Middle Orient

TEHRAN (FNA) Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki voiced Tehran’s determination to provide answers to the questions posed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about its nuclear program.

TEHRAN (FNA) Oil production from Iran’s Darkhovin field has been doubled to 100,000 barrels per day (bpd), an Iranian official said on Sunday, referring to part of a plan to hike output from OPEC’s second biggest producer.

TEHRAN (FNA) While Turkmenistan’s economic officials insist that the country cut gas to Iran 12 days ago because of a technical fault with the export pipeline, Ashgabat’s political circles blame a failure by Iran to pay for supplies as a second cause of the disruption.

TEHRAN (FNA) Iran on Sunday criticized Washington for using President Bush’s Middle East tour to spread anti-Iranian sentiment in the region.

TEHRAN (FNA) Iran reiterated decisiveness to resolve the nuclear issue by answering the remaining questions about its nuclear activities within one month, a crucial step which will complete the implementation of a work plan agreed between the IAEA Secretariat and Iran in August 2007.

TEHRAN (FNA) Iran replaced the director general of Tehran’s international airport, the transport ministry said yesterday, after passengers were left stranded for days amid major disruption caused by snowfalls.

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the most serious peace talks in seven years would begin on Monday and must tackle all of the most sensitive issues including Jerusalem without delay.

TEHRAN (FNA) Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization Gholam Reza Aghazadeh here Sunday said that Tehran’s nuclear issue is in final stages and would soon be resolved.

TEHRAN (FNA) Political Advisor to Iraq’s most influential Shiite politician Sunday dismissed reports by certain media about an impending collective resignation by Iraqi president, prime minister and foreign minister, and described such rumors as ridiculous.

TEHRAN (FNA) A member of the US national fencing team dismissed West’s negative propaganda about Iran, stressing that he and his teammates would never visit Iran for a second time if they observed any hostility instead of hospitality in the attitude of the Iranian people or government.