Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• Iran nuclear deal still best way to ensure peace, DiCarlo tells Security Council UN News 30 Jun 2020 -- The UN regrets that the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is in doubt, but notwithstanding current challenges, that landmark deal is still the best way to ensure that Iran's nuclear programme proceeds along a peaceful path, the UN's top political official said on Tuesday.
• COVID-19 kills another 147 Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 30 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Tuesday that some 147 more Iranians have died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 10,817.
• Minister: Iran starting manufacturing phase of COVID-19 vaccine IRNA 30 Jun 2020 -- Minister of Health and Medical Education Saeed Namaki announced on Tuesday that Iran has taken effective steps towards manufacturing coronavirus vaccine.
• Iran to begin human COVID-19 vaccine trial soon: Minister Press TV 30 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Health Minister Saeid Namaki has announced that the country is nearing a phase of human trial for coronavirus vaccine as the country fights to contain the spread of the virus.
• Higher Mortality Rate In Iran This Year Raises Doubt Over Official COVID Numbers Radio Farda 30 Jun 2020 -- While Iran's official COVID-19 death toll stands at about 11,000, the country's Civil Registration Organization (CRO) says the total number of deaths in the spring of 2020 is about 19,000 more than in the same period last year.
• Netanyahu Warns Assad Not to Ally With Iran's Ayatollahs, Hints Israeli Ops in Syria Will Continue Sputnik 30 Jun 2020 -- The Israeli Air Force has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria in recent years, justifying air and missile attacks by accusing Iran of trying to establish a proxy presence in the Arab Republic. Damascus has denied these claims, and accused Tel Aviv of blatant aggression.
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo at the UN Security Council on the Iran Arms Embargo US Dept. of State 30 Jun 2020
• Pompeo Urges Accountability for Iran via Arms Embargo VOA 30 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday to "hold Iran accountable" and extend an arms embargo due to expire in October.
• Pompeo To Address UN Security Council On Iran Arms Embargo RFE/RL 30 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will address the United Nations Security Council on June 30 to argue in favor of an extension of a UN arms embargo on Iran that is due to expire in October.
• Iran's Zarif Blasts US for 'Bullying' Remaining Nuclear Deal Signatories Sputnik 30 Jun 2020 -- The Trump administration has ramped up its pressure against Iran along two tracks, accusing Tehran of violating the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, and seeking to extend the Security Council arms embargo against the Islamic Republic past its October deadline.
• Zarif at UNSC: US an 'outlaw bully' that UN shouldn't surrender to Press TV 30 Jun 2020 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tells the UN Security Council (UNSC) that the United States is an "outlaw bully" that the world body should not surrender to, warning that giving in to Washington's pressure threatens to restore the "law of the jungle."
• US to witness another show of intl. support for Iran deal at UNSC: Tehran's UN envoy Press TV 30 Jun 2020 -- Iran's UN envoy says the US attempts to extend a United Nations arms embargo against Tehran are a blatant violation of Resolution 2231, adding that during the upcoming Security Council meeting, Washington will once again witness global support for the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal and the resolution that endorsed it.
• US Working With Israel To Prevent Lifting Of Iran Arms Embargo, Hook Says Radio Farda 30 Jun 2020 -- In a joint press conference in Jerusalem on Tuesday with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook said the United States and Israel are working in tandem to prevent a United Nations arms embargo on Iran from expiring.
• It Is Time For All Nations To Support Extension Of Iran Arms Embargo Radio Farda 30 Jun 2020 -- Radio Farda is publishing a series of expert analysis and commentaries on the United States move to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October 2020.
• A US Decision To Force 'Snapback' Sanctions On Iran May Backfire Radio Farda 30 Jun 2020 -- Radio Farda is publishing a series of expert analysis and commentaries on the United States move to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October 2020.
• The UN 'Snapback' Option On Iran Is Full Of Pitfalls Radio Farda 30 Jun 2020 -- Radio Farda is publishing a series of expert analysis and commentaries on the United States move to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October 2020.
• Spox: China opposes extension of arms embargo on Iran IRNA 30 Jun 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said China opposes the US act to extend arms embargo on Iran.
• Insurgent Group Claims Killing Guards Commander In Iran, Officials Deny Radio Farda 30 Jun 2020 -- The governor of Sistan and Baluchestan Province of Iran on Tuesday denied any fatalities in an attack on three Revolutionary Guard vehicles in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan by the Baloch Justice Army (Jaish al-Adl) in the early hours of Tuesday.
• Iran identifies 40 American individuals involved in Gen. Soleimani's assassination ISNA 30 Jun 2020 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran has hosted a meeting on the US assassination of top Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.
• Iran says to sue U.S. president, officials for assassination of Soleimani People's Daily 30 Jun 2020 -- Iran has filed a case with the Interpol to arrest a number of U.S. political and military officials "who were involved in the assassination" of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in January, Tehran Prosecutor General Ali Qasi Mehr said on Monday.
• The United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain Issue Joint Statement on Iran Arms Embargo Following Consultations US Dept. of State 29 Jun 2020Special Representative for Iran and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State of the United States, Brian Hook, held discussions on Iran with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister and His Excellency Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on June 29, 2020.
• Iranian COVID-19 vaccine to be produced by March 2021 IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Director-General of Health Technology Development Office of Iran's Health Ministry said on Monday that some Iranian knowledge-based companies, in a parallel attempt, were trying to produce the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of this Iranian year (will end March 20, 2021).
• COVID-19 kills another 162 Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Monday that some 162 more Iranians have died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 10,670.
• Iran Issues Arrest Warrant for Trump That Interpol Rejects VOA 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran has issued an arrest warrant for U.S. President Donald Trump, whom the Islamic Republic accuses of being involved in a January drone strike that killed a top Iranian commander.
• U.S. Dismisses Iran Arrest Warrant For Trump Over Soleimani Killing As 'Propaganda Stunt' RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran has issued an arrest warrant for U.S. President Donald Trump and 35 others over the drone killing of its top general, Qasem Soleimani, in what a U.S. official dismissed as a "propaganda stunt."
• Iran Issues Arrest Warrant Against Trump Over Soleimani's Killing, Asks Interpol for Assistance Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force and one of the most respected figures in Iran, was killed in a US drone strike in January during a goodwill visit to Iraq.
• Iran identifies 40 Americans involved in assassination of General Soleimani IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohsen Baharvand said on Monday that Iran identified 40 Americans who had been involved in the assassination of Iran's anti-terror commander Lieutenant-General Qasem Soleimani.
• Iran to sue Trump for General Soleimani assassination case IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Tehran Prosecutor Ali Qasi Mehr said Iran through Interpol has ordered arresting 36 US political and military officials, including President Donald Trump, who were involved in the assassination of Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani.
• Iran issues arrest warrant for Trump, US officials over top IRGC general's assassination Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- A senior Iranian judge says Interpol Red Notices have been issued for the prosecution of dozens of military and political officials of the United States, including President Donald Trump, on charges of planning and implementing a terrorist attack in the Iraqi capital that assassinated Iran's top general Qassem Soleimani and his companions.
• Prosecutor In Iran Claims He Has Issued An Arrest Warrant For Trump Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- A prosecutor in Iran says he has issued "arrest warrants" for the President Donald Trump and 35 others involved in the killing of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' (IRGC) Qods Force commander, Qassem Soleimani.
• More details of Ukrainian plane's crash released by Military Prosecutor IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Tehran Military Prosecutor Gholam Abbas Torki explained some more details on Monday about the crash of the flight 752 that was unintentionally targeted by Iran's defensive missile system in southern Tehran on January 8 shortly after take-off.
• Iran's military court follows up downed plane victims' compensation IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Head of Iran's Judiciary Organization of the Armed Forces said that they specifically follow up paying compensation to the families of the victims of the Ukrainian Airliner which crashed last year.
• Iran, France finalize date to read black box of Ukrainian plane ISNA 29 Jun 2020 -- Iranian deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohsen Baharvand said Iran and France have finalized the date to read the black box of the Ukrainian plane.
• Ukraine plane downed due to human error, sabotage ruled out: Military prosecutor Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- The military prosecutor for Tehran Province says the downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane in early January was the result of human error on the part of the air defense unit's operator, ruling out the possibility of a cyberattack or any other type of sabotage.
• Tehran Prosecutor Reportedly Says One Missile Fired at Ukrainian Plane Overshot Target Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- The military prosecutor for the Tehran province, Gholam Abbas Torki, said on Monday that the Ukrainian International Airlines passenger aircraft that crashed in Iran in January was downed by one missile rather than two, as was previously reported, the Iranian Tasnim news agency reported.
• Iran Says No Indication Cyberattack Led To Downing Of Ukrainian Airliner RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian military prosecutor says there is no indication that the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet in Iran in January was due to a cyberattack on the country's defense system.
• US Warns Lifting Arms Embargo on Iran Would Create Instability in Middle East Sputnik 29 Jun 2020 -- Lifting an arms embargo on Iran would strengthen the country's government and threaten security across the entire Middle East, US special representative Brian Hook told reporters in Riyadh on Monday.
• US: Lifting arms embargo on Iran will trigger regional arms race Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook has again called for extending an expiring United Nations weapons embargo on the Islamic Republic, claiming that lifting the arms embargo on the country will trigger an arms race in the Middle East region.
• US in no position to undermine nuclear deal's achievements: Iran Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran says the United States has forfeited all rights to bring the 2015 Iran nuclear deal's achievements into doubt, urging Washington and its European allies against trying to damage the agreement any further.
• U.S., Saudis Say Lifting UN Arms Embargo On Iran Will Make Tehran More Aggressive RFE/RL 29 Jun 2020 -- U.S. and Saudi officials say an expiring United Nations arms embargo on Iran must remain in place to prevent Tehran from acquiring and proliferating weapons across the Middle East.
• Return of all to JCPOA can save it: Spox IRNA 29 Jun 2020 -- The spokesman of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday in his weekly press conference that the way to save the nuclear deal is everyone's return to the accord.
• Is Compromise Possible For Extending UN Arms Embargo On Iran? Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- Radio Farda is publishing a series of expert analysis and commentaries on the United States move to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October 2020.
• The Role Of Europe In Iran Arms Embargo Diplomacy Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- Radio Farda is publishing a series of expert analysis and commentaries on the United States move to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October 2020.
• Iran's gas exports up by 3.6 bn cubic meters year on year in March: NIGC Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- The National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) says its exports of natural gas surged by more than a quarter in the calendar year ending March 2020.
• Iran Claims Romania Has Not Shared Full Information On Death Of Fugitive Judge Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- The spokesman of Iran's foreign ministry today has complained that Romanian has not provided full information on the death of a fugitive Iranian judge who died in mysterious circumstances in Bucharest June 19.
• Judiciary chief: Judicial system supports those who report corruption Press TV 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeisi says the entire judicial system backs those people who report corruption cases and directives have been issued to various sections of the Judiciary to this effect.
• Khamenei's Intervention In Corruption Cases Opens Door To Leniency Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- The Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's June 27 remarks defending the reputation of the former head of the Judiciary seem to have had an immediate impact on important corruption trials.
• An Iran-China 25-Year Agreement: Wishful Thinking Or A 'Lion-Dragon Pact'? Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- Iran's former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says, "The Iranian nation will not recognize a new secret 25-year agreement between Iran and China," and warned that any contract signed with a foreign country without the people knowing about it will be void.
• Watering Down Iran Arms Embargo Sets A Troubling Precedent Radio Farda 29 Jun 2020 -- Radio Farda is publishing a series of expert analysis and commentaries on the United States move to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October 2020.
• Iran Would Be 'Arms Dealer of Choice' for Terrorists, if UN Embargo Expires, US Expert Says VOA 28 Jun 2020 -- Iran would become the "arms dealer of choice" for terrorists if a U.N. weapons embargo is allowed to expire, a senior U.S. official says.
• COVID-19 kills another 144 Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 28 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Sunday that some 144 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 10,508.
• President Rouhani says wearing masks will become mandatory in public places Press TV 28 Jun 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says wearing masks will become mandatory as of July 5 in all places of public gathering that have been declared high-risk by the Health Ministry.
• Iran To Require The Wearing Of Masks At Indoor Gatherings RFE/RL 28 Jun 2020 -- Iran has announced that it will make the wearing of masks mandatory at indoor gathering places as the number of coronavirus fatalities recorded in a single day rose by the highest number in nearly three months.
• Deleted Report Places Iranian Quds Force Commander In Syria RFE/RL 28 Jun 2020 -- A semiofficial Iranian news agency issued a rare public announcement on June 27 of a visit to war-torn Syria by the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, Ismail Qaani, before deleting the report.
• If Iranian nation does its duty, "maximum pressure" policy will be punch to US: Leader ISNA 28 Jun 2020 -- On the anniversary of the martyrdom of Ayatollah Dr. Beheshti and his companions, the National Conference of the Judiciary was held the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei's attending via videoconference.
