TEHRAN – Catalonia’s separatist leader is facing an imminent deadline to withdraw a bid to secede from Spain. But an official from Carles Puigdemont’s party says that he has no intention of doing that and he plans to make a full declaration of independence in the next few days if Spain’s government resorts to taking […]

After destroying the remainder of its chemical weapons in September, Russia is now calling on the United States and other countries in possession of such weapons to immediately “follow suit” and do away with their stockpiles. Speaking at a meeting of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Deputy Director of the […]

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Gholamali Khoshroo says Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories is the origin of all problems in the Middle East. “The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian lands is the core… of all conflicts in the Middle East. The injustice has been continuing for more than seven decades, exacerbated through Israeli expansionist […]

Reaping repetitive accusations against Iran, Nikki Haley urged the UN Security Council on Wednesday to adopt the Trump administration’s comprehensive approach to Iran. US Ambassador Nikki Haley urged the UN Security Council on Wednesday to adopt the Trump administration’s comprehensive approach to Iran and address all aspects of its what she called “destructive conduct” — […]

TEHRAN  – The spokesman for US-backed forces fighting Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL) militants in Syria says the fighters are removing land mines and clearing main roads in the city of Raqqa, a day after they announced it was captured. According to the Associated Press, Mustafa Bali, the Syrian Democratic Forces spokesman, says […]

TEHRAN – President Donald Trump struck out again with his third try at a travel ban, as a federal judge temporarily blocked it from taking effect nationwide on Wednesday. This time, Trump’s order was found to discriminate by using the nationality of travelers “as a proxy” for their security risk. In earlier rulings over two […]

TEHRAN- Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Barcelona on Tuesday after a court ordered the detention of two Catalan separatist leaders, further inflaming tensions over Catalonia’s chaotic referendum on splitting from Spain. Shouting “freedom” or “independence” and carrying candles, the demonstrators stood massed on a large boulevard in the city center […]

A bipartisan Senate deal that could bolster Obamacare for two years by reviving federal subsidies for health insurers has been dismissed by Republicans. The deal, which had been worked out by Republican Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington, would restore $106 million in funding for a federal program that helps […]

TEHRAN – Taliban militants have overrun Shibkoh district in the western Farah province in Afghanistan, Head of the Farah Provincial Council Jamileh Amini said Tuesday. “Afghan security forces withdraw from their positions in Shibkoh district after Taliban militants attack,” he told Afghan Voice Agency (AVA). According to the reports, Taliban militants have seized the police […]

TEHRAN – The EU’s foreign policy chief said on Oct. 16 the bloc would strengthen cooperation with Turkey on issues “related to regional dynamics.” Speaking to journalists before a foreign affairs meeting in Luxembourg, Federica Mogherini said they will discuss how the EU and Turkey can “coordinate better” on Syria and Iraq. Mogherini said she […]