NAJAF, Iraq  – After years of often bloody struggle, one party has risen to dominate much of Iraq’s Shi’ite Muslim south, but the party of the prime minister poses a stiff challenge in upcoming elections due to his rising popularity. Slick, well-organized and well-funded, the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (ISCI) …

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani on Wednesday warned UAE to revise its attitude regarding fingerprinting of Iranian citizens. “UAE should know that the parliament’s demand about their attitude is serious,” Larijani said, adding that the Iranian lawmakers are angry to observe the UAE’s improper handling of Iranian incomers …

TEHRAN (FNA)- Egypt officially rejected unloading of an estimated 2,000 tons of medical and food supplies for the crisis-stricken people in Gaza, and said it would not issue the required permit for the Iranian ship to approach the Gaza Strip, a source said on Wednesday. The secretariat of the Organization …

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on the new US administration to extend an apology to Tehran if it really intends to put Obama’s campaign slogan of “change” into practice. “The people who want to make changes in the US should apologize to the Iranian nation and compensate for …

TEHRAN (FNA)- Chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi here Wednesday underlined the necessity for the trial of war criminals. “Trial of the war criminals plays a significant role in preventing crimes against humanity,” Boroujerdi said during a meeting with Georgian Ambassador to Tehran …

TEHRAN (FNA)- The European Union’s decision to take the anti-Iran terrorist group, the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) off its blacklist has caused angry reactions in the Iranian society. Iran’s Attorney General Ghorbanali Dorri Najaf Abadi condemned the EU action and called it an unjustifiable measure. Najaf Abadi said the action …

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki Tuesday dismissed the United Arab Emirates’ claims on the Iranian island of Abu Moussa. “Emirates’ expansionist claims and propaganda on Abu Moussa island lack legal basis or historical documents,” Mottaki said to Iranian parliament members. The Iranian foreign minister had been summoned to …

TEHRAN (FNA)- Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen said on Tuesday that US can hold dialogue with Iran over Afghanistan. Mullen underlined that the US can hold dialogue with Iran and find some mutual interests in Afghanistan and such talks “could be useful”. “With respect …

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran is conferring with the Egyptian government on opening Rafah border crossing and paving the way for Iranian aid vessel to dock in Gaza coast, a lawmaker said here on Wednesday. “A number of Iranian MPs are leaving for Gaza to confer about opening of Rafah crossings and …

TEHRAN (FNA)- Criminals and gangs are undermining Tehran-Islamabad friendly relations and the Pakistani government should be aware of that,” a senior Iranian MP warned. In a meeting with Pakistani Ambassador to Tehran Mohammad B. Abbasi, chairman of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi urged Islamabad …