• US envoy renews push for extending arms embargo on Iran Press TV 28 Jun 2020 -- US special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, has reiterated Washington's call for extending an expiring United Nations weapons embargo on the Islamic Republic.
• Rouhani's Man Dismisses Hardliner's Criticism, Blames All Leaders For Failures Radio Farda 28 Jun 2020 -- The Rouhani administration's spokesman Ali Rabiei has reacted strongly to an open letter by key members of the Iranian parliament who criticized President Hassan Rouhani, saying it may flare up political and social conflicts in Iran.
• Khamenei Defends Iran's Former Top Judge From Accusations Of Corruption Radio Farda 28 Jun 2020 -- The Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has rushed to defend the country's former Chief-Justice, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani, who has been accused of sheltering corrupt aides in his administration.
• Iran's Hydroelectric Power Generation Has Halved As Less Rain Fell In 2020 Radio Farda 28 Jun 2020 -- Following heavy rains and widespread floods in 2019 that replenished Iran's dams, electricity generation has again declined in 2020, according to figures published by the energy ministry on Sunday, June 28.
• With Huge Decline In Oil Sales Iran's Exports Drop Dramatically Radio Farda 28 Jun 2020 -- Customs statistics of Iran's major foreign trade partners show a significant drop in their transactions with the Islamic Republic in the first five months of 2020.
• Iran Creates Rocket Launcher, Anti-Tank Missile, Sniper Rifle to Save on Arms Imports – Photo, Video Sputnik 28 Jun 2020 -- The new weapons, developed by a Revolutionary Guards' agency responsible for military R&D, have been unveiled amid the Trump administration's ongoing effort to convince the international community to continue to enforce an arms embargo against Tehran after its October expiry date.
• Saudi coast guard fires at Iranian fishermen Press TV 28 Jun 2020 -- The Saudi coast guard has fired at a number of Iranian fishermen whose boat or boats had inadvertently strayed into the Arab country's territorial waters, local officials say.
• Border Guard: Three Iranian Boats Were Spotted After Entering Saudi Waters SPA 27 Jun 2020 -- The Official Spokesperson for the Border Guards stated that maritime border guard patrols monitored at 18:30, on Thursday, 4/11/1441 AH, three Iranian boats after they entered the Saudi waters, where they were immediately followed up and repeated warnings issued to them to stop, but they refused to respond.
• Coronavirus kills 125 more Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 27 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Saturday that some 125 more Iranians have died of coronavirus (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total death toll to 10,364.
• Iran plans second round of cash handouts to 23 mln households Press TV 27 Jun 2020 -- The Iranian government is planning a second cash handout of 10 million rials (nearly $50) for around 23 million households amid efforts to ease the economic impacts of the new coronavirus pandemic.
• What Iranian Authorities Hid About The Big Explosion In East Tehran Radio Farda 27 Jun 2020 -- On June 25, Tehran residents were treated to an unusual sight, a bright orange light in the nighttime sky over Eastern Tehran. Iranian officials soon claimed that what had happened was a mere explosion of industrial gas tanks in the general area of Parchin, the site of Iran's vast explosives, rocket, and ammunition manufacturing complex. Yet a closer examination of videos posted on social media seemed to suggest that the blast took place in the Khojir region of Tehran, something finally confirmed by satellite pictures a day later.
• Israeli Blog Says Images Confirm Mystery Iran Blast Was In Missile Industries Factory Radio Farda 27 Jun 2020 -- In a tweet on Friday Intelli Times, an online Israeli intelligence blog, said they could confirm from satellite images that the blast in Tehran on Thursday occurred at a facility at Khojir in the southeast of the capital.
• Tehran Blast Took Place at Missile Production Facility, News Agency Claims, Citing Satellite Images Sputnik 27 Jun 2020 -- A large explosion woke up the residents of the Iranian capital with a huge dawn-like blaze seen to the east of the city. The blast, officially attributed to an explosion of a leaky gas tank, shattered windows in some buildings, but ultimately resulted in no casualties.
• Iran's IRGC to receive 'surprise systems' soon: Top general Press TV 27 Jun 2020 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the force is to receive "surprise systems" in the near future, stressing that a US bid to extend an arms embargo on Iran would have no effect on the country's defense capabilities.
• Leader hails anti-graft fight by Iran's Judiciary, urges continuation 'without negligence' Press TV 27 Jun 2020 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has hailed Iran's Judiciary drive against corruption, saying the battle should continue "without negligence."
• Influential Cleric Tells Khamenei Iran's 'Current Situation Cannot Continue' Radio Farda 27 Jun 2020 -- One of Iran's most high-ranking and politically prominent clerics has warned the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei that his regime's popularity and legitimacy has been seriously damaged mainly because of injustice as well as economic and cultural problems.
• Iran's Khamenei Warns Of Worsening Economy If Coronavirus Remains Unchecked RFE/RL 27 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned the country's economic problems could worsen if the coronavirus spreads unchecked.
• Exclusive: What Fugitive Iran Judge Told A Court In Romania Before His Mysterious Death Radio Farda 27 Jun 2020 -- The fugitive Iranian judge Gholamreza Mansouri who was found dead in suspicious circumstances at a Bucharest hotel on June 19, had told an extradition hearing in Romania that the corruption charges against him had been a "bogus scenario".
• Eight Iran November Protesters Sentenced To Death In Isfahan Radio Farda 27 Jun 2020 -- The Head of the Justice Department of Isfahan Province on Friday said eight individuals have been sentenced for "corruption on earth", a charge carrying the death sentence according to Iran's Islamic Penal Code.
• This Week in Iran Policy US Dept. of State 26 Jun 2020
• COVID-19 kills another 109 Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 26 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Friday that 109 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 10,239.
• US Says Iran Has Not Taken Sufficient Steps To Eliminate Human Trafficking Radio Farda 26 Jun 2020 -- In its latest annual report on human trafficking, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday that Iran will remain on tier 3 of the U.S. list of human trafficking because it does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so.
• Iran Health Official Says Up To 20 Percent In Tehran Contracted Coronavirus Radio Farda 26 Jun 2020 -- Alireza Zali, Chief of Coronavirus Combat Headquarters of Tehran, has said Friday studies show that between 14 to 20 percent of the residents of the Iranian capital have already contracted the coronavirus.
• Explosion East Of Tehran In Area Housing A Sensitive Military Facility Radio Farda 26 Jun 2020 -- A massive explosion at a sensitive military area near the Iranian capital city Tehran triggered a series of speculations of a possible air attack.
• Iran Reports Explosion At Gas-Storage Tank Near Sensitive Military Site RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Defense Ministry says there has been an explosion at an Iranian gas-storage facility in an area with a sensitive military site to the east of Tehran.
• Pompeo Acknowledges Differences With Europe Over Iran Arms Embargo Radio Farda 26 Jun 2020 -- Acknowledging that "there are some disagreements with the Europeans over Iran's arms embargo," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed on Thursday that talks are underway, and Washington would not allow the embargo to be lifted.
• Iran sold gasoline to Venezuela at market price: Petroleum Min. Zangeneh Press TV 26 Jun 2020 -- Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh says the Iranian gasoline delivered to fuel-starved Venezuela last month was sold to Caracas at market price.
• Iran Oil Minister Says Gasoline Sent To Venezuela 'Not For Free' Radio Farda 26 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar-Zanganeh on Friday denied that his country has shipped gasoline to its Latin American ally for free and said Iran has already received part of the payment from Venezuela.
• Key Lawmakers In Iran Begin To Corner Rouhani, Threatening To Question Him Radio Farda 26 Jun 2020 -- Nine committees of the Iranian parliament (Majles) have called on President Hassan Rouhani to change his administration's policies and improve its effectiveness before it is too late.
• U.S. Condemns Death Sentences Against Iranian Anti-Government Protesters RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- The United States has condemned an Iranian court's decision to issue death sentences against three men who took part in anti-government protests last year.
• Work On Black Boxes Of Ukrainian Jet Downed By Iran To Start Next Month RFE/RL 26 Jun 2020 -- The French BEA air-accident investigation agency says "technical work" on the black boxes of a downed Ukrainian airliner is expected to kick off in France next month.
• UN chief urges all-out push to prevent Iran deal 'destruction' Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Amid the US's unashamed drive targeting the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world countries, the United Nations secretary-general urges exhaustion of all possible means to prevent "destruction" of the historic accord.
• US keeps targeting Iran metal industry with more sanctions Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- The United States has, in its most recent move to target Iran's record-holding metal industry, issued sanctions against four steel, aluminum, and iron companies operating in the Islamic Republic, and also taken aim at the sales of Iran's largest steel manufacturer.
• New U.S. Sanctions Hit Firms Linked To Iran's Metals Sector RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- The United States has unveiled new sanctions against the Iranian metallurgical sector, blacklisting several companies, including domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the country's main steel producer.
• Microsoft Details Sophisticated Hacking Linked To Iranian Cyber Espionage Group Radio Farda 25 Jun 2020 -- The Microsoft Threat Protection Intelligence Team has identified a chain of attacks on its cloud service in a post published on June 18.
• COVID-19 kills another 134 Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Thursday that some 134 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 10,130.
• Delivery of Kowsar jets proves failure of US sanctions IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Defense Minister says that delivery of three domestically-built Kowsar fighter jets to Army Air Force carried a message to the enemies, US in particular, that the US sanctions have worked to the contrary.
• Three Kowsar fighter jets delivered to Iran Army Air Force IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- Three domestically-built Kowsar fighter jets were delivered on Thursday to Iran's Army Air Force.
• Iran Air Force gets domestically-made Kowsar fighter jets Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Air Force has received three advanced fighter jets designed and manufactured by the country's experts as the Islamic Republic moves to renovate its air fleet.
• Advanced Domestically-Made Fighter Jets Enter Service With Iranian Air Force Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- In late May, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force commander Mohammad Zalbeigi said that the creation of a new Iranian-made fighter jet is just a matter of time, despite the burden of US sanctions.
• President urges IAEA, Europe not to submit to US, Israel pressure IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- The Iranian president has warned the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Europe not to capitulate to US and Israeli pressure.
• At UN, US pushing for extension of Iran arms ban, warns Russia, China Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Amid a much-criticized American push to rally support at the Security Council behind an extension of a UN arms embargo on Iran, Washington's point man on Iran claims Russia and China will face "isolation" at the world body should they stand in the way of a US-drafted resolution designed to prevent the expiry of the ban.
• Treasury Targets Major Iranian Metals Companies and Foreign Subsidiaries and Sales Agents US Treasury 25 Jun 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against four steel, aluminum, and iron companies operating within Iran's metals sector, including one subsidiary of Mobarakeh Steel Company - Iran's largest steel manufacturer.
• Iran president opens three important oil projects IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated Thursday three important oil and petrochemical projects on southern, central and northwestern Iran.
• President: Oil projects strengthen Iran position as energy supplier IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani is to open three important oil projects that will not only meet the country's needs but also strengthen Iran's position as the international energy supplier.
• Iran annual petchem output nearing 100 mln tons: Minister Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Iran has opened two major petchem projects in northwest and center of the country to add some 25 million tons of capacity to its annual output.
• Rouhani Says Iran Building Pipeline To Circumvent Hormuz Radio Farda 25 Jun 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Thursday, June 25, the 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) Goureh-Jask oil pipeline would enable the Islamic Republic to export its oil without relying on the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iranian President Unveils Three Oil, Petrochemical Projects Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has unveiled three oil and petrochemical projects which have been launched in the country's central, southern and northwestern parts, the official IRNA news agency reported on Thursday.
• Venezuela warns of 'forceful' response after US Navy operation Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Venezuela has warned of a "forceful" response after a US Navy ship navigated close to the Latin American country's territorial waters, a move denounced by Caracas as a provocation.
• Iran, Venezuela 'steadfast' in countering US sanctions: Official Press TV 25 Jun 2020 -- Iran slams the US sanctions against the captains of five Iranian oil tankers which delivered fuel to Venezuela in defiance of US bans, saying such moves will not keep Tehran and Caracas from defying Washington's sanctions against both nations.
• Be Ready for 'Forceful Response', Venezuelan MoD Warns US Navy on Its Caribbean 'Act of Provocation' Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- On Tuesday, the US Southern Command said that the American Navy missile destroyer USS Nitze had carried out a "freedom of navigation" mission in the vicinity of Venezuela's coast.
• Iran Rips 'Unlawful US Sanctions' Over Venezuela Oil Supply as 'Miserable Failure of Max Pressure' Sputnik 25 Jun 2020 -- The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on five Iranian ship captains who delivered oil to Venezuela, with the Latin American country knocking the measure as "an outburst of arrogance".
