Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• Iran Hosts Bilateral Talks With Taliban on Afghan Peace VOA 31 Dec 2018 -- An Afghan Taliban delegation visited Iran on Sunday and held bilateral talks on promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan. The development comes as the Afghan insurgent group claims it has established control over 61 of the 407 Afghan districts during the 2018 fighting season.
• Iran Spox confirms talks with Taliban delegation in Tehran IRNA 31 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi confirmed on Monday that a Taliban delegation held extensive talks with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs Abbas Araqchi in Tehran yesterday.
• Iran confirms hosting Taliban delegation for peace talks Press TV 31 Dec 2018 -- Iran says it has hosted a delegation from Taliban to discuss possible ways to end hostilities in Afghanistan.
• Afghan Taliban delegation holds meeting with Iran deputy FM in Tehran ISNA 31 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qassemi announced that an Afghan Taliban delegation held talks with Iranian deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Abbas Araqchi in Tehran on Sunday.
• Taliban Delegation Held 'Comprehensive' Peace Talks With Iran - Tehran Sputnik 31 Dec 2018 -- A delegation of the Taliban radical movement has held "comprehensive" peace negotiations with the Iranian party in Tehran on the framework of future negotiations between Taliban and the Afghan government, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Monday.
• Iran not beginner of any war: Deputy defense minister IRNA 31 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Deputy Minister of Defense Brigadier General Qassem Taqizadeh said on Sunday that Iran has never been the beginner of a war and will not be in the future.
• Trump positions not compatible with facts: Spokesman IRNA 31 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Bahram Qasemi said the US and Trump policy on various issues, including West Asia are clear to everyone, but what's happening on the ground is not necessarily compatible with Trump's positions and ideals.
• IRGC speedboats to become radar-evading with new missiles: Top commander Press TV 31 Dec 2018 -- The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)'s Navy says new speedboats operated by the IRGC will be radar-evading and equipped with new missiles.
• Iran to Equip Its Speed Boats With Missiles and Stealth Technology - Report Sputnik 31 Dec 2018 -- Earlier in the year, the Islamic Republic also presented its newest destroyer and fifth-generation jet, both fitted with stealth technologies. Their introduction came amid ongoing tensions with the US, which withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and imposed sanctions against Tehran.
• IRGC to equip boats with stealth, missile systems: Cmdr IRNA 31 Dec 2018 -- The fast boats of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) will be upgraded to become stealth and equipped with missiles, Rear Admiral Ali-Reza Tangsiri told the Islamic republic News Agency.
• Ayatollah Amoli-Larijani appointed as new chairman of Expediency Council ISNA 31 Dec 2018 -- The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei issued a decree wherein he appointed Ayatollah Amoli-Larijani as the new chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council, as well as a faqih among the Guardian Council members.
• US presence in Persian Gulf only fuels insecurity: Iran Chief of Staff ISNA 31 Dec 2018 -- Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri says the United States is only fueling insecurity in the Persian Gulf through its presence in the strategic region.
• Arrogant powers can never stop Iran support for Palestine: Ayat. Khamenei Press TV 31 Dec 2018 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran will never back away from supporting Palestine despite the heavy pressure from the world's arrogant powers.
• A Palestinian government to be formed in Tel Aviv: Ayatollah Khamenei ISNA 31 Dec 2018 -- Secretary- General of the Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine, Mr. Ziad al-Nakhala and his entourage met with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei on Monday.
• Palestinians Will Establish Gov't in Tel Aviv 'By God's Will' – Iran's Khamenei Sputnik 31 Dec 2018 -- For decades, Israel has been in conflict with the Palestinians, who have been seeking recognition for their independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, part of which has been under Israel's control since the 1967 six-day war, and the Gaza Strip.
• Enhanced security coordination with Iran to improve regional security: Pak Army Chief IRNA 31 Dec 2018 -- Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said enhanced security coordination on Iran-Pakistan border shall further improve the security situation in region, a military statement said.
• Military chief: Iran maintains powerful, firm military presence in region Press TV 31 Dec 2018 -- Iran's top military commander says despite its mainly peaceful defense doctrine, the Islamic Republic maintains powerful and categorical military presence in the region, warning certain regional countries against inviting the US to the Persian Gulf to hatch plots against Iran.
• Supreme Leader's Moves Seen As Successive Blows To Iran's Moderates RFE/RL 31 Dec 2018 -- By appointing a conservative ally to head the influential Expediency Council, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appears to have made a move to strengthen the hard-line camp and weaken the moderates -- and also may have cleaned up his line of succession.
• US exit from Syria insignificant: Iran top cmdr IRNA 30 Dec 2018 -- Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said that given the huge number of the US forces currently present in the region, its recent exit from Syria is not a remarkable measure.
• Turkey to continue cooperation with Russia, Iran on Syria ISNA 30 Dec 2018 -- Turkey intends to continue close cooperation with Russia and Iran in Syria, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday after negotiations in Moscow.
• US presence in Persian Gulf only fuels insecurity: Iran chief commander Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says the United States is only fueling insecurity in the Persian Gulf through its presence in the strategic region.
• Pakistan army chief sees better military ties with Iran Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa says his country's cooperation with Iran has strengthened and will continue to enhance regional security.
• US presence in Persian Gulf creating insecurity: Top military official IRNA 30 Dec 2018 -- Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran said the presence of the United States in the Persian Gulf has nothing, but insecurity in the region.
• Leader appoints Ayat. Sadeq Amoli Larijani as new Expediency Council chief Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has appointed Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, the current head of Iran's Judiciary, as the new chairman of the Expediency Council and a jurist member of the Guardian Council.
• Resistance groups, regional nations to foil US 'deal of century' plot: Iran Press TV 30 Dec 2018 -- A senior Iranian security official has lashed out at some Arab countries for their overt and covert support for US President Donald Trump's "deal of the century" plot against the Palestinians, saying resistance groups and vigilant nations in the region will prevent the implementation of such an "ominous" plan.
• Iran makes radar to detect satellites in low orbit: IRGC Deputy Cmdr IRNA 29 Dec 2018 -- Iranian experts have made radars that are capable of detecting satellites at the low Earth orbit, said the deputy commander of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Saturday.
• Iran welcomes hoisting of Syria flag in Menbej IRNA 28 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman on Friday welcomed hoisting of Syrian flag in Menbej, north of the country.
