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Iran’s Mission Denies Dutch Terror Allegations as Baseless

Iran Embassy UK

In a statement, the embassy emphasized Iran’s status as a major victim of terrorism and its strong commitment to combating all forms of terrorism.

The Dutch intelligence agency recently released a report accusing Iran of links to two alleged assassination attempts in Europe, claiming that two individuals were arrested in June 2024 for attempting to kill an Iranian resident in the Netherlands.

In response to these accusations, the Iranian ambassador was summoned to the Dutch Foreign Ministry.

The embassy’s statement described the allegations as baseless and suggested they are part of an effort by some to pose as victims for political gain or privileges from host governments.

It further noted that many individuals and groups responsible for terrorist acts in Iran, who openly admit to or take pride in such actions, operate freely in Europe with the backing of Western governments, often fueling such claims.

Iran FM calls for robust Islamic action against Israel crimes

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi

In a telephone conversation with his Indonesian counterpart, Sugiono, the Iranian foreign minister identified the ongoing occupation and massacre of the Palestinian people as the most pressing issue confronting the international community.

He noted that the Zionist regime, with comprehensive backing from the United States and certain other Western powers, has turned the Gaza Strip and the West Bank into zones of genocide and torture against innocent Palestinian civilians.

He warned that despite the issuance of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court and provisional measures by the International Court of Justice calling for the cessation of genocide, the regime’s atrocities continue unabated. At the same time, the Zionist regime persists in its aggression against Lebanon and Syria, while the United States is carrying out military strikes on Yemen in support of the occupying regime.

Elsewhere, Araghchi underscored the importance of strengthening ties between Iran and Indonesia as two major developing Islamic nations.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister, in turn, echoed his Iranian counterpart’s remarks regarding the tragic situation of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, and emphasized the need for consensus and concerted efforts among Islamic countries to achieve an immediate ceasefire and facilitate the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian population.

Sugiono also reaffirmed Jakarta’s commitment to expanding cooperation and coordination with Tehran at bilateral and multilateral levels, and welcomed the proposals presented to bolster bilateral ties and joint initiatives.

Iran signs 4 oilfield development contracts with Russia

Iran Oil Gas

The deals, worth a cumulative $4 billion in investment, were unveiled during the 18th meeting of the Iran-Russia Joint Economic Commission in Moscow.

Paknejad emphasized that the current volume of trade, standing at approximately $5 billion annually, falls far short of the actual potential.

He noted that existing frameworks and agreements between the two countries have the capacity to push bilateral trade beyond $10 billion and open new avenues for cooperation in key sectors.

Paknejad highlighted the breadth of untapped opportunities between Iran and Russia, spanning energy, finance, banking, agriculture, and the trade of oil and gas products.

“This partnership can evolve into deeper economic collaboration far exceeding the current benchmarks,” he stated.

In addition to the finalized oilfield development contracts, Paknejad revealed that several memoranda of understanding concerning other oil and gas fields are under negotiation and are expected to be formalized in the near future.

The Iranian oil minister also outlined a phased plan for gas cooperation with Russia. In the first phase, Iran will begin importing gas from Russia. The second phase will involve leveraging an equivalent volume of imported gas for international trade through swap deals and transit routes. “Both sides are keen to move forward, and negotiations on the remaining issues are progressing towards a final agreement,” he added.

4 arrested over controversial content aired on Iranian state TV

TV

Following the broadcast of a short video on Wednesday’s edition of the program, which contained remarks interpreted as offensive to Sunni religious sanctities, the Tehran Prosecutor ordered the immediate opening of a judicial case.

The investigation is ongoing until all aspects of the incident are fully clarified.

The judicial response came amid widespread reactions to the segment, which was condemned for inciting sectarian discord.

As a result, four key figures responsible for airing the material have been taken into custody by order of the judiciary.

Simultaneously, IRIB issued a public statement describing the broadcast as an “unforgivable and suspicious error.”

The controversial video was swiftly removed from IRIB’s digital platforms, including Telewebion and Sepehr.

Moreover, IRIB confirmed that eight individuals have been formally reported to judicial authorities for their involvement in the incident.

Meabwhile, the head of the relevant production unit and the Channel One broadcast manager have both been dismissed from their positions.

Authorities have emphasized that further steps will be taken based on the outcome of ongoing investigations.

Tehran police arrest 23 in fake meteorite scam following popular TV series

The scam came to light after numerous online advertisements offered “space rocks” at prices reaching up to $1 million, with sellers making unfounded claims about their celestial origins.

“Most ads falsely claimed these stones came from Mars, the Moon, or even gaseous planets like Uranus,” said Colonel Saeed Pirzad, deputy chief of Tehran’s Cyber Police (FATA).

Authorities confirmed that while meteorite sales aren’t illegal, 99% of recent online listings were fraudulent.

“Investigations revealed sellers either possessed no stones or peddled ordinary rocks as rare meteorites,” Colonel Pirzad noted.

Gemology experts warn buyers to verify authenticity through accredited centers.

The arrests follow a surge in scams after Paytaxt – a drama featuring a meteorite subplot – reignited fascination with cosmic collectibles.

