Syrian troops arrest 4 Turkish fighter pilots in Aleppo

Source : Xinhua | English.news.cn

DAMASCUS, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Syrian troops arrested four Turkish fighter pilots near a military airport in the northern province of Aleppo, a pro-government daily said Monday.

The guarding troops of the Koerc military airport arrested four Turkish officers who were trying to sneak into the airport with an armed group, al-Watan said, giving no further details about the fate of the Turkish pilots but saying that the incident came to explicitly implicate Turkey.

Also in Aleppo, the paper said more than 100 armed men were killed when the Syrian air force bombarded the Finance Directorate in al-Sufaira town, where the armed men had been gathering.

In the central province of Homs, army units targeted armed groups' positions in al-Rastan town, killing scores of them, al- Watan said, adding that violence and clashes have renewed in the Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in the capital Damascus between local committees and armed rebels.

Meanwhile, opposition activists reported shelling on many hotspots nationwide by the Syrian army on Monday.

Navy Tests Submarines' Capabilities, Mine-Planting, Coastal Defense Tactics

Source: Fars News Agency

Navy Tests Submarines' Capabilities, Mine-Planting, Coastal Defense Tactics

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian Navy tested the operational capabilities of its submarine units, exercised mine-planting operations and conducted different tactics of defending territorial waters and coastlines on the second day of Velayat 91 naval wargames on Saturday.

Spokesman of the Wargames Rear Admiral Amir Rastegari announced that on the second day of the drills, Iran's light and kilo-class submarines have traversed the territorial and international waters, conducted reconnaissance missions and traced hypothetical enemies successfully.

According to Rastegari, Tareq super heavy submarine which has been recently overhauled by Iranian experts was put back into operation during the exercises today.

The commander said Navy choppers and speed boats also conducted mine planting operations to insecure the line of voyage of the hypothetical enemy's aggressive surface and sub-surface vessels and block their aggression against Iran's territorial waters.

Rastegari further said the naval fleets also conducted coastal defense tactics to counter an invasion of hypothetical enemy vessels.

He called these exercises as successful, and said, "The Army's Navy proved today that it is able to confront enemy even if it advances up to the coasts of Iran's territorial waters."

The wargames, codenamed 'The Great Naval Wargames of Velayat 91', started on Friday, will last 6 days and will cover around one million square kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz to the waters up to the 18-degree latitude.

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari told reporters on Friday that the naval drills would be carried out in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, north of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

Iran’s gas exports to Turkey hit new record high

Source : Trend.Az

Iran's gas exports to Turkey have hit a new record high and surpassed 31 million cubic meters (mcm), the Mehr News Agency quoted Iran's Deputy Oil Minister Javad Owji as saying.

"For the first time, Iran's daily gas exports to Turkey exceeded 31 million cubic meters," Owji added.

The official added that under an agreement between Tehran and Ankara, the Islamic Republic should export up to 30 mcm of gas daily to its northwestern neighbor.

However, following a request by Turkey's Butas Company to import more gas from Iran due to severe cold, Iran currently exports more than 31.5 mcm of natural gas to Turkey per day," Owji noted.

According to Owji, Iran's average daily gas exports to neighboring countries, including Armenia and Turkey amount to nearly 35 mcm per day.

In 1996, Iran and Turkey signed a 25 year agreement to supply 10 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey annually.

According to the statistic data of the Turkish State Pipeline Company Botas, Turkey imported 39.7 billion cubic meters of gas from Iran in 2011.

On October 15, EU imposed fresh sanctions against Iran. It includes an embargo on Iranian natural gas and also targets Iranian banking, trade and shipping.

The Iranian Oil Ministry has said the EU's recent sanction is mere 'propaganda campaign' as Iran exports no gas to the European bloc.

President: No obstacle can stop Iran from progress

Source : APA

Baku-APA. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said no obstacle can stop Iranians from progress and Iranians, undoubtedly, will pass current situation, APA reports quoting IRNA.

Receiving Japan's new ambassador to Tehran Koji Haneda, Ahmadinejad called Iran and Japan relations 'historical and friendly', adding that there is no reason for any distance between the two countries and the mutual cooperation has always been in direction of world peace and security.

Ahmadinejad said the two countries can take major steps toward building a better world full of friendship and justice.

The new Japanese ambassador, after submitting his credentials to the Iran president, expressed hope that with the help of President Ahmadinejad the two countries can take huge steps toward promoting ties.

He stressed that Iran and Japan have close cooperation upon mutual interests and that Japan will do its best to develop friendly ties and consolidate cooperation in different fields especially in economic relations with Iran.

Koji Haneda also appreciated for Iran's assistance in the recent Japan earthquake.

He underlined that Japan believes in diplomacy and negotiation to solve political problems all over the world.

He added that Iranians can overcome all obstacles and decisive steps will be taken in the direction of progress in bilateral relations.

Berlin Assures Tehran of Trying Embassy Invaders

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- German officials said they have arrested a number of invaders of the Iranian embassy in Berlin, and assured Tehran that those elements will be tried.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi early Thursday morning, officially and strongly condemned an attack by a group of invaders on Iran's embassy in Berlin.

He voiced deep regret of the German government over the incident which took place on Wednesday afternoon when a group of assailants invaded the premises of the Iranian embassy in Berlin and sprayed color on its walls. Berlin police said about 30 were involved in the incident.

The invaders who were well equipped despite their small number had telescopic sliding ladder and heavy duty cable cutter scissors which enabled them to climb the wall and cut the barbed wire in shortest possible time and passed over the ling iron-bar fence, entering the embassy premises.

Violating the security of the Iranian diplomatic office in Berlin occurred while the German police forces had been informed by the embassy staff since Wednesday morning for several times, but they refrained from performing their duties properly by attending the scene too late.

Voicing deep regret over the attack, the German FM stressed that Berlin would take due measures to prevent similar events in the future. He said that some were arrested in this connection.

Westerwelle assured Tehran that the arrested invaders would be put on trial.

Iran's FM, for his part, called the incident as regretful, stressing that Tehran had expected the government and police of Germany to avoid the incident as they were being informed earlier in the day by the Iranian embassy staff and as it was their duty to provide security of foreign diplomats.

Salehi strongly called on the German government to investigate the case and put on trial those involved in the invasion

Iran accuses US Navy of ‘illegal and provocative acts’ in Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman

Source : Trend.Az

Iran is accusing the U.S. Navy of carrying out "illegal and provocative acts" in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, The Washington Post reported.

In identical letters to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the Security Council, Iran's U.N. Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee said the Navy repeatedly violated the country's airspace.

He cited flights over the coastal areas of Bushehr on seven occasions in October and most recently a U.S. drone flight on Nov. 1 which disregarded all radio warnings and penetrated Iranian airspace.

The letters, circulated Friday, urged Ban to warn the U.S. "against the continuation of acts in violation of international law and of the adverse consequences of any provocative and dangerous acts for which the United States government would be held responsible."

The White House had no comment Friday night.

Iran to hold naval drill in near future: commander

Source : Xinhua | English.news.cn

TEHRAN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said Wednesday that the Islamic republic will hold a major naval drill in the near future, Press TV reported.

The drill dubbed Velayat 91, Guardianship 91, is scheduled to be held in the tenth month of the Iranian calendar (Dec. 21, 2012 to Jan. 20, 2013) to display the navy's might and deterrence power Sayyari was quoted as saying.

The report did not mention the location of the exercise, but the Islamic republic has so far conducted its naval drills in its southern waters.

The Iranian commander also said that Iran's navy has plans to send a fleet of warships to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

On Dec. 24, 2011, Iran held the 10-day Velayat 90 navy drill in its southern waters, including the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman, aimed at demonstrating the combat readiness and ability of the country's naval forces to defend its territorial waters.

Iran test-fired long and short-range missiles during its military drill in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's submarines also hit pre-determined targets during the exercises, using domestically- manufacture torpedoes.

Iranian Fighter Jets to Exercise Reconnaissance Missions over Wargame Zone

Source :Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- A senior Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force said IRIAF fighter jets are due to exercise aerial reconnaissance and data transmission capabilities during the air defense drills underway in the country.

The Air Defense units of the Iranian Armed Forces started massive exercises, codenamed "Modafe'an-e Aseman-e Velayat 4 (Defenders of Velayat Skies 4)", on Monday to boost their preparedness and air defense capabilities.

An array of fighter jets, including F-4, F-5, F-14 and Sukhoi-24 (SU-24) fighter-bombers have taken part in the exercises.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Air Force for Research and Studies Brigadier General Hossein Chitforoush said that a number of the IRIAF fighter jets are acting as hypothetical enemy planes which will try to hit hypothetical targets during the air defense drills.

"The other mission of the IRIAF planes is taking photographs from the entire wargames zone with high speed and precision and then transfer them to the operating central command of the wargames zone in the shortest time possible," Chitforoush underscored.

Lieutenant Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base General Shahrokh Shahram, who is also the spokesman of the drills, said on Sunday that the operating units will exercise defending hypothetical sensitive sites.

In addition to testing mobility and rapid reaction capability of participating units, the air defense units will test artillery and missile systems' capabilities for confronting different types of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) flying in different altitudes.

