Iran, Uzbekistan hold political consultations

TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) – Uzbekistan's first deputy foreign minister met Iran's top diplomat in Tehran on Monday.

Vessel struck by projectile while transiting Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) – A vessel in the Strait of Hormuz has reported being struck by a projectile, the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) says.

Araghchi, Turkish counterpart discuss region in phone call

TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) – Foreign Minister Abbas Argahchi and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan held phone call Monday evening to discuss regional developments and issues of mutual interests.

Iranian, Iraqi FMs discuss regional security in phone call

TEHRAN, Aug. 18 (MNA) – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein held a phone conversation to exchange views on the latest regional developments and border security issues.

Araghchi raps attack on Barzani's office as false flag op.

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has deplored the attack on Iraqi Kurdistan Region's prime minister's office as false flag operations.

Spokesman denies Trump’s claim of backchannel talks with IRGC

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps spokesperson denied US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington is holding backchannel talks with the IRGC officials.

Iranian official to Reuters:

Iran will siwtch to offensive if diplomacy fails

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – An Iranian official has reportedly told Reuters that Iran will switch to offensive if the talks with the United States fails as a result of Washington's reneging of its promises in the Islamabad MoU.

Malaysian PM lauds Iran's resiliance in face of US aggression

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has praised Iran’s resilience and determination in the face of US military attacks, saying Malaysia was among the countries that openly condemned the strikes against Iran.

Iran, Iraq move to remove barriers to banking relations

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Iran's Central Bank Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati held separate meetings with his Iraqi counterpart Nizar Nasser Hussein and Finance Minister Faleh Sari during his visit to Baghdad, focusing on banking and economic cooperation.

IRGC vows decisive response to any new threat, aggression

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Islamic Revolutinary Guards Corps (IRGC) has said its will respond to any new threat or aggression firmly.

Yemen says targeted Saudi warship, setting it on fire

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – The Yemeni armed forces spokesman has announced targeting and setting on fire a Saudi warship and sinking several armed boats in new operations.

Senior advisor to Leader:

American families now paying price of their leader’ gamble

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Lashing out at US policy towards Iran, Senior Adviser on to the Leader of the Islamic revolution for International Affairs Ali Akbar Velayati has said American families now paying price of their leaders' gamble in West Asia.

EU's Kallas suggests new 'far-reaching' Russia sanctions

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas has said she wants to increase the number of Russian entities sanctioned over the war in Ukraine by one third, local German media reported on Monday.

Iran wants clarity from Qatar on fate of pilots

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei has said that Tehran demands Qatar explaination and clarilty about the fate of three pilots.

Iran marks 36th anniv. of return of POWs from Iraq to home

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Monday marks 36th anniversary of the beginning of a multi-stage process to release and repatriate tens of thousands of Iranian captives held by Iraq’s toppled Baath regime during and after eight-year war in 1980s.

IRGC deputy chief:

Iran defeated its enemy with spending minimal warfare amount

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – A senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran managed to defeat its enemies while spending only "one-hundredth" of the amount the enemy spent on weapons and war.

VIDEO: At least 7 killed in a hotel fire in Tarapith, India

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – At least seven pilgrims have been killed and several others injured in a hotel fire in Tarapith, West Bengal, eastern India.

Israel conducts fresh attacks on areas in Lebanon’s Nabatieh

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Israeli regime forces have attacked several towns in Nabatieh and South governorates in southern Lebanon, local media reports said early Monday.

FM spox:

Tehran rejects negotiations on extension of MoU btw Iran, US

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Iran has categorically ruled out any talks on extending the 60-day period stipulated in the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU), stressing Tehran does not formulate its policies under pressure or artificial deadlines.

2 killed as blast hits vehicle in SW Pakistan

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Two civilians were killed and two others injured when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated on a civilian logistics vehicle in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, police sources said on Monday.

Tehran, Baghdad discuss ways to expand economic relations

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati and Iraqi Trade Minister Mustafa Nazar Alani explored avenues for facilitating trade and economic relations and removing obstacles hindering trade between the two states.

VIDEO: Israeli military vehicles raided Palestinian village

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Dozens of Israeli military vehicles, accompanied by heavy bulldozers and other machinery, have raided the Palestinian village of Qalandia, north of occupied Al Quds, preparing to demolish Palestinian structures in the area.

Iran dep. FM:

Iran hits back at Israeli minister over Gaza "killing quota"

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Israeli regime’s security minister set a nightly quota for killings in the Gaza Strip, so that his remarks should be maintained for future trials, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for the legal and international affairs said.

Israel min. calls for nightly killing of Palestinians in Gaza

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has urged the regime forces to kill “30 to 40” Palestinians in Gaza every night, saying operations should target more than just those who pose a danger at a particular moment.

5.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – A 5.7-magnitude earthquake was recorded off the coast of Indonesia, the European Mediterranean Seismological Center reported.

Media now part of operational warfare: IRGC Spox.

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Iran's IRGC spokesman said Monday the recent war against a major military power was not limited to the battlefield, with the media and the battle of narratives forming one of its most important arenas.

Shipping traffic in Hormuz slows to a near halt

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (MNA) – Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed over the weekend, with no ships transiting the waterway on Sunday.