Iran FM holds phone talks with foreign counterparts

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian held phone conversations with a number of foreign diplomats to discuss a variety of issues. 

Islamic body chief censures terrorist attack in Peshawar

TEHRAN — Ali Akbar Velayati, the Secretary-General of the World Assembly of Islamic Awakening, issued a statement on Sunday condemning the criminal terrorist attack on the Risaldar Mosque in Peshawar, in northwestern Pakistan.

Iran condemns deadly terrorist attack in Pakistan

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Friday strongly condemned a terrorist attack on a mosque in the Risaldar Alley in Peshawar, Pakistan, saying it is aimed at dividing Muslims.

Trans-regional forces will not provide security, Iranian Navy chief say

TEHRAN — The Iranian Navy chief said that trans-regional forces not only have not provided and will not provide the desired security of the countries in the region, but also make the region insecure and portray the countries of the region as incapable.

Tehran webinar to discuss Eastern Hemisphere rituals, anthropology

TEHRAN – Tens of sociologists, anthropologists, and historians are scheduled to discuss rituals and humanities of the Eastern Hemisphere in a day-long webinar to be held tomorrow.

Iran, Pakistan reiterate formation of inclusive government in Afghanistan

TEHRAN — Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tehran, Rahim Hayat Qureshi, met on Sunday with Vahid Jalalzadeh, Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian parliament.

COVID-19:  Some 1.47m foreign nationals visit Iran in nine months  

TEHRAN – Some 1.47m foreign nationals visited Iran from the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2021) to January 1, a span most of which was subject to severe travel bans due to coronavirus.

Iran condemns Lahore deadly blast

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh has condemned a terrorist attack that killed and wounded a number of Pakistani citizens in the city of Lahore. Khatibzadeh expressed sympathy with those affected by the incident, the families of the victims and the brotherly and friendly government of Pakistan.

Iraqi, Afghan nationals top list of arrivals in Iran

TEHRAN – Citizens from Iraq and Afghanistan were the main tourists visiting Iran during a span of 70 days from October 23 to December 22, 2021, Mehr reported on Tuesday. 

By Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary

Self-Determination

 IMAGINE yourself as a Kashmiri born in Srinagar on Jan 5, 1949. You are 73 years old, and have completed nearly every phase of your life. You took decisions on what to study, where to work, how to contribute, and preparing to retire. A full circle of life. But at every stage, you were reminded that you were not free, that you were under Indian occupation, a kind of colonial rule. That’s the story of every man and woman who lives in the Valley of Kashmir or the Jammu region. You feel helpless and angry.

Pakistan resumes flights to Mashhad after five-year hiatus

TEHRAN -  Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights to Iran’s Mashhad, after a five-year gap to develop people-to-people contacts, local media reported on Thursday.

Iran FM meets with Pakistan army chief

TEHRAN - Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian met on Sunday with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa as he continued his meetings with Pakistani officials on the sidelines of the OIC conference.

Iran, Saudi Arabia FMs hold brief meeting in Pakistan

TEHRAN – The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held a brief meeting in Islamabad on Sunday on the sidelines of a regional summit on Afghanistan, the spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry said. 

FM: Iran considers sustainable security and political stability in Afghanistan fruitful to region

TEHRAN— Speaking at the 17th extraordinary session of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian reiterated that Iran supports the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

Ex-Pakistani diplomat says Iran’s demands in Vienna talks are logical

TEHRAN — Asif Ali Khan Durrani, Pakistan’s former envoy to Tehran, has said that Iran’s demands in the Vienna talks that sanctions must be lifted totally are reasonable, IRNA reported on Sunday.

Looming crisis in Afghanistan directly affecting Pakistan and Iran, PM Khan says

TEHRAN – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has criticized a continued freezing of Afghanistan's assets by the United States as the war-hit country is grappling with looming humanitarian crisis, warning that the deterioration of the situation will cause more problems for Pakistan and Iran as Afghanistan’s neighbors, IRNA reported on Thursday.

Iran-Pakistan maritime cooperation can lead strategic ties: Navy official

TEHRAN — An Iranian Navy official said on Sunday that Iran-Pakistan naval interactions will lead to deep and strategic relations between the two friendly and neighboring countries.

Iran, Pakistan reach barter trade agreement

TEHRAN – Iran and Pakistan have reached an agreement to use barter trade in order to boost bilateral trade in the face of U.S. sanctions, Pakistani news outlets reported on Friday.

Iran, Pakistan examine strengthening border, maritime cooperation

TEHRAN — In a virtual meeting, Iran’s Border Guard Commander and the director-general of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency have reviewed the latest developments related to bilateral cooperation in maritime and border management as well as conducting operations and patrols, IRNA reported on Friday.

Under the lens of CNN: Iran pavilion among the most ‘spectacular’ at Expo 2020

TEHRAN – A recent CNN report has selected Iran pavilion as one of the most “spectacular” structures that participating countries have set up at the Expo 2020 Dubai.