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Iran to Build Several Oil Reservoirs, Refineries in Venezuela

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran inked several agreements with Venezuela to build a number of oil reservoirs and refineries in the Latin American country.

Iran is due to build 4 reservoirs for storing oil products and plans to make $200mln of investment in the projects.

Also, the Iranian officials have decided to invest in refining projects and design and construct a number of small refineries in Venezuela.

Tehran and Caracas have expanded their economic and industrial relations in recent years; in a latest development a senior Iranian official announced that the country plans to deliver the first home-made Aframax oil tanker to Venezuela.

The tanker is one of the four tankers ordered by the Venezuelan company and built by Iran Marine Industrial Company (Sadra).

Iran has in recent years expanded friendly ties with Latin America, specially in economic, trade and industrial fields.

Since taking office in 2005, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has expanded Iran's cooperation with many Latin American states, including Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Cuba.

Iran's strong and rapidly growing ties with Latin America, specially with Venezuela, have raised eyebrows in the US and its western allies since Tehran and Latin nations have forged an alliance against the imperialist and colonialist powers and are striving hard to reinvigorate their relations with the other independent countries which pursue a line of policy independent from the US.

Iranian forces to start air defense drill Monday

Source : Xinhua | English.news.cn

TEHRAN, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and air forces will start a massive four-day joint air defense drill in the eastern parts of the country on Monday, Tehran Times daily reported Sunday.

Commander of Iranian Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base, Farzad Esmaili, told reporters Thursday that the maneuver dubbed "Modafe' an-e Aseman-e Velayat 4" or "The Defenders of the Sky of Guardianship" will be held with the participation of units from the IRGC and air forces, said Press TV.

Esmaili said that the military exercise will be carried out in an area of more than 850,000 square km, accounting for half of the country, in which a large number of soldiers will participate, according to Tehran Times.

The drill will display the full strength and preparedness of Iran's air defense forces to defend the Islamic republic's eastern borders, said the Iranian commander.

Various long-range radars and electronic surveillance systems will be tested during the drill, the Iranian commander was quoted as saying by Press TV.

He added that the units will practice modern tactics in response to the recent threats from certain parts of the world.

Iran preparing to take control of Bushehr nuclear plant

Source : Tehran Times

TEHRAN – Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Director Fereydoun Abbasi has announced that Iranian experts will make the preparations necessary to take over the full control of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in late 2012 or early 2013.

The Bushehr power plant is undergoing final tests, and arations for the handover of the power plant by the Russian r to Iranian experts will be made in the near future,” Abbasi told in Bushehr on Saturday.

ous tests and experiments at the Bushehr power plant, we will preliminary launch of the project by Iranian experts in Dey or December 21, 2012 to February 18, 2013.”

eneral of NIAEP Valeryi Limarenko, who manages the construction nt by Atomstroyexport, the general contractor, said on October 19 ng of the act of acceptance for Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant is ed for March 2013.

o said at the time that they had been implementing some new processes, and it had become clear that to perform the work well, ed some more time, and therefore signing of the acceptance act put off until March 2013.

o also noted that after the nuclear power plant in Bushehr was by the Iranian side, at least 300 Russian personnel would stay in lp maintain the plant.

ar plant, which is located near the port of Bushehr on the coast of n Gulf, was plugged into Iran’s national grid in September 2011. In 12, Rosatom said that it was fully operational.

 

Iran confirms resumption of nuclear talks with IAEA

Source : Xinhua | English.news.cn

TEHRAN, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ali Asghar Soltanieh confirmed on Saturday the resumption of talks with the UN nuclear watchdog, semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

On Friday, an IAEA spokesperson announced that experts from the IAEA and Iran will meet on Dec. 13 in Tehran for a new round of talks on Iran's nuclear issue.

The IAEA hopes to reach an agreement with Iran that allows inspectors to investigate possible military aspects of Iran's nuclear program, the Austrian Press Agency reported on Friday.

The most recent talks between the two parties were held in August without any agreement signed.

Iran claims its intention of the nuclear enrichment is peaceful although the West suspects that Iran's nuclear program may aim at producing weapons.

Iran to attend Helsinki conference on nuclear-weapons-free zone in Mideast

Source : Tehran Times

TEHRAN – Iran will participate in an international conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction, which is scheduled to be held in Helsinki, Finland, in December.

The announcement was made by the Iranian ambassador to the International Atomic nergy Agency, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, during an interview with the Persian rvice of the Mehr News Agency published on Wednesday.

oltanieh said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran, with the objective of making the orld free of nuclear weapons, has had and will have an active presence in e international arena.”

Iranian Army, IRGC to Stage Joint Wargames Soon

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) are scheduled to stage massive wargames in Eastern Iran in November, a senior Army commander announced on Thursday.

The 7-day maneuver dubbed "Modafe'an-e Aseman-e Velayat 4," (Defenders of Velayat Skies 4) will be held later in November with the participation of units from the IRGC and other forces of the Army, Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli told reporters today.

He added that the military exercise will be carried out in an area of more than 850,000 square kilometers to display the full strength and preparedness of Iran's air defense forces to defend the Islamic Republic's eastern borders.

The Iranian commander noted that various long-range radars and electronic surveillance systems will be tested during the drill, and added that the maneuver will display Iran's defense policies in the air defense sector.

He added that the units would practice modern tactics in proportion to the recent threats made in certain parts of the world.

In May, Lieutenant Commander of the Army's Ground Force Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari stated that the Iranian Army plans to unveil and put into operation Iran's first home-made Cobra chopper in special wargames of the Army's Airborne unit in the near future.

The commander further announced that different types of anti-chopper and anti- armor weapons will be tested in the wargames.

Iran's Army and IRGC hold regular wargames to practice combat tactics and also test new home-made military tools, equipment and weapons in action.

Iran Navy watchful of foreign movements in waters south of country: Cmdr

Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the Iranian naval forces are fully monitoring all the movements of the foreign forces in the international waters south of the country.

“We monitor, within the jurisdiction of the Navy, all the movements of the regional and extra-regional forces on a 100-percent level. It means that there is not a single moment when we do not know where a certain warship of a certain country is,” Sayyari said in an interview with Fars news agency on Wednesday.

He added that the Iranian Navy monitors the movements using different methods and military equipment, including vessels, submarines, and manned and unmanned aircraft.

He also said that Iran planned to extend its presence in the international waters and added the Navy intended to deploy forces to the Atlantic Ocean.

Iran’s Navy has been increasing its naval presence in the international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for Iranian merchant vessels and tankers.

In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting patrols in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden since November 2008 in order to safeguard merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.

Rockets hit Libya intelligence center

Source : http://edition.presstv.ir/iphone/detail.aspx?id=270446

Rockets hit Libya intelligence center

At least five people have been injured after several rocket- propelled grenades targeted the Libyan intelligence Headquarter in the oil-rich country’s capital, Tripoli.

The violence on Sunday was triggered by an exchange of fire between rival militant groups near the building of the Supreme Security Committee.

"At least three police officers were also wounded as a result of a blast that hit a police station in the northern city of Benghazi." The city has been hit by a series of bombings and attacks targeting international convoys and government buildings this year.

The US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi came under attack on September 11, after protesters gathered outside the building to voice opposition to a blasphemous anti-Islam film made in the United States that disrespects Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three others were killed in the incident.

IRGC to Station Largest Number of Marines in Fifth Naval Zone

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- The newly established naval zone of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in the Persian Gulf will host the largest number of IRGC marines, the IRGC commander announced on Sunday.

The IRGC established a new Navy zone in the Persian Gulf waters Sunday morning in a bid to boost defensive measures in waters surrounding Iran's islands.

The IRGC's fifth naval zone, namely Emam Mohammad Baqer (PBUH), was officially inaugurated in Iran's Southern port city of Bandar Lengeh in Hormozgan province in a ceremony attended by IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari.

During the ceremony, Admiral Ali Ozmayee, the former commander of the IRGC's first naval zone, was appointed as the commander of the fifth zone.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Jafari said due to the defensive nature of the zone "the largest number of the IRGC marines will be stationed in the fifth naval zone".

"The IRGC's fifth naval zone is a very sensitive and strategic zone and is a frontline in defending the Islamic Iran," Jafari said.

The fifth zone operations will cover an area from Qeshm island and Naze'aat Islands region to the western waters of the Kish island.

Meantime, Commander of the IRGC Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said that "the fifth naval zone was started to provide operational coverage for the Naze'aat Islands, bring about a turning point and start a new trend in the region".

Trade between Iran and Germany booming

Trade between Iran and Germany booming - Tehran Times

BERLIN – Germany’s exports to Iran have totaled over 25 billion euros since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took office in 2005, the Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday.

Last week’s visit by three German deputies to Iran, which included a meeting with the German-Iranian chamber of commerce, cast a light on Germany’s unbreakable trade relationship with Tehran.

Flourishing bilateral trade relations between Germany and the Islamic Republic have been a source of frustration and anger at times for Israel, Britain, France, and the U.S. to impose tough EU economic sanctions.

Bundestag lawmakers refuse to pass unilateral economic sanctions modeled on U.S. legislation to ratchet up the pressure on Iran.

