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US approves $3.5 billion missile sale to Saudi Arabia

By
IFP Media Wire
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Washington is poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom in May.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requested 1,000 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 50 AMRAAM guidance sections and other equipment including spares, missile containers, and spare parts, and logistics support services.

The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale on Friday.

Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded.

The principal contractor will be RTX Corp according to the Pentagon.

Data: Iran faces longest sustained high inflation in modern history

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Bazaar

The point-to-point inflation rate has remained above 30% for 57 straight months – an unprecedented stretch in Iran’s economic records that surpasses even wartime inflationary periods.

The sustained price surges have devastated purchasing power, with the rial losing 99% of its value against the US dollar since 2005.

“What cost 890 rials in 2005 now requires about 81,000 rials, rendering savings worthless and forcing citizens toward hard assets like gold and foreign currency,” the paper wrote.

Economic analysts point to multiple structural causes, including excessive money printing to fund budget deficits, mismanaged banking policies, and the compounding effects of international sanctions.

This inflationary crisis has created severe economic distortions. Manufacturers struggle with unpredictable costs, banks face deposit flight, and households increasingly abandon the national currency for stable-value alternatives.

According to the report, the middle class has been particularly hard-hit, with many families sliding into poverty as wages fail to keep pace with soaring prices.

While economic theory offers clear solutions – including central bank independence, fiscal discipline, and monetary restraint – implementation has proven politically challenging.

The government continues to rely on inflationary financing methods, and policy reforms remain incomplete, the paper concluded.

Spring tea harvest begins in Iran’s Tonekabon

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Local farmers expect to collect approximately 3,200 tons of fresh tea leaves this season.

The western Mazandaran and eastern Gilan provinces remain Iran’s primary tea-producing regions, known for their ideal growing conditions.

Workers carefully hand-pick the tender young leaves during this crucial early harvest period, which typically yields the highest quality product.

More in pictures:

Iranian teen weightlifter wins medals, breaks records at world championships

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The 16-year-old athlete claimed silver in the clean and jerk with a lift of 111kg and bronze in the total category with 197kg in the 64kg weight class.

She narrowly missed another medal in the snatch, finishing fourth with 86kg.

Hosseini broke all three Iranian youth records in her weight category. She improved her own national snatch record by 4kg to 86kg, broke the clean and jerk record by 10kg to 111kg, and set a new total record of 197kg, surpassing the previous mark by 14kg.

The previous records were 82kg in snatch and 183kg total held by Hosseini herself, while the clean and jerk record of 101kg belonged to Seyedeh Ghazal Hosseini.

This achievement marks only the second time an Iranian female weightlifter has won medals at the World Youth Championships, following Yekta Jamali’s success in 2021.

Severe storms claim 7 lives, injure 67 across Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Four victims died due to high winds, while three others were killed by lightning strikes.

Tehran Province recorded the highest number of injuries with 53 cases.

Fatalities were reported in Tehran, Mazandaran, Lorestan, South Khorasan, Markazi, and East Azarbaijan provinces.

The storms caused widespread damage, including fallen trees, collapsed billboards, building facade and roof failures, reduced visibility accidents, livestock deaths from lightning strikes, and increased air pollution.

Authorities have urged citizens to adhere to safety precautions during weather alerts and avoid hazardous conditions.

Iran FM: Nuclear deal “within reach” if US shows “political will and fair approach”

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Abbas Araghchi

In a post on social media platform X, the minister responded to recent claims by US officials and Western media about the content of indirect talks between Tehran and Washington.

He wrote, “I generally refrain from airing arguments on key negotiation elements through the media.”

“What I will say is that repeating falsehoods will not change basic facts,” he added.

The Iranian foreign minister asserted, “As a founding signatory to the NPT, Iran has every right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle. Moreover, there are several NPT members that enrich uranium while wholly rejecting nuclear weapons. Apart from Iran, this club includes several Asian, European, and South American nations.”

“Maximalist positioning and incendiary rhetoric achieve nothing except eroding the chances of success,” he stated.

“A credible and durable agreement is within reach. All it takes is firm political will and a fair attitude,” Araghchi concluded.

In a phone call with UN Chief Antonio Guterres on Friday, Araghchi said the inconsistencies in US behavior, as well as continued threats and sanctions against Iran, have raised questions about Washington’s commitment to diplomatic approach.

Iran urges ‘realism’ in nuclear talks as FM discusses diplomacy with UN chief

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The talks focused on reviving indirect talks between Tehran and Washington, with Araghchi stressing Iran’s commitment to diplomacy while warning against “contradictory” US actions undermining trust.

