Latest News and Views from Iran and the World

Ex-Miss Turkey Condemned to Jail for Insulting Erdogan

A former Miss Turkey has been sentenced to suspended jail for sending an insulting post about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on her Instagram.

Iran Developing Homegrown Alternative to GPS

On Wednesday, Iran’s defence minister unveiled three of the latest technological achievements made by local experts, including the transmitter of an indigenous positioning and navigation system that could be a substitute for the Global Positioning System (GPS).

20% Increase in Rajaie Port Activity

Director General of Hormuzgan Province’s Ports and Maritime Organization Ehrahim Idani said container operations in Rajaie port have increased by 20% in the past two months, as compared with the same period last year.

Iran Exports $15m Saffron in 1 Month

An official said Iran exported more than 10 tons of saffron, worth $15m dollars, in the first month of the current Iranian year (March 20-April 19, 2016).

Health Ministry Pledges to Build 131 Cancer Diagnostic Centres Nationwide

Iran’s Health Ministry is committed to building 131 cancer diagnostic centres in 13 cities across the country, the ministry’s spokesman said.

Iran’s Beauties in Photos: Pomegranate Blossoms

Iran's Zagros Mountains, which run across the country from the northwest to the south, are famous for being a perfect habitat for pomegranates, which are known in Persian as Anar.

Iran Carrying Out JCPOA Commitments Quickly, US Too Slowly

Mohammad Javad Larijani, the Chief of the Iranian Judiciary's Human Rights Council, criticized Washington’s slow implementation of a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers (JCPOA), and suggested that Iran should not be so fast in fulfilling its obligations.

World’s Longest Tunnel Opens Deep beneath Swiss Alps

Seventeen years after construction crews started boring beneath the Swiss Alps, the world's longest, deepest tunnel is officially opening on Wednesday June 1.

Official Urges Iranians Not to Go to Hajj from Third Country

Head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization Saeed Ohadi called on the country’s nationals to avoid making pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia from a third country during the upcoming Hajj season, due to the anti-Iran psychological atmosphere created by Riyadh.

Battle for Fallujah: What’s Happening to the Civilians?

Battles between the Iraqi army and the ISIS militants have intensified near the Iraqi ISIS-held city of Fallujah, as aid groups warn of a human catastrophe unfolding with 50,000 people trapped by the fighting.

Rouhani: Nation Determined To Achieve Goals of the Islamic Revolution

President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday June 1 that the nation is determined to achieve the sublime goals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Zarif Urges US to Remove ‘Psychological Banking Barrier’ in Trade with Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said there is a “psychological barrier” in trade with Iran, stressing that Washington should give international banks reassurances that they can resume business with the Islamic Republic.

First VP Embraces MP’s Criticism of Oil Contracts, Calls for Amendments

In a rare move in the history of Iranian administrations, First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri warmly welcomed a recent letter by the outspoken former MP Ahmad Tavakkoli which criticized the Oil Ministry’s new contracts, and asked Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh to correct them accordingly.

Iran and Russia in Talks over Electricity Exchange

A new report says Iran and Russia are in final talks over high-season electricity exchange.

Navy 40th Flotilla Returns Home, Ending 55-Day Mission

The 40th flotilla of Iran's Navy returned home on Wednesday Jun 1 after its 55-day mission to remote waters.

Saudi Thinker Praises Late Imam Khomeini in Promoting Islamic Revolution

Ma’an Al-Jerba, a Saudi thinker, praised the role played by the late Imam Khomeini in promoting the idea of Islamic Revolution across Muslim countries.

Iran and Turkey Jointly to Submit Rumi’s Masnavi to UNESCO

National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI) Director Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri met with a Turkish cultural delegation led by the director of the Atatürk Culture Language and History High Commission, Derya Ors, in Tehran on Monday May 30.

Portugal Calls for Tehran-Lisbon Direct Flights

Portuguese Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Costa Oliveira called for bolstering relations with Iran, especially in the field of communications, and establishing direct flights between the two countries.

Iran-Sweden Trade Meeting Opens in Stockholm

An Iran-Sweden trade meeting opened on Wednesday June 1, attended by 230 Iranian and Swedish economic figures.

Market Unaffected by Iran Export Hike ahead of OPEC Meeting

Iran has not negatively impacted the oil market by doubling its crude oil exports, says Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh.

A Look at Iranian Newspaper Front Pages on June 1

IFP has taken a look at the front pages of Iranian newspapers on Wednesday and picked headlines from 26 of them. IFP has simply translated the headlines and does not vouch for their accuracy.

2nd National Turkmen Horse Festival

The Second National Turkmen Horse Festival was held in Bojnourd, North Khorasan province, on Monday May 30. The festival celebrates equine breeders and traditional...

Asghar Farhadi Honoured by Iran’s House of Cinema

Iran’s House of Cinema organized a ceremony on Tuesday evening, May 31, to celebrate the global accolades won by Asghar Farhadi’s The Salesman, honouring the acclaimed director as well as the movie’s cast and crew.

Rostami Wins Gold with New World Record

Kianoush Rostami , an Iranian weightlifter at the 85kg category, managed to set a new world record to win the title at the 1st International Fajr Cup Weightlifting Championships in Tehran.

Economic Agreements Worth $1.2bn Signed with Finland and Poland

Iran has struck a number of economic agreements worth some $1.2bn during an Iranian delegation’s trip to Poland and Finland, says an official.