A comprehensive statistical account of German-Iranian trade from the Federal Republic’s office of statistics in Wiesbaden viewed by the Post on Friday, covering 1950 to 2011, depicts a booming trade relationship with Ahmadinejad’s government.

Dr. Wahied Wahdat-Hagh, a Fellow at the European Foundation for Democracy, analyzed the numbers and told the Post that “the numbers are better for Ahmadinejad than during the period of the Shah [Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, who ruled Iran from 1941 to 1979].”

In 1975, German exports had already totaled 2.64billion euros.

Wahdat-Hagh noted that in 1977 Germany had exported roughly 3.24 billion euros worth of goods to Iran and in 1978 about 3.46 billion euros worth.

According to the data, in 2005, the first year of Ahmadinejad’s presidency, German exports to Iran amounted to 4.37 billion euros. The second year, 2006, saw 4.15 billion

In 2007, exports reached 3.6 billion euros and in 2008 the volume of exports climbed to 3.9 billion euros.

Both 2009 and 2010 saw exports hit 3.78 billion euros each year.

By 2011, German exports resulted in 3.08 billion euros worth of revenue for German companies.

Wahdat-Hagh said despite the sanctions – and a decrease over the years – Germany’s exports were boomin

Iran Asserts Syria's Victory over the Conspirators

Source : SANA, Syria

TEHRAN, (SANA)- Iran's Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi stressed that Syria will overcome the crisis and will end up stronger than before.

Meeting Syrian Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources, Eng. Said Mu'zi Hneidi, on Wednesday in Tehran, Rahimi reiterated his country's support to Syria, asserting that Syria's win will be a "victory for the free peopls against Zionism and the US."

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, renewed his country's call for the necessity of committing to the diplomatic and political option for finding a solution to the crisis in Syria, warning that the negative developments on the Syrian arena will not only affect the neighboring countries but the whole region.

In a separate a meeting with Hneidi, Salehi expressed regret that the armed terrorist groups breached the ceasefire during Eid al- Adha, noting that the opposition's non-commitment revealed the correctness and credibility of the stances of the Syrian government and people in this regard.

He expressed Iran's readiness to promote the level of bilateral cooperation with Syria.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary, Saeed Jalili, hailed the Syrian people's rejection of foreign interference in their internal affairs.

Receiving Syria's Oil Minister, Jalili reiterated his country's support to Syria in the face of the scheme plotted against it, affirming that dialogue is the best and most influential solution to get out of the current circumstances.

In the same context, Head of the Iranian Shura Council, Ali Larijani, during a meeting with Syrian Oil Minister, expressed his country's support to the Syrian people and government, renewing his country's call to renounce violence and start dialogue far from foreign interference.

Earlier, the Syrian Oil Minister Hneidi discussed with his Iranian counterpart Rostam Qasemi cooperation between Syria and Iran and means of enhancing it.

Hneidi appreciated Iran's support to Syria in the face of the conspiracy hatched against it, stressing that Syria has started a wide range of reforms in all political and constitutional domains.

He hailed the Syrian people's steadfastness in the face the pressures of the enemies who have mobilized all their potentials with the aim of undermining and partitioning Syria, expressing Syrian's rejection of any foreign interference in its internal affairs.

Iran Newsfeed 31. Oct. 2012

Iran calls for recognition of nuclear "rights" as hopes for new talks grow

Source : Xinhua | English.news.cn

Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- As hopes grow to settle the Iranian nuclear standoff through diplomatic means, the country persists the recognition of its "nuclear rights."

The P5+1, five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, and Iran have been engaged in breathtaking negotiations over the latter's controversial programs over the past years, however, no breakthrough has come out of the intensive talks.

The West has been accusing Iran of secretly developing nuclear weapons under civilian disguise, a charge that has always been denied by Tehran.

Western reports said Tuesday that the European Union (EU) and the United States are looking forward to a diplomatic solution for Iran's nuclear issue.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Tuesday that she has plans to meet Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili " soon," according to the reports. Besides, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also expressed hope on the day that the Islamic republic could seize the opportunity for the diplomatic settlement of its nuclear issue.

Also, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Oceania Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that his country is hopeful about the " success" of next round of nuclear talks with world powers, Press TV reported.

Araghchi expressed optimism that the next round of negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 over the country's nuclear program would be based on "goodwill and would end up in success," according to the report.

"All (necessary) facilities and opportunities for the peaceful settlement of issues between the two sides (over Iran's nuclear program) are provided, if the P5+1 shows goodwill in the next round of talks with Iran," he was quoted as saying.

In the meantime, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said Tuesday that in order to solve the nuclear issue, the P5+1 should have a " logical" approach towards Iran's nuclear program and Iran's nuclear rights, including the rights to produce fuel for peaceful nuclear activities, which should be recognized.

Iran has offered its viewpoints "clearly" in the previous talks with the P5+1 and has put forward a number of proposals and awaits their response, said Mehmanparast.

After Iran and the P5+1 held intensive talks in Moscow on June 18-19, they agreed to meet again in Turkey' s Istanbul in July at the expert level. According to Ali Baqeri, Iran's deputy nuclear negotiator, the talks in Istanbul were "positive." However, no date and venue were set for further high- level negotiations.

Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said "According to the latest negotiations, the (nuclear) talks between two sides will be held in November and possibly in late November."

About the recent Western media reports that there was an agreement for bilateral talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran's controversial nuclear program, Mehmanparast said Tuesday that such news was originated from the U.S. sources and " domestically used for the U.S. presidential elections."

On Oct. 20, the New York Times reported that the United States and Iran had agreed for the first time to have one-on-one nuke talks after the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.

The paper said the agreement was the result of intense and secret exchanges between officials of the two countries, which began almost immediately after U.S. President Barack Obama took office in January 2009.

On Oct. 21, Iranian foreign minister said that Iran would not hold "independent" talks with the United States outside the framework of nuclear negotiations with the P5+1.

Iran, Argentina to Discuss 1994 Bombing Today

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian and Argentine representatives will meet in Geneva on Monday to discuss a 1994 bombing of a Jewish aid association in Buenos Aires.

"It is a working meeting on the AMIA case under terms agreed during a meeting of foreign ministers September 27 in New York," Argentina's foreign ministry said in a statement quoted by AFP as saying.

At their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and his Argentine counterpart Hector Timerman had agreed to continue the dialogue over the attack until they reach a "mutually agreed upon solution," the report noted.

Timerman at the time said the follow-up talks were to "explore a legal mechanism" for resolving the matter "not in contradiction with the legal systems of Argentina and Iran."

In the July 18, 1994 attack, a van loaded with explosives detonated outside the Israeli-Argentine Mutual Aid Association. More than 85 people were killed and 300 others were also injured in the blast, which leveled the six-story building housing the association. It was Argentina's worst terrorist attack ever and followed a 1991 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires that left 29 dead and 200 wounded.

The Israeli lobbies have sought to put the blame on Iran.

Iran has repeatedly denied the claim and voiced readiness to hold "constructive dialogue" and "cooperate with the Argentine government to shed all light" on the attack.

The talks between Iran and Argentina over the case has angered Israeli officials who have expressed dismay at the meeting.

Naval forces safeguard Iran interests in southern waters

SOURCE : IRNA

Naval forces safeguard Iran interests in southern waters

Bandar Abbas, Hormuzgan Prov, Oct 28, IRNA – Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said that the naval forces definitely safeguard the country's national interests and resources in the Persian Gulf, Hormuz Strait and Sea of Oman.

Islamic Republic News Agency - IRNA Copyright ©2009 www. irna.ir . All Rights Reserved

Main Page

The commander made the remarks here on Saturday evening while addressing a ceremony to hail

a number of Navy personnel and commanders.

He reiterated that the Navy will undoubtedly defend the Iranian territorial integrity against the

expansionist policies of the bullying powers.

On the naval achievements, Sayyari said the presence of 22 Iranian flotilla in international

operations indicated the Islamic Republic of Iran's might and power.

The ceremony was also attended by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who awarded a plaque of

merit to the Navy commander.

Iranian Navy monitoring every move of U.S. aircraft carriers: admiral

Source : Tehran Times

TEHRAN -- Iran has achieved great strategic technological advances, enabling it to monitor the movements of U.S. aircraft carriers every second, the commander of the Iranian Navy announced on Monday.

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari made the remarks as he was enumerating the achievements made by the Navy at the strategic level.

“In various areas, great changes have taken place… and many successes have been achieved, so that today, for example, the Navy monitors U.S. aircraft carriers instant by instant,” he told a gathering of Navy commanders.

In order to be able to materialize the goals of the Supreme Leader, “our training should be commensurate with the threats,” he added.

He also said Iran should increase its presence on the high seas.

It is necessary to counter the enemies’ soft war as well as their economic pressure and cultural onslaught, he noted.

He went on to say that after the enemy reached an impasse in its plots against the country, they began seeking to create a division between the people and the system through economic pressure, “but our nation is vigilant and the tricks of the enemies in these areas are also ineffective.”

