An Iranian soldier who was abducted by bandits in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan and Balouchestan last July was freed by Iranian troops on Friday, an informed source said.

Iran’s ambassador to Bangkok Mohsen Pak Ayeen dismissed reports about a delay in LNG negotiations between Iran and Thailand.

A large number of people in Poland are advocates of Iranian cinema, Poland’s deputy minister of culture and national heritage said.

Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee voiced his country’s support for the recent agreement and talks held between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran’s ambassador to Manama voiced his country’s preparedness to develop relations with Bahrain.

Iran’s Interior Minister said that his country has finalized oil and gas projects with China, adding that two-way trade was on target to hit $20 bln this year among robust commercial ties.

Belgian Foreign Minister Kare de Gucht will leave for Iran Saturday to meet with Stefaan Boeve, a Belgian national who was freed yesterday after he was kidnapped by bandits in southeastern Iran last month.

Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi said China renewed its support for negotiations over his country’s nuclear activities, and he warned that new UN sanctions could force Tehran to adopt “other means”.

A split has emerged in the coalition of Western powers pressuring Iran to freeze its nuclear enrichment program, as France backs US calls for a new round of sanctions while Germany urges restraint.

Three drilling companies will be privatized, said a National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) official here on Friday.