• Iran: Return of Syrian Army to Manbij, 'important step' Press TV 28 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has welcomed the arrival of Syrian government forces for the first time in years in the strategic northern city of Manbij, previously held by Kurdish militants from the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
• Russia, Turkey, Iran to hold talks on Syria conflict early next week Press TV 28 Dec 2018 -- Russia, Turkey and the Islamic Republic of Iran are set to hold a new round of talks on the ongoing foreign-sponsored Syria crisis early next year, in the wake of US President Donald Trump's decision last week to withdraw American troops from the war-ravaged Arab country.
• Iranian Army strongly protecting eastern borders: Cmdr. IRNA 28 Dec 2018 -- The Iranian Army is strongly protecting the eastern borders of the country, according to the commander of ground forces of the Army.
• Revolutionary's Daughter Says Iran's Islamic Republic Weakened, Could Collapse RFE/RL 28 Dec 2018 -- The daughter of one of the founders of the Islamic republic has warned that, while still strong, the system her late father helped establish some 40 years ago is weakened and could someday collapse.
• Israeli Company Posts Alleged Photos of 'Iranian Facilities' Hit by IDF Strike Sputnik 27 Dec 2018 -- The satellite images were released after the Jerusalem Post reported that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) destroyed an arms depot stashed with Iranian weapons in the Syrian capital in Wednesday's airstrike.
• US does not dare mention military option against Iran: IRGC cmdr. Press TV 27 Dec 2018 -- The top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the United States' power is on the decline and faced with Iran's increasing might, it does not dare mention the military option against the Islamic Republic anymore.
• Iranian FM Takes Flak For Claiming Tehran Has Never Called For Destruction Of Israel RFE/RL 27 Dec 2018 -- When Iranian officials say Israel will be wiped off the map, does it mean they are suggesting that Iran should be the one to do it?
• Ankara Seeks to Prolong Turkey's Exemption From US Sanctions Against Iran Sputnik 27 Dec 2018 -- Ankara is seeking to prolong its exemption from the US sanctions on Iran, which also affect countries that cooperate with Tehran, Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said on Thursday.
• Iran Holds Talks With Afghan Taliban as US Prepares Partial Troop Withdrawal Sputnik 27 Dec 2018 -- The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, announced on a visit to the Afghan capital of Kabul that Iranian officials have met with the Afghan Taliban.
• Confirmed: Iran talking to Taliban 'to aid Afghan security' Press TV 26 Dec 2018 -- Iran's top security official has confirmed that the country has been holding talks with the Afghan Taliban in coordination with Kabul to help relieve rampant insecurity in Afghanistan.
• Tehran Held Talks With Afghan Taliban, Say Iranian Media RFE/RL 26 Dec 2018 -- Iran has been holding talks with the Afghan Taliban with the knowledge of the Afghan government, Iranian media quoted a top Iranian security official as saying.
• Iranian, Russian navies to further expand cooperation ISNA 26 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi announced that Iranian and Russian navies will hold joint drills, saying the cooperation between the two countries' navies will be further expanded in future.
• Talks between Iran, Afghan Taliban to continue: Shamkhani ISNA 26 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani held talks with Hamdullah Moheb, the National Security Adviser to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, discussing bilateral, regional and international issues.
• Tops Iranian, Russian military brass discuss bilateral ties IRNA 25 Dec 2018 -- Head of the Joint Commission of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation Vice Admiral Osipov lgor Vladimirovich met with Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Baqeri.
• Iranian FM Zarif: Too Early to Analyze US Exit From Syria Sputnik 25 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in an interview late on Monday, said he believed it was too early to give a detailed analysis of the US withdrawal from Syria.
• Navy commander: Iran, Russia to boost cooperation in future IRNA 25 Dec 2018 -- Commander of Iran's Army Naval Force declared that the cooperation of naval forces of Iran and Russia in the future will further develop.
• Iran president submits budget bill to parliament IRNA 25 Dec 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani granted the budget bill for the following Iranian year (starting on March 21, 2019) to Majlis (the Iranian Parliament) on Tuesday.
• Leader offers condolences over demise of Ayatollah Shahroudi IRNA 25 Dec 2018 -- Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in a message extended condolences over the demise of the late Chairman of Expediency Council Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi.
• Iran closely monitoring US ships in Persian Gulf: Army comdr IRNA 25 Dec 2018 -- Iranian forces have under their watch the US warships in the Persian Gulf second by second, Army Deputy Commander in Coordination Affairs Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Tuesday.
• Russian defense ministry delegation meets Iranian army officials ISNA 25 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi and Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri held separate meetings with deputy chief of the Russian Army General Staff, Vice-Admiral Igor Osipov on Tuesday.
• Iran, Russia armed forces must boost anti-terror fight: Military chief Press TV 25 Dec 2018 -- The armed forces of Iran and Russia should boost their cooperation in the fight against terrorism given the ongoing very sensitive situation in the region and across the world, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says.
• Leader expresses condolences on passing of Ayatollah Shahroudi Press TV 25 Dec 2018 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has extended his condolences over the passing of Chairman of Iran's Expediency Council Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi.
• Rouhani unveils new budget bill on positive note Press TV 25 Dec 2018 -- President Hassan Rouhani has submitted a new budget bill to parliament for the next fiscal year, beginning on March 21, on an upbeat note despite admitting that US sanctions would affect the lives of Iranians and hinder growth.
• Iran Unveils First Annual Budget Since U.S. Sanctions Were Reimposed RFE/RL 25 Dec 2018 -- Iran's president has presented the country's first annual budget since the return of U.S. sanctions, saying it had been adjusted to take account of Washington's "cruel" measures.
• Iranian Admiral: US Will Never Be Allowed in Iran's Territorial Waters Sputnik 25 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Deputy Chief of the Army for Coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said that Iran will never allow US warships to approach its territorial waters, noting that the Islamic Republic is ready to respond to any action by Washington.
• India Takes Over Iran's Strategic Chabahar Port RFE/RL 25 Dec 2018 -- India has formally taken over operations at Iran's strategic Chabahar Port, a move that could have significant geopolitical ramifications in the region.
• Netanyahu: Israel Able To Contain Iran In Syria After U.S. Pullout RFE/RL 24 Dec 2018 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull all American troops out of Syria will not stop Israel's efforts to prevent Iran from establishing a permanent presence in Syria.
• Iran Seeking to 'Build a Force of 100,000 Ground Troops' in Syria - IDF Chief Sputnik 24 Dec 2018 -- Late last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed the Jewish state's commitment to counter Iran in Syria despite Washington's recent announcement to withdraw US troops from the Arab country.
