The Afghan government admitted yesterday it had struck a deal with Taliban kidnappers to secure the freedom of an Italian hostage. An Italian aid agency said Daniele Mastrogiacomo, a journalist with La Repubblica newspaper, was freed only after five Taliban militants had been released from prison.President Hamid Karzai’s spokesmen admitted …

The Iranian ambassador to France said that there reside two important points in Iran’s nuclear case i.e. recognition of Iran’s right in compliance with the NPT rules and regulations for the use of peaceful nuclear technology and presentation of guarantees concerning non-diversion of Iran’s nuclear program to military.

The legal deputy of the Iranian foreign ministry said that in order to preserve its independence, the Iranian nation has so far paid a heavy price and will not give up its inalienable rights.

The Iranian defense minister stressed the point that the likelihood of imposition of sanctions against Iran, multiplies the incentive of the elites of the country’s defense industries in the design and manufacture of modern home-made terminals and weapons.

The pipeline project for the transfer of Iran’s natural gas to Armenia was put into operation in the presence of the Iranian and Armenian presidents.

Spokesman of the Iranian foreign ministry in reaction to the statements made by Egypt’s foreign minister, said that Iran’s nuclear activities are intended to pursue the country’s sustainable development adding that support for Iraq’s territorial integrity and sovereignty forms Iran’s strategy.

 Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Armenia a few minutes ago in order to inaugurate the Iran-Armenia natural gas transfer pipeline project.

The incoming ambassador of Ukraine to Tehran reiterated that Ukraine calls for the expansion of ties with Iran in all the various fields.

MA’SUM GHAR, Afghanistan — One of Afghanistan’s top field commanders wants Canada to provide his troops with better weapons to fight the Taliban. For the past year, Lt.-Col. Shereen Shah Kohbandi’s 2nd Kandak (battalion) has been roaring into battle in Ford Ranger pickup trucks while their Canadian brothers-in-arms ride in …

KABUL: Sitting and eating quietly on his father’s lap, the 18-month-old boy was oblivious to the infection running through his veins. But his father, a burly farmer, now a widower and father of four, knew only too well. It was the same one that killed his wife, the boy’s mother, …