Middle Orient

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on the US and its allies Saturday to “apologize” to Iran for accusing it of seeking nuclear weapons, and said no amount of sanctions would deter his country from pursuing its uranium enrichment program.

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas opened an investigation into the death of a Hamas preacher who the Islamist group said was tortured by Fatah security services, officials said on Saturday.

BAGHDAD – A barrage of mortar bombs or rockets hit Baghdad’s heavily protected Green Zone, home to the U.S. embassy and Iraqi government ministries, on Saturday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Frequent giant snowballs splashing on the passing cars on a fascinating road connecting Tehran to northern Iran killed and wounded many in an unprecedentedly freezing winter in the country.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iranian Government Spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham informed reporters of the latest approvals, decisions and stances adopted by Ahmadinejad’s administration during his weekly press conference here on Saturday.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Guardians Council’s Spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodayee informed reporters of the latest decisions and approvals of the council during a press conference here on Saturday.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iran’s top nuclear negotiator and Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Saeed Jalili here Friday hailed a report by the UN nuclear watchdog chief Mohamed ElBaradei on Iran’s nuclear activities, saying that it proved Tehran’s righteousness.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Tens of thousands of local residents in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas rushed to meet their popular president to voice their support for Ahmadinejad’s policies and demand him facilitate solution of their personal and social problems.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Phase one development of Shahid Rajaie Container Terminal (SRCT) project in Bandar Abbas, with a handling capacity of some 1.5 million teu, came on stream on Thursday.

TEHRAN (FNA) – Iranians across the country experienced a total eclipse of the moon in early hours of Thursday morning.