Russia wants its military officers to be present at all times at the planned US missile sites in Poland and the Czech Republic to make sure Russia is not a target, the Russian foreign minister said Tuesday.

The rival US presidential hopefuls have aired bitter disagreements over the Iraq troop surge as they put questions to American military commander General David Petraeus.

Chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi said imposing several sanctions against Iran for its peaceful nuclear activities has led to blooming of domestic talents of Iranian scientists in all fields.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammad-Ali Hosseini, on Tuesday deplored civilian losses in Iraq, condemning US forces for indiscriminate bombardment of residential areas in Sadr City and Basra.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in central Iran on Tuesday that present achievements of Iranian scientists in the field of peaceful nuclear technology would lead to major progress in domestic industries.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that Iran started installation of some 6,000 new centrifuges on Tuesday.

Iranian Jewish lawmaker Moris Mo’tamed on Monday called on the “followers of all religions” to protest against any sacrilege against divine religions.

TABRIZ, Apr. 07 (MNA) – Iran’s Foolad Gostar Kosar Co. and Turkey’s Rana Steel Co. inked a 220-million-euro deal on Monday as a joint venture for establishment of steel mills in the two countries.

 Russia isn’t a member of NATO. It never will be. But the country which once used to dominate and run the rival Warsaw Pact is nevertheless having a crucial influence on the deliberations in Bucharest of the 26-nation alliance. Whether western powers like it or not, Russia is becoming NATO-Plus-One.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini on Wednesday blasted US President George W. Bush’s “antagonistic” claims on Iran’s missile capabilities and said the statements in Bucharest summit of the military alliance are examples of the US government’s “desperate and opportunistic” attempt to destabilize the Middle East region.