At this juncture, “we should indentify economic vulnerabilities” and address them, he stated

Russian Deputy FM arrives in Tehran for talks

Source : Trend.Az

Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct.22/Trend, E.Tariverdiyeva, T. Jafarov /

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov arrived in Tehran for talks with senior Iranian officials, FARS news agency reported on Monday.

Bogdanov arrived in Tehran at the invitation of Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir- Abdullahian.

According to the report, he will discuss inter-regional development, and in particular the Syrian issue with Iranian officials.

Bogdanov will also meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.

Hossein Amir-Abdullahian visited Moscow and held talks with Russian President in August. Iran and Russia share views on the current situation in Syria. Thus, the two countries have repeatedly stressed the need to resolve the crisis in the Arab countries through diplomatic channels.

According to UN, the total number of victims of the conflict in Syria is nearing 20,000. More than 230,000 have become refugees with around three million in need of humanitarian assistance. The Syrian authorities say they oppose the well-armed militants.

Iran, Russia Boost Efforts to Settle Syrian Crisis

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov is due to visit Tehran later this week to confer with Iranian officials on the latest regional developments, specially the crisis in Syria.

Bogdanov's visit to Tehran will take place at the invitation of his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian, who visited Moscow on August 5 to consult with Russian officials on the developments in Syria.

Iran and Russia are two strong neighboring countries which enjoy a special position in the international arena and have constant and continued consultations on key regional and global issues.

Late in August, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said in a meeting with the Russian President's Envoy to the 16th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Tehran, Konstantin Shuvalov, that strong relations between Tehran and Moscow will reinvigorate peace and stability in the region.

Tehran and Moscow have recently doubled their efforts to settle the problems in Syria which has been experiencing unrest since March 2011 with organized attacks by well-armed gangs against Syrian police forces and border guards being reported across the country.

Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed, when some protest rallies turned into armed clashes.

The government blames outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorist groups for the deaths, stressing that the unrest is being orchestrated from abroad.

In October 2011, calm was eventually restored in the Arab state after President Assad started a reform initiative in the country, but Israel, the US and its Arab allies are seeking hard to bring the country into chaos through any possible means. Tel Aviv, Washington and some Arab capitals have been staging various plots in the hope of increasing unrests in Syria.

Bus overturns in southwest Iran, 26 dead

Source : yahoo.com

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — A passenger bus carrying female students overturned in southwestern Iran Friday evening, killing 26, Iran's state radio reported Saturday.

Senior police official Col. Mohammad Reza Mehmandar, was quoted as saying that the driver lost control of the bus because of high speed in rainy weather. Mehmandar said 19 others were injured in the accident. They were rushed to hospitals for treatment.

The accident took place on the Izeh- Lordegan road, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) southwest of the capital Tehran.

Iran has one of the world's worst traffic safety records, with more than 400,000 accidents and about 20,000 deaths on its roads every year. The high death tolls are blamed on high speed, unsafe vehicles, widespread disregard of traffic laws and inadequate emergency services.

Ahmadinejad Underlines Asia's Decisive Role in Deciding Future World Order

Source : Fars News Agency

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stressed the important and decisive role that the Asian countries can play to decide the future world order.

"Asia has been the main cradle for the human civilization and the existing national and material talents and resources in it are unique," Ahmadinejad said in a meeting with the editors in chief of Kuwaiti media.

"Asia is the largest continent of the world with the largest population, but the Asian Cooperation Dialogue gathering definitely does not limit its sphere of discussion to Asia, since the world issues are too intermingled with each other to yield to continental separation," he added.

Ahmadinejad reiterated, "The status quo of the materialist and capitalist world order, which is a continuation of the former slavery and colonialist system, has already faced defeat and failed to provide security, welfare, peace, and sustainable development for the mankind, having reach dead ends today, whose signs are seen in capitalist countries today."

The president reiterated, "The leaders of the capitalist system tried for many years to sow the seeds of discord among nations so that they would have the opportunity to loot the nations' wealth, but today they are at the end of their way."

Pointing out that the world is in need of a new, Just World Order, Ahmadinejad reiterated, "Definitely, the future world order would be based on the fundamentals and the value system that the Asian nations are committed to, including justice, friendship, respecting the human beings, and equal status of the entire nations before the laws, which are the fundamentals that can solve the problems of the mankind and capable of establishing a more humane and sustainable New World Order."

The president said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran focuses on the ACD in line with harbingering reform in general world order."

Ahmadinejad was in Kuwait to attend the 1st summit of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).

The two-day ACD summit opened in the Kuwaiti capital on Tuesday. Major Asian countries, including China, Japan, and India, as well as the members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) attended the summit.

The ACD was formed in June 2002 in Cha-Am, Thailand, where 18 Asian Foreign Ministers met together for the first time. The ACD is a continent-wide forum, the first of its kind in Asia. More specifically, the ACD aims to constitute the missing link in Asia by incorporating every Asian country and building an Asian Community without duplicating other organizations or creating a bloc against others.

Ahmadinejad: Arrogant Powers Looking for Conflict among World Nations

Source : Fars News Agency

Ahmadinejad: Arrogant Powers Looking for Conflict among World Nations TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lashed out at the arrogant powers for their bullying policies, and said that these power seek to stir strife and conflict among other world nations.

"To continue their rule and dominance over the world, the arrogant powers are after sowing discord and conflict among (other) nations," Ahmadinejad said in a meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kuwait on Wednesday.

He stressed that if all the world powers want to make use of the apparatus that they have at hand against others, there will be no longer any trace of tranquility and security in the world.

The Sri Lankan president, for his part, reiterated his country's determination for expanding ties with Iran, and called for the removal of obstacles and problems blocking the path of broadened cooperation between the two countries in different fields, specially the energy sector.

President Ahmadinejad and the Sri Lankan president are in Kuwait for the first Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit.

The two-day ACD summit opened in the Kuwaiti capital on Tuesday. Major Asian countries, including China, Japan, and India, as well as the members of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) are attending the summit.

The ACD was formed in June 2002 in Cha-Am, Thailand, where 18 Asian Foreign Ministers met together for the first time. The ACD is a continent-wide forum, the first of its kind in Asia. More specifically, the ACD aims to constitute the missing link in Asia by incorporating every Asian country and building an Asian Community without duplicating other organizations or creating a bloc against others.

Iran to Build Long-Range Drones

Source : Fars News Agency

Iran to Build Long-Range Drones TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran is working on designing and manufacturing long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and will unveil its achievements in the near future, a senior Iranian aviation industry official announced on Wednesday.

Speaking to FNA on Wednesday, Managing-Director of the Iranian Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) Manouchehr Manteqi divided UAVs into three categories: class one which includes those drones which can fly a 200km-distance, class two with a flight range of 1000-1500km and up to 30,000 feet in altitude and 15 hours of nonstop flight, and class three drones with a flight range of 2000km at 50,000 feet in altitude and 24 hours of nonstop flight.

"Now, we have a series of designs and achievements regarding class two and class three drones," Manteqi said, adding that Iran will unveil its long-range drones by the next two or three years.

Elsewhere, Manteqi stressed Iran's high capabilities to produce different classes of choppers as well, and noted that the country is already exporting light, medium and semi-heavy choppers to foreign countries.

Iran has recently made giant advancements in aerospace industries, specially in designing and manufacturing pilotless drones.

Last month, Iran announced that it has started using UAVs for its air defense units as part of its broader plans for strengthening the country's air defense capability.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion of the National Day of Air Defense here in Tehran on September 3, Commander of Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmayeeli said Iran has equipped its air defense units with Haazem drones.

The drone can be used as a target for air defense systems and also for reconnaissance missions.

Haazem can also be equipped with missiles and used for aerial bombardments as well.

An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richer scale hit the city of Bam in Kerman province, Southeastern Iran

Fars News Agency ::

Quake Jolts Southeastern Iran TEHRAN (FNA)- An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richer scale hit the city of Bam in Kerman province, Southeastern Iran, on Tuesday morning.

According to a report by the seismological network of the Geophysics Institute of Tehran University, the quake hit the area at 07:53 hours local time (0423 GMT).

The epicenter of the quake was located in an area 57.9 degrees in longitude and 29.3 degrees in latitude.

Iran sits on several major faults and is prone to frequent earthquakes many of which have been devastating.

The worst quake in recent times hit Bam in December 2003, killing 31,000 people - about a quarter of its population - and destroying the city's ancient mud-built citadel.

The deadliest quake in the country was in June 1990 and measured 7.7 on the Richter scale. About 37,000 people were killed and more than 100,000 injured in the northwestern provinces of Gilan and Zanjan. It devastated 27 towns and about 1,870 villages.

In August, two quakes in Northwestern Iran also claimed the lives of 306 people and injured more than 4500 others.

Commander: Iran's Speedboats Capable of Launching Cruise Missiles

Source : Fars News Agency

Commander: Iran's Speedboats Capable of Launching Cruise Missiles TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran's speed boats have been quipped with the capability to fire different types of anti-ship cruise missiles, an Iranian defense official announced on Monday.

"Our missiles have the capability of being launched from boats with the speed of over 30 knots, and these missiles include Zafar, Nasr, Nour and Qader," Deputy Defense Minister and Head of Iran's Aerospace Organization General Mehdi Farah told FNA, adding that "Qadir missiles" will also be added to the list in near future.

