Iran

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.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov voiced Moscow’s support for continued cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reiterating that his country’s demand for a full settlement of Iran’s nuclear issue.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki met with Russia’s Atomic Energy Chief Sergei Kiriyenko in Moscow on Thursday.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Phase 12 of South Pars (SP) gas field would earn Iran six billion dollars, 5.3 percent of gross national product (GNP), per year if the lowest prices were considered, said Petropars Company managing director here on Thursday.

TEHRAN (Fars News Agency)- Abu Dhabi National Energy Co TAQA.AD (Taqa) said it is in early talks to import natural gas from Iran to the United Arab Emirates, and invest in the Iranian energy industry, including in power.