Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday said US sanctions will have no impact on the policies of the Islamic republic at home or abroad. "It is obvious that we are facing pressure by the US sanctions. But will that lead to a change in policy? I can assure you it won't," Zarif told the Doha Forum policy conference in Qatar. "If there is an art we have perfected in Iran and can teach to others for a price, it is the art of evading sanctions," he added. The US imposed two sets of sanctions on Iran this year, after earlier unilaterally pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal with global powers. Discussing the Yemen conflict, Zarif denied Tehran had ever armed the Huthi rebels battling pro-government forces in the country. "We have never provided weapons to Huthis," he said when challenged on what arms it had supplied. "They have enough weapons, they don't need weapons from Iran," Zarif said. He said there were only "allegations" that Iran had sent weapons to Yemen, whereas … [Read more...] about US sanctions won’t change Iran policies says FM
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Iran’s Army Aviation training center ready to accept foreign students
Tehran, Iran, Dec.15 Trend: Commander of Iran's Army Aviation (Havanirooz) Brigadier-General Yusef Ghorbani has announced the Vatanpour Training Center is ready to start accepting foreign students. "The Vatanpour Training Center, is the biggest helicopter training center in the Middle East, the center has previously trained foreign students, and now is looking to train more students from foreign countries," he said, Trend reports via Fars News Agency. Ghorbani made the remarks during a meeting with aviation elites and heads of knowledge based companies in Iran. The commander noted that in the times of sanctions, Iran should launch the spare parts manufacturing programs. "Foreign currency and investment problems, delay in projects operation and loss of opportunities are the challenges we must face," he added. The official noted that the knowledge-based companies and veterans can move towards new horizons to manufacture parts for Iran's aviation. "The experience of eight year Iran-Iraq … [Read more...] about Iran’s Army Aviation training center ready to accept foreign students
Special-purpose vehicle of Iran & Europe to be implemented soon
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 15 By Taleh Mursagulov - Trend: The European Union (EU) intends to complete the preparation of the special-purpose vehicle (SPV) to maintain relations with Iran after the recent US sanctions, Tarja Cronberg, the ex Labour Minister of Finland and the chair of the European Parliament delegation for relations with Iran, said at a meeting with Gholamhossein Shafei, President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines & Agriculture (ICCIMA), Trend reports via Iranian media. She noted that some countries have ceased their cooperation with Iran, and many others are also planning to do so. The EU is willing to implement the SPV soon, so that import and export operations between Iran and other countries can be carried out smoothly, Cronberg said. "The UK and France are strictly working on this SPV. It is a new experience for both Iran and Europe. Though, lately, there has been a slight delay in the process," she said. Shafei noted that the implementation of the … [Read more...] about Special-purpose vehicle of Iran & Europe to be implemented soon
US pressure more on Iran’s oil products rather than crude oil
Tehran, Iran, Dec.15 Trend: Iran Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh has indicated the heavy US pressure on Iran's sales of oil products, and the effects of sanctions on the country's "gas plans" with Pakistan. "The threats against OPEC have partly foreign and domestic origins. The current trend in the market indicates that the OPEC's positive move on cutting the oil output was accepted," the minister said, Trend reports citing ILNA. He described the recent OPEC meeting as being 'under serious US pressure', and said that the major pressure against Iran was inflicted by two neighboring countries. "If we would have agreed with the cut in production, 600,000 barrels of crude oil would be reduced from our production, but through Iran's persistence, the country was exempted from the OPEC output cut plan," he said. Zangeneh, further speaking about the US sanctions, said the pressure was more on the oil products than crude oil. Follow Trend on Telegram. Only most interesting and important news … [Read more...] about US pressure more on Iran’s oil products rather than crude oil
Iraq annuls contract with General Electric in favor of Iran’s electrical equipment
Tehran, Iran, Dec.15 Trend: Iran and Iraq are finalizing one of the biggest electricity contracts, to meet the needs of Iraq for turbines and electrical equipment at its power plants. "The quality of Iranian electrical equipment is so high, that the Iraqi government has canceled its contract with the American General Electric company, to import Iranian equipment,” vice president of Iran-Iraq Chamber of Commerce Alireza Kolahi said, Trend reports citing ILNA. "Unfortunately, previous Iraqi Energy Minister did not cooperate with Iran in expanding bilateral trades. The minister prevented work of Iranian companies but the new Energy Minister is keen to cooperate, until now several agreements have been signed in the fields of energy which would be a positive step if they turn them into contracts," he added. "Iranian companies have been popular among Iraqi Shiites and Kurds, after the defeat of IS in Iraq, the positive role of Iran in supporting Iraqi people created interest even … [Read more...] about Iraq annuls contract with General Electric in favor of Iran’s electrical equipment