• Iran cargo ship unloads food & medical supplies at Venezuela port IRNA 25 Jun 2020 -- Iranian cargo ship carrying food and medical supplies docked and unloaded at Venezuelan northern port of La Guayra on Wednesday night.
• Iran Assigns Large Steel Project To Chinese Company Without Holding Tender Radio Farda 25 Jun 2020 -- Iran's state-owned Esfahan's Mobarakeh Steel Company has assigned a large steel project to China's Xian Heavy Equipment & Technology without holding a tender, Sharq newspaper reported on Thursday.
• Rights Groups Say Iran's State TV Aired 355 Confessions Extracted Under Duress Over A Decade RFE/RL 25 Jun 2020 -- A joint report by two rights organizations accuses Iran's state-controlled television of airing the forced confessions of at least 355 individuals between 2009 and 2019 to create fear and repress dissent.
• Coronavirus Infection Rate Is 40 Percent In Two Iran Provinces Radio Farda 25 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Deputy Minister of Health announced June 24 that "forty percent of residents in the provinces of Qom and Gilan have contracted the coronavirus, while the number in Tehran is about fifteen percent.
• Iran Is 'Foremost Sponsor of Terrorism', US Report Says Radio Farda 25 Jun 2020 -- In its annual Country Reports on Terrorism on June 24, the U.S. State Department has classified the Islamic Republic as the "foremost state sponsor of terrorism," maintaining that Iran provides "a range of support, including financial, training, and equipment, to [terrorist] groups around the world – particularly Hezbollah."
• COVID-19 kills another 133 Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 24 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Wednesday that some 133 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 9,996.
• U.S. Says Terrorist Threats Persist, Citing Iran's Rising Support For Extremists RFE/RL 24 Jun 2020 -- The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump says "dangerous terrorist threats persisted" in 2019 even as Iran, the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, and Al-Qaeda suffered setbacks.
• Turkey Says Soldier Killed After Coming Under Fire From Across Iranian Border RFE/RL 24 Jun 2020 -- Turkey's Defense Ministry says one Turkish soldier has been killed and two others wounded in the southeastern part of the country after they came under fire from the Iranian side of the border.
• Zarif reacts to Pompeo's claims on buying fighter aircrafts ISNA 24 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed claims made by US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on buying fighter aircrafts.
• Borrell to spare no efforts to preserve JCPOA: EU ISNA 24 Jun 2020 -- The spokesperson for the external affairs of the European Union Peter Stano said on Wednesday that Josep Borrell as the coordinator of the nuclear deal affairs with Iran will spare no efforts to preserve the agreement.
• Iran still ready to accept IAEA's legal monitoring: President Rouhani ISNA 24 Jun 2020 -- Iran's President stressed the importance of maintaining the reputation and status of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the sake of the international community and stressed, "The basis of Iran's work is cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, but the Agency must maintain its independence and do not deviate from its legal path under the United States and the Zionist Regime's pressures".
• Iran ready for coop with IAEA as long as it retains independence: Rouhani Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani says Iran is prepared, as before, to continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as long as the UN nuclear watchdog does not deviate from the legal frameworks and does not fall under Israeli and American influence.
• Zarif: Pompeo so desperate to mislead world on Iran; fails to notice own flaw Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has ridiculed his US counterpart for his erroneous estimates of the Iranian Air Force's reach in Europe and Asia when the UN arms embargo against Tehran expires, saying this shows Mike Pompeo is desperately attempting to mislead the world about Iran.
• Europe played into the hands of Trump, Bolton by IAEA move: Iran Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- Iran's top security official says Europe turned itself into a plaything for US President Donald Trump and his former hawkish national security advisor John Bolton by presenting an anti-Iranian resolution that was recently adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog's Board of Governors.
• US Calls On Iran To Fulfill Mandated Nuclear Obligations Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- In its annual report on global adherence to arms control treaties, the U.S. Department of State has called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to fulfill all its obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "without denial, deception, and wasting time."
• Iran's Rouhani Repeats Demand For US To Apologize Before Any Talks Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has repeated a previous demand that the United States should apologize, return to the 2015 nuclear agreement and compensate Iran for economic losses, before Tehran negotiates over outstanding issues.
• US Keen To Extend Arms Embargo On Iran, Says China, Russia To Be Isolated At UN Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reiterated the need to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran that will end in October, warning China and Russia they will be isolated if they oppose a decision at the UN Security Council.
• Pompeo Hopeful The 'Whole World' Will Back Extension Of Iran Arms Embargo RFE/RL 24 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he is "hopeful" that the "whole world" will understand the need to extend a UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October, when it is set to be progressively eased under the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
• Sanctions on Iranian Tanker Captains for Assistance to Maduro's Illegitimate Regime US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2020 -- "Today, the United States, under Executive Order 13599, is sanctioning five Iranian ship captains, who delivered approximately 1.5 million barrels of Iranian gasoline and related components to Venezuela in support of the illegitimate Maduro regime."
• Treasury Sanctions Five Iranian Captains Who Delivered Gasoline to the Maduro Regime in Venezuela US Treasury 24 Jun 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against the captains of the five ships that U.S.-sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) used to deliver Iranian gasoline to the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela.
• Iranian cargo ship carrying food docks at Venezuelan port Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian-flagged cargo ship carrying foodstuff has docked at a port in Venezuela, the sixth vessel Tehran has sent to the sanctions-hit Latin American country over the past weeks.
• Iran no longer relying on Strait of Hormuz for oil exports: Rouhani Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani says Iran no longer relies on the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports as a new oil terminal created on the Sea of Oman is opening a new export route for its crude.
• Iran Pres says CBI capable of harnessing forex fluctuations IRNA 24 Jun 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced on Wednesday that the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) is capable of getting fluctuations in the forex market under control.
• Housing Prices, Rents Climb Fast As Iran's National Currency Loses Value Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- Real estate prices in Iran's capital Tehran have risen by 23 percent in the past one month, the Ministry of Housing, Roads and Urban Development has announced.
• Romania: Autopsy indicates fugitive ex-Iranian judge died of impact from fall Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- Romania says autopsy findings indicate that the fugitive former Iranian judge, whose body was found at a hotel in Bucharest last week, died of the impact from a fall.
• Iran's Top Military Commanders Praise Khamenei's Likely Successor Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- In a move unprecedented in Iran's political dynamics, two top military commanders have openly lent support to Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raeesi, who is the most talked about candidate to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iran's next supreme leader.
• COVID-19 kills another 121 Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 23 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Saturday that some 121 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 9,863.
• US wants UN Security Council to extend arms embargo against Iran Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- The United States has proposed a UN Security Council resolution which calls for a 2015 arms embargo against Iran to be extended.
• Russia slams Europe's dual standards on JCPOA, 'destructive' US actions Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Russia has censured the European signatories to a 2015 nuclear deal for putting pressure on Iran over its nuclear program in spite of claiming they remain committed to the accord, saying such problems are rooted in "destructive" measures adopted by the United States against the accord.
• Iran Parliamentary Committee Ratifies Bill To Leave NPT Additional Protocol Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee on Tuesday ratified a motion to oblige the government to cease its voluntary implementation of the Additional Protocol of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• US Pushes Ahead With Bid to Extend Arms Embargo Against Iran Indefinitely Sputnik 23 Jun 2020 -- In order to prolong a UN arms embargo against Iran, Washington has argued that it effectively remains a party to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal, notwithstanding its withdrawal from that agreement in 2018. Foreign diplomats have dismissed the US legal argument as "ridiculous".
• Russia says statements by EU officials do not conform to their commitment to JCPOA IRNA 23 Jun 2020 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the statements of the EU states about the use of trigger mechanism did not conform to their commitments to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran to send Ukrainian plane's flight recorder to France in coming days ISNA 23 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran will send the black box of a Ukrainian passenger plane that crashed near Tehran in January to France for analysis in coming days.
• Ukraine President Threatens Lawsuit Against Iran Over Downed Airliner Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- The President of the Ukraine has threatened that if Iran does not fulfill its obligations regarding the Ukrainian airliner downed in January over Tehran, Kyiv will file a lawsuit against the Islamic Republic in international courts.
• Iran's rial starts recovering losses as government injects $55 mln: Report Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Reports from local media in Iran suggest the country's foreign currency market is witnessing signs of stability after a government decision to inject tens of millions of dollars into the market caused prices of international currencies to fall.
• Iran pressing exporters to bring back hard currency to forex market Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Central Bank of Iran (CBI) authorities have ramped up pressure on the country's exporters to return the hard currency they have earned over the past two and a half years to the forex market where prices have soared to highs not seen in decades.
• Workers At Iran's Restive Industrial Complex On Strike For Second Week Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- Workers at one of Iran's most restive industrial units, the Haft Tapeh sugarcane complex resumed their strike for the eighth consecutive day on Monday, June 22.
• US Dollar Breaks Important Threshold, Rising Above 200,000 Rials In Iran Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- The rate of exchange for the U.S. dollar set yet another record on Tuesday June 23, leaving the 200,000 rials landmark behind and reaching an unprecedented 205,000 rials per dollar rate within half an hour Tuesday afternoon.
• Iranian Currency Plunges To New Lows Against Dollar As Rohani Denounces 'Psychological Warfare' RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- The Iranian currency plunged to new depths against the U.S. dollar on June 23, as the country continues to wrestle against the economic effects of U.S. sanctions, the coronavirus, and low oil prices.
• Iran celebrates first ever overhaul of Bushehr nuclear plant by its experts Press TV 23 Jun 2020 -- Iranian experts have carried out overhaul and maintenance work on Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant for the first time and reconnected it to the national grid, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said on Tuesday.
• Romanian Prosecutor Says Iran Fugitive Judge Died Possibly By Falling From Heigth Radio Farda 23 Jun 2020 -- Romanian prosecutors on Tuesday announced that an autopsy was carried out on the body of the fugitive Iranian judge, Gholamreza Mansouri, which indicated that he possibly fell to his death from a height at the Duke hotel in Bucharest where he was staying.
• Victims Recall Harassment By Fugitive Iranian Judge Found Dead In Romania RFE/RL 23 Jun 2020 -- A few days after Azam Jangravi was arrested in Tehran two years ago for removing her head scarf to protest the country's dress code, a judge told her that her action demonstrated she was mentally unfit and shouldn't be allowed to work, study, or raise her daughter.
• Iranian cargo ship docks at Venezuelan port IRNA 23 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian-flagged cargo ship carrying food and medical supplies has docked at the Venezuelan port of La Guaira, IRNA reported on Tuesday.
• COVID-19 kills 119 more Iranians over past 24 hours: Official IRNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Monday that some 119 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours.
• Coronavirus Watch in Mideast: Iran's COVID-19 cases nudge 205,000 as Turkey's tally exceeds 187,000 People's Daily 22 Jun 2020 -- The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases approached 205,000 in Iran on Sunday, while Turkey's tally of coronavirus infections surpassed 187,000.
• Iran, Afghanistan agree to block illegal border crossings Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Iran and Afghanistan have agreed to take all the necessary measures to prevent illegal border crossings and human trafficking by intensification of controls over the common frontier.
• Iran Looking to Establish Permanent Naval Base in Indian Ocean by Next Spring, Commander Says Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps plans to set up a permanent naval base in the Indian Ocean by mid-March, the Guard's navy commander was quoted as saying on Monday.
• China does not approve of further tension over Iran nuclear program: Foreign Ministry Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian says his country opposes any measure leading to exacerbation of tensions over the Iranian nuclear program in the wake of the recent adoption of an anti-Iran resolution by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• Beijing Says Maximum Pressure on Iran Won't Resolve Concerns Over Tehran's Nuclear Programme Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- Exerting maximum pressure on Tehran will not help in any way in resolving the situation around Iran's nuclear programme and will not eliminate the concerns of the parties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a briefing on Monday, commenting on a recent statement from the European countries.
• Iran's cargo ship enters Venezuela's water ISNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Iran's embassy in Venezuela announced that Iranian ship carrying food supplies entered Venezuelan territorial waters on Sunday and is nearing the port of La Guayra, northern Venezuela.
• Sixth Iranian ship nears Venezuelan port, carrying food Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- A sixth Iranian vessel has entered Venezuela's territorial waters, carrying a cargo of food after the Islamic Republic supplied massive cargos of fuel to the Latin American nation in defiance of the United States' sanctions targeting both nations.
• Iran Confirms Arrival Of Ship Carrying 'Goods For Iranian Supermarket' In Caracas Radio Farda 22 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian ship carrying foodstuff has arrived in Venezuelan waters amid a shortage of basic goods and is nearing Puerto La Guaira, Iran's government news agency IRNA reported on Monday.
• Tehran Ships Food To Venezuela To Establish Country's First Iranian Supermarket RFE/RL 22 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian cargo ship was expected to dock in Venezuela on June 21 with food that will stock the first Iranian supermarket in the South American country, Iran's embassy in Caracas said.
