Iran sympathizes with China over chemical plant blast

TEHRAN, Mar. 23 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bahram Ghasem offered condolences to Chinese people and government over a deadly blast in a chemical plant which killed more than 60 people.

Multiple blasts hit crowd in SW Afghanistan, kill at least 4

TEHRAN, Mar. 23 (MNA) – Multiple blasts ripped through a crowd of civilians and security officials in Afghanistan's Helmand province during spring festival on Saturday.

Death toll of chemical plant explosion in China rises to 64

TEHRAN, Mar. 23 (MNA) – The number of people killed in a powerful blast at a chemical plant in the city of Yancheng, located in China's eastern Jiangsu province, rose to 64, while 28 people are believed to be missing after the incident, the city mayor said on Saturday.

Iranian GR wrestlers claim title of U23 Asian C’ships

TEHRAN, Mar. 22 (MNA) – Gaining nine medals, including four gold, Iran’s Greco-Roman team was crowned at U23 Senior Asian Championships, underway in Mongolia.

Senior cleric likens INSTEX to ‘a bitter joke’

TEHRAN, Mar. 22 (MNA) – Tehran's provisional Friday Prayers Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ahmad Khatami said that the financial mechanism established by European countries dubbed as INSTEX is like a ‘bitter joke’.

OIC emergency meeting on NZ terror attack kicks off in Istanbul

TEHRAN, Mar. 22 (MNA) – Members of Organization of Islamic Cooperation are holding an emergency meeting in Istanbul after last week's twin mosque attacks in New Zealand to address Islamophobia across the world.

Intl. Nowruz Day celebrated in Geneva

TEHRAN, Mar. 22 (MNA) – The International Nowruz Day, marking the Persian New Year and arrival of spring, was celebrated in the Swiss city of Geneva on March 21, hosted by Iran and ten other countries.

Zarif lands in Turkey to address Islamophobia with OIC members

TEHRAN, Mar. 22 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has traveled to Turkey to take part in an emergency meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is to be held today in Istanbul.

Iran's Leader:

Defeating enemy not enough, economic deterrence required

TEHRAN, Mar. 21 (MNA) – Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said that while Iran will definitely defeat its enemies, the country still needs to achieve a level in deterrence where enemies cannot harm the country’s economy.

Iran Army readier than ever to defend country: Cmdr. Heidari

TEHRAN, Mar. 21 (MNA) – Commander of Iran's Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kioomars Heidari said that the Army has updated its equipment and is readier than ever to defend the country.

Blasts in Kabul kill 6, injure more than 20

TEHRAN, Mar. 21 (MNA) – At least six people were killed and 23 others injured after three blasts hit Shia neighborhood of Kabul on Thursday, where people were celebrating Nowruz.

Rouhani felicitates New Year to heads of regional states

TEHRAN, Mar. 21 (MNA) – In separate messages on Thu., Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has congratulated leaders of some regional countries on the beginning of the New Year, wishing for the nations’ success and prosperity in 1398.

Four other abducted Iranian border guards released: FM spox

TEHRAN, Mar. 21 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bahram Ghasemi said that four out of seven remaining border guards, who were held hostage by a terrorist group in Pakistan, have been released.

Iran supports power transition in Kazakhstan: FM spox

TEHRAN, Mar. 20 (MNA) – Iran supports power transition in Kazakhstan since it is based on the country’s constitution, said Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bahram Ghasemi.

Kazakh capital name changes to 'Nursultan' in honor of former president

TEHRAN, Mar. 20 (MNA) – Kazakhstan’s bicameral legislature passed a law at a joint meeting of its houses on Wednesday to change the capital city’s name from Astana to Nursultan, in honor of the country’s first President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Terrorists in Afghanistan, Pakistan more dangerous than ISIL: senior MP warns

TEHRAN, Mar. 20 (MNA) – Washington is deploying terrorist groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan and these groups are more dangerous than ISIL, said Chairman of National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of Iranian Parliament.