Politics

  • Ahmadinejad defends his chief of staff Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei in dispute with conservatives: "There is an abnormal sensitivity against Mashaei... I fully trust him... If someone has any criticism or believes what he says is wrong, he should invite Mr. Mashaei to speak with him and even debate with him. Why all this row? Some want to change the issues of our enemies, illegal sanctions and enemies at home into secondary issues..."
    • Mashaei has warned he will file a legal complaint against Chief of the General Staff Firouzabadi.
  • Ahmadinejad appoints Gholam-Hossein Elham his legal adviser.

 

Diplomacy

Military and Security

Trade

·         [E] The recent UN Security Council and unilateral sanctions imposed on Iran will not affect the €18 billion gas contract between the Swiss energy group EGL and the National Iranian Gas Export Company (NIGEC).

·         [E] Ankara will respect its €1 billion deal with Iran for the construction of a 660km pipeline to transfer Iran's gas supplies to Europe via Turkey, Turkish Energy Minister said.

·         [E] Turkey's Energy Minister said that Iran and Turkey will continue plans for the joint construction of power plants with a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts.

·         [E] Turkey has paid Iran a $600 million fine for failing to import natural gas at the amount previously agreed between two countries, a Turkish minister says.

Religion, Culture and Society

·         [E] Tehran will host the first International Seminar on English Language Teaching of the Islamic World.

·         [E] The 7th edition of Iran's International Bismillah Festival has kicked off in Tehran and Isfahan, hosting calligraphy works from 16 countries.

 

Photos of the Day

·         Revolutionary Guards Navy’s new speed boats.