• Iranian Ship Carrying Food, Medical Supplies Enters Venezuelan Port Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- The vessel, one of six Iranian ships sent to the Latin American nation in recent weeks to help relieve fuel shortages and restore Caracas' oil refining capabilities, is also said to be carrying equipment to help Venezuela tackle the coronavirus crisis.
• Iran's Currency Faces Its Biggest Devaluation In A Tumultuous Forex Market Radio Farda 22 Jun 2020 -- Reports from Iran say that that the value of Iranian currency rial has fallen to a record low June 22, as the U.S. dollar traded at the open markets in Tehran for 200,000 rials or even more.
• Iran will send black box of downed Ukrainian plane to France: FM Zarif Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the country will send to France "within the next few days" the black box of a Ukrainian passenger plane that was mistakenly downed near the capital, Tehran, in January.
• Trump offered support for Israeli military action against Iran: Bolton Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Former US national security adviser John Bolton says President Donald Trump had given Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu the green light to attack Iran, and pledged his support for such a military action.
• COVID-19 kills 116 more Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 21 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Sunday that some 116 more Iranians have died of coronavirus (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 9,623.
• Iran set to have 18 home-grown satellites by yearend IRNA 21 Jun 2020 -- With an increase in Iran's space sector, the country is expected to have 18 domestically-made satellites by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20, 2021), Iran's ITC Minister Mohammad-Javad Azari Jahromi said on Sunday.
• 6th Iranian ship en route to Venezuela carrying food: Iran's ambassador to Caracas ISNA 21 Jun 2020 -- Iran's ambassador to Caracas, Hojjatollah Soltani announced that the sixth Iranian ship "Golsan" en route to Venezuela is carrying food.
• Iran parliament: IAEA resolution proof of structural discrimination within UN nuclear watchdog Press TV 21 Jun 2020 -- The majority of lawmakers at the Iranian parliament have denounced an anti-Iran resolution recently passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors, saying the document is another indication of "structural discrimination" within the UN atomic watchdog.
• Talks with US 'strictly forbidden': Iran's parliament speaker Press TV 21 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf says negotiations with the US are "harmful and strictly forbidden," stressing that resistance is the only way to protect the country's rights and dignity.
• Trump Tells Iran Negotiating After US Elections Means Paying 'A Much Higher Price' Radio Farda 21 Jun 2020 -- President Donald Trump told the Islamic Republic during his rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma June 20 that if they wait to make a deal with the United States after he gets reelected, they will "pay a much higher price".
• Iran's Currency Hits A New Low Following Tough Resolution By UN Watchdog Radio Farda 21 Jun 2020 -- The devaluation of Iran's currency continued Sunday, June 20, with the exchange rate getting closer to 200,000 rials for one U.S. dollar. The price of gold also increased leaving the whole economic outlook in the country uncertain.
• Trusted IRGC General Appointed Commander Of Key Base In Iran's capital Radio Farda 21 Jun 2020 -- The former deputy of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Intelligence Organization has been appointed as the operational commander of its base in Tehran, tasked to defend the capital.
• A New Appointment At IRGC May Signal Concern Over Unrest In Iran Radio Farda 21 Jun 2020 -- IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami has appointed Brigadier General Hossein Nejat as his deputy commander in charge of Sarallah, the most important security command in Tehran.
• Spokesman Says IAEA Resolution On Full Inspections Sets 'No Obligation' For Iran Radio Farda 20 Jun 2020 -- The spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says the new resolution of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sets "no obligation" for the Islamic Republic.
• COVID-19 kills 115 more Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 20 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Saturday that some 115 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 9,507.
• Iran's president authorizes provinces to draw up own coronavirus restrictions Press TV 20 Jun 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has authorized the country's provinces to draw up their own coronavirus restrictions for their counties amid nationwide easing of social distancing measures.
• Iran to produce supersonic missiles in near future: Navy cmdr. Press TV 20 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi says the country will soon manufacture supersonic missiles equipped with a jet engine variant.
• Iran strongly condemns E3 ISNA 20 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has dismissed as unconstructive and irresponsible the recent move by the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors to adopt a resolution on Iran, and strongly condemned the measure from EU3 to initiate the resolution.
• E3 accessories to Trump, Netanyahu: Iran FM ISNA 20 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed that Europeans admitted that they are total impotence in resisting US bullying.
• Pompeo Lauds IAEA Resolution, Says Iran Must Grant Access To Disputed Sites Radio Farda 20 Jun 2020 -- In a statement on June 19, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Iran must immediately comply with the demands of UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and provide full access to international inspectors.
• U.S. Iran Envoy Calls IAEA Resolution 'Significant,' Says Russia, China Votes Against Were 'Irresponsible' RFE/RL 20 Jun 2020 -- The U.S. special envoy for Iran has welcomed a resolution passed on June 19 by the board of governors of the United Nations' atomic agency that urges Iran to provide access to two sites where nuclear activity may have occurred in the past.
• Iran awaiting Romania's report on cause of Iranian judge's death ISNA 20 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi has confirmed the reports on the death of Iranian judge Gholam-Reza Mansouri in Romania.
• Iran asks Romania to allow fact-finding team to probe judge's death Press TV 20 Jun 2020 -- Iran's international police have requested to send a fact-finding mission to Romania to investigate the death of a fugitive Iranian judge in Bucharest.
• Dead Iran Judge Spoke With Family And Was Fine Hours Before Body Found Radio Farda 20 Jun 2020 -- A former Iranian judge who fled to Romania and was found dead in Bucharest on June 19 spoke with his family and sounded fine hours before his body was found in a hotel, his attorney says.
• Who Benefits From The Death Of Fugitive Iran Judge Radio Farda 20 Jun 2020 -- Judge Gholamreza Mansuri is now the prime figure in one of Iran's biggest ongoing financial corruption cases after he mysteriously fell from the 6th floor of a hotel in Bucharest and died on Friday June 19.
• Another Iranian ship approaching Venezuela in defiance of US bans Press TV 20 Jun 2020 -- Another Iranian ship has sailed into Venezuela's territorial waters and is expected to dock in the Latin American country's ports over the next couple of days, the American media say.
• Faster Mobile Internet Growing In Iran Despite Higher Cost Radio Farda 20 Jun 2020 -- According to the latest figures released by Iran's Internet regulatory body, more than one million fixed broadband customers have ended their subscriptions in favor of mobile internet in the past one year despite the higher costs.
• Iran's Currency Plummets To Record Low Against Dollar Amid Coronavirus, U.S. Sanctions RFE/RL 20 Jun 2020 -- Iran's currency has tumbled against the dollar to its lowest level ever as the country grapples with U.S. sanctions, the coronavirus, and low oil prices.
• European Troika To Hold Meeting To Find Ways To Save Iran Nuclear Agreement Radio Farda 19 Jun 2020 -- In a statement on Friday, France, Germany and Britain said they are committed to finding a diplomatic solution to bring Iran back to full compliance with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• This Week in Iran Policy US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2020 -- Fact Sheet
• E3 foreign ministers' statement on the JCPoA: 19 June UK FCO 19 Jun 2020 -- France, Germany and the UK reiterate commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to bring Iran back to full compliance with the JCPoA.
• COVID-19 kills 120 more Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 19 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Friday that some 120 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 9,392.
• Iran Unveils Video Of Naval Missile System On Anniversary Of Downing US Drone Radio Farda 19 Jun 2020 -- The Revolutionary Guard on Friday unveiled a new video of a naval missile defense system that downed an American military drone in southern Iranian airspace a year ago amid rising tensions between the two countries.
• Briefing With Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, U.S. Ambassador to UNVIE Jackie Wolcott, and Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Dr. Christopher A. Ford On IAEA Actions to Hold Iran Accountable US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2020
• Iran to take appropriate action in response to resolution of IAEA BoG, envoy says IRNA 19 Jun 2020 -- In response to the adoption of the proposed resolution of the three European countries in the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Friday, Iran Ambassador stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran completely rejects the resolution of the Board of Governors, adding that It will take appropriate and necessary reaction to it.
• Zarif advises E3 not to be accessory for JCPOA enemies IRNA 19 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message urged IAEA Board of Governors not to let JCPOA enemies endanger Iran's interests saying E3 should not be their accessory.
• Iran 'categorically' deplores IAEA resolution, vows 'appropriate action' Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- Iran has deplored the latest resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), saying the Islamic Republic would take "appropriate action" where the sponsors of the move would stand responsible for any "repercussions."
• China, Russia see US 'bullying' as IAEA adopts anti-Iran resolution Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- China and Russia have rebuked the International Atomic Energy Agency for giving in to US "bullying" as the IAEA's board of governor on Friday passed a resolution critical of Iran for the first time since 2012.
• IAEA Resolution Criticizes Iran For Denying Access To UN Inspectors Radio Farda 19 Jun 2020 -- For the first time since 2012, the board of governors of the United Nation's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution critical of Iran on Friday, June 19.
• UN Nuclear Watchdog Ramps Up Pressure On Iran To Access Sites RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- The board of governors of the United Nations' atomic agency issued a resolution on June 19 urging Iran to provide access to two sites where nuclear activity may have occurred in the past.
• Britain, France, and Germany Oppose US Effort to Re-Impose Sanctions Against Iran Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- The statement comes following discussions between the European signatories to the deal on the future of the JCPOA agreement amid heightened tensions with the United States, which withdrew from the accord in 2018.
• Iran Regrets IAEA Resolution Introduced by E3 Amid Their Lack of Action on JCPOA, Envoy Says Sputnik 19 Jun 2020 -- Iran regrets that the resolution, adopted earlier on Friday by the IAEA's Board of Governors, was introduced by three European signatories to the nuclear deal, namely France, Germany and the UK, as they themselves have produced no concrete action to implement their obligations under the agreement, Gharib Abadi said.
• IAEA Board of Governors Adopts Resolution, Calls on Iran To Cooperate Without Further Delay US Dept. of State 19 Jun 2020 -- Today, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution calling on Iran to provide IAEA inspectors the information and access they have requested and that Iran is obligated to provide. Iran
• Iran confirms death of fugitive judge, urges Romania to explain details Press TV 19 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has confirmed reports about the death of a fugitive Iranian judge in a fall from a hotel window in Romania's capital.
• Fugitive Iran Judge Found Dead In Romania Radio Farda 19 Jun 2020 -- Fugitive former Iranian judge, Gholamreza Mansouri, was found dead in the Romanian capital Bucharest in suspicious circumstances.
• Former Iranian Judge Sought By Tehran, Linked To 'Torture' Of Journalists Found Dead In Bucharest RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- A former Iranian judge sought by his homeland to face corruption charges has been found dead in Romania's capital, officials say.
• In Iran, No Space On Cyberspace For Dissenting Voices As Tehran Takes 'Orwellian Approach' To Muffle Critics RFE/RL 19 Jun 2020 -- Iran has intensified its efforts to silence dissenting voices on cyberspace, where many Iranians discuss issues deemed by the Islamic establishment as sensitive.
• UN Calls on Iran for Access to Suspected Nuclear Sites VOA 19 Jun 2020 -- The United Nations nuclear agency said it passed a resolution Friday urging Iran to allow inspectors access to two sites where undeclared nuclear material was believed to have been used or stored.
• Iran Pilot Says He Carried 7 Tons of Prohibited Cargo To Syria With Soleimani On Board Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- A U.S. sanctioned Mahan Air pilot has told an IRGC-linked website in Tehran that he has once carried seven tons of "prohibited cargo" to Syria in 2013 with former Qods Force Commander Qasem Soleimani also on board.
• Iran warns IAEA against adopting resolution pushing for intrusive nuclear inspections Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against adopting a draft resolution pushing for intrusive inspections of two nuclear sites in the country.
• COVID-19 kills 87 more Iranians over past 24 hours: Official IRNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Thursday that some 87 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours.
• Iran, Russia condemn US economic terrorism against Syrian nation Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran and Russia, both assisting Syria with its counter-terrorism campaign, have denounced the latest round of American coercive economic measures against the Arab country, saying the sanctions violate international law and humanitarian principles.
• Iran Reacts To New US Sanctions On Syria By Promising More Aid Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's First Vice-President Es'haq Jahangiri on Thursday told Syria's new prime minister the Islamic Republic will spare no effort "to reduce pressure on the Syrian people".
• Iran test-fires new cruise navy missiles in Indian Ocean drills IRNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Navy forces successfully test-fired new cruise missiles in military drills staged at north Indian Ocean and Oman Sea early on Thursday.
• Iran Navy successfully test-fires new-generation cruise missiles during drills Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's naval forces have successfully tested new-generation cruise missiles – designed and developed by experts at home – during military drills in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean.
• Iran Showcases Launch of Newest Land-to-Sea Missile in Indian Ocean – Video Sputnik 18 Jun 2020 -- After importing all types of armaments and equipment for years, Iran has been increasingly switching toward the domestic production of military wares presenting new achievements of its defence industry almost every year.