He underlined Iran's growing missile capability as well as the special capabilities of Iran's cruise and coast to sea missiles, and underlined high flexibility in the tactical use and missions of these missiles. "The tactical use (and goals) of these missiles can vary in accordance with the type of threat."

In May, Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said that Iran has allocated thousands of its speed boats for military purposes, adding that production of missile-launching speedboats is under Iran's monopoly.

"All throughout the world, Iran is the only country which has speed vessels with the ability of firing (rockets and missile) at high speeds," Fadavi said at the time.

"We now have speedboats which can launch missiles as they traverse at a speed over 60km (per hour)," the commander underscored.

Zafar (Triumph) is a short-range, anti-ship, radar guided missile capable of hitting and destroying small and medium-sized targets with high precision.

The missile can be mounted onto light and speed boats, enjoys a high capability in anti-electronic warfare and is highly destructive.

The anti-ship missile, called Nour (Light), is a long-range cruise missile manufactured by Iran and has already been mounted on several military gears.

Iran's latest cruise missile production, Qader (Mighty), was displayed to the public during the military parades marking the Week of Sacred Defense in September.

UN Syria envoy holds talks in Tehran

Soure : Tehran Times

TEHRAN – The UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on the Syrian crisis in Tehran on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Salehi announced that Iran has already presented Brahimi a “written proposal” on the Syrian issue.

He added that a copy of the proposal has also been presented to the Syrian government.

Salehi stated that he had held two meetings with Brahimi: the first time during a contact group meeting in Cairo when the foreign ministers of Iran, Egypt, and Turkey held talks on Syria, and the second time on the sidelines of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

“We held detailed negotiations on the Syrian issue on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and once again, today we exchanged views in a detailed way about the issues related to Syria.”

He added that when the ministers of the contact group met for the second time in New York, he promised that he would present Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and also Brahimi Iran’s written proposals.

He went on to say that like any other nation, the Syrian people have the right to freedom and free elections and the Syrian government has repeatedly said that it is ready to meet the demands of its people and even announced that “if it is necessary, it will revise certain decisions made in the past.”

Salehi also said that Iranian officials and Brahimi believe that “the violence and bloodshed should be stopped” in Syria before taking any action.

He added that Brahimi is making a tour of regional countries to learn about different views to be able to finally present a solution to the Syrian crisis.

“I also announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully ready to cooperate with him” because the United Nations, by selecting Brahimi as its troubleshooter, has put itself in an impartial status in regard to Syria.

During the press conference, Brahimi called on the countries that have good relations with either of the conflicting parties in Syria to exercise their influence to prevent more bloodshed and help work out a peaceful solution.

He expressed hope that his contact with Iran and other regional countries that are in a way related to the Syrian issue would lead to a workable solution.

Commenting on Iran’s written proposal, Brahimi said that the views are good and can help resolve the problem.

The UN Syria envoy also held talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday.

Iranian lawmaker says human rights "tool" for U.S. objectives

Source : Xinhua | English.news.cn

TEHRAN, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian lawmaker said Sunday that human rights serve as a "tool" for the United States to pursue its objectives in the world, Press TV reported.

Mansour Haqiqatpour, deputy chairman of Iran's Majlis ( parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, made the remarks when commenting on a recent report by UN special rapporteur on human rights situation in Iran Ahmed Shaheed.

He was quoted as saying that the rapporteurs do not have the " courage" to reveal the realities of the international community, and that countries imposing sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran are the biggest violators of human rights.

"Sanctions threaten the lives of some Iranian patients," Haqiqatpour said, adding that the West is responsible for Iran's production decrease and unemployment by stopping the sales of certain products to Iran, which is the "most vivid" instance of human rights violations by the West.

Shaheed said Thursday in the report that Iran had repeatedly limited freedom of media and right activists inside the country, detained a number of them and mistreated them.

Iranian foreign ministry dismissed the report on Friday as " politically motivated", "biased" and without any legal basis. It said in a statement that the report is a reflection of "Western animosity toward Iran," according to Press TV.

"Ahmad Shaheed's report contains repeated claims which the Islamic republic has dismissed several times. In addition, his claims are based on accounts by Iran's enemies, resulting in an unsubstantiated report that does not reflect the realities on the ground in the country," said the statement.

Iranian hostages can be freed through talks with West’s 3 proxies

Source : Tehran Times

practice of taking hostages is a serious crime that violates all accepted humanitarian principles.

The kidnapping of 48 Iranian nationals in Damascus in early August by an armed terrorist group is a clear example of this issue.

Senior commanders of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) have repeatedly declared that they will free the Iranian nationals if the Iranian government uses its influence over Damascus to obtain the release of jailed rebels. The fact that the FSA is trying to take advantage of the friendly relations between Iran and Syria is nothing new. However, the group must understand that the rebel prisoners are being detained by the Syrian government and the authority to release them is in the hands of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad not Iran.

The FSA has claimed that it is fighting for democracy and the establishment of a free and humanitarian society. However, the threats to kill the Iranian citizens have clearly revealed the true nature of the group to the Syrian people. What would the fate of Syria be if it came under the rule of such terrorists?

Certain Western governments and their regional proxies, namely Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, continue to support the FSA and other opposition groups in Syria. Iran is strongly opposed to the policy adopted by these governments and regards it as the main cause of the intensification of violence in Syria. However, the Iranian government should engage in talks with these governments to obtain the release of the hostages.

Even if the FSA kills the Iranian nationals, it will have no effect on the friendly relations between Iran and Syria. But it would seriously harm diplomatic relations between Iran and the three governments supporting the insurgency in Syria. And if the hostages are killed, it would encourage terrorist groups in other countries to use the same methods to realize their malevolent objectives.

'Drone scanned Israel missile sites'

Source : edition.presstv.ir

The drone Hezbollah recently sent into the Israeli airspace has photographed secret military bases inside the occupied territories, a report says.

According to the UK newspaper Sunday Times, “The drone, which was airborne for three hours before being intercepted by an F-16 jet, is believed to have transmitted pictures of preparations for Israel’s biggest joint military exercise with the US army, which began last week, as well as ballistic missile sites, main airfields and, possibly, its nuclear reactor in Dimona.”

The report also stated that the interception of the unmanned aerial vehicle was “botched” when the first missile fired by the Israeli warplane missed.

On October 12, Lebanese television Al Manar broadcast footage simulating how the resistance movement sent the drone deep into the Israeli airspace, evading radar systems.

Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah confirmed the flight.

The operation, code-named Hussein Ayub (the ex-commander of Hezbollah air force who was martyred in 1996), saw Hezbollah’s drone fly hundreds of kilometers into the Israeli airspace and get very close to Dimona without being detected by advanced Israeli and US radars, Nasrallah said during a televised speech on October 11.

“This is only part of our capabilities,” he said, adding that the Israelis have admitted to their security failure despite being provided with the latest technologies by Western powers.

The Hezbollah secretary general also stated that the drones are made in Iran but assembled by the resistance movement.

Hezbollah plans to send more drones over Israel in the future, he said, adding that the operation shows the resistance movement is ready to defend Lebanon.

Security analysts say the incident indicates that the Israeli military is incapable of handling a surprise attack despite the numerous military maneuvers regularly conducted by the regime.

Intelligence experts contend that the interloper should have been intercepted from the Mediterranean as it entered the skies of the Gaza Strip, before it was shot down over the Yatir Forest south of the city of al-Khali

Commander: Navy fleets to demonstrate Iran’s power in free waters

Source : Trend.Az

Reco IRI Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Saturday that navy fleets will further demonstrate Iran's might through their presence in free waters.

Talking to IRNA, he added that the 22nd navy fleet is currently patrolling and conducting mission in Djibouti coastlines and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

He further pointed out that the 23rd navy fleet is ready to be dispatched to free waters once the mission of its predecessor ends.

That's a source of honor for the Army that its personnel attend the free waters with necessary equipment to demonstrate Iran's capabilities, Sayyari said.

Iran to Create Islamic ‘Nobel Prize’

Source : RIA Novosti

Iran, which only has one Nobel Prize laureate, announced the inception of a rival award intended solely for outstanding scientists of the Islamic world, the country’s news agency Fars said on Saturday.

The Great Prophet World Prize will be bestowed biennially on “the Muslim world scientists in three technological fields in which Iran has also make outstanding progress,” said Iranian Vice President for Science and Technology Nasrin Soltankhah.

She did not identify the fields covered by the Great Prophet World Prize, but said it would help prepare Muslim scientists for tighter competition over global awards such as the Nobel Prize, identified in the report as “the Noble prize.”

The Nobel Prize, established in 1901, currently has six categories. The only Iranian to win it so far has been human rights activist Shirin Ebadi, now living in London, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003.

FM: Iran ready to discuss 20-percent enrichment if fuel guaranteed

Trend.Az

Tweet Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has expressed the country's readiness to show flexibility in order to allay international concerns over its nuclear energy program, Press TV reported.

