Iran

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The timing of Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon’s visit to Iran will inevitably lead to speculation that India has decided to take forward its relationship with Iran after a US intelligence report endorsed the peaceful nature of its nuclear program.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a message to Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa on Saturday extended his congratulations to the Bahraini King, government and nation on the country’s national day.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- A UK court Friday refused the government’s appeal against the court’s order to the home secretary to lift a six-year ban on an anti-Iran terrorist group, discrediting London’s slogans about human rights and campaign against terrorism.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Tehran’s interim Friday Prayers leader Ahmad Khatami blasted the US for removing proofs and evidence on interrogation and torture of Guantanamo inmates, describing the move as a big scandal for an administration which claims to be the forerunner of human rights.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Tajikistan has voiced preparedness to launch banking activities in Iran by opening a branch of Tajik Export Bank on Iran’s southern island of Qeshm.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki described his country as the most reliable and powerful partner for Russia in the region.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- The criminal who killed a French citizen in Iran’s central city of Isfahan earlier this week was arrested by the Iranian security and police forces last night, an informed source said on Friday.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is scheduled to leave Tehran for Mecca, Saudi Arabia on a hajj pilgrimage on Sunday.

EDINBURGH, Scotland – Defense Secretary Robert Gates is asking European allies for more troops to help stabilize Afghanistan, where the government is weak, the insurgency is relentless and casualties are mounting.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency) – Iranian security forces killed 5 terrorists and arrested 15 more in clashes in a southeastern region on Thursday, saying they had planned to detonate bombs in the country.