Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iranian President Hassan Rouhani appointed two female vice presidents on Wednesday but continued to take flak from reformists for nominating no women ministers. The appointments came a day after the moderate president announced his all-male list of ministers to parliament, seen as a betrayal by reformists …
Read More »Iran’s tech sector blooms under shield of sanctions
Tehran, Iran | AFP | The names may be unfamiliar but the services are immediately recognisable: Snapp is Iran’s answer to Uber, Digikala is its Amazon, and Pintapin its Booking.com. US sanctions have protected the Islamic republic’s tech sector, barring Silicon Valley from profiting from one of the world’s most promising …
Read More »Israel opposes Syria truce deal over Iran presence: official
Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the southwest Syria ceasefire agreed by Russia and the US since it would enable Iran to solidify its presence there, an official said Monday. The July 9 accord creating a de-escalation zone in the Daraa, Quneitra and Sweida regions includes …
Read More »Total to sign Iran gas deal, biggest since sanctions lifted
Tehran, Iran | AFP | French energy giant Total will finally sign its multi-billion-dollar agreement to develop an Iranian offshore gas field on Monday, the oil ministry said, in the biggest foreign deal since sanctions were eased last year. “The international agreement for the development of phase 11 of South …
Read More »Iran, Qatar voice support for Saudi after Mecca bombing
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Both Iran and Qatar on Saturday voiced support for Saudi Arabia over a suicide bombing near Islam’s holiest site in Mecca despite their severed ties. “Iran… as always expresses its readiness to assist and cooperate with other countries to confront these criminals, who deal death …
Read More »Iran book ticket to 2018 World Cup
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi were on target as Iran confirmed their spot in the 2018 World Cup finals with a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on Monday. It was Iran’s sixth win from eight matches in Group A which …
Read More »Iran has sent five planes of vegetables to Qatar
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Iran has sent five planes of vegetables to Qatar, Iran’s national carrier told AFP on Sunday, days after Gulf countries cut off air and other transport links to the emirate. “So far five planes carrying… vegetables have been sent to Qatar, each carrying around 90 …
Read More »Gun attacks and suicide bombs in Tehran, at least three dead
Tehran, Iran | AFP | Gunmen and suicide bombers carried out coordinated attacks on Iran’s parliament and the tomb of revolutionary founder Ruhollah Khomeini on Wednesday, state media reported, killing at least three people. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attacks but Iran is a key player …
Read More »Sudan urges ‘reconciliation’ to end Gulf row with Qatar
Khartoum, Sudan | AFP | Sudan on Monday offered to launch “reconciliation” efforts between Qatar and its neighbouring Gulf Arab countries that have cut diplomatic ties with Doha after accusing it of supporting extremism. Arab nations Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Yemen announced earlier Monday that …
Read More »Trump becomes first sitting US president to visit Western Wall
Jerusalem, Undefined | AFP | Donald Trump on Monday became the first sitting US president to visit the Western Wall in the disputed city of Jerusalem, placing his hand on one of the most sacred sites in Judaism. The Western Wall is the holiest site where Jews can pray. Trump, …
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