He referred to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s responsible approach in choosing diplomatic approach toward resolving the fabricated dispute surrounding its peaceful nuclear program. Araghchi underscored that progress in the diplomatic track requires genuine determination and realism from the other side. He also reiterated that Iran, as a committed member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, NPT, remains fully compliant with its obligations while insisting on the Iranian nation’s right to benefit from nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, which requires uranium enrichment.

The Iranian foreign minister also highlighted past bitter experiences and breaches of commitments by other sides, saying a balanced, fair and lasting agreement is conditional on other parties avoiding raising extralegal matters contrary to the NPT and also on them providing guarantees regarding the fulfillment of their commitments in effectively ending sanctions and ensuring Iran’s economic benefit.

Araghchi added that the contradictory behavior and statements of US officials, along with the continued sanctions and threats against the Iranian people, have led to increased distrust and suspicion about Washington’s seriousness about advancing the diplomatic path.

The foreign minister then pointed to several rounds of negotiations held with Germany, France, and the UK over the past year, emphasized Iran’s readiness to continue engagement with European parties and expressed hope that the three countries would adopt a constructive approach toward the peaceful resolution of existing disputes.

For his part, the UN secretary general appreciated Iranian the foreign minister’s innovative approach in explaining developments related to the indirect Iran-US talks, emphasizing the importance of continuing this process until a result is achieved.

Guterres also offered condolences to Iran over the recent explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port.

Tractor FC crowned champions of Iran’s Premier League for first time

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The championship was sealed after second-place Sepahan lost to Gol Gohar, leaving Tractor uncatchable with two matches remaining.

Fans in the northeastern Iranian city of Tabriz, where the club is based, flooded the streets in celebration, setting off fireworks and dancing in jubilation.

Club CEO Mohammad Reza Zonouzi announced plans for a public victory celebration in the city.

Under Croatian coach Dragan Skočić, Tractor secured direct qualification for next season’s AFC Champions League Elite.

The Croatian coach, who previously led Iran’s national team to the 2022 World Cup before being replaced, redeemed himself by guiding Tractor to historic success.

Key signings, including ex-Persepolis stars Alireza Beiranvand, Mehdi Torabi, and Danial Esmaeilifar, bolstered the squad.

With 64 points from 28 matches, Tractor lead Sepahan (56 points), while Persepolis, Foolad, and Gol Gohar round out the top five.

The triumph marks a milestone for the club, backed heavily by investor Zonouzi in recent years but falling short of the league title until now.

INOTEX 2025 wraps up with $2 billion in international agreements, saving €700 million in imports

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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President of Pardis Technology Park Mahdi Safarinia spoke about the park’s 24-year journey in fostering innovation, saying over €340 million in exports and $3.5 million in private-sector investment have flowed through the park, which now houses 9,000 professionals and 400,000 square meters of R&D and tech infrastructure.

A significant achievement has been the development of 2,500 knowledge-based products by companies based in the park.

According to Safarinia, these products have prevented an estimated €700 million in foreign currency outflow over the past year alone.

He also announced that the second edition of the Pardis Technology Olympiad will take place this year.

Pardis Technology Park also plays a key role in national and international innovation projects, including managing Iran’s National Technology Market and coordinating the technology exchange network among eight Islamic countries.

Plans are underway to establish a joint investment fund among D8 member nations, further deepening regional cooperation.

INOTEX 2025 featured 450 exhibition booths, 250 investor meetings, and six demand-driven events focusing on sectors such as chemicals, electronics, home appliances, and oil & gas.

Advisor to Iranian president: Hijab mandate has failed

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Photo by Getty Images

Speaking to Rouydad24, Jalal Jalalizadeh stressed that the government must follow the will of the people.

“The law should reflect the will of the majority,” he noted. “What is evident, based on observation and the general situation in society, is that the majority opposes compulsory hijab…naturally, any form of coercion or pressure in this regard will undoubtedly backfire”.

He also noted that the recent wave of hijab-related text message warnings has created fear and anxiety among people, urging officials to eventually realize that hijab cannot be imposed on the public through this level of pressure and force.

Jalalizadeh’s call for a rational and prudent approach to the issue comes as some observers suggest that the text message campaign may be part of a pilot implementation of the controversial hijab mandate in select provinces, with the possibility of expanding it nationwide after assessing its outcomes.

Jalalizadeh however rejected this speculation and said the reality is that the hijab mandate is a failed policy, and it is highly unlikely that society will accept its implementation.

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