• Army Air Force at peak of power: Commander IRNA 24 Dec 2018 -- A senior commander said that the Air Force of the Iranian Army is at the peak of its power, ruling out the rumors that the country's Air Force has out of date military hardware and equipment.
• IRGC spokesman: Region security increased in past 10 months IRNA 24 Dec 2018 -- Spokesman for the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that over past 10 months, due to the absence of an American carrier in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, this strategic area witnessed increasing security and calmness with reduced accidents.
• Iran not to let US warships near borders IRNA 24 Dec 2018 -- Tehran will not allow US warships to approach Iran territorial waters, said deputy commander of the Iranian Army for coordination on Monday.
• Iran will not allow USS John C. Stennis to come near territorial waters ISNA 24 Dec 2018 -- Coordinating Deputy of Islamic Republic of Iran Army, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari stressed, "We will not allow Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis to come near our territorial waters in the Persian Gulf".
• US warships never allowed to approach Iran's territorial waters: Commander Press TV 24 Dec 2018 -- A senior Iranian commander says Iran will never allow US warships to sail near its territorial waters, reiterating once again that the Islamic Republic is ready to respond to any action by Washington.
• EU should adopt practical support for JCPOA: Araqchi IRNA 24 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for political affairs Abbas Araqchi said on Monday that the stands adopted by Europe with regards to Iran and the JCPOA are not enough and they should adopt practical stands to this end.
• Iran will not stand by for Europe to fulfill JCPOA commitments: FM Zarif Press TV 24 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran will not stand by for Europeans to fulfill their commitments under a multilateral nuclear agreement signed between Iran and six major world powers in 2015, following the United States' move to pull out from the deal.
• Powerful Iranian Cleric Shahrudi Dies In Tehran RFE/RL 24 Dec 2018 -- Senior Iranian cleric and former chief justice Ayatollah Mahmud Hashemi Shahrudi has died in Tehran following a long illness, Iranian state media reported on December 24.
• Iran's senior cleric Ayatollah Shahroudi passes away Press TV 24 Dec 2018 -- Head of Iran's Expediency Council, Ayatollah Seyyed Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahroudi, has passed away at the age of 70 after months of suffering acute ill health.
• FM Zarif attends parliament's nat'l security commission IRNA 23 Dec 2018 -- The chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iranian Parliament announced the meeting of the commission members with the Minister and deputies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was held and said the latest status of foreign relations was centered in the meeting.
• IRGC's maneuver in Persian Gulf ends successfully IRNA 22 Dec 2018 -- The maneuver of 'Great Prophet 12(PBUP)', which began on December 15th with the deployment of forces from the provinces of Fars, Kerman and Tehran to the Persian Gulf and Qeshm Island, today ended successfully.
• Exercise of 'Great Prophet 12' (PBUH) massive response to claims of enemies IRNA 22 Dec 2018 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) says the military drills of the 'Great Prophet 12 (PBUH)' is in fact a decisive answer to all absurd claims of the enemies.
• Iran's new cyber achievements unveiled IRNA 22 Dec 2018 -- New achievements in electronic, telecommunications and cyber-defense of Iran's Defense Ministry were unveiled at the presence of the Defense Minister at the Company of Electronic Industries.
• Commander: Armed forces ready to fight threats IRNA 22 Dec 2018 -- The armed forces are not only monitoring and evaluating enemy's moves and threats, but also they have the readiness to fight any threat, a senior commander said Saturday.
• US presence in region, mistake from beginning: Iran's FM spox IRNA 22 Dec 2018 -- The presence of US troops in the region was from the outset a mistake and it has always been among the major destabilizing factors in the region, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Saturday.
• IRGC starts Great Prophet-12 military drills in Persian Gulf IRNA 22 Dec 2018 -- The final stage of the 'Great Prophet-12' military exercise launched in the Persian Gulf, southern Iran on Saturday.
• Final stage of "Great Prophet-12" drills kicks off ISNA 22 Dec 2018 -- The ground forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) kicked off the final stage of military drills named "Great Prophet-12" on Saturday in the Persian Gulf region, in southern parts of Iran.
• Iran: US troops 'wrong from start, source of tension' Press TV 22 Dec 2018 -- Iran says the US military presence in the region has been "wrong and a source of tension" after President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw troops from Syria and Afghanistan.
• IRGC holds major drills, debuts 'offensive' component Press TV 22 Dec 2018 -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps holds the main and final stage of massive exercises in the Persian Gulf, launching an "offensive" component in Iran's defensive strategy for the first time.
• Iran's Revolutionary Guards Launch War Games In Persian Gulf RFE/RL 22 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has launched war games in the Persian Gulf, a day after a U.S. aircraft carrier entered the waterway amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington.
• Iranian Ships Reportedly Fire Rockets Near US Aircraft Carrier in Persian Gulf Sputnik 22 Dec 2018 -- A US aircraft carrier sailed into the Persian Gulf on Friday amid Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea passage from the Gulf to the open ocean and strategic waterway linking Middle East crude producers to crucial world markets.
• U.S. Intelligence Chief Says Russia, Iran Sought To Influence 2018 Midterm Voters RFE/RL 21 Dec 2018 -- The top U.S. intelligence official says that Russia, China, Iran, and other foreign powers sought to influence voters in the 2018 midterm elections, but there were no signs that the results were comprised by the attempts.
• Report Puts Russia, China and Iran in Line for Sanctions for Election Meddling VOA 21 Dec 2018 -- Voters who went to the polls last month in the United States' midterm elections can rest assured that their votes were registered and counted properly.
• Russia warns US of confronting Iran IRNA 21 Dec 2018 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned US and its allies of confronting Iran for solving problems in the Middle East.
• Russia stresses implementation of Iran nuclear deal IRNA 21 Dec 2018 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Friday underlined implementation of the Iranian nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
• Iraq: Iran sanctions waiver extended for 3 months IRNA 21 Dec 2018 -- The United States has granted Iraq a 90-day extension to an exemption from reimposed sanctions on Iran to keep on importing energy, a government source said on Thursday.
• Iran, Russia reliable partners in JCPOA, global issues: Diplomat Press TV 21 Dec 2018 -- A senior Iranian diplomat says Iran and Russia are "reliable partners" on many international developments and on a landmark 2015 nuclear agreement, despite the United States' efforts to create obstacles in the way of the deal's implementation.