"If a guarantee is provided to supply the 20-percent [enriched uranium] fuel for Tehran Research Reactor, our officials are ready to enter talks about the 20-percent enrichment [of uranium]," Mehmanparast said at the 10th Eurasian Media Forum (EAMF) in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Friday.

However, he said, this does not mean that Iran does not have the right to enrich uranium to the level of 20 percent. "All countries have this right."

Iran is ready to show flexibility to remove concerns within a legal framework but such measures should be reciprocal, the Iranian spokesperson pointed out, adding that the other side should also make moves to completely recognize Iran's nuclear and enrichment rights for peaceful purposes.

He noted that in the previous talks with the six major world powers of the P5+1, Iran expressed readiness to remove concerns in a step-by-step and mutually agreed framework.

Mehmanparast once again reaffirmed the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear energy program based on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), saying the Islamic Republic is a signatory to the treaty and opposes the production of nuclear weapons.

Iran decided to enrich uranium to the 20-percent level to provide fuel for Tehran Research Reactor, which produces medical isotopes for cancer patients, after potential suppliers failed to provide the Islamic Republic with the required uranium.

On September 17, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Fereydoun Abbasi said that Iran has no intention of enriching uranium above the 20-percent level.

Abbasi added that Iran started producing 20 percent enriched uranium when it could not obtain fuel for Tehran Research Reactor from the international market due to the sanctions imposed against the country.

Tehran censures UN for report on human rights situation in Iran

Source : Trend.Az

The Islamic Republic has dismissed a recent report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, as politically motivated, biased, and without any legal basis, Press TV reported.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry criticized the report, which accuses the government of human rights violations, saying it is a reflection of Western animosity toward Iran.

"Ahmad Shaheed's report contains repeated claims, which the Islam Republic has dismissed several times. In addition, his claims are based on accounts by Iran's enemies, resulting in an unsubstantiated report that does not reflect the realities on the ground in the country," the statement said.

On June 17, 2011, the UN Human Rights Council named former Maldivian Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed as its human rights investigator on Iran.

Tehran insists that the appointment of a UN special rapporteur on Iran's human rights is a selective, politically-motivated and unacceptable move.

U.S. planes passing through Iranian airspace should be inspected: lawmaker

Source : Xinhua

TEHRAN, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- An Iranian lawmaker called on the government on Friday to intercept and inspect all U.S. airplanes passing through the Islamic republic's airspace, Press TV reported.

Nader Qazipour said the Islamic republic must respond to the U. S. pressures exerted on Tehran's neighbors to ground and inspect Iranian airplanes destined for Syria.

According to the report, on Oct. 2, under the U.S. pressures, Iraq stopped and inspected a Damascus-bound IranAir cargo plane, but allowed it to continue its route as no prohibited items were found on board.

"American planes fly from Afghanistan to Iraq and from Iraq to Afghanistan across Iran's air border and we expect the (Iranian) government to respond in kind to them (Americans)," Qazipour was quoted as saying.

U.S. officials have claimed that Tehran uses Iraqi airspace to send weapons to the Syrian government, but Iran has dismissed the claims as "false."

Iran to send parliamentary teams to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar

Source : Tehran Times

TEHRAN – A member of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has said that parliamentary delegations will be sent to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to pursue the issue of the Iranian pilgrims who were abducted in Syria in August.

Speaking to the Persian service of IRNA on Wednesday, MP Abbas Ali Mansouri said the delegations are scheduled to meet with high-ranking officials of Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar and hold talks on the efforts to obtain the release of the Iranian abductees.

Iranian FM, Qatari Emir Talk About Regional, International Issues

Iranian FM, Qatari Emir Talk About Regional, International Issues

Source : Turkish Weekly

Friday, 12 October 2012

IRI Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi conferred with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in Qatar's capital, Doha on Thursday, and discussed the bilateral cooperation and ways for expanding it, as well as regional and international developments, IRNA reported.

Salehi and his accompanying delegation also discussed Syria's crisis and the latest developments accordingly.

Foreign Salehi's visit to Doha takes place in line with finding a way for release of 48 Iranian pilgrims who were abducted in August in Syria by terrorists fighting the Syrian government.

A group of 48 Iranian pilgrims were kidnapped in Syria on August 4 by armed rebels reportedly linked to the so-called 'Free Syrian Army' in Rif district of Damascus.

The abducted Iranian pilgrims were travelling on a bus from Damascus International Airport to the holy shrine of Hazrat Zainab (AS) on the outskirts of the Syrian capital, Damascus.

The terrorists fighting the government of Syrian President Bashar al- Assad are reportedly under the control of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.

 

Iran doesn't support terrorist Workers Party of Kurdistan (PKK)

Source : Trend.Az

Kazakhstan, Astana, Oct. 11 /Trend D.Mukhtarov/

Iran doesn't support terrorist Workers Party of Kurdistan (PKK), the official representative of Iranian Foreign Ministry Ramin Mehmanparast stated on Thursday at a press-conference in Astana.

Previously, mass media wrote on Iran's support to Kurdistan's Workers Party, which was announced a terrorist party in Turkey and a number of other countries.

"We deny the information of Turkish mass media," Mehmanparast said.

In his words, high ranking people in Turkey are informed on the true situation and know that PKK is supported by other countries, not by Iran.

"We live in a crisis region. Stable situation in our region is not in interests of some Western countries. They make efforts to create a conflict, in this regard, they are supporting extremist groups," Mehmanparast added.

Iranian MFA representative called People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK).

"There is such group as MEK, which has murdered 16 thousands of Iranians and thousands of people in Iraq. As we know, USA and EU have recently excluded this organization from the list of terrorist groups. This also shows that these extremist groups are supported by the West, which is interested in causing tensions," Mehmanparast stated.

MEK has organised a number of terrorist acts in Iran and Iraq and is recognized as terrorist organisation in a number of countries.

In spite of this, USA is planning to exclude MEK from the list of terrorist organizations. On September 21 US State Secretary Hilary Clinton has sent a secret message on decision made on this issue to the Congress..

Fars News Agency :: Iran Ready to Share Experiences with Somalia

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced his country's preparedness to share experiences in different fields with African states, specially Somalia.

"Iran is ready to transfer its experience in all fields, including the fields of healthcare, energy, road building and urbanization, to Somalia," Ahmadinejad said in a meeting with Somalia's Ambassador to Iran Khalif Kadieh Musa in Tehran on Wednesday.

He also underlined that despite the pressures by the arrogant powers, Iran supports progress of justice-seeking independent states.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration has striven hard to maximize relations with the African continent.

Iran is also an observing member of the AU and has shown an active presence in previous AU summit meetings.

The country is considered as one of the AU's strategic partners along with India, Japan, China, several South American states and Turkey, while Tehran is also believed to be prioritizing promotion of its economic and political ties with the African states.

Israel to commit suicide by attacking Iran: Ahmadinejad

Source : Islamic Invitation

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says the Israeli regime would commit suicide if it launched a military attack against the Islamic Republic.

“I think that all the wise people of the world know that such a move [attacking Iran] by this regime (Israel) is tantamount to an absolute suicide,” Ahmadinejad said in a Tuesday interview with Iran’s Jam-e Jam international channel.

President Ahmadinejad added that Iran has never initiated a war and will not do so but will strongly defend its territory against any aggression. “Iran’s response to any invasion would be crushing,” and make the enemies regret, he said.

The Iranian president went on to say that the Zionist regime cannot survive without occupation, assassination and slaughter, adding that Israel is after adventurism to prevent its demise.

Israel has recently stepped up threats of carrying out a strike against Iran’s nuclear energy facilities.

The threats are based on the unfounded claims that the peaceful nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic include a military component.

Iranian officials have refuted the allegation and have promised a crushing response to any military strike against the country, warning that any such measure could result in a war that would spread beyond the Middle East.

Iran can overcome ‘barbaric’ sanctions: Khamenei

Source: The Express Tribune

TEHRAN: Iran can overcome “barbaric” economic sanctions imposed by Western countries over its controversial nuclear programme, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday.

“These sanctions are barbaric. This is a war against a nation… But the Iranian nation will defeat them,” Khamenei said in a speech during a visit to the northeastern province of North Khorasan, broadcast on state television.

He also accused the West of “lying” over its offer to lift sanctions in return for Iran furnishing guarantees to back its claims its atomic programme is intended for civilian purposes only.

The West suspects Iran is seeking a nuclear weapons capacity, despite repeated denials from Tehran.

Khamenei said the sanctions had created “problems” for the country, and that “some mismanagement” of the draconian measures was adding to those problems. He did not elaborate.

The supreme leader also rejected the notion that sanctions were linked to Iran’s nuclear efforts, as the West claims they are.

“The enemies — the US and some European governments — are nowadays linking the sanctions to (Iran’s pursuit) of nuclear energy. They are lying,” he said.

He argued that his country has been targeted by sanctions since the 1979 Islamic revolution for its “independence and resistance” against world powers.

Western power have tightened an economic sanctions regime against the Islamic republic over the past two years, causing a drop in Iran’s oil exports and production, a collapse of its currency, slowing its economy and boosting the ranks of the jobless.

Talks between Iran and major powers on the nuclear impasse have stalled for years. Tehran is also under several sets of international sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council.

Iran slams British defense secretary's remarks on its nuclear program

Source: Xinhua | English.news.cn

TEHRAN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi dismissed on Tuesday the recent remarks by his British counterpart about Iran's nuclear program.

British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond told the Guardian on Sunday that the Western sanctions over Iran's nuclear program "are necessary to pressure Iran to end its nuclear activities," claiming that Iran's "mad scheme to build a bomb has to be brought to an end."

"We can definitely make the pain [resulting from sanctions against the Iranian people] much greater," he added.

"Are the British government's measures, which possesses over 200 strategic nuclear warheads ... ranks the third in the world in terms of nuclear weapon tests, and produces 3.2 million cubic meters of nuclear waste 'mad,' or Iran's peaceful nuclear activities," the Iranian minister asked.

Vahidi noted that the British defense secretary's "mad" remarks have disclosed his true intention proving that their allegations against Iran's nuclear program are but excuses and they only mean to inflict pain and suffering on the Iranian nation.

On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast criticized Hammond for his recent comments as well.

The comments only reveal the anger of the British government at Tehran's progress, the spokesman said, adding that such remarks indicate that London's all-out efforts to block Iran's path to development and prosperity have failed.

West accuses Iran of developing nuclear weapons under the cover of civilian nuclear program. Iran rejects the claims and insists on its "peaceful" nature."

Western sanctions on Iran against int'l laws: Iranian commander

Source: Xinhua English.news.cn

English.news.cn 2012-10-10 04:07:40

TEHRAN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi condemned on Tuesday the U.S. and European Union (EU) sanctions against the Islamic republic as contradictory to international laws, Press TV reported.

Firouzabadi said that the Western embargos are not only against the sovereignty and independence of nations, but also contravene the charter of the United Nations.

The Iranian commander downplayed sanctions as futile and noted that the Islamic republic has rendered Western bans ineffective through increased research activities.

The UN Security Council imposed four rounds of sanctions on Iran between 2006 and 2010 over its refusal to halt its nuclear enrichment program, which Western countries suspect could be used to develop nuclear weapons.

The United States and EU have imposed and expanded sanctions of their own over the years despite Tehran's insistence on the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.

Under political and economic pressures by the West over the controversial nuclear program, Iran's local currency has been depreciated against foreign ones significantly since the beginning of this year.

The economy of the country has suffered from high inflation and in many cases the price of the commodities has risen over 50 percent.

However, most of the Iranian hardliner officials still deny that the Western sanctions have hit the economy and decline to back down on the nuclear enrichment program and harsh rhetoric against the United States and Israel.

Iran's Air Defense is powerful enough to spot enemy spy planes - commander

Source: Trend.Az

Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 9 /Trend S.Isayev, T. Jafarov/

Commander of Iran's Khatam Al-Anbiya base Farzad Esmaili said Iran's air defense system is powerful enough to spot enemy spy planes, and send them appropriate warnings, if necessary, Fars reported.

Esmaili noted that Iran's air defense mechanisms have previously sent warnings to the U.S. manned AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircrafts flying in the Persian Gulf zone and on the Iraq-Iran border.

"During the "Velayat" air maneuvers in 2010, several U.S. spy planes were detected 12 miles inside Iran's airspace, and were given appropriate warnings from Jask, Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports' defensive checkpoints," Esmaili said.

"After receiving warning messages, the U.S. aircrafts immediately left Iran's airspace."

The commander noted that Iran has been sending the similar warnings to the U.S. planes for 10 years already, adding that Iran has also used its GPS jamming devices to put the U.S. GPS systems out of order.

Fars News Agency :: Egyptian FM Views Iran Part of Solution to Syrian Crisis

Egyptian FM Views Iran Part of Solution to Syrian Crisis TEHRAN (FNA)- Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr stressed that Iran is an influential party in Syria and should be part of the solution to the Syrian crisis.

Speaking to the Egyptian Al-Ahram newspaper, Kamel Amr pointed to Egypt's Syria Contact Group initiative, with Iran, Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia as its members, and stated, "Although some sides said there is no room for Iran around the negotiating table, we believe that Iran can never be ignored."

The top diplomat reiterated that Iran should contribute its role to the solution of the Syrian crisis.

Meantime, the Egyptian minister reiterated that Cairo is seeking to push the quartet towards a unified stance for "marginalizing foreign military intervention in Syria", and cautioned that foreign intervention would only complicate the problem.

The crisis should be resolved within an Arab framework and the future of Syria should be determined by the people of Syria, Amr said.

Late in September, Iranian, Egyptian and Turkish foreign ministers attended a meeting of the Contact Group on Syria in a bid to find a peaceful solution to the current crisis in the Arab country.

Saudi Arabia was not represented in the meeting of the contact group on Syria as his foreign minister was reportedly suffering an ailment.

In a joint press conference after the tripartite talks with Mohammed Kamel Amr and Ahmet Davutoglu, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi underlined the need for patience and awareness to restore calm in Syria, and said that only a solution agreed by all Syrians can soothe the crisis in the Arab country.

Salehi also said that members of the Contact Group on Syria share identical views about finding a solution to the current crisis in Syria.

"The common ground between us is more than our differences," Salehi told reporters.

The Iranian minister emphasized that there must be a Syrian solution and not one imposed from the outside.

During the press conference, Davutoglu called for a diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis, adding that the group of four countries agreed on some common points.

Iran Diverts Much of its Uranium for Peaceful Medical Research, Israeli Intel Says

Source: News From Antiwar.com

Iran has diverted much of its enriched uranium to peaceful scientific research and medical isotopes, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s latest report and intelligence obtained by Israeli sources

The report, as well as Israeli intelligence, states that Iran on several recent occasions has used the 20 percent enriched uranium – the highest it has and the portion of the program which most riled hawks in the West – to manufacture fuel rods for research for possible cancer treatment.

This use is exactly the use that Iran has stated its 20 percent enriched uranium is for, as opposed to what war-mongers in Israel and the United States claimed it was for, a creeping nuclear weapons program.

Senior Israeli defense officials told Haaretz that “Iran has moved the wall back by eight months at least,” because uranium allocated to this research is very difficult to revert back for any sort of weaponization.

Senior Israeli officials are now in the process of hyping this aspect of the IAEA’s findings, even though the latest report is from back in August. 

These Israeli officials are telling the press that Iran’s actions in this respect account for the recent dialing back of Israeli pressure on the US to back a preventive military strike on Iran.

Iran to start new stage of Sahand destroyers construction - Admiral

Iran to start new stage of Sahand destroyers construction - Admiral - Trend.Az

Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 8 /Trend S.Isayev, T. Jafarov/

Iran will start the new stage of Sahand destroyers construction in December, Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said, Fars reported.

Sayyari noted that the new stage will takeoff on the day of Iranian Navy in December.

In September, Iran released the Sahand frigate into water, construction of which was completed ahead of schedule, in 9 months. It is planned to equip the frigate with modern defense technology as well as special stealth capabilities.

The original Iranian frigate Sahand, a British-made Vosper Mark V class frigate (also known as Alvand class frigate), was commissioned as part of a four-ship order.

The ship was originally called Faramarz, named after a character in Ferdosi's Shahnameh. However after the Islamic Revolution it was renamed Sahand, after the Sahand volcano.

Admiral Sayyari said that during the period of Sahand's release in September, and until December, it will be possible to witness all the improvements made to the frigate, until the next stage of construction takes place.

Iran will defeat enemy’s currency ‘conspiracy:’ Khamenei adviser

Alarabiya.net Mobile | Iran will defeat enemy’s currency ‘conspiracy:’ Khamenei adviser

Iran official: Drone flight shows Israel is vulnerable

Iran official: Drone flight shows Israel is vulnerable | Maan News Agency

DUBAI (Reuters) -- The incursion by an unmanned aircraft into Israeli airspace at the weekend exposed the weakness of Israeli air defenses, an Iranian military official was quoted as saying on Monday. The Israeli air force shot down a drone on Saturday after it crossed into southern Israel, the military said, but it remained unclear where the aircraft had come from. Jamaluddin Aberoumand, deputy coordinator for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the incident indicated that Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile defense system "does not work and lacks the necessary capacity", Fars news agency reported. The Iron Dome system, jointly funded with the United States, is designed to shoot down short-range rockets, not slow-flying aircraft. It intercepted more than 80 percent of the targets it engaged in March when nearly 300 rockets and mortars were fired at southern Israel, the Pentagon said at the time.

Israeli parliament member Miri Regev, a former chief spokesman of the military, wrote on Twitter it was an "Iranian drone launched by Hezbollah", referring to the Lebanese Shiite group that fought a war with Israel in 2006. Israeli defense officials have not confirmed this. Aberoumand attributed claims the drone was made by Iran to a "psychological operation" by Israel, but did not confirm or deny them. "The Zionist regime (Israel) has many enemies," he added. On at least one occasion, Iranian-backed Hezbollah has sent a drone into Israeli airspace. And in 2010, an Israeli warplane shot down an apparently unmanned balloon in the Negev near the country's Dimona nuclear reactor. The Israeli military released a 10-second video clip of what it said was Saturday's mid-air interception, showing a small aircraft just before a missile from a fighter jet destroys it. Israel has threatened to bomb Iran's nuclear sites if diplomatic efforts fail to stop the nuclear work it believes is aimed at getting weapons capability, a charge Tehran denies. Iran has responded with threats to attack US military bases in the region and retaliate against Israel if attacked.

Iran's police gets tip on bomb near Imam Reza’s Shrine in Mashhad

Via: Trend.Az

Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 8/ Trend F.Milad/

Earlier today, Iran's police has received an anonymous tip on bomb possibly installed at the parking lot near the Imam Reza's Shrine in Mashhad city, ISNA reported.

Deputy on security issues of Khorasan Province's Governor, Brigadier General Mohammad Gaffari said a group of people made the call from the public phone, late on Saturday, claiming there was a bomb placed at the parking lot near Imam Reza's Shrine.

Head of Mashhad police Esmail Ahmadi Mogaddam said that after receiving the anonymous call, the police squad, bomb experts and firefighters were dispatched to the scene.

He noted that after detailed searches, no explosives were found at the parking lot.

The first Mashhad bombing took place on 20 June 1994.

On June 20, of that year, an explosion from a bomb occurred in a prayer hall of the shrine of the Imam Reza at Ashura.

The bomb blast killed at least 26 people, and injured some 300 people.

Iran gas flow on pipeline to Turkey halted after blast: officials

Via: Scene Releases

ANKARA (Reuters) – The gas flow on a pipeline carrying Iranian natural gas to Turkey was halted due to an explosion in eastern Turkey in the early hours of Monday, Turkish energy officials said.

Iran Calls on Syria, Turkey to Respect Territorial Integrity

Fars News Agency :: Iran Calls on Syria, Turkey to Respect Territorial Integrity

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran called on the Turkish and Syrian governments to exercise self-restraint and remain calm after recent border skirmishes between the two neighboring countries.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian said in a statement issued by Iranian Embassy in Ankara that maintaining territorial integrity of Syria and Turkey are the prerequisites to establishment of calm in the region.

"Maintaining territorial integrity of both Syria and Turkey is the first prerequisite for establishing peace in the Middle East region," Amir Abdollahian said.

"The security of the region depends on controlling the borders of Syria's neighbors and in the Cairo and New York talks this has been highlighted," the diplomat added.

Turkey and Syria fired artillery and mortars across their border for a fifth consecutive day on Sunday.

On Wednesday, a mortar hit the border town of Akcakale in Southern Turkey.

It was not clear who fired the mortar into Turkey, but security sources said it had come from near Tel Abyad and that Turkey was increasing the number of troops along its border.

Syria said it was investigating the source of the mortar bomb and urged restraint. Information Minister Omran Zoabi conveyed his condolences to the Turkish people, saying his country respected the sovereignty of neighboring countries.

Since the beginning of unrests in Syria in March 2011, Turkey has tried hard to intensify the crisis in Syria by training terrorists and sending weapons to the Arab country. Such behavior resulted in further problems for the government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in its relations with its neighbors.

Iranian president, IRGC Naval Force commander to visit Iraq soon -

Source: Tehran Times

TEHRAN – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will travel to Iraq in the near future, the Iranian ambassador to Iraq has announced.

In an interview with the Persian service of the Mehr News Agency on Sunday, Ambassador Hassan Danaiifar also said that the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Naval Force, Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, will travel to Iraq on Tuesday at the invitation of the Iraqi Navy to discuss bilateral defense cooperation.

Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi recently traveled to Iraq and met with a number of Iraqi officials. During the visit, Vahidi and Acting Iraqi Defense Minister Saadoun al-Dulaimi signed a defense cooperation agreement.

Commenting on the recent inspection of an Iranian plane bound for Syria by Iraq, he said, “We believe that it was in contravention of international agreements of aviation organizations of the two countries.”

“We have conveyed our concern and protest to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry and hope that it will not reoccur. It also runs counter to excellent relations between the two countries,” he added.

Iraqi authorities made their first inspection of an Iranian aircraft on October 2 and let it fly on to Syria after finding no weapons.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari promised the searches on October 1 in response to U.S. claims that Iran is using Iraqi airspace to ship arms and military equipment to Syria.

Tehran bazaar reopens after currency protests

Via CNN

By Shirzad Bozorgmehr, CNN

Tehran, Iran (CNN) - Tehran's main bazaar reopened for its first full day of activity after demonstrations this week over the country's plummeting currency.

"The price of the dollar on the open market today dropped to (between) 28,500 and 29,000 rials, but the price of all foreign currencies, including the dollar, is still fluctuating and only a few transactions took place today," Mohammad Kashtiarai, head of the National Gold and Jewel Association, told the semi-official Mehr News Agency.

Sixteen people were arrested Thursday, a day after police dispersed a crowd at the bazaar, where protesters were blaming President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the high price of the dollar and goods in general.

Demonstrators chanted slogans opposing firebrand President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and decrying the skyrocketing cost of basic goods.

The rial's plummet to historic lows is the result of international sanctions, imposed largely by the United States and the European Union in an effort to pressure Iran to sit down for talks on its nuclear program. Ahmadinejad has insisted that sanctions hurt the people, not the government, and that the country's economy "has become a tool for psychological warfare." The rial's value was cut in half from September of last year through last month, the Congressional Research Service said in a report. It has fallen even further since, including a sharp nosedive this week, reaching historic lows against the value of the dollar. But protesters in Tehran blamed Ahmadinejad, chanting slogans against his regime and complaining about high prices. Those arrested "were the main players in the recent fluctuations in the foreign currency market," the Tehran Judiciary said in a statement.

Isreali death rate at least 10,000 troops in case of invading Iran: Rezai

Via Islamic Invitation

A senior Iranian official has warned that Israel would lose at least 10,000 troops in the event of a military strike on the Islamic Republic.

“If they [the Zionists] attack, Iran’s deterrent power would deal a mortal blow to them and the Israeli death rate would not be less than 10,000. Therefore, they would be stopped soon,” Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Expediency Council, told a group of Iranian students in London in a videoconference program.

“We don’t want war, but are fully prepared to defend [our country against any strike]. Of course the Zionists don’t dare to invade Iran and only speak [of war] to win concessions from the next US president,” said Rezaei, a former long-serving chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

Israel is stepping up threats of carrying out a unilateral strike against Iran’s nuclear energy facilities before the US presidential election on November 6. However, the US opposes any Israeli military action at the current juncture.

Israeli threats are based on the unsubstantiated claims that the peaceful nuclear activities of the Islamic Republic have been diverted to the acquisition of military nuclear capability.

The Iranian officials have promised a crushing response to any military strike against the country, warning that any such measure could result in a war that would spread beyond the Middle East.

The Secretary of Iran’s Expediency Council also accused the West of trying to derail the Islamic Awakening movement by interfering in Syria.

“At present, the Western efforts are focused on diverting the Islamic Awakening movement towards seeking a Western-style democracy and transform it into seeking a US-style democracy by toppling the Syrian government. But the Awakening movement has penetrated into the United States has revealed the internal traumas of the capitalist system.” he noted.

“As far as the regional revolutions are concerned, one should not imagine that they are limited to  regimes change in Libya and Egypt, because it is only the beginning,” Rezaei said.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Damascus says ‘outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorists’ are the driving factor behind the unrest and deadly violence while the opposition accuses the security forces of being behind the killings.

The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the armed militants are foreign nationals, mostly from Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Afghanistan.

Fars News Agency :: Parliament Summons 3 Foreign Envoys over Abducted Iranians

Parliament Summons 3 Foreign Envoys over Abducted Iranians TEHRAN (FNA)- Ambassadors of Syria, Turkey and Qatar to Tehran have been summoned to the Iranian parliament with regard to the case of the 48 Iranian pilgrims who were abducted in Syria over two months ago, parliamentary sources announced on Sunday

Rapporteur of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Seyed Hossein Naqavi said that the decision to summon the foreign envoys was taken after Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi came to parliament today and briefed the commission members on the results of his visit to Syria and his talks with the Syrian officials.

On August 4, armed insurgents in Syria kidnapped 48 Iranian pilgrims who were traveling on a bus from Damascus International Airport to the shrine of Hazrat Zainab (AS) on the outskirts of Damascus.

Later, unconfirmed media reports said three of them have been killed, but Iran rejected the reports saying that all of them are alive.

The terrorist group which has kidnapped the Iranians threatened on Friday that they would execute their hostages unless Syria withdrew from the embattled Eastern Ghuta area of Damascus province.

"We gave the regime 48 hours starting yesterday to withdraw completely from the Eastern Ghuta area," Abul Wafa, commander of the rebels' Revolutionary Military Council in Damascus province, told AFP via the Internet.

"We also have other secret, military demands. If the regime does not fulfill them we will start finishing off the hostages," warned Abul Wafa.

It is the second time the rebels have issued such a threat against the Iranian pilgrims.

Iran is using all diplomatic, political and security means to release the 48 Iranian pilgrims.

Ever since the abductions took place, the Foreign Ministry and the Iranian embassy in Damascus have been pursuing the fate and release of the kidnapped Iranian nationals through different channels.