle East, he said that the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of […]
Merkel’s ultimatum to British Prime Minister
The Chancellor of Germany is still trying to play the role of a senior official in the Europe’s foreign policy. Currently, Angela Merkel is trying to end the negotiations with the British side over the Brexit. “With less than four months left until the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU on March 29, […]
India plans to pay 5 Iranian banks for oil purchases
India will use escrow accounts of five Iranian banks held with UCO Bank Ltd. to deposit money for oil purchases from the Middle East producer to overcome U.S. sanctions, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Iran will use part of the deposits for purchasing essential goods from India and to meet expenditure incurred […]
Iran, Turkey express dismay over regional impacts of sanctions
Iran and Turkey issued a joint statement on Thursday criticizing the U.S. move in leaving the 2015 nuclear deal and ordering sanctions on Iran. They said Washington’s decision will negatively influence economic relations between regional countries. The statement was issued at the end of the High Council for Iran-Turkey Strategic Cooperation in Ankara chaired by […]
US Allies in Asia-Pacific Region Rattled after Mattis Quits
The abrupt resignation of US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis sparked concern among Asia-Pacific allies who credit the retired general with building trust and tempering isolationist impulses, regional officials and analysts said on Friday. The region – which includes strong US allies Japan, South Korea and Australia – hosts some of the world’s most volatile flashpoints, […]