• IRGC vows to continue missile tests, research more actively than ever Press TV 21 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it will continue its missile tests and research more actively than ever in defiance of the US pressure and sanctions.
• Iran's Revolutionary Guards Promise to Continue Missile Tests Sputnik 21 Dec 2018 -- Any efforts by foreign countries to stop the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from testing missiles will be futile as long as Iran exists, a senior IRGC official said Friday.
• Iran Under Fire for Delayed Release of Ailing Baha'i Leader VOA 21 Dec 2018 -- Iran faces new criticism from Baha'i activists for its delayed release of an ailing Baha'i leader imprisoned for a decade and for its threat to jail a Baha'i woman for 11 years.
• DNI Coats Statement on the Intelligence Community's Response to Executive Order 13848 on Imposing Certain Sanctions in the Event of Foreign Interference in a United States Election Director of National Intelligence 21 Dec 2018 -- "Today I submitted the Intelligence Community's report on foreign interference in the 2018 midterm elections to the President and appropriate executive departments and agencies, as directed by Section 1(a) of the Executive Order 13848, Imposing Certain Sanctions in the Event of Foreign Interference in a United States Election."
• US Intelligence Report: Russia, China, Iran Sought to Influence 2018 Elections VOA 21 Dec 2018 -- Russia, China and Iran sought to meddle in the recent U.S. midterm election, but their actions did not compromise the "nation's election infrastructure that would have prevented voting, changed vote counts, or disrupted the ability to tally votes," according to a report released Friday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
• IRGC to raise its power: Iran cmdr IRNA 20 Dec 2018 -- Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) will enhance its power despite the sanctions, which have brought no effect on Iran's defense power, senior commander said on Thursday.
• Iraq gets 90-day Iran sanctions waiver from Washington Press TV 20 Dec 2018 -- The United States has granted Iraq a 90-day extension to an exemption from sanctions re-imposed on neighboring Iran to keep importing electricity and natural gas and meet its energy needs.
• Iranian Intelligence Ministry rejects Israeli PM's 'delusional' claims Press TV 20 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry rejects the Israeli premier's claim that Tel Aviv's agents routinely visit the country for spying on its nuclear program, saying such "delusional remarks" are merely meant to ease the pressure on him over recent revelations about the Islamic Republic's successful infiltration of the regime's espionage services.
• President Rouhani: Pres Erdogan stance toward US sanction against Iran decisive IRNA 19 Dec 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, before his departure to Turkey, said Turkey's and Turkish Recep Tayyip Erdogan's positions in recent months vis-à-vis the conspiracy of the US sanctions against Iran have been good and decisive.
• Minister: Defense industry prioritizing to utilize modern technology IRNA 19 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Minister of Defense said making dual efforts and using world's latest technology to address the concerns of the armed forces of Iran is of prime importance.
• Mogherini: JCPOA opens new channels to engage with Iran IRNA 19 Dec 2018 -- Iran nuclear deal has created new channels for engagement, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said.
• Iran's Araqchi in meeting with Finnish officials: Europeans must take operational steps to safeguard JCPOA ISNA 19 Dec 2018 -- Iranian deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, who is in Finland for bilateral talks, has held separate meetings with a number of Finnish officials in Helsinki.
• EU stresses need to maintain JCPOA to keep door open for talks with Iran Press TV 19 Dec 2018 -- The European Union has once again reaffirmed the need to safeguard the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, saying it keeps the door open for further talks with the country.
• Iran plans exports platform to counter 'economic war' Press TV 19 Dec 2018 -- The Iranian government has finalized a directive under which exporters would have to sell their foreign currency earnings on an online trading platform administered by the state.
• Khatami's Brother Prosecuted Over 2009 Election Fraud Claim RFE/RL 19 Dec 2018 -- The brother of Iran's former reformist President Mohammad Khatami is being prosecuted for claiming in a recent interview that ballot-stuffing occurred during the disputed 2009 presidential election, a senior judiciary official has said.
• Iran says Europe's political support of JCPOA praiseworthy, but not enough Press TV 19 Dec 2018 -- Iran says Europe's political support for the 2015 nuclear deal is "valuable", but that's not enough, as it must translate its words into action by taking "operational" steps to salvage the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after the US withdrawal.
• Netanyahu openly boasts about his "OFFENSIVE" missiles: Iran's FM ISNA 18 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif responded to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu's tweet about what he called Israel's "offensive" missiles, saying," He openly boasts about his "OFFENSIVE" missiles".
• Zarif blasts Netanyahu for 'boasting of offensive missiles' Press TV 18 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has blasted the hawkish Israeli premier for openly boasting of the regime's "offensive missiles," saying such a warmonger is in no position to voice "concerns" about Tehran's defensive missile program.
• Iran finds new oil, gas reserves, searches for more Press TV 18 Dec 2018 -- Iran is currently scouring 60 percent of its total area for new oil and gas reserves, including in places which were deemed until recently the least likely to have hydrocarbon-bearing formations.
• Rohani Son-In-Law Resigns New Post After Iranian Outcry RFE/RL 18 Dec 2018 -- The newlywed son-in-law of Iranian President Hassan Rohani has resigned from a senior institutional appointment two days after starting the job amid accusations of nepotism against Rohani's already embattled government.
• UN Syria envoy set to host top diplomats from Iran, Russia, Turkey this week Press TV 17 Dec 2018 -- United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is set to host top diplomats from Iran, Russia and Turkey, as guarantors of the Syria peace process, in Geneva this week.
• Assad asks Iran, Russia to stop Western 'interference ' in Syria Press TV 17 Dec 2018 -- President Bashar al-Assad has asked Iran and Russia to "stop the interference of some Western states" as Syria is setting up a committee tasked with negotiating a new post-war constitution.
• Iran army aviation to use drones: Comdr IRNA 17 Dec 2018 -- Drone unit of the Iranian Army Ground Force's Airborne Division (Havanirouz) is to be formed before long, the commander of the force told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
• Iran will never talk to anybody who sets conditions for it: FM Zarif Press TV 17 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has strongly dismissed the possibility of holding negotiations with the United States after Washington set conditions for talks with Tehran, saying the Islamic Republic will never talk to those who set conditions for it.
• Delusions, strategic mistake led Saudis to invade Yemen: Iran Press TV 17 Dec 2018 -- Iran says Saudi Arabia's decision to invade Yemen is the result of the Riyadh regime's "delusions" about its military power and the "strategic mistake" it made by undermining Yemeni people's ability to defend themselves.