• Envoy reaffirms Iran's principal policy of cooperation with IAEA IRNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's ambassador to the Vienna-based international organizations Kazem Gharibabadi in a statement on Thursday hailed the country's cooperation with the IAEA, saying that the current extensive level of cooperation between them has not been achieved easily, just to be diminished by imprudent political interests.
• Iran envoy warns IAEA BoG over lack of prudence IRNA 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's ambassador to the Vienna-based international organizations Kazem Gharibabadi in a message described Vienna as the last bastion of multilateralism saying unfortunately the IAEA board of Governors did not show enough prudence this week.
• No country opens its territory to inspection based on enemy claims: Iran envoy to IAEA Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's permanent representative to Vienna-based international organizations says "no country will open its territory to the inspections" only based on continuous allegations provided by its own enemy.
• Tehran renews warning to UN nuclear watchdog as EU, US launch anti-Iran push Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran has warned the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against failing to "exercise prudence" as its Board of Governors is expected to discuss a European-drafted resolution pushing for intrusive inspections of Iranian nuclear sites.
• Europe Looking For A Compromise On Iran Arms Embargo Issue Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- European diplomats want to find a way to reach a compromise between signatories of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal by proposing a limited extension of Iran's arms embargo and save the agreement from total collapse, Wall Street Journal reported on June 17.
• Iran has over $62bn in net foreign assets: IRNA Press TV 18 Jun 2020 -- The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) says net foreign assets held by the bank and other Iranian non-bank financial institutions have surged by nearly a third over the year ending March 19.
• Iran's Currency At New Lows Amid Pandemic And Government Borrowing Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- Iran's currency the rial has again fallen to record lows against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, June 18, with each dollar trading at 188,200 rials or 20 percent higher than just a few weeks ago.
• Iraq To Pay Its Debts To Iran By Exporting Food And Medicine Radio Farda 18 Jun 2020 -- After an eight-hour trip to Iraq June 17, the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Abdolnasser Hemmati, announced that Baghdad had agreed to settle its gas and electricity-related debts to Tehran by providing food and medicine to Iran.
• COVID-19 recovered number reaches to 154,812 IRNA 17 Jun 2020 -- The spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health, Sima Sadat Lari said, so far, 195,051 people in the country have definitely been infected with the coronavirus, and 154,812 of total infected people have recovered.
• Iran reports highest daily death toll from coronavirus in more than two months Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- Iran reports 120 new deaths from coronavirus over the past 24 hours, hitting the highest single-day death toll in more than two months.
• Iran May Be Forced To Bring Back Coronavirus Restrictions Radio Farda 17 Jun 2020 -- For the fourth day in a row on Wednesday Iran's coronavirus deaths that had held below 100 since April 14, went well above 100. Health officials are very concerned that a second peak may be imminent.
• Russia: UN chief report blaming Iran for attacks on Saudi oil facilities not based on convincing evidence Press TV 17 Jun 2020 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry says the UN chief's report on Iran's involvement in the last year attacks on Saudi oil facilities is biased and not substantiated by facts.
• Foreign Investment In Iran In 2019 Dropped To Lowest Level In 17 Years Radio Farda 17 Jun 2020 -- The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its latest report says foreign direct investment (FDI) in Iran has dropped by 36.5 percent in 2019 compared with the previous year.
• Iran Allows Limited Price Increase For Home Appliances Amid Devaluation Radio Farda 17 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian regulatory body on Tuesday issued a permit allowing price hikes of up to 25 percent for domestically produced home appliances in a bid to control runaway prices.
• Iranian Extradited From UK Pleads Guilty To Violating US Sanctions Radio Farda 17 Jun 2020 -- The founder and CEO of an Iranian financial services firm has pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions against Iran one month after being arraigned in Minneapolis, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
• Iran Warns Against UN Nuclear Watchdog Resolution To Access Sites RFE/RL 16 Jun 2020 -- Iran has criticized a plan to put forward a resolution at a meeting of the UN's nuclear watchdog urging the country to allow inspectors access to two disputed sites.
• Sharp Spike in COVID-19 Cases Reported in Gulf, Iran, Egypt VOA 16 Jun 2020 -- Arab media is reporting a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases across the Gulf, Iran and Egypt, as countries begin lifting curfews and other restrictions that were imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
• COVID-19 kills 115 more Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 16 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Tuesday that some 115 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 9,065.
• Intensity Of Pandemic Unabated In Iran, Along With Economic Crisis Radio Farda 16 Jun 2020 -- The situation of COVID-19 pandemic in Iran appears to be deteriorating with 115 deaths and 2,563 new cases during the past day, amid concerns about the start of a new wave of infections and rumors about the possible resignation of Health Minister Saeed Namaki.
• Zarif: We will not let IAEA become tool for killing JCPOA IRNA 16 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said we will not let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to become a tool for ending Iran nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Iran will never allow US to exploit IAEA to kill nuclear deal: FM Zarif Press TV 16 Jun 2020 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Iran will never allow the United States to use the UN nuclear agency as an instrument to kill a landmark 2015 nuclear deal signed between Tehran and major world powers.
• Iran: E3 unconstructive draft resolution at IAEA meeting mockery of intl. rules Press TV 16 Jun 2020 -- Iran has condemned as "unconstructive" a resolution reportedly drafted by the three European signatories to a 2015 nuclear deal for a vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s governing board meeting, saying such a resolution makes a mockery of international rules.
• US Supports IAEA's Call On Iran For 'Full And Immediate Cooperation' Radio Farda 16 Jun 2020 -- The White House National Security Council on Monday said it supports the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Rafael Grossi's call on Iran to fully and immediately cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
• Zarif, Lavrov Slam US And UN Nuclear Watchdog In Moscow Meeting Radio Farda 16 Jun 2020 -- Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says "Iran will not allow" the United Nations' nuclear watchdog to become "a tool for destroying" the 2015 nuclear agreement signed between Iran and world powers.
• Iran plans monthly gasoline shipments to Venezuela: Report Press TV 16 Jun 2020 -- Iran plans to follow its trailblazing shipment of fuel to sanctions-hit Venezuela with regular gasoline sales despite US threats to punish any facilitation of the cargoes, a report says.
• COVID-19 kills 113 more Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 15 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Monday that some 113 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 8,950.
• Iran to host virtual meeting on peace process in Syria: FM Zarif Press TV 15 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Islamic Republic will soon host a virtual conference on the situation in Syria and the Arab country's peace process as agreed by the three guarantor countries in the Kazakh capital.
• Iraq tells Iran it will stick to commitments on OPEC+ supply cuts: IRNA Press TV 15 Jun 2020 -- Iraq's oil minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismail has said that his country would stick to commitments made to an alliance of international oil producers to reduce its supplies to the international markets.
• IAEA chief says it continues verification of Iran's nuclear program IRNA 15 Jun 2020 -- Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi said that the agency continues to verify non-diversion of Iran's declared nuclear material and evaluate the absence of undeclared materials and activities in accordance with the safeguards agreement.
• Any IAEA's counterproductive decision to be met with Iran's proper response: Mousavi ISNA 15 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency's recent report on Iran and said, "They are trying to reopen a closed case based on the US and Zionist regime's allegations about Iran's legal nuclear activities".
• UN Nuclear Watchdog Chief Again Demands Iran Allow Inspectors Into Sites RFE/RL 15 Jun 2020 -- The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has again pressed Iran to provide inspectors with access to sites where the country is thought to have stored or used undeclared nuclear material.
• IAEA Chief Concerned About Iran's Non-Cooperation With International Inspections Radio Farda 15 Jun 2020 -- The director general of the United nation's nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concern about the denial of access by Iran to its inspectors.
• Iran Warns Nuclear Watchdog Not to Make Decisions Based on Disinformation Provided by Mossad Sputnik 15 Jun 2020 -- Last week, a confidential International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report found that Iran is continuing to build up its uranium stockpile, and enriching beyond limits outlined in the 2015 nuclear deal. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the world to "reimpose paralyzing sanctions" against Tehran.
• Iran warns IAEA board against falling under US, Israel pressure Press TV 15 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has warned the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s Board of Governors against targeting Tehran under pressure from the United States and Israel.
• Iran Threatens 'Appropriate Response' If IAEA Adopts 'Unconstructive Decision' Radio Farda 15 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Monday said any "unconstructive decision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will receive an "appropriate response" from Iran.
• No change in Iran JCPOA implementation, cooperation with agency: IAEA chief Press TV 15 Jun 2020 -- The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says there has been no change in Iran's implementation of its obligations as per the nuclear deal it clinched with major world powers in 2015, nor the country's cooperation with the UN agency.
• Iranian Oil Shipments To China Rebranded In Malaysia To Circumvent Sanctions Radio Farda 15 Jun 2020 -- Like its Latin American ally, Venezuela, Iran appears to be rebranding its crude oil destined for China in Malaysia to circumvent U.S. sanctions.
• Iran's Money Supply Skyrockets Parallel To Inflation Radio Farda 15 Jun 2020 -- Latest liquidity figures released June 15 by the Central Bank of Iran show the volume of money in circulation in the country grew by 31 percent from March 2019 to March 2020.
• Fugitive Iran Judge 'Demanded More' When Offered A 500,000 Euro Bribe Radio Farda 15 Jun 2020 -- In the third court hearing of a major corruption case in Iran, more revelations were made about a fugitive judge who fled the country last year and is now in Romania.
• Governor ِDenies Widely Reported Massacre Of Iran Protesters In November Radio Farda 15 Jun 2020 -- The governor of Khuzestan in Iran has denied that the Islamic Republic security forces killed dozens of protesters during the widespread anti-regime unrest in November in a marshland near the city of Mahshahr.
• COVID-19: Putin Credits Unified Approach For 'Minimal Losses'; Iran Daily Deaths Exceed 100 For First Time In Two Months RFE/RL 14 Jun 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is more than 430,000 with more than 7.8 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the respiratory illness.
• COVID-19 Deaths And Infections Once Again Soar In Iran Radio Farda 14 Jun 2020 -- For the first time in two months, daily deaths from COVID-19 in Iran passed the 100 mark on Sunday, June 14. The spokesperson of the ministry of health said 107 people died since Saturday.
• COVID-19 kills 107 more Iranians over past 24 hours: Official IRNA 14 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Sunday that some 107 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 8,837.
• Rouhani urges Iranians to help tackle economic fallout from virus Press TV 14 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani has called on the Iranian nation to seriously participate in efforts aimed at resolving economic problems caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
• Iran to react if US prevents lifting arms embargo as per nuclear deal: President Rouhani Press TV 14 Jun 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says the country will not remain indifferent and will show suitable reaction if the US tries to prevent lifting of arms embargo against the Islamic Republic, which will end this year in accordance with the landmark nuclear deal that Tehran clinched with six world powers back in 2015.
• Iran Mulls Legal Action In Desperate Attempt To Release Frozen Funds In South Korea Radio Farda 14 Jun 2020 -- Iran says it may take legal action to free billions of dollars of its oil money frozen in South Korea's banks due to U.S. sanctions.
• Iran's VP Says US, Saudi, Israeli 'Plot' Reduced Oil Exports By 90 Percent Radio Farda 14 Jun 2020 -- Iran's vice president Es'haq Jahangiri says that as a result of a "plot by the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia" his country's oil revenues dropped from $100 billion a year to nine billion in 2019.
• Iran's VP Says US, Saudi, Israeli 'Plot' Reduced Oil Exports By 90 Percent Radio Farda 14 Jun 2020 -- Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Iranian Central Bank's headquarters in Tehran mid-day Sunday June 14 protesting about the losses they incurred as a result of a special rate of exchange the bank has devised for businesses.
• COVID-19: Iran Will Reimpose Restrictions If Measures Not Obeyed; Ex-Pakistan Cricket Captain Tests Positive RFE/RL 13 Jun 2020 -- The global death toll from the coronavirus is approaching 430,000 with more than 7.6 million infections confirmed, causing mass disruptions as governments continue to try to slow the spread of the respiratory illness.
• COVID-19 kills 71 more Iranians over past 24 hours: Official IRNA 13 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Saturday that some 71 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours.
• Iran will restore COVID-19 restrictions again if forced to do so: Rouhani Press TV 13 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani says Iran will restore the strict restrictions put in place in the first days of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic if it is forced to do so for the sake of the people's safety.
• Iran Slams US, Saudis for Using UN as 'Tool' to Claim Iranian Involvement in Houthi Drone Attacks Sputnik 13 Jun 2020 -- On September 14, 2019, a massed missile and drone strike on two Saudi oil refineries temporarily halved the kingdom's oil output. Yemen's Houthi militia claimed responsibility for these and other attacks, but Washington, Riyadh, and America's European allies blamed Iran. Tehran dismissed the allegations as "blind, incomprehensible and meaningless."
