August 6, The Iran Project – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attendance in OIC extraordinary meeting on Palestine in Turkey, Trump signing sweeping sanctions bill targeting Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei formally endorsing Rouhani as Iran president, World leaders arrival in Tehran to join Rouhani inauguration and The swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani in Majlis dominated the country’s media outlets in the past week (July 31–Aug 06).


 

Politics

Former Iranian president Ahmadinejad facing sentencing over misuse of funds 


Iran’s former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, faces sentences on seven verdicts of misusing billions of dollars in government funds while in office, the public prosecutor at Iran’s Supreme Audit Court said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday.

Need to preserve security, dignity of Hajj pilgrims 


Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said protecting security and dignity of pilgrims is central to holding a “majestic” hajj, calling on the Saudi government to keep a watchful eye on the organization of the ritual this year.


OIC extraordinary meeting on Palestine kicks off in Istanbul 
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) extraordinary meeting on Palestine and al-Aqsa started work on Tuesday in this Turkish city.


Iran, Russia discuss Syria’s developments 


Senior Iranian negotiator in Syrian peace talks held in Astana and his Russian counterpart discussed the latest developments in Syria and the region on Tuesday.

Iran’s Zarif hopes for shift in Saudi policies after handshake with Jubeir 


Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed the hope that Saudi Arabia would reconsider its regional policies, on the same day that he shook hands with his Saudi counterpart on the sidelines of a conference in Istanbul in a move that surprised many reporters.

Leader: Submitting to bullying powers costlier than resisting them 


The endorsement ceremony for president-elect Hassan Rouhani two days ahead of his final swearing-in ceremony started at Imam Khomeini Hussainia in Tehran.




Iran’s top leader pledges to continue missile program 


Iran’s supreme leader on Thursday slammed the new U.S. sanctions on Tehran signed by President Donald Trump the previous day, and vowed his country would continue its missile program despite international pressure.



EU tries to have US by side in supporting JCPOA: Mogherini 


EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, who is in Tehran to attend President Rouhani’s inaugural ceremony, met and talked with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.




Rouhani sworn in as Iran’s President 


The swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani kicked off in the capital, Tehran, at 17:00 local time (1230 GMT) on Saturday in the presence of senior Iranian state and military officials as well as foreign dignitaries.

Nation, Gov’t will show unified reaction to JCPOA violation: President 


President Hassan Rouhani said that the Iranian nation and government will show integrated reaction to any type of violation of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran’s DM, Russian Deputy PM discuss ties, regional issues 


Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin held a meeting in Tehran on Saturday.

Iran wins 4th place in military Olympics 


Al-Mahdi Airborne Brigade of Special Forces who represented Iran in the International Army Games 2017 won the 4th place at the end of the competitions.

 


Economy

Iran, Russia sign contract on wagon manufacturing 


Iran’s Industrial Development & Renovation Organization (IDRO) has signed a €2.5bn contract with Russian Transmashholding Company to establish a joint venture for manufacturing metro wagons.



Shell submits to NIOC technical appraisal of Iran oilfields 


Anglo-Dutch oil major Royal Dutch Shell has submitted to the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) the result of its feasibility studies over Iran’s Azadegan and Yadavaran oilfields.

Trump signs sweeping sanctions bill targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea 


President Trump has signed a sweeping sanctions measure that targets Russia, Iran and North Korea, the White House said in a statement Wednesday.

South Korea’s SK inks €1.6 billion Iran refinery deal 


South Korea’s SK Engineering and Construction Co (SKEC) signed a heads of agreement on Saturday for a 1.6 billion euro upgrade of the Tabriz refinery in northwest Iran, the Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran jewelry demand hits four-year high 


Iran’s jewelry market registered strong growth in the second half of 2017, with demand rising 20.5% at an annualized rate to hit 22.9 tons, according to a report by World Gold Council released on Thursday.

 

Regional Affairs

Iraq’s Hashd al-Sha’abi forces retake 17 villages southeast of Tal Afar from Daesh 


Iraqi fighters from Popular Mobilization Units have liberated more than a dozen villages near Tal Afar as pro-government forces and army soldiers work on a planned offensive to expel the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group out of its remaining urban strongholds in the country.



Lebanon’s Hezbollah formally announces end to Arsal operation 


Hezbollah has formally announced an end to a security operation aimed at clearing the Lebanese town of Arsal on the border with Syria of al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front terrorists.

Hezbollah chief hails victory of resistance fighters in Arsal 


Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has hailed the victory of the Lebanese resistance fighters in Arsal.

Leader’s Top Aide: Iran, EU oppose disintegration plots in Syria, Iraq 


Iranian Supreme Leader’s top aide for international affairs Ali Akbar Velayati underlined that his country and the European Union are against the plots hatched to disintegrate the regional states, including Iraq and Syria.

Syrian forces liberate last major Daesh-held town in Homs province 


A UK-based monitoring group has reported that Syrian government forces have liberated the last major town in the Homs province from the Daesh terrorist group.

 

Society

Iran holds exciting food tours for foreign tourists


Foreign tourists usually visit Iran for its historical attractions; however, now that the country is being listed among the world’s top tourist destinations, two Iranian women are organizing tours of Iranian cuisine to make foreigners more familiar with Iranian foods and eating traditions.



Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, cozy and symmetrical 


The 17th century Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan, central Iran, is one of the architectural masterpieces of Iranian architecture.

Four Iranians among Metacritic best directors 


Four film directors from Iran are in the list of the best 25 filmmakers of the 21st century (so far) selected by Metacritic website.

Iranian athletes snatch 50 colorful medals in South Korea 


The 2017 Anyang World Taekwondo Hanmadang wrapped up on Tuesday while the Iranian athletes managed to grab 18 gold, 11 silver and 21 bronze medals in the tournament in South Korea.

Iran ranks 22 in nanotech patent publication 


In the first six months of 2017, more than 5500 applications have been recorded by the US Patent Office (USPO) for the nanotechnology-related patents, with US, Korea, Japan and Taiwan as the largest contributors and Iran ranking 22nd.