Iran says U.S. President Barack Obama’s comments in his State of the Union speech — in which he said sanctions had forced Tehran to the negotiating table on its nuclear program — were “unrealistic and “unconstructive.” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said “the delusion” of sanctions having an impact on Iran’s motivation is based […]
Tag: Tehran
UN experts arrive in Tehran to visit uranium mine
UN nuclear inspectors arrived in Tehran Tuesday to visit Iran’s Gachin uranium mine for the first time in several years, Atomic Energy Organisation Behrouz Kamalvandi said. “These three inspectors are scheduled to travel tomorrow to Bandar Abbas province to visit the Gachin mine,” Kamalvandi was quoted by state news agency IRNA as saying. The […]
Authorities Close Cultural Events in Tehran Despite Rouhani’s Recent Support of Artists
Over the past few days, Iranian authorities have inexplicably delayed and cancelled two cultural events in Tehran. The first was a well-publicized group exhibition of paintings commemorating the birthday of the beloved female poet, Forough Farrokhzad, scheduled to open in Tehran’s Vista Gallery on Friday, January 10. The exhibition, which promised to be a […]
Iranian MPs vote to move capital despite reservations
Iranian Parliament has approved the plan to move the political capital out of Tehran. Khaneh Mellat reports that the despite the speaker’s recognition that the project comes with “a heavy financial burden”, the bill was passed with 110 in favour and 67 opposed with 10 abstaining. The bill authorizes the establishment of an “Organizing […]
UN Criticizes Tehran On Human Rights Violations
The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution criticizing Iran for serious rights violations including torture and its “alarming” and frequent use of the death penalty. The resolution also welcomes human rights pledges by Iran’s new president, Hassan Rohani, such as eliminating discrimination against women and members of ethnic minorities. But the resolution criticizes […]
Iranian Official: EU’s Ashton Reassures Tehran On Nuke Deal
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says EU foreign-policy chief Catherine Ashton has reassured Iran that world powers are committed to an agreement reducing Tehran’s nuclear activities in exchange for easing sanctions against Iran. Araghchi made his comments in Brussels after talks with Ashton. He said technical talks between the world powers and Iranian […]
Tehran Says New U.S. Sanctions ‘Against Spirit’ Of Deal
Iran’s deputy foreign minister says new U.S. measures targeting individuals and companies for supporting Tehran’s nuclear program are “against the spirit” of a deal reached in Geneva last month. Abbas Araghchi, who is on Iran’s negotiating team, said on December 13 that his government is evaluating the situation after the United States the previous […]
Tehran told to shut down offices, schools due to pollution
The environment branch of Iran’s ministry of health wants offices, schools and colleges in Tehran to be shut down due to heavy air pollution. Ministry officials report that Tehran’s air quality has been deteriorating at an alarming rate, and in three letters to the Tehran governor, they have called for the implementation of legal […]
Pollution problems in Iran set to intensify on Monday
Tehran and several other industrial cities will face a severe decline in air quality beginning on Monday, according to Iranian meteorological reports. The head of Air and Weather Predictions, Abdolreza Omidvar, told the Mehr News Agency that on Monday and Tuesday, increased emissions will result in heavy pollution in Tehran, Isfahan, Arak, Karaj and […]
Deputy Minister Shot Dead In Tehran
The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency says an unidentified attacker shot dead the Iranian deputy industries minister. The report said Safdar Rahmat Abadi had been shot in the head and chest in his car on the evening of November 10 in the east of the capital, Tehran. The report quoted a police official as […]