• House Condemns Iran's Persecution of Baha'i Minority VOA 14 Dec 2018 -- The U.S. Baha'i community has welcomed a resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning Iran for "state-sponsored persecution" of minority Baha'is in the Islamic Republic.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Reiterates Tehran Never Sent Arms to Houthis in Yemen Sputnik 15 Dec 2018 -- Human Rights in the Islamic Republic
• Zarif: US in no position to talk about UN Resolution 2231 IRNA 15 Dec 2018 -- 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's 58th naval flotilla returns to Iran IRNA 15 Dec 2018 -- The 58th naval flotilla of the Navy Force of the Iranian Army docked in Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on Saturday morning after a 53-day voyage and was welcomed by the navy commanders.
• Iran's 58th naval fleet docks at Bandar Abbas ISNA 15 Dec 2018 -- Iran's 58th naval fleet, containing Bayandor destroyer and Tonb warship docked at Iranian Navy's first region in the port city of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf after 53 days, traveling 3970 Nautical miles and docking at Salalah port in Oman.
• US sanctions will fail to change Iran policies: FM Zarif Press TV 15 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says economic sanctions imposed by the United States against Iran will fail to have any impact on the policies of the Islamic Republic at home or abroad.
• Iran says missile program defensive, not up for negotiations Press TV 15 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the country's missile program is solely for defensive purposes and is not up for negotiations.
• Range of Iran's Sayyad-3 missiles to increase IRNA 14 Dec 2018 -- Deputy Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has announced that the range of Sayyad-3 air defense missiles will be enhanced.
• Six factors shaping Iran's missile decision-making calculus IRNA 13 Dec 2018 -- Iranian ex-diplomat and former nuclear negotiator Hossein Mousavian in an article named 6 important factors affecting Iran's missile decision-making calculus.
• Iran hails 'promising' deal between warring Yemeni sides Press TV 13 Dec 2018 -- 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.
• FM Zarif tells US to cease 'hypocritical absurdities' about Iran missiles Press TV 13 Dec 2018 -- Iran has lashed out at the US for its "hypocritical" remarks about Tehran, saying the one to blame for regional miseries is Washington and those who buy its lethal weapons.
• Europe: 'Working twenty-four seven' to set up Iran payment channel Press TV 13 Dec 2018 -- Europe is "working twenty-four seven" to launch the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a payment mechanism aimed at facilitating business with Iran in the face of US sanctions, an official says.
• Pompeo's anti-Iran claims another mockery of UNSC: Zarif Press TV 13 Dec 2018 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hits out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for making another "mockery" of the UN Security Council (UNSC) by taking the podium there to brag about Washington's violation of a resolution adopted by the same council on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
• Iran's 20% uranium enrichment option 'no bluff' if JCPOA parties fail to save it Press TV 13 Dec 2018 -- 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.
• Special Envoy Hints U.S. Could Revoke Visas Of Iranian Officials' Kin RFE/RL 12 Dec 2018 -- Washington's special envoy for Iran says the U.S. administration is looking into the visas of relatives of Iranian officials who are residing in the United States with an eye to possible action to expose hypocrisy within the ranks of Iran's government.
• U.S. Wants UN To Reimpose Ballistic Missile Restrictions On Iran, Says Pompeo RFE/RL 12 Dec 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has told the UN Security Council that Washington would seek to work with the 15-member body to reimpose ballistic missile restrictions on Iran.
• Remarks at the United Nations Security Council Meeting on Iran US Dept. of State 12 Dec 2018 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
• 'Staunch support' for Iran nuclear deal tempered by concern over missile testing UN News 12 Dec 2018 -- While there is "staunch support" among Member States for the 2016 Iran nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, that is tempered by concerns over some of its other activities, which Iran "should carefully consider and address" according to the latest report on the deal from the UN Secretary-General.
• Pompeo: Iran Increasing Ballistic Missile Activity VOA 12 Dec 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the U.N. Security Council Wednesday that Iran's ballistic missile activity has been growing since the 2015 nuclear deal was agreed upon, and he urged stronger restrictions to prevent such activity.
• Iranian army units ready for mission: Commander IRNA 12 Dec 2018 -- Deputy commander of the Iranian Army for coordination Rear Admiral Habibullah Sayyari said various units of the Army are ready to undertake the mission and defend the country and attend where it is needed.
• UN chief urges regional, int'l players to help preserve JCPOA IRNA 12 Dec 2018 -- 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.
• UN' Guterres stresses on continuance of JCPOA ISNA 12 Dec 2018 -- Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres in the sixth report on the implementation of Resolution 2231 of the Security Council also urged regional and international players to ensure continuance of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• US world's biggest violator of international accords, not in position to accuse others: Iran Press TV 12 Dec 2018 -- Iran says the United States is the "biggest violator" of international accords, a fact that President Donald Trump best demonstrated by abandoning the 2015 nuclear deal in breach of a United Nations Security Council resolution.
• US criticized at UNSC for pulling out of Iran deal as members stress JCPOA full implementation Press TV 12 Dec 2018 -- Members of the United Nations Security Council have thrown their full support for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal despite pressures by the US which was criticized at the chamber for exiting the agreement in defiance of international objection.
• China steady on Iran oilfields, to ditch South Pars project: Report Press TV 12 Dec 2018 -- China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) has decided to continue investing in two major Iranian oilfields but suspend investment in the South Pars natural gas project, Reuters claimed on Wednesday.
• Leader: US aiding and abetting Saudi crimes in Yemen Press TV 12 Dec 2018 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says the United States is complicit in the crimes the Saudi regime has been committing in a years-long war against the people of Yemen.
• IRGC Commander: Iran's Enemies Are 'Disappointed' with Sanctions' Efficiency Sputnik 12 Dec 2018 -- Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said on Tuesday at a local ceremony that even enemies of the Islamic Republic acknowledge that the sanctions against Iran were inefficient.
• Iran, EU hold 4th round of talks on Yemen ISNA 11 Dec 2018 -- The 4th round of talks between Iran and the European Union on the latest development in Yemen was held in Brussels.
• Iraq seeks exemption from US sanctions on Iran: PM IRNA 11 Dec 2018 -- Iraq will send a delegation to the United States seeking an exemption from sanctions against Iran that would allow it to keep importing Iranian gas, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Tuesday.
• Iran among top five producers of destroyers, vessels IRNA 11 Dec 2018 -- Iran is among top five producers of destroyers and vessels in the world and Fateh submarine will join the Navy's fleet soon, said deputy minister of defense and logistics.