• FM Zarif dismisses claims about Iran's role in attack on Aramco IRNA 13 Jun 2020 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described claims that missiles used in attacks on Aramco were Iran-made as baseless, saying that unfortunately, the UN Secretariat is influenced by the US threats.
• Iran Reacts Angrily To UN Report On Origin Of Arms Used In Saudi Attacks Radio Farda 13 Jun 2020 -- Tehran has dismissed a United Nations report presented by the secretary general about the Iranian origin of missiles used in strikes against Saudi Aramco oil processing plants in May 2019.
• Man Sentenced To Death For Espionage Spied On Iranian Forces In Syria, Judiciary Says Radio Farda 13 Jun 2020 -- The Spokesman of Iran's Judiciary on Saturday said Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd who has been sentenced to death for "espionage on behalf of CIA and Mossad" had spied on Iranian forces in Syria.
• Cargo Ships Waiting To Get Paid By Iran Before Unloading Much Needed Fertilizers Radio Farda 13 Jun 2020 -- A member of Iran's parliament says five ships carrying phosphate and potash fertilizers "urgently needed" by farmers are waiting in the Persian Gulf to receive payment in hard currency before delivering their cargo.
• Iran Continues Harassing Minorities Says US Religious Freedom Report Radio Farda 13 Jun 2020 -- In its annual report on religious freedoms, the United States has once again accused Iran of widespread violations of the rights of religious minorities, including Baha'i and Sunni citizens.
• Iran Prosecutor Wanted For Corruption And Rights Violations Arrested By Interpol Radio Farda 13 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary Spokesman on Saturday confirmed that the Interpol has detained Gholamreza Mansouri in Romania. He is accused of human rights violations by rights defenders, but he is also one of the defendants in a recent sensational corruption case in Iran who fled to Europe.
• COVID-19 kills 75 more Iranians over past 24 hours: Official IRNA 12 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Friday that some 75 more Iranians have died of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours.
• Iran questions validity of UN chief's report IRNA 12 Jun 2020 -- Permanent Mission of Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, New York, rejected the UN secretary general's report on the implementation of the Security Council resolution 2231 as flawed and inaccurate.
• Iran strongly rejects UN secretariat's claims IRNA 12 Jun 2020 -- The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejects the allegations of the UN Secretariat, which is clearly under political pressure from the US and Saudi regimes, and expresses its deep concern over the abuse of the UN Secretariat for political purposes, Iran's foreign ministry in a statement said.
• Iran dismisses UN report on missiles 'of Iranian origin,' says body under US, Saudi pressure Press TV 12 Jun 2020 -- Iran has dismissed a recent claim by the United Nations that missiles used to attack Saudi Arabia have been "of Iranian origin," saying the organization has spoken out under political pressure from the US and the Saudi regime.
• UN Chief Reportedly Links Iran To Saudi Oil Attacks, But Russia Still Wants To Lift Arms Embargo RFE/RL 12 Jun 2020 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told the Security Council in a report quoted by Reuters that cruise missiles used in attacks on Saudi oil facilities last year were of Iranian origin.
• China voices opposition to extension of arms embargo on Iran IRNA 12 Jun 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says his country will not agree with the US move to make the UN approve extension of arms embargo against Iran.
• US 'will soon kneel' in front of Iranians as economic terrorism failed: FM spokesman Press TV 12 Jun 2020 -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has denounced US economic terrorism and pressure on the Iranian people, saying the restrictive measures have failed and that the administration in Washington "will soon kneel in front of Iranian Nation."
• Iran Official Tells US 'You Will Soon Kneel In Front Of Iranian Nation' Radio Farda 12 Jun 2020 -- The spokesman of Iran's foreign ministry, Abbas Mousavi tells the United States, "You will soon kneel in front of Iranian Nation", in a tweet responding to U.S. officials.
• Khomeini's Grandson Possible Presidential Candidate? Radio Farda 12 Jun 2020 -- Iranian media have recently been speculating about the possible nomination of Seyed Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini, in Iran's presidential election next spring.
• German Foreign Minister Calls IRGC Commander's Anti-Israeli Remarks 'Unacceptable' Radio Farda 12 Jun 2020 -- German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has criticized IRGC Commander Hossein Salami for his "anti-Jewish comments" in his Thursday June 11 message to Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhaleh.
• Some 78 more Iranians die from coronavirus over past 24 hours IRNA 11 Jun 2020 -- Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Thursday that 78 more Iranians died from coronavirus over the past 24 hours bringing the total number of deaths to 8,584.
• China urges US to return to JCPOA commitments IRNA 11 Jun 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying referred to China's determination to uphold the efficacy of the JCPOA, saying thar Beijing urges Washington to return to its commitments under the nuclear deal.
• Zarif: US has no right to abuse UN, IAEA to vilify Iran IRNA 11 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message referred to US' attempts to escalate tensions with Iran, saying it has no right to abuse UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to vilify Iran.
• Zarif: US breaches JCPOA, UNSC resolution, has no right to vilify Iran Press TV 11 Jun 2020 -- Iranian foreign minister says the United States has no right to "abuse" the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to vilify Iran, because Washington has already breached the nuclear deal that Tehran clinched with world powers, including the US, and the United Nations Security Council resolution that endorsed the deal.
• President Rouhani: Sanctions failed to weaken Iranian nation's will Press TV 11 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani says sanctions imposed on Iran by Western countries, especially the United States, have failed to weaken the Iranian nation's will and this has been proven through incessant inauguration of development projects under the toughest sanctions.
• Iran raises possibility of more prisoner exchanges with US Press TV 11 Jun 2020 -- Tehran has raised the possibility of exchanging more prisoners with Washington, reaffirming Iran's readiness for more diplomatic efforts to secure the release of its citizens held hostage in the US.
• Chairman Of Iran-UAE Chamber Denies Reports Of Halt in Trade Radio Farda 11 Jun 2020 -- The Chairman of Iran-UAE Chamber of Commerce on June 10 refuted reports of a standstill in trade between the two Persian Gulf neighbors.
• Report: Iran Will Send Flight Recorders From Ukrainian Jet To Paris RFE/RL 11 Jun 2020 -- Iran has told the United Nations aviation agency that it will send the black boxes from a downed Ukrainian passenger jet to Paris for analysis after it secures agreements with countries involved in the investigation, Reuters reported.
• Iran Poses Greatest Threat to Region, Centcom Commander Says DoD News 10 Jun 2020 -- Iran poses the greatest threat to regional security and stability, the commander of U.S. Central Command said.
• US General: Killing of Soleimani Has Deterred Iran VOA 10 Jun 2020 -- The January killing of powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq has resulted in a new reality in which Iran is deterred from attacking American assets and those of its allies in the Middle East, said the top U.S. commander in the region.
• Top U.S. Commander Says Iran Is Trying To Protect Its Military Amid Coronavirus Crisis Radio Farda 10 Jun 2020 -- The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East has said Iran is "struggling" with the coronavirus, trying to protect key officials and the military from the pandemic.
• Diplomat: Border to resume pre-COVID19 normal activities IRNA 10 Jun 2020 -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Gholamreza Ansari said by providing better health conditions at borders, the borders will resume normal activities like those in pre-coronavirus era.
• Official: COVID19 death toll mounts to 8,506 in Iran IRNA 10 Jun 2020 -- Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Wednesday that some 81 more Iranians died because of coronavirus over the past 24 hours and 140,590 people out of a total of 177,938 infected with the deadly virus have survived and recovered, but, unfortunately, the total number of deaths reached 8,506.
• Iranian export of anti-coronavirus products on rise IRNA 10 Jun 2020 -- Iranian export of anti-coronavirus products which started being made just a few days after its outbreak in late February is on rise due to requests from different countries.
• President Rouhani lauds Iranians' tolerance, campaign against COVID-19 IRNA 10 Jun 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Iranians' tolerance and campaign against coronavirus has been exemplary compared with those countries which were not subject to US sanctions.
• IRGC Commander Praising Khamenei Says US 'Incapable' Of Dealing With Pandemic Radio Farda 10 Jun 2020 -- The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, says the United States is "incapable of controlling the coronavirus [pandemic] and is in the worst economic situation", while "our great leader shined in dealing" with the virus.
• Venezuelan Foreign Minister Accuses US of Aggression Over Actions Against Oil Tankers Sputnik 10 Jun 2020 -- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza called Washington's actions that prevent tankers from arriving in Venezuela to export oil an attack on the Venezuelan people.
• Iran's letter to IAEA about US' irresponsible conduct ISNA 10 Jun 2020 -- Ambassador and permanent representative of Iran to the International Organizations in Vienna, Kazem Gharib-Abadi in a letter to director general of the IAEA warned about the US irresponsible and inhuman behaviour regarding its international commitments in the fields of nuclear cooperation and creating obstacles in the field.
• Russia, China should stand up to US' conspiracy: Iran's President ISNA 10 Jun 2020 -- Appreciating the efforts of Iran's medical and hospital staff in combatting COVID-19 over the past four months, the President said that with the exception of a few provinces that are in red conditions, we have reached the stage of controlling coronavirus in the country, adding, "The resilience of the Iranian people in the simultaneous fight against coronavirus and the severe, illegal US sanctions is well-known today and will be recorded in the history of the country".
• China, Russia fighting off US 'snapback' threat against Iran at UN Press TV 10 Jun 2020 -- Veto powers China and Russia have written to the United Nations, arguing strongly against a US threat that it will try and bring about a return of all sanctions against Iran if the world body fails to extend an arms embargo against Tehran.
• Rouhani: Iranians defeated America's knee-to-neck policy through unity Press TV 10 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani says the Iranian nation has managed to defeat America's longtime "knee-to-neck" policy by staying united and standing up against Washington's pressure campaign.
• Iran Sanctions Produced 'Excellent Results', Brian Hook Says Radio Farda 10 Jun 2020 -- Speaking online to the Heritage Foundation on Tuesday, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook United States will continue working to re-instate the arms embargo on Iran and that the sanctions have produced "excellent results" so far.
• Iranian, Ukrainian diplomats discuss January plane incident ISNA 10 Jun 2020 -- A ranking Iranian diplomat and Ukraine's ambassador to Tehran have talked about various issues surrounding the January 8 crash of a Ukrainian passenger plane near Tehran.
• Iran showed power by sending oil tankers to Venezuela despite US threats: IRGC head Press TV 10 Jun 2020 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the country displayed its power through sending fuel tankers to Venezuela despite threats by the administration of US President Donald Trump to take action against them.
• Iran may take legal action to access funds in South Korea Press TV 10 Jun 2020 -- Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Abdolnaser Hemmati says the Islamic Republic may launch legal action to access its funds illegally being withheld in South Korea under pressure from the US.
• Iran Escalating Pressure On South Korea To Release Billions In Oil Money Radio Farda 10 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Central Bank Governor has said that Iran reserves the right to launch legal action against South Korea if the country's banks refuse to unlock billions of dollars owed to Iran for oil exports, frozen in Korean banks for nearly two years.
• Former Deputy Mayor Of Tehran Being Tried For Billion-Dollar Corruption Radio Farda 10 Jun 2020 -- Forty court hearings have been so far held in the trial of former Tehran Deputy Mayor, Issa Sharifi on charges of corruption, the spokesman of the Islamic Republic Judiciary, disclosed on Tuesday, June 9.
• Iran's Guards Poised To Enter Country's $15 Billion Auto Industry Radio Farda 10 Jun 2020 -- The Chief-Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' (IRGC) Aerospace Force, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, said on Tuesday, June 9, that the IRGC will transfer its research experiences to the automotive industry.
• Iran's Judiciary Refutes Own Spokesman On Spy's Role In Soleimani Killing Radio Farda 09 Jun 2020 -- Hours after Iran's Judiciary spokesman announced on Tuesday that a "collaborator" has been sentenced to death for informing the CIA and Mossad about the whereabouts of Qassem Soleimani', Judiciary's media center said the spy case had nothing to do with Soleimani's targeted killing on January 3.
• All countries must work together to defeat coronavirus: Iran's President ISNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Speaking with the President of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday by telephone, Dr. Hassan Rouhani referred to Iran's successes in the fight against coronavirus and the production of equipment needed in this way by knowledge-based companies, adding, "In order to protect our people from this virus, all countries must help each other".
• Venezuela says flight arrives from Iran carrying COVID-19 aid IRNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Venezuela's government said on Monday that a flight carrying humanitarian aid for the COVID-19 patients had arrived from Iran.
• Iranian aid flight arrives in Venezuela despite continued US pressure Press TV 09 Jun 2020 -- Venezuela says an Iranian flight carrying humanitarian aid for use in the fight against the coronavirus has arrived in the South American country, as Tehran and Caracas move to forge closer ties to blunt the impact of the US sanctions targeting the two nations.
