Middle Orient News

 A high-ranking military delegation from Iran arrived in India late on Sunday to attend talks with Indian officials.

Visiting Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi called for the formation of an advisory assembly by the judiciaries of the Islamic states to pave the ground for the establishment of an international tribunal with the needed judicial and legal authorities.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Saudi King Abdullah agreed to counter attempts to fuel Sunni-Shiite strife during a visit by the Iranian leader to Saudi Arabia.

Iranian parliament overwhelmingly approved the outline of the budget for the next Iranian year, despite criticism from MPs of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s economic policies.

Nine Afghan civilians have been killed in a bombing raid in Kapisa province, Afghan officials say.

An agent of the terrorist group PEJAK was arrested as he was shooting the scene of a funeral procession held in Iran’s northwestern city of Khoy in Western Azerbaijan Province on Sunday, an informed source said.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini stressed that Iran’s maneuvers in the Persian Gulf aim to strengthen the country’s deterrent power and that they don’t serve to pose a threat to any country.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki here in Tehran on Sunday met with the new envoy of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to Tehran Shahid Najm.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini said that a meeting between Tehran and Washington officials on the sidelines of the upcoming security meeting in Baghdad is not on the agenda.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said coordination between Iran and Saudi Arabia strengthens Muslims’ identity and serves as a source of glory for the world of Islam.