• IRGC Commander: Enemies disappointed IRNA 11 Dec 2018 -- The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said the enemies are disappointed with exerting pressures on Iran.
• SPV to be established before the end of 2018: Mogherini ISNA 11 Dec 2018 -- Brussels will create an alternative payment channel to facilitate financial transactions between the European Union and Iran in the near future to bypass US sanctions, the EU's top diplomat, Federica Mogherini announced.
• Iran rejects GCC's claims, raps its unconstructive approach ISNA 11 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has expressed regret over the anti-Iran accusations made in parts of the final communiqué of the 39th session of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, saying that the GCC's approach towards Tehran is still unconstructive.
• UNSC Resolution 2231 enforces no ban on Iran's missile program: FM Zarif Press TV 11 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 has not imposed any ban on Iran's missile program.
• Iran's latest ballistic missile test significant: Senior IRGC commander Press TV 11 Dec 2018 -- A senior military commander has described Iran's latest ballistic missile test as "significant," emphasizing that the country will continue such tests, in line with its deterrence doctrine.
• Iran Confirms Missile Test That Prompted Western Criticism RFE/RL 11 Dec 2018 -- Iran has confirmed carrying out a recent missile test after Western powers strongly condemned Tehran's launching on December 1 of medium-range ballistic missiles.
• Tehran Confirms 'Recent' Missile Test Amid Western Criticism - Reports Sputnik 11 Dec 2018 -- The United States earlier accused Iran of launching a medium-range ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads, despite the fact that the UN Security Council's resolutions and the Iran nuclear deal ban Tehran from any activities related to the development of ballistic missiles.
• Regional Rivals Saudi Arabia, Iran Trade Accusations Amid Ongoing Tensions RFE/RL 10 Dec 2018 -- Saudi Arabia's King Salman has accused regional rival Iran of meddling in other countries' affairs, as he addressed a regional summit in Riyadh.
• Iran Navy to stage military drill in Indian Ocean ISNA 10 Dec 2018 -- Iranian naval forces plan to stage a large-scale drill in the Indian Ocean to boost and put on display the country's military prowess, a senior commander says.
• EU will launch financial mechanism with Iran by year-end: Mogherini Press TV 10 Dec 2018 -- 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.
• Iran newly-made submarine due in Oman Sea: Navy official IRNA 09 Dec 2018 -- The new domestically-made Fateh submarine will be dispatched for missions to the Sea of Oman as it is going to join the Iranian Navy in the near future, according to Deputy Navy Commander for Coordination Rear Admiral Hamzeh Ali Kaviani.
• Dialogue, respect for law essential for making strong region: FM Zarif Press TV 09 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says under the current tumultuous conditions in the Middle East, dialogue and respect for international law are among the most important factors that pave the way for making the region strong.
• Iran police make 10 arrests in connection with Chabahar terror attack Press TV 09 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Police Chief Brigadier General Hossein Ashtari says 10 people have already been arrested in connection with the recent terrorist attack that took place in the southeastern port city of Chabahar.
• Iran's Ayatollah Calls for Stronger Currency After Months of Devaluation Sputnik 09 Dec 2018 -- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is urging the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) to support the ailing national currency amid concerns a weaker rial could negatively affect the well-being of Iranian citizens.
• Western Intel Docs Say Iran's Missiles Now Capable of Reaching Europe – Reports Sputnik 09 Dec 2018 -- Iran's foreign ministry stressed that the country would not create missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads after the US and its French and British allies accused Tehran of test-launching a 'nuclear-capable' medium-range ballistic missile last week in violation of the UN Security Council resolution on the Iran nuclear deal.
• Iran Holds Melbourne University Academic On 'Infiltration' Charge RFE/RL 09 Dec 2018 -- Iran has detained an Australian-based academic on charges of trying to "infiltrate" Iranian institutions, state media said.
• Iran has no forces in Yemen: Official IRNA 08 Dec 2018 -- A Yemeni Ansarullah movement official on Saturday dismissed allegations on presence of Iran's military troops in Yemen, describing it as a rumor.
• Naval Force equipment indigenized: Cmdr IRNA 08 Dec 2018 -- Naval Force Commander of Iranian Army said the Navy has indigenized the equipment needed to defend the country's interests at sea.
• Deputy Commander of Army: Iran can do best mission on sea IRNA 08 Dec 2018 -- The deputy commander of Iranian Army for coordination says Iran can conclude the best mission in the sea with the facilities at its deposal.
• Iran Navy to stage military maneuver in Indian Ocean: Commander Press TV 08 Dec 2018 -- Iranian naval forces plan to stage a large-scale drill in the Indian Ocean to boost and put on display the country's military prowess, a senior commander says.
• Iran's president urges unwavering, all-out battle against terrorism Press TV 08 Dec 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called on all neighboring and regional countries to step up an all-out fight against terrorism and extremism, saying major powers have created and supported terrorist groups.
• Official: Next budget bill focuses on Iranians' livelihood amid US sanctions Press TV 08 Dec 2018 -- Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, head of Iran's Budget and Planning Organization, says the budget bill for the next Iranian calendar year that begins on 21 March 2019 has been submitted to the Parliament.
• Iran blasts US 'economic terrorism' at major conference Press TV 08 Dec 2018 -- President Hassan Rouhani hits out at US "economic terrorism" against Iran as an international conference opens in Tehran with the participation of China, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• Iran's Rohani Slams U.S. Sanctions As 'Economic Terrorism' RFE/RL 08 Dec 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rohani has denounced U.S. sanctions as "economic terrorism," and predicted if they succeed and Iran is weakened, the West will be flooded by illegal drugs.
• Tehran Detains 4 Suspects After Terrorist Attack in Southeastern Iran - Reports Sputnik 08 Dec 2018 -- The Iranian authorities detained four people suspected of committing Thursday's terrorist attack in the southeastern Iranian port city of Chabahar, the Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday citing Zahedan city prosecutor general.
• Iran's Oil Minister Says Tehran Got Exemption From OPEC-Non-OPEC Oil Output Cuts Sputnik 07 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh said Friday that Tehran would be exempt from the oil cuts within the production freeze deal of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-cartel members.
• Chabahar suicide attack martyred 2, injured 43 IRNA 06 Dec 2018 -- Two were martyred and as many as 43 people were injured in the Thursday terrorist suicide attack on a police headquarters in southeastern Chabahar port in Sistan-Balouchestan Province.