• Venezuela Receives COVID-19 Medical Aid From Iran RFE/RL 09 Jun 2020 -- Venezuela has received an air cargo shipment of aid from Iran in another sign that ties between the Islamic republic and the South American country - both targets of U.S. sanctions - are strengthening.
• Official: 74 more Iranians die from COVID-19 over past 24 hours IRNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Health Ministry Spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari said on Tuesday that 74 more Iranians have passed away from coronavirus (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths in the country to 8,425.
• Iran's Health Minister Replaces 'Coronavirus Spokesman' Who Was Too Active Radio Farda 09 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Health Minister Saeed Namaki on Tuesday replaced the ministry's spokesman who had become a familiar face during the coronavirus crisis. He advised the new appointee to refrain from "political games" and concentrate on the ministry's expert and specialized activities.
• New details from Iran's latest satellite in interview with Sardar Jafarabadi Tasmin NA 10 Jun 2020 -- Mehdi Bakhtiari: On May 23 of this year, the Revolutionary Guards Air Force placed its first satellite, Noor, on a 425-kilometer Earth orbit by satellite to Ghased. This happened while, unlike previous satellite launches in the country, no one was informed about it until the operation.
• Spox: China always committed to upholding JCPOA IRNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Hua Chunying once again slammed US unilateral withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal, also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), saying China is always committed to upholding JCPOA.
• Top EU diplomat: EU: US no longer party to Iran deal, can't invoke JCPOA Press TV 09 Jun 2020 -- European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says the US has already pulled out of an international 2015 nuclear agreement signed between Iran and major world powers and cannot currently use its former membership of the deal to seek a permanent arms embargo on Tehran.
• Senior Iranian Official Slams Europe for Failing to Stand Up to US Over Nuclear Deal Sputnik 09 Jun 2020 -- A senior adviser to the Iranian parliament speaker in charge of international affairs criticized Europe on Tuesday for failing to shield his country from US sanctions in return for Iran staying in the nuclear pact, the Tasnim news agency said.
• US Issues An Updated List Of Sanctioned Iranian Ships Radio Farda 09 Jun 2020 -- The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) updated the list of Iranian ships subject to sanctions on Sunday, June 7, and added several other Iranian ships and oil tankers to the list.
• US Reportedly Seeks to Sanction Up to 50 Tankers Over Iran-Venezuela Oil Trade Sputnik 09 Jun 2020 -- The United States is planning to designate a number of tankers that facilitate the oil trade between Iran and Venezuela, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
• Major Corruption Case In Iran Plays Out In Europe As 8 Suspects Hide Abroad Radio Farda 09 Jun 2020 -- A major financial corruption case involving several judges and high-ranking officials at the Iranian Judiciary which is being investigated at a court in Tehran is playing out in the streets of Berlin as Iranians await the arrival of one of the fugitive suspects at the Iranian Embassy in Germany.
• Iran rejects Turkey excuse with warning, expects gas flow to resume Press TV 09 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian energy official says he expects Turkey to resume gas imports from Iran by mid-July, putting an end to a relatively long gap which raised many eyebrows.
• Iran Limits Amount Of Foreign Currency People Can Keep Radio Farda 09 Jun 2020 -- Amid economic crisis and a sinking national currency, the Central Bank of Iran has issued a new directive limiting the amount of foreign currency people can keep or carry.
• Six arrested in downed Ukrainian plane case, Judiciary spox says IRNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary's spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaeili said on Tuesday that six people were arrested in the case pertaining to the crash of Ukrainian airliner that killed 176 people on board.
• Iran To Execute 'Collaborator' For US Targeting Of Soleimani Radio Farda 09 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary Spokesman Gholam-Hossein Emaili on Tuesday said a "collaborator" who had provided foreign intelligence services with details of movements of Qods Force Commander Qassem Soleimani, has been sentenced to death.
• CIA, Mossad spy sentenced to death, Iran's Judiciary spox says IRNA 09 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary's spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaeili Mahmoud Mousavi Majd who was linked with CIA and Mossad and has provided them with intelligence from security bodies, especially armed forces like IRGC was sentenced to death.
• Iran to Execute Alleged CIA Spy Involved in Killing of Ex-Quds Commander Soleimani Sputnik 09 Jun 2020 -- On 3 January, a US drone strike, authorised by President Donald Trump, killed Qasem Soleimani and Shia militia commander Abu Mahdi Muhandis who both were in a car at the Baghdad International Airport.
• Congressional Republicans Preparing A Tough Sanctions Plan Against Iran Radio Farda 08 Jun 2020 -- Congressional Republicans are planning to introduce legislation this week to ensure tougher measures targeting Iran that would add to President Donald Trump's "maximum pressure".
• Iran's Chief Judge Accuses The West Of Sheltering Corruption Fugitives Radio Farda 08 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raeesi has ordered the Prosecutor General and the deputy for international affairs at the Judiciary to take "serious measures" to bring back "financially corrupt" individuals who have fled the country.
• Official: COVID19 death toll hits 8,351 in Iran IRNA 08 Jun 2020 -- Head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Monday that some 70 more Iranians died because of coronavirus over the past 24 hours and 136,360 people out of a total of 173,832 infected with the deadly virus have survived and recovered, but, unfortunately, the total number of deaths reached 8,351.
• Iran's Loses 15 Percent Of GDP Due To Coronavirus - Minister Radio Farda 08 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Economy and Finance Minister has said the coronavirus pandemic has cost his country a 15 percent drop in Gross Domestic Product and even if there were no American sanctions, it would not be possible to compensate for the loss.
• Venezuela hails Iran, Russia, China, Cuba as true friends Press TV 08 Jun 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has hailed Iran, Russia, China, and Cuba as real friends of Caracas and expressed gratitude for their humanitarian aid.
• United States Designates Key Iranian Shipping Entities under Proliferation Authority as Tehran Continues to Expand Proliferation Sensitive Activities US Dept. of State 08 Jun 2020 -- "Today, sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and its Shanghai-based subsidiary, E-Sail Shipping Company Ltd (E-Sail) have come into effect. Six months ago, I announced that the United States would take action against these entities pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets WMD proliferators and their supporters."
• Ayatollah Khamenei praises crew of Iranian tankers taking gasoline to Venezuela Press TV 08 Jun 2020 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has issued a message praising the efforts of the crew and captains of tankers that took Iran's gasoline to Venezuela despite threats by the administration of US President Donald Trump to take action against them.
• Judiciary chief: No escape from justice for fugitive corruption suspects Press TV 08 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Judiciary chief has ordered the serious pursuit of financial corruption suspects who have fled the country, warning that they will not be spared prosecution no matter where they have run to.
• Fearsome Prosecutor Of Journalists Accused Of Taking Bribes, Flees Iran Radio Farda 08 Jun 2020 -- During a corruption trial in Iran on Sunday a prosecutor known for the mass arrest of journalists in 2013 was named as the recipient of 500,000 euros in bribes from the defendant.
• Iran Says Ready To Swap More Prisoners With The US Radio Farda 08 Jun 2020 -- The Islamic Republic's Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Sunday, June 7, that Iran was ready to swap "other prisoners" with the United States.
• Iranian doctor Majid Taheri back home after release from US jail Press TV 08 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian doctor who had been imprisoned in the US for 16 months has arrived back home after being released.
• Iranian Scientist Freed By U.S. Arrives In Tehran RFE/RL 08 Jun 2020 -- Iranian scientist Majid Taheri has returned home after his release from prison in the United States as part of a prisoner exchange, semiofficial Iranian news agency ISNA reported.
• Released Iranian-American Doctor Rejects 'Unfair' Charges of Violating US Sanctions Sputnik 08 Jun 2020 -- Iranian doctor Majid Taheri, who has been recently released by the United States, arrived home on Monday, rejecting charges of violating American sanctions.
• Some 72 more Iranians die from coronavirus over past 24 hours IRNA 07 Jun 2020 -- Head of Iran's Health Ministry Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Sunday that 72 more Iranians died from coronavirus over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 8,291.
• Health minister hails Iran's handling of coronavirus pandemic despite sanctions Press TV 07 Jun 2020 -- Minister of Health and Medical Education Saeed Namaki has hailed Iran's handling of the novel coronavirus (COVID1-19) pandemic, saying the country has turned from an importer of medical items into an exporter despite the illegal US sanctions.
• Iran military overhauls 10 helicopters, puts them in service Press TV 07 Jun 2020 -- Ten Iranian military helicopters have been overhauled and become operational by the country's military industries.
• Shamkhani hails successful return of Iran's oil tankers IRNA 07 Jun 2020 -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani in a message said the successful return of Iranian oil tankers indicates the effectiveness of active resistance strategy.
• Zangeneh: 90% of agreement to cut oil production implemented IRNA 07 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh said on Saturday that OPEC and OPEC+ have no mechanism to guarantee implementation of the agreement to cut production and the only guarantee are oil prices.
• Iran tightens currency control by setting cap on carrying foreign cash Press TV 07 Jun 2020 -- The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has imposed a cap on how much individuals can carry foreign cash amid efforts meant to stabilize the foreign currency market in the country.
• US has no right under Resolution 2231, Iran's envoys says IRNA 07 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi on Saturday described his US counterpart's statements as wrong, saying that Washington has no right to initiate anything under Resolution 2231.
• Netanyahu Calls on World to Impose 'Paralyzing' Sanctions on Iran Over Nuclear Deal 'Violations' Sputnik 07 Jun 2020 -- On Friday, a confidential International Atomic Energy Agency report indicated that Iran is continuing to build up enriched uranium stockpiles beyond limits set out in the 2015 nuclear deal. Tehran has vowed to continue reducing commitments to the treaty until other signatories find a way to bypass crippling US sanctions.
• Iran ready to deliver black box of UIA plane: deputy FM ISNA 07 Jun 2020 -- Iranian deputy Foreign Minister for International and Legal Affairs, Mohsen Baharvand stressed that Iran is ready to deliver the black box of Ukrainian Boeing 737 for decryption to close the case with the participation of other countries.
• No direct Iran-US talks during prisoner exchange: Foreign Ministry spokesman Press TV 07 Jun 2020 -- Iran says no direct talks have taken place between the Islamic Republic and the United States during a recent prisoner exchange, adding that the process was expedited by the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which acts as the interests section for Washington.
• Iran Intelligence Official Says US Detainee 'Deported' Due To His Health Radio Farda 07 Jun 2020 -- A senior Iranian intelligence official has claimed that freed U.S. citizen Michael White was "deported" on "humanitarian grounds" after the deterioration of his health.
• Ahmadinejad Is Ready For A Political Comeback In Iran- Are You Ready? Radio Farda 07 Jun 2020 -- There are indications that Iran's firebrand former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may be willing and ready to run for president in 2021, less than a year from now. But are Iran and its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei also ready for that?
• Iran's Chief Judge Reiterates Need To Separate 'Political' And 'Security' Crimes Radio Farda 07 Jun 2020 -- The head of Iran's hardliner Judiciary issued a new directive June 6 advocating a separate treatment for "political crimes" by those who criticize the country's clerical rulers from "security crimes" by those who question the very essence of the regime.
• US has no right to call for extension of Iran arms embargo: Envoy Press TV 06 Jun 2020 -- Iran's UN ambassador says the US' call for an extension of the UN Security Council's arms embargo on Tehran lacks legal standing in international law.
• Future US-Iran Prisoner Releases Could be Complicated by Who's Involved, Who Isn't VOA 06 Jun 2020 -- As the U.S. and Iran welcome the latest freeing of each other's citizens and call for more such releases, the next deal between the longtime foes could be complicated by who is involved and who isn't.
• Official: 75 more Iranians die from COVID-19 over past 24 hours IRNA 06 Jun 2020 -- Head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Saturday that 75 more Iranians have passed away from coronavirus (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths in the country to 8,209.
• IAEA's new report indicates continued verification for Iran, envoy says IRNA 06 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Permanent Ambassador to the International Organizations in Vienna Kazem Gharibabadi said that the International Atomic Energy Agency's new report on JCPOA both signifies continuation of IAEA's verification activities and portrays Iran's actions in implementing its decisions to suspend its JCPOA commitments.
• Iran's 4.5 percent enriched uranium stockpile exceeds 1300 kg ISNA 06 Jun 2020 -- Ambassador and permanent representative of Iran to the International Organizations in Vienna, Kazem Gharib-Abadi stressed that the International Atomic Energy Agency's new report on JCPOA both shows continuation of IAEA's verification activities and portrays Iran's actions in implementing its decisions to suspend its JCPOA commitments.
• UN Atomic Watchdog Report Claims Iran is Stockpiling Enriched Uranium in Violation of Nuclear Deal Sputnik 06 Jun 2020 -- After US President Donald Trump withdrew his country unilaterally from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018, slapping Tehran with crippling banking and energy sanctions, Iran gradually backed away from some of the nuclear deal's provisions, including limitations on levels of uranium enrichment.
