Iran’s Oil Minister Gholam-Hussein Nozari has announced that Tehran will soon close a deal with Russia’s Gazprom to form a joint company for implementing energy projects.

Iraqi radical Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has extended for another six months a cease-fire between his Mahdi army militia and U.S. and Iraqi forces. 

Substitute Friday prayers leader of Tehran Ayatollah Mohammad Emami Kashani here on Friday called on the 8th Majlis elections campaigners to avoid backbiting and defaming their rivals.