• Commander: Full security restored to Chabahar IRNA 06 Dec 2018 -- Commander of Ground Force of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour underlined Chabahar city is in full security and complete safety on Thursday.
• EU plans to do all oil transactions with other states in euros: Iran Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- The European Union is going to ditch the US dollar and use its own currency in oil contracts worth 300 billion euros, an Iranian official said, quoting a European commissioner.
• Zarif on Chabahar attack: Iran will punish terrorists, their masters Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has condemned a fatal terror attack that targeted Iran's strategic port city of Chabahar, vowing that the Islamic Republic will bring the perpetrators and "their masters" to justice.
• Deadly car bomb attack hits Iran's SE port city of Chabahar Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- A terrorist car bomb explosion has hit near a police post in Iran's southeastern port city of Chabahar, leaving two police officers dead and dozens of other people wounded.
• Iran expects OPEC exemption from new oil output deal Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- Iran says it should be exempted from any oil production cut deal as long as it remains under "illegal" US sanctions.
• At Least Two Police Officers Killed By Suicide Car Bomb In Southeast Iran RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Iranian officials and state media are reporting that two security guards have been killed in a suicide attack outside police headquarters in the southeastern port city of Chabahar.
• Iran raps US envoy's meetings with OPEC members as 'unprofessional, meddlesome' Press TV 05 Dec 2018 -- Iranian oil minister has lashed out at US special representative for Iran Brian Hook over his "meddlesome" meetings with members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in Vienna, asserting that OPEC is an independent body that does not take orders from the US.
• UK, France fail to present evidence demonstrating UNSC resolutions violated by Iran ISNA 05 Dec 2018 -- The United Kingdom and France, who convened a UN Security Council session to discuss reports of ballistic tests in Iran, have failed to present any evidence demonstrating that UN Security Council resolutions were violated, a spokesman for Russia's mission to the UN told TASS.
• Rather than undermining 2231, better to work towards its adherence by all: Zarif ISNA 05 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif announced, "Making a mockery of the UNSC won't obscure failure to fulfill obligations".
• 'Iran has no plan to have missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads' ISNA 05 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi has rejected the "groundless" concerns raised by certain Western countries about Iran's missile program, saying the country has no plan to have missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
• Iran firmly rejects any arbitrary interpretation of provisions of resolution 2231 ISNA 05 Dec 2018 -- Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN, New York announces while all ballistic missile related activities of Iran are in full conformity with the relevant provisions of resolution 2231, it is the U.S. that is in absolute violation of the very same resolution.
• Iran's missile program not in violation of UNSC Resolution 2231, Zarif tells US Press TV 05 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has rejected allegations by US officials that Iran's missile program violates Security Council Resolution 2231, saying the UN document does not ban Tehran's missile activities.
• Iran carefully watching next OPEC/non-OPEC move Press TV 05 Dec 2018 -- Iran is carefully monitoring the next steps by some OPEC members and their allies which have "arbitrarily" ramped up oil production, leading to a crash in prices.
• Tehran Will Never Make Nuclear-Capable Missiles - Iranian Foreign Ministry Sputnik 05 Dec 2018 -- Tehran has never planned to and will not make missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the Iranian Foreign Ministry's spokesman said Wednesday.
• Restoring the Role of the Nation-State in the Liberal International Order US Dept. of State 04 Dec 2018 -- Remarks by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
• Russia, China, Iran challenging global US leadership: Pompeo Press TV 04 Dec 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has targeted Russia, China and Iran for opposing Washington's "leadership role".
• Pompeo Says China, Iran, And Russia Causing Global Instability RFE/RL 04 Dec 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has criticized China, Iran, and Russia for violating numerous treaties and multistate agreements.
• No Need for Setting Up Military Base in Syria - Iranian Army Spokesman Sputnik 04 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Armed Forces spokesman, Brig. Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, has stated that Iran has no need for a military base in Syria.
• UK, France, US Concerned Over Iran Missile Test VOA 04 Dec 2018 -- Envoys from Britain, France and the United States voiced concern Tuesday at the United Nations following Iran's test-firing of a medium-range ballistic missile last Saturday.
• Rouhani: Entire world standing against US JCPOA withdrawal IRNA 04 Dec 2018 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that in the past the UN, the IAEA and the Hague court were condemning us, but today, entire world has condemned the US for quitting the JCPOA and stood against the country.
• Army Commander: Iranian Army's agility, offensive power increased IRNA 04 Dec 2018 -- The commander of Ground Force of Iran's Army described the movement and agility of the force as its characteristic, saying the offensive power and the mobility of the ground force units have increased.
• Iran dispatches 58 fleets to Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden ISNA 04 Dec 2018 -- "Basic steps are taken in Makran coasts and continuation of the operation leads to reviving Iran's naval power, records and history," Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said, mentioning that Iran has already dispatched 58 Naval fleets to northern Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
• 'Iran's ballistic missile program in full compliance with UNSC resolution 2231' Press TV 04 Dec 2018 -- Iran's mission to the United Nations says all ballistic missile related activities of the Islamic Republic are in full conformity with the relevant provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorses the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) -- the official title assigned to Iran's 2015 nuclear deal.
• Iran intends to increase missile, ammunition range: Air Force commander Press TV 04 Dec 2018 -- Iran intends to expand the range of its air-to-air missiles and has carried out very good measures in this regard, commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh says.
• No oil will go through Persian Gulf if US targets Iran's crude exports: Rouhani Press TV 04 Dec 2018 -- President Hassan Rouhani has reaffirmed that the United States will not be able to stop Iran's oil sales, warning that no crude will find its way out of the Persian Gulf should Washington attempt to target Iranian crude exports.
• UN Security Council Discusses New Iran Missile Test RFE/RL 04 Dec 2018 -- The United Nations Security Council has met behind closed-doors to discuss Iran's latest missile test, which the United States and other allies said may have been in violation of a three-year-old council resolution.
• Iran Deploys Fleet to Gulf of Aden as Rouhani Threatens to Block Hormuz Strait Sputnik 04 Dec 2018 -- Tehran earlier warned Washington against limiting its energy exports, vowing to otherwise close the exit from the Persian Gulf. Considering that a significant part of the world's oil exports goes through the strait at the Gulf's mouth, such a blockade could strongly affect the global energy market.
• No Country Will Export Oil From the Gulf, if Iranian Sales Blocked - Rouhani Sputnik 04 Dec 2018 -- President Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly stressed that Washington seeks to cut Iran's oil exports to zero in a bid to curb Tehran's nuclear programme and regional influence.