• Prisoners swap not the result of negotiations with US: Shamkhani ISNA 06 Jun 2020 -- Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani stressed that the prisoners swap was not the result of negotiations with the US and no talks would happen in future.
• Hook Calls For Release Of All American Prisoners, Iran Hardliners Frown At Talks With U.S. Radio Farda 06 Jun 2020 -- Brian Hook, U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State on Friday called for the release of the remaining American prisoners in Iran while Iranian hardliners vehemently dismissed any negotiations with the United States.
• Iran Speaker Compares Acceptance Of Trump's Olive Branch To 'Peace With Infidels' Radio Farda 06 Jun 2020 -- Brian Hook, U.S. Special Iran's newly-elected Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf on Friday compared acceptance of President Donald Trump's "big deal" offer to "peace with infidels".
• Iran's Judiciary Makes Disclosures About Its Hidden Funds Radio Farda 06 Jun 2020 -- In an unprecedented move, the Iranian Judiciary has explained for the first time how it has spent the interest earned on the bonds deposited into its accounts by those implicated in criminal and political cases.
• This Week in Iran Policy US Dept. of State 05 Jun 2020
• Official: 63 more Iranians die from COVID-19 over past 24 hours IRNA 05 Jun 2020 -- Head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Friday that 63 more Iranians have passed away from coronavirus (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths in the country to 8,134.
• Iran says expansion of US, EU bans on Syria 'unlawful, inhumane' Press TV 05 Jun 2020 -- Iran has condemned the expansion of EU and US sanctions against Syria, calling it an inhumane tool that seriously endangers human rights.
• Airstrike Attributed To Israel Kills Nine Iran-Backed Forces in Syria Radio Farda 05 Jun 2020 -- The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says airstrikes attributed to Israel has killed at least nine "Iranian-backed" forces in the Syrian province of Hama.
• Iran spox confirms meeting of FM Zarif, US' Bill Richardson IRNA 05 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi on Friday confirmed the meeting between Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and former US ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson.
• FM Zarif to Trump: Iran, JCPOA parties never left table IRNA 05 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a message reacted to Trump's offer of talks with Iran, saying Iran and other JCPOA parties never left table.
• Iran's Zarif Challenges Trump To Return To Nuclear Deal Radio Farda 05 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has responded to Donald Trump's conciliatory tone, following a deal to release an American prisoner, by challenging him to return to the Obama-era nuclear deal.
• Leaving Iran deal a 'dumb bet'; up to you when to fix it: Zarif to Trump Press TV 05 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says it is up to US President Donald Trump to decide when to redress his mistake of leaving the 2015 nuclear deal signed between the Islamic Republic and major world powers.
• Briefing with Special Representative for Iran and Senior Advisor to the Secretary Brian Hook On the Release of Michael White US Dept. of State 05 Jun 2020
• Exclusive: Iran Admits Proposing Separate Settlement To Ukraine On Downed Plane Radio Farda 05 Jun 2020 -- In a statement issued on Thursday, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic in Ukraine for the first time admitted that Iran has proposed a settlement to close the case of the country's Flight PS752 which Iran's Revolutionary Guard downed in January.
• As Cost Of Living Rises In Iran Millions Fall Under Poverty Line Radio Farda 05 Jun 2020 -- The poverty-line income needed by a four-member household in Iran has risen from 25 million to 45 million rials monthly in the past two years, showing an eighty percent increase, the Islamic Parliament Research Center (IPRC) says in a new study.
• Iranian Sports Mired In Corruption, Former Federation President Says Radio Farda 05 Jun 2020 -- A former President of the Football Federation of Iran has called on the Ministry of Intelligence to step in and investigate "wheeling-dealing" and "corruption" in the federation and the Ministry of Sport and Youth.
• IAEA: Iran Further Raises Uranium Stockpiles, Blocks Visits To Sites RFE/RL 05 Jun 2020 -- The United Nations' atomic watchdog said on June 5 that Iran has continued to increase its stockpiles of enriched uranium far beyond the limits set in the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
• Iran top security official says prisoner swap with US involved no negotiations Press TV 05 Jun 2020 -- Iranian authorities have dismissed claims by the United States administration that a recent prisoner swap between Washington and Tehran was the outcome of successful negotiations between the two sides.
• Iran's Zarif Reveals US Prisoner Swap Deal Happened 'Despite Trump Subordinates' Efforts' Sputnik 05 Jun 2020 -- On Thursday, the US president confirmed that former US Navy veteran Michael White had been released after spending over a year-and-a-half incarcerated in an Iranian jail, and boasted that over 40 US 'hostages and detainees' had been released since he took office in 2017.
• Official: 59 more Iranians die from COVID-19 over past 24 hours IRNA 04 Jun 2020 -- Head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Thursday that some 59 more Iranians died from coronavirus over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 8,071.
• President wary of spread of COVID-19, urges people to avoid unnecessary trips IRNA 04 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani cautioned the people against taking unnecessary trips in order to protect themselves from the deadly coronavirus.
• Iran President Says Coronavirus Restrictions To Be Restored If Warnings Not Heeded Radio Farda 04 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday said restrictions will be restored if warnings are not heeded and the coronavirus outbreak peaks again.
• Iranian, Chinese Hackers Attempted to Break Into Trump, Biden Email Accounts, Google Claims Sputnik 04 Jun 2020 -- The hacks are said to have targeted Trump and Biden's presidential campaigns.
• Khamenei Describes Events In The US As True 'Nature Of America' Radio Farda 04 Jun 2020 -- While Iranian state-run media are lambasting the U.S. over the killing of George Floyd killing and the resulting civil unrest, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic Ali Khamenei has limited his reaction to two tweets and brief comments in a speech.
• Why IRGC's Increasing Influence In Iran's Parliament Is Significant? Radio Farda 04 Jun 2020 -- The commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have always been present in the Iranian Parliament (Majles) over the years,holding various positions. The IRGC presence in the Majles has been more eye-catching after the 1980s war with Iraq and from mid-1990s.
• Official: COVID-19 kills 70 more Iranians over past 24 hours IRNA 03 Jun 2020 -- Head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Wednesday that some 70 more Iranians died because of coronavirus over the past 24 hours and 125,206 people out of a total of 160,696 infected with the coronavirus have survived and recovered, but, unfortunately, the total number of deaths reached 8,012.
• Venezuela says needs more Iran fuel as US cranks up pressure Press TV 03 Jun 2020 -- Venezuela says it plans to import more gasoline and additives from Iran after receiving five shipments of fuel from the Middle Eastern country in the face of US sanctions.
• Iran's Army Claims 'Enemies' Misrepresented Commander's Remarks On IRGC Radio Farda 03 Jun 2020 -- Iran's regular Army on Tuesday claimed that "envious and hostile enemies" misrepresented the remarks of its Coordinating Deputy in an interview to damage the unity of the Army and the Revolutionary Guard.
• Iran To Spend $1 Billion From Reserves To Prop Up Its Ailing Automakers Radio Farda 03 Jun 2020 -- Iran has decided to channel one billion dollars from its national reserves to prop up its ailing automakers amid a deep economic crisis gripping the country since 2018.
• State Department Denies Prisoner Swap As Released Iranian Returns Home Radio Farda 03 Jun 2020 -- The U.S. State Department says the release of an Iranian scientist who was deported from the United States on Tuesday is not part of a prisoner swap.
• Parliament's Think Tank Chief Calls For Reforms To Save Iran's Failing Economy Radio Farda 03 Jun 2020 -- In what appears to be candid remarks, Mohammad Qasemi, the head of the Iranian Parliament's Research Center, has painted a bleak picture of Iran economy. He told parliament that structural flaws and weak management have plagued the Iranian economy during the past 40 years.
• After Crushing Anti-Government Rallies At Home, Iran Expresses Support For U.S. Protesters Radio Farda 03 Jun 2020 -- Iran is using the killing in the United States of an African-American man at the hands of a white policeman and the angry wave of protests it has caused as a propaganda tool to settle scores with Washington, which has imposed a campaign of "maximum pressure" on Tehran that includes crippling economic sanctions.
• Some 64 more Iranians die from COVID-19 over past 24 hours IRNA 02 Jun 2020 -- Some 64 Iranians died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the past 24 hours so that the country's total COVID-19 deaths mounted to 7942, Head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office Kianoush Jahanpour said on Tuesday.
• New COVID-19 Cases Soar To Record Highs In Iran After Two-Month Drop Radio Farda 02 Jun 2020 -- According to the latest official statistics on Tuesday, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Iran has considerably increased to the highest level in the past two months prompting Health Minister Saeed Namaki to warn that "circumstances are not normal".
• EU should react to US' illegal moves on JCPOA, Iran's president says IRNA 02 Jun 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday called on the European Union (EU) to live up to its obligations regarding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• Rouhani: EU must take stand against illegal US moves against Iran Press TV 02 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani has once again censured the unilateral American sanctions that are disrupting imports of medical supplies into Iran, renewing a call for the European Union to take a stand against such illegal US moves.
• Pompeo 'Confident' Iran Arms Embargo Will Be Extended Radio Farda 02 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State says he is confident that the United Nations arms embargo against the Islamic Republic of Iran set to expire in October will be extended.
• Iran's Majles: A Parliament Of IRGC Commanders Radio Farda 02 Jun 2020 -- The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majles) is an IRGC brigadier general, some two thirds of the Majles Presidium members are IRGC and Basij militia commanders and so are many of the influential MPs.
• Former Iran Lawmaker Says Nobody Dared Disclose November Protests Death Toll Radio Farda 02 Jun 2020 -- After a sitting member of the Iranian Parliament on Monday made an announcement about the death toll of the November protests, a former lawmaker said members of the previous of the parliament did not dare disclose the numbers because it was treated as a "security issue".
• After Crushing Anti-Government Rallies At Home, Iran Expresses Support For U.S. Protesters RFE/RL 02 Jun 2020 -- Iran is using the killing in the United States of an African-American man at the hands of a white policeman and the angry wave of protests it has caused as a propaganda tool to settle scores with Washington, which has imposed a campaign of "maximum pressure" on Tehran that includes crippling economic sanctions.
• Hardliner Lawmaker Claims Less Than 200 Protesters Killed In Iran's November Unrest Radio Farda 01 Jun 2020 -- An influential conservative lawmaker in Iran has tried to minimize the death toll of the protests that followed a gas price hike in November 2019.
• Iranian Lawmaker Says 230 People Were Killed In November Unrest RFE/RL 01 Jun 2020 -- A senior Iranian lawmaker said on June 1 that 230 people were killed in anti-government protests in Iran in November, state news agency IRNA reported.
• As Iran's Exports Drop, Pressure Rises On Its Currency Reserves Radio Farda 02 Jun 2020 -- The Islamic Republic customs data for the first two months of the new Iranian calendar year (beginning March 20, 2020) shows that the country's non-oil exports fell 49 percent to $ 4.3 billion.
• Venezuelan President Says He Will Visit Iran To Sign Energy Agreements RFE/RL 02 Jun 2020 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he will visit Iran shortly to sign cooperation agreements in energy and other sectors after Iran sent five fuel tankers to the South American country.
• Last oil tanker in Iranian flotilla reaches Venezuela IRNA 02 Jun 2020 -- The oil tanker 'Clavel,' the last of a five-tanker Iranian flotilla, has made it to Venezuela's shores to deliver much-needed gasoline.
• Fifth Iranian tanker carrying fuel sails into Venezuela's territorial waters Press TV 02 Jun 2020 -- The fifth and last tanker in a flotilla of ships carrying Iranian fuel has entered Venezuela's territorial waters, with the Latin American state's president announcing a plan to visit Tehran for even more cooperation deals between the two nations.
• Official: 81 more Iranians die from COVID-19 over past 24 hours IRNA 01 Jun 2020 -- The head of Iranian Health Ministry's Public Relations Office said on Monday that 81 more Iranians died from coronavirus over the past 24 hours bringing the total deaths to 7,878.
• Iran to firmly respond to any miscalculation by enemies: Top commander IRNA 01 Jun 2020 -- The Iranian armed forces has never neglected the hostile and sedition of the adversaries against this land and will respond decisively and immediately to any kind of miscalculation, Chief of Staff of Armed Forces Major-General Mohammad Bagheri said on Monday.
• Senior Army General In Iran Lambasts The Revolutionary Guard Radio Farda 01 Jun 2020 -- In unprecedented remarks a senior commander of the Iranian regular Army has implicitly lambasted Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard for meddling in the country's political and economic affairs.
• Iran Willing To Continue Fuel Shipments To Venezuela If Asked RFE/RL 01 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Musavi says Tehran will continue to export fuel to Venezuela if the South American country requests more supplies.