Iran to host next SCO judicial chiefs summit

Mohseni Ejei

Gholamhossein Mohseni-Eje’i said on Friday, the decision was made during the 20th SCO judicial summit in China, where Iranian delegates participated in specialized committee meetings and bilateral talks with seven member states.

Mohseni-Eje’i emphasized the need for enhanced multilateral cooperation among SCO nations to counter “unilateralism by dictatorial powers” and address emerging legal challenges, particularly in artificial intelligence and cyber technologies.

As host, Iran will begin identifying key judicial challenges and compiling proposed solutions to optimize the summit’s outcomes.

The judiciary chief reported productive bilateral discussions with China’s Supreme Court president and senior officials, covering judicial, intelligence, and security cooperation.

He expressed hope that the summit would advance shared interests among SCO members committed to “justice, peace, and sustainable global security.”

The SCO, representing 40% of the world’s population, has become an increasingly important platform for Iran since becoming a full member in 2023.

Next year’s meeting will focus on closing legal gaps in technology governance and strengthening cross-border judicial collaboration.

UK lifts sanctions against Syrian defense, interior ministries, intelligence agencies

Syria War

In its update regrading sanctions on Syria, the ministry announced Syrian defense ministry, interior ministry, general intelligence directorate, air force intelligence agency, and political security directorate are no longer subject to an asset freeze.

The sanctions have also been lifted against Syrian National Security Bureau, military intelligence directorate, army supply bureau, general organization of radio and TV, Al Watan, Cham Press TV, and Sama TV according to the update.

It came after the foreign office updated the UK sanctions list which was imposed against Syrian entities during Bashar Assad government.

Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, ending the Baath Party’s decades-long rule that began in 1963.

A transitional administration was formed in Syria in late January, dissolving the constitution, security services, armed factions, parliament, and the Baath Party.

85% of child laborers in Tehran are Afghan nationals, deputy governor reports

The disclosure by Hossein Kaghazloo came during a meeting of Tehran’s Social Council on Wednesday, where officials reviewed last year’s efforts and outlined plans to address social issues in the Iranian capital, including addiction, begging, child labor, and divorce.

Kaghazloo said government agencies have been given a one-month deadline to submit actionable plans to the provincial government.

During the meeting, officials reviewed several key social indicators. Last year, approximately 2,300 homeless addicts received assistance in Tehran, with plans to expand the services this year.

Particular attention will be given to implementing Iran’s Anti-Narcotics Law, with special focus on female addicts.

The council emphasized the need for urgent action to address the persistent social challenges in Tehran while maintaining systematic oversight of all initiatives.

The existence of over 10 million undocumented Afghan nationals in Iran – based on unofficial figures – further adds to the challenges amid limited resources.

Iranian filmmaker Saeed Roustaee’s “Woman and Child” selected for Cannes Film Festival’s Main Competition

The film stars renowned Iranian actors Payman Maadi, Parinaz Izadyar, and Fereshteh Sadr Orafaee.

This marks Roustaee’s return to Cannes after his acclaimed Just 6.5 (2019).

His other well-received movie, Leila’s Brothers, was selected for the main competition for the Palme d’Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

He will be joined by fellow Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, whose A Simple Accident is also competing.

Internationally, Lynne Ramsay’s Die, My Love was another notable addition to the lineup.

The festival, running from May 13-24, 2025, will feature Juliette Binoche as president of the competition jury.

Iran, China FMs emphasize strategic partnership in countering unilateralism

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who is heading an official delegation to Beijing for consultations with senior Chinese officials, met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Wednesday afternoon.

During the meeting, the Iranian foreign minister delivered Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s written message for the Chinese president to Mr. Wang.

The top Iranian diplomat  said that the Iran-China relations over the past five decades serve as a model of expanding ties based on mutual respect and trust.

Araghchi pointed to the robust relations between the two countries and expressed confidence that the friendly and strategic ties will not be influenced by any third party.

He underscored that the leaders of both countries are determined to use all capacities to secure the mutual interests of the Iranian and Chinese nations.

The Iranian foreign minister appreciated China’s positive role in the developments of the West Asia region and described the current situation in the region as very worrying.

Referring to the ongoing genocide in occupied Palestine and the Zionist regime’s acts of aggression against Lebanon and Syria, alongside the US military aggression in Yemen, Araghchi described Israel’s occupation and expansionism as the root-cause of the persistence and expansion of insecurity in West Asia.
The Iranian foreign minister urged the international community to take immediate and effective action to halt the genocide and aggression in the region.

He also thanked China for its constructive and effective policy on Iran’s nuclear issue and sanctions removal, and briefed his Chinese counterpart on the latest state of indirect talks between Iran and the US.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for his part stressed the importance of the China-Iran strategic partnership for securing mutual interests and safeguarding regional and international peace and security.
Wang spoke about the necessity for all countries, particularly the Global South, to uphold the rule of law and multilateralism.

He noted that bullying and arrogance in the international arena pose a serious threat to a rules-based order enshrined in the principles of the UN Charter.

The top Chinese diplomat also praised Iran’s good faith and responsible approach regarding the nuclear issue and reaffirmed China’s support for the ongoing talks over the matter.