Iran

An earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale jolted the outskirts of the city of Fathabad in Iran’s southern province of Fars on Wednesday.

Iran and Singapore underlined the need to bolster joint investments, and called for direct relations between the two countries’ banks and financial institutes.

Poland’s ambassador to Tehran here Wednesday welcomed privatization of state-owned industries and companies in Iran, and viewed it as an excellent opportunity for expanding Tehran-Warsaw economic ties and cooperation.

North Korea’s Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun said relations with Iran set a top priority for Pyongyang, and stressed that his country would spare no effort to enhance ties with the Islamic Republic.

Iran and Bahrain are utilizing all the existing potentials to further expand mutual cooperation and relations, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini said.

Iran and Belarus here Wednesday signed a new form of buy-back contract on development of ‘Jofeireh’ oil field in Iran’s oil-rich province of Khuzestan near the Iraqi borders.

Iran’s economic growth last year surpassed 7%, said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here on Wednesday.

Iranian deputy commerce minister conferred with Indonesia’s deputy industries minister here in Tehran on Wednesday about ways to expand the two countries’ economic cooperation.

Securing continued friendly ties requires vigilance and we should keep away from the aliens displeased with our friendly relations, Iranian Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Mohammad Hossein Saffar Harandi said in a meeting with his Azeri counterpart here on Wednesday.

A prominent Iranian lawmaker said the recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Mohamed ElBaradei indicated success of Iran’s diplomacy in attracting IAEA’s positive view.