• Briefing on Iran US Dept. of State 03 Dec 2018 -- Special Briefing by Brian Hook, Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State and Special Representative for Iran
• US Urges EU to Enact Sanctions After Iran Missile Test VOA 03 Dec 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaffirmed the strength of U.S.-Israel alliance and reiterated America's resolve in confronting Iran's threats through maximum pressure during a dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
• All members of JCPOA on same page against US sanctions: Araqchi IRNA 03 Dec 2018 -- Senior Iranian diplomat says all members of Joint Compressive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including Europe, China and Russia are on the same page against the US unilateral sanctions on Iran with an aim to protect the landmark nuclear deal.
• Araqchi: JCPOA members compensate US withdrawal IRNA 03 Dec 2018 -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi said on Monday that other members of the G5+1 are now planning to compensate the US withdrawal from the internationally-recognized Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) treaty.
• Iran to be present in Atlantic Ocean in near future: Commander IRNA 03 Dec 2018 -- Commander of the Naval Force of the Iranian Army announced that Iran will be in the Atlantic Ocean in the near future and will do great works.
• Iran rules out talks on defense issues IRNA 03 Dec 2018 -- Iran will not talk with any party on defense or domestic issues, the country's Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday.
• Iran says talks with Europe on creating SPV continuing ISNA 03 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qassemi announced that negotiations and efforts over creating the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a special payment channel between Iran and EU are continuing.
• U.S. Urges EU Sanctions On Iran Over 'Escalating Missile Threat' RFE/RL 03 Dec 2018 -- The U.S. special representative for Iran has urged the European Union to impose new sanctions targeting Iran's ballistic-missile program, calling it a "grave and escalating threat."
• Iran Says Will Continue Ballistic Missile Tests Despite U.S. Objections RFE/RL 03 Dec 2018 -- The Iranian military says it will keep conducting missile tests despite U.S. condemnation of them.
• US Scolds Iran for Violating UN Resolution Washington Breaches Itself - Zarif Sputnik 03 Dec 2018 -- Earlier, Iran rejected accusations by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Tehran conducting a ballistic missile test allegedly violates a UN Security Council resolution that bans all activity related to "nuclear-capable" weapons.
• Zarif slams US hypocrisy over UNSCR IRNA 02 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned US hypocrisy in accusing Iran of breaching the UN Security Council resolution 2231.
• Iran defense power conveying message of peace: Minister IRNA 02 Dec 2018 -- Iran's defense power is for keeping the peace and security and sends out a message of peace and security, Iran's defense minister told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Sunday.
• Iran missile not banned by UN resolutions: Spox IRNA 02 Dec 2018 -- Not even one resolution has been issued by the United Nations Security Council prohibiting Iran's missile program or tests, said the spokesman of Iran's ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• No resolution bans Iran's missile tests or program: FM spokesman ISNA 02 Dec 2018 -- "Iran's missile program is a defensive plan, based on the needs of our country," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qassemi said, reacting to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent allegation that Iran's missile tests violate UN Security Council resolution 2231.
• Zarif blasts 'surrealism' guiding US foreign policy Press TV 02 Dec 2018 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif condemns the "surrealism" informing the US' foreign policy after his American counterpart accuses Tehran of violating the very UN Security Council resolution that Washington is in breach of.
• Iran will continue to test, develop deterrent missiles: Commander Press TV 02 Dec 2018 -- The senior spokesman of the Iranian Armed Forces says the country will continue to test and develop its missiles in line with its deterrence policy despite adversarial positions taken on this issue by US officials.
• Iran among world's top missile powers: Defense minister Press TV 02 Dec 2018 -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami says the Islamic Republic is currently one of the world's topmost missile powers despite being subject to severe sanctions during the past 40 years.
• Iran rejects 'ridiculous' US claims against its missile program Press TV 02 Dec 2018 -- Iran has rejected US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's claims against its missile capabilities, saying the program is defensive and does not violate the international agreement on Tehran's nuclear program.
• U.S. Condemns Iran Missile Test RFE/RL 02 Dec 2018 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has condemned what he described as Iran's testing of a medium-range ballistic missile "capable of carrying multiple warheads."
• Iran to Continue Missile Tests, Needs No Permits From Other Countries – Army Sputnik 02 Dec 2018 -- Iran will continue to conduct missile tests without asking other countries for permit, a spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces said on Sunday.
• Iran Test Launches Ballistic Missile Violating UN Security Council Ban US Dept. of State 01 Dec 2018-- The Iranian regime has just test-fired a medium range ballistic missile that is capable of carrying multiple warheads.
• Iran army commander vows turning sanctions into opportunity IRNA 01 Dec 2018 -- Commander of the Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari promised changing sanctions to opportunity for creating deterrence power.
• Most advanced West Asian destroyer joins Iran's navy IRNA 01 Dec 2018 -- As the state-of-the-art destroyer in West Asia, Iran's Sahand destroyer joined the country's navy fleet in the port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday.
• Iran launches most advanced indigenous destroyer Press TV 01 Dec 2018 -- Iran has launched its most advanced military vessel which has radar-evading stealth properties and can sustain voyages lasting five months without resupply.
• Iran Launches New Stealth Destroyer, Radically Increasing Naval Power Sputnik 01 Dec 2018 -- Iran has been building up its naval power in recent years to protect ships and oil tankers from pirates and deal with a growing hostile US naval presence in and around the Persian Gulf.
• Iran, S Korea design mechanism for oil payments IRNA 01 Dec 2018 -- A mechanism has been set up for paying the price of Iranian oil exported to South Korea, the head of the Iran-South Korea Joint Chamber of Commerce told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Saturday.
• Iran urges Security Council to condemn Pompeo's threat to 'starve' Iranians Press TV 01 Dec 2018 -- Iran's mission to the United Nations has called on the UN Security Council to condemn the recent "irresponsible" and "provocative" remarks by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who openly threatened to "starve" Iranian people.
• Iran Reportedly Launches 'Stealth' Destroyer RFE/RL 01 Dec 2018 -- Iran has launched a domestically made destroyer, which state media said has radar-evading stealth capabilities, amid rising tensions with the United States.
• Pompeo Accuses Iran of Ballistic Missile Test Launch, Violating UNSC Ban Sputnik 01 Dec 2018 -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran of a ballistic missile test launch on Saturday, claiming that the test was conducted in violation of the UN Security Council's resolution.