Khashoggi's fate introduced debate about human rights values in US-Saudi relations: Murphy

TEHRAN, Oct. 21 (MNA) – Richard W. Murphy, the former US ambassador to Syria and Saudi Arabia, says “Jamal Khashoggi's fate has introduced a debate about human rights values to a degree not normally the case in U.S.-Saudi relations."

Mohammad bin Salman resembles Trump: Adib-Moghaddam

TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (MNA) – Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, Chair of the Center for Iranian Studies at the London Middle East Institute believes that he never saw Mohammad bin Salman as a prudent leader. His approach to politics is similar to US President Donald Trump.

Ex-US ambassador:

Russia’s S300s in Syria, least costly measure for Moscow

TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (MNA) – A former US ambassador says that the deployment of S300 in Syria is Russia's least costly measure against Israel.

US, West may topple bin Salman: Hunter

TEHRAN, Oct. 16 (MNA) – Shireen Tahmaasb Hunter, a professor of political science at Georgetown University, said that the Khashoggi issue is very important and highly embarrassing to America that has so closely embraced Bin Salman.

Prof. Lefebvre:

S-300 restricts Israel air superiority in Syria

TEHRAN, Oct. 15 (MNA) – An associate professor at the University of Connecticut says Russia's delivery of S-300 to Syria would threaten Israeli air superiority over the Arab country, and could seriously jeopardize Israel’s ability to launch air strikes.

Sanctions imposed on Iran contrary to UN charter: ex-UN official

TEHRAN, Oct. 14 (MNA) – Richard Anderson Falk, professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University says “the US during the Trump presidency has insisted that there is no higher authority than the US government.”

Khashoggi murdered, dismembered, taken out of Turkey: Askari

TEHRAN, Oct. 14 (MNA) – Professor Hossein Askari, an expert on Saudi Arabia who also teaches international business at the George Washington University, believes that Jamal Khashoggi was murdered, dismembered and taken out of Turkey.

Trump knows Saudi Arabia can’t harm US: Zaccara

TEHRAN, Oct. 14 (MNA) – Research assistant professor in Qatar University, Luciano Zaccara, says US President Trump bullies Saudi Arabia because he knows Riyadh cannot do anything to harm Washington.

Most ME dictators owe their power to Western patrons: Jahanpour

TEHRAN, Oct. 09 (MNA) – Professor Farhang Jahanpour, a part-time tutor on Middle Eastern affairs in the Department of Continuing Education, University of Oxford, and a member of Kellogg College says that current Middle Eastern leaders who serve Western interests, while lacking legitimacy in the eyes of their own people.

Mohammed bin Salman knows his grip on power dependent on US: Askari

TEHRAN, Oct. 08 (MNA) –Professor Hossein Askari, an expert on Saudi Arabia who also teaches international business at the George Washington University, believes that “Mohammed bin Salman knows that his grip on power and his family’s rule has been and is totally dependent on the United States.”

‘India-Pakistan relationship is held hostage by many structural impediments’

TEHRAN, Oct. 07 (MNA) –India and Pakistan, the two estranged neighbors, made some significant overtures since the formation of new government in Islamabad, which rekindled hopes of peaceniks in both the countries. But the parleys proved short-lived.

Syrian deputy parl. speaker:

Delivery of S-300 to Syria prevents Israel from assisting terrorists

TEHRAN, Oct. 06 (MNA) – Syrian Deputy Parliament Speaker Najdat Anzour told Mehr News that Russia's delivery of S-300 to Syria is a "huge transformation that greatly weakens the Zionist regime's ability to cooperate directly with the terrorist groups in Syria."

US sanctions on Iran can affect trade of humanitarian goods: Nephew

TEHRAN, Oct. 06 (MNA) – Richard Nephew, who served as the lead sanctions expert for the US team negotiating with Iran, is of the opinion that it is certainly true that US sanctions on Iran can affect the trade of humanitarian goods and the hostile licensing policy from the United States on civil aviation licenses is a complication.

Cuban amb.:

US strategy to provoke disappointment through economic hardship

TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) – In an exclusive interview, Mr. Alexis Bandrich Vega Cuban ambassador to Iran discussed a host of issues with Mehr News correspondent, including the US policy towards Cuba, the reason behind the popularity and even recent failure of some socialist governments as well as Tehran- Havana bilateral ties.

Resolving Qatar crisis is not easy: former US amb.

TEHRAN, Oct. 03 (MNA) – Richard W. Murphy, the former US ambassador to Syria and Saudi Arabia, says “Washington has strong interests in keeping good relations both with Saudi Arabia and Qatar.”

Indian commentator:

Putin’s India visit to test Modi’s idea of ‘strategic autonomy’ for India

TEHRAN, Oct. 02 (MNA) – A New Delhi-based senior journalist and commentator, Kallol Bhattacherjee, says Russian President Putin’s visit to India will be the biggest test for the concept of “strategic autonomy” that Indian Prime Minister Modi presented in his speech at the Shangri La Dialogue earlier this year.

Norwegian amb.:

Norway working closely with Iran, EU to help preserve JCPOA

TEHRAN, Oct. 01 (MNA) – Norwegian Ambassador to Tehran, Lars Nordrum, said in an exclusive interview with Mehr News that Norway is fully committed to the JCPOA and will support EU’s promised financial mechanism to continue trade with Iran in the face of US sanctions.