MP Motahari urges UK to apologize over acts of its envoy

TEHRAN, Jan. 15 (MNA) – Representative of Tehran in the Iranian Parliament Ali Motahari said that London should apologize for the ‘unconventional’ act of its ambassador to Tehran.

Imam Khomeini had a rather practical turn of mind: Falk

TEHRAN, Jan. 15 (MNA) – Forty-one years have passed since Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, upon failure to attract popular support, fled Iran forever. Over the past decades, despite being faced with threats, provocations, harsh sanctions, and even a variety of covert interventions, Iran has been more stable than ever- a fact even acknowledged by Professor Richard Falk as the former UN Special Rapporteur.

JCPOA only meaningful with practical measures: MP

TEHRAN, Jan. 14 (MNA) – An Iranian lawmaker, Mohammad Javad Jamali, reacted to a recent statement by the three European signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), saying the accord is meaningful as long as all sides take practical measures concerning their commitments.

UK envoy’s behavior inconsistent with international norms: MP

TEHRAN, Jan. 13 (MNA) – An Iranian lawmaker says UK Ambassador to Tehran Rob Macaire’s participation in an illegal gathering on Saturday was inconsistent with the international norms, calling for the expulsion of the envoy from Iran.

Iran's missile attack On US forces enjoys strategic importance: military official

TEHRAN, Jan. 08 (MNA) –Brigadier General Yadollah Javani said targeted Ain al-Assad airbase enjoys strategic significance for the US terrorist army’s operations and flights in the region.

Brigadier General Kosari to US officials:

Today missile attacks just 'preliminary measures'

TEHRAN, Jan. 08 (MNA) –A senior IRGC commander, Brigadier General Mohammad Kosari told Mehr News agency attacks carried out against US forces today are just our “preliminary measures”, advising US officials to stop their 'gambler president'.

General Soleimani was a brilliant strategist: Entessar

TEHRAN, Jan. 06 (MNA) – Nader Entessar, Professor Emeritus of Political Science from the University of South Alabama, lauded the capabilities and services of General Soleimani.

Chairman of the London Energy Club told MNA:

US assassinates Soleimani to have more room for involvement in region

TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) – Commenting on General Qasem Soleimani's role in challenging the US policy in the Middle East, Mehmet Ogutcu former Turkey's prime minister advisor said that the US wanted to remove him to decrease the Iranian influence and operations and increase US involvement in the region.

Soleimani played a pivotal role in combating terror movements: prof. Adib Moghaddam

TEHRAN, Jan. 05 (MNA) –Chair of the Centre for Iranian Studies at the London Middle East Institute says General Soleimani played a pivotal role in combatting terror movements such as Daesh, both in terms of military strategy and ideological outreach. Whereas the role of the United States and other regional actors such as Saudi Arabia has been ambiguous.

Turkish politician:

Story of Soleimani's role in resisting US regional designs should come out in future

TEHRAN, Jan. 04 (MNA) – Commenting on General Qasem Soleimani's role in challenging the US plocy in the Middle East, Dr.Logoglu said,"The story of what specific role he may have played in resisting American designs in the region should come out in the near future."

Iran has no option but to reduce further JCPOA commitments: MP

TEHRAN, Jan. 02 (MNA) – In the current situation, Iran has no choice but to continue reducing its commitments to the nuclear deal (JCPOA), a Board member of Parliament’s national security commission said on Thursday.

Iraq’s PMU a key check and balance against US-sponsored terrorism: Cartalucci

TEHRAN, Jan. 01 (MNA) – Anthony Cartalucci, Bangkok- based geopolitical researcher, says Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) play an undeniably significant role in foiling the US’ plots in the country as the forces have many “homefield” advantages over America and its proxies.

US attack on PMU aggression against sovereign Iraq: US analyst

TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (MNA) – Hailing PMU and other resistance groups' role in challenging the US policy in Iraq and Syria, American analyst and columnist Stephen Lendman says US attack on PMU is aggression against sovereign Iraq.

Joint naval drill with Russia, China shows Iran is not isolated: energy expert

TEHRAN, Dec. 30 (MNA) – Dr.Omid Shokri is of the view that the recent joint naval drill of Iran, Russia, and China shows that Iran is not isolated and shares some mutual interests with Russia and China.

By: Haniyeh Sadat Jafariyeh

Islamic Banking plan; bankers confrontation with MPs

TEHRAN, Dec. 30 (MNA) – The Iranian Parliament Members (MPs) ratified outlines of their own prepared Islamic banking plan in mid-December and are resolved to finalize it by the end of this Parliament (May 2020) not to have it postponed for the next one. 

Abdullah’s complaint to IEC not to bear fruit: Afghan official

TEHRAN, Dec. 25 (MNA) – Sayed Mohammad Ali Jawid, leader of the Islamic Movement of Afghanistan and an adviser to the president of Afghanistan said that Abdullah Abdullah’s team can file a complaint, but the result of the election is unlikely to change.

MP says Rouhani administration’s view towards West a ‘strategic mistake’

TEHRAN, Dec. 24 (MNA) – Criticizing Rouhani administration’s policies, Spokesman for the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Hossein Naghavi Hosseini said that problems in the country can be solved through relying on domestic capabilities not relying on Westerners.

Nigeria’s pressure on Zakzaky increased: IHRC head

TEHRAN, Dec. 21 (MNA) – In an interview with Mehr news agency, Head of the London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), Massoud Shajareh, said that Nigerian government’s measures prove that the pressures are increased and the conditions are not set for having the leader of Nigerian Shiites, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, released.

‘Tactical defeats’ plus ‘political confusion’ behind Saudis’ transient tone change in Yemen: expert

TEHRAN, Dec. 21 (MNA) – Professor of political science Colin S. Cavell says what has temporarily relaxed the Saudi war on Yemen is defeats of the coalition on the ground combined with political confusion among the coalition’s leaders.  

Navy upgrading Dena, Damavand destroyers: Rear Admiral Rastegari

TEHRAN, Dec. 21 (MNA) – Head of Iranian Defense Ministry's Marine Industries Organization says the two homegrown destroyers, namely Dena and Damavand, will join the Navy with significant improvements.

Iran may not take fifth JCPOA step if INSTEX operationalized: MP

TEHRAN, Dec. 19 (MNA) – Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’ National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Mojtaba Zonnour said that if the EU-proposed INSTEX is operationalized, Tehran may reconsider taking the fifth step in reducing its commitments to the nuclear deal.

If US wants cease fire, it should sign peace MoU: Taliban official

TEHRAN, Dec. 18 (MNA) – A former Taliban official says if the US wants a ceasefire, so it should sign a peace MoU with Taliban.

By: Marjohn Sheikhi

‘Crows in the Rain is a pathway to every person's infinite inner world’

TEHRAN, Dec. 17 (MNA) – In an exclusive interview with Mehr, the successful Tehran-based post-rock band ‘Crows in the Rain’ aptly described the band as a “pathway to every person's infinite inner world.”

Future Party will attract some voters of AKP: Logoglu

TEHRAN, Dec. 16 (MNA) –Referring to the launching of the new Future Party by Ahmet Davutoğlu, a senior member of CHP says the new Future Party will have an impact on AKP as it will attract some voters from.

Changing label of Iran’s sanctions to make it harder to remove sanctions: Nephew

TEHRAN, Dec. 16 (MNA) –Richard Nephew, who served as the lead sanctions expert for the US team negotiating with Iran, is of the opinion that “It is true that this is the Trump Administration's intention: to make it much harder to remove the sanctions in the future because now entities and individuals are considered "terrorists" in addition to "proliferators".”

Turkish expert talks of significance of Iran, Turkey regional coop.

TEHRAN, Dec. 15 (MNA) – In an interview with Mehr News agency Dr. Bilgahan Alagoz talked of the necessity of Iran and Turkey regional cooperation due to common threats and interests.

Any breakthrough in Qatar, SA relation will strain Turkey: Prof. Zonis

TEHRAN, Dec. 10 (MNA) – Marvin Zonis, Professor of international political economy and leadership at the University of Chicago says if Qatar and Saudi repair their relationship, it will certainly strain the relation between Qatar and Turkey

By: Marjohn Sheikhi

Never compromise, Polish director Joanna Kos-Krauze tells budding filmmakers

TEHRAN, Dec. 10 (MNA) – In an interview with Mehr, award-winning Polish cinematographer Joanna Kos-Krauze said mark of a good filmmaker is ‘courage’, and the tenacity to never compromise on what needs to be shown.

Big change not expected in Doha policy towards Riyadh: Zaccara

TEHRAN, Dec. 09 (MNA) – Research assistant professor at Qatar University says despite recent talks between Saudi Arabia and Qatar It is still difficult to predict if this will mean a change in the overall foreign policy of Qatar.

Israel, Saudi missile programs should be considered when discussing Iran's missile program: Jenkins

TEHRAN, Dec. 08 (MNA) – Peter Jenkins, former UK Ambassador to the IAEA and UN, says that Israel has a significant missile program while Saudi Arabia has acquired a significant quantity of missiles from foreign suppliers and is